Aug 1st, 2013

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Court stops PDP convention NEWS

Page 8

•Oyinlola secures injuction

News Why Lagos moved destitute P57 Sports Enyeama is French club’s No.1 P24 Business CBN spends N114b on notes P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2563 THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Group wins Afam plant with $260m

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From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

N energy firm - Televeras Group — which is jointly owned by Nigerians and British West Indies, emerged yesterday the preferred bidders for Afam Power Plc, with an offer of $260,050,000.

Its only rival, TES Power Limited, offered $222,900,000 for the firm.

For Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, an indigenous power firm, Northwest Power Limited, won the bid, with an offer of 29.29 per cent Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) to defeat five other bidders.

Its closest rival, Leda Consortium, scored 26.71 per cent at the opening of the commercial bids for the privatisation of the power entities conducted in Abuja.

•Forte Oil Plc Chairman Femi Otedola (right) ringing the bell to close the market at the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos…yesterday. With him (from left) are: the company’s Group Executive Officer Akin Akinfemiwa, NSE President Aliko Dangote and NSE Director-General Oscar Onyema.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Continued on page 11

Buhari, Tinubu, ANPP: new dawn as INEC okays APC SEE ALSO PAGES 4&5

PDP: we’re not threatened

Rivers House Leader in court •Plea not taken

From Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale, Vincent Ikuomola, Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

From Rosemary Nwisi,

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ETAINED Rivers State House of Assembly Majority Leader Chidi Lloyd was in court yesterday, but his plea was not taken. A six- count charge is preferred against Lloyds by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mbu Joseph Mbu, for his alleged role in last month’s fracas at the Assembly.

Lloyd, a three-time lawmaker representing Emuoha Local Government Area, is being held by the police for allegedly using a fake mace smuggled into the chambers by five-antiAmaechi lawmakers to hit Micheal Chinda.

His lawyer, Beluolisa Nwofor (SAN), earlier yesterday, queried the right of Donald DENwigwe, a private lawyer, to appear in a criminal charge by the police without a fiat from the Attorney-General of the state (A-GS). He urged the

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ROM opposition politicians to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came yesterday a stern warning: be prepared to quit in 2015.

The warning followed the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — the vessel with which progressive forces will fight the 2015 electoral battle — by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC is the baby of the merger of the three main opposition parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) - as well as a part of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The main parties in the merger ceased to exist following the registration of the APC. INEC, in a statement by its Secretary Abdullahi A. Kaugama, said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has approved the apContinued on page 2

Port Harcourt

court to erase him from the •Lloyd (second right) surrounded by policemen in court...yesterday

Continued on page 2

•PRESIDENCY WANTS GIRL IN ETSU NUPE’S PALACE BACK WITH PARENTS P7

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

NEWS Rivers House Leader in court Continued from page 1

•Group Managing Director/CEO, Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti (middle) at the launch of Skye Bank Customer Service Charter in Lagos yesterday. With him (from left) are: Executive Director, South South/Retail Banking, Ibiye Ekong. Executive Director, Corporate and Investment, Timothy Oguntayo. Executive Director, South East/Treasury, Ms. Amaka Onwughalu and Head Consumer Protection Council, (CPC) Lagos, Ngozika Obidike PHOTO DAYO ADEWUNKI

Tinubu: Nigeria on irreversible path of change

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NATIONAL Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday described the registration of the APC as an irreversible cause of change and people oriented development.

In a statement, he said: “ Once again, history is made in our country and before our very eyes.The confirmation of the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by INEC signals the commencement of a new phase in the struggle to bring true democratic change to Nigeria. This is not just a merger. This is the first ever merger in the history of Nigeria. It represents a paradigm shift in the politics of our country. Together we must own it. As Nigerians, we see history unfold before our very eyes and we must rise up to answer the call of history to liberate our people. I congratulate all our governors,all our members from the North-East, North West,South-South, SouthEast, South-West and the NorthCentral and all would-be members and well wishers of our great party, APC. “ Let me single out for congratulations the leadership of the merging parties, particularly the

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executives and the entire membership of APC for their perseverance, doggedness and the sacrifices they made in the interest of our country.

“They resolutely stood behind the merger and had trust in the leadership and the process.

Their faith in the message of change that APC represents has been aptly demonstrated. It is to them that the greatest credit goes to. Because we fulfilled the laws for registration as prescribed, we all along were confident that our party will be registered. We worked hard to ensure that our party was in good stead and in good standing with the law.

“Selfish interest and ego were shelved. Personal sacrifices were made, particularly by those who hitherto occupied higher positions in the merging parties in the interest of moving Nigeria forward.

“I congratulate millions of Nigerians who stood by us during the long process to form the APC and actualise its objective.

This registration is a culmination of concerted and diverse efforts and commitment by our people to work for a new Nigeria.

“With APC, a new Nigeria is necessary and is possible.

“I also want to congratulate the leadership of INEC headed

by Prof. Jega and the entire institution for this positive pronouncement. Nigerians must give INEC a pat on the back for complying with the law of the land. What INEC has done is to follow the Constitution and the Electoral Act to the letter. We hope INEC will continue in this spirit of independence and respect for the rule of law in all its future operations.

“Today, I can say that Nigeria’s democratic journey has started on a new course and we must pursue this course religiously and rigorously. Our commitment to achieving One Man, One Vote remains resolute.

“We therefore must demand from INEC the full adoption of the biometric system. Prof. Jega and the Institution he leads will not achieve much and their efforts at free and fair elections will not be fruitful until they adopt a modern technologically-driven biometric system that will ensure the integrity of our elections and earn the confidence of Nigeria.

“If this is done, we can then say our democracy has ad-

vanced several miles forward to join other civilised democracies in Africa. Good job, Jega and INEC. You deserve an administrative pat on the back. The real kudos will come when you work to midwife a virile democracy.

“Finally, with the registration of All Progressives Congress, APC, the momentum for change has gained in acceleration as this merger is ready to set Nigeria on an irreversible course of change and peopleoriented development. Congratulations Nigerians.The struggle has just begun, because democratic victory is certain.”

list of counsel to prosecute the matter, unless he produces the document before the court.

DENwigwe said the matter was not initiated by the A-GS but the CP and does not require his production of an authority from the A-GS to appear. He insisted that the court should rule on the application on the jurisdiction of the prosecution before the plea could be taken.

The A-Gs, Nworgu Boms, at a point invoked the powers conferred on him by Section 211(1)(b) of the Constitution to take over the prosecution, saying that he was acting with the sense of public duty and law.

DENwigwe said his announcement to take over the prosecution was premature. He insisted that until the accused person was duly arraigned before the court, there was yet nothing for the AGS to take over.

“The issue is that whether or not there is a criminal proceeding before the court. Until plea is taken, there is still nothing for the A-GS to take over,” he stressed.

Justice L.L.Nyordee will rule on August 6 on the two issues.

Justice Nyordee said: “Going by the foregoing, plea cannot be taken, and the court cannot make any order on the custody of the accused person. The case is adjourned till August 6 for ruling.”

A six-count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder, assault and malicious damage was filed against Lloyd before Justice L.L.Nyordee of the State High Court 5, sitting in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The matter was earlier scheduled for Tuesday, but the police failed to produce the lawmaker in court. They were not also in court to prosecute the matter.

Justice Nyordee adjourned the

matter till yesterday, for plea. He ordered that fresh hearing notices be served on the police to produce Lloyd in court and also to prosecute the matter.

DENwigwe led seven other lawyers, including Commissioner of Police (CP) Ekechukwu Nwodibo and J.C.A Ideachaba, a Superintendent of Police (SP) from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, for the prosecution.

Shortly after appearances had been taken, Nwofor raised a preliminary objection against DENwigwe’s appearance to prosecute a criminal charge for the police without a fiat, being a private legal practitioner.

Nwofor urged the court to expunge his name and several other lawyers’ who are not police officers but announced their appearance in the case, insisting that their appearance negates the provision of law.

“I object to DENwigwe’s appearance for prosecution. He is not a police officer, but a private practitioner. The law requires that for a private practitioner to appear in a criminal charge by the Commissioner of Police, he should tender a fiat, from the Attorney-General of the state.

“I urge the court to expunge the appearance of all the lawyers announced by the SAN, except J.C.A. Ideachaba, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who filed the information; all other appearances are incompetent.

“This is a criminal matter and not a civil case and not also a private prosecution initiated.”

DENwigwe said the charge was not initiated by the AttorneyGeneral of the state (A-GS), but the Commissioner of Police (CP), Appearance does not require an approval/ authority from the state Attorney-General, he said, urging the court to over-rule Nwofor’s objection.

Buhari, Tinubu, ANPP: new dawn as INEC okays APC Continued from page 1

plication by three political parties – the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) – to merge into one, to be known as the All Progressives Congress.

“On considering the application, the Commission found that the applicant-par-

ties have met all statutory requirements for the merger, and has accordingly granted their request.

“Consequently, the Commission has approved the withdrawal of the individual certificates of the applicant-parties, and the issuance of a single certificate to the All Progressives Congress.”

National leaders of the APC Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

lauded the INEC decision.

Although Gen. Buhari, a former head of state, said he would react comprehensively later after consulting with the new party’s interim leader, Chief Bisi Akande, his spokesman quoted him as congratulating “patriotic Nigerians clamouring for change and indeed all Nigerians and INEC alike for the historic registration of APC. Continued on page 59

Why INEC registered All Progressives Congress

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) registered the All Progressives Congress (APC) based on four factors, The Nation learnt yesterday.

The four factors are: •substantial compliance with Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 78 of the Electoral Act by merger parties; •absence of any injunction restraining INEC from registering the party; •the commission’s stand to be courageous and take a definite position; and •the need to open up the electoral space for a free and fair contest.

According to sources, despite the fact that a department tried to delay the registration of the APC on technical ground of a subsisting court process, INEC decided to be courageous.

It was gathered that INEC discovered that if it had not acted within the law, APC would have been automatically registered within 30 days of the submission of its application.

A National Commissioner, who spoke in confidence, said: “We subjected the application for merger of the parties to Section 222 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 78 of the Electoral Act. “The field report confirmed that the ACN, the ANPP and the

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The road to APC

HE journey started more than three years ago. Following the 2007 presidential election, which the former President, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, acknowledged as flawed, opposition parties returned to the drawing board.

Many people believed that without a formidable alliance or collaboration, their chance of defeating the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was slim. But the opposition figures ignored the strength in unity to their peril. Thus, to observers, they failed to learn from the lessons of history.

The lessons of past botched alliances were confounding. Collaborations, alliances and mergers collapsed in earlier dispensations because politicians differed on the sharing of political offices. It was also evident that some of them thought that fusion may rob them of the relevance conferred by their feather-weight parties.

Ahead of the 2011 polls, the talks between Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

CPC met all the requirements to merge. So, we have no cause to deny them this right. There were no fault lines; they kept to the guidelines. Denying them registration could overheat the system as if INEC is being stereotyped by some forces.”

Responding to a question, the

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

ANALYSIS led by Chief Bisi Akande and Congress for Progressive Congress (CPC), led by Maj.Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, broke down, owing to “irreconcilable perceptions”.

However, the progressives woke up from their slumber last year, spurred into action by the national drift. It was evident that the ship of state, as warned by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the Second Republic, was about to hit the rock. The PDP Federal Government, argued Akande, failed the nation. The progressives needed to embark on a collective rescue mission to halt the impending doom, he said.

The Constitution provided the tonic. It allows the parties wishing to come together to form a bigger platform to do so, in accordance with the laid down rules. Although the conditions for the merger or

commissioner said APC’s registration was not subjudice to the ongoing court action by a group laying claim to the acronym.

The source said: “One, there is no injunction restraining INEC from registering All Progressives Congress. Although some officers cited ongoing court action by All Peoples Congress, we got legal advice that we should

fusion of political parties are challenging, necessity compelled the leaders of ACN, CPC, ANPP and a section of APGA to take the decisive action.

Initially, a section of ANPP and CPC was reluctant. They were reassured that the project was in the national interest.

The merger committee set up by the parties came up with the name, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which was ratified by their leaders. The group started to exist as a political organisation seeking registration as a political party. The committee chaired by Chief Tom Ikimi also drew up its manifestoe, logo, slogan and Constitution. The PDP was jittery.

After informing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they wanted to form a party, the three parties dissolved into the APC at a special convention in Lagos. After the exercise, their national chairmen, secretaries and treasurers

stick to the provision of the Electoral Act. “Section 78 of the Electoral Act says: ‘A political association that meets the conditions stipulated in the Constitution and this Act shall be registered by the Commission as a political party within 30 days from the date of receipt of the application, and if after the 30 days such associa-

Continued on page 59

tion is not registered by the Commission unless the Commission informs the association to the contrary it shall be deemed to have been registered.

“What it means is that since we have no objection to the merger of the three parties to form APC, they will stand registered automatically after 30 days whether we make a pronouncement or

•Jega

not.

“Instead of allowing APC to emerge by default, we decided Continued on page 59

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NEWS

Kudos for L •Governors Rauf Aregbesola( left), Abiola Ajimobi (second left) and Kayode Fayemi (second right)listening to the Group Managing Director, Odu'a Investment Company Limited Mr Adebayo Jimoh when the governors visited the Heritage Mall and Cocoa Mall at the Cocoa House Complex, Ibadan, Oyo State...yesterday. See story on page 10

•Senator Oluremi Tinubu (left) receiving a plague from the Senegalese Minister of Agriculture, Mr Balde Abdoulaye during the international symposium on the Role of Women in Agriculture and Food Security in West Africa at King Fand Palace,Dakar, Senegal...yestarday.

•From right: Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Group Executive Vice Chairman of Chrome Group Sir Emeka Offor, National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chief Victor Umeh, Rotary International President-elect Gary Huang and his wife Corinna during a dinner in honour of Offor as the First Rotary Ambassador of Polio in Nigeria and the Higest African Donor to the Rotary Foundation in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Managing Director, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Mr.Rumundaka Wonodi (left),Director-General , Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) Mr. Benjamin Dikki and the Chairman, Technical Committee, National Committee on Privatisation, Dr. Atedo Peterside at the financial bids opening for AFAM GENCO and Kaduna DISCO in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

AWYERS, politicians and public commentators yesterday praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for registering the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola, said they were delighted the APC got registered.

Fayemi, in a statement yesterday, congratulated the founding fathers and the team that worked to ensure that the new party scaled the hurdle.

He said Nigerians should look forward to better days ahead, nothing that the era of clueless governance at the centre would soon be over in the country.

Fayemi said APC would provide true democracy where every Nigerian would have a clear choice to elect leaders that are accountable and responsive to their yearnings.

Fayemi described the emergence of APC as a new ray of hope to the common man, adding that the progressives and the real democrats would ensure that democracy makes a headway in the country, adding that never again would the will of a cabal subvert the common desire of the common man.

Fashola, in a statement, said: “I felicitate with all lovers of democracy on this milestone registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This is not just a merger. It is history.

The first merger in Nigeria. I am proud to have been a part of it. A real choice now emerges for the people of Nigeria.”

The Southeast Deputy Chairman of the APC, Senator Annie Okonkwo, said INEC’s registration of APC has shown that democracy is working and the constitution is supreme to any individual or group interests.

Okonkwo said: “INEC should demonstrate that it is working within the ambit of the law by conducting free and fair election in the coming years. Through popular elections, corrupt politicians will not find their ways into governance and that will reduce corruption in the country.”

He advised the electoral umpire to remain upright as Nigerians and the world would be watching its activities.

“It should not allow any interest to use it. INEC should serve the people of the country not party interest. The registration of APC shows that it is willing to remain upright and do what Nigerians expect from it.”

A Professor of Constitutional Law, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), said the registration of the party was not a surprise because the sponsors had met all requirements for merger.

Sagay said the three political parties involved held separate conventions and dissolved into the APC. He said: “I am delighted that APC has been registered as a political party in spite of a contraption hurriedly put in place by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to scuttle the efforts of the three political parties that had earlier announced the formation of APC. It is a great thing that has happened at this time when Nigeria is at a crossroads.

“I congratulate INEC for being firm on this matter. It has proved to be independent. We look forward for more actions from them to prove it’s a neutral body.”

A former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col Abubakar Umar (rtd), said the registration of the APC has proved wrong those thinking INEC was up to mischief as a result of the delay.

Umar said with the registration of APC, Nigeria can now boast of two major parties because APC and PDP, according to him, are at par.

•Odigie-Oyegun

By Leke Salaudeen, Assistant Editor, Augustine Avwode, Dele Anofi, Victor Oluwasegun, Abuja, Musa Odoshimokhe, Oziegbe Okoeki, Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa and Osagie Otabor, Benin He said: “APC is a big party. They have many serious people in their fold. If they allow internal democracy to reign, they will achieve a lot. They should avoid too much expectation which if not met could lead to serious consequence.”

Former Governor of Edo State Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and former Minister of Police Affairs Dr Ibrahim Lame applauded the registration of the APC, which Oyegun described as a “fantastic news”. Lame called it a “fundamental development”.

Lame said: “We have succeeded in our merger, and Nigeria is going to have it better now. APC will now face the transformation of the country and see how to move it forward. APC cannot afford to fail, it will endeavour to do the right thing. It will be built on democratic tenets, integrity and moving Nigeria forward. The politics or rigging, of opportunism, of ethnicity must not come into APC. It will be a party of progress and party of capacity and competence.”

Oyegun added that “We had no doubt that it would be registered because every time we were negotiating and preparing, we had the law in front of us to meet the requirements of the law. We have completed phase one, the next is to present ourselves to the Nigerian people very soon. We congratulate ourselves”.

The Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN, Lagos) described the registration of APC as the best thing that can happen to the nation's democracy.

Also, Deputy Minority Leader Abdulrahman Kawu Sumaila (ANPP, Kano), praised INEC for living up to expectations.

Speaking with the The Nation yesterday in Abuja, Gbajabiamila said: "Whatever indices you might want to use, it is crystal clear that the PDP has failed Nigerians. The coming of APC is to pave the way for a new dawn.”

Sumaila said Nigerians would heave a sigh of relief.

He said: “With the coming of the APC, the days of the ruling monster, PDP are numbered. Nigerians can now heave a sigh of relief in since the APC is here to salvage Nigeria and Nigerians come 2015.”

The Convener of Coalition of Democrats for Election Reforms

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST , 2013

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NEWS

INEC over APC’s registration

•Ikuforiji

•Sagay

•Opadokun

•Okonkwo

Progressive governors, Ribadu: change has come to Nigeria

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HE Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) and the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday described the registration of the All Progressive Congress (APC) as a watershed in the quest for a better Nigeria and a signal for the beginning of a new era.

The PGF, which is made up of eleven governors which formed the newly registered party, said the registration of the APC is a victory for democrats across the nation. The group said with the registration of the party, change has finally come to Nigeria.

The group also praised INEC’s sense of responsibility and courage for “upholding the constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.”

“The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) hereby joins members of the Interim Management Committee led

by His Excellency, Chief Bisi Akande, and the good people of Nigeria in celebrating this day. It is a day that will

go down in history as a day of unity for all progressives and patriotic Nigerians. It is a day when the flame of patriotic optimism was kindled in the hearts of all Nigerians who desire a brighter future for our nation,” the statement said.

The group said the task ahead was to accelerate the process of the consummation of party building and organisation from the grassroots, embark on mass membership mobilisation and registration and begin the process of securing the input of Nigerians at the grassroots in the party’s plans.

“We, therefore, urge all Nigerians to take advantage of this opportunity to be part of this movement for change which has come to stay by becoming members of our great party, the All Progressive Congress, (APC),” the group said.

Ribadu urged the APC to strive harder for the ultimate goal of dislodging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ribadu, in a statement in Abuja, congratulated key players in the merged parties "for shoving their personal interests in order to allow for mutation of a pan-Nigerian party that can provide credible alternative to the ruling party".

The statement, issued by Ribadu's media aide, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, quoted the 2011 presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), expressing hope that the APC would sweep the polls in the next general elections.

"Like millions of Nigerians from all over the country, I am immensely delighted over the successful registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the Independent n National Electoral Commission (INEC)," Ribadu said.

According to him, the registration of the party by the electoral body "is not the end. It is the beginning of the end of misrule and cluelessness" as he called for renewed zeal and commitment by members of the party to achieve the desired objective.

He called on Nigerians to resist

(CODER), Ayo Opadokun, said the emergence of the party would reshape the political set up.

Opadokun said: “The registration of APC is a phenomena opportunity to reconfigure the Nigeria political polity having regard to the characterisation of the elements who spearheaded the formation of APC. “I am tempted to imagine that the Nigerian electorate would totally capture this unique opportunity to elect credible and expressive personalities that have made claim to better performances in the past.

“Nigerians cannot afford the current situation where Nigeria spends 72-78 per cent of her total income to run political bureaucracy. Nigeria should make a choice between the unproductive element in the highest political offices in the country and those who have championed productive governance in the land.

“The situation we have today where our social services have deteriorated beyond tolerance, our basic infrastructure have decayed and are dehumanising; we cannot further place our fortunes in the hands of wrongly headed people.

“The registration of APC suggests to me that the remaining progressive

elements in the land commit themselves towards productive governance, establishment and nurturing of democracy and democratisation generally, the chances are Nigeria can have a breathing space to re-organise its national profile within the comity of nations.

“The event of this registration is not a child play. It is a call to action on the leadership of APC. Nigerians have been for a long time traumatised and they deserve a befitting set of performing political leaders for now.”

Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji commended the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Nigeria People’s Party(ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) for forming the APC. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Adebayo, Ikuforiji said: “ As the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) formally registers our party, the All Progressives Congress, (APC), I, on behalf of all my fellow legislators in the Lagos Assembly send our warm congratulations to all the visionary leaders of all the merged

political parties, who came together to make this dream a reality.”

“It is highly patriotic and most commendable for the likes of our indefatigable leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and all the other notable leaders of the merged political parties like Owelle Rochas Okorocha to have put the national interest above their personal interest in their bid to ensure the formal registration of the new party without delay.”

He praised INEC Chair Prof.

Attahiru Jega for the prompt registration of the party.

He added: “ I equally must thank all our people, particularly Lagosians, who have always massively supported our progressive governments in Lagos State since 1999, when we all embraced the Alliance of Democracy, and later the ACN, under our leader and former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and incumbent Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

“I urge all our people and all progressive-minded Nigerians in every part of our country to massively support our new party in order to enjoy the real dividends of democracy that would be put in place for all Nigeri-

By Seun Akioye

•Ribadu

manipulations of the electoral process either through whipping up religious or sectional sentiments or by the use of money, maintaining that 2015 elections would be a major litmus test for the opposition and all progressive Nigerians.

ans when the APC wins and forms the government at all levels come 2015.”

The governorship candidate of the defunct ACN in Ondo State, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), said the news of APC’s registration after several months of apprehension and suspicion was soothing Akeredolu said: "Amidst the continual socio-political occurrences of disquieting proportions this singular adherence to constitutional provision

by INEC is capable of deepening our democratic experiment in spite of its progression in fits and starts.

"The easy charge of dictatorial tendencies, liberally levelled by members of the ruling party and direct beneficiaries of bad governance against the notable leaders of these erstwhile political parties, a lie espoused by the unwary, is now buried in the ashes of trepidation and anxiety on the part of visionless politicians.

"I congratulate all party leaders who made enormous sacrifices to make this dream a reality. I felicitate with all members of the party in the country, especially in my dear Ondo State, on this milestone. I seize this opportunity to admonish all our

members to remain steadfast and be focused.

"Our people need us, more than ever before, to free them from the shackles of oppression and impunity.

We cannot afford to rest until the final victory is won."

Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Ajibayo Adeyeye, said the registration of the APC was a sign of better things to come.

Adeyeye spoke in an interview with The Nation at the Assembly complex yesterday.

He said: “It is a welcome development and I am happy about it. It is a sign of a better thing to come for Nigeria. It is a sign that very soon we will have a good change at the center.

“You should expect that with the registration of APC, Nigerians are bound to now breathe an air of freedom, an air of development in our country, an air of a people-oriented party and people-centred party taking the reign of power. I have no doubt in my mind that come 2015, leadership at the centre will change.

APC will take over and Nigeria will be better for it.”

An interim member of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, yesterday described the new party as a credible alternative for Nigerians.

Ebikibina, who was the National Youth Leader of the ACN said: “APC has been registered despite daunting challenges placed on the wheels of its progress. This is the first ever true merger of parties in Nigeria. This is historic and we are happy.”

He said as democrats, leaders of APC would ensure that democracy “is protected and deepened in the country”.

He added that the development was a demonstration that APC was strong and was not dead on arrival as some persons claimed.

“Nigerians should freely identify with APC. We commend the leaders for the commitment and sacrifices towards ensuring that this historical merging was a success and we also commend INEC for complying with due process.”

The lawmaker representing Oredo Federal Constituency, Razaq BelloOsagie, praised leaders of APC for their commitment to ensuring the registration of the party Razaq, in a statement in Benin City, said the APC leaders have created a platform that would provide an alternative government come 2015.

He said: “The process to greatness has commenced. I look forward to a new Nigeria.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NEWS Court jails ex-local govt boss over security vote From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday said an Ijebu Ode High Court has jailed a former Chairman of Ogun Waterside Local Government, Abigi, Ogun State Gboyega Bakre and his Administrative Officer 1 Mr. Mohammed Adeyemi Oke for misappropriating N4million security vote The commission, which made the disclosure in a statement by its Head of Media, Mr. Folu Olamiti, said the accused persons were each sent to six months jail without option of fine on 15-count charge.

ICPC said the charges bordered on misappropriation of N4million meant for the security of the community.

The statement said: “The accused were alleged to have collected N4, 000, 000. 00 (Four Million Naira) at the rate of N250, 000. 00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) weekly from the month of September, 2005 to February, 2006 for the upkeep of mobile policemen drafted to restore peace to two communities involved in communal crisis within the local government.

“It was however discovered that there was truly communal crisis but the policemen were taken care of by the Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command and that the convicted persons merely used the crisis as a subterfuge to siphon public funds for their private use.”

Tukur disowns aide over attack on governors From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

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HE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has disowned his media aide, Prince Oliver Okpala over attack on five north’s governors.

Okpala had, in a statement on Tuesday, slammed Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa).

He described the governors as lacking in wisdom, caution, prudence and good counsel for allegedly calling for the removal of Tukur at a recent private meeting of the governors with President Goodluck Jonathan.

A statement by the Acting National Secretary of the PDP, Dr.Aderemi Akitoye yesterday said Okpala’s statement did not represent the thoughts and actions of the chairman.

According to Akitoye, Tukur could not have authorised such statement about the governors, “in view of his ever persistent role to achieve lasting peace and progress for the party which himself and others nursed from infancy”.

In a another denial, Ahmed Shuaibu-Gara Gombe, who also issued a statement on the matter said Tukur was particularly infuriated by the attack on the governors, who were invited by the President for consultation in Abuja recently.

Nasarawa killings: seven lawyers withdraw from panel

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EVEN lawyers yesterday withdrew appearances at the ongoing Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the killing of over 50 security personnel in Nasarawa State.

The lawyers represent six Eggon communities, which are allegedly linked to the Ombatse Militia Group (OMG).

Also yesterday, the Justice Fola Gbadeyan-led panel suspended sitting, following reports that some witnesses, who were billed to appear at the sitting, were attacked by unknown gunmen.

The panel was constituted

by Governor Tanko al-Makura following the massacre of over 50 policemen and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) allegedly in an ambush by members of the Ombatse Militia Group in Lakyo village, on May 7.

The panel has received the notice of withdrawal, it was learnt last night.

The lawyers include Chief Ayas Bako Aya, appearing with Aliyu Anzewu and representing the District Head of Bassa, Chief Joshua Daudu; Ovye John, representing Eggon Communities in Barkin Abdullahi (B.A.D) and Randa; Anthony Jatau representing the Ward Head of Eggon in Arutu village of Doma Local Government Area; Ayuwulu Baba Ayuwulu, representing Eggon Community, Kadarko in Keana Keana Local Government Area; Gambo P. Assiku, representing Eggon Cultural Development Association (ECDA) in Bassa Zarengi; and Harry Dan Anyuanbaga, representing Mada Community of Bassa in Kokona Local Government.

Addressing reporters at a news conference in Lafia on behalf of the counsel, Aliyu Anzewu, alleged that the commission had breached the fundamental principles of fair hearing by refusing some of them the right to cross-examine presenters of memoranda contrary to the provision of chapter 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 of the commission’s rules of procedure.

He also alleged that the Commission was biased by restricting counsel representing various Eggon Commu-

•Commission suspends sitting over attack on witnesses We thought the government instituted a commission that will be open so that we can clearly state our case, but now it is clear that the commission has been hired to indict some people. we are not bothered about whatever the outcome of this commission maybe From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

nities from cross-examining witnesses that presented memoranda where their client’s interests were adversely affected.

Anzewu said: “To worsen the breach of the fundamental principles of fair hearing, the commission’s chairman ordered all counsel to file their respective memorandum of appearance to enable counsel access to memoranda filed by other presenters in order to avoid giving out memoranda to persons that are not known to the Commission.

“This was complied with immediately, followed by applications for the memoranda to enable counsel assess, study and evaluate, for crossexamination as required in any legal proceedings of this nature.

“Unfortunately, some of the memoranda were given and few others were refused.

The ones we were refused access to were the memoranda presented by Nasarawa State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service.

“These three memoranda are at the heart of this Commission of Inquiry having regard to the terms of reference of the Judicial Commission.

“Having circulated the memoranda presented by our clients, it confounds all reasoning why these memoranda could not be given to us.”

He gave instances including that of July 23, 2013, at the presentation of the first memorandum by Ipusu Community of Kadarko and alleged that Barr. Gambo Assiku representing Eggon Cultural Development Association of Bassa, applied to cross-exam-

ine the presenter of the memorandum but was allegedly turned down by the Commission.

“Having circulated the memorandum presented by my client, it confounds all reasoning why these memoranda could not be given to us,” he said.

He said because of the issues mentioned, his client had instructed him to withdraw from further participation in the proceedings of the commission “as to do otherwise will be to lend credence to a process that is programmed to achieve a predetermined end.”

He added that “it is in the light of the foregoing that we have come to a painful but inevitable conclusion that further participation in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry cannot in good conscience be justified.

“After repeated attempts to have the above anomalies rectified unsuccessfully, we have our clients instructions to withdraw further participation in the proceedings of the Commission as to do otherwise will be to lend credence to a process that is programmed to achieve a predetermined end.”

Another counsel and the OMG Legal Adviser Zamani Zakari Alumaga said: “I had given indications that we are not likely to get justice from this commission from the beginning.

“As at that time, we did not even know that the commission will take this position of a bobby trap as to properly bring to fruition our allayed fears.

“We thought the government instituted a commission that will be open so that we

can clearly state our case, but now it is clear that the commission has been hired to indict some people. we are not bothered about whatever the outcome of this commission maybe.

“Whoever does a wrong must be right through instrument of the law. But a situation where you are constricted and a strong allegation is imposed on you, not because you committed it, it is not fair.”

Alumaga added: “We have lost confidence on this commission for not giving us the right of fair hearing while others communities are being given.”

A source who spoke in confidence said: “Another reason we are withdrawing appearance is that our clients have lost confidence on the commission and they are apprehensive that justice will not be done the end of the day.”

A highly placed source and member of the Commission, who spoke in confidence because he was not officially permitted to speak to the media, confirmed last night that the Commission has received the notice of withdrawal.

He said the Commission would address the issue today during its sitting.

Another source in the Commission said the development would not affect the work of the Commission.

He said: “They have the right to withdraw. This will not in any way affect the sitting or the work of the Commission. It is not by force that they should represent some of those who submitted Memoranda to the Commission. We will continue with our sitting tomorrow (today).”

Meanwhile, the panel could not sit yesterday following reports that unknown gunmen allegedly attacked two witnesses who were expected to testify before the commission.

The witnesses who were to be presented by Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Rearers Association were allegedly ambushed late on Tuesday night.

It was gathered that one of the witnesses was being treat-

ed at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital in Lafia.

The sitting began at 10:15am after Justice Gbadeyan called members of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association to make their submissions.

But their counsel, Mohammed Danjuma and Abubakar Abubakar Dogara, applied for an adjournment.

Danjuma particularly informed the commission that two of the three witnesses, who were to support the memorandum, were victims of an invasion on Kuduku village.

He said the gunmen also killed several cows and rustled others.

According to him, though the witnesses - Ali Mohammed and Tanko Zubariru - escaped the attack, they lost relatives to the invasion.

Justice Gbadeyan sympathised with the lawyers and their clients.

He granted their application and adjourned their submission till August 12.

Secretary of Miyetti Allah in the state, Mohammed Hussain, told reporters that Tiv militia men allegedly carried out the attack.

He claimed that five persons and several cows were killed during the attack.

Hussain said: “The people they killed are relatives of witnesses to our memorandum today.”

Police Commissioner Umar Shehu confirmed the attack on Kuduku settlement.

He said: “Only one person, a 10-year old boy, was killed.”

Shehu added that “15 cows were also missing”.

According to him, investigation into the attack was still ongoing to unravel the identity of the “gunmen”.

The police chief explained that “the Fulani alleged that they were attacked

by Tiv people”.

He said the police command had deployed riot policemen to the area, adding that normalcy has been returned to the troubled community.

•The Principal, New Era Girls’ Senior Secondary School, Mrs A. A. Agbe-Davies (second right); Vice Principals, Mrs M.G. Nwosu (third right) and Mrs F. O. Balogun (right) presenting a certificate to the outgoing Head Girl, Miss Mary Mercy, at the school’s valedictory service in Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NEWS

Shell, others flee offshore amid onshore woes

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T Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s (RDSA) compound in Warri, the gate is locked, the grounds are empty and grass has overgrown since Europe’s biggest oil company closed its operations in March after more than 40 years.

After Warri saw some of the nation’s worst unrest in two decades, Shell has sold land-based fields that pumped about 400,000 barrels a day in the 1990s, valued at $1.2 billion a month at today’s crude prices, and is buying fields offshore.

International oil companies, including Shell and Chevron Corporation (CVX), are shifting their efforts in Africa’s largest producer from landbased operations to offshore fields, where the risk of kidnapping, sabotage and crude theft is lower. The increased security also brings costs that are more than 40 percent higher, according to estimates from Nigeria’s national oil company.

“Due to the increased level of oil theft and disruptions, a number of oil companies have started selling blocks in the troubled areas and moving to deep water offshore blocks,” Rolake Akinkugbe, London-based head of oil and gas at Ecobank Research, said in an e-mailed response to questions.

“The move offshore is being viewed as a longer-term solution to the challenges faced onshore and in the shallow waters.”

Deep-water fields that first began production 10 years ago now account for more than half of Nigeria’s production. With output suspended at about 40 land-based fields after armed attacks, Nigeria has compensated for the loss by increasing offshore projects, according to data from the petroleum ministry.

Chevron, the Hague-based Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), France’s Total SA (FP) and Eni SpA (ENI) of Italy run joint ventures with state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. that pump most of the country’s oil.

Shell, the oldest and biggest energy company in Nigeria, sold eight oil leases in three years. San Ramon, California-based Chevron, said last month it wants to sell five fields in shallow waters in the western delta and swamps in the east.

Precious Okolobo, a spokesman for Shell in Nigeria, said he could not comment on the company’s policy regarding onshore and offshore oil fields when contacted. Shell is undertaking “a strategic review” of its Nigerian business and may “exit from the interests it holds in some further onshore leases,” its local unit said in a statement on June 21.

Chevron is reviewing its business plan in Nigeria and adopting new approaches to investment due to “local realities,” James Craig, a Houstonbased spokesman, said July 24 in an emailed response to questions.

Total and Eni have also sold interests in some onshore assets they jointly owned with Shell. Charles Ebereonwu, Total’s spokesman in Nigeria, said he couldn’t comment when contacted by phone in Abuja. An Eni spokesman declined to comment.

As the large oil companies leave, their onshore fields are being bought by mostly smaller, Nigerian companies.

Exxon Mobil, whose operations were limited to the shallow and deep offshore waters of the southeastern coast, has recorded the lowest number of output disruptions, with only three attacks in the last decade, compared with 945 recorded by Shell between 2007 and 2012.

“The move to deep offshore by these companies frees up the onshore fields for the local companies to increase their production,” Omar Farouk Ibrahim, a spokesman for the state oil company also known as NNPC, said in a phone interview on July 29. “It gives room for those who don’t have the capacity for deep offshore to participate in the industry by operating

the onshore and shallow water fields.”

Armed attacks led by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, or MEND, cut Nigeria’s oil output by 28 percent, mainly from the delta’s swamps and shallow waters, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, between 2006 and 2009. They subsided after thousands of fighters accepted a government amnesty offer in 2009 and disarmed.

A new surge in disruptions through oil theft by criminal gangs tapping the fuel from pipelines for local refining or to sell to vessels waiting offshore saw Nigeria’s output falling to the lowest in four years. The West African nation lost $7 billion in revenue in 2011, about a quarter of this year’s national budget, according to the central bank.

Shell pioneered offshore oil exploration in Nigeria with the discovery of the Bonga field, located 120 kilometers (75 miles) at sea, in 1995. With reserves estimated of about 1 billion barrels, it has capacity for 220,000 barrels daily, producing into a floating production, storage and off-loading vessel moored in the sea.

Other discoveries quickly followed, confirming the prodigious prospects of the Gulf of Guinea.

These include Chevron’s Agbami field estimated at over a billion barrels, Total’s Amenam and Akpo fields and Exxon Mobil’s Erha and Yoho fields. Most of the offshore fields are yet to reach peak production and more discoveries, such as Egina, Bonga North, Bonga Southwest and Aparo, have been added.

While delays in passing a new law to reform the way oil industry is regulated and funded have discouraged investments in the past four years, Shell and Eni went ahead in 2011 to pay $1.1 billion to acquire a deep water field from Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd. The field is estimated to hold reserves of more than 9 billion barrels.

Energy companies operating in Nigeria say that fiscal terms proposed in the bill will make exploitation of Nigeria’s offshore oil reserves unprofitable. Under its proposals the government will increase its take from hydrocarbons to about 73 percent from 61 percent through higher taxes and royalties.

•Aliyu

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•Miss Uzoechina

Presidency, Niger govt move to reunite girl in Etsu Nupe’s palace with parents

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HE Presidency has stepped into the case of the girl in the palace of Etsu Nupe, Charity Uzoechina, who is said to have converted to Islam and adopt the name, Aisha. The intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan made the Niger State government convene a meeting yesterday at the Government House, Minna. The Presidency directed the state government to ensure that the issue did not snowball into religious crisis.

Miss Uzoechina, 25, has been living at the palace of Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar on the order of a Sharia Court since March.

The government may eventually take custody of the lady today as soon as the Sharia Court in Bida vacates the March 4 order, which placed the girl in the Etsu Nupe’s custody.

The acting state governor, Musa Ibeto, met with the Etsu Nupe, the Niger State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor and Mrs Uzoechina, their daughter, former Governor Abdulkadir Kure and some senior security officers.

Speaking with reporters after the meeting, Ibeto, who is the acting as governor in the absence of Governor Babangida Aliyu, said the meeting was to reunite the girl with her family in a way that she would be confident that no harm would befall her.

Ibeto said in Niger State, religion was not a problem because there was harmonious religion relationship and peaceful coexistent of the adherents of the two major religions.

He said in as much as Miss Uzoechina has the right to practise any religion of her choice, they would seek the vacation of the order which gave the palace the custody of the lady so as to reconcile her with her parents.

The deputy governor said: “Unless •Shell MD Mutiu Sunmonu the order is vacated, nobody can take any decision. It is only if the order is vacated that she can decide on her own.”

The counsel to Pastor Uzoechina, The move to deep Femi Ikotun, who attended the meetoffshore by these ing, said it was agreed that the order should be vacated from Sharia Court companies frees up in Bida, adding that “we have already the onshore fields applied for it to be vacated”. for the local compaThe suit filed by Pastor Uzoechina the High Court, Bida could not hold nies to increase their at yesterday because of the third annual production Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Criminal Justice Reform conference in Minna. The conference stalled the suit •Culled from Bloomberg challenging the jurisdiction of the

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•Pastor Uzoechina

By Olukorede Yishau and Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Sharia Court.

The father of the girl sought the Court order to bar the Sharia Court from entertaining the suit by his daughter on the ground that the Sharia Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the suit.

All suits in the court were adjourned to September 17 for hearing due resolution of the local NBA mandating all members to attend the conference.

An official of the court told our correspondent that all the cases in the court were adjourned to September 17 because courts were going on vacation from August 5 and would resume September 15.

ASTOR Uzoechina, in an in terview with The Nation last Thursday, said: “My daughter was crying when we saw her. They never allowed us speak with her. It is not true that the royal father invited me and the girl for talks, with the hope of reconciling us. On March 2, I came to the palace and was taken before the Etsu Nupe. The Etsu Nupe never asked the girl to go back home with me as claimed.

“When they told me she had embraced Islam, I demanded that I was going home with her. But the man declined, saying only the emir has the power to allow the girl go with me.

They took me to the emir but the emir refused my plea, saying I should come back next week.

“The last time we saw her, she was like someone in captive. She was not free. She was even crying. She greeted the mother and was crying when she was being led away. The mother is feeling bad and not happy. You need to come to Bida on August 1 when they will rule on our challenge to the jurisdiction of the Sharia Court for you to appreciate what we are going through.

“They claimed to have served me and I refused to come to the court when all they did was to bring a paper and said ‘sign, sign’, without explaining anything to me until they later said they were from the Sharia Court. Contrary to the principle of natural justice vis- a-vis fair hearing, I was not served either with the court summons/processes or hearing notice. The case was filed on March 4; the case was heard March 4 and judgment delivered on the same day. In fact, judgment was also executed on the same date. The question is: why the urgency?”

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“They (Sharia court) have fixed Thursday, August 1 for ruling on our appeal that they don’t have jurisdiction. You can’t judge a Christian in a Muslim court. I am appealing to them to vacate the judgment because they don’t have jurisdiction.

“It is not true that my daughter made the allegation that I would kill her if she returns home. Why should I kill her? We asked them to bring her to the court so that my lawyer can cross-examine her but they refused. If she has converted to Islam, must she practise at the Etsu Nupe’s palace? Is Etsu Nupe the chief security officer now? They should not separate my daughter and me. She has stayed in the palace for months. If they say I will harm her, let them release her to the Inspector General of Police, leader of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and ask me to write an undertaking. I will write an undertaking. I can’t kill my daughter. We need her at home. We are missing her.

“This matter is more than meets the eyes. All kinds of big people are threatening us. Why should I be threatened over my daughter? I trained her to this level and they just want to take her away from me like that. And if it is marriage, marriage has a process.”

The Bida Emirate, in a statement, said the Etsu Nupe should not be blamed for the girl’s alleged voluntary decision.

The statement said Miss Uzoechina approached the monarch for protection following her change of faith from Christianity to Islam on February 15.

“The royal father invited the father of the girl for talks, with the hope of reconciling them. On March 2, the father came to the palace and was taken before His Royal Highness. It was at His Royal Highness chamber the father came face to face with his daughter. After discussions with both the girl and her father, the Etsu Nupe asked the girl to go back home with her father to resolve the matter as a family. The girl refused to go home with her father.”

In interviews with two newspapers, Miss Uzoechina was quoted as saying she was not forced to embrace Islam, adding that she was praying for her parents to see that her new-found faith was the way to go.

All eyes will be on the Sharia Court, Bida, which is today expected to vacate the order allowing her to stay with the Etsu Nupe for the governor to take custody and reunite her with her parents.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NEWS

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Jonathan, PDP ‘ll reconcile with aggrieved governors, says Dickson

HE Chairman of the National Reconciliation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, yesterday said President Goodluck Jonathan and the party will soon reconcile with all aggrieved governors.

He said none of the governors is out to allow PDP to disintegrate.

He also said the ongoing reconciliation of his committee has yielded results.

Dickson, who spoke with reporters in Abuja, admitted that he is in touch with the aggrieved governors, some of who he described as his seniors.

He said: “As I said earlier, you can only have too little reconciliation; we cannot have too much reconciliation.

We have to reconcile, reconcile and reconcile. The Chief Tony Anenih-led committee is doing a great job which we are also going to look at. I am saying that in the context of the remark I earlier made that our primary focus is the nonPDP states and we are doing so precisely because of this issue.

“I know that the Anenih committee is doing a lot of work in terms of engaging the governors and I am not aware of any PDP governor who is

•’I am in touch with governors’ From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

not happy with the party. All of us are in the party.

“Yes, there may be one little complain but these are all legitimate because politics allows for that. The important thing is how we reconcile all of these. There are efforts going on by the Anenih’s committee and the Ekwueme’s report and I believe that, by the end of the day, you will have a truly reconciled set of governors because they are major stakeholders in the party and none of them will want the party to disintegrate contrary to what you hear.

“We are colleagues and we talk. They all want a strong PDP but they are also entitled to their expectations and even when there are ambitions tied to it because it is politics and also because, sometimes in this game, you have got to manage differences of opinion, ideas and sometimes a clash of interest and sometimes even a clash of ego. So, all of that is part of the game.

“So, I think, with what the senior members of the party are doing and I am happy that the seniors drive some of these efforts with our little humble support, we will re-

solve the problems. I don’t think it is true that the national chairman made the kind of comment that you talked about.

“It is very possible he was quoted out of context because the national chairman is the head of our party and subjected to the person who is the overall leader, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“You are also aware that the President himself, a few days back, engaged some of the governors you are talking about. I am also in touch with some of them because they are my leaders and I am privileged to work with some as colleagues.

“What you read does not matter, we meet at different levels and all share common idea of a united strong party.

At all times, we should be united by national interest.

Differences of views are allowed but you do all of that within the context of a common view about the national interest. “ Replying a question, Dickson said that his committee had succeeded in its mission by clearing the coast of the PDP’s forthcoming National Convention.

He said: “The reconciliation

committee has reconciled the aggrieved parties that went to court, seeking various court orders, restraining the proposed mini convention.

“We have recorded what I think can be described as a success because the gentlemen have come to make a case and made known their grievances to the reconciliation committee. So, we went into it and happily, at the end of the day, they saw the need to voluntarily withdraw the action they filed in court because with the committee, they have seen seriousness on the part of the party to address some of the cases which were already arising from those meetings.

“They signed a letter of withdrawal and wrote to the judge in charge of the case and to their previous counsel that they wanted to withdraw.

“Our expectation is that the court, upon being made aware of the decision of the plaintiffs to withdraw or being notified of their desire to withdraw the case amicably, should have, there and then, dismissed the case because the court exists to promote reconciliation.

“The committee has provided a platform based on which the court will do the needful in accordance to the rules of

Hezbollah: Fed Govt tenders videos of confession

•Closes case tomorrow From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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•Dickson

court and law. So, I want to assure that our reconciliation effort has yielded some positive results within this short period such that we have established a basis for the withdrawal of the matter in court.

“So, I don’t think there is any issue about the case going any further because the parties have withdrawn. We only expect the judiciary also to support this reconciliation effort.

It means that the coast ought to be clear for the party to take steps to organize its convention and then regularize the various issues that needs to be regularized. For example, in the course of the various meetings that the committee will be holding with aggrieved members, we will stress the need to play by the rules because, in the past, Anambra State PDP has posed a lot of challenges and we hope that we will be able to overcome that.”

Mark seeks end to violence From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

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ENATE President David Mark, has urged Nigerians to spread the fourway test of the Rotary International which promotes friendship, development, peace and unity among people.

This, he said would help to end violence and crisis ravaging parts of the country.

He noted that every rational human being should have Rotary’s four-way test in mind before taking any decision.

Mark said the utmost responsibility of every person should be to “speak the truth, to be fair, to build goodwill and friendship and do our best in all situations.”

The four-way test of Rotary was propounded by Herbert Taylor in 1932 as a simple checklist for ethical behavior.

They transcends generations and national borders .

The four-way test of Rotary asks specific questions: “Is it the truth?, Is it fair to all concerned?, will it build goodwill and better friendship and will it be beneficial to all concerned?”.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President, Paul Mumeh, said that Mark spoke when he hosted the visiting Rotary International President-elect Gary Huang in Abuja yesterday.

It quoted Mark to have expressed optimism that most of the troubles bedeviling some countries would be curtailed if people imbibe the four-way test of Rotary.

Mark, it said, lauded the humanitarian gestures of Rotary International in aide to the less privileged individuals and communities as commendable.

•Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed condoling with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over the death of her mother at the State House, Abuja.

Court grants Oyinlola’s prayer to stop PDP convention A N OSUN State High Court, sitting in Osogbo, has granted a motion exparte stopping the conduct of election to fill the vacant position of the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the forthcoming mini national convention.

The court yesterday gave the order following a suit filed by the ousted National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Justice Oyejide Falola granted the three prayers in the motion after listening to the argument of counsel to the applicant, Realwan Okpanachi.

Oyinlola had sued the Osun State PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa and the party’s national leadership on the proposed National Working Commit-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

tee’s plan to hold a mini national convention during which some of the vacant positions in the NWC, including that of national secretary will be filled.

Also joined in the suit is the Chairman of the Mini National Convention Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana.

Addressing the court, Okapanachi said his client, whose election was nullified by the declaratory judgment of Justice Abdul Kafarati of an Abuja High Court on January 13, this year, has a pending appeal before the Court of Appeal Abuja, due for hearing next month.

He said despite having full

knowledge of the pending appeal, PDP still went ahead to constitute a committee to plan mini convention during which the position of national secretary will be filled.

Okpanachi maintained that the motion was filed to protect the right of appeal of the applicant and protect the sanctity and threshold upon which judicial system is built.

He noted that if the motion was not granted by the court and the defendants are allowed to conduct election to fill the post of national secretary during its planned mini convention, no issue will be left for the court to decide in September, when hearing of the appeal will

begin.

He prayed the court to consider and grant the motion before it owing to the urgent nature of the issue involved.

The judge ruled that the 2nd and 3rd respondents, Prof. Gana and PDP national leadership be served copies of the motion outside the jurisdiction of the court, adding that, upon the receipt of the motion, the respondents should maintain status quo prior till July 26, the day the action was instituted before the court.

He also ordered that, should the PDP hold its mini convention; election must not be conducted to fill vacant position of national secretary pending the determination of the motion on notice.

He then adjourned the matter till August 19.

HE Federal Governmet closed its case yesterday in the trial of three Lebanese being held in connection with alleged terrorism.

The state, before closing its case on Day Three of the trial being conducted by Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja, tendered video evidence where the Lebanese confessed to some of the charges against them.

The Lebanese - Mustapha Fawaz (49), Abdallah Thahini (48) and Talal Ahmad Roda (51) - are charged with their companies - Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland Amusement Park Resort.

They are also being held in connection with the last discovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition in a bunker in House 3 Gaya Road, Kano.

The video evidence, contained in eight Digital Video Discs (DVD), admitted as exhibits by the court, contained recordings of all the interview sessions held with the accused by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Excerpts from the video evidence, tendered by a hooded witness, identified as DSS10, were shown in the open court.

Although, the accused particularly Roda (who was arrested in the house) denied knowledge of the existence of the bunker, clips from the video revealed where Roda admitted he was in charge of tendering the bunker.

The video also showed Fawaz (one of the owners of Amigo Supermarket) admitted making video recordings of aerial view of some strategic structures in Abuja from atop Sheraton Hotels.

Fawaz added that he led one Issah, a non-Nigerian to locate the Israeli embassy in Abuja.

The three accused also admitted undergoing training in the use of firearms in their country, Lebanon.

As against the defence’s claim that the accused were compelled to volunteer statements, the video showed the accused in a conducive atmosphere during the interview sessions.

Thahini and Roda were seen drinking tea in an office, while being interviewed.

Fawaz was shown with a bottled water on a table close to him. He also looked unruffled.

Lead prosecution lawyer Simon Egede, explaining the relevance of the prosecution’s video evidence, said it corroborates the confessions made by the accused and the testimonies of all the other prosecution witnesses.

“The videos confirmed the unauthorised and illegal surveillance carried out by the first accused (Fawaz) along with his foreign collaborators, where they captured different strategic buildings in Abuja, while they perched atop the Sheraton building.

“He (Fawaz) also confirmed carrying those foreign collaborators round Abuja, searching for the Israeli embassy.”

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THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 1, 2013

NEWS

Customs seizes N315m textiles, rice

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HE Nigeria Customs Service, Oyo/Osun Command, has seized trucks of textile materials, bags of rice and fairly-used cars with duty paid value of over N315 million.

The seizures were made by the officers of the command, who were said to have intercepted the goods in Saki and Iseyin in Oyo State.

Briefing reporters yesterday, the Customs Area Comptroller, Oyo/Osun Command, Mr. Richard Oteri, said the essence in displaying the seized items was to inform the public of the activities and showcase the results of intensified efforts in anti-smuggling.

A

From: Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

He said in the last three months, the command had recorded 181 seizures, comprising used cars, trucks and buses loaded with used tyres, vegetable oil, textiles, African prints and other prohibited items.

“We, in Oyo/Osun Command have intensified our efforts and the result is what you are about to see here. For the past three months, we have seized 3,263 bags of rice. The vehicle you are seeing here was impounded at Iseyin.

It was carrying 410 bags of rice smuggled into the country. The other vehicle

‘The recalcitrant ones, who insist on engaging in smuggling, should be advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law’ was confiscated at Saki. It was carrying 380 bags of rice. We have a lot in the warehouse. I will take you round to see them as soon

ACN chieftain advises Accord against reckless statements

CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Oyo State, Alhaji Abass Oloko, has advised the leader of the Accord and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja to call the party’s Media Director, Prince Dotun Oyelade, to order. He accused Oyelade of making reckless reactions to the development in the state.

Reacting to the statements and an article written by Prince Oyelade and published in Daily Sun, Oloko said it was unfortunate that such an article could be written by a “collaborator-incorruption” during the Adebayo Alao-Akala administration.

He said rather than hail the Governor Abiola Ajimobi administration for its many “firsts”, the Accord has been saying the same thing all the time.

Oloko added that the statements had been laced with lies and only an uninformed person would see meanings in them.

According to him, the Ac-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

cord is just playing politics, adding that Senator Ladoja, as an engineer, ought to know that erecting a barrier at the foot of a flyover does not indicate weakness.

He alleged that he neither studied civil engineering nor a building- related course.

The ACN chieftain went on: “Common sense tells me that such barriers need to be erected at the foot of the new bridge to discourage articulated vehicles, considering the damage they’ve done to our roads.”

He said he wondered why Ladoja did not build a bridge when he knew the cost, adding: “Honesty, if he has done these things, we wouldn’t have been lauding Governor Ajimobi for these small things.

“Or is Senator Ladoja criticising Governor Ajimobi because he sent his

people packing from the Ajumose government? There is no way you can blame a government you are part of and not get the red card! Yes, I would have done the same thing for you if I were Ajimobi. Or have you forgotten that you reneged on the agreement you signed with your godfather, the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, in 2003 and that was the genesis of thuggery and insecurity in our politics in the Fourth Republic.”

On the cost difference between the Abeokuta and the Ibadan bridges, he said the former governor should know that cost might be less, considering the closeness to raw materials in Abeokuta, a rocky town. He added that any visitor to the Ibadan bridge would see its several ancillary facilities, which were not in the Abeokuta bridge; the old water pipelines, which were replaced with a-500mm water mains of

Flood control: Oyo council dredges rivers

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LUYOLE Local Government in Oyo State has begun the dredging and de-silting of seven rivers to prevent flooding.

The Transition Committee Chairman of the council, Mr. Ayodeji Aleshinloye, said this yesterday at a sensitisation workshop organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Ibadan.

He said the local government had spent over N7 million on dredging of seven rivers with the aid of the state government and companies.

Aleshinloye went on: “We are talking about the Odo-Ona Elewe River at Akaraa community towards the Orita Challenge area and the New Express to

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as we are through here, so that you can see the efforts we have made so far to stop illegal business activities.

“The command has embarked on a re-orientation and sensitisation campaign on the need to pay duties on imported motor vehicles, which so far has led to increase in the volume of vehicles brought in for duty payment,” the Comptroller said.

He advised those engaged in smuggling to stop the act.

Said he: “The recalcitrant ones, who insist on engaging in smuggling, should be advised that they would not escape the long arm of the law.”

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Apata to New Garage River.

“We are also referring to the Odo-Ona Kekere River linking Aba Bridge at Idi Ayunre, near CRIN. There is equally a place at Odo-Ona Kekere near Arapaja area, among others.

“We have started dredging every river in the local government, which is a wise decision because the rivers in Ibadan terminate in Oluyole Local Government.”

He said the council has started sensitising residents of the communities to maintain a clean environment and desist from blocking streams and drainages with refuse.

“We have begun environmental sanitation in many areas. We are also demolishing houses on water channels, to prevent flood.”

Monarch sacks three chiefs in Ondo

HE paramount ruler of Mahin kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Lawrence Omowole, yesterday removed three chiefs (baale).

They are the Baale of Ago Agbeni, Chief Estrome Agbeni, the Baale of Lerenren, Chief Charles Temetan and the Oloja of Kofawe, Chief Juwon Semudara.

Amapetu-in-council said they took actions that were

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

contrary to the oath of their traditional offices.

Speaking to reporters in Akure on behalf of Oba Omowole, the Yasere of Mahin Kingdom, who is the Prime Minister of Mahin Kingdom, Chief Godwin Balogun, accused the sacked chiefs of some illegal actions.

According to the monarch, the development has affected the progress of the area.

He said the baales refused to attend the meetings convened by the Amapetu-incouncil and thereby committed insubordination.

Amapetu-in-council said: “Following this development, the Mahin council of chiefs considers these community heads as unfit to further hold their offices, hence their removal.

“Henceforth, your certificates of appointments have been revoked, withdrawn and rendered null and void.”

steel pipes of about 2km, coupled with the 1.2 kilometre road network rehabilitated beside the Ibadan bridge. These are in addition to the cost of relocation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) electrical and telecommunications facilities and the cost of compensation for demolished buildings and beautification around the flyover.

“Senator Ladoja should hire a good image-maker to speak for him to redeem his image,” Oloko said.

Ogun ACN to PDP: don’t politicise health challenges

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HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Ogun State chapter, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stop politicising the state government’s efforts to curtail the outbreak of Gastroenteritis, popularly called Cholera.

In a statement in Abeokuta by the ACN’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Sola Lawal, the party described as “cheap politics” the call by the PDP on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to come to the aid of the people in checking the spread of the disease.

It said a statement credited to a chieftain of the party and former Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Sarafa Isola, that a state of emergency be declared following the scourge was “unwarranted and reckless.”

The party said: “It is also heartless for the PDP to capitalise on such an issue to score a cheap political point when it was obvious that the media attention was only drawn to it more than two weeks after the outbreak and effective control by the government.

“How can a government, which through its relevant agencies, has been taking steps to ensure that the confirmed cholera cases do not exceed the already-recorded three casualties, be accused by the PDP of ineptitude if not that the party is petty and seeking undue attention.”

ACN said most cases of the current medical challenges in the state involved vomiting and excreting, resulting from poor personal hygiene. It assured that the government was capable of checking its spread.

“Sensitisation and other related steps taken by the government health agencies and personnel to curtail Gastroenteritis, which is principally diarrhoea, vomiting and abdominal pain, have been effective.

“Government’s efforts in this regard were spontaneous and in line with its commitment to ensure the delivery of efficient health care services, which is one of its five cardinal programmes.

“Although the alarm being raised by the PDP is ridiculous and baseless, the government is not toying with this challenge and is bent on ensuring that it does not occur,” the party added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NEWS Ekiti spends N14.7b on infrastructure From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

EKITI State Government has spent N14.7 billion on infrastructure in the last 31 months.

Governor Kayode Fayemi’s aide, Mr. Kayode Jegede, said during a programme, tagged: “Ministerial Press Briefing” in Ado-Ekiti that N5 billion was spent on water, N2 billion on electrification, N7 billion on legacy projects and N700 million on Information Communication and Technology(ICT).

Fashola nominates commissioner

By Miriam Ekene- Okoro

Appeal Court sets aside judgment in Lead City varsity case T HE Court of Appeal, Ibadan yesterday set aside the judgment of a Federal High Court, Ibadan asking the National Universities Commission (NUC) to recognise the Law programme of Lead City University, Ibadan.

The court had, in a judgment delivered on July 26, 2011, ordered the NUC and the Council of Legal Education (CLE) to conduct an accreditation exercise for the Law programme within 60 days, having earlier approved the programme and conducted an accreditation exercise but without the input of the CLE. But the commission appealed the judgment on five grounds and urged the court to set aside the judgment, alleging miscarriage of justice.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

It also argued that the judgment by the lower court was a consent judgment, adding that the plaintiff, who is a graduate of the Law programme, lacked locus standi.

In the judgment that lasted three and a half hours, the three-member panel presided over by Justice M. B. Dongban-Mensem, said the appellate court resolved four of the five grounds in favour of the appellant and consequently allowed the appeal, while setting aside the judgment.

The judgment was prepared and delivered by Justice C. N. Uwa. She also read the consent of the presiding justice and that of Justice A.

Dauro to her judgment.

A graduate of the Law programme, Rev. Segun Alli, sued the commission and the Lead City University in 2009 when the NUC declared that the Law programme of the university was not accredited.

He said the declaration caused him loss and brought him public odium, having spent five years studying hard to qualify as a lawyer.

He added that he encouraged a parent to send his daughter to Lead City University to study the course.

The High Court granted his prayers and ordered the NUC and the CLE to conduct a fresh accreditation exercise within 60 days.

But reversing the judgment yesterday, the appellate

court faulted the former judgment on the strength that Alli does not have the locus standi because the dispute, if any, was between the NUC and the university. The court said Alli could not claim that he was a graduate of Law from the Faculty because the programme was not yet fully accredited by the NUC. Consequently, the appellate court held that Alli could not rely on an illegal right to enforce a claim or right.

“Since he lacks the capacity to sue, the lower court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter,” the judge said.

The court said NUC did not fault Lead City on the question of facilities, personnel or quality of teach-

Oyo may sack 650 ‘YES-O’ cadets

LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday nominated the Director-General of the state’s Office of PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPP), Mr. Ayodeji Gbeleyi, to replace Mr. Tokunbo Abiru as the Commissioner for Finance.

Abiru recently resigned from the cabinet.

The nomination is, however, subject to clearance by the House of Assembly.

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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Ajibola becomes foundation’s chair NIGERIA’s first female Professor, Prof Adetowun Ogunsheye, has urged the Federal Government to implement the policy that protects the right and care of the elderly.

She spoke during the investiture of the former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK), Prince Bola Ajibola, as the Chairman of the Senior Citizens Care Foundation (SCCF) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Prof. Ogunsheye said whenever there are crises, everybody asks that where are the elders? But these people that much is expected from have been neglected constitutionally.

Prince Ajibola said the lowest common multiple of his personality was service, adding that he would champion the cause of how to improve the care of the elderly.

The event was witnessed by personalities, including the former Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VOA), Aare Taiwo Allimi; the Olowo of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu; the Chief Executive 0fficer of SCCF, Mr. Jide Taiwo; and a director, Mr. Tony Awe. Other directors are Ambassador Segun Apata, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Dr. Amos Akingba and Executive Adviser, Gbolahan Gbadamosi, a lawyer.

ing, but that the absence of the CLE in the 2008 accreditation exercise only made the exercise invalid in the face of the law and regulations guiding operations of the university system in the country.

Justice Uwa advised the university and the NUC to work together for the interest of the country’s education system, parents as well as students, who are studying hard to obtain recognised certificates.

Lead counsel to the appellant, Prof. P. E. Oshio, lauded the judgment and described it as a victory for obedience to law and regulations.

The first respondent, Alli, and counsel to the university also thanked the panel for a thorough job and pledged to study the judgment before knowing the next line of action.

•From left: Odunewu, Adeniyi and Omotunde...yesterday

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

Cleric advises The Nation staff to be exemplary

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HE management and workers of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation and Sporting Life, yesterday held a thanksgiving service to mark the company’s seventh anniversary.

The service was to thank God for being the secret of the company’s success and a source of its inspiration.

The Nation hit the newsstands on July 31, 2006. Vintage Press Ltd publishes The Nation, The Nation on Saturday, The Nation on Sunday and

By Nneka Nwaneri and Bukunmi Ogundare

Sporting Life.

The workers were urged to set the pace and be exemplary.

Leading the thanksgiving service was Pastor Seye Adeniyi of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 7.

The theme of his sermon was: “Be Ye Therefore Perfect”.

He enjoined the workers to be different by living exemplary lives as expected of them by God. Pastor Adeniyi

quoted Matthew 5: 43-48 to buttress his advice.

He demanded uncompromising professional ethics from the reporters.

The cleric said: “Dare to be different. Choose to be exemplary. Do not look at now but posterity. Learn patience in the face of trials and temptations and ensure you please God at all times through thoughts, words and spirituality.”

Pastor Adeniyi enjoined the staff to set the pace by being the salt and light of the

world so that their lives would glorify God. At the service held at the quadrangle of the company’s headquarters in Lagos were the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Ade Odunewu; the General Manager, Training and Development, Mr. Soji Omotunde; the Manager, Administration, Mrs. Folake Adeoye and the Advertisement Manager, Mr. Robinson Osirike.

Editors and other employees were also there.

Southwest governors hail Odu’a Investment

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OUTHWEST governors have hailed the investment drive of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited.

They gave the conglomerate a pass mark for the newly- built Heritage Mall and the Cocoa Mall, which they said have given life to several new multinationals, including Shoprite, Mr. Price, Cash ‘N’Carry and the Filmhouse Limited.

The governors of Oyo, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Ekiti, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, gave the commendation after a walkassessment tour of the Heri-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

tage Mall and the Cocoa Mall, situated at the Cocoa House complex, Ibadan, Oyo State.

The governors lauded the management team of Odu’a, headed by Mr. Adebayo Jimoh, for giving Cocoa House and the Central Business District area in Dugbe a facelift.

They said the new malls have increased the number of people coming for shopping, thereby making the area a rich economic hub.

Governor Aregbesola, speaking on behalf of the governors, said the Odu’a Invest-

ment Company Limited has revived the face of Ibadan, especially with the establishment of modern malls at the business district.

He noted that the presence of brands, such as Shoprite, Mr. Price, Cash ‘N’ Carry, Lifemate and The Filmhouse to mention a few, has made Ibadan to be more lively.

The Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investment Company, Mr. Jimoh, who led the governors on a walk, expressed delight about the two malls.

According to him, the Heritage Mall, which occupies the old Sketch Press Lim-

ited premises, was financed by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited and the Cocoa Mall, which is an extension of Cocoa House, was established in conjunction with a private developer, Top Service Limited.

He said the premises of the defunct Sketch Press Limited, which had become derelict for over 12 years, was converted to build the Heritage Mall and the Cocoa Mall is located at the former office of Odu’a Investment Company Limited upon relocation of its head office to Cocoa House, 15 years after the fire that gutted the building.

HE Oyo State Government yesterday said it may sack 650 members of the Youths Empowerment Scheme of Oyo State (YES-O) for dereliction of duty and extortion from law breakers.

The Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Lowo Obisesan, a lawyer, who said this, added that of the 1,339 ‘YES O’ cadets posted to the ministry about two years ago, many of them were projecting the government in a bad light.

He said: “They are part of the 20,000 youths employed by the government in December 2011 as part of government’s efforts to bring youths into the productive chain of the economy.”

The commissioner said the sacked cadets were caught abandoning their duty and extorting money from traders and commuters, particularly in Ibadan.

Said he: “When we enlisted these people, we expected they would give the indigenes and the government the best. But some of them did the job without a human face. Some of them were enforcing the law negatively. So the executive council felt some of the enlisted people were not the right ones to have been engaged.

“Investigation showed that most of them did not have the prerequisite requirements. Many of them do not report for work; they go only when they want to collect bribes from people.

“Without their knowing what I had decided, I went out this morning and requested from their officers the attendance list of the cadets, and I found out that many of them were not on duty. Today, many of them were caught and those that did not fall within the standard were told to go away. We will stop their salaries and I believe that the department they work for will reject them.

“Of the 1,339 that the government enlisted, surprisingly, we hardly see 300 people. They go to the traders, collect their goods and share them. Nearly 50 per cent of them were caught and have been rejected.”

BUSINESS

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘Over 1,000 poor people captured for 2013 CCTG’ From Franca Ochigbo and Zilla Alelumhe, Abuja

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HE National Poverty Eradication Pro gramme (NAPEP) has embarked on targeting extreme poor households who have been registered under its Conditional Cash Transfer programme (CCT), known as In Care of the People or COPE, for the programme 2013 take off.

A statement by NAPEP’s Head, Publicity, Danladi Kobi, said the targeting was conducted in each of the 12 benefiting states in the six geopolitical zones comprising of 50 benefiting households from each of the six wards in the three selected local government areas of the states.

He said: “The Conditional Cash Transfer programme is one of the intervention programmes carried out by NAPEP, targeted at breaking inter generational transfer of poverty in Nigeria while linking them to the economic process of the country.

“They include households of the poor femaleheaded households, poor aged headed households, physically challenged persons headed households, households headed by special groups like victims of Vesicol Vaginal Fistula PLWHAs, all with children of basic school age.”

He said that with the flagging off of the programme this year, COPE has now been implemented in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. The condition attached to the CCT he explained, is that the benefiting households will keep their children in school and access free basic health care while receiving a monthly stipend of five thousand naira (N5, 000).

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11 At the moment there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap.

- Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

CBN spends N114b yearly on currency, says Lemo

HE Central Bank of Ni geria (CBN) spends N114 billion annually on printing, moving, sorting and destruction of bad currency notes, its Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo said.

Lemo, who spoke in Umuahia, Abia State, while sensitising the public on the need to embrace the cashless policy, said the rising cost of cash management confirms the need for implementation of the initiative in the country.

The cash-less policy he said, would help in developing the economy and attracting foreign investors, stressing that the program has been beneficial to the economy.

Lemo said the cash-less policy has assisted Lagos and Ogun states in growing their

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) , stressing that these states are ripping the benefits of the initiative.

He said that Lagos state’s internally generated revenue is currently at N29 billion annually with the expectation that it will rise to N50 billion in the next few years. He added that Abia State has the opportunity of achieving the same result when it keys into the policy.

Lemo explained that the policy was introduced to reduce the cash being carried by people in transacting their daily business, adding that a society that does business based on cash will attract corruption and other criminal activities such as kidnapping.

He recalled that the issue of cash-less society started way back in 2004 when the money Laundering Act was enacted. The Act said that transaction on individual bases, which is above N500, 000 and N2 million for corporate bodies should be reported to the fraud control bodies.

The deputy governor of CBN said that the Point of Sell (PoS), which are 2044 in the state, would be increased to about 104,000 in the next few years, stressing that it is one of the ways to help in the reduction of cash flow in the economy.

He explained that the PoS is the point where people use the cards, which are loaded with funds to pay for whatever they would have bought instead of carrying cash. He therefore urged Abia state

government to help the CBN to sensitise the society on the need for the people to stop the use of cash in their daily business transactions.

Responding the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji assured the CBN that they will do everything for the state to key into the cashless policy and directed the chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue to liaise with the officials of the CBN to have a lecture on how the policy works with view to increasing the IGR of the state.

Orji, who was represented by his deputy, Emeka Ananaba, urged the CBN to put into consideration the poor in the state, stressing that many of them are still illiterate and may not know the way the policy operates, if they are not properly educated.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N10.6 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -9% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $48b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

• From left: Member, Customs Consultative Committee (CCC), Comrade Chinedu Ukatu; Comptroller of Customs in charge of Seme Area Command, Comptroller Othman Abdu Saleh; Secretary, CCC, Mr. Jude Maduka; and member, Mr. Cyril Amuh during the tour of Seme Command by the committee.

Tax tribunal orders oil coy to pay N279m to FIRS

By Adebisi Onanuga

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HE Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT), SouthSouth Zone, has ordered a multi-national oil company, Global Marine Baltic Incorporation, to pay the sum of $1,770,995 (about N279.8 million) as tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

The judgement was delivered by a three-man Tax Appeal Tribunal headed by the Chairman, Mr Adenike Eyoma.

In the judgment delivered yesterday, Mr. Eyoma said the amount represented the firm’s Company Income Tax liability for 1997, 1998 and 2000 respectively.

Global Marine Baltic Incorporation had filed the suit on behalf of one of its subsidiaries, Global Marine Offshore Drilling Limited, following the additional tax assessment served on it by the respondent, FIRS on March 11, 2005.

The company, through its counsel, Mr. Festus Onyia, had asked the tribunal for a declaration that the recharges brought against its subsidiary

by FIRS do not form part of its revenue derived from Nigeria for the purposes of taxation under Section 26 of the Company Income Tax Assessment (CITA).

Onyia had also asked the court for “a declaration that the inclusion of the recharges as part of the taxable revenue/profit of the appellant derived from Nigeria amounts to double taxation and therefore unjust, null and void.”

Besides, he had prayed the tribunal to set aside the FIRS Notices of Additional Assessment dated Jan. 27, 2004.

He made the submission on the grounds that its associate company, which they had engaged to provide logistic services in the execution of their Nigerian contracts, had already paid company tax on the same recharges.

Taleveras Group wins Afam Power plant bid with $260m • Continued from page 1

Other firms that bid for the purchase of the Kaduna Disco were Axis Power Distribution Limited that scored 17.4 per cent ATC&C, Copperbelt Consortium offered 21.73 per cent, NAHCO Power Consortium offered 22.83 per cent, while Leda Consortium offered 29.73 per cent, Incar Power offered 22.73 per cent.

Chairman, Technical Committee of National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Peterside Atedo, who presided over the bidding, said: “Even as the preferred bidders could wish to celebrate prematurely,” only the NCP headed by Vice President Nnamadi Sambo

• Northwest gets Kaduna DISCO From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

has the power to approve the preferred bidder.

Atedo explained: “For Afam Genco two bidders (TES Power Limited and Taleveras Group) attained the 75 per cent minimum score and also submitted the required post-qualification security.

“For Kaduna Disco, six bidders attained the minimum 75 per cent score and also submitted their post qualification security.”

He recalled that the Kaduna Disco and Afam Generation Plc were among the 17 successor companies

that were advertised for sale in December 2010.

Atedo added that both companies along with 15 others went through a full competitive tender process, which culminated in the submission of technical and financial proposal in July 2012.

The NCP technical chairman said: “Following the rigorous technical evaluation of all the bids none of the bids received for Afam Power Plc and Kaduna Electricity Distribution Plc scored the minimum 75 per cent required to progress to the financial bid stage. This development compelled the NCP to order a re-run of the en-

tire transaction as it was not prepared to settle for a suboptimal outcome.”

He said that NCP directed that no fresh adverts would be put out and instead all pre-qualified bidders who had earlier expressed an interest in the power privatisation and paid the US$20,000 data room fees would be allowed to participate in the exercise.

Atedo noted that letters were sent to all the 163bidders asking them to indicate their interest by submitting fresh bids for the two entities.

The Director General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki recalled : “None of the bids received for Afam Power

plant and Kaduna Disco met the minimum score of 750 marks required to pass the technical evaluation during the first round of sale of PHCN successor companies.”

He said that a lot of experience had been gained in conducting the earlier transactions for the other five generation and 10 distribution companies.

Dikki listed some of the challenges already addressed to include a new tariff order this is more cost-reflective than before, improvement in gas supply and gas infrastructure , finalizsation of industry agreements covering gas supply and transportation, electricity transmission and distribution and bulk power purchase.

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e-Business

We can’t ‘port’, subscribers lament

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UBSCRIBERS are finding it difficult to move to networks of their choice under the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) introduced three months ago by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

They alleged that some ‘big’ telecoms operators are frustrating them from porting to networks where they could get better services.

They said the donor operators were disallowing them of porting after several futile attempts to do so.

A subscriber, who identified himself simply as Tolu, said he had made several attempts to ‘port’, lamenting that he was always told to hold on.

“I have been to the office of my

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Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

recipient-operator several times to fill the form and get the porting process kick-started, but it has always been frustrated as the donor-operator who is one of the big players in the industry will not let me go. My grouse with the operator is that each time I load my phone, my ‘credit’ gets wiped off without making any calls. The worst is the freebies they give. When I loaded my phone on Saturday, I was given a ‘credit’ twice the amount I loaded. I did not use one-tenth of all the ‘credit’ only to wake up the following day with empty credit,” he said.

Chief Operating Officer, Interconnect Clearing House Nigeria Limited,

Uche Onwudiwe, said while he could not comment on MNP’s success, he could not rule out the possibility of donor operators refusing to release subscribers wishing to opt out of their networks.

Interconnect Clearing House is the link between the subscriber, the donor operator and recipeint-operator.

It reports to the NCC. Onwudiwe said if any subscriber has difficulty in ‘porting’, he should contact the NCC via a short message service (SMS) and do a follow-up.

“The donor-operator may want to frustrate people from leaving their network. If this happens, the appropriate thing to do is to complain to the NCC. The NCC is looking at putting in place sanctions to deter any

operator from stopping people on its network from porting,” he said.

According to him, the recipient network could also contact the interconnect clearing house so to assist in doing the follow-up on the issue with the regulator.

Calls made to the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Tony Ojobo, were not picked.

NCC Executive Vice Chairman Dr Eugene Juwah, promised to sanction any defaulting operator.

According to him, MNP has been identified as one service that would further deepen the competition in the telecoms market, adding that with the growing reliance and dependence on mobile communications for everyday socio-economic interactions,

the scheme will give freedom to subscribers.

“The vision of the commission is not only to provide access to telecommunication services to Nigerians at affordable cost but to also to continue to provide the required stimulus and appropriate environment for the introduction of innovative services that will impact on quality telecoms service delivery.

“Our mobile subscriber numbers have become our identity and in most cases, we are required to provide our mobile (telephone) numbers while filling out forms in opening bank accounts, making hotel and airline bookings,” Juwah said during the launch of the MNP scheme in Lagos on April 22.

Etisalat names finalists in Geek Force contest

TISALAT Nigeria has unveiled the Top 10 Finalists of its Geek Force Internship contest in what the telco said is an opportunity for innovative citizens of the country to join its workforce.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Steven Evans, who spoke at the event in Lagos, explained that the contest which focuses on two core areas of innovation and customer satisfaction is another idea from the telecoms company, adding that it came about as a result of its commitment to provide a

platform to help in the development of career opportunities in a creative and exciting way.

He said the five winners of the contest, which started as an online competition designed to recruit innovative and technologically savvy individuals, will have the opportunity of one year paid internship with Etisalat Nigeria.

The 10 competitors include Peter Ndirpaya, Habib Lawal, David Alozie, Victor Alayande, Muyiwa Iyowu, Onyemaechi Okafor, Okon Etim, Tajinere Sagay, Gbenga Olaoye and Valentine Ubalua.

MTN introduces social media data

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TN Nigeria has introduced new affordable bundle plans for its social media loving subscribers, a statement from the telco has announced.

The new social media bundle is tagged MTN GoodyBag Social and is aimed at providing yet another option for MTN subscribers to remain connected to their social media contacts.

It is a bouquet of flexible and affordable Internet data plans that enable subscribers on the MTN network to access their favourite social media sites conveniently with a minimal monthly cost of

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Google, ASUS partner on tablet

SUS and Google have unveiled a new tablet in Nigeria. It is called the Nexus 7, a 7-inch Android device with tablet screen and built-in wireless charging that eliminates the need for clumsy power cable connections.

According to a statement, ASUS Chairman, Jonney Shih, said: “After the success of the first Nexus 7, we are very excited to continue our partnership with Google with this new model. The new Nexus 7 puts the very latest mobile technology in users’ hands and sets a new benchmark for tablets.”

Senior Vice President of Android, Chrome and Apps at Google, Sundar Pichai, said: “Together with ASUS, we took what you loved about the original

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N60 only. The bouquet covers four popular social media sites - Facebook, Twitter, Eskimi and 2go.

MTN Nigeria Chief Marketing Officer, Larry Annetts, said: “We know how important social media has become to our subscribers in the last few years, and we have always tried to be there for our customers, empowering them to pursue what gives them pleasure and fulfillment.

This is what we have done with MTN GoodyBag Social. We are providing costeffective platforms for our customers to access the most popular social networking sites in Nigeria today,” he said.

Nexus 7 and made it even better. It is now thinner, lighter and faster, with the world’s highest resolution screen in a seven-inch tablet.

Whether you are sitting at home, in a coffee shop or at the airport, the new Nexus 7 is powerful, portable and made for what matters to you.”

According to Google, with a vibrant, seven-inch full high definition (HD) display packed with more than 2.3 million pixels for a stunning 323ppi (pixels-per-inch), the new Nexus 7 brings apps, games, books and movies to vivid life with unparalleled image quality. ASUS TruVivid technology improves color clarity and brightness, while IPS display technology gives ultra-wide 178-degree viewing angles.

Firm unveils MyTopUp

N information technology firm, OneCard Nigeria, has unveiled MyTopUp Business for small - and medium-sized businesses and individuals.

Its General Manager, Mr George Offem, said: “MyTopUp Business is the one-stop service with Auto TopUp and Bulk TopUp features that enable businesses and individuals to easily make automatic payments of mobile accounts, cable TV subscriptions, toll fees and other utility bills – all in a single transaction, using a validated e-payment account. Small businesses and individuals performing N50,000 to N100,000 worth of top ups monthly can now enjoy the numerous benefits of

MyTopUp Business.”

With Auto TopUp, monthly or weekly payments can be scheduled in advance for as long as desired. Auto TopUp also permits users to schedule low credit top ups, that is, automatic top ups when the designated account balance goes below a set amount. In one transaction and two simple steps, MyTopUp Business customers can pay for: multiple staff mobile accounts across all networks; Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) bills, cable TV subscriptions across the country; toll fees for official vehicles; utility bills irrespective of location, as well as top up accounts when they go low.

•From left: Former President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Sir Demola Aladekomo; Mrs Johnson, and former Petroleum Minister, Chief Don Etiebet, at the conference.

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Cyber Security Bill with Justice Ministry, says Minister

HE Cyber Security Bill is being finetuned by the Fed-

eral Ministry of Justice, the Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, has said.

She spoke at the 11th International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), in Ilesha, Osun State.

She said when the bill is presented to the National Assembly, stakeholders in the information technology (IT) sector would be opportuned to make their input before its passage into law.

“The Cyber Security Bill will be ready before the end of the year. The Federal Ministry of Justice is working on a draft that will form executive bill. There will be inputs from stakeholders from the IT industry,” she said.

Former Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye, told The Nation that cyber crime had become worrisome in the country.

With the nation falling within the same bracket with super powers, such as the United States, China and the United

Kingdom, it was high time IT stakeholders acted, he said.

“Nigeria is rated as one of the worst cybercrime nations in the world. Nigeria is one of the four leading cybercrime countries of the world. It becomes of utmost concern when you count the US and may be China and the UK and Nigeria is there. We shouldn’t be there. ‘’Nigeria is not as advanced as these other countries. We want to be advanced in other areas but certainly not in crime.

So, we are concerned. We want our cyberspace to be free,” he said.

Lagos embraces R&D for growth

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AGOS State government plans to drive economic growth through research and development (R&D).

Chairman, Lagos Research and Development Council (LRDC), Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, said at a R&D workshop for stakeholders that the government would do everything to promote R&D. The event, which was organised by the LRDC brought together stakeholders from government, academia, research and development agency, non-government organisations (NGO) and the organised private sector.

Bamiro said the establishment of the council is a demonstration of the resolve of the state to provide support for basic and applied research, and most importantly commercialisation, which in itself,

By Deji Fakorede

is a key mission of the Lagos Innovation Project (INNOVATELAGOS).

“Of equal interest to the council is support for institutions of higher learning in the performance of their key functions of teaching, research and community service geared towards the production of human capital to drive the State’s economy,” he said.

He added that through a globally tested and trusted strategic collaborative model referred to as Triple Helix Model, comprising the government, academia, research and development agency, NGO and the organised private sector, the focus of the Council is to become an instrument for the transformation of Lagos State into

an innovative and knowledgedriven economy.

He said like the South African government did, the Lagos State government is bringing about strategic collaboration among small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), academia, and research agencies to foster the industrialisation of the state.

Lagos Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), was represeneted on the occasion by his Special Adviser on Education, Mr Fatai Olukoga.

He said: “Nigeria’s future economic growth will increasingly have to come from innovation in products services and business models. This is why innovation has been placed at the heart of the Lagos Project for growth and jobs.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

No room for complacency

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• Kano bombings, an indication that the terror war is far from over

HERE is no doubt that the on-going massive military offensive against the Boko Haram terrorist group, attendant on the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan has substantially crippled the capacity and capability of the extreme sect to wreak violence on the horrendous scale hitherto witnessed, particularly in the North-East zone of the country. Yet, the multiple explosions that rocked the Sabon-Gari area of Kano on Monday night, claiming at least 45 lives, according to community leaders, shows that it is still a long way to victory over terror in the country, and there must be no room for complacency.

As their fortified strongholds in the North-East are routed by the Nigerian military, the Islamic extremists will naturally get more desperate as well as operate more randomly, arbitrarily and unpredictably in a way that can maximally undermine the country’s cohesion.

It is certainly not by accident that the explosions in Kano were targeted at the Sabon-Gari area, mostly populated by non-indigenes. The Kano State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, was thus right when he described the barbaric act as an attack on Nigeria. In his words, “This attack on Sabon-Gari is an attack on Nigeria because Muslims and Christians are involved. Several people of different ethnic extractions have either lost their lives or are critically injured. Whoever did this thing targeted Nigeria”.

Political leaders and security strategists

should, therefore, expect that the extremist sect will, in future, most likely strike in ways that can incite inter-ethnic, religious and regional animosity and strife. It is important to keep on enlightening Nigerians to see through the sect’s antics and refuse to fall for any such bait by maintaining the peace no matter the provocation.

Also instructive is the observation of a community leader in Kano, Prince Ajayi Memaiyetan, that “What happened is that for the past two months, we in Kano have been enjoying the peace of the graveyard.

We are waiting for security agencies to give us details on what really happened … The truth is that the security is not as effective as before because of the lull in attacks”. Increasing successes of the security agencies in containing the Boko Haram menace will, therefore, breed fresh challenges of its own that the authorities must be ready to tackle by continuing to fine-tune their anti-terror strategies in accordance with changing situations. At no time can we afford a lull in security alertness in any part of the country because the war on terror cannot be over until the extremists are completely subdued.

The recent arrest of 42 Boko Haram suspects in Lagos and Ogun states adds a dangerous dimension to the saga of terrorism in the country. It is an indication that the sect plans to extend its destructive activities, so far limited to the North, to other parts of the country.

We commend the vigilance of the security agencies which, acting on intelligence

reports, apprehended the suspects at Ibafo trailer park and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State, as well as such locations as Aviation Quarters, Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile Trailer Park and the Bar Beach, all in Lagos. This kind of efficiency was also evident in March and June, respectively, when Boko Haram suspects were arrested in Ijora-Badia and Kotankowa areas of Lagos before carrying out their alleged plan to bomb specified designations in the state.

While urging the security agencies to remain vigilant as well as continue to sharpen their intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency skills, we also call on the political authorities to expedite the pace of economic recovery in order to create jobs, boost prosperity and reduce the capacity of terror groups to recruit new members.

‘Increasing successes of the security agencies in containing the Boko Haram menace will, therefore, breed fresh challenges of its own that the authorities must be ready to tackle by continuing to finetune their anti-terror strategies in accordance with changing situations. At no time can we afford a lull in security alertness in any part of the country ...’

Lagos and homeless 70

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•The ‘Onitsha 70’ saga is only the symptom of wrong-headed federalism

HE news that the Lagos State government dumped 70 beggars of South East origin at Onitsha, Anambra State, has upset many, especially Nigerians from that part of the country. That development is unfortunate and should be decried.

Inasmuch as Lagos faces the dire prospect of its facilities being over-run by economic migrants from other parts of the country, the solution is certainly not dumping citizens in their suspected places of origin as it was the case with these 70 beggars.

Yet, the Lagos action and the consequent emotional angst are only mere symptoms. The real challenge is to locate the real problem; and solve it, once and for all, to avert a future recurrence. To do this however, both the Lagos State government and the aggrieved citizens

‘Lagos, to the bulk of deprived Nigerians, is the magic city that solves all economic problems. But that grand illusion to economic migrants is dire straits to the government, as it tries to manage its limited facilities, stretched to breaking point, to cope with the explosion’

must quit the emotional game.

To start with, the ‘Onitsha 70’ was not the first case of Lagos destitute shipped back to their states. There were earlier reported cases of 160 “northern beggars”; and even Yoruba hinterland destitute sent to Oyo State.

These were very drastic actions, no doubt. But the rational reasons that fuel it must be tackled: an economic pull that though drags virtually the whole of Nigeria to Lagos, while Lagos in return is not equipped to cope with the flood. That is the crux of the matter.

Because Nigeria’s federation is structured on elite consumption and hardly productivity, there is little or no attempt to create economic hubs all over the country. In the absence of that, there is always the long treasure pilgrimage to Lagos.

Lagos, to the bulk of deprived Nigerians, is the magic city that solves all economic problems. But that grand illusion to economic migrants is dire straits to the government, as it tries to manage its limited facilities, stretched to breaking point, to cope with the explosion.

Indeed, it is a grand failure of state in which Lagos is as much a victim as the destitute it expels. Destitute streams into Lagos because of little or no opportunities in their locale, leaving their home government free of their woes. Lagos, on the other hand, picks up the extra burden when its burden is crushing enough, as it is. Meanwhile, the Federal Government, in Nigeria’s skewed federation, sits on idle funds better needed in the states to avert the migration catastrophe that La-

gos faces.

Meanwhile, when Abuja was decided on as the new federal capital, Gen. Murtala Muhammed, the then military head of state, made a firm pledge that special provision would be made for Lagos, because of its peculiar status as the nation’s economic capital. But that has been observed in the breach as even extant federal infrastructure in Lagos has progressively decayed with almost no hope of resuscitation.

Even value-added tax, the consumption tax, the bulk of which is generated in Lagos, is redistributed with a skewed formula that prevents the state from benefiting from its own tax sweat.

To prevent future recurrence of destitute expulsion therefore, the Nigerian federation must, as a matter of urgency, be restructured. But that is in the long run. In the short run, the country must give Lagos special funds to cope with the extra burden it carries. Also, state governments whose natives stream into Lagos must wake up to their responsibilities. It is ingenious, to say the least, to pass your due burden to a sister state and yet mount the mountain tops to scream when that sister throws back at you your original problems.

So, a tri-partite – Lagos, Federal Government and other states – initiative is called for to think of equipping Lagos for its extra burdens, while also trying hard to reduce the influx of migrants by creating economic opportunities in other parts of the country.

Audacious hope for Middle East peace – Kerry fought hard for a slender chance that must be seized

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T is a mark of how slim the chance of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become that the talks about talks that are soon to begin in Washington are the most hopeful development for some years. Few expect substantive progress to emerge from the discussions.

There is little sign that the Israeli government will accept its 1967 borders as a starting point for negotiations, as Palestinian leaders have been insisting; in the occupied territories, it continues to build illegal settlements that it aims to annex to Israel as part of any deal.

What has brought the parties to the table is not so much the prospect that talks might succeed as the advantages to be won by taking part. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must appear to engage with the Palestinians if it is to deflect international pressure to end its obstructionism. The Palestinian leadership receives a concession in the form of prisoner releases, and anyway has few alternative venues in which to press its demands. Meanwhile, having made the cause of Middle East peace his own, John Kerry, US secretary of state, needs to show some return on his frenzied diplomacy if he is to move it further up the agenda of his boss, President Barack Obama.

It would be easy, therefore, to wax defeatist about Mr Kerry’s initiative. Certainly, without strong backing from the White House, he is in no position to offer the leadership in the Middle East that Mr Obama once promised but has failed to deliver. Still, a glimmer of hope is a precious thing. Historic change has sometimes been wrought from inauspicious beginnings, and, if Mr Kerry can lift the air of futility that now surrounds the peace process, even modest steps towards agreement could conceivably mark the beginning of progress that will one day come to look unstoppable.

If that faint prospect is to be realised, others must do all they can to nurture it. Mr Obama’s capitulation over Israeli settlements – which he criticised in his Cairo speech in 2009, only to veto similar criticism at the UN Security Council in 2011 – has weakened his voice. But the squeals of protest in Tel Aviv that followed the EU’s recent decision to cut a small amount of European funding for Israeli entities on occupied Palestinian lands reveals a government sensitive to criticism from foreign quarters.

Israel’s friends must use all their influence to ensure that this chance for peace, hard-won but slender, is seized.

– Financial Times TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi •Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

18

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The University of Abuja, established on January 1, 1988 has been bedevilled with crisis for some time now owing to the inability of the school to obtain accreditation for some of its courses.

There have been several protests by the students on this issue some of whom have unfortunately spent seven years for a course that is ordinarily supposed to last for four years!

It is the duty of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to accredit courses, regulate and maintain high standard and ensure that adequate facilities are in place for the running of various courses in our universities. This duty it has discharged creditably well by denying accreditation to these courses lacking the necessary facilities including Medicine and Engineering.

For several years, professional

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Respite at last for Abuja varsity?

bodies in Nigeria such as the Dental and Medical Council of Nigeria as well as the Council for the regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) have denied recognition for products of Uniabuja as a result of this anomaly.

The multiplier effects of this are innumerable. The world has undeniably become a global village and whatever happens in the home front reverberates to the outside world and the international community and that accounts for why many Nigerian graduates who

seek employment opportunities and greener pastures abroad have been denied placement due to the belief that these Nigerian products possess “untrusted” degrees.

It is surprising that a federal university could make its students go through such harrowing experience of having to spend several painful and unnecessary extra years before graduating from their chosen courses in the university. However, latest news indicates that the NUC has finally accredited some of these contentious

courses. I think it calls for celebration for those students and their parents who have fought tooth and nail all these years for these courses to be accredited.

Remembering the Uniabuja crisis brings feelings of neglect, incompetence and lack of accountability and foresight on the part of our university administrators. There is a clear-cut difference between teaching well in the classroom and being a good administrator. The two do not necessarily require the same skill

60 years!

It is in view of the above gloomy picture that the need for a strong and virile opposition like APC has become imperative.

However, how the new party is able to do this depends largely on its ability to overcome certain hurdles which have been widely acknowledged as obstacles in our politicking. The symptoms include godfatherism, dearth of internal democracy within, amongst others.

Reading the comments expressed so far by the leaders of the new party, it does not appear they are merely interested in kicking out the PDP from Aso Rock come 2015.

They seem determined to deliver the dividend of democracy to the

people of the country in large quantity. It will be a big political mistake for the party to concentrate all its resources at grabbing” power without a corresponding action plan that will salvage the nation’s political and economic miseries.

History is replete with such political blunder. This was what happened, in 2002, in Kenya when in their bid to wrestle power from the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) at all costs, the politicians formed a merger- National Alliance of Rainbow Coalition (NARC). But because the merger was power-grab driven, it was later to suffer internal bickering, few years after winning the election.

APC must work out a people-ori-

ented action plan and policy that will not just be limited to capturing the coveted Aso Rock seat but that will add joy and smiles to the populace.

It needs also be stated here that the new party should make internal democracy its guiding principle. Candidates should be allowed to emerge through a more open door democratic process devoid of whims and caprices of its leadership. The people of this country must be carried along in the policy making of the new political party, in order to have a sense of belonging.

fused to part with the sum demanded or in any way tried to challenge them for taking bribes got severely punished and delayed.

I was to witness a similar scene again on July 26, 2013 on my way to Ibadan from Ado-Ekiti. Barely 20 minutes away from Aramoko, there was a check-point at the same Ita-Ure junction axis where soldiers mounted blockades with tyre.

This time, teenagers served as

agents to the military men, collecting money from drivers as if checking their vehicle.

The soldiers did not only stop vehicles, the drivers were promptly ordered to park their vehicles after which teenagers, hawking assorted goods would approach the driver for N100 bribe. I am talking of young boys of about 8–13years hawking plantain chips.

APC and the hurdles ahead

IR: The deluge of reactions and comments that have greeted the recent merger of the country’s major opposition parties into Alliance for Progressice Change are not by any means surprising. These reactions stemmed from the fact that the electorates are tired of the “come and chop” politics symbolized by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre.

It is a notorious fact that the nation’s 13 years old democracy has been battered and bastardised beyond description by corrupt politicians, who keep amassing stupendous wealth of the country to themselves at the detriment of the larger populace.

Indeed, the PDP has largely contributed to these 13 years of misrule and squandering of our collective wealth. Again, there is no gain saying the fact that the so-called dividends of democracy have become as elusive as the thin air. The level of disconnect between the masses and their leaders has never been this glaring since the country’s independence!

To further aggravate the injuries done to the people of the country, the culprit of this hopelessness, the ruling PDP, has severally bragged to remain in the saddle for the next

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• Ademola Orunbon Epe, Lagos State

and not many people can effectively combine the two skills.

A university is not a laboratory or experimental specimen which you hand over to an inexperienced hand to determine the possibility of the outcome because you will be toying with the lives and future of thousands of people who would later become future leaders and decision makers. The prolonged situation in Uniabuja over course accreditation as well as similar situations in several other Nigerian universities calls for concern of stakeholders because the future of our students is at stake and this is part of the lingering crisis that is threatening to cripple the education system in the country.

The lesson here is that when square pegs are put in round holes, the result you get is better imagined than experienced. We must stop playing politics with every issue in this country if we truly desire any meaningful development. If we must play politics, issues concerning education should be totally excused from such games because they should never be toyed with by any serious nation.

A university is the highest citadel of learning and an Ivory Tower which produces manpower for several sectors of the economy and should not entrusted to people who have little or no managerial acumen. Governments at all levels should realize that education inevitably holds the key to Nigeria’s development and should ensure that the education sector is given utmost priority in the scheme of things.

• Tayo Demola (Mr) Lagos.

Army checkpoint as bribepoint in Ekiti?

IR: Men of the Nigerian Army posted to Ekiti border towns for security purposes now collect bribe from motorists particularly commercial vehicle drivers. I witnessed this first-hand on my way to Lagos from AdoEkiti on June 19, at Ita-Ure junction axis during which the driver of the bus I rode in was forced to part with N100 by a soldier. I also gathered that any driver who re-

I hereby call on the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen O.A. Ihejirika (CFR) to promptly check the excesses of the military men and save Ekiti People, and by extension, our nation from this exploitation and harassment. Enough Is Enough.

• Ayodeji Adesogan, Ado-Ekiti.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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COMMENTS

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Appeal to Mimiko on S/West economic integration

T the international level of the United Nations, regional integration is seen as building blocks for global peace and development. This is why the United Nations is keen to work with organisations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, the European Union, ASEAN and others.

What is useful at the international level is no doubt useful at the national level especially for a big country like Nigeria. It is in this light that I see the desire for governors in the Southwest to come together to plan for economy of scale in their development. In this regard, economics should be separated from politics.

It is a common saying that one can choose his friends but not his relations. It is also true that one cannot choose one’s neighbours. We all know what is at the root of Governor Olusegun Mimiko not being very enthusiastic about the plans for economic integration of western Nigeria. Perhaps, a look back into history would encourage Governor Mimiko to join his brother governors in planning for the way forward for western Nigeria. When I was young, this area stretching from Ilupeju, Mushin to some parts of Bayelsa, and including the present five states controlled by the ACN, Ondo state controlled by the Labour party, Edo state controlled by the ACN and Delta controlled by the PDP, it enjoyed planned development arising from the tremendous agricultural resources and the vibrancy of its peoples because after all, human capital is the greatest asset that any government can have. This human capital is still present in abundance in this area but because of the nature of Nigerian politics, which tends to put emphasis on primordial ethnic solidarity and to exaggerate ethnic differences, it may be wiser as a first step for the more composite and ethnically similar Western Nigeria to integrate first as a first step towards integrating with its neighbour. The ambition of the states in the western part of the country should not stop at the old borders of western state but should actually include Edo and Delta states as well as Kwara and even Kogi State because all these states should of course be interested in economic development and if it is obvious and palpable what joint economic planning will lead to, I do not see why the aforementioned states should find it difficult to integrate. This should be the ambition of the current planners of integration in the whole western state.

Of course, they must begin from what is realisable and practical. The presence of Lagos in this plan should even

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ITH less than 12 months left for Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to complete his first term of five years as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, talks are on in high places on who will succeed him. By now, the desk of President Goodluck Jonathan may be full with the resume of those who feel that they have what it takes to do the job.

The CBN governor’s job is not a piece of cake. It is a job with a lot of headache At this critical juncture in our country’s life, we need a CBN governor, who is versed in economic matters, and can hold his own among his colleagues globally. What is the worth of a CBN governor who cannot stand head to toe with Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer or America’s Chairman of the Federal Reserve?

Our CBN governor should not feel intimidated by others because they are from the so - called developed economies. No, he should be bold, assertive and daring in the discharge of his duties because on him rests the hope of a nation, talking monetarily, that is. As an international scholar, Sanusi’s predecessor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, had what it takes to play on the global field. When Soludo spoke while in office, the world listened because he was seen as a man of clout. Despite that, Soludo did not get a second term, which he badly wanted to enable him consolidate on the gains of his first term.

However, being an international scholar will not automatically translate to success for one as CBN governor. The CBN chief should also understand the terrain in which he operates and do all he can to win the confidence of the people. As CBN governor, has Sanusi been able to do this? In the past four years that he has been in office, what can he

serve as an encouragement to Ondo state because historically it had always been difficult to get Lagos to sing the same song with the old Western region. Those who are aware know the reason for this was that the politics at the centre in the past made it impossible for Lagos to integrate with the western state.

My suggestion would be that for starters the constituent states of the Oduduwa Group of Companies namely Ekiti, Oyo, Ondo, Osun and Ogun should throw the shares open and invite Lagos, Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara to buy into the group. After all the Odua Group is not necessarily a political group nut a corporate organisation just like any other corporate organisation in Nigeria that any individual or state are free to buy into. We should as much as possible divorce politics from economics in this planned integration and that is the only way it would work. I sympathise with Dr. Mimiko for being wary of being sucked into what he thinks may be a political move of encirclement by his brothers in the Action Congress of Nigeria. Having said this, we must all realise that occupancy of a political post is transient and temporary. The future is pregnant, who knows what it would bear but what would endure is growth and development.

It would be a shame if for present political manoeuvring and ambition, our people are made to suffer unnecessarily as a result of individual states planning and duplicating facilities that could be put together for the greater good of our people. As an educationist, imagine what we could do with integrated planning in the building and development of educational facilities in the old western region.

Imagine if we had one or two universities for the whole region instead of the puny academic institutions dotting all over the place that are poorly funded, poorly staffed and poorly equipped.

The excellent University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University was founded on the basis of unity of our people in what is today six or seven states. The excellence of that university of course has now been eroded through federalisation. Imagine what we could do with integrated road construction to link all the present capitals and major towns in the region with dualised roads and railways. Imagine if we can build an oil refinery somewhere on the coast of present day Ondo State and also exploit jointly the tar sand found in

Edo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states.

Imagine if we could jointly develop the limestone and granite and other minerals available in Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Jide Kwara states. The Osuntokun federal government is too remote for our immediate concern and interest; this is why the whole question of regional integration is important and urgent. What is binding us together is the oil and gas money that has dulled our sense of planning and wisdom in realising our joint potentialities.

Life is too short to delay action and prevaricate and history will be severe on those who have the ability to take decisions that will benefit the present and the future of our people but who because of temporary political advantage refuse to do so. After all politics is about people, we should not put politics before people. Politics is also about development and we should not elevate politics above development. The hallmark of a great statesman is the ability to take difficult political decisions in the overall interest of his people. These times call for such statesmen rather than politicians.

‘Life is too short to delay action and prevaricate and history will be severe on those who have the ability to take decisions that will benefit the present and the future of our people but who because of temporary political advantage refuse to do so’

The Sanusi - CBN years

point to as his achievements? Can he be said to have enjoyed cordial working relationship with his fellow bankers/economists without breaching the trust reposed in him by the government and the people of this country?

There is need for us to look at these issues before he leaves so that our leaders will be guided in appointing his successor. Sanusi has already said he is not interested in a second term. Even if he has such an interest, chances are that he may not be considered again, considering his relationship with the present government, Sanusi knows that he is not in the good books of this administration and, as such, it will be implausible to seek a renewal of his tenure under this presidency. He knows that is a dream that will never come true.

But should the appointment of a CBN governor be based on relationship with the government in power or on competence?

Both factors matter because there is no way any president will appoint someone as CBN governor if they cannot work in sync no matter how competent that person may be. Sanusi was lucky because he was appointed by the late President Umaru Yar ‘ Adua, who believed in him. The late president, according to Segun Adeniyi in his book : Power, Politics & Death : A front - row account of Nigeria under the late President Yar ‘ Adua was virtually over the moon following Sanusi’s appearance before the Senate for screening.

Segun quoted the late Yar ‘ Adua as saying : ‘’I watched some of the exchanges between Sanusi and the senators, and I was impressed. I think the guy is brilliant, but I have also been told about his integrity. I hope I made the right choice’’.

Would the late Yar ‘ Adua have said the same thing about Sanusi today if he was alive? The late Yar ‘ Adua gave Sanusi a free hand to run things. Going by Segun’s account in his book, the late president seemed to have more faith in Sanusi than the then Attorney - General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa (SAN). This was why he authorised Sanusi to bypass his minister in order to get some bank chiefs.

Under his banking reform, Sanusi published the list of debtors in newspapers shortly after he took office. We were told the amount these big debtors were owing and they were asked to pay up or face prosecution. For weeks, the alleged debtors and their banks engaged in newspaper battle over the issue. Some debtors denied owing their banks, while those who admitted owing, said they were servicing their debts.

Many of the banks rose in support of their customers, saying they were enjoying cordial relationship with them, debt or no debt. The question now is how much of those debts have been defrayed?

Will it not be good to also publish the list of those who have paid just as the CBN went to town a few years ago with the names of those owing? By far, the most controversial action taken by Sanusi is his removal of the chief executives of Intercontinental Bank, Finbank, Afribank, Oceanic Bank and Union Bank. In one fell swoop, Erastus Akingbola (Intercontinental), Okey Nwosu (Finbank), Sebastian Adigwe (Afribank), Mrs Cecilia Ibru (Oceanic) and Bartholomew Ebong (Union) were sent packing

by Soludo because of alleged mismanagement of funds. He also accused them of stealing. He took

the action following the examination of the banks’ books

by CBN and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). n law, you don’t punish a suspect before his trial. He is punished after trial. But in CBN’s handling of this matter, the reverse is the case. In a few days from now, it will be four years that Sanusi removed these bank chiefs and even sold their banks to boot.

Many of the things Sanusi claimed to have found out about these banks were for long pepper soup joint gossips during which revellers sat over bottles of beer to give what they consider insider accounts of the rot in our banking system. It is good that Sanusi has unearthed all these as a risk management expert.

But many find it hard to believe that such a thing could be happening in the sector and yet Soludo, his predecessor, was giving the banks a clean bill of health. By his action, Sanusi is insinuating that Soludo was privy to all the mess. As Segun asked in his book, ‘’the pertinent question therefore was, how could all this have escaped Soludo?” It is a difficult question to answer, but in clearing the ‘mess’ he believed he inherited Sanusi should not be seen doing things to tarnish the reputation of his predecessor and the affected bank chiefs. He should bear in mind that those hailing him today for doing a good job will not hesitate to join others in stoning him if tomorrow they hear that he

I

Lawal Ogienagbon

lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204

was involved in one deal or other while in office.

Some of the questions that will be asked once he leaves are : Is it true that the affected banks were forcefully taken over to discredit Soludo’s banking consolidation? Is it true that two banks were spared similar treatment because of their owners’ connection with the power – that - be? Is it true that BankPHB was seized in order to return the old Habib Bank to the Yar ‘Adua family to reverse the effect of the Soludo banking reform? Was due process followed in the acquisition of the affected banks? How was it possible for smaller banks to acquire some of the banks that were bigger and better than them? Where did the money come from? From Sanusi’s CBN or where?

Sanusi may believe that he has done well, but I pray that he will not have a successor who will be like him. We can only wish him well after he leaves office next year.

‘There is no way any president will appoint someone as CBN governor if they cannot work in sync no matter how competent that person may be’

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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COMMENTS

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T is no more news that while most parts of the south have since realized that failure to educate the female child only results in what the United Nations has described as ‘feminization of poverty’, most parts of the north don’t see the education of their women fold as a priority. As a multi ethnic society, our cultures are different. So are our values.

As our highly respected Professor Ropo Sekoni observed in his column in this paper last Sunday, ‘the fact that only two senators (one from Edo and the other from Ondo) out of the 73 senators from the south voted to retain section 29(4b) of the constitution indicates visible ideological or value differences between the north and south of the country, a natural illustration of cultural diversity’. Sekoni therefore believes it is for this reason that a ‘central constitution should reflect the core values common to all the parts of the whole.’

This fact which was lost in the minds of those who tampered with the 1979 draft constitution and decreed the 1999 constitution, and was not lost on those who ‘midwifed’ the 1959 independence constitution. Indeed this was the dream of the departing colonial masters, the consensus among of our founding fathers and the resolution of a Conference on West Africa organized by WASU in October 5 1942 which recommended ‘a united Nigeria with a federal constitution based on a Swiss or USA model with necessary modifications’ .

This was why Hugh Clifford, a onetime Governor General of pre independence Nigeria said in 1921 that ‘the real national self government must be obtained through local tribal institutions and the indigenous forms of government…the natural expression of their innate political genius’. And finally that was why Oliver Stanley, the then British secretary of state echoed the same sentiments in 1945 when he said ‘our objective is to see the various peoples of the various territories develop themselves along the lines of their own national aptitude their own culture and their own tradition’.

Unfortunately, the new inheritors of power betrayed the spirit of the independence constitution, when as Dr Junaid Mohammed observed recently, they forcefully took over the affairs of the West. Then the largely illiterate and illequipped military who threw out the baby with the bathwater promised in 1979, as they did in 1999, that the constitutions they supervised would borrow from our past experiences.

This is not an uncommon endeavour. The American constitution of 1787 which created a strong centre as a defence against external threat, domestic insurrection, and internal war and en-

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Constitutional amendment: Chasing shadows visaged the need to provide solid base for trade was a repudiation of the non-federal constitution that led them into civil war. The German 1949 constitution that created a less powerful centre was to prevent the rise of another Hitler that could take on the world in a senseless war.

The difference between us and those societies however, is the character of men who framed and operated our constitutions. In 1979, a self conceited military that pretended to know what was wrong with us as a people without asking us tampered with our draft constitution and also opted to hand over power to the same set of brigands that destroyed the first republic. In 1999, a totally discredited military self-righteously decreed a constitution, which was handed over to ‘new breed’ politicians who were graduates of Babangida’s school of democracy.

It was not an accident that the Generals in 1999 imposed Obasanjo, one of their own, who was supportive of the annulment of the June 1993 election.

With the military surreptitiously wielding power without responsibility, the ‘new breed’ politicians who share the same military culture of coercion, subterfuge, elimination of enemies and looting of conquered territories with total disdain for democratic norms such as separation of powers, rule of law, compromise , accountability have held the nation to ransom for 14 years. The executive, as if answerable to none, institutionalized a culture of arbitrariness.

The law makers, as if they are soldiers, refused to tell us what they earn as salaries until the Financial Times of London disclosed last week that our legislators are the highest paid law

ECENTLY, Transparency International released the 2013 Global Corruption Barometer, GCB and rated political parties and the Nigeria Police as the most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. TI’s 2013 GCB is a product of interviews with a total number of 114,000 respondents across 107 countries between September 2012 and March 2013. The Berlin-based organisation said the primary aim of the 2013 GCB report was to explore respondents’ personal experiences of paying bribes for government services on one hand and on the other, to gauge perception of the integrity of major public institutions.

From TI’s investigation, Nigeria is among the 88 countries where anti-corruption effort is ineffectual. This verdict is ominous. Yet it has not provided leads or talking points in our media. This important issue was merely reported and left alone.

I am sure I did not see follow-ups. So why are we not paying the needed attention to this uncomplimentary report which has the capacity of stalling our investment drive and growth efforts?

Two institutions that characterise the existence and flourishing of democracy in any country are the party system and the institution of parliament. If one of the institutions, political parties carry the moral burden of being the den of corruption, then it is right to conclude that our democracy is sick. The other institution that shapes the growth of democracy is the police which help primarily in the maintenance of law and order in a purely democratic setting. This institution has been described in the TI report as the bastion of corruption with no ray of hope.

If these two institutions (political parties and the Police) that I consider most critical to the growth and survival of democracy and our country Nigeria has been described in such very uncomplimentary terms by TI GCB report, then where lies our hope?

Have our political parties derailed from its lofty objective of seeking to influence or entirely control government course of action, usually by putting forward candidates with aligned political views?

Your guess is as good as mine.

But I hate to think like a few of our compatriots who are of the opinion that Nigeria is in reverse gear. Of late, I just noticed that some us are becoming more romantic about our past republics, particularly the Second Republic politics. Despite the shortcomings of that era, it still remains one of the most colourful and vibrant republics, that is if the focus is on political parties.

Many still remember principal characters of that era like Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye, national chairman of National Party of Nigeria, NPN and how he and his colleagues at the commanding height of NPN leadership held sway on every party issue. At the time, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was a member of NPN and president of Nigeria, yet he submitted himself to party rules and regulations. All that changed with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and as they say, the rest is history.

Today, political parties are extensions of individuals’ or group’s personal estates. There is complete absence of principles, discipline, solidarity, group interest and camaraderie. A party

makers in the world.

And as if to convince those who still don’t believe the military have constituted themselves into an hegemonic class, PDP democratically elected new breed governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) last week took their intraparty conflicts to Babangida, Abdusalami Abubakar and Obasanjo, leaders that have contributed in various ways to the current socio political and economic decay of the nation.

It is perhaps because of these vested interests and inherent contradictions that most people think the on-going efforts of the lawmakers at constitution amendment, as against a call by patriotic Nigerians for a national conference to discuss how we intend to govern ourselves, will most likely end the way of the past efforts. Nothing demonstrates this better than last week’s fiasco over section 29… which the Senate President attributed to blackmail by some of their members. Important areas including electoral reforms, state police and indigene-ship/citizenship, have been pushed to the back burner while the lawmakers engage in horse-trading over gay marriages or how to circumvent the Child Rights Act of 2003 which states inter alia: “No person under the age of 18 years is capable of contracting a valid marriage and accordingly, any marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”

The mindless killings and destruction of properties as consequences of Jukun-Tiv conflict in Taraba State, the Zangon Kataf debacle in Kaduna, the Hausa -Berom clash in Plateau, the

Ife -Modakeke crisis in Osun and the Umuleri Aguleri conflict in Anambra are largely due to the perception of external imposition of values.

It is hypocritical to expect the 800,000 strong Tiv (1953 census) allow the pastoral or cattle Fulani (3.1million) reduce them to a minority in their territory the way the Yoruba, the fifth largest ethnic group in the north with a population of 500,000 (1953 census) was reduced to a minority even within Kwara through politics of boundary delineation and state creation. It is also unrealistic to expect the Fulani fingered in the on-going bloodletting among the Beroms to accept Igbo to become a deputy governor of Katsina in spite of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema’s claim that non-natives in his state have been integrated as “indigenous Nigerians living in Katsina”, neither can we conceive a situation whereby a Fulani presides over a local council in the largely abandoned Igbo homeland. These are issues beyond the current selfserving efforts of the legislators and the selfproclaiming military messiahs.

The electoral reform as presented by Justice Muhammed Uwais ought to be a critical issue for discussion for any group that loves our nation. But our overpaid lawmakers understandably seem to prefer the current ‘cash and carry democracy’. In Ekiti State, former Governor Fayose claimed PDP aspiring governorship candidates were to obtain application form for about N2million.The police which wield more power than any other institution in society and therefore critical to security, peace and stability of any state has equally been pushed to the background. As the police, uprooted from their root suffer terrible fate in strange trouble spots of the north-east and Niger Delta, the lawmakers would rather see them perform despicable role during election or as we recently witnessed in Rivers.

We equally seem to keep on playing the ostrich pretending not to see the Boko Haram insurgency as a constitutional issue which can only be resolved through dialogue. Under a negotiated federalism, the people of the north-eastern Nigeria have the right to reject western education and the right to be governed by Sharia law.

We should not forget that during the Yerima induced Sharia crisis between 2001 and 2002, nearly all the northern leaders including former heads of state and former president from the north identified with him.

Since traditional political values of a people and their communities often determine their loyalties to political parties, and government, what can solve the suspicion of imposition of values even with inherent advantages is dialogue.

A case for strong institutions

By Dakuku Peterside

member could be sanctioned at the flimsiest of excuses. While some have been suspended for their perceived popularity, others have suffered similar fates either for fraternizing with members of other parties or for holding a different view. At the bottom of the scramble we see in our parties is the desire to highjack party machinery for personal and selfish gains, and corruption is always the destination.

Yes, abuse of position of trust is corruption and this is prevalent in our parties. Nigeria’s political parties must therefore look inwards and seek ways of ensuring that there is a level playing ground for every member. And to avoid a repeat of such an unflattering report in future like this one from TI, our parties must return to their traditional roles of seeking to influence government through their members with aligned political views.

They must also stop forthwith, all forms of witch-hunt and intimidation against vocal members and perceived enemies.

For the Nigeria Police, I am not under any illusions, it is a long walk. TI’s verdict therefore is something that is already known to Nigerian people. The police force represents everything but the purpose it is meant to serve. The problem of Nigeria Police is not all about the quality of persons that populate it or the culture but also of funding which is a creation of the Nigerian state. The state that does not fund its police and yet still expects optimal policing is a misnomer or a fallacy.

For instance, for 2013, the budget of the Nigeria Police is N311, 148, 387,311($1.6bn). This budget is meant to police a population of over 160 million with strength of 330,000 officers and men. This contrasts sharply with the budget of Austin, a county in the state of Texas with a population of 843,162 people.

The Austin Police Department has a budget of $284.4m which is about N45, 504,000,000 with staff strength of 2,300.

Whereas it cost an average of $123,478 to keep a policeman in Austin, Texas, it cost $5,893 to train and maintain a Nigerian policeman within the same period. It cost 21 times the same amount used for an average Nigerian policeman to train and equip a policeman in Austin, Texas. The implication of this comparative poor funding can be seen in training, moral, conduct, equipment and skill of the average Nigerian policeman.

Worse still, an ill-equipped policeman in Nigeria is expected to police about 500 persons whereas a policeman in Austin who is well equipped and has access to modern technology will be policing about 366 persons. Thus it will be sheer madness to expect similar level of performance between a local Austin police and his counterpart federal police in Nigeria.

Every day, one is confronted with a plethora of woes of officers and men of the force. I am aware that more often than not, the individual police officer sources his or her kits from boots to

uniforms and other accessories. It is also common knowledge that their take-home pay cannot really take them home in the real sense of that word. In barracks and duty posts, issues of low morale, welfare, training, lack of modern equipment and more echo. I acknowledge the fact that some state governments have done well for the police yet it is not anywhere near the ideal or what our expectation is from the force.

Under these circumstances, corruption will naturally grow and fester. Officers and men of the Nigeria Police live among us and are part of us, with needs and aspirations like any of us.

They say every society deserves its police, perhaps our police is a reflection of our reality. But we must halt this reality if we hope to build a virile nation where safety of lives and property, law and order is a national priority.

The political crisis in Rivers State today is direct fallout from failure of the police which is predicated on the many challenges facing the force. We are all witnesses to the flagrant disregard and disrespect to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, an elected public officer by Mbu Joseph Mbu, Rivers State Commissioner of Police.

Mbu as confirmed by the Senate and House of Representatives has consistently worked at cross-purposes with the governor, thereby compromising the security situation in the state. This is explainable. Mbu and the police he represents will prefer to serve those who have the power to appoint or remove them instead of the Nigerian people as contemplated by the Nigerian constitution.

Nigerians also watched the theatre of absurd that played out in Rivers State when five out 32 members attempted to impeach the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly. Sadly, while the assembly was on fire, the commissioner of police, like Emperor Nero, fiddled. Nigerians also saw how four northern governors who were on reconciliatory mission to Rivers State were pelted and held hostage by hired thugs at the Port Harcourt Airport under the watchful eyes of the police.

Corruption therefore is at the root of institutional decadence, dereliction of duty, deficit of professionalism and political meddlesomeness that has characterised the Nigeria Police of today as can be seen in the case of Commissioner Mbu in Rivers State, a classic case of a political policeman who does not know his bounds.

As we consolidate our democratic experience, we must strengthen our institutions. The police must be structured to serve the interest of Nigerians and not the selfish and narrow desires of a few. It is a sad commentary that our political parties and the police emerged as TI’s most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. This calls for deep reflection. Nigerians must work towards building strong institutions; this is the only way to guarantee justice, fairness, equity, peace and the rule of law.

• Peterside is a member of House of Representatives

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

COMMENTS

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HE central route to a people’s economic development in the modern world is through education. Strengthening the contents of mathematics, science and technology in the educational system is critically important. That is how Britain, followed by most of Western Europe and North America, shot far ahead of the rest of the world in the 19th century. Then, Germany in Central Europe demonstrated it most powerfully in the last years of that century. After unifying the many small German kingdoms and states into one country in 1870, the Germans launched massively into education. They became the first country to establish some post-primary schools (Institutes of Technology) for teaching science and technology exclusively. By 1900, Germany had become the technologically most advanced, the richest and the most powerful country in Europe.

At about the same time that the Germans were acquiring great technological knowledge in Europe, the nation living in the far eastern coastal islands of Asia, the Japanese, somehow developed a strong desire to know the roots of the wealth and power of the Europeans who were coming to Asia in great ships and conquering empires all over Asia. So, they sent a delegation to visit America and Europe. The delegation came back with the report that the secret was education, particularly education in science and technology, and a conscious and focused move towards developing a modern business culture. The most famous statement in their report reads as follows: Most of the countries of Europe shine with the light of civilization and abound in wealth and power.

Their trade is prosperous, their technology is superior, and they greatly enjoy the pleasures and comforts of life. When one observes such conditions, one is apt to think that these countries have always been like this, but such is not the case – the wealth and prosperity one sees now in Europe dates… from the period after 1800. It has taken scarcely forty years to produce such conditions. Those who read this record should reflect upon the lesson to be drawn for Japan.

The small revolutionary group seized on the report and launched their nation into a revolution. But their nation was not unified as one country; different parts of it were ruled by powerful war-lords (similar to the way that Germany before 1870, and Yorubaland before British colonial rule, were divided into different kingdoms and states). First, therefore, they started a national excitement which resulted in a series of armed revolts against the many rulers, and which then unified their country into one nation-state, with a Japanese emperor as its national father, and with a British-type parliamentary system of government. Then,

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OOD governance according to James Callaghan, is one’s ability to perform and deliver in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people. Where selfless and good leaders are lacking, Callaghan posited, no meaningful achievement would be achieved.

It was Callaghan’s contention that one of the major indices of good governance is the one’s ability to uphold pubic trust to the point that one is not bounded by the trappings of power to steal from the public purse.

Callaghan however concluded that with kleptomaniacs in power, the quest for public confidence is eroded, as nothing can be adduced to buttress the fact that a responsive and responsible government is entrenched.

If Callaghan’s view on good governance is to be taken seriously, Nigeria can be said to be on the brink as far as the quest for good governance is concerned in the face of a systemic failure at the helm of affairs with those calling the shots being widely accused of sharp corrupt practices.

With the advent of the present democratic dispensation, it has become glaring that every Nigerian knows who a good leader is and what it takes to make a good leader most especially in a democratic setting.

It is now a common place that once a leader is unjustly castigated and vilified, it is his hard stance of upholding public trust that made him to be hated by those who consider fleecing the public till as legitimate, forgetting that their wheeling and dealing is closely being monitored.

Pardon my marathon preamble, but it is a well known fact that there are leaders who had striven to live above board, proving their mettle on every front upholding public trust with the absolute fear of God and striving hard to leave an indelible mark on the sands of time.

It will not be fool hardy for one to say that, under the present democratic dispensation Kano is endowed with a leader whose commitment on upholding public trust is not in doubt as no empirical evidence can be pro-

Business revolution in S/West: Learning from other nations they embarked massively upon education for Japanese children, with special emphasis on science and technology. And then, the government and the important citizens embarked upon incentives to attract the newly educated Japanese men and women into a modern entrepreneurial, business and industrial culture.

Here are some of the incentives and policies: • the spreading of the knowledge of how to start and run businesses (entrepreneurial knowledge) through schools and other organizations, • many kinds of special funds for supplying bank loans to business starters, • large investment banks, • various programs for helping young and struggling businesses, • business seminars and symposiums, • establishment of agencies for advising business people, • support for technological and industrial research and development ((R&D), • laws to order and strengthen businesses, • business awards and prizes, • orientation of the Civil Service towards healthy attitudes to business people, so that people trying to start or build businesses would get good help from their civil servants, • subsidies for certain kinds of businesses, • prizes and awards for inventions, • tax incentives for some businesses, • creation of a nationally big image for business people, • policies making the Japanese state a friend and supporter of Japanese businesses, • programs for assisting and encouraging the exportation of Japanese industrial products; • Encouragement of high quality standards for Japanese industrial products, etc.

Japanese leaders call all these policies and measures “Investing in our People”. By the opening of the 20th century, Japan had become a strong modern country – so strong that it was able to defeat a major European country, Russia, in a war fought on land and sea in 1905.

The Japanese grew from there to become one of the leading technological, industrial, and economic powers in the world.

Any educated country can develop entrepreneurship and business consciousness quite easily, by launching an entrepreneurial and busi-

ness movement among its people and setting up clear policies towards it. That is how the small countries of Asia (South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore), countries that are not as educated as the Yoruba South-west, did it. They all set out to imitate Japan, and they have succeeded.

Because we Yoruba people have turned our people into one of the most educated peoples in the world, we have established a strong base for a successful modern business and economic revolution. All we now need is to embark on it as a conscious and focused movement.

Amazing Israelites The country called Israel in the Middle East was founded in 1948. Because the people of Israel have had to fight wars again and again since 1948 to survive as a country, war and politics became the great obsession among their youths. Most of their brightest youths focused on warfare and politics. But in recent years, that has changed very much. And the principal reasons for that change are the economic policies of the present Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu. The smartest ones among the young people of Israel are now going into technology and commerce, not politics. This has stimulated the Israeli economy in a powerful way.

One writer recently described the Israeli revolution as follows: “Tel Aviv has become one of the world’s foremost entrepreneurial hot spots. Israel has more high-tech start-ups per capita than any other nation on earth, by far. It leads the world in civilian research-anddevelopment spending per capita. It ranks second behind the U.S. in the number of companies listed on the Nasdaq. Israel, with seven million people, attracts as much venture capital as France and Germany combined. Israel now has a classic innovation cluster, a place where tech obsessives work in close proximity and feed off each other’s ideas. - - - Netanyahu preaches the optimistic view: that Israel will become the Hong Kong of the Middle East”.

Technology is the force moving these great economic changes in Israel. The success of Israel is proof that a country that has not much money can succeed with this kind of revolution. For instance, all the oil-rich countries of

Kwankwaso and Zik Award

By Aliyu Sale Takai duced to buttress the fact that he had any skeleton in his cupboard.

He came on board to serve the people with vigour and diligence, doing away with all the vestiges of corruption who had given him a bad name for not according them the leverage to steal with levity.

He is no other person than Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whose ascendancy to power leaves much to be desired as one who brooks no nonsense and minces no words in telling anyone who cares to listen that his government is no spring board for amassing illgotten wealth at the expense of the people of the state.

Courtesy of his monumental feats, Kwankwaso won the accolades and the admiration of the apologists of speedy transformation of the state from a bastion of rot and total backwardness to the pinnacle of excellence in transformation and good governance.

Knowing the importance of building physical infrastructures, the governor saw the compelling need to effect some radical revolutionary change aimed at making Kano embolden its prime status as a revered commercial nerve.

To the governor’s credit, many reputable agencies ranging from the media, academia and even the most cynical transparency/ budget rating agencies, he had been praised to high heaven for living up to his billing on good governance and adequately awarded with the laurel of honour by such reputable agencies.

One of such awards the prestigious Zik Award of good governance in an epoch making ceremony held in the commercial city of Lagos. It was a night of colour and glamour as Nigerians from different walks of life gath-

ered at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island to celebrate the memory of the first president of Nigeria, whose memory the Leadership award is named.

Even his implacable enemies and those who see nothing good in the way he governs the state could attest to the fact that he is not employing executive fiat to milk the treasury of the state dry as he only uses his swagger stick to scupper corruption.

The prestigious Zik award on good governance given to him came at a time he is widely praised and eulogized by those who knew what is progress and the right time a speedy transformation should be effected.

Courtesy of his vision and master stroke, Kwankwaso mooted the idea of according due priority to all sectors of human endeavour on a case by case basis to avoid duplication.

On education, he established a brand new world-class university (this is in addition to the Kano University of Science and Technology, which he established during his first term in office from 1999 to 2003). He has undoubtedly achieved an unprecedented feat as the result of his effort to sponsor 500 Kano indigenes to study abroad for their acumen to be trapped irrespective of their parental background or political pedigree. It is no doubt a giant stride not achieved by successive administrations in the state. Within a period of two years, the governor built over 1600 classrooms in the state.

On health, the amiable governor had gingered the confidence of the down-trodden masses that primary healthcare is not beyond their reach as clinics and hospitals in the state are renovated and fully equipped with drugs being sold at an affordable price. Free antenatal and post-natal care are now offered in Kano. Modern intensive care units are being

Gbogun gboro the Middle East have been talking about encouraging innovation, and some of them have been spending billions trying to build science centres. Israel does not have that kind of money, but it is moving full blast ahead of all these countries. The reason is that the Israelis have a tradition of education, intellectual exchange and technical creativity. For example, between 1980 and 2000, Egyptians registered 77 patents (for new inventions) in the U.S, Saudis 171, and Israelis 7,652.

Our state governments have already taken the first step by launching a movement towards Integrated Regional Development.

While we are thanking them for that, let us also urge them to begin to use the Integrated Development spirit to launch an entrepreneurial and business movement. And let us go to our rich and influential people and urge them to sponsor Small Business Associations in the main towns of their home states. That is how rich Japanese individuals contributed to the modern revolution in their country. Sure, we can do it.

An American friend who visited most parts of Nigeria recently told me: “There is much poverty all over your country. However, in the midst of the poverty, the South-west is considerably different. The only reason there is poverty in the South-west is that the people have not risen up to establish a modern business culture. The many educated youths roaming around jobless are sitting on gold and they do not know it. Education has made their homeland different; it has turned their homeland into a great market demanding a lot of modern goods. But they are not producing or selling”.

We can change all of that in a couple of years. built, new hospitals built, mobile ambulance service introduced and malaria and polio action plans have been mapped. Additionally, youngsters are being sponsored to study medicine, pharmacy and microbiology abroad.

On empowerment, the governor had also proven his mettle on assisting a legion of unemployed youth men and women to acquire vocational training on various discipline, for self-reliance drive to be consolidated. They are also given startup capital to boot.

Kwankwaso’s achievements are numerous to mention or document precisely because of their enormity. One can be apt to conclude that even with the greatest strides enumerated above, Kwankwanso is, with no scintilla of doubt, qualified for the prestigious zik award on good governance. He is impressively standing tall among his peers.

This is just the crux of the matter.

• Takai wrote from Yankaba Quarters, Kano

‘The prestigious Zik award on good governance given to him came at a time he is widely praised and eulogized by those who knew what is progress and the right time a speedy transformation should be effected.

‘Courtesy of his vision and master stroke, Kwankwaso mooted the idea of according due priority to all sectors of human endeavour on a case by case basis to avoid duplication.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NATIONSPORT THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

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NOTHER first has been recorded in the history of sports sponsorship and promotions in Nigeria as Mobil Producing Nigeria, Operator of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture finalises plans to camp and train 165 students in the modern technics and styles of track and field.

Sponsor of the Akwa Ibom State /NNPC/MPN Schools Athletics Championships for the past thirteen years, the oil drilling giant has taken the event to another level by subjecting the champions of the competition in the last two years to an intensive two weeks camping that will afford them the benefit of modern coaching in the sport.

The coordinator of the event Paul Bassey told journalists in Lagos that by agreeing to subject the student winners to a rigid coaching

Mobil plans holiday camping Ikpeba chides Oboabona over Arsenal snub Razak: I moved to Europe to get Eagles' chance and training for 165 student athletes programme by some of the best coaches in the land, MPN has once again pioneered a programme that is worthy of emulation.

One of the coaches invited for the programme is Solomon Abari, the NIS Director of coaching and one of the coaches who guided Nigeria to gold medal in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Also on the card is veteran athlete and coaching guru Armelia Edet, Nigeria’s Chief Athletics coach for so many years.

Armelia was all praise for the programme saying that her dream is revolved around events like this.

‘’…….Until we start to not only catch, but coach them young, then we have not started. I am excited, I will give my all, but we should be ready to build on this initial attempt, by regularly updating their knowledge.

Akwa Ibom State Director of Sports Coach Aniedi Dickson said this is a programme that

will benefit the state no end as they prepare for the upcoming National Sports Festival for U-17 athletes. “……I am into consultations with the organisers of the programme to also allow my coaches benefit from the training programme that will be handled by experienced and tested coaches” the Sports Director said.

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ORMER African footballer of the year and ex-Super Eagles’ star, Victor Ikpeba has faulted Sunshine Stars skipper Godfrey Oboabona over his decision not to honour and invitation for trials with London club, Arsenal.

Ikpeba who had his best time in Europe working under Arsene Wenger then at Ligue One side Monaco posited that Oboabona was ill-advised on snubbing the French coach's invitation.

“I think he should

NSC, Abdullahi fully behind us —AFN

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IGERIA international, Vincent Enyeama, has been declared first-choice goalkeeper at French Ligue 1 side, Lille Metropole for the 2013/14 season.

According to L'Equipe, Lille manager, Rene Girard, has decided to put Enyeama ahead of Frenchman, Steeve Elana in the pecking order of goalkeepers at the club.

"Vincent Enyeama (30 years) will be the number one goalkeeper of Lille next season as René Girard has decided," reported L'Equipe on Wednesday.

In the wake of the development, Nigeria goalkeeping trainer, Ike

•Enyeama

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Shorunmu, has told supersport.com that he is not surprised that Enyeama has been elevated to number one at Lille.

"Honestly I'm happy for him and it shows that he is our best and one of the best in Africa and the world at the moment. I am not surprised that he is now number one at his club.

"You know every coach has different philosophy or plan, so I believe his present coach feels Enyeama is good enough to be number one and I am happy that has happened and it is an advantage to us at the national team," said Shorunmu.

Since joining Lille in 2011, Enyeama played second-choice to Mickael Landreau before he went on loan to Maccabi Tel-Aviv last season.

After Landreau's departure to Bastia in January this year, Elana became number one while Enyeama was away on loan.

This latest news has put an end to the club future of Enyeama, who had already been linked with a likely return to Israel.

UPER Eagles' goal poacher Emmanuel Emenike has rubbished reports linking him with a possible move to play in the lucrative China League.

Reports in the media claim that Emenike was offered around 320,000 pounds per week, which would have made him the highest paid African player of all time.

Speaking exclusively to NationSport from his base in Russia, the Nigerian forward feels his quality is too sophisticated for the lowly rated league.

The Spartak Moscow of Russia's points man declared that he's relevant for the big leagues in Europe, rather than chase money in China.

"China? Please count me out. I am still very active and good for the biggest leagues in Europe so why should I be thinking of a move to China? Emenike asked.

•Emenike

•Oboabona

•Europe is suitable for me

By Innocent Amomoh

The AFCON 2013 top scorer continued: "I respect all the clubs that have showed interest in me. But I think I need to quickly make my stand known. I don't have any intention of

leaving Europe at least for now.

"I am still under contract with my club, and I intend to respect that. In fact they have not told me of any interest from any club or clubs. I am, committed to making an impact here after that I'll know what else to do.”

Oduamadi tastes defeat in Brescia debut

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EW signing, Nnamdi Odaumadi might need more time to strike the perfect rhythm with his new teammates at Serie B side, Brescia having started on a losing note with the team in Tuesday's pre-season friendly against Albinoleffe.

Brescia was defeated 2-1 in the game in which Oduamadi was handed his preferred number 25

jersey.

All three goals in Tuesday's game was scored within the first 25 minutes with the first set of two goals going to the visitor's before Oduamadi's Bresci managed to reduce the deficit.

The defeat nonetheless, Oduamadi has promised his uttermost best to the Biancazzurro with promotion to the Serie A one of his major target.

•Oduamadi

Akide targets Falcons' job Siasia, Iroha vie for F/Eagles job

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Enyeama ’ll be NO 1, says Lille coach

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in China—Emenike

Honourable Minister has started planning with us. He has secured a camp for our local athletes where we will do our build-up. He is also working on our overseas camp, all we need do is give him the financial implication of our preparation.''.

Thomas said that in the history of athletics in Nigeria, Mallam Abdullahi is the only Sports Minister to openly identify with athletics. ''He was at the Africa Youth Championship; he was also the first Sports Minister to come for an All Nigeria Athletics Championship. He is a friend of athletics and we are sorry for any embarrassment the publication may have caused the nation, the Honourable Minister and the NSC'' said Thomas

•Abdullahi

Africa Nations Cup, he has to train with the team for like one or two weeks to see if he can fit in.

“So I think he should have taken the chance, he was badly advised it was not a wise decision for him. Ikpeba concluded.

Though Arsenal may be off the radar for Oboabona, reports suggests that a host of other clubs are queuing up for the signature of the Super Eagles defender.

I CAN'T PLAY

MOSCOW 2013 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ATHLETICS

HE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has refuted media reports that the National Sports Commission (NSC) is not supporting its preparation for the Moscow 2013 IAAF World Athletics Championship.

In a statement on behalf of the Federation signed by Head of Communication and Media Olukayode Thomas, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria board stated that the NSC is not only supporting the Federation financially, but also offering morally support.

“The NSC under the leadership of Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has been supporting us in every way. The Honourable Minister requested for our plan for the World Championship and we have submitted the plan. We don't have any problem with the NSC or the Honourable Minister, even for the World Youth Championship, and other Championships, the Honourable Minister is ever willing to assist as soon as our file gets to his table. We therefore disassociate our Federation from the purported report that the NSC and the Minister is not supporting athletics” said Thomas Speaking further; he said the AFN is getting full support from the NSC, for this championship and others. “In fact, for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, the

have taken a chance and gone for the trials not just because you have won the Nations Cup for Nigeria... well that is fine but these coaches the way they see the European and South American players is different from how they see African players. Ikpeba said in a chat with Sports Radio Brila FM. He continued -African football and European football is different; that Africa exports some talented players to Europe does not guarantee smooth changes... even though he just won the

ORMER Super Falcons' striker Mercy Akide has told FIFA.com that she has the ambition of someday coaching the women national team.

The diminutive striker has since taken up coaching in the USA after she hung her boots.

The first woman to win the African Woman Footballer of the Year award in 2002 said her passion for the game and the love for her country can see her coming over to help manage the Falcons team if she

is given the opportunity.

“I hope some day I can coach the national team. That's my passion, she said.

“There are things we are lacking, and I want to go back and help my country with my experience playing and coaching. I still have that fire in me.

Akide is a FIFA ambassador for women football since 2005. The Super Falcons are currently without a coach since November 2012.

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•Akide

HE trio of Samson Siasia, Ben Iroha and Fatai Amao are said to be the main contenders vying for the post of the coach of the Nigeria U20 team popularly known as Flying Eagles.

Samson Siasia, who last worked with the Nigeria Football Federation as the

coach of the Super Eagles, has the best record with the national junior team of the three, as he has led the side to a second place finish.

Ben Iroha worked with the U17 side that won gold in South Korea, and has been involved with other junior teams since then.

Fatai Amoo is well known for his work with

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send their name, passport photograph and media to media@nttf.com.ng in order to facilitate the accreditation, which closes on August 12.

The N6.5 million prize money championship, is the highest prize money tournament in Africa with winners in the men and singles events going home with N.8 million and N.6 million respectively, while all players that make it to the round of 16 will also get cash rewards for their efforts.

The championship is organised by the Main Organising

Committee of Lagos International Sports Classics in collaboration with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), while players in the senior and junior categories, made up of 10 events, would play according to ITTF rules.

Deadline for players' entry has been fixed for August 13, while qualifying matches in all events for Nigerian based players hold on August 22 to 23.

Officials from ITTF and ATTF will also be part of the tournament with a view to consider Nigeria for an ITTF tournament in 2014.

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•Haruna

IGERIA international Lukman Haruna has been picked as second best player of the month in the Dynamo Kiev’s fans poll conducted for the month of July on club’s web site.

The midfield supremo emerged second with 23, 6 points behind first position Dieumerci Mbokani, who got 26,2 points.

According to the fans Haruna has been a key figure in Dynamo Kiev midfield, and has scored vital goals for the Ukrainian side, especially the spectacular one score against FC Sevastopol.

This was measured by the three matches played by the Kyivans in the month of July – against FC

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EATTLE Sounders attacker and Nigeria international , Obafemi Martins has rejected the overtures of Trabzonspor as he wants to continue playing for his current employer at least for the next one year, one of the agents involved in negotiations has told allnigeriasoccer.com.

It has been reported by Fanatik that Trabzonspor were keen on signing Obafemi Martins this summer after the club failed to land their primary target Ivory Coast international Salomon Kalou. '' Obafemi Martins was proposed to Trabzonspor, but the possibility of him joining them is very remote. '' He wants to remain with Seattle Sounders at least for the next six months. '' The earliest time the transfer can take place is the January transfer window or most likely next

summer,'' the agent who pleaded for anonymity told allnigeriasoccer.com.

28 - year - old Obafemi Martins has played for clubs in Italy, England, Germany, Spain and United States.

•Martins

Registration for CCSF International Taekwondo Championship begins Aug. 7

Lukman Haruna is second best

MOC begins media accreditation

Martins rejects summer move to Turkey

•Siasia

DYNAMO KIEV PLAYER OF THE MONTH

LAGOS INTERNATIONAL TABLE TENNIS CLASSICS

HE Main Organising Committee (MOC) of the first Lagos International Table Tennis Classics has commenced media accreditation for the tournament.

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF) approved championship will hold at the Molade OkoyaThomas Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos from August 26 to 31.

According to the MOC, media practitioners willing to cover the tournament are expected to

First Bank football club of Lagos, when he made youth his focal point, and played some exiting football in both the Lagos State and National league with his wards.

John Obuh, who led Nigeria to the last two FIFA U20 campaigns, resigned after the last U20 World Cup in Turkey.

By Innocent Amomoh IGERIA international Razak Adegbite says he's looking forward to Super Eagles’ move to Turkey. chance after completing a two-year The former Enugu Rangers' striker joined Kahramanmarasspor in the Turkish second division for an undisclosed fee and the prolific striker is currently enjoying new life in Turkey with his being rated highly.

"There are 50% chances of playing for the national team when you move to europe and start making a name for yourself," said Razak who has remained fans favourite with his yellowish haircut that amaze the fans.

•Razak "I realized a long time dream after completing a move to Turkey. I think I will be priviledge to show more of my ability. I am already focusing on the new season and I hope to cheers up the fans with goals."

"Turkey is currently attracting names, and I wish to make it bigger with my club and step up higher.

There is already a big task before me which is to score goals but I wish my legs will speak better when the league resumes.”

By Innocent Amomoh Volyn Lutsk (1:1), FC Hoverla Uzhhorod (2:1) and FC Sevastopol (2:0).

At the moment Congolese striker, Mbokani is a top finisher of the UPL (4 goals in 3 games).

Yevhen Khacheridi is in the third place behind Haruna with 22 points.

It’s hardly possible to lay claims to Yevhen Khacheridi despite the fact that Dynamo defense didn’t look perfect early in this season.

We hope that he will easily find common ground with the WhiteBlues newcomer Alexander Dragovic.

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HE registration of athletes and teams for the second Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation (CCSF) International Taekwondo Championship begins on August 7.

According to Chief Executive Officer/ founder of CCSF, Chika Chukwumerije, the tournament holds on October 19 to 20 at Abuja Sheraton Hotel & Towers and it is expected to attract athletes within and outside the country.

“The CCSF International Taekwondo Opens aims to bring together Nigeria and West Africa's finest and developing athletes to showcase their skills, and vie for the honour of becoming the region's best fighters. The inaugural edition was adjudged by participants and officials alike to be the best organized tournament in the history of Nigeria Taekwondo, and many benchmarks were in the course of hosting that edition,” the Team Nigeria captain to the 2012 London Olympics said.

He added: “The 2013 edition promises to be even more interesting

with exciting twists planned by organizers to add delightful surprises to both National and International participants eager for a repeat showing of the 2012 edition.”

Each athlete is expected to register with N5, 000, while the deadline for registration is September 20.

The first 200 athletes to register are entitled to CCSF Branded Taekwondo Uniforms, kicking pad and skipping rope Medals and certificates will be awarded to the top three athletes in each event, while cash prize of N150, 000, N100, 000, N50, 000 will be awarded to gold, silver and two bronze medalists respectively.

Also, the best male and female fighters will get a three-week International Training Camp while awards like Best Player Award” (male and female), CCSF Fair Play Award, “Future Champion Award” (male and female), Best Team Award and Kwame Indomitable Spirit Award will be given to participants.

However, volunteers' slots are up for grabs at the tournament as well.

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THE NATION

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

INSIDE

20-year old is CU’s best Student

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

The dream of many business owners is that their offspring should take over from them. Many school administrators appear opposed to this age-long practice. They want the proprietors’ children to steer clear of their parents’ schools. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE and MEDINAT KANABE examine this thorny issue.

MICHAEL Eromhonsele, 20, was the celebrity at the eighth convocation of Covenant University, Ota, where he led 1,495 other graduands with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92 last Friday.

-Page 37

Succession Succession battle at private schools

Lagos pegs promotion at 50% THE Lagos State Ministry of Education has pegged the minimum benchmark for promotion in its public secondary schools at 50 per cent.

A statement released by the ministry noted that the criteria will take effect from the 2013/ 2014 academic year starting September 23.

-Page 40

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

Hemmed in by flood

•Should owners’ children or administrators take over?

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THE rainy season is not the best of times for students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. Whenever it rains, some parts of Abraka, their host-community, are flooded, paralysing movement and commercial activities.

-Page 29

N public schools, nobody talks about succession because they are government owned. So, the issue does not arise.

The schools, be they primary, secondary or tertiary are run by the government, which could be the local, state or federal. Primary schools are owned and run by local governments; secondary schools and tertiary institutions are owned and run by either the state or Federal Government. The schools are taken over by succeeding governments.

In the case of private schools, the issue is a bit complicated. They are schools owned by individuals.

Some are run by the owners; others are managed by administrators appointed by the proprietors.

The wish of many business owners is that they should be succeeded by their offspring, especially the first child. For school owners, getting their children to take over their business after their death is becoming a thorny issue.

The administrators seem not ready to hands off after the proprietors’ death.

While the proprietors worry about what becomes of their

legacy after they are gone, the administrators are concerned that the owners’ offspring may jeopardise their position.

It is common these days to witness a clash between the owner or his/her heir and the school administrator.

At a seminar for Heads of School (HOS) organised by Edumark as part of its Total School Support Education (TOSSE) fair, school administrators hotly debated this issue. A HOS, faulted what she calls the practice by proprietors of

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bringing their young children in as directors to breathe down on the necks of “hardworking” administrators who may have faithfully contributed to the school's success over the years.

Responding, the facilitator, Dr Mary Iyayi, urged the administrators never to fight their employers or their children since they own the school. She also advised school owners to consider making long-serving administrators part owners of their schools.

"Do not fight your proprietress.

My daughter for example is 11 years, but she doesn't want to be a teacher or an educationist but a Medical doctor. I have three children and none of them has shown interest in the school or education line. I know that I cannot totally leave the school in the hands of a stranger irrespective of whether he or she is the head or school (HOS) or an educationist

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You have to accept that she owns the school. However, school owners could make those who have worked in the school for a long time part owners of their schools as an incentive," she said.

However, many proprietors prefer to hand over their schools to their children.

A proprietress, Mrs Temitayo Ola-Kolade, is worried about the fate of her school. She said her children do not seem to be interested in managing it after her.

"My daughter for example is 11 years, but she doesn't want to be a teacher or an educationist but a Medical doctor. I have three children and none of them has shown interest in the school or education line. I know that I cannot totally leave the school in the hands of a stranger irrespective of whether he or she is the head or school (HOS) or an educationist,” she said.

Hajia Aminat Suleiman, who runs Lufaloy schools in Kano, also wants her daughter to succeed her.

Right now, she said is doing all she can to learn how to effect a •Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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EDUCATION

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WAEC releases 2012 HE West African ExaminaSSCE certificates tions Council (WAEC) has

released certificates for its Senior School Certificate Examination written in May/June for SS3 pupils, and November/December, for private candidates last year.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Mr Yusuf Ari, candidates who sat for the examinations up to last year were directed to collect their certificates from their former schools and WAEC Offices nationwide.

The statement also directed private candidates who wrote in previous years to collect their certificates by December 31 or risk paying extra to secure it afterwards.

"The Council also wishes to advise candidates who sat for previous diets of the November/December General Certificate of Education, Ordinary/Advance Levels (GCE O/A Levels), Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) (Private), WASSCE (Private), who have not collected their certificates to do so at WAEC zonal, branch or satellite offices, not later than December 31, 2013.

"Candidates who fail to collect their certificates after that date may be charged an extra fee for the custody of the certificates," the statement said.

Alumni President seeks support

•From left: Administrator, Grace Schools, Mrs Tokunbo Edun, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Victor Kolade, guest speaker Mrs Pamela Umebuani, special guest Justice Femi Adeniyi and representative of First Lady Lagos State Mr Ademola Amore at the school’s 39th valedictory service and prize giving ceremony in Lagos PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

ICT compliance must for school heads From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

•Mr Offiong

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ROM the 2014/2015 academic session no teacher without Information and Communications Technology (ICT) certification will be appointed school principal or head teacher in Cross River State.

The new policy for appointment •Continued from page 25

smooth transition.

"I will continue to attend seminars and workshop because I want my daughter to take over my school from me. I believe the question of confusion between HOS and owners' children should not arise at all because we are all Africans and we all know that whatever you do you want your child to take over," she said.

Some school owners, especially those with grown children, incorporate them into the management of the school during their lifetime.

This practice is recommended by many experts and educationists who advise school owners to prepare their heir - apparent for the role rather than foist them on the school overnight.

When asked of her succession plans, Mrs Abimbola Fisayo, proprietress of Christ The Cornerstone (CTC) International School in Ikeja, Lagos, her daughter, the current Nursery Supervisor of the school, would take over the school. Her daughter, she said has been in training for more than seven years.

"I did not force my daughter to study Education, but having seen me here, she decided to read education. When she got the degree she came back here to become a teacher. I didn't make the head of school all of a sudden just like that.

She worked as a teacher for seven years and in the eighth year there was a new development and I made her the head of Nursery section. In fact, she started as a boarding house mistress in the secondary school but she still taught English and literature. She grew through the rank; she was able to interact with the teachers and oth-

of school administrators, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong E Offiong said is to ensure that by 2015 all teachers in public schools in the state acquire Microsoft Digital Literacy Certification.

Speaking during the formal commencement of computer training for teachers under the state government laptop computer acquisition/elearning programme in Calabar, Offiong said there was a need for teachers to be digitally compliant in tune with the demands of the 21st century.

Offiong said about 10, 000 laptops have been distributed to teachers and

other government officials who applied for them.

He said the response so far has been encouraging because of the software built into the system that makes the work of the teacher in terms of note of lessons among others to be easy.

This he said had encouraged teachers who initially did not key into the programme.

He urged the teachers to cooperate with the organizers and facilitators of the training so they can make use of the opportunity to improve themselves as individuals and pass on the knowledge to the children for the overall development of the school system.

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RESIDENT of Ajuwa Old Students Association, Chief John Ademoyegun has started visiting members of the association in various cities across the country to raise funds for rehabilitation of the school's infrastructure.

In a statement made available to The Nation, Ademoyegun urged the old boys who attended the school located in Okeagbe, Akoko in Ondo State, to support the association's

‘Embrace entrepreneurship’

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NON Governmental Organisation, (NGO), Students for Liberty (SFL), has enjoined undergraduates in Nigeria to embrace entrepreneurship, as the key to sustainable economic growth and development of the nation.

An International Executive Board Member of the organisation, Mr Olumayowa Okediran, said at a briefing ahead of the group's two-day West Africa Regional Conference scheduled that there is need for students to engage in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) before graduating.

He explained that the hydra-headed

Succession battle at private schools ers.

"I do not believe in the suddenness because it cannot work. I believe in the American method.

When you are bringing your child into a business that you set up, they must come in at the beginning.

You will be surprised that in America the person that becomes the chief executive will start as a cleaner. If you put the children from the top they will be arrogant; they will not know how the other workers feels because nobody can tell you. Well, it is part of my regret that I didn't allow my daughter to be a cleaner. She should have washed the toilet, swept the compound; there is no big deal about it as it would have enriched her in experience."

Education Director of Mind Builder's School, Mrs Bolajoko Falore said her children are also in training.

"I have told my children that once I am 60, I will be at the background and they will be at the forefront because age is not on my side and I cannot continue. I have trained a lot of my staff so that without me, the school will still run. For instance, I travelled and

‘

came back just before the graduation. When I came, I just put some finishing touches and that is all.

But I am training three of my daughters. They are professionals in their own fields. The first is an accountant and she will manage the adminstration; the second one is an education; she read psychology, and she has gone for Montessori courses. She is now doing her masters in Leadership and Administration. The third is a lawyer, so the three are involved," she said.

While some school administrators have accepted that it is inevitable for schools to pass on to the owners' offspring, others would rather the children have nothing to do with the schools.

Mrs Christianah Oyekanmi, HOS, Mandate Private School in Akesan, a Lagos suburb, is not in favour of children coming around to disrupt her work in the school.

"The children should not be involved because they would want to run the school their own way.

They will not give the HOS the room to run the school the way it has being. The owner should run the school or hand everything

project.

The President thanked Otunba Solomon Oladunmi, Chief Executive officer of Solton Hotel and suites, Ijapo Estate, Akure for donating N1 million to rehabilitate the science laboratory he endowed in 1996. He also thanked Oladunmi for pledging to give prizes to the best students in JSS and SSS classes in science and arts subjects to encourage their academic pursuits.

over to the HOS. The only way should be for the children to have their office elsewhere so they will just be coming in once in a while," she said.

Other administrators think it is foolhardy to believe school owners will not involve their children, advising that the HOS should be willing to work with the younger generation.

Mr Mordi Ignatius, who is the Administrator of Grandmate School in Okota, Lagos suburb, said once a HOS knows his role, he can even mentor the proprietor's heir.

He said: "Since Africans believe in heredity, eventually everything you earn while working as a human being is for your children in case you pass on. Whoever is being employed should know this.

People see it as ridiculous when you teach a child and that child later becomes the owner of the school where you are head and you start answering Sir or Ma to the child. But if there is mutual understanding; if that child knows that this is my boss and he should be boss at all time, there will be no problem. Like in my school,

The children should not be involved because they would want to run the school their own way. They will not give the HOS the room to run the school the way it has being.

The owner should run the school or hand everything over to the HOS. The only way should be for the children to have their office elsewhere so they will just be coming in once in a while

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economic problems of Nigeria can no longer be left to the government, especially with the unemployment rate in the formal sector put at 23.9 per cent. As a result, he said out of six million employable young people that enter the job market, only 10 per cent get a job.

Okediran said the NGO is set to assist the government to identify challenges and finding sustainable solutions to combat unemployment adequately. He said that entrepreneurship is the only answer, stressing that the small business started today has potential for growth tomorrow and would create employment.

the owner has children and he is already training them to take over from him so we will be with the children and work together with them; so we have to train them on the job."

But expertd say school owners should not always insist on their children being their successors.

Rather, their focus is to ensure that whoever takes over is good for the job.

Speaking on "Identifying and Grooming your Successor" at the maiden conference of the Association of International School Educators of Nigeria (AISEN) Mrs Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of LEAP Africa, advised proprietors to have a clear succession plan. She advised them to create a governing board for the school, considering people that will help the school to survive for generations, not just because they are family members.

She also told them to be willing to hand over their schools to nonfamilies members.

Founder of S.T.T and Regency School in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital, Ms Maggie Ibru, agrees with Mrs Nwuneli that the successor should be anyone who is capable.

"If the person is loyal and good it can be anybody from anywhere.

Then you should have a board of governors and board of trustees that can oversee the running of the institution because it would out live you," she said.

Another speaker at the AISEN conference, Mr Jeff Bradley, an American said to pick a successor, one should look for leadership quality, someone who shows imagination, passion, knows how to connect, is good at building alliances, and commands respect, and definitely not learners.

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

EDUCATION

Amosun confirms Adesanya OOU VC

FUNAAB FILE

Oloyede delivers Ramadan lecture

T

HE Ogun State Governor and Visitor to Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has confirmed the appointment of Prof Saburi Adejimi Adesanya as the Vice-Chancellor of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye in substantive capacity with immediate effect.

Adesanya, a Professor of Pharmacognosy was appointed the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the institution on July 27, 2012 by the OOU Governing Council.

According to a release issued last Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the Vice-Chancellor was described as an erudite scholar with a teaching experience spanning almost three decades in the University system.

Adesanya became a professor in 1996 and was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 2009 to 2012. He has over 40 publications in international and local journals to his credit.

•Mr and Mrs Fasusi (middle) cutting the anniversary cake with some parents

Bachel Group marks 5th anniversary

A

MID songs of praise, staff, pupils and their parents joined the proprietor of the Bachel Group of Schools last Sunday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the school in an event held in the expansive Las Vegas Hall of Ben Auto Event Centre, Dopemu, Lagos.

School gets 100 PCs from govt

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HE Anambra State government has announced it is providing additional set of computers to schools in the state, out of which New Era Girls Secondary School, Onitsha would get 100.

Governor Peter Obi announced this while inaugurating a five-classroom block and library renovated by the state in the school.

Obi said the high student population in the school required adequate number of computers to enable them to be up to date in Information Communication Technology (ICT).

He assured that the school will equally benefit from other educational interventions by the government while environmental experts will be sent to the school to assess the threat of erosion for immediate intervention.

M

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

The member representing Onitsha North One constituency at the State House of Assembly, Mr Chugbo Enweuzor, praised Obi for reversing the high level of dilapidation in schools. The principal of the school, Dr Ngozi Agbasimelo expressed gratitude to the Governor for his various interventions which she said have totally transformed the school.

Dr Agbasimelo recalled that the N10 million released to the school enabled it renovate more structures and facilities.

She explained that the repositioning of the school is promoting academic excellence as the pupils are now distinguishing themselves in internal and external examinations.

Lawmaker motivates students with awards

EMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikorodu 1 constituency, Hon Sanai Agunbiade has stressed on the importance of stimulating healthy academic rivalry among pupils through competitions.

He said this motivated the initiation of the S.O.B Best Brains Contest for primary and secondary school pupils in his constituency.

At the second edition of the competition held in Ikorodu, Agunbiade said winning a prize in primary school motivated him to strive for excellence.

"What I have done is to bring together all the schools in my constituency to come and compete and they were tested mainly in English Language, Mathematics and General Knowledge. We are resuscitating the dying spirit behind motivating and encouraging deserving brains in the education industry at all levels.

"I drew inspiration from my experience in primary school when I was called up for award on a prizegiving day which inspired me to be more serious so that I would continue to receive such applause every year. The expectation of that prize-giving day was enough for me during the examination", Agunbiade said Praising ing the initiative, the

By Wale Ajetunmobi

The programme also featured the launch of a N20 million ultra-modern hostel, to commence its boarding school.

Bachel Group, founded by Mr Ayokunle Fasusi, a banker-cumeducationist, has preparatory, primary schools and secondary model college with branches in Ipaja, Ogba and Ikotun suburbs of Lagos.

Clad in blue and white Ankara uniform, the teachers were welcomed to the occasion with a paramilitary display by pupils of the school.

Bukola, wife of the proprietor, mounted the podium, giving praises to God for not "allowing calamity to befall staff and pupils".

She praised the teachers for the school's achievement in five years, saying that Bachel has carved a niche for itself among the comity of private schools.

"I use this medium to appreciate the contribution of teachers, parents, corporate bodies and government to our success story," she said.

The chairman of the occasion, Olugbenga Ojo, a barrister, noted that the academic achievement of the Bachel Model College was as a result of resilience of the parents and members of staff in going extra mile to impact knowledge on the pupils.

He said: "There is no way Bachel can be celebrated without recognising the input of the parents and the commitment of the teachers, who are discouraged by their salaries but are encouraged by professionalism in their vein to ensure the pupils are successful."

Prostrating before the parents in the hall, the proprietor, Fasusi, acknowledged challenges in administration of the school, but praised God for being supportive.

Explaining how he left his lucrative bank job to found the schoool five years ago to check decline in quality of education, Fasusi, a First Class graduate of Mathematic and Statistics from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, said the school started with 53 pupils, whose academic records convinced parents to enroll their wards in the subsequent years.

Despite the global economic meltdown that made many businesses to fold, Fasusi said he took the risk to venture into education industry out his conviction to make difference in people's lives.

He said: "What leads to the growth of the school is the dedication of our teachers to work. They listen to instruction and are willing to make correction where necessary. Also, the parents are supportive and are ready to answer us each time we call on them."

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Special Guest of Honour and Chairman, Committee on Education, Science and Technology of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, said the state government has been agitating for such programmes where individuals can assist in promoting education.

"One of the issues raised at the third Lagos Education Summit is that we must prepare our students to be future-ready and most importantly unleashing, unlocking and exposing their minds and making them realise their full potentials by using institutionalised support systems such as S.O.B. Agunbiade has done here.

In the primary school category, Samuel Obiajulu of St. Margaret Nursery/Primary School, Ikorodu came first and Maja Kehinde of Lagos State Nursery/Primary School, Ikorodu was second while Omoyele Boluwatife of Local Government Primary School came third.

In the junior secondary category; Olajide Oladipupo of Government Junior Model College, Ikorodu was first; followed by Esumeme Victor also from the same school while Adegbiye Adeniyi of Frontrunner City College came • third.

THE Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, has praised the Vice-Chancellor University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Oyewole, for the good job he is doing in FUNAAB. Delivering the 23rd Ramadan Lecture of the university titled, Muslim Character: Lessons of Ramadan, Oloyede enumerated the benefits derived from fasting, and enjoined Moslems to learn to overcome their human shortcomings.

"Fasting involves abstinence and restraining of all parts of the body, including the tongue, the eyes and ears from indecent acts. Fasting also restrains the mind and heart and they are deliberate because they represent containment of comfort and pleasure," he said.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Rtd Navy Captain Rasheed Raji, a former military administrator of Bauchi and Sokoto states, described the choice of the lecturer and topic as most appropriate, especially as it reminds of what is expected of Moslems during and after Ramadan.

Scheme impacts communities THE Director, Community-Based Farming Scheme (COBFAS) of FUNAAB, Dr. Jonathan Atungwu, has said the scheme is positively impacting students of the university and their host communities.

Atungwu said in addition to the theoretical aspect of their programmes, COBFAS provided a platform for the students to put into practical, what they had been taught in the classroom, while the host community benefits in the process. He said the 2012/2013 Farm Practical Year (FPY) would have been completed but for the ongoing national ASUU strike.

He praised the university Management for being supportive and funding the scheme. He also said there were no unpleasant incidents throughout the nine months the 1,020 students spent in the four COBFAS locations, namely: Isaga Orile (247), Iwoye Ketu (222), Odelemo (256) and Odogbolu (290), attributing the success to the peaceful co-existence with their host communities, the obas and their chiefs.

‘Let's emulate the Germans’

•Chairman, Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area Hon Hakeem Bamgbola presenting a free registration form for the Nov/Dec 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) to a beneficiary in his office PHOTO: TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

THE FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, has challenged aspiring entrepreneurs and stakeholders in the education sector to learn from the German government which upgraded its polytechnics to universities.

Oyewole threw the challenge while inaugurating an eight-week intensive skill acquisition training organised by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies (CENTS) of the university.

He expressed optimism that such conversion will afford the participants the impetus to acquire firsthand-skills required in their various fields of specialization.

Oyewole praised CENTS for taking steps to ensure that FUNAAB students are equipped with additional skills that will stand them out after graduation.

He said such skills would strengthen the certificates issued

by Nigerian universities.

"Our certificate is not worthless; if you have knowledge and it is not applied, it becomes useless.

What we are doing is to ensure that the certificate of FUNAAB is different from others," he said.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

EDUCATION GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

‘Let your child complete primary six’ •A first for Mind Builders High School

T

HIS year's graduation was special at Mind Builders Schools, Ikeja, Lagos as it was the first time the secondary education arm of the school, Mind Builders High School was producing graduands.

The six pioneer SS3 graduands joined 19 Primary Six pupils who had completed their education in the Omole and Central Business District (CBD) branches of the school for the colourful valedictory service and graduation held at the CBD School hall.

Given that many parents do not allow their wards to complete Primary Six, it was a delight for the school to have up to 19 Primary Six pupils for the graduation.

In the course of the programme, parents were counseled by Head Teacher, Mr Ezekiel Awe to allow their wards to complete six years of primary education, as stipulated by the Universal Basic Education (UBE) Law, rather than drag them to secondary school after completing Primary Five.

Awe said going to secondary school is not just about passing entrance examinations but maturing.

He said completing Primary Six helps pupils to mature and even have an edge academically.

He gave examples of pupils who

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

completed Primary Six who are now excelling in various secondary schools.

"Please parents, let your children pass through Primary Six. If they do, they will be better prepared for secondary schools. Those that passed through Primary Six here are now excelling, winning scholarships," he said.

The valedictory/graduation programme featured hymns, bible readings, exhortation, special performances by the pupils of other classes, as well as presentation of testimonials and awards.

Speaking on the High School graduation, Education Director, Mrs Bolajoko Falore, said she was particularly happy that despite their small number, the SS3 graduands sat for the 2013 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the school.

"I feel very proud and happy. It has not been easy. This is the first set and what gives me joy is that they wrote their WASSCE in this hall. WAEC told me that I had to pay a surcharge but I did not mind.

If we had to take them to another school, I won't be able to know their standard. I want to be able to know our lapses; where we have to measure up," she told The Nation.

•From left back row: Head Teacher Mr Olawale Olajire, Mr Kayode Adekunle (3rd left), Chairman of the occasion Matthew Agboola, Proprietor Mrs Oyinade Adekunle with some members of staff and some of the graduating pupils.

Prepare your kids for global challenges, parents told P

ARENTS have been told to prepare their children for global challenges instead of focusing on their immediate environments.

The charge was given by Mr Tokunbo Taiwo of Express Discount Ltd at the first graduation /speechmaking day of The Lord's Kiddiz Schools, Ibafo, Ogun State.

Speaking on the topic: 21st century parenting, challenges and coping techniques, Taiwo said it would be a

By Augustine Avwode

regrettable mistake for any parent in the 21st century to allow his child to be pigeonholed in his development. He stressed that due to the globalised nature of today's world, students must be seen as not competing with their peers in their immediate state, country and continent but the world at large. Therefore, they must be given a solid foundation.

Speaking earlier, chairman of the occasion, and Executive Director, Vigtag Distributions Ltd, Matthew Agboola, expressed satisfaction at the pace at which the school has grown in such a short period since its establishment. He also praised the management and staff of the

school for giving the children good orientation and solid foundation, morally and academically.

The school's proprietor, Mrs Oyinade Adekunle said: "It is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. For any school to have an enduring legacy in this era, it must be dynamic, pro-active and respond promptly and adequately to the various critical issues peculiar to these young minds. At The Lord's Kiddiz, we have an idea, a strong belief that every child is an embodiment of talents and a blessing to his /her generation. We believe that these children who are considered little today are great men and women tomorrow. So, we see beyond today; our interaction with these children is strictly, with tomorrow in mind," she said.

Summerland holds Valedictory service

I

•The Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, presenting an award to the best graduand of Kith & Kin School in the Microsoft Office Specialist Competition by Readmanna

A

Be change agents, lawmaker urges

LAWMAKER representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has urged the outgoing pupils of Kith and Kin International College (KKIC) Ibeshe-Ikorodu to be agents of change in the society.

The legislator gave this charge at the school's valedictory/prize-giving day held at the school's excellence hall.

Dabiri, who was the special guest of honour at the occasion, also advised the graduating students to be focused, hardworking and add value to anything they do.

Her words: "I thank the administration of KKIC for producing these wonderful, lovely and disciplined children. Wherever you (students) find yourself, be focused, hardworking and add value to anything you do. Be determined to change your country. Be the change Nigeria needs and let integrity be your watchword."

Also at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University Imota

By Yusuf Ibrahim

Lagos State, Prof Ayodeji Olukoju who was the chairman of the occasion enumerated great individuals who had distinguished themselves in their various societies by doing something remarkable.

"I challenge our graduands who are going to the next phase of their lives to see the opportunity in every challenge, to devise new methods of solving old problems, to innovate and create, and determine to make a mark in their various professions,” he said.

The principal, Mrs Ale Mebel said the school recorded 100 per cent success in the SSCE WAEC and 90 per cent success in NECO examination last year. One of the graduands, Miss Akpederi Rachael said: “Today, I feel fulfilled and happy even though, I am going to miss my friends, teachers and principal. KKIC is the best school in terms of inculcating moral values and academic knowledge in students."

T was a day of celebration as pupils of Summerland Schools, Mushin held their valedictory service to usher those in Kindergarten Two, Nursery Two, Basic Six, JSS 3 and SSS 3 into another level in their academic life.

Awards and prizes were given to outstanding pupils and teachers who had performed exceptionally well in class control management, record and register keeping, punctuality, consistency, resourcefulness and creativity.

The students also got a chance to showcase their hand made products like liquid antiseptics, gum, shoes, soaps, toys, scouring powder, balm, paint, mats and compass which were also available for sale.

The school's proprietor, Mr Idowu

•Graduands of The Lord's Kiddiz Schools

By Medinat Kanabe

Olufade acknowledged the teachers for the positive changes observed in the educational life of the pupils.

"May your strength be not weakened, your effort not be in vain and your expectation for these young ones not be disappointed," he prayed for the teachers.

Olufade admonished the pupils to be careful, calm, responsible, simple, humble, honest, and engage in positive activities always.

While advising parents to lay a good foundation for their kids, Olufade urged the teachers to know their subjects in totality.

"Know your children, parents, environment and self. Don't use foul language on the children," he added.

29

The rite of graduation

Forces against a pro-chancellor Page 31

Page 34

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

CAMPUS LIFE

THE NATION

0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

An early morning downpour last Sunday threw residents of Abraka, the host-community of Delta State University (DELSU), into panic over the state of Ekrejeta Road, which is close to the institution. Whenever it rains, the road is flooded, making it impassable. PHILIP OKORODUDU (500-Level Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering) and ESE OKODUWA (200-Level Home Economics) report.

•Vehicles meandering through the flooded Ekrejeta Road... last Monday

T

HE rainy season is not the best of times for students of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka. Whenever it rains, some parts of Abraka, their host-community, are flooded, paralysing movement and commercial activities.

The Ekrejeta Road that leads to the campus is always bubbling with life in the dry season, but when it rains, it is a no-go area.

Even a light shower gets the road flooded.

Almost all banks have their branches on the road.

Motorists are going through pains plying the road– no thanks to the rain. After a downpour last Sunday, it was flooded, slowing down vehicular movement.

Last Monday, pedestrians were stranded while some businesses on the road closed because of flood.

The flood is caused by lack of drainage.

Some traders lamented the development, saying their agonies may be compounded if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) calls off its srike.

The federal road was constructed in the 1970s to link Sapele and Agbor. A new road has since been built, with the Ekrejeta road now serving Abraka.

Over the years, the road has become the commercial nerve centre of Abraka but it has been neglected by successive govern-

PHOTO: PHILIP OKORODUDU

Hemmed in by flood

‘The government should please come to our aid. We don’t want malaria to kill us because of the stagnant water The flood is affecting our business because our customers cannot gain access’ ments.

To protect their premises from the flood, banks built concrete structures at the edge of the road. Store owners also protected their businesses from the flood. They filled many cement sacks with red sand and placed them as barriers against the flood.

This measure has compounded the woes

of motorists and commercial tricycle riders.

There are insinuations that the banks on the road gave money to the community to construct a drainage last year but the community leaders failed to pick a contractor for the job.

A chief in the community, Edwin

Emudainohwo, who is a retired teacher, dismissed the rumour, saying no money was given to the community by anyone to provide drainage on the road.

He said: “We approached all the banks to help solve the problem but they told us that they are not the owners of the banks. They promised to consult with their top management team. They came later to tell us to calculate the cost of constructing a drainage in the area. After we did, nothing has come from them.”

On what the community is doing to address the problem, Emudainohwo said the people had been meeting to find a lasting solution to it.

He said it was neither the duty of the community nor the banks’ to construct drainage, adding: “Why should the local government not carry out its statutory responsibility of meeting the needs of tax payers?”

•Continued on page 30

•We are happy to be back -P31•Free academy, free society -P34

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The shape of Pushing things to come Out

J

AMAICAN reggae superstar, James Chambers, otherwise known as Jimmy Cliff, is the only living musician to hold the order of merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government in the arts and sciences. He sang a song years ago titled synthetic world. The lyrics of that song are quite instructive and are related to the issue at stake today. He sang that “…your world is plastic and we can see through to the other side, your cities are made of wood; houses of paper but folks don’t hear a word of what you’re saying … friendships have become acids and it burns burns…”

Keen observers of the emerging social structure of our country would have noticed a trend which shows where we may be heading to as a society. It has been said that the downturn in the economic fortunes of nations often brings out the worst in its citizens, which is why the current economic recession in Europe, for instance, has led to the resurgence of right wing parties who have zero tolerance for immigrants or other minorities. Even in South Africa, there has been a rise in xenophobic crimes against other Africans who are accused of taking the jobs meant for South Africans. It’s not different in Nigeria as the emphasis has shifted to a hedonistic lifestyle which has radically altered our social structure with repercussions, I believe, for the future. As often as the case is, it starts from the economic front.

The Nigerian economy is a paradox; so much money is concentrated in the hands of the elite that constitute less than 1 per cent of the population while the rest are left to just get by. I had a discussion with a real estate developer recently trying to find out why estates and luxury apartments are springing up almost on a daily basis in Lagos. He gave me a wry grin and told me that the “free money” from the subsidy regime and the “pipeline contracts” is what is fuelling what I’ve rightly noticed. But beyond that, he also informed me that I will be seeing more hotels springing up in Lagos and Abuja in the next couple of months. I prodded him and wanted to know why he has not advised any of his clients to invest in re-

with

Agbo Agbo 08116759750 (SMS only)

•aagboa@gmail.com

search and development in the universities and polytechnics given the dire strait of the education sector today. His reply was simple: “Why would any of them want to invest in education when their children do not attend universities in the country?” That’s it!

Never in our society has there been this wide gulf between the rich and poor which has led to a flagrant display of ostentation that would’ve be frowned upon ten years ago. It is now the norm to hold birthday parties, weddings and even party “caucus meetings” in Dubai, our newly found wonderland.

What bothers me most in all these is the cultural dislocation that is emanating from a new cadre of young Nigerians in the society who go abroad to study and are torn between two worlds; in essence some of them are in limbo. I am particular about this cadre because in them we are seeing our future leaders if the structure of our economy and society is anything to go by.

It is not hard to trace how we got here. Rewind back to 10 years or beyond, children of the rich and poor often attend the same university, and probably, primary and secondary schools. This healthy cohabitation, in most cases, does not breed jealousy or envy but rather leads to a situation of positive rivalry where children of the poor strive to be privileged in the future like their rich counterparts. But things started to change when some elitist schools started springing up.

These schools, mainly in large cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Abuja, cost a fortune per year. Parents spend millions of Naira per ward just to ensure that their wards enjoy the comfort that these schools provide.

True to Nigeria’s ostentatious standard, these new schools have different classrooms and furniture. You’ll be forgiven if you de-

Hemmed in by flood •Continued from page 29

A member of the staff of one of the banks, who pleaded for anonymity, said some managements did their best to pool resources to tackle the flood- prone road but added that others did not co-operate. The banker quoted one of the managers as saying: “Each bank should go and protect its premises because taxes are paid to the state.”

The official debunked the insulation that the banks gave money to the community.

A cyber café owner on the road, Mr Kevwe Ogbe, lamented the situation, urging the Federal Government to do something before the problem got out of hand.

A trader, who simply identified herself as Mrs Esther, said: “The government should please come

to our aid. We don’t want malaria to kill us because of the stagnant water. The flood is affecting our business because our customers cannot gain access.”

Judith Uduh, 200-Level Technical Education, whose hostel is located on the road, said academic activities could be disrupted if the condition became worse. She urged the government to construct drainage that would channel the water directly to River Ethiope.

An applicant, Victor Omonigho, who came to write the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation (UTME), said his mobile phone fell into the water as he tried to flag down a commercial vehicle. “I lost all my telephone contacts after my phone fell into the flood water,” he said.

•A tricycle ferrying commuters across the flooded stretch

scribe them as “five star” in quality, facilities and ambience. Gone were the days when former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande could send his children to public schools. Suddenly we saw the emergence of students who now speak, or pretend to speak a different type of English. To cap it up, the school curriculum were gradually changed to conform to the new lifestyle that was emerging. What about feeding and other aspect of life? They are better fed at school, most are chauffeured to and from school, have laundry departments that cater for their laundry and in the process they lost touch with those from the “other side” of society; they even look at this “other side” with utter disdain.

Get me right; I’m not among those glorifying poverty, no, I’m against excessive and unbridled flamboyance that are most of the times fuelled by looted funds or “easy money” from our porous system which should have been used for the common good of all, especially from the controversial subsidy regime.

Since our new class of students attend five star schools, it becomes demeaning for some of them to now attend public or even private universities in the country; the next port of call is the United Kingdom or the United States or other European countries. They spend dollars in the process, dollars generated from Nigeria. When they are done with universities there is often a job waiting for them in the banks, telecoms or oil sectors. We now operate an unwritten unique employment policy where preference is first given to holders of foreign degrees; graduates with “local” degrees are now left to scramble for the crumb that is if there are any left. Where the “locals” are lucky to be employed there is a different salary scale tilting favourably toward foreign degree holders.

Some, from the onset are groomed for political offices. Are you wondering why the crisis in Adamawa State between Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the PDP Chairman and Governor Murtala Nyako is often very fierce?

The answer is not far-fetched; both are campaigning for their sons to be the next governor of the state. Are you getting my drift?

Assuming one of them succeeds and become the governor how will he treat those who have sweated and know the meaning of living in Nigeria? Go inquire from the lad who has spent eight years for a four year

course and from him you’d understand what it means to suffer and to “enjoy” in Nigeria. They know what it means to be without electricity, to hunger, to hope against hope for school fee to be paid by a struggling father, mother, aunt or uncle. If they are female it becomes twice as tough as their bodies are there for the asking as they have to sometimes compromise their dignity to make headway in life.

But are the scions of the Tukurs, Nyakos and other top shots the best the system can throw up? Our system says they are. But how will they decide what’s best for the average Nigerian, how will they understand when ASUU, NASU SSANU, ASUP and other Nigerians are shouting themselves hoarse that the standard of education is falling? They won’t understand because they didn’t school here and there are no indication that their children would. Will they realize that 70 per cent of Nigerians live on less than a dollar per day? Would it not sound ludicrous to them? Would they understand what those in rural Nigeria face, those who have to travel miles before they can assess the nearest primary health center. I can go on and on.

Back to the question how did we get here and what created this class dilemma? It is our educational system. Most parents do not want their children to suffer the inadequacies of the Nigerian education. But it is the same elite class that impoverished and devastated that education system in the first place. Now they have left the education system to rot and decay as they seek for alternatives abroad.

I have had cause to interact with some of the products from “abroad” and I find them so synthetic just like Jimmy Cliff sang. Their love for Nigeria is also synthetic because Nigeria only makes sense if it is connected to Europe, Dubai or the United States. Have you noticed that some events that are strictly Nigerian in nature are now held in New York, London or Amsterdam? They don’t see Nigeria as a nation to rescue but a place to plunder and exploit. They see it as a place to tap and enjoy because that was how they were raised. But those who rise genuinely and have witnessed a loved one die for just N2,000 or the relative of an accident victim that died because the doctors forgot to give him an antitetanus injection that cost just N150 can understand the life of privilege from the context of the life of the deprived. They are the ones we should strive to ensure rule Nigeria for they know what it means to be Nigerian.

Worshipping God has taken another dimension, with the activities of a group called “Gyration For Christ”. Members of the group sing worship and praise songs in a tone reminiscent of Kegites’ Club members. The group’s leader, Gbenga Muritala, HND II Estate Management, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu, speaks with TOLULOPE OGUNLEYE (HND II Computer Science).

‘We gyrate to promote Christ’s gospel’

H

OW did you come about the idea of ‘Gyrating for Christ’?

The idea came to mind during my National Diploma programme.

I used to drum during football matches. I would also sing various songs to cheer on my departmental team. I did not know that some members of Kegites’ Club were watching me. I later got an invitation from them but I could not join because of my spiritual life. I was in a group known as Healing Voices in my church. Later, I gathered like-minded youths in the church to form Gyration for Christ.

So we started from there.

What informed the bringing of the group to campus?

I observed that whenever I passed

by Kegites’ members while they were doing their gyration, I would see some Christian students dancing even though the songs were not gospel music. I noticed that they wanted to gyrate along with Kegites members but they could not because of their belief and fellowships. So I felt we

•Gbenga (middle, back row) with other members of the group

could help their condition by bringing our own brand of gyration songs to the campus to allow Christians gyrate. We preach the Christ gospel through our music and always advise students not to take to violence and vices.

How many youths constitute the group?

Presently, we are 10 in number.

Three of us are students of LASPOTECH, two members are from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), two are graduates, while the rest are still seeking admission.

What are the group’s challenges?

The major challenge we are facing remains getting support and recognition. We need people to support us financially so we can take this in-

novation to places. We have been the one financing ourselves since we started. We want people to know about this and it requires money.

What kind of events can people call you for?

We are entertainers that can perform at revival, vigil, fellowship programme and church services.

We also go to wedding ceremonies or other Christian outdoor functions.

Do you see the group developing despite challenges?

Of course, we are moving forward. I believe a good sponsorship would come our way tomorrow. The group will be known nationwide and even beyond the shores of this country by God’s grace.

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CAMPUS LIFE The appointment of Prof Wale Omole as pro-chancellor and Governing Council chairman of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, is being opposed by some students of the school. Their counterparts in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, have joined forces with them. DHIKRU AKINOLA (400Level Political Science, OAU) writes.

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HE fortunes of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, sank at the height of the rift between the administrations of former Governors Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun).

The institution is owned by both states.

In the heat of the disagreement, the institution’s structures were almost divided between both states as the feuding former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors took decisions favourable to indigenes of their states.

To rescue the school from the abyss, the current Visitors – Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) - appointed Prof Wale Omole, former Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, LAUTECH’s pro-chancellor and Governing Council chairman.

Given Omole’s vast experience in university administration and international exposure, many commend his appointment, but OAU and LAUTECH students feel he does not deserve the job.

For LAUTECH and OAU students, Omole’s selection is a misnomer, which the Visitors must correct.

Omole was VC when suspected cultists invaded OAU on July 10, 1999, killing five Students’ Union leaders. The students believe the bloody attack was sponsored from within. Three days after the killing, Omole was removed by the Federal Government following a breakdown of law and order in the institution.

To show their displeasure, some OAU students and alumni have petitioned Ajimobi and Aregbesola, detailing what they call Omole’s past “atrocities”.

A former OAU Students’ Union president, Lanre Adeleke, believed to have been the target of the July 10, 1999 attack, also petitioned the Oyo and Osun state governments over the matter.

The petition reads: “My protest to

Forces against a pro-chancellor

•Students demonstrating against Prof Omole’s appointment in Ile-Ife

Your Excellencies is not unconnected with the performance of your appointee while he was Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, particularly the murder of the five students - George Yemi Iwilade, Ekede Efe, Tunde Oke, Yemi Ajiteru and Eviano Ekelemu - which till today remains unresolved. As a first hand witness of the events that took place in 1999, I make bold to say that a person under whose watch, a university lost five promising youths in questionable

circumstances, is not fit to be pro-Chancellor of a university.”

Adeleke said the Justice Okon Etam (rtd) panel set up by the Federal Government, in its report, indicted Omole.

The petitioner added: “Your Excellencies, it is my belief that such a person should not be allowed to partake in the administration of a citadel of learning.”

A former Students’ Union president in OAU, Saburi Akinola, who was detained for eight months after the 2007

governorship election in Osun, urged the governors to rescind Omole’s appointment.

The co-ordinator of Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Taiwo Hassan, said the group was not in support of Omole’s appointment. Some OAU students expressed their opposition to Omole’s appointment on social media.

A group of OAU students, after hours of deliberations at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall Cafe, in a

communiqué, signed by them under the aegis of the All Student-Activists, rejected the appointment.

They said:“In our view, he is not worthy of leading LAUTECH. We support the protest of LAUTECH students against Prof Omole’s appointment, and we call on the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to organise a demonstration to effect the termination of Prof Omole’s appointment.”

Some students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY) have relived their experience during the 81-day strike by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP). They spoke to AKINOLA OLUYI (ND II Mass Communication).

•Hameed

•OFFA POLY gate

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‘We are happy to be back’

ENULTIMATE Tuesday, polytechnics resumed for academic activities, following the suspension of the 81-day industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

The strike was suspended after the ASUP national leadership led

by Dr Chibuzor Asumogba met

with the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Education, which intervened on behalf of the Federal Government.

Before beginning the strike, ASUP initially went on a sevenday warning strike to call on the government to implement the 2009 agreement it reached with the

teachers to promote technical education and equate degrees issued by polytechnics with those of universities to create a level playing field for products of either institution.

Some schools were about to start semester examinations when ASUP declared an indefinite strike to drive home its demands.

•Adebayo

As the strike progressed, students nationwide bemoaned their fate,

•Matthew

saying their future was hanging in the balance. Some of them accused the government of insincerity to develop polytechnic education; others chided their lecturers for going on strike because of personal reasons.

When the strike was called off, there was spontaneous jubilation among students, who besieged the social media to relive their experience. Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State, who were about to start their first semester examination, could not hide their feelings as the campus was re-opened for academic activities.

•Continued on page 36

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CAMPUS LIFE As they filed out of the examination halls, final year students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, were ambushed by their junior colleagues for the rite of ‘baptism’, which involves the splashing of water to celebrate their graduation. UCHE ANICHEBE (500-Level Law) reports.

•Another graduating student being sprayed with water in his hostel

•Two of the outgoing students receiving their ‘baptism’ in a mud water

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OBODY knew how it started or from where it originated.

Groups of students came out from nowhere, with buckets filled with water; they ambushed their senior colleagues as they came out of the examination halls. Gently, they asked their ‘victims’ to squat as they surrounded them to perform the ‘baptism’.

It is ritual usually performed on final year students to bid them farewell.

Baptising graduating students with all sorts of liquid is a common practice in many higher institutions. It is a tradition that is observed at the end of the session when students in the final lap of their academic journey graduate.

Commonly referred to as “graduation baptism” or “washing”, it involves either ambushing outgoing students with buckets of water or inviting them into circles of students to ‘honourably’ receive the splashes of water from junior colleagues. After the ‘baptism’, the graduates entertain the ‘assailants’ with drinks to celebrate the forthcoming convocation.

Sometimes, the excited students,

The rite of graduation most of who are freshers and secondyear students, go to the extent of pelting their ‘victims’ with eggs and tomatoes. At other times, students in a particular Hall of Residence may agree to wash their clothes or plates and splash the water on their ‘victims’. In extreme cases, the performers of ‘baptism’ collect water from sewage to splash on the graduates.

All these were carried out by Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) students, who joined their graduating colleagues to celebrate the conclusion of the their final degree examination. CAMPUSLIFE witnessed the ‘baptism’ of graduates from various departments.

With the university not joining the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), students were in school to write second semester examination.

The baptism was performed in various departments at the permanent and temporary sites of the institution daily. Despite the epileptic power

supply and shortage of water on campus, students somehow got many buckets of water for the exercise.

At the temporary site, which is close to the UNIZIK junction, the water ritual was observed differently. The graduates were made to sit on a stool, while their colleagues from their hostels and nearby halls pelted them with sachets water, eggs, tomatoes, stew and all sorts of liquids.

It did not matter whether the baptisers knew the ‘victims’, all that mattered was to identify any graduating student; the mob would immediately swing into action. After the baptism, some of the outgoing students threw parties where the mob was entertained.

Ozuo Isidore, a graduating student from the Faculty of Law, noted: “It was as if all my hostel mates knew I was graduating on that day; they all waited for me. I had already been splashed in the school but immediately I stepped into the hostel, they started to pour all kinds of water on

me. At that point, another graduating member of the hall returned, and they asked us to play a football match against each other, threatening us with the dirty liquids. The loser was drenched with a good amount of sewage water.”

A graduating student identified as Gold, who was visibly angry with his colleagues’ treatment, protested, complaining he did not like the “water affair”.

“This is becoming wicked. I never sprayed drainage water on my seniors when they graduated last year.

After I wrote my final paper, people, most of who I could not recognise, ambushed me and sprayed water from the drainage on me. My plea not to do so fell on deaf ear. I got irritated, and when I got home to have my bath, I saw some larvae on my underwear. I felt disgusted.”

One of the baptisers, Uche Orji, a 400Level Engineering student, told CAMPUSLIFE: “I always look forward to catch the excitement. The kind

of water and duration of the baptism depend on the popularity of the graduating student in question and his academic record. Bookworms and first class graduates always receive severe treatment. Students that used dirty water on their senior colleagues will definitely have the same treatment when their turn comes.

“It is all fun. Most of the time, people do it in good faith. In my hostel right now, people are storing used laundry water to spray the hall chairman, who will graduate in two days. Then we cap it with party.”

On other campuses, the ritual is the same. Gerald Nwokocha, a graduate of Information and Telecommunication Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), relived his experience.

“It is a yearly activity in my school.

When I wrote my final paper, my junior colleagues waited for me at my hostel, spraying me with all sorts of water. They were not satisfied; they pushed me into mud water just to celebrate my graduation from the university. That is what makes graduation memorable and no one is a graduate unless he is baptised.”

Over 400 students from some West African countries gathered at the University of Ibadan (UI), last weekend, for the maiden regional conference of West African Students For Liberty hosted by the African Liberty Students Organisation (ALSO) and Students For Liberty (SFL), UI charter. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife) reports.

Free academy, free society

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HE venue was the expansive Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (UI). Over 400 students from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin Republic and Togo converged on the hall to listen to the president of Students For Liberty (SFL), Alexander McCobin, who came from the United States (US), to preach the gospel of free society.

Speakers at the conference with the theme: A free academy, a free society included Mr Adedayo Thomas, Director of Outreach, African Liberty Organisation; Japheth Omojuwa, a popular blogger and Editor with African Liberty Organisation, and Ayodele Aderinwale, Executive Director, Africa Leadership Forum.

SFL Vice President Kelly Barber, and Olumayowa Okediran, a member of the organisation’s executive board, were also among the speakers.

SFL is an international network of

•McCobin (third right, front row) and Kelly (fourth left) with participants after the conference

youths, whose mission is to promote student-driven forum/platform to promote the principles of economic and political liberty, free markets and entrepreneurship. It has its headquarters in

Washington DC. The organisation also empowers students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, particularly on campuses.

In a lecture titled Free markets and Africa’s historical past, Thomas took the audience through the background of Africa’s economical trouble, and how it limited the freedom of the citizens to achieve pros-

perity and personal development. He noted that government’s meddling in economic matters was responsible for the backwardness of most countries in Africa.

•Continued on page 36

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CAMPUS LIFE

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AW and grace are essential aspects of society. Law prescribes sanctions to ensure social order. But grace advocates pardon, compassion and unmerited favour. Through grace, we exhibit the divine nature replicated in man.

So, amnesty is the law of grace. But what is the essence of a pardon without penitence?

Now, wisdom demands we put cause and effect in perspective. You don’t take mounds of sedatives to cure an HIV infection. More so, the salvation of a part does not translate into the redemption of a whole.

So, amnesty is like throwing flesh to a group of starving lions and expecting the rest to look on while one of them devours the whole food. What about other disgruntled elements who could be potential terrorists? What programme has been put in place to engage the jobless youth languishing in the brooks of Ughelli or the miserable lad wasting away in the turbulent regions of Borno? So, we need amnesty for various classes of Nigerians.

We need amnesty for victims of terrorist attacks. I am yet to see any touching narrative about the family in Kogi State who lost their breadwinner in a church bombing or the young man in Bauchi who has be turned into a wretched orphan by Boko Haram. What about the innocent girl who lost members

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We need a new amnesty of her family in one fell swoop in Mandala bombing? You could see despair from the rivulets of tears dripping from her eyes. There must be re-integration plans to assimilate this sort of persons into the larger society. They should not be left to gnash their teeth alone. Society should assure their survival and security.

We need amnesty for bright kids whose educational pursuit is hampered by the claws of poverty. We need to revisit our scholarship schemes and put our brilliant kids back to school. Nigeria is endowed with smart kids who can give the likes of Larry Page or Mark Zuckerberg a run for the money.

Check out the Young Inventors programme on NTA network and you will appreciate the ingenuity of Nigerian youth in providing real-time solutions to problems.

But many of them are victims of a society that has no regard for the poor. Rather, they are left to blush unseen and waste away their sweetness in the desert air, as poet Thomas Gray noted.

We need amnesty to save our helpless undergraduates. Many of them still live in the 70s since lec-

turers still pride in an outdated curriculum. They lack employability skills and attitudes to thrive in what Peter Drucker called the Knowledge Society. We need massive reforms in our tertiary education. We need a 21st Century education that is relevant, enduring and problemsolving. That is why John F. Kennedy asserted that ‘’our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.’’ Let’s save them.

We need amnesty for morally vulnerable Nigerians. We can create social security nets especially for the elderly and the handicapped. Many of these folks served the nation in their prime. Some of them fought wars and defended Nigeria’s territorial integrity. Others were the denizens of the onceefficient Nigerian Civil Service. We have to cultivate a genuine culture of reward for excellence, service and sacrifice. That’s how to restore patriotism in a people.

We need amnesty to revive the reading culture in the country. A society can only lead as it reads.

Today, the average Nigerian lacks the patience to read a scanty page in a newspaper. We are what a

By Gilbert Alasa can shine this light of hope and defeat the forces of darkness. A package like amnesty is enough to work the miracle. Nigeria needs an amnesty that provides answers to our collective existence as a people.

It is the amnesty of healing tribal, political and religious wounds. It is the amnesty of reconciliation and social rehabilitation. We need a new amnesty.

Gilbert, 400-Level Foreign Languages, UNIBEN

Lesson in Mandela’s birthday for our leaders

ELSON Rolihlahla Mandela was the first black man to be elected South African president after the collapse of the apartheid regime, which prevented the natives from taking charge of the political destiny of their country.

Becuase of his activities against apartheid, Mandela was arrested in 1962 and convicted for conspiracy to overthrow the government. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

After serving 27 years on Robben Island, Madiba, as Mandela is fondly called by his countrymen, was released in 1990 following international pressure on the apartheid leadership.

For not yielding to several offers by oppressors to trade his struggle for freedom, Mandela etched his name indelibly in the hearts of his countrymen and Africans. His will to continue the struggle forced the world to acknowledge the right of the people of South Africa whose dig-

By Ibrahim Alamu nity and right to determine the destiny of their country were restored when Mandela was released from the prison.

Mandela, in a transparent process, was elected his country’s president and served a single term from 1994 to 1999. For forgiving his jailers, Mandela received international praise, which culminated in his being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside the last president of the Apartheid regime in 1993.

During and after his term as the South African president, he equally received several recognition awards from the United States Presidential Medal Freedom Award to the Soviet Order of Lenin among others.

Having left the political scene for more than 10 years, Mandela’s influence and popularity continue to soar, despite that he no longer wields power as the godfather of South Af-

rican politics or founding father of modern South Africa. He still commands the respect of world leaders.

His medical travail in the past eight weeks is a pointer to this fact.

The torrential outpouring of prayers and well wishes for his recovery even at 95 by his countrymen and people outside the continent of Africa shows that Mandela, a leader that served one term in office without leaving a record of corruption, is the most respected African on earth.

But can this be said of Nigerian leaders – past and present? No. Politicians don’t retire here; they play the game till they breathe their last. Some of Nigerians leaders, who had spent several years in power, still want to come back to govern because they feel that nobody has the idea to lead the country apart from them.

Even as he lies feebly on his hospital bed battling lung infections, which may have resulted from his years of incarceration and struggle to free the

By Sulaymon Tadese

AMADAN, the month of forgiveness, In it the Qur'an, the perfect manual of life, was revealed, It opens the gates of mercy for mankind, It closes the hell and puts devil in chain.

A prayer in the month wards off evil, And removes hatred in the hearts of believers, In the month, Muslims reach out to people in generosity, The needy are fed to their content.

Silence morning in Ramadan, True believers wander in verses of the Qur'an, Their souls are moved to tears, The verses are full of words that strike consciences.

Muslims go without food, but their stomachs are filled with Allah's love, They wake up in the dead of the night to observe Nafilahs, The day time is spent without gossip and backbiting, They are thirsty not for soft drink, but for water in Al-Janat, In our Ummah, lays therein no concept of distance.

We welcome your company oh Ramadan, month of purity, Muslim are united as one nation in this blessed month, Saying Azikir in the remembrance of Almighty Allah, our Creator, Ramadan is the period that brings us His Mercy, It is a time that brings us His Forgiveness, It is the time that saves us from the blazing fire of hell, It saves us a horror to dwell eternally in perdition.

Then in your closing hours that brings tears to the eye, You are never more treasured than the moment I see you leave, In our hearts you will always dwell, To Allah belongs the result of our final test.

We must be praising Allah through the day, We pay Zakat (charity) for those in need, We have the urge to do good deeds, By the end of Ramadan, this whole chain will be all gone!

It is time for Eid and lot of fun!

Sulaymon, 500-Level Law, ABU Zaria

South Africa, Mandela is never taken out of the country for treatment abroad despite his status. It speaks of legacy of good governance he left behind for his country to move forward after retrogressive Apartheid rule.

Going for medical checkup and treatment abroad even for a slight injury is a common occurrence among Nigeria’s political class. Our hospitals have been turned to public cemetery only meant for the poor masses at the expense of whose the leaders spend resources to get medical attention in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Germany, US, United Kingdom and India.

Nigerian leaders do not possess good leadership qualities found in Mandela.

We have been blesses with corrupt leadership that pay lip service to anything that can make our country to move forward. The ongoing industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), inability of the

poor to access quality healthcare and nose-diving economy show the level decadence in Nigeria as a country.

Education system in Nigeria is handled with levity by the government with no blueprint to development the sector. Can we conclude that strike is the only action the government understands? With the level of insecurity, it is only in Nigeria that government allows universities to be shut, thereby making students to roam the street and join criminal gangs to aggravate the security situation.

Our leaders must learn lesson from Mandela, who is still said to be in comma as I write this. Madiba has been praised for good leadership in South Africa. If it is possible, we would wish that people like Mandela live forever to serve as example to corrupt leaders on the continent of Africa.

Ibrahim, 300-Level Arts and Social Sciences Education, UNILORIN

Danfodiyo varsity closure: Causes and lessons

Ramadan… the month of piety

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writer called a generation in a hurry. We have no appreciation for history. We have no understanding of our civilization. We need organisations that would include literary initiatives in their corporate social responsibility to stir our creative energies. We are tired of spending 90 days watching nudity and sexual provocations in the name of reality shows. These sort shows do not build society.

Rather, it destroys civilisation.

We need amnesty to revive various sectors of our economy. This could come in form of a stimulus package that is clear and wellthought out. Power generation, for instance, is still very poor. If South Africa with a population of about 49 million people can boast of 45, 000 megawatts, then it is appalling that a nation of over 160 million people cannot generate 5,000 megawatts. So, what is the hope for small businesses? How does a next-door barber or welder cope? We need amnesty to save these segments from collapse.

The palliatives of amnesty should not be limited to militants and rebels alone. It should be extended to these vulnerable Nigerians. We

By Sarat Alabidun

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IGERIA is a land of surprises. Most events of the past weeks have done more than enough to prove that.

Is it not amazing that a former minister of the Federal Capital Territory has not been able to find a job for his two daughters, who hold Master’s degrees, despite his influence?

We should rather find it astonishing that some of our leaders, who have, over the years, manipulated elections in which millions of voters participated, find it an arduous task conducting one that

involves just 35 voters. This is definitely a country that leaves one wondering what the next comic relief would be like.

Still talking about surprises, an event that left me dazed is the indefinite closure of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), which according to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof R.A Shehu, was arrived at after a careful study of the security situation in the university following a violent demonstration by students. In the process, the VC’s residence was attacked by the protesters.

The abrupt closure of Nigerian universities should not be a surprise. It is part of education to have our schools shut either because of the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) or their non-academic counterparts over wages and welfare package. What should surprise us is how violence results to the closure of a university that prides itself as the most peaceful in Nigeria.

The UDUS authorities are proud of that fact that the university is

peaceful. Little wonder then that peace is the first message to visitors to the university’ website.

Apart from this, the institution is well-known for its students’ good moral value and decency. Funny enough, students are thought to be timid and scared of the authorities, which makes them to be compared to primary or secondary school pupils. If students live in fear, what then led to the anarchy that led to the shutting down of the school?

The cause of the violence is as a result of days of blackout a few days to the varsity’s second semester examination. Students could not study in the situation which was compounded by harsh weather condition. The atmosphere on the campus was tense and all what the students needed was a vent to express their displeasure.

They got this from the Dean of Students’ Affairs when he announced that there would be no water in the school for weeks, advising students to come and get •Continued on page 36

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CAMPUS LIFE Danfodiyo varsity closure: Causes and lessons

•Continued from page 35

water from water tankers contracted by the management to bring water to the campus. The Dean also told the students that the generator that supplied the hostels would not be put on that night.

With the announcement, students, it appeared, had enough reason to stage a protest. Peacefully, they moved to the VC’s quarters to express their displeasure. On getting to the residence, the protest took violent turn, which led to the destruction of the VC’s apartment.

Judging from the foregoing, who is to be blamed for the crisis? The ViceChancellor exonerated the management, according to his interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), stating that the university ranked high with regards to students’ welfare compared to other institutions

in Nigeria. He also buttressed his point by stating that in every 18 to 20 day, 22,000 litres of fuel was always purchased to light the campus.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the management had done so much for students, which should not have warranted any complain and so the school should not be blamed. Hence, the violent protest was not justified.

But should the bulk of the blame be placed on the students? In opinion, I will say no. Nigerian situation should be blamed for the violence. Talking from the causes of the protest, don’t we need to find out why there would be blackout on the campus and Sokoto State for more than one week when no explanation was made available?

Why, as a nation, with resources at our disposal, we still have not been able to enjoy a stable power supply? Is it not a shame that a nation, more than 50 years of independence, cannot yet provide potable water for its citizens?

These and many other questions we

hope those in authority will provide answers to.

One question, however, that may be begging for answer is: should UDUS still be called “the most peaceful university” following the violent by its students? Yes, it is still and probably it will remain peaceful until a more peaceful institution is discovered. As the saying goes, in the land of the blind, only the one-eyed that will be the king.

I am, however, using this medium to appeal to my fellow students to always express themselves peacefully in agitating for their welfare. Violence does not pay; it will only lead to more violence and measure that will affect us academically as seen in the shutting down of the school before ASUU strike compound our woes. This is a lesson to all of us that we need to apply civility when we are agitating.

Sarat, 200-Level Applied Chemistry, UDUS

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

‘We are happy to be back’ •Continued from page 31

Some of them relived the effects of the strike on their academic engagements and the school calendar, saying it has impacted negatively on the education sector.

Matthew Fabusiwa, ND 1 Mass Communication, said: “The strike caught many of us unprepared but there was nothing we could do than to go home throughout the period. I engaged myself in various activities, especially sport event. Besides, I could not just sit at home, watching my parents going to farm. I joined them. But then, I forgot everything I read for the exam. I will have to start all over.”

Amos Adebayo, HND I Computer Science, lamented the strike, saying it would prolong his academic programme. “How could a responsible government allow lecturers to go on strike? It was harrowing period for me especially. Now that we have resumed, I hope both parties have agreed because we will not bear the pain of another strike.” he said.

Omoniyi Olagoroye, ND II Business Administration, frowned at the extension of the school timetable. He said: “Unfortunately, the strike started the day we were supposed to start semester exam. I waited in school for about two to three weeks, thinking that the lecturers would call off the strike. But

my hope was dashed as the strike prolonged to 81days.

“I had hoped that I would complete my National Diploma programme before next September but as it is now, I am praying to conclude it before next year. The strike has extended the school calendar, which no student is happy about.”

Another student, Suleiman Mufutau, ND II Mass Communication, said: “My thought immediately the strike started was to start a small business but I could not achieve the aim because I was always disturbed by the thinking that the strike could be called off any time, which would make me to go back to school.”

Meanwhile, the polytechnic lecturers, on Tuesday, held a congress to discuss the suspended strike action and deliberate on the examination. After the congress, a new timetable for the postponed first semester examination was drawn.

On the same day, Students’ Union Government (SUG) called congress of students, where the union president, Hameed Omuiyadun, pleaded with his colleagues to be patient on the extended school calendar.

Hameed said though the strike extended the academic calendar, he promised that the union would ensure there would be no more extension. He enjoined the students to finish their registration on time to prevent late registration.

Free academy, free society •Continued from page 34

Blaming the government for promoting welfarist ideal against intellectual entrepreneurship, he said giving out handouts to citizens was the best way to promote underdevelopment.

He said: “A society founded on free market and capitalist ideology is bound to achieve prosperity in magnitude unimaginable to man.

“But if government continues to meddle in economic affairs of the state, there would not be any meaningful development as seen in the case of Nigeria where virtually nothing works.”

Speaking on Global movement for liberty, McCobin, explained that if youth would take responsible to effect changes in the world, they needed freedom to express their ideals. He condemned political system, which believed throwing subsidies at every service was the best way to take care of the citizens. He said receiving handouts from government would make people to be lazy and unable to think about personal development through entrepreneurship.

Omojuwa, who spoke extempore on Digital activism for liberty, started his lecture with a dramatic explanation of digitalisation in Nigeria, noting that capitalism was not about colonising the people but to give them freedom to achieve growth and happiness.

He said: “As people, we are held back

by customs. If we repeat traditions, we will not do things that are new.” He urged the participants to spread the gospel on the cyber world to sensitise more youths on the objectives of the organisation.

Kelly, who is a student of University for Florida, United States, said: “I have always been interested in changing the world but I thought everything will have to go through the government. But it didn’t work. The ideas of liberty are the best to change the world.”

In his lecture on the Role of African youths in advancing the principles of liberal democracy, Dr Aderinwale, who was represented

by Mr Adeoba Ojekunle, Training Manager, African Leadership Forum, said: “With an estimated 16 to 30 per cent of the African population being under the age of 35, promoting liberal democracy remains the responsibility of the young people, who must participate in democratic process to engender a promising tomorrow.”

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the conference, Morounfolu Adeniyi, 500Level student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), said: “I joined the libertarian group because I needed a platform to strike a change. I believe in rejuvenation, which is why I felt urge to join the Students For Liberty group when Adedayo Thomas brought the gospel of liberty to my school in 2010.”

Varsity postpones post-UTME

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HE Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri has postponed its post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which was scheduled to hold from July 17 to 19. No new date has been fixed for the exercise.

The postponement was announced by the Director of Information of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Ekene Ahaneku, who spoke on behalf of Dr Njoku Obi, the university’s Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Ekene said the decision was taken by the management to rectify problems being faced by applicants, who experienced difficulty in submitting their forms.

“A new date will be announced later,” he explained, urging candidates, who were yet to purchase scratch cards for the examination to do so at the designated bank - IMSU Micro Finance Bank - in order to be allowed to take part in the process. He said the university portal had been reopened for online registration.

In a related development, Dr Njoku warned applicants to beware of touts

From Chidiebere Enyia

IMSU selling scratch cards at the institution’s gate and demanding them to pay certain amount of money to be admitted into the university. He stated that purchasing scratch cards from touts would not automatically guarantee them admission into the university as claimed by the fraudsters.

At the time of this report, some of the post-UTME candidates were seen loitering around the campus. A female applicant, who did not mention his name, complained about the hitches in the process, saying: “The crowd here is large and it is challenging to print out our documents.”

Another candidate, Winifred Opara, said: “I came all the way from Lagos only to be told that the exam has been postponed. I am confused and I don’t know what to do now.”

However, a source, who spoke in confidence, said the screening may have been postponed due to the ongoing strike by members of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

37

CAMPUS LIFE

20-year old is CU’s best Student

‘My first few days in the university campus were uneventful," Eromhonsele recounted. I used to be a bit a confused because then I was not used to the prayer regime that had been part Covenant University’

•Minister charges graduands on leadership

M

ICHAEL Eromhonsele, 20, was the celebrity at the eighth convocation of Covenant University, Ota, where he led 1,495 other graduands with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.92 last Friday.

The Civil Engineering graduate said in an interview that trusting God and being focused helped him to be the best.

"First, I must acknowledge God's favour and His support over me.

Second, I did not entertain any form of distractions. I did not attend parties, and I did not have any girlfriend or what you may refer to as a lover. I concentrated on my studies all through," he said.

However, the beginning was not that smooth for the boy as he said he struggled to make sense of the school’s rules and regulations.

"My first few days in the university campus were uneventful," Eromhonsele recounted. I used to be a bit a confused because then I was not used to the prayer regime that had been part Covenant University. Along the line, I realised spirituality formed one of its core values, and that CU doesn't not compromise on that; so I had to find my rhythm and as soon as I did that, there was no looking back for me."

But those virtues, though demanding, are what helped the 20year old make it to the top and won him endless applause at the convocation held at the university chapel for the first time.

Once he found his bearing, Eromhonsele said he 'hugged' his books between 10pm and 1.00am every night.

"Those are the hours I found most convenient to read. As soon as I closed my book, I went to bed. I woke up at 7am, and got ready for my classes. Our lectures start at 8am,” he said.

•Eromhonsele...last Friday.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Apart from being the best overall student, Eromhonsele also won additional crown- he was the Best Student in the College of Science and Technology where he read Civil Engineering.

Eromhonsele plans to study Structural Engineering at postgraduate level so he can help to improve Nigeria's construction industry.

"I have already secured admission to the University of Surrey in the United kingdom to read Structural Engineering for my masters. I chose

this particular course because I feel the need to improve on the structural aspects of construction works."

The second child of a civil engineer father and a mother who is into business, Eromhonsele, thanked his parents Mr Gabriel and Mrs Charity for their unflinching support which he believes culminated in his victory.

"My parents contributed in no small measure to my education and of course my victory today. Besides, they always counsel and remind me of my background and the son of whom I am, warning me not to go

off track as a result of this,” he said.

Aside his parents, he equally acknowledged inputs from his teachers whom he said also helped shaped his career.

On what lessons he would be taking home from his alma mater, Eromhonsele said one thing he learned was that the kind of company one keeps definitely determines one's future.

At the ceremony, the Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, counseled graduating students to embrace transformational rather than transactional leadership.

Nebo in his address titled: "Transformational leadership and the Quest for Global Relevance", noted that leadership in the 21st century is globally more challenging and calls for people who can influence others more creatively to attain organisational goals.

At the convocation tagged: 'Release of Eagles 2013; held at the university's chapel, CU produced 144 first class, 720 second class upper; 565 second class lower graduands, while 67 made third class.

At the post graduate level, the university graduated 111 masters, and 30 doctorate degree recipients.

Nebo who addressed a large crowd comprising principal officers of the university, guests, parents and students, described transformational leaders as role models who inspire their subordinates, change their organisational culture by implementing new ideas, and

Address politics, leadership solve problems in schools

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HE influence of politics on the administration of schools may be doing more harm than good, says, chairman of Executive Trainers Ltd (ETL), Dr Ayo Ogunsan.

Ogunsan said in an interview with journalists that governments at various levels should limit their role to that of financial investment and leave the running of tertiary institutions to their governing councils.

"The day we remove politics from the administration of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria is the day we will have an endurable system that every one of us will be proud of. Politics is the problem. I don't know the business of a governor, president in administering our education. You invest and remove your hands; let the governing council you put there administer; provide them with funds that they need and allow them to generate funds. Education and politics should be separated," he said.

Ogunsan also said for Nigerian tertiary institutions to be better run, their leadership must be well trained.

He explained that exposure to international best practices from renowned facilitators in world-class institutions would help equip managers of Nigerian tertiary institutions with knowledge and skills to move their institutions forward.

Ogunsan, whose firm has spent the

•From right Dr Ogunsan, Mr Sijuwola Ayodele, Bursar, University of Ilorin; Mr David Palfreyman, Bursar, Oxford University and Aliyu Mafindi, Bursar, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria during an International Bursars’ Conference in Dubai

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

past five years organising international training programmes for Vice-Chancellors, Rectors, Provosts and other principal officers in renowned ivory towers around the globe, said through the platform, university administrators and others have learnt how to forge international linkages; manage resources; check crisis, insecurity, enhance productivity among others.

He added that participants in such training over the years have testified of the effect and have sought training for other cadre of workers in their institutions.

He said: "Because of what these top

executives in Nigerian institutions like the provosts, vice-chancellors, and the rectors have seen, they now said they have other officials, academics and administrators that need similar training; that we should try to amend our rules that we are only for top executives; that we should extend our reach to all the people on the ladder, the rank and file.

“In 2010 we started taking the other workers along. We took all heads of security for the crisis management programme in Dubai; we have taken Bursars to look at problems on accounting, financial matters in tertiary institution, sourcing for funds, funding of tertiary institutions which has become a big problem because

most of them want to know how to generate revenue internally without relying on their federal allocations so that they can be competitive with all other institutions around the globe, so we designed a programme for bursars from Nigerian tertiary institutions and we held the first one this year in Dubai and the anchor man for that programme is the bursar of Oxford University."

To mark its fifth anniversary on September 5, Dr Ogunsan said ETL will be hosting its past participants to a lecture titled: "Advancing Higher Education in Nigeria through training and retraining of Manpower", scheduled to hold at the Chelsea Hotel, Abuja.

achieve higher ideals and moral values, among others.

He said: "This is a period when new leaders are needed who can adequately balance speed in a rapidly changing world, uncertainty and leadership to evolve the future.

"The world economy is now global. We now live in a global, highly competitive village driven by knowledge. The world has evolved into a global knowledge economy that has no patience for ignorance and indolence."

The minister said just as President Goodluck Jonathan's transformational agenda is on course, he expects that the graduands who leave their alma mater and join the transformational train to make Nigeria economy better.

Nebo told the graduands that as children whose parents have invested heavily in them, they cannot afford to fail.

Henceforth, Nebo charged them to be job creators rather than job seekers going by the status of the university that produced them.

He said: "Sub-Saharan Africa is featuring a robust growth and Nigeria is one of the growth leaders.

Indeed, Sub-Sahara Africa is enjoying the longest period of sustained economic growth in her history.

Around the globe, Africa is being looked upon as a ray of hope, the next big opportunity, the place to invest, and the bastion of growth.

These opportunities promise to come if we are able to bring about transformational change in the way we do business, in our education system, in our focus on entrepreneurship and our quest to promote creativity and flexibility."

The Minister praised the CU Founder and Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, describing him as a man with passion and big dream for university education, which he has demonstrated with CU which now ranks among the best institutions in the country.

Guests at the occasion include the first woman Vice-chancellor in the history of Nigeria, Prof Grace Alele Williams, Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbwesola represented by the Commissioner for Environment Prof Olubukola Oyawole and Minister of Education Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai'i who was represented by Prof H. Essien from the National Universities Commission (NUC), traditional rulers, among others.

Journalist applauds varsity A VETERAN journalist, Mallam Mohammad Haruna has commended the management and students of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai for their giant strides towards transforming the institution into a renowned centre of learning.

Speaking at the second Press Week organised by the university's Mass Communication department, the former Managing Director of New Nigeria newspapers said the impressive performance of the students convinced him that the Niger State government was justified in establishing the university.

Haruna who writes columns published in the Daily Trust, The Nation and Gamji spoke on the topic: ‘The Press, National Security and the Nigeria Project’ at the event.

He charged both practicing and aspiring journalists to always uphold journalism ethics even under difficult circumstances.

He also advised them to be patriotic and committed to promoting Nigeria's Unity by been responsible in their reporting, objective and fair to all parties.

In his remarks at the occasion, Niger State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Prof Mohammed Kuta Yahaya pledged to cooperate with the department and the university to drive the cause of excellence.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

CAMPUS LIFE Elizade varsity offers N8m scholarship to South Africa and Shenkar scholarship awards worth N8 milbest students Toyota Arts and Design in Israel to boost lion to five students who distin-

FUTMINNA FILE

VC seeks more risk mgt. centres THE Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Prof Musbau Adewumi Akanji, has called on the Federal Government to establish more Centres for Disaster Risk Management & Development Studies (CDRM & DS) across the country to help train citizens and create awareness on disaster preventive, mitigation and responsive strategies in Nigeria.

The VC stated this while declaring open a two-day Regional Faculty Development Workshop with the theme: Curriculum Development for Disaster Resilience Programme in West Africa. It was organised by CDRM & DS, FUT, Minna in collaboration with the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana; Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy of Tulane University, USA; and School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. It was held at Dogon Koli Hotels, Minna, Niger State.

Prof Akanji said the six existing centres in the country cannot cope with the huge number of applicants seeking admission for masters and diploma programmes in disaster and risk management.

Dept. receives plaque THE Town Planner Registration Council of Nigeria (TOPREC) has presented a plaque to the Urban and Regional Planning Department of the institution for emerging the Best URP Department in Nigeria during the nationwide accreditation exercise conducted by the body in September, 2012.

The event took place at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, the National President of TOPREC, Chief Anthony Obi, said the department satisfied all the requirements set

by TOPREC and praised the facilities and quality of lecturers which necessitated the award of full accreditation status to the department.

The plaque was presented by the former governor of Yobe State, Bukar Abba Ibrahim to the DVC (Academic), Prof Bala Abdullahi .

Prof Abdullahi then led the Dean, School of Environmental Technology and Head of Department URP to present the plaque to the VC at his conference room.

•Prof Valentine

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UTHORITIES of Elizade University (EU), Ilara Mokin in Ondo State have presented

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

of the university's founder, Chief Michael Ade Ojo said the scholarship is dedicated to academic and moral excellence. He added that the university has introduced 10 new programmes that have been approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) including Biotechnology, Environmental Management and Toxicology, Applied Geophysics, Physics with Electronics, Mass Communication, Automotive Engineering, Industrial and Production Engineering, Performing and Film Arts as well as Computer Engineering among others.

The Vice-Chancellor said the institution is also partnering with

Institute gets NIIT franchise

OWARDS developing rural dwellers’ interest in Information Technology (ICT), the Oseni Elamah ICT Institute has entered an academic partnership with NIIT, an ICT certification training institution.

At the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Benin City, Elamah said the franchise agreement was to advance his institute's vision of providing ICT knowledge to people in the rural communities and the state as a whole.

Elamah noted that the MOU would be beneficial to both parties by delivering on the vision by empowering the youths, to be able to get themselves well equipped for the work place.

T

guished themselves in their various courses.

The beneficiaries are Ezeji Daniel Onyekachi, Olatunde Mary Omojolola, Falodun Oyinkansola, Oladapo Ogunmoriyele and Adhuze Oluwadamiloola.

They received N1.6 million cash each covering their tuition fees for the next three years. Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Valentine Aletor said the institution was aimed at becoming a citadel of learning with the best traditions in the production of self-reliant, ethic-conscious, and globally competitive graduates imbued with requisite skills.

Prof Aletor who spoke on behalf

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

He said youths would be empowered with ICT knowledge to get themselves equipped for modern challenges.

He said: "It became clear (that we need) to have a very strong international partnership that has the technical know-how and the capacity to be able to provide all that is needed technically to give Edo people a sound ICT education and knowledge.

"Edo people in a short while, will be shot into the digital and ICT world. With the partnership, it would become easier for both parties to create in Edo State, an ICT resource and processing centre just as you have in India, to serve not just the

whole of Africa but the developing world."

He urged all Edo people to support the initiative by sponsoring one candidate from their communities, wards, local governments, federal constituencies, senatorial districts, and the entire state so as to give youths the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skill that is required of a modern work place.

Country Head of NIIT, Mr. Pankaj Meheswari said that "the franchising agreement with the Oseni Elamah ICT Institute is endevoured to create a training pool of human resource in Edo State which is a national and global assignment.

"The agreement is in line with the synergy of Chief Oseni Elamah and

HE National Postgraduate Medical College will hold its eighth Annual Scientific Conference and All-Fellows’ Congress next week.

The conference is scheduled be-

By Jane Chijioke

tween August 13 and 17. It will be hosted by the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, IleIfe, Osun State.

According to a statement signed

by the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Prof Olusegun Ojo, this year's conference, with the theme: The impact of Postgraduate medical education on the quality of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, will deliberate on the state of the nation's health care de-

•The Nation’s Deputy Business Editor, Mr Simeon Ebulu with daughter Miss Erezi and wife Mrs Patience during their daughter’s graduation at the Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State last Friday. PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA

A

•Elamah

NIIT in its vision to establish talent skilled manpower in the country towards capacity building."

Postgraduate College to hold conference

Committee solicits support

THE School Based Management Committee of Dr Yahaya Bawa Primary School, Bosso, has solicited for the assistance of FUTMINNA in revamping its dilapidated structures, and computer education for the pupils.

The committee stated this during a courtesy visit to the management at the VC’s conference room.

In his address, chairman of the committee, Alhaji Bawa Abubakar Bosso, said the Niger State government constituted the committee to generate additional source of funds to help improve infrastructure in the school.

Also speaking during the visit, a member of the committee, Chief Tony Ogejere, pleaded with the university to assist the school with old computer sets which he noted would help students during Common Entrance exams.

Responding, Prof Akanji promised the university’s support.

“We are all products of public schools and I am happy to see people like you trying to help other children in getting quality primary education,” he stated.

its Automotive Engineering programme.

His words: ''We are so committed to moral and academic excellence.

We want to continuously exhibit moral standards in the society and this we will vigorously pursue.

“We are preparing to turn this institution to 'Harvard University' in Africa."

The University's Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council,Omololu Adegbenro said Elizade University's learning environment comprises state-of-the-art Architecture and infrastructural facilities as well as teaching equipment ranked at par with those educational institutions in more developed countries.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisation (NGO), Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation (CESVO), has honoured the Federal College of Agriculture, Akure, Ondo State, with the “Most ethically responsible college of agriculture in Nigeria” award.

The group, hinged the award on various measures put in place by its management particulary on academic and physical developments.

Its Provost, Dr Mary Ogunkoya was also honoured with the ‘National ethical ambassador of Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, CESVO Executive Director, Musa Yakubu said the Provost had shown transparency with the way she used the resources released to the institution by the Federal Government for the development of the college.

Yakubu noted that CESVO carried

NGO honours Agric College From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

out its assessment programme through questionnaires, stressing that the host community of the college was not left behind in assessing the performance of the Provost and the college.

Yakubu said: "We have visited 21 states, and our aim is to expose cor-

ruption and maladministration in public institutions.

“Though, some institutions have won our award. Before this college was tipped for this award, we have been monitoring its activities for the past 13 months.

"The Provost has never met anyone among us and we have never seen her face-to-face. We carried out

‘Though, some institutions have won our award. Before this college was tipped for this award, we have been monitoring its activities for the past 13 months’

livery in the light of the standards of clinical practice worldwide.

The statement said the conference would attract specialists from every part of the country to address "contemporary matters of common interest" in all fields of medicine, adding that this has become necessary in view of the need to find innovative and sustainable ways of improving the standards of clinical practice in the country.

"The National College expects to use this conference to further draw attention to contemporary medical challenges confronting our nation, and proffer solutions to them. We also intend to examine the various challenges facing postgraduate medical education in Nigeria, and chart a new course that will ensure that we are leveraging on our various capacities and resources, using all technologies at our disposal, to achieve a better future for our profession and the populace at large," the statement said.

Prof Ojo stressed that the conference will also discuss other issues such as health insurance, non-communicable diseases and child health care, as well as deliberate on the need to encourage specialisation among Nigerian doctors. our assessment through questionnaires. We also introduced a well integrated research method in the course of this assessment.

"We discovered that there is high level of transformation, and transparency in this college.

“Nigerians should be rest assured we will never give our awards to corrupt people. On her part, the Provost has displayed to us that she deserved the award through her outstanding performances.

“She epitomises sound leadership and that is why the college transformational agendas are at high speed.”

In her response, Dr Ogunkoya said several organisations have approached the college for awards, demanding for money, stressing that, CESVO did not ask for a bribe despite the rigorous protocol it went through.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

39

EDUCATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

‘Why I want to be a chemical engineer’

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• Graduands of Holy Saviour School

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School introduces compulsory boarding

EGINNING from the 2013/ 2014 academic session, Holy Saviour School, Lafenwa in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government, Ogun State will begin the implementation of compulsory boarding system for all pupils of its college arm.

The announcement was made by the school’s proprietor, Mrs Abigail Oluwatoyin Awolola while speaking at the prize giving day/ valedictory for the secondary and nursery/primary sections of the school.

According to her, the introduction of the compulsory boarding system, starting with SS3 pupils, was necessitated by the need to give quality education to the pupil which will lead to the realisation of the school's vision.

She said: “All our SS3 students from the next session will be boarders. We are taking this step to be able to give them thorough teaching so they will all pass their Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE).

“Excellent academic performance of our students is central to the school's vision of raising super stars through institutionalised education delivery

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

solve problems people, industries and some specialised institution face."

Accordingly, she said she would pay more attention to sciences and mathematics in her the secondary school and passed them very well to qualify her for admission to study Chemical Engineering.

Commending Aishat, the guest speaker, Dr Gloria Elemo, told her and others to see themselves as the building blocks for the future and to be conscious of the children of who they are.

Dr Elemo who is the Director, Federal institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), advised them to take cognisance of the fact that their parents are making a lot of sacrifices to give them the best in education and should justify the investment by being of good behaviour as well as facing their studies to guarantee their

•Aisha

future.

Elemo who was represented by Mrs Bukola Adesega, urged them not to rest on their oars but press on for higher discipline, education and sacrifices if they hope to reach the height attained by great men and women in the society.

Aside Aishat, 65 other graduands from nursery, primary and secondary arms of the school also graduated.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

system which will develop in them the ideas of sound and profitable knowledge, hard work, excellence, patriotism and self reliance.’

She further said the introduction of the boarding system will be implemented in phases. She added that by 2014/2015 session all SS2, SS3 and JSS3 pupils will be boarders while all SS1 pupils will join the boarding system by 2015/2016. She counseled the graduands to work harder as a way of compensating their parents.

Dr suleiman Hassan of the Lagos State University (LASU), who delivered the anniversary speech implored parents and teachers to serve as role models for children at all times.

Ajileye Gbenga and Babalola Olajumoke, senior prefects (boy and girl) respectively took turns to address the large gathering of parents and guests.

Other highlights of the event were the launch of the maiden edition of the school's Yearbook, the presentation of prizes to outstanding students from JSS1 to the graduating SS3 students, cultural dance, among others.

Rainbow College valedictorian wrote speech in JSS1

HE 2013 valedictory/graduation of Rainbow College was exciting in many regards for the 90 graduands of the school's day and boarding arms.

Prayers, praises, presentation of academic and social prizes, hand over of the staff of office to new prefects, and farewell songs by the graduands spiced up the event held in the school hall of the beautiful college located on a large expanse of land in Maba Village, Ogun State, off the LagosIbadan Expressway.

However, the valedictorians had the day. The stories behind their journey to fame land were as interesting, and for one of them, unusual.

For Dumebi Okwuosa, the valedictorian for the boarding arm of the college located in Maba, the road to the top was not easy. At the graduation, he picked up the Chemistry, Physics and English Language prizes. However, it did not used to be so. While introducing him, the principal, who presented an informal citation of the graduand, said Dumebi used to be one of the poorest pupils in the class.

However, he transformed into a high achiever by a dint of hard work.

When he had the floor Dumebi thanked many people: his teachers for grooming him; his parents for their investment, and the proprietor of the school, Mrs Oludolapo Odunlami, for daring to dream.

HILE a good number of today's children are more concerned about the latest Nollywood movies, or chatting endlessly on social media platforms, Miss Abiona Aishat is dreaming of solving problems.

The 11-year old made her teachers and parents proud last week when she emerged the overall best graduand, Grade Six class of The Gem International Schools, Owode Yewa, Ogun State.

She told The Nation that in future, she hopes to deploy knowledge in Chemical Engineering, a branch of engineering that applies chemistry, physics, biology, microbiology and biochemistry to processes that help raw materials or chemicals mutate into more useful forms for the benefits of the society.

Aishat said: "I want to be a chemical engineer. I love it and I want to pioneer the making of new things to

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

"I am highly elated and thankful that I am the valedictorian after such hard work and competition. When we came to secondary school, some of us wept publicly; some privately; I was one of them. Six years after, we are glad we came and can be the Class of 2013 of Rainbow College. Like the person who woke up and said God bless the person who invented sleep; I say God bless my parents for funding my education.

"I also say God bless the proprietor for having in her mind the vision of this school. I took a cue from her when I wrote my speech in JSS1," he said to a rapturous applause from the audience.

The valedictorian for Rainbow College (Day), which is located in Alaka, Lagos, was Moyo Akingbola a girl described as an all-rounder, who is both beautiful and brilliant. With the competition for the best graduand very steep indeed, Moyo said she was pleasantly delighted to be best.

"I was very shocked and happy to learn that I was the valedictorian," she said of her achievement. To the graduands she advised: "Don't let the six years here be the best of your lives," urging them to strive for excellence afterwards.

In his speech, outgoing Head Boy, Michael Davies, praised the teachers for their sacrifice.

• Best Graduating pupil of Olashore International School Class of 2013, Oluwayimika Osunsanya receiving a prize from the special guest, Mr. Adetunji Oyebanji, Chairman of Mobil Oil Nigeria during the Valedictory Service which held recently in the school. With them is the Principal of the school, Mr Derek Smith.

I

‘Our graduands are made superstars’

T was a memorable day as St Jude Private School FESTAC bade farewell to its pupils.

The event tagged: '2013 graduation and prize-giving day,' include activities such as prayers for the graduands, song rendition, reading from the Holy- Bible, and various cultural performances among others.

The Rev father Serbastine Nwankwo who was the officiating minister gave words of encouragement and motivation to the pupils on how to attain stardom.

By Eniola Osidein

He said St Jude's products are built to be a super star, and therefore they must always strive to attain greatness at all times.

She said: "You must remember that this school is reputed for sterling qualities. We are committed to producing superstars that will take the world by storm. So let me say to you graduands of today, have the world on your fingertips. Take charge and fly like eagles."

One of the parents, Mr Gabriel

Ofikulu praised the school. He equally lauded teachers' efforts saying they are doing wonderfully well.

The head teacher, Mr Benedit Osai Etim stated identified dedication among teaching and non teaching staff toward achieving greatness as the secret behind the school success.

There were also presentation of prize and certificates in different categories to the pupils as rewards for their performance so as to spur them towards greater performance.

• The best three graduating pupils of S.T and T Regency College, Farida Adejare, Akolawole Gbohunmi and Sunday Akpan (middle), flanked by Mr and Mrs Amkpa, who donated GOTV decoders as prizes during the school's graduation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

40

EDUCATION

Lagos pegs promotion at 50%

T

HE Lagos State Ministry of Education has pegged the minimum benchmark for promotion in its public secondary schools at 50 per cent.

A statement released by the ministry noted that the criteria will take effect from the 2013/2014 academic year starting September 23.

According to a circular signed by the Director, Basic Education Services (BES), Mr Semasa Sutton, the recommendation was agreed upon

during a meeting he held with stakeholders held on June 6.

As a result, JSS1-JSS 3 pupils must make an average of 50 per cent cumulatively, including Mathematics and English Language to be promoted. To be promoted to SS1, JSS3 pupils must make credits in six subjects in the Basic Education Certificate Examination, including Mathematics and English Language.

The same rule applies to SS1 - SS2 pupils; while for SS2 crossing over

to SS3 must make at least 50 per cent in five subjects (plus Mathematics and English) as well as 50 cumulative pass in the screening test.

Meanwhile, the circular directed that report sheets should be issued to all pupils by August 16. It also urged private schools to adhere strictly to the academic year calendar viz-a-viz the approved resumption and closing dates of schools, warning that offenders will be penalised.

EDUTALK

They’ve come for me

with

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VISITED two younger sisters in the boarding house last Saturday and it reminded me of my own school days. Visiting days were special. There used to be this excitement in the air - the weather assumes a brighter aspect and many girls nurse hope that they will receive at least one visiKofoworola tor. It is usually a day of abundance when parents, relations and friends replenished our pockets Kofosagie@yahoo.com and our third shelves where we kept provisions. But perhaps 08054503077 (SMS only) what we cherished most was the home food. Rice and stew, jollof, fried rice, pounded yam, chicken, meat - any meal - as long as it was not cooked in the school kitchen.

And the best announcement of the day is when a shout is made from the gate of the dormitory and the echo is carried down from room to room until it finally gets to the recipient that "they've come for you" That day, many students boycott the dining hall. They may eat breakfast - but school lunch and dinner on a day when the culinary expertise of mothers is put to test is unthinkable - except for those who are sure their parents will not visit and will not get to eat from friends whose parents visit.

Back to last Saturday. My sisters brought their friends to meet members of the family in one of the classrooms we were restricted to for the period. They shared in the cooler of rice brought by another family friend and chatted with us. But one of them, who stayed with us throughout the time we were there, repeatedly spoke of her still expecting her mother - though it was already 6pm and visitors were not expected any longer.

As we left the classroom on our way out, I overheard her speaking to her mum using a teacher's cell phone reminding her that though the day was almost gone, she was still expecting her. "Mummy you will pack outside if it is late. Just come," she said.

I understood through that experience how secondary students feel when their parents fail to show up on visiting day. It wasn't a strange experience for me because it wasn't all the time my parents could travel all the way from Lagos to visit me in Benin. Maybe I wasn't as sensitive as the girl or maybe I easily got over it because my friends were always around me.

Another thing that struck me from that experience was how expedient that the school, like my secondary school, did not allow visitors into the dormitories. Now, I can imagine how some girls would have felt if loved ones were allowed to gather round the beds of their visitors while some in the same room did not receive any.

It was enough punishment to watch a bunkmate come into the hostel weighed down by plastic bags or cartons of provisions and home food without the presence of visitors to remind you that your own folks could not make it - perhaps because of illness, poor finances or worse still because they were busy or too far away.

Why do parents send their children to the boarding house? It is not actually a bad idea. It helps children to mature, learn social skills and gain a level of independence that will be useful later in life.

However, if putting a child in boarding school is a means to get him or her out of the way, it is wrong and may backfire. It definitely wasn't a pleasant experience for my sister's friend to pine for a mother who did not sound too sure she could make it. True, there are genuine reasons why parents may not able to visit their children in school.

A way around it may be to send a friend with a child in the same school with messages of love and assurance - in addition to all the goodies.

When parents visit, it should not be about gifts and pocket money alone. They should find time to learn how the child is faring in school, academically, socially and otherwise. It is important to check through notes to know whether the child is behind in class or not and talk to class and subject teachers, house mistresses or masters, house prefects and even the child's friends. If parents don't pay close attention to their children in the boarding house, they (the children) will be lost easily. Parents should not relinquish all their responsibilities as the first and natural guardians and teachers to professional guardians and teachers. Ironically, some professionals are more natural at parenting than biological parents.

Belo-Osagie

• Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lgos State (middle) with pupils whose schools won the 2013 Governor’s Education Award of N2 million each under the Eko Education Project in Lagos last week

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Old boy endows swimming academy

LDERMAN Folarin Coker's decision to endow a swimming academy at his alma mater, CMS Grammar School, Bariga is causing excitement among the pupils, teachers, old boys and proprietors of the school.

Work has started on the site, located behind a block of classrooms and overlooking the school's football field.

The project, which will cost about N50 million, will be named after Coker, who passed through the school between 1934 and 1941. It will feature a standard swimming pool, an engine room and changing rooms that will be secured by a fence.

Speaking at the foundation-laying ceremony held a few days to his 90th birthday, Coker said he was inspired to endow the project to boost the production of good swimmers who can represent Lagos in future competition.

Coker, a diver medalist in his days, who confessed that the late Arch

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By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Bishop Vining taught him swimming, said Nigeria can emulate football powerhouse, Brazil, which provides tutorials for youngsters very early.

"It was a fall out from the recent inter-state sport competition. Lagos leads in swimming; and it occurred to me that if we could provide tutorialss in swimming, we might be able to capture more swimming laurels and that could improve the prospect of our winning the shield at future inter-state sports competition," Coker said.

Second Vice-President of the Old Grammarians Society, and ViceChairman of the school's PTA, Deacon Godwin Enuoyibo, said the project has challenged other old boys to give back to the school.

"In how many schools do you find a swimming pool? But we can talk of a swimming pool in CMS Grammar School. While we were doing the foundation-laying, a classmate said, 'For Baba to do this, what are

we waiting for?' I want to challenge Old Grammarians to think of what they can do," he said.

In an interview, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev James Olusola Odedeji, praised the old boys for various projects they have implemented in their alma mater.

“They have done a lot of things on this premises; and I hope all of us would copy them and see how we can impact our generation. The best we can do for a generation is to do the work that would talk even when you are gone. One is so encouraged that they have decided to beautify their old school and make it a place," he said.

Glad that his school will soon have a pool, SS1 pupil, Fortune Ogbonna cannot wait for the project to be completed so he can start swimming.

"I was happy when I heard we are going to have a swimming pool because I am going to benefit from it.

It will improve our athletics team," he said.

Certiport competition produces winners

WO schools have dominated the fifth Certiport National Competition on Microsoft Office for Students (MOS) for the umpteenth time since Readmanna Ventures started organising the ICT contest in Nigeria in 2007.

When prizes are presented at a ceremony holding in Benin City in November, it will be pupils from Thomas Adewunmi International College, Oko in Kwara State and The Regent Secondary School, FCT, Abuja that will cart away most of them.

Competing against 10 other schools, pupils of both schools proved their proficiency in the application of Microsoft Office programmes namely: Word, Excel and PowerPoint (2007 and 2010 Versions) during the live finals held in Lagos and Abuja penultimate week.

At the Lagos final, pupils of Thomas Adewunmi International College carted away most of the awards in the 2007 versions of the three soft-

ware applications: Word, Excel and PowerPoint, like they have done since 2007.

Mayokun Ajagbonna scored 867/ 1000 in a time of 16 minutes 36 seconds to take the first position in the Word 2007 category. Wisdom Igiogbe who had the same score followed in the second position because he finished in 33 minutes and 02 seconds. In third place is Mansur Olaitan who scored 833/1000 in 30 minutes 26 seconds.

The school also produced the three winners for the Excel 2007 category - with Ibukunoluwa Adebara (923/ 1000) coming first; Oluwapelumi Adeboye (885/1000), second; and Grace Hameed (846/1000) third.

In PowerPoint 2007, Ebenezer Briki-Okolosi (967) and Oghenefejiro Omu (933) of Thomas Adewumi came first and second, while Tobi Alafin of Dowen College, Lekki, Lagos State (733) came third.

Regent dominated the 2010 ver-

sions of the Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications.

Imran Marwa won the Word category with 885 in 22 minutes 24 seconds, edging Tariq Memudu of Thomas Adewumi International College, Oko, Kwara State who had the same score but finished in four minutes 32 seconds later to second position. Olumide Fagboyegun of Regent who also scored 885, came third with a time of 28 minutes 42 seconds.

Ahmad Abubakar (800), Hanifah Salik (800) and Oluwaseyi Alao, all of Regent, won the Excel 2010 while Mohammed Baba-Ahmed (914), Fatimah Bello (893), Sidhant Bendre (871) won the PowerPoint category for the same school.

Emmanuel Ogbu of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Enugu State, the only undergraduate in the final, won the tertiary category, scoring 833 in Word 2007 in time of 41 minutes 9 seconds.

‘When parents visit, it should not be about gifts and pocket money alone.

They should find time to learn how the child is faring in school, academically, socially and otherwise. It is important to check through notes to know whether the child is behind in class or not and talk to class and subject teachers, house mistresses or masters, house prefects and even the child's friends. If parents don't pay close attention to their children in the boarding house, they (the children) will be lost easily’ • First published October 22, 2009

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

Continued on page 49

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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NATURAL HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

CLINIC DAY The Managing Director, Pax Herbals Products and Research Laboratory, Ewu Ishan, Edo State, Rev. Father Adodo, answers the first question. The CEO, Health Forever Product Limited, Olajuwon Okubena, writes on the second.

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Revealed: How sound heals

HERE is healing power in the sound you hear. The world was created through sound.

The world can be understood only through sound. Sound is the master key to unraveling nature’s mystery.

For the Traditional African, the drum is the carrier of the Word, the primordial sacred sound by which the world came into being. The drum is to the Traditional African what the Bible is to the Christian. The drum is the supreme symbol of God’s incarnation, of God among us, Logos.

It is the sacrament of the divine in the human, of spirit in matter, Sacred in the profane. Sound, for the African, is an emotive and creative force. We see this even in the infant responding to the lullabies of the mother, or of the snake or praying mantis swinging to the vibration of the sound, or of the monkey swaying to tune. Through the medium of sound, the African is able to evoke and manipulate potent psychic forces.

In Yoruba language, there is a clear distinction between mere spoken words and potent speech. The former is called oro, common words used in conversation. The latter is called Ofo. The Hebrew equivalent is Dahbar, while the Greek is Logos. Ofo refers to words, which have the power of becoming an event in life simply by being uttered. When an Ofo is uttered, it goes to actualise itself. This power of making events happen through utterance is what Yorubas call Afose.

Fo means speak or utter with force. Se means to come to be, to make to happen: A-fo-se. When you remove the Fo, what you have is Ase. The Hebrew equivalent of Ase is Mi-sewah, which means commandment, incantation or authority. To give somebody Ase is to give him/her authority, power, force.

In Igbo tradition, the Ofo is religious authority. The man who holds the Ofo is highly respected and feared, for whatever he says while holding the Ofo stick in his hand becomes Ase, potent psychic force, power, command, more powerful than gun shots.

When sound is organised into rhythm, it is called music. Music is a powerful tool. No one can resist the lure of music. Over the years scientists and mystics alike have researched deeply into the place of music in human life. The conclusion is that music is indispensable to promoting physical, emotional and spiritual health. It is scientifically proved that music influences the circulation of blood pressure to rise and fall. We now know that variations in blood circulation depend on the pitch, intensity and timbre of the sound around us. Music increases metabolism, directs muscular energy, increases or decreases respiration, controls blood pressure and influence emotions.

In some American companies, it is customary to have cool and gentle music played throughout working hours on s

Jobelyn’s American journey

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EARLY, fast growing entrepreneurs cutting across board gather in the United States (US) for the AllWorld Network Summit.

This year’s, the fourth in the series, was held at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, last month.

Health Forever Product (HFP) Limited was among the over 70 firms from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Turkey, and Nigeria that participated in the Harvard summit before travelling to New York City for additional networking meetings.

Each participant is a winner of AllWorld rankings in emerging countries and is among a select group of entrepreneurs from 15 countries invited to attend the summit.

During the summit, participants attended interactive sessions led by some of the leading national and international experts on business development, global sales strategies, breakthrough technologies, behavioural economics and negotiating conflicts. Co-founder Habiby opened the summit.

As a group, entrepreneurs attending the summit pulled an astonishing 60 per cent annually over the past three years and created thousands of jobs while the world’s economy stagnated. In 2013 to 2014, they expect sales and employment to rise significantly and two-thirds expect to establish another company.

HFP represented by Mr Ademola

Okubena, an executive director of the company, was among the 10 successful AllWorld Entrepreneurs who gave two-minute pitches.

Ademola introduced HFP as a manufacturer of a dietary supplement under the trade name, Jobelyn. The company is the leading nutraceutical company in Nigeria and is Nigeria50 ranked.

Jobelyn is one of the few African products recognised by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The world including the US has not found a satisfactory solution to the problem of anaemia, but HFP has developed a herbal formula from the African folk medicine to provide a solution.

HFP employs 100 staff. Over the last 15 years, HFP has through intensive scientific research into African folk medicine developed Jobelyn certified as the solution to anaemia in addition to being the most powerful antioxidant in the world (about four times more powerful than the Acai berry, the leading American antioxidant product) Jobelyn has more than five million users in Nigeria and it is projected this figure would increase to 15 million in the next three to five years. It has provided an affordable option for blood transfusion which has complicated the spread of deadly diseases like HIV. It has also provided good support for malnourished children in

1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 1234567890123456789 •A drum ome working days. The managers of these companies noted that workers work with better concentration and productivity on these music days while lower productivity are recorded on days when no music is played. Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and metaphysicians know how important music is to health.

Our environment has been polluted not just with toxic wastes but also with unhealthy noise. We could hardly listen to pure sound. The music played in our churches is nothing more than cacophonies of organs, guitars and jazz bands, which give immediate gratification but does not satisfy.

Go off to the riverbank, to the forest, to the valley, away from the noise of television, radio, and could sit still in a secluded place and listen to your heartbeat, your breath and your circulation. You would note that your body is governed by a certain rhythm.

Music permeates your being. You are nothing but music. The body is a living entity, an intelligent being with its own laws. The wisdom of the cosmos is reflected in the body. The body is a musical composition. The different forms of sound: the human voice, sound of nature, sound of music, carry waves for certain kinds of energy, which they impress on us.

If these energies are negative, we become sick. If positive, we become harmonious. It is no wonder that today many people are sick. Medical examinations always reveal that nothing is wrong with them; yet, they feel tired, weak and sickly continually.

Such people need a physician who would help them to discover and maintain a triangular equilibrium of their energies.

When sound is sustained, the vibration begins to create a corresponding pattern. This pattern is reflected in the mood and behaviour of people present. Sound affects the pulse, breath, blood pressure, body temperature and muscles and tissues of the listeners. Even if the ears do not perceive the sound, the skin and bone pick up the vibration and transfer it into the system. No one

Questions 1 How does sound ensure healing?

Jude Okeke, 46-yearold Researcher, Enugu State.

2 Is it true that a Nigerian company was part of the entrepreneurship summit held in the US? Esther Egbebor, 29 year-old Graduate, Benin, Edo State can make him/herself immune to the influence of sound. This applies to humans, animals and plants. Animals such as frogs, lizards, snakes, rabbits and snails are very sensitive to music.

Even though snakes have no ears, they can perceive the vibration of sound through the skin.

Modern men and women need to re-discover the value of silence. It is only in silence that real communication can take place. True enough, we are in the age of information. But what we have is much information with little communication, because everyone is talking while no one listens. It is only when we learn to be silent that we can hear the creative Sound of creation, restoring us to harmony, peace and contentment, values that no money can buy.

1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 1234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456 •From left: Mrs Oluwabunmi Aina, Mrs Florence Osagie and Okubena at the Summit.

developing countries like Nigeria and other African countries.

The US has so far not been able to develop a satisfactory solution for the problem of anaemia and our main focus for international expansion therefore is USA. Our estimate is that Americans expended a minimum of $10 billion annually for the treatment of anaemia with orthodox chemical drugs that have dangerous side-effects. We want to target at least one per cent of this in the next five years. This would translate into a yearly income of $100 million.

With the right investment, our company is set to grow its revenue,

which is about $2 million to over $100 million in the next five years thereby providing substantial return on investment to stakeholders.

Hains Herbal LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Health Forever Product Limited, was incorporated in 2002 in order to expand and capture the US market. The company was formed with a specific focus on marketing and distributing the range of alternative herbal preparations manufactured

by HFP in the US. Since inception, HFP’s main focus has been to provide its clients with the highest quality herbal medicines and dietary

supplements. Through continual research into primary causes of ailments, the company has been able to identify and develop herbal remedies to assist the human body to fight against and prevent the causes of so many life threatening diseases.

The medicines and products have been subjected to orthodox clinical studies and have proven, in a number of cases, more effective and tolerable than orthodox alternatives.

The presentation was well received and HFP has been receiving enquiries from prospective investors.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

NATURAL HEALTH

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Lion's Mane for regeneration of damaged nerves

HE lion on earth is sometimes cloaked in myths, and, in some cases, like the Biblical, Bull, Eagle, Lim and Ram, a humbler of man. I speak from a rarely explored Christian perspective, being an unorthodox Christian. But before I come to this, I'd like to quickly introduce Dr. Rita Levi-Montaiacini who, at 103 years, was still physically and mentally able to run laboratory studies on LION'S MANE with such remarkable findings that earned her the Nobel Prize for peace in physiology or medicine. In a world bedeviled with Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, brain injury dementia, senility or failing memory, who wouldn't be fascinated by Dr. Levi-Montaiacini's findings that Lions mane stimulates Nerve Growth Hormone (NGH) which has been found to protect nerves throughout the body, help to improve or reverse their conditions and promote memory?

I return quickly to the lion as a fascinating, if not mythical animal. Yoruba mythology suggests that the lion is the king of the forest and that the Creator wasn't averse to its crowning. Another Yoruba myth suggests that the lion has no need to forage for food; when it is hungry, it only has to urinate in a wide circle, roar and wait for its prey(s) in the middle of this circle. Inevitably, it is said, the animal marked by elemental forces to feed this forest king flees from the roar but into the circle where etheric forces arrest it for the lion to devour. Yet another Yoruba myth about the lion, which is the subject some folks songs, concerns its liver. It is believed to be so poisonous that, if a fly perched on it and later on food, whoever ate the food would die almost immediately. It is for this reason, goes the mythology, that hunters never bring lion's liver home whenever they killed one in the forest; they would have to perform certain rituals and bury it in the wild. I haven't found a scientific validation or thrashing of these claims. But there are suggestions that the lion's liver could be so toxic as to kill its consumer because of the large amount of raw flesh it consumes and the large amounts of vitamins, and enzymes required to process it. Vitamin A, is found in the lion's liver in such mega quantum would destroy the human liver in prompt, it is said.

What about the lion as a humbler of man? Man deludes himself as a being so important that his Creator needs him to be the Creator. In the Christian Europe of old, some philosophies arrogated to man the capacity of a God-man.

In the Nigerian Christian acts of today, prayer is no longer thanksgiving for a world so beautiful but a vehicle for sending the Creator on errand to destroy one’s enemies, get one promotion at work, stabilise an unwholesome marriage one ought not to have contracted, and things like that.

Now, these same Christian faiths do not sense that from the Bible's Book of Revelations speaks of four Animals Who are the first Beings to exist in the immediate vicinity of the Creator. This vicinity is, as revealed, a huge span of space immeasurable by human acumen in which what is akin to an ocean of fire perpetually surges. At the foot of the Creator's throne in this world of fire are four Animals ... the Lion, the Ram, the Eagle and the Bull! They stand equidistant from one another, receive power from On High, and pass it on to lower worlds for their forming and maintenance. Isn't it intriguing that this job is not reserved to man who prides himself so high to even sometimes claim that the Almighty speaks directly to him? These Animals are Beings of a much, much higher origin than maris in Paradise!

Dr. Alex Thomopoulus, now at The Guardian newspaper, awakened my waned interest in mathematics about 10 years ago when he asked me to project straight lines from four locations equidistant one from another and join all lines to an equidistant location above them. The result was not just a PYRAMID but, also, of an unfolding knowledge of those four equidistant locations for Beings as the four pillars of Creation. It was to, also, widen my understanding of how knowledgeable people of old came to receive the knowledge of the Pyramid and to use its principles to make great achievements. If you ask Dr. Thomopoulus and Architect Lekan Adams, who is familiar with the Egyptian Pyramids, they would explain how the architectural measurements are no ordinary measurements. Every measurement express a time frame in which certain lunar or cosmic event would occur. This was a gift to us from the knowing ones of old, who received and coded this knowledge for our time and, perhaps, for all times. But, unfortunately, being intellect - driven today with no balance with intuition, we cannot connect with them or with this knowledge. What is true of the lost knowledge of the Pyramid is true of that of the Circle. Why does everything move in circles or cycles? The earth revolves and rotates. Electrons move around the core of the atoms in cycles as the planets do the sum, and as galaxies and even the Universe behave? If the four-square base of the pyramid projected downwards as pillars of a Four-Square Creation, there are forces at play in the resultant cube structure drive everything in cycles and give rise to the principle of the quadrature of the circle which, when fully understood, may bring fulfillment of some aspects of those masterpieces of man on earth that were once foretold would emerge someday.

The lion excites me because of its place in these configu-

‘If the Sympathetic Nervous System fires the heart to beat fast but the Para-sympathetic Nervous System cannot slow it down when the danger is over, another danger indeed, lies ahead. Even digestion cannot fare well without nerves.

Nerve contraction and relaxation contract and relax soft muscles to create peristaltic motion which drives food towards the anus. If NGF is scare, Nerve flow will be sluggish or constipation may occur.

That's probably why you will find Lion's Mane described also as a digestive and on some labels’ rations. It excites me also, because of its myth and courage. And I show more than passing interest in its signature tune or code for human health. In herbal medicine, a signature tune is a design of a plant which resembles the design of an organ of the body. Thus, the kidney shaped bean has been found to positively influence the health of the human kidneys. In fact, the red kidney bean pod, when boiled and taken as tea, helps many kidney disorders, including dropsy, a condition in which the kidneys do not eliminate water well enough and cause swellings here and there, especially in the lower limbs.

Similarly, the purple flowers of Bilberry is associated with the purple area of the retina, the macular, which in fact, has tremendous affinity with the flavonoids of Bilberry, according to scientific validation of this folk remedy for fine vision and prevention of macular degeneration.

The Mane The mane, which Dr. Rita Levi-Montalacini, aged 103, researched in her laboratory, and which earned her the Nobel Prize, is not that long and thick hair around or at the back of some animals, including the horse and the lion. Evolution researcher Charles Darwin once associated the mane of the lion with fighting acumen. But more than 30 years research now links it with male sexual vitality for which the lioness is said to prefer lions endowed with dark, rich manes. Such lions have been found suffused with testosterone, the male hormone. The mane in reference is, also, not the largest specie of jelly fish named the Lion's Mane and used, despite is poisoning potential, for heart and blood circulation properties as well as for anticoagulant support.

Lion's Mane Herb This is actually a mushroom in which Dr. Rita Levi Montalcini, a neurologist and development biologist, discovered the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) protein which biochemist, Canley Cowen, isolated. Their work was rewarded with the 1986 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine which they jointly shared and was described as one of medicine's biggest discoveries in the 50 years before it.

For they helped to find a clue to the brain damage mystery discovered by Dr Lois Alzheimer in 1906.

In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer opened up the brain of a dead woman who behaved abnormally before her death. He found that parts of the brain responsible for memory, the Hippocampus, were covered by a sticky material now known as Beta-amyloidal protein. Besides, bundles of nerves were tangled and dying. This disease, Alzheimers, was named after him. It runs in three stages.

The first presents the symptom of forgetfulness. Many people do not remember names or where they kept the car key. In the second, one may go to the kitchen to get a knife, forget why one is there. In the last stage, one may not recognise members of one's family or how and where, as an adult, the bowels should be emptied. A man whose mother invited me to see about 10 years ago stripped himself of clothes whenever he was dressed up, and he had to be locked up in a room. People who cannot focus properly at work or at school need to watch and care for their brains.

From a laboratory in her Turin, Italy, bedroom during World War II in 1943, Dr. Levi-Montalcini observed chicken embryo grow and develop nerve connections. She wanted to know what chemical substances made this possible as a deficiency, excess or lack of them could cause disorders. Of all the mushrooms she tested for them in later professional life, only the Lion's Mane mushroom yielded the desired results. The nerve Growth Factor, as she called this isolated protein, activates enzymes in the brain which promotes production by the brain of NGF. NFG protects nerves, heals their injuries, dissolves betaamyloid plaque and has been shown to have potential to reverse such nerve degenerative conditions as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and sheath damage. Of keen interest to neurologists is the myelin sheath. It is a protective white coat surrounding nerve fibers. It is like the plastic covering of electrical copper wire cable. If the plastic burns or peels, electricity flow is dissipated and the exposed wire may be damaged likewise.

Our bodies are bundles of nerves. So, we are nothing without them. They enable us to act voluntarily and also control our involuntary actions such as breathing, heartbeat, digestion and sexual arousal. The nervous system originates in the brain and encompasses the entire body, monitoring it. Our voluntary acts, such as standing and sitting, are controlled by the Central Nervous System (CNS). Involuntary acts are governed by the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS subdivides into the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Para-sympathetic Nervous System. The SNS prepares us for "fight or flight" in emergencies. Our eyes are wide often, our hearts pump harder to supply blood, oxygen and glucose to the muscles. The digestive system is shut down because we do not really need it at that time. When the danger is over, the Para-Sympathetic Nervous System calms us down and re-opens systems that were shut down. The CNS and ANS must operate in a balanced tone. So must the two arms of the ANS. If the SNS fires the heart to beat fast but the Para-sympathetic Nervous System cannot slow it down when the danger is over, another danger indeed, lies ahead. Even digestion cannot fare well without nerves. Nerve contraction and relaxation contract and relax soft muscles to create peristaltic motion which drives food towards the anus. If NGF is scare, Nerve flow will be sluggish or constipation may occur. That's probably why you will find Lion's Mane described also as a digestive on some labels. In glaucoma, as well as in diabetes, nerve fibres of the retina can be damaged and this can cause blindness. Can NGF not help out? In learning, where brain and eye nerves are under constant pressure, Lion's Mane may be a lifeline. Soldiers, like policemen and academics, need long attention spans, as do lawyers who burn the midnight oil while preparing for a case, and the fudge who must record evidence in long hand and also, write his judgments likewise? When men complain of erectile dysfunction, they accuse their spouses of frigidity; it means the nervous system is out of gear. What happens in a stroke when there is a loss of use of a limb or when the bowels or bladder is out of control the nerves which control these areas that are impaired.

Some cases of asthma have their origins in the nerves which cause the spasms of muscles. When can we turn and we do not find nerves at work or out of tone. When I think of Dr. Levi-Montalcini and the likes of her, and remember Lion's Mane - I remember one of my favourite Baptist Broadman hymns at Olivet Baptist High School Oyo (1964 - 68), HE PROMISED NEVER TO LEAVE ME ALONE. Even when we are ill, however serious the case may be, there is something out there in the fields, gardens or forests to nurse us back to radiant health which in His Wisdom, Grace and Love, the Almighty Creator had caused to be prepared for us before we came to this earth. Such herbs are coded in signature tunes. We only need to bestir ourselves to discover them. Lion's Mane is a hairy mushroom. Aren't the nerves like hairs? Dr. Levi-Montalcini has helped us discover Nerve Growth Factor and the herb which helps the most, for now, to give us the tonic our nerves need to serve us best. Thanks, Dr. Levi-Montalcini, you denied yourself the pleasure of marriage and motherhood to do this!

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

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ANUFACTURERS have condemned the planned increase in electricity tariff, saying there is no justification for the hike when power is unstable.

Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) President Goodie Ibru said it was curious government is contemplating such an increase despite the shortcomings of the power sector.

He said : “It is curious that in the midst of all these shortcomings, electricity tariff is being reviewed upwards, in good conscience government cannot justify increased tariff to epileptic supply. The programmed periodic increase in fixed charge is unfair to electricity consumers and should be reversed.

There should be a good balance between the protection of the interest of investors and that of the consumers.”

The tight credit situation, LCCI said, was inhibiting domestic enterprises from taking advantage of the nation’s robust market. He urged fiscal and monetary authorities to work together to ease the credit conditions for small and medium scale enterprises and more importantly, domestic businesses.

Ibru reiterated the need to unlock the Nigerian credit market at this critical time, saying it is critical to stem the gradual crowding out of domestic entrepreneurs by foreign investors.

He said: “The current tightening of monetary policy is inhibiting domestic production and encouraging imports. The outcome of the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) portends even more difficult times for investors in the economy as far as cost of funds is concerned.”

Ibru deplored the unsatisfactory power situation in the first half of the year, saying manufacturer’s expenditure on diesel and petrol was unbearable because it impacted negatively on investment over the last six months. This, he said, led to declin-

Manufacturers condemn planned increase in electricity tariff •It cannot be justified ing productivity and competiveness.

LCCI Director-General Muda Yusuf frowned at what he called government’s concentration on micro economic issues such as the touted Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth in the economy.

He argued that real economic growth should be measured by the operating environment made possible by the ease of doing business and the needed infrastructure by manufacturers.

Quoting from World Bank sources, he stated that the nation still remains a difficult terrain for businesses in terms of operating modalities obtainable by developed economies, job creation and employment generation.

He insisted that the domestic and international issues facing the oil and gas sector pose both risks and opportunities for the economy. According to him, the greatest risk is the potential shock to fiscal sustainability if the global oil price slumps under the current challenges

‘It is curious that in the midst of all these shortcomings, electricity tariff is being reviewed upwards, in good conscience government cannot justify increased tariff to epileptic supply’

• L-R: General Manager Marketing Grand Oak Limited, Mr. Brajesh Kumar, Managing Director, Mr. Akshay Kumar and Human Resources Director, Lexcel Group, Mr. Wale Dosunmu during the Lexcel Group management quarterly meeting held in Lagos recently.

Stories by Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst.Editor

confronting the ability of the nation to expand oil output.

On the imperative of economic diversification, Yusuf said realities in the economy underscores the urgent need to diversify the economy especially power, the railways, and the road network. He said all these are critical to enhancing manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, services and downstream oil and gas. He called for the improvement of institutions and the policy environment in order to at-

•L-R: Operations Director Fidson Healthcare, Mr Abiona Adebayo; Assistant Director, Policy Planning Research and Statistics, Lagso State Ministry of Education, Mrs Aderoju Grillo; Sales and Marketing Director Fidson Healthcare Mr Olugbenga Olayeye; and General Manager, Marketing, Mr Ola Ijimakin, during the third editoin of the Astymin Brillance reward by Fidson Healthcare in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

‘Don’t merge NAFDAC, SON’

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ORMER Minister for Industry Chief Mrs. Nike Akande has thrown her weight behind the Orosanye panel that ministries, development and agencies (MDAS) be streamlined to make them more responsive. She cited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) as duplication of functions, arguing that such multiplicity leads to high cost of doing business in the country.

She expressed optimism that government would come up with the best solution after the consideration of the panel’s report.

But the Chairman of DN Meyer, Mr. Remi Omotoso, kicked against the recommendation that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) be merged. He said the agencies per-

form different functions.

Omotoso argued that the agencies should not be merged, warning that if the Federal Government merges them, the citizens would be worse for it.

According to him, SON was set up with a mandate to formulate standards for industries and ensure that fake and substandard goods are not allowed into the country while NAFDAC concerns itself with matters relating to food and drugs regulations and administration.

He warned that if the minority canvassing for the merger of the agencies is allowed to have its way, the nation will go back to where it was before NAFDAC had a dynamic director-general in Prof Dora Akunyili who fought importers of fake and substandard drugs into the country with impunity.

He commended NAFDAC for going a step further to track drugs imported

into the country and cut down the influx of fake drugs from Asian countries.

Merging the agencies, he said, would make them to become unmanageable. Instead of a merger, he urged the Federal Government to look into the constraints of SON with a view to strengthening it and making it more effective and dynamic like NFDAC. The DN Meyer chief noted that SON may be overwhelmed by the myriad of goods imported into the country through various countries, adding that this may be a result of its limited human and material resources.

He insisted that there can only be an effective SON if its management is committed, arguing that the must be a conscious effort by government to reduce the volume imported goods into the country so as to narrow its search for substandard goods.

tract more private capital both from within and outside country.

Besides, he stressed the need for he called on the government to raise standards of business ethics in the country to contain some negative behaviours by certain class of businessmen. He listed some of the con-

cerns of manufacturers to include smuggling, product faking and counterfeiting, under invoicing to evade duty payment, tax invasion, and concealment of items in containers by importers, piracy of creative works and wanton violation of intellectual property rights.

BOI pledges support to Nigerians in Diaspora

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HE Bank of Industry (BoI) will support Nigerians in the Diaspora to invest in the manufacturing sector.

Its Principal Manager, Strategic Planning, Mrs Betty Obaseki, has said. Speaking at a capacity building workshop for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Abuja, she said the bank was considering setting up a special desk in Lagos and Abuja to attend to the needs of such Nigerians.

The workshop was organised by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as part of activities to mark the 2013 Diaspora week.

“We are considering setting up a special desk in collaboration with the ministry to attend to the needs of Nigerians in the Diaspora,’’ Obaseki said.

She, however, said that “the same products would be made available to Nigerians in the Diaspora and those at home.

“There will be no special consideration because we have a dedicated desk to meet their needs.’’

The manager said banks had shifted focus from funding large entrepreneurs to small and medium entrepreneurs to enhance the growth and development of the economy Mrs Obaseki said the bank was mostly interested in funding equipment and machinery for production and not trading, noting that “trading does not add significant value to the economy’’.

According to her, the bank encourages initiatives that transform raw materials to finished products.

She said the best way to grow and develop African and Nigerian economy was to add value to their natural resources rather than export them as raw materials.

“So, to ensure growth in the African and Nigerian economies, we have to strengthen our entrepreneurs to enable them to transform our natural resources to the finished products.

“We need to know the area where we have comparative advantage; this is what we try to encourage in the BOI. “We are looking to fund Nigerian entrepreneurs; we don’t want to fund foreigners, though this does not rule out the funding of foreign companies,’’ he added.

However, such foreign companies must have a minimum of 30 per cent Nigerian ownership before it could qualify to access the fund.’’

She assured the participants that they need not know anyone to access the bank’s loan: “we are happy to be here to partner with you and you don’t need to know anybody before getting the loan,’’ she said.

Director of Operation, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Mr John Achukwu, urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to ensure that they bring in quality machines that were of international standard to avoid being frustrated.

Lexcel group restates commitment to innovation

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company has reiterated its resolve to stay ahead of the company through innovation.

At its quarterly meeting in Lagos, Excel Group, the Parent-Company of Nigeria Distillers Ltd, Grand Oak Ltd, Supreme Distilleries Ltd, Allied Atlantic Distillers Ltd and Lexcel Product and Packaging Company Ltd, said it would provide conducive

C-72/31-34 BUS INDUSTRY 01-08-2013 Thursday

working environment and state-ofthe-art technology to remain on top.

The meeting is a platform used by the group to discuss business performance.

During the meeting, Supreme Distilleries Ltd emerged winner of the best company award for the second quarter. Grand Oak Ltd was second and Lexcel Products and Packaging Company Ltd third.

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NEWS

Five children found dead on Jigawa street

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IVE dead children were yesterday found on the street of Gwaram, the headquarters of Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The children were said to be between 10 and 13 and were from two families.

Their bodies were discovered at 5am when the residents were returning from mosques after the Subhi (early morning) prayers.

The names of the children

From Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse

were given as: Basiru Malam Inusa (12); Mansur Malam Inusa (12); Rabi’u Abubakar (13); Buhari Abubakar (10) and Bashir Inusa (11).

A resident, who spoke in confidence, said: “We came out of our homes for the Subhi prayers when we noticed the strange manner the children were lying on the floor. When we attempted to wake them up, we were shocked that they were all dead.

“Their death might not be unconnected with something they might have eaten in the night, since all of them are almajiri (urchins) who were residing in one of the houses at the old Gwaram town.”

Police spokesman Abdu Jinjiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the incident.

He said: “We received a report from our Gwaram Division that five bodies were found on the streets of Gwar-

am.

“Our men rushed to the scene and picked the bodies.

They conveyed them to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) for post-mortem.

As I’m talking to you now, there is no report on the matter.”

The police spokesman said the kids were almajiri pupils of a modrasa (Islamic school), adding that they were found by the residents at 5am near some homes.

Kwara ACN: PDP places premium on absolute power

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HE Kwara State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state of placing premium on absolute control of power, mismanagement and intolerance to the opposition.

The party also said the recent reinstatement of the Oyun Local Government Chairman Omoniyi Ibrahim showed PDP’s insincerity.

The government suspended the two chairmen of Offa and Oyun Local Government Areas - Prince Saheed Popoola and Alhaji Ibrahim – following a violent communal clash between Offa and Erin-Ile communities in January.

In a statement in Ilorin, the state capital, a member of the ACN Caretaker Committee in the state, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju Shuaib, noted that the reinstatement of the Oyun Local Government chairman and “leaving that of Offa has confirmed beyond reasonable doubt our earlier suspicion and statements”.

The statement added: “The ACN stated clearly when the chairmen of Offa and Oyun councils were suspended that the suspension of Alhaji Omoniyi was only a smoke-

•PDP: allegation mischievous From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

screen by the PDP government to actualise the takeover of the only ACN-controlled local government in the state.”

But the government described the allegation as unfounded and mischievous.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communication, Dr Muideen Akorede, said: “Offa Local Government remains suspended due to a court judgment which voided the 2010 election that brought the council chair to office. ACN is aware of this fact.”

But Shuaib faulted the PDP’s position, saying: “It will be pertinent to state that the suspension of the local government chairmen was not for the reasons of breakdown of law and order but for the clandestine plan to take over Offa Local Government for the following reasons: •After the suspension, the Court of Appeal nullified the election into office of the Offa Local Government chairman and ordered that election be held within 90 days, which the government disregarded with impunity;

• The attempted assassination of the former Offa council chair, Saheed Popoola; •The earlier serious communal clash between Share in Ifelodun Local Government Area and Tsarago in Edu Local Government resulting in multiple deaths and there were no reprisal actions on either of the two local government areas not to talk of outright suspension; •The recent communal clash in Ganmo community in Ifelodun Local Government Area, which also resulted to deaths with the state government not taking any reprisal actions.

“The above reasons and the reinstatement of Alhaji Ibrahim thus put a lie to the state government’s reasons for the suspension of the local government chairmen in the first instance and expose the hypocri-

B

sy and insincerity of the state government.

“We implore all Kwarans to see the lack of respect for the intelligence of Kwarans, lack of respect for the Judiciary, deceit, hypocrisy and bad governance.

“We salute the courage of the Offa people and urge them to remain calm and steadfast as ever, while urging the people of Oyun to see deceit and hypocrisy in the reinstatement of their chairman as a bobbytrap to deceive them into voting PDP in the forthcoming local government elections and planting the seed of permanent discord between Offa and Erin-Ile communities.

“We also urge all Kwarans to take their destiny into their hands by voting out the PDP in the forthcoming local government and subsequent elections.”

Police recover 207 live ammunition, others in Bauchi attack

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From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

HE police in Bauchi State have recovered 207 live ammunition and 14 magazines from the hoodlums who attacked a bank at Alkaleri.

The gunmen killed a Police Inspector.The police killed a suspected member of the gang and captured another alive.

The robbers were reportedly prevented from stealing anything from the bank, though they entered the vault.

In a statement yesterday in Bauchi, Police Commissioner Mohammed Ladan said the command had begun investigation into the incident.

He said the police have combed the bush and arrested a suspect at Fantami Ward in Gombe State.

The police chief said the suspect confessed to have participated in the robbery.

Ladan added: “The suspect took police detectives to where they concealed three AK 47 rifles, eight magazines, 145 rounds of ammunition and an undetonated Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

“On the scene of the incident, police recovered an AK 49 rifle with number 27335 and two magazines containing eight rounds of lives ammunition from the hoodlum that was gunned down. Following a search on the scene, another AK 49 rifle, with No 0254, was recovered with 46 rounds of ammunition as well as four extra magazines.

“Seventy-eight empty shells of AK 47 rifles were recovered, which brings the total of the live ammunition recovered to 207.”

The police chief gave the name of the slain Inspector as Adamu Madugu.

He said the gun duel between the police and the hoodlums lasted over four hours.

Ladan added that the hoodlums also attacked Alkaleri Divisional Police Station but could not enter the station because the policemen on duty repelled the attack.

Dana Air offers 50% discount

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By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

ANA Air yesterday said it will offer about 50 per cent discount on return leg fares when passengers buy a round trip ticket to any of its destinations.

The offer, which is tagged: Great Summer Getaway, begins today and will close on August 31.

Obi Mbanuzuo, Dana Air’s Head of Commercial, announced the offer in Lagos.

He said: “At summertime the government to clean the many people want to take time area to avoid the outbreak of off work to be with their faman epidemic. ilies and loved ones. Our Great The residents also ex- Summer Getaway offer is to pressed worry that four days encourage more guests to travafter the explosions, the scores el at a discounted rate so that have not been fumigated to they can enjoy this holiday seaavert a health problem. son with loved ones.”

Kano blast: Residents call for fumigation

ARELY 36 hours after Monday’s multiple explosions in Sabon Gari Area of Kano, which is predominantly occupied by nonindigenes, the residents have called for the fumigation of the affected area.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

They complained that the area has been emitting offensive odour from the blood stains and mutilated bodies of the victims of the attack.

The residents pleaded with

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

H

ello everybody and welcome. Today we continue with our introduction of new novelties for the month of April and beyond, and we will kick off with pheromones. Pheromones are perfumed sexual attractants capable of attracting the opposite sex to you, if you are looking to start a relationship. They don’t work like magic.

Wearing a pheromone does not mean women or men will chase you like bees after honey. Pheromones make the opposite sex interested in you sexually, based on the way you smell. This means that when you make a move on them, they are more open to giving you a chance or saying yes.

This makes the process of befriending people easier especially for shy folks who find it hard chatting up a girl or boy. For women, we have the Simply Sexy Pheromone and the Crazy Girl Pheromone Body Mist. Both are very popular and powerful. For men we have the Namiko Pheromone Cologne, an equally powerful sexual attractant for men.

New games to aid romance in relationships have also arrived. Often couples complain about their love lives being boring and this is one of the reasons couples cheat. But thanks to these games, there will never be a dull moment and there are hundreds of sexual ideas that couples can explore in their private moments. These new games are the Mile High Club, Pleasure Island and Sealed with a Kiss game.

And finally for the day, we have new aphrodisiacs for women. Very often, male libido problems and solutions dominate our weekly discussions but women do have libido problems too. The first of these new aphrodisiacs is the Rock On Daily Supplement, a natural sexual enhancer in capsule form capable of lifting energy and libido levels at any age while enhancing sexual pleasure and satisfaction for women. Rock On Daily Supplement is very good. The second aphrodisiac is a stimulating gel called the Mood Tingling lubricant. Mood Tingling eliminates vaginal dryness and the related sexual pain while arousing female

users for more pleasurable and orgasmic results.

We will continue with more new products in the coming weeks.

Let us take a few questions from our readers.

I am newly married and I will like to learn more about how my wife and I can have a successful long term sexual relationship. Do you conduct seminars? Tayo Tayo at the moment, we don’t do seminars. But you will find the information you are looking for in books such as Sex Secrets and movies like Great Sex for a Life Time. The advantage movies and books have over seminars is that you get to see some of these sexual ideas and recommendations demonstrated and not just talked about. Sex is very physical after all – Uche I take Xzen 1200 to make my erection and performances stronger. So far so good but I will like to know if it has side effects when used for too long – Samuel Samuel manufacturers always advice regular users of aphrodisiacs to give a one or two week break after using it for one month before continuing again. This will enable the body flush out any unwanted residues or toxins that may accumulate over long periods of time, if any. Xzen 1200 is 100% natural and safe. The human body processes natural supplements like natural foods , which is why we recommend them – Uche I use condoms during sex and on few occasions, the condoms have broken during intercourse. Can you recommend something more reliable? Jonah Jonah this is why more people are using penis sleeves instead.

Sleeves such as the Glow in the Dark Sleeve and Nasstoys Penis Extender are thicker than condoms, stronger and can be reused. They also prevent premature ejaculation – Uche Adults in need of these treatments and novelties can call us on 08027901621 or 08051924159 or any other number here to order or they can order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com.

We deliver to you wherever you are in Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 31-07-13

Equities gain N3.03tr, 35.03% in seven months N

IGERIAN equities consolidated their bullish rally in July as improved first-half earnings drove the market to a sevenmonth average return of 35.03 per cent. Equities closed the seventh month yesterday on a high note, trotting back to N12 trillion after adding N581 billion capital gain in July.

Aggregate year-to-date return thus improved from sixmonth value of N2.45 trillion to N3.03 trillion by the end of July. After the downtrend in June, the market was particularly spectacular in July with a month-on-month average return of 5.08 per cent. The market closed the last trading day of the month with a gain of N34 billion.

Aggregate market value of all equities closed July at N12.007 trillion as against its opening value of N11.426 trillion for the month. The All Share Index (ASI), which doubles as benchmark index for all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and country index for Nigeria, also rose from month’s opening index of 36,164.31 points to close at 37,914.33 points.

With a bulging pocket of N3.03 trillion and average year-to-date return of 35.03 per cent, equities appeared in good stead for another record

By Taofik Salako

successive performance. In value terms, the seven-month capital gain of N3.03 trillion has already surpassed total gains of N2.44 trillion recorded for the entire 2012.

Also, real benchmark return of 35.03 per cent is only a point below the average fullyear return of 35.45 per cent recorded in 2012. The 1.23 per cent difference between market value growth of 33.8 per cent and ASI’s 35.03 per cent was due to the time-lag between new listing and price adjustment by market forces.

The stock market had closed the first half with average return of about 28.8 per cent, equivalent to N2.45 trillion in capital gains. Aggregate market value of all equities on the NSE had closed the first half at N11.426 trillion as against its value-on-board of N8.974 trillion that started the year.

This was an increase of 27.3 per cent. The ASI had risen from 2013’s opening index of 28,078.81 points to close the first half at 36,164.31 points.

The first half performance was moderated by the downtrend in the latter half of June, which saw the month

closing as the most bearish with a loss of N649 billion.

Equities had shown brighter performance in the first five months with capital gain of N3.10 trillion. Aggregate market capitalisation of all equities had closed May at N12.075 trillion while the ASI had indicated a five-month average return of 34.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, the market continued to react positively to first-half earnings report with most equities closing on the upside yesterday. Mobil Oil Nigeria led the 32-stock gainers’ table with a gain of N5 to close at N121.95. Guinness Nigeria followed with a gain of N3.86 to close at N245.01.

Forte Oil placed third with a gain of N1.95 to close at N43.95. PZ Cussons Nigeria rallied N1.93 to close at N45.98 while Stanbic IBTC Holdings, which announced an interim dividend of 70 kobo on Tuesday, added N1.71 to close at N18.84 per share.

However, Nestle Nigeria led 22 other stocks on the losers’ list with a loss of N4.78 to close at N990.22. Ashaka Cement lost 70 kobo to close at N25.50 while Zenith Bank dropped 25 kobo to close at N19.75.

Investors staked N4.03 billion on 330.17 million shares in 5,944 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 144.93 million shares valued at N1.34 billion in 2,028 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 30-07-13

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

55

MONEY LINK

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Over-The-Counter dealer to begin operation

HE Nigerian financial markets will soon witness a revolution with the launch of FMDQ OTC Plc. FMDQ OTC is expected to provide issuers, investors and end-users of financial market products with world-class market governance for capital transfer. The subscribers to the company’s shares are banks, discount houses and the Nigerian Stock Exchange through its subsidiary NSE Consult.

The Financial Markets Dealers Association (FMDA), which is an association of the treasurers of banks and discount houses in Nigeria commenced the project to create a selfregulatory organisation (SRO) in 2009.

In a statement, Chairman FMDQ OTC Plc, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said it was expected that the project will help in deepening the inter-bank Over the Counter (OTC) market trading in various securities and products. It was after then that the association promoted the formation of FMDQ OTC Plc. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was approved as a

Fed Govt to issue N172b in T-Bills

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HE Federal Government plans to sell N172.05 billion ($1.07 billion) worth of treasury bills with maturities of three months to one year at its regular auction on August 7, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

The bank said it will issue N22.05 billion in 91-day bills, N60 billion in 182-day paper and N90 billion in the

Stories by Collins Nweze

self- regulatory organisation (SRO) meant to organise and provide oversight on the Over-The-Counter (OTC) Market in the Nigerian capital market in November 2012.

FMDQ OTC will organise the OTC market and standardise the operations, practice and business conduct of its members and their representatives with a view to protecting investors and the public interest. The immediate focus in the Nigeria interbank markets are money, repo, foreign exchange, treasury bills and bonds.

The establishment of FMDQ OTC according to the statement, will address governance structure and single operating platform, aggregating pre-trade and post-trade data to promote transparency. It will also promote international best practices (including Straight-Through-Processing (STP)) in clearing and settlement arrangements for OTC products.

Aig-Imoukhuede, said the initiative will add considerable value to the Nigerian financial markets by fo-

CBN appoints COTECNA, others to assess imported goods

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has appointed four international accredited firms to assess products being imported into the country under the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programme (SONCAP).

In a statement, CBN Director, Trade & Exchange, Batari Musa named the firms as China Certification & Inspection Company; COTECNA Inspection Nigeria; Swede Control Intertek International and Societe Generale du Surveillance.

He said only products certificates issued by the approved international accredited firms shall be accepted for approval of Form ‘M’ by banks for SONCAP regulated products.

He said the firms have been ap-

•Aig-Imoukhuede

cusing on areas including enhancing market integrity, market liquidity risk and improving systemic risk management. Value is also expected to be added to risk management products for fund managers, pension managers, corporate treasurers and international partcipants in the OTC market. FMDQ will also raise awareness of opportunities in the Nigerian market.

Fitch: Banks’ earnings to decline

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EPOSIT Money Banks in the country will see profitability decline because of tougher regulations and higher funding costs, Fitch Ratings has said.

The firm told Bloomberg that it expects new limits on bank charges to be imposed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to reduce what have been highly profitable fees and commissions, particularly for those with large retail franchises. “Monetary

policy continues to be tight with the central bank last week raising the cash reserve requirement on public sector deposits,” it said.

The apex bank had introduced a 50 per cent cash reserve requirement on public sector funds on July 23 after warning of the risk of excess liquidity in the banking system. The regulation, which applies to about N1.3 trillion of deposits, could result in N500 billion of liquidity being

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

F

IDELITY Bank Plc has announced a profit before tax (PBT) of N11.2 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2013. In a statement, the bank said the figure represents 13.3 per cent growth from N9.88 billion recorded in June 30, 2012.

It said gross earnings increased by 17.4 per cent to N62.90 billion from N53.58 billion recorded in the half year of 2012. Net Interest Income however, dropped by 7.1 per cent to N18.74 bil-

withdrawn, Fitch said.

Lower Treasury bill yields this year may weaken interest income, said Fitch. An increase in the annual levy paid by banks to fund the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), which the government set up in 2010 to buy lenders’ bad debts, may boots cost-to-income ratios, the ratings company said. The charge was raised to 0.5 per cent of bank assets, from 0.3 per cent.

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Offered ($) 350m 350m 350m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 31-07-13

SYMBOL STANBIC REDSTAREX CUTIX FIDSON IPWA ABCTRANS MAYBAKER IKEJAHOTEL HONYFLOUR FO

O/PRICE 17.13 4.45 1.83 2.04 1.24 0.90 2.70 0.88 3.09 42.00

C/PRICE 18.84 4.85 2.01 2.24 1.34 0.97 2.89 0.93 3.26 43.95

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

CHANGE 1.71 0.44 0.18 0.20 0.10 0.07 0.19 0.05 0.17 1.95

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

CUV Start %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

VONO COURTVILLE ROYALEX UTC CORNERST ASHAKACEM STERLNBANK TRANSCORP NEIMETH ETERNA

O/PRICE 1.26 0.75 0.55 0.85 0.53 26.20 2.74 1.37 1.52 3.19

C/PRICE 1.14 0.68 0.51 0.80 0.50 25.50 2.70 1.35 1.50 3.15

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

CHANGE 0.12 0.07 0.04 0.05 0.03 0.70 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.04

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m 113m

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 31-07-13

SYMBOL

lion while Non-interest Income grew by 28.1 per cent to N17.09 billion from N13.34 billion during the period.

Operating expenses inched up by 2.3 per cent to N23.72 billion from N23.18 billion recorded in June 30, 2012 despite the additional impact from increase in Industry Resolution Cost to 0.5 per cent from 0.3 per cent of total assets in 2012.

Nonetheless, the lender’s cost to income ratio dropped from 69.2 per cent in June 2012 to 66.2 per cent in June 2013.

DATA BANK

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

pointed to carry out inspection, test and certify regulated products on behalf of Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) offshore.

He said the international accreditation firms shall be responsible for the issuance of product certificates to overseas manufacturers, suppliers, traders and the document, shall be a requirement for the registration of Form ‘M’ for SONCAP regulated products.

However, food products, drugs, medicals other than equipment and machines, chemicals used as raw materials by bonafide manufacturers among others are excluded. He said henceforth, SON will be responsible for the issuance of SONCAP certificates on arrival of goods at the ports as part of documentation of Customs’ clearance.

Fidelity Bank records N11.2b half-year profit

FGN BONDS Tenor

one-year note, using the Dutch auction system.

Yields on short dated debt according to have edged higher in the secondary market since last week, when the CBN hiked the cash reserve requirement for public sector deposits to 50 per cent, from 12 per cent previously, in a bid to support the naira.

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE 140.65 140.16 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 158.75 158.54 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 0.78 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.16 1.16 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.17 1.18 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,837.37 1,835.83 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 14.73 14.01 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 1.80 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 11.386.29 11,045.54 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

56

NEWS Three teachers abducted

Death penalty for kidnappers From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

T

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

THREE primary school teachers have been kidnapped by suspected gunmen in Edo State.

Mrs. Patience Osadolor, Ms. Momodu Aisha and Mrs. Patience Oroghene were abducted from the Orogbua Primary School at Upper Ekewan.

Sources said the gunmen stormed the school and started shooting sporadically.

A parent, who was visiting , was said to have been hit by a stray bullet.

The sources said the hoodlums took their victims away in one of the cars belonging to one of the victims.

PUBLIC NOTICE

LAWAL I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Mojisola Rukayat Lawal now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Mojisola Rukayat Mogaji. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADEKANBI I formerly known and addressed as Kudirat Adeola Adekanbi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Kudirat Adeola Adekanbi-Ojuolape. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OYEDEYI I, known and addressed as Oladipupo Oyebola Oyedeyi is the same person as John Oyebola Oyedeyi, now want to be known as Oladipupo Oyebola Oyedeyi. Gen-

•The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (middle), with Anambra State Governor Peter Obi (left) and the Managing Director, SABMiller, Africa, Mark Bowman at a meeting in the Minister’s office.

FAAN’s MD apologises to Oshiomhole

T

HE Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has apologised to the Edo State Government and air travellers for the closure of the Benin Airport on Tuesday.

The Managing Director, George Uriesi, led other management staff, including Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Kolawole Adefomiwa, Deputy General Manager, Adeboye Festus, Chief Security Officer and Ayodele Sunday, Airport manager to

PUBLIC NOTICE THIS IS TO INFORM THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOST OF THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY (CUSTOMARY) IN FAVOUR OF PLOT 5, CADASTRAL ZONE 04 – 08 SITUATED WITHIN LELEYE FARM LAND LAYOUT, KWALI AREA COUNCIL , ABUJA F.C.T. NO. FCT/KWAC/RLAC/MISC/1815 DATED 9TH OCTOBER, 2003. FILE NO. MISC 1814 FCA. THATALLEFFORT MADE TO TRACE THE SAID DOCUMENT PROVED ABORTIVE. IF FOUND PLEASE RETURN TO THE NEAREST POLICE STATION.

PUBLIC NOTICE GLORY OF JESUS CHRIST POWER DELIVERANCE MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named Ministry has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja for registration under Part C of the Company and Allied Matters Act 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. EVANGELIST IJEOMA IWUANUROU 2. ELDER OKECHUKWU IWUANUROU 3. MR. VICTOR IWUANUROU AIMS AND OBJECTIVES : 1. To preach the gospel.

2. To Render Humanitarian services Any objection to this publication should be forwarded to the Registrar General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris Crescent, Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: EVANGELIST IJEOMA IWUANUROU.

•Federal agencies owe us N2b, says Edo Govt From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia and Osagie Otabor, Benin

Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday.

Uriesi said: “We deeply regret the events of Tuesday and we will like to find out how we can prevent a recurrence.

“It is neither in the interest of FAAN nor the Edo State Government for the airport to be closed.

“I want to assure Your Excellency that FAAN is a good corporate citizen. I am convinced that there was a misunderstanding and I want to get to the bottom of this so that it does not happen again.

“If we have any obligations, we will meet them, and I hope that in the future if there are issues of misunderstanding, we will be able to talk about them quickly without inconveniencing the public.

“Sir, we are here to reassure you of our desire to be good corporate citizen and partner with the government.”

Oshiomhole noted that tax law is a federal law, which the state is trying to implement.

Arik, Overland resume flights to Benin Airport From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

LOCAL airline operators, except for Arik and Overland, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, yesterday restricted flight operations to the Benin airport.

This followed the closure of the administrative offices of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) by the Edo State Internal Revenue Services.

Overland Airline began operation to the airport at 10am.

Arik delayed its flight for one hour, resuming by 2pm.

Aero, Associated Aviation Plc, Medview Airline, IRS and Dana were yet to fly.

He noted that FAAN didnot pay the Pay As You Earn (PAYE), which even the president and governors pay.

The governor said the State Board of Internal Revenue got a court order to seal off the FAAN Manager’s office, but that the manager decided to seal off the airport to gain public sympathy.

He insisted that anybody who works and lives in Edo State must pay tax.

The governor said to prevent a recurrence, FAAN must comply with the law.

The Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Services, Oseni Elamah, said Federal Government ministries, de-

partments and agencies owed the state over N2billion.

Of the amount, he said the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) owed N680million. The balance is owed by 33 agencies.

The chairman said the taxes were for 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

He said there were other agencies whose records they were yet to obtain.

Elamah said the agencies failed to file returns to enable the board compute the taxes.

The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) was sealed off over N2.5million unremitted tax.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

school at the age of two.

“Nine per cent of the teachers have proper records. Ninety-one per cent have various deficiencies in their records.

One thousand, three hundred and seventy nine representing 11.5 per cent claimed to have obtained primary school certificates after they were employed.

“Some got their certificates in the schools where they have been teaching for the past 15 years. Others got their certificates two years ago.

“That was why we were worried when the Ministry of Education was gutted by fire.”

The governor promised that no teacher would be sacked or retired and said the problem was a system failure.

He promised to invite the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for a meeting.

Dead, retired teachers collect salaries in Edo

S

HOCKING facts emerged yesterday on why the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) was dissolved and former Commissioner for Education Ekpenisi Omorotiomwan was sacked.

It was discovered that dead, retired, sacked or absent teachers were still “collecting” salaries.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole said this at an education summit in the state, said he discovered that the wage bill for teachers was static.

He said the money for the salaries of retired teachers and those who died was not accounted for.

Oshiomhole, who caused an uproar in the hall when he announced that teachers were paid higher than their counterparts in the civil service, threatened to publish the

figures.

The governor said there were serious challenges in the primary education sector.

He blamed the abuse of the education process on officials of SUBEB and the Ministry of Education.

Oshiomhole said the reforms in the education sector unearthed many rot, including the discovery that many teachers lacked the basic educational requisites.

The governor said the recent verification carried out on primary school teachers showed that some teachers completed their primary education before they were born.

He said: “Many of my comrades (teachers) completed primary education at the ages of seven, eight and nine.

This means they started

HE Edo State House of Assembly has prescribed death penalty for kidnappers.

This followed the passage and amendment to the law to prohibit kidnapping.

The bill generated arguments among lawmakers. Friday Ogieriakhi (Orhionmwon II) said the death penalty was capable of inciting kidnappers to kill their victims.

This view was, however, opposed by some lawmakers who voted in favour of death penalty in the amendment, which further strengthened other sections of the law, including Section 4.

Section 4 states that any person who attempts to commit kidnapping is liable upon conviction to life imprisonment.

Section 5 of the amended bill, which relates to the involvement of corporate bodies and individuals aiding or abetting abduction, states that in the case of individual(s), each of them shall upon conviction be sentenced to death while in the case of corporate body, forfeiture of all assets or property to the state.

Sections 7, 8 and 9 of the principal law were amended to reflect death penalty.

Akpabio swears in new SSG •Praises Umana From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

A

KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio yesterday swore in new the Secretary to the State Government, Udom Emmanuel.

Emmanuel, who is from Onna Local Government Area in Eket Senatorial District, is to take over from Umana Umana, who hails from Nsit Ubium in Uyo Senatorial District.

Speaking at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo, the state capital, the governor described the Umana as a competent leader and a man of uncommon competence.

According to Akpabio, “Umana is not only my brother but a true friend.

“Right from his days as a civil servant, Umana had made significant achievements in every position he held until when he was appointed a Permanent Secretary.

“He also made significant contributions in the administration of the former Governor Obong Victor Attah.”

Umana, who was present at the swearing-in of his successor, was seated next to the Deputy Governor Lady Valarie Ebe. After Akpabio’s glowing tribute to Umana, the audience applauded him.

After the swearing-in, the governor invited Umana and his successor for a group photograph, after which the trio made small talks.

Akpabio had on Tuesday visited Umana in his Ewet Housing Estate residence shortly on arrival at the Ibom International Airport from Lagos.

They both went into a closed-doors meeting for one hour.

What the duo discussed at the meeting was not clear. They did not inform reporters.

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 1, 2013

57

NEWS

'Why Lagos moved the destitute'

A

S criticisms have continued to trail the alleged deportation of some South Easterners to Onitsha by the Lagos State Government, an Igbo leader, Joe Igbokwe, yesterday said the action was strictly a security matter.

He stated that those taken to Onitsha were destitute picked along the roads and under bridges.

Igbokwe, who is the Action Congress of Nigeria's (ACN) Lagos spokesman, said the destitute were moved to reunite with their families following requests from the affected persons.

He noted that those sent to Onitsha were not the first, adding "Lagos has said it would not accept a situation where people enter buses from Sokoto, Ibadan, Onitsha or Aba to come and beg and in the night, sleep under bridges

By Precious Igbonwelundu

and road sides, thereby constituting danger to themselves and the society.

"Some women among them have been sexually abused; some of them have been recruited into armed robbery and other gangs; some used for rituals or killed and dumped.

"Most of them were picked up mentally retarded, terribly abused, sexually dehumanised, hungry...What Lagos did was take them to rehabilitation centres until they were strong enough to talk and give account of themselves.

"Some of them after recovery decided to engage themselves by joining skills acquisition centres in the state, while others decided to join their families in their states of origin.

"After interrogations, those willing to go were taken to a central place close to their towns to find their way. They were provided with logistics for that even though they may not admit it just to get sympathy and attention.

"The so-called Onitsha deportation is not the first time this has been done. Lagos. Has taken destitutes to Oyo, Osun and some states in the North in the past. It has also gone to Akwa Ibom to pick up its destitutes," Igbokwe said.

He said a letter was sent to Anambra Governor, Peter Obi before the destitutes were moved to Onitsha but the governor did not reply.

Igbokwe said: "Lagos does not deport people. It is the home of all Nigerians but frowns at people who come to Lagos to become a threat to security of lives and property.

It borders on security.

"Politics of 2015 is fast approaching. I know that ethnic chance takers, political opportunists and the rudderless opposition in the state have been taking advantage of the so-called Onitsha deportation to score cheap points.

"I have been in Lagos since 1986 and I know the situation here. I work for Lagos in various capacities. Ben Akabueze has been working for Lagos as Commissioner for Budget and Planning for years now.

"There are countless of Igbos working in various agencies and local governments. I know the strength of my people here. I know that they have made great successes here more than what they have in the whole of the South East.

Let us not play politics with this matter. Let us show understanding."

President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and the First Lady, Dame Patience, when the governor came to commiserate with the family on the death of Mrs. Jonathan’s mother.

F

Ex-minister dumps PDP

F

ORMER Minister of State for Water Transport and erstwhile chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) John Okechukwu Emeka has joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

With this, he joins other aspirants like Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and Oseluka Obaze to slug it out for the party's ticket.

Emeka is from Anam in Anambra North Senatorial district. He won the senatorial seat in 2011 and defended his mandate through the tribunal only to be edged out under controversial circumstances in a pre-

•Wants to consolidate on Obi's achievements •‘Anambra zoning formula not in constitution’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

in a quest to transform Anambra State and Nigeria.

"It is true that I have resigned my membership of the PDP and right now, I am a fully registered member of APGA." Soludo's resignation letter to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, dated July 17, was made available to reporters yesterday.

The letter reads: "This is to convey my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with

effect from today.

"Let me use this opportunity to thank the party for the opportunity given to me to serve in some capacity.

"This resignation is without prejudice to the possibility of future collaboration with the party in any areas of common interest designed to advance the course of nation-building."

Speaking at his registration, Soludo said: "It has been a long process of consultations which dated back to January 2.

"There is an overwhelming demand by the people for me to remain engaged in the po-

litical process and after all the consultations; I came to the conclusion that there was need for that "Also, there is a peculiar demand from the people for me to run for governor in November to build on what Governor Peter Obi has done.

"We need continuity and consolidation on what Obi and his predecessors had done in the state, so APGA is a party that is a mass movement; it lives in the consciousness of the people.

"I am not joining APGA simply as a vehicle to contest the election; I am joining

election matter.

The former minister said he would remain in APGA and help the party win the November 16 governorship election because the party and Governor Peter Obi have demonstrated fairness and a good sense of leadership.

He condemned the deplorable conditions of infrastructure in the state before the advent of the APGA government and said that through dedicated leadership and prudent management of resources, Obi has transformed most parts of the state.

Doctors, couple arrested for 'child trafficking'

T

HE police in Imo State yesterday paraded two women doctors, Dr. Sandra Odimega, Dr. Azuka Odike and a couple, Sunday and Sarah Okorie, for their alleged involvement in child trafficking.

Odimega was arrested at Favour Hospital and Maternity, Awo-Omama in Oru East Local Government Area while Odike was picked up at Angels and Mercy Hospital at No.19 Ajiwe Street, Aba, Abia State.

Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, police spokesman Elvis Abanga said they were arrested last month after a tipoff.

He said the parents of the baby boy, Odimega and the suspected buyer, Ebere Ngozi Gloria, who lives in Onitsha, Anambra State, were arrested.

Abanga said: "The doctor took custody of the baby’s mother when she was pregnant and immediately the child was born, the father conspired with her to sell the baby for

Soludo: why I dumped PDP for APGA

ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday said he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) so he can be politically relevant.

According to him, the people blamed him for losing the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State.

Soludo spoke at his home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, when he was registered by Isuofia Ward Chairman of APGA Okeke Anthony and issued an APGA card.

He said: "Anambra remains an APGA land and therefore, I decided to join my people

By Oluwakemi Duada

APGA because I agree with its trust, objective and driving force. " APGA is a big discovery.

Being in APGA is a home coming for me and I have come into it out of the conviction that most of the people in the Southeast are APGA members at heart.

He told reporters that he was not aware of any zoning and rotation formula in the APGA constitution.

"This is a democracy, it is the people who will make the decision.

“I understand our governor's point and argument concerning the people of a section but again, this is a democracy and only the people will say what they want."

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

N500,000.

"The doctor immediately engaged Ogechi Ahanna who contacted prospective buyers and when eventually the baby was sold, the parents were given N300,000."

In a related development, the police also arrested Pastor Emmanuel Onu from Ezinihitte Local Government, who allegedly impregnated Nkeiru Chukwuemeka and conspired to sell the baby when it was born.

Abanga said Onu reportedly took the pregnant girl, who he promised to marry, to Odika at her hospital in Abia State.

When the baby was born, the doctor and the pastor allegedly sold the baby to an unknown person.

He said: "The mother was told by the doctor and the nurses that her child died after delivery.

“She was not allowed to see the body."

But Odika said she sold the baby on Onu's orders, adding that she was not part of the deal to sell the baby.

Community hails Obi

By Joseph Jibueze

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has awarded a contract worth N636.5 million for the construction of the 4.4 kilometre Abube Agu Village Square/ Nando-Afor Igbariam Road, to be completed in 28 weeks.

Information, Culture and Tourism Commissioner Joe Martin Uzodike said the road is among projects for which N5.5 billion was set aside - all expected to be completed within the lifespan of the Obi's administration.

A community development association, the Abube Development Union (ADU), Lagos Branch, in a statement by its President, Joseph Nzekwe, praised Obi for the contract award, saying the road had been neglected by successive administrations.

It urged Obi to ensure that the project is not abandoned as the people had suffered untold hardship due to the deplorable state of the road.

•Obi

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 1, 2013

57

NEWS

Doctors, couple arrested for 'child trafficking'

T

HE police in Imo State yesterday paraded two women doctors, Dr. Sandra Odimega, Dr. Azuka Odike and a couple, Sunday and Sarah Okorie, for their alleged involvement in child trafficking.

Odimega was arrested at Favour Hospital and Maternity, Awo-Omama in Oru East Local Government Area while Odike was picked up at Angels and Mercy Hospital at No.19 Ajiwe Street, Aba, Abia State.

Parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capi-

•Police rescue four-month-old baby

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

tal, police spokesman Elvis Abanga said they were arrested last month after a tipoff.

He said the parents of the baby boy, Odimega and the suspected buyer, Ebere Ngozi Gloria, who lives in Onitsha, Anambra State, were arrested.

Abanga said: "The doctor took custody of the baby’s mother when she was pregnant and immediately the child was born, the father conspired with her to sell the

baby for N500,000.

"The doctor immediately engaged Ogechi Ahanna who contacted prospective buyers and when eventually the baby was sold, the parents were given N300,000."

In a related development, the police also arrested Pastor Emmanuel Onu from Ezinihitte Local Government, who allegedly impregnated Nkeiru Chukwuemeka and conspired to sell the baby when it was born.

Abanga said Onu report-

edly took the pregnant girl, who he promised to marry, to Odika at her hospital in Abia State.

When the baby was born, the doctor and the pastor allegedly sold the baby to an unknown person.

He said: "The mother was told by the doctor and the nurses that her child died after delivery.

“She was not allowed to see the body."

But Odika said she sold the baby on Onu's orders, adding that she was not part of the deal to sell the baby.

F

ORMER Minister of State for Water Transport and erstwhile chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) John Okechukwu Emeka has joined the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

With this, he joins other aspirants like Prof Chukwuma Soludo, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and Oseluka Obaze to slug it out for the party's ticket.

Emeka is from Anam in Anambra North Senatorial district. He won the senatorial seat in 2011 and defended his mandate through the tribunal only to be edged out under controversial circumstances in a pre-

T

President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Abia State Governor Theodore Orji and the First Lady, Dame Patience, when the governor came to commiserate with the family on the death of Mrs. Jonathan’s mother.

F

Ex-minister dumps PDP

•Wants to consolidate on Obi's achievements •‘Anambra zoning formula not in constitution’ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

in a quest to transform Anambra State and Nigeria.

"It is true that I have resigned my membership of the PDP and right now, I am a fully registered member of APGA." Soludo's resignation letter to the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, dated July 17, was made available to reporters yesterday.

The letter reads: "This is to convey my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with

effect from today.

"Let me use this opportunity to thank the party for the opportunity given to me to serve in some capacity.

"This resignation is without prejudice to the possibility of future collaboration with the party in any areas of common interest designed to advance the course of nation-building."

Speaking at his registration, Soludo said: "It has been a long process of consultations which dated back to January 2.

"There is an overwhelming demand by the people for me to remain engaged in the po-

litical process and after all the consultations; I came to the conclusion that there was need for that "Also, there is a peculiar demand from the people for me to run for governor in November to build on what Governor Peter Obi has done.

"We need continuity and consolidation on what Obi and his predecessors had done in the state, so APGA is a party that is a mass movement; it lives in the consciousness of the people.

"I am not joining APGA simply as a vehicle to contest the election; I am joining

election matter.

The former minister said he would remain in APGA and help the party win the November 16 governorship election because the party and Governor Peter Obi have demonstrated fairness and a good sense of leadership.

He condemned the deplorable conditions of infrastructure in the state before the advent of the APGA government and said that through dedicated leadership and prudent management of resources, Obi has transformed most parts of the state.

Petrol station closed over kerosene explosion

HE Ebonyi State Government has closed an Abakaliki petrol station belonging to Masters Energy Oil and Gas Ltd, which was accused of selling adulterated kerosene products.

An explosion killed a 13year-old girl, Chidera Nwoba, at Mbukobe. Two othersChibueze Ugorji(eight) and Uche Kalueze (six)- suffered first degree burns.

Special Adviser to Governor Martin Elechi on Petroleum Product Pricing and Distribution Chidi Ejem said the station, located on the Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway, was closed because its product did not meet the required standard for public use.

He said the station would remain closed until the families of the victims are compensated and the station meets the conditions on pe-

Soludo: why I dumped PDP for APGA

ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday said he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) so he can be politically relevant.

According to him, the people blamed him for losing the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State.

Soludo spoke at his home in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, when he was registered by Isuofia Ward Chairman of APGA Okeke Anthony and issued an APGA card.

He said: "Anambra remains an APGA land and therefore, I decided to join my people

By Oluwakemi Duada

APGA because I agree with its trust, objective and driving force. " APGA is a big discovery.

Being in APGA is a home coming for me and I have come into it out of the conviction that most of the people in the Southeast are APGA members at heart.

He told reporters that he was not aware of any zoning and rotation formula in the APGA constitution.

"This is a democracy, it is the people who will make the decision.

“I understand our governor's point and argument concerning the people of a section but again, this is a democracy and only the people will say what they want."

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

troleum product distribution.

"After the explosions, we got a sample of the product from the station. When it was tested at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) depot laboratory, the depot manager confirmed to me that the product was contaminated; or rather, I will say that the product did not meet the required specification.

"It was flashing at room temperature, which does not meet NNPC specification and can explode.

"That's why the station is still under lock and key. I have written my report to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) and they have their own action to take.”

Community hails Obi

By Joseph Jibueze

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has awarded a contract worth N636.5 million for the construction of the 4.4 kilometre Abube Agu Village Square/ Nando-Afor Igbariam Road, to be completed in 28 weeks.

Information, Culture and Tourism Commissioner Joe Martin Uzodike said the road is among projects for which N5.5 billion was set aside - all expected to be completed within the lifespan of the Obi's administration.

A community development association, the Abube Development Union (ADU), Lagos Branch, in a statement by its President, Joseph Nzekwe, praised Obi for the contract award, saying the road had been neglected by successive administrations.

It urged Obi to ensure that the project is not abandoned as the people had suffered untold hardship due to the deplorable state of the road.

•Obi

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

‘Why I love stealing Toyota cars’

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43-YEAR-OLD suspected serial car thief, Alhaji Lukman Bello, who was arrested by police operatives in Lagos, has confessed his love for Toyota brands.

“There are ready buyers for Toyota brands; it won’t take you much time to dispose of them. In fact, buyers demand them,” he said.

Bello had been on the police “wanted list” since 2007.

Luck ran out against him last week, following a tip-off by some of his victims. He was arrested by operatives attached to the Pedro Police Station in Somolu, a Lagos suburb. Police sources said Bello stole mostly from car shops.

The police, it was learnt, also recovered seven fairlyused (tokunbo) vehicles - five Toyota Camry cars, one Toyota Corolla and a Nissan bus from him.

But why did he embrace car theft? Bello explained: “I have two wives with four children.

I used to repair refrigerators, but what I was getting was not

‘There are ready buyers for Toyota brands; it won’t take you much time to dispose of them. In fact, buyers demand them’

By Jude Isiguzo, Police Affairs Correspondent

enough to train my children.

I have lost count of the number of cars I stole. Also, I was duped and left with nothing; so, I had to survive.”

“Also, I went into car stealing when I realised how careless car sellers were. I used to go to spots where cars were kept between 8 and 10pm with a master key. I also used juju (charm). I have been do-

ing it since 2007 and I always moved with a jerry can of fuel; so, I needed not stop at any filling station.”

A police source said: “Policemen from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji-Adele in Lagos have been looking for him. Luck ran out on him when two of his victims reported to the Pedro Police Station and we traced the car to Port Harcourt, where we arrested his major buyer, one Oke John Wordi.

“We recovered four stolen cars from Wordi, who said he got them from Alhaji Lukman Bello. We arrested Bello and recovered Toyota Camry cars and a Nissan Vanette bus from his house in Ikotun, a Lagos suburb.

He told us he sold the Corolla cars in Lagos.”

The suspect has been charged to the Yaba Magistrate’s Court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, forgery and theft.

Seven die as tanker somersaults

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EVEN persons were killed yesterday while a diesel-laden tanker lost control at Ogolonto bus stop near Ikorodu, on the outskirts of Lagos, and ran unto a container shop.

The Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Rasak

By Uyoatta Eshiet

Fadipe told The Nation that the bodies removed from the scene at 7.10 pm yesterday.

Fadipe said the truck, which belongs to Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, was marked KTU 568

XD. Fadipe said: “We got a crane to lift the diesel-laden truck to ensure it does not result in fire that could precipitate more disaster. We have gone round to advise residents around the area to stop cooking because the result will be disastrous”.

Protest against tricycle ban Paul Oluwakoya

•Fashola

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OME human rights activists yesterday protested against the recent ban on commercial tricycles in some parts of Lagos State.

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They urged the government to rescind the decision.

A law passed by the House of Assembly and signed by Governor Babatunde Fashola banned motorcycles and tricycles on some major roads.

Comrade Declan Ihekaire, National Coordinator, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, who led the protest, said: “The ban was unnecessary, considering the suffering of millions of Lagos residents, who depended on tricycles

for transportation.”

Ihekaire, who spoke with reporters during the protest debunked government’s claim that tricycles constitute nuisance, are accidentprone and are being used to rob. He said: “Let them give us one single example where tricycles had been used to rob. Lagos State cannot be more of a mega city than India, China and Korea, where tricycle is being used as a means of transportation.

Government must always consider the masses in its policies.”

Man arraigned for ‘stealing’ bus

28-YEAR-OLD man, Ademola Daramola, has been arraigned before the Abule Egba Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing a bus valued at N700, 000.

The vehicle belongs to Okolo Robinson.

Prosecuting Inspector Rachael Williams said Okolo had given the bus to one Victor Abang, the complainant, who recruited Ademola as “conductor” with whom he had worked for six years.

According to Williams, the complainant parked the Vanagon bus at Oja Oba in Agege, a Lagos suburb, and asked the defendant to wait for him as he went to ease himself.

“When he returned, he could not find both the “conductor” and the bus. So, he began to search for the conductor.”

By Evelyn Ezidimma

The defendant who pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of stealing brought against him under Section 285 (10) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos 2011, said he sold the gear box of the Vanagon bus for N20, 000.

He told the court that he called the driver and asked for forgiveness, adding: “It was not the first time I would steal. I stole a kick starter from a Vanagon bus in 2006. I was arrested and charged before an Ikorodu Magistrate’s Court, where I was granted bail.

I am begging this court to have mercy on me.”

Magistrate T. Akanni adjourned the matter till August 19.

Council trains workers on leadership

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HE Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State has organised a two-day leadership workshop. Held at the council’s secretariat, it was tagged: ‘Leadership Skill for Local Government Administrative and Executive Officers’.

The workshop, which was opened by the council’s chairman, Hon. Jide Jimoh, was aimed at sharpening the leadership effectiveness and self-confidence of workers.

He said: ”Our staff should exhibit confidence and honesty in everything they do. They must have the confidence to manage people, show them the right path, and be more dedicated to work for the betterment of the others and the

By Emmanuel Udodinma

organisation.”

“What is important for every worker is that he must be diligent and committed to his responsibility. Even, if the boss is not around, the work of the local government must not stop. There must be someone who is trustworthy with confidence to do the job for him”.

He stressed that the workshop would also provide an excellent opportunity for participants to exchange ideas on how to fashion out enduring strategies that enable local government perform its responsibility of making life worth living for the people at the grassroots level.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

59

NEWS Why INEC registered APC

Buhari, Tinubu, ANPP: new dawn as INEC okays APC Continued from page 2

“He congratulated all the leaders of the defunct ACN, CPC and ANPP including their governors and legislators, for their tenacity, understanding and perseverance during the process. It is a new dawn in the Nigerian political engineering and a new baby is born” Tinubu congratulated Nigerians and INEC Chairman Prof.

Attahiru Jega, saying “with the registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the momentum for change has gained in acceleration as this merger is ready to set Nigeria on an irreversible cause of change and people-oriented development”.

The former Lagos State governor recalled the tortuous journey to the registration and urged Jega to go the whole hog by ensuring a proper election with the use of biometrics.

The AC N, in what was its last statement, titled “A new party is born! Congratulations Nigeria” by its National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said: “With the birth of APC, Nigerians now have an alternative to a ruling party that has taken the people for a bad ride in the past 14 years.”

It described APC registration as “victory for Nigeria and for democracy”, adding that “it has now also propelled the country to the league of top democratic nations with two major political parties.”

The AC N said: ‘’The journey has been long and tortuous. All sorts of obstacles were thrown into our path by anti-democratic forces, but we were painstaking, determined and unrelenting in our quest for a formidable platform that will allow our

country, Nigeria to achieve her full potentials and join the league of respectable nations.”

Mohammed, who is the interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC added: ‘’With the approval of our merger by INEC and the emergence of APC, today marks the beginning of a new dawn for our country and her long-suffering people. We thank Nigerians both here and in the Diaspora for standing by us. We thank the media for their fairness, and we commend INEC for doing the right thing and for not succumbing to pressures from phantom political associations that sought to force it to circumvent the law. ‘’We promise not to disappoint Nigerians who have reposed much confidence in us.

We say that contrary to the lies being peddled by the naysayers, we are not seeking political power for the sake of getting it, but in order to use it to empower our people and allow their long-nursed hopes and dreams to become a reality.

And to those who have vowed to change their names if APC survives for a year, we hope they will live up to their words,’’ it said.

The APC said Nigerians would now look forward to a truly democratic party in the best traditions of what the world considers as the best form of government.

The party promised to unveil, in the days ahead, its membership registration plans to give all Nigerians, especially those who have become disenchanted with the way things are going in the country, the much-awaited opportunity to be part of the country’s democratic process in the true sense of the word.

‘’We will also be unveiling our plans to turn today’s hopelessness into a time of great opportunities, to reverse the downward slide in our socioeconomic development, and to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from the commonwealth, instead of the present situation in which a few fat cats are milking the system dry at the expense of the citizenry,’’ the APC said.

Gen. Buhari’s former party, the CPC, commended INEC for not listening to the PDP, which it alleged did not want it to register APC. Its National Publicity Secretary Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, in a statement, said: “Nigerians shall by this registration of APC be at the driver’s seat of their common destiny. They shall truly have the will to choose between good and evil; truth and mendacity; mediocrity and competence. Let all Nigerians rejoice because the course of true democracy has just been charted!

“It is APC in 2015. We must commend INEC for the professional handling of the registration process. The pressure from the PDP did not dim the far more important task of entrenching the nation’s democracy. The more arduous task lies ahead. Indeed, to dethrone impunity and enthrone decency with good governance is a task that must be done. God bless Nigeria.”

The former ANPP National Secretary, Alhaji Tijani Tunsal, said the PDP should accept its fate over the registration of APC, adding that Nigerians are yearning for change.

He said: “I think INEC has done a very credible job by going through stress from the PDP to register APC and it is victory for democracy. The

APC will win the 2015 presidential election.”

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) said the registration of APC is the death of one-party state.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Osita Okechukwu, said “CNPP rates the registration of APC as the death of one party state in Nigeria; it has taken our democracy to the next level”.

The PDP congratulated the APC and described its birth “as healthy for development of the nation’s democracy”.

The PDP, however, said the registration of the APC does not pose any threat to the ruling party, adding that the PDP still maintains its pre-eminent position and enjoys acceptance across the country.

The statement by acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke, said: “Nigerians now expect the leaders of the opposition party to eschew all forms of bitterness and desperation and desist from politics of propaganda which characterised their former parties.

“The PDP urges the APC leaders to focus on issues and engage in more robust debates on the economy and other issues of governance in the general interest of the country.

“The leadership of the PDP congratulates the leadership of the APC on the successful registration of their new party. This is very healthy for our democracy.

“We hope to see a vibrant opposition that will constructively engage the PDP on issues of governance in a way that Nigerians will be the utmost beneficiaries, instead of overheating the polity by promoting violence and hatred among the people.”

Continued from page 2

to be courageous in registering the merger party. INEC does not want to be seen as cowardly at all.

“The court hearing the application of the pseudo group had adjourned till September or October and there is no way INEC can wait till then to determine the fate of the All Progressives Congress. If we had waited, we will be violating the Electoral

Act and there will be no legal basis for registering the new merger party again.”

The commissioner also added: “The Chairman of INEC, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, and his team opted to widen the electoral space to promote a free and fair process or contest.

“I think with this decision, Nigerians can have more choice.

It is part of the mandate of INEC to make the electoral process transparent.”

The road to APC Continued from page 2

wrote to the electoral agency.

They accompanied the letters with the appropriate fees. It was at that stage that the electoral agency announced that some politicians had approached it for the registration of their political association as a party. The acronym of the strange association clashed

with the authentic APC’s. This generated a controversy. INEC later disowned the group.

A few weeks ago, the proposed party submitted the list of its interim national officers.

The claims were subjected to verification by INEC, based on the guidelines for the registration of parties. With its registration yesterday, APC became Nigeria’s second largest party.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo plans ‘Civilian JTF’

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HE leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Kano is considering floating a ‘civilian JTF’ to complement security agents for the effective policing of Sabon Gari, predominantly occupied by southerners, who were victims of Kano explosions.

President of the Kano chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Tobias Michael Idika, explained that “the option has become necessary in the light of increased activities of terrorists in the densely populated quarters”.

Idika, who said 45 people died in the Monday attacks, argued that the “option of taking up our collective security through the civilian JTF is long overdue in its effort to set an example on how best members of the non-indigenous community can best come together to com-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano and Oseheye Okwuofu , Ibadan bat terrorism.

The “Civilian JTF” were formed in Borno na dYobe States where they are helping security agencies to fish out Boko Haram members.

The Eze Ndigbo of Ibadan, Eze Alex Anozie,yesterday lamented that despite the fact that the Southeast region remains committed to the unity and progress of Nigeria, its people have always been targeted killing.

Anozie in a statement in Ibadan, in response to Monday’s Kano blast, said it is high time Nigerians stopped using Igbo blood to keep the country together.

He condemned the killing of Igbo in Kano and urged the Federal Government to take urgent actions to stop the continued “genocide against the people of the Southeast.”

FOREIGN NEWS

Egypt: Three brotherhood leaders referred to trial

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GYPTIAN prosecutors have referred three top leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, including the group’s fugitive spiritual leader, to trial for allegedly inciting the killing of protesters last month.

The decision yesterday by Cairo prosecutors is the latest move in a crackdown by authorities on the Islamist group following the July 3

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ouster of Mohammed Morsi in a military coup.

The three referred to trial are Mohammed Badie, the group’s leader who is on the run, his powerful deputy Khairat el-Shater and senior leader Rashad Bayoumi.

They are accused of inciting the killing of at least eight protesters outside the Cairo headquarters of the group.

•Syrian refugees try to enter a truck which will transport them back to their homeland at the AlZaatri refugee camp in the Jordanian city of Mafraq, near the border with Syria ... on Tuesday.

U.S. releases documents on surveillance programmes

PHOTO: REUTERS

Zimbabwe poll: Big turnout recorded

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S Congress increasingly scrutinizes United States (U.S.) surveillance programs, the government on Wednesday released declassified documents on the mass collection of telephone data in a rare glimpse into the world of intelligence gathering.

The U.S. Director of National Intelligence released three declassified documents that authorized and explained the bulk collection of telephone data, one of the surveillance programs revealed by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden.

The declassification was made in the “interest of in-

£3,000 cash bond for visa: Fed Govt says no official communication yet From Vincent Ikuomola,

•Obama

creased transparency,” the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a statement.

Much of what is contained in the documents has already been divulged in public hearings by intelligence officials as they sought to detail what was initially disclosed by Snowden.

N an election that poses one of the biggest threats to President Robert Mugabe’s 33-year grip on power, Zimbabweans flocked to polling stations yesterday despite suspicions that votecounting could be rigged in a nation beset by bitter division and economic hardship.

Bundled against the winter chill, thousands of voters stood patiently in long lines in the poor Harare township of Mbare and other areas. Observers said turnout was high, reflecting the critical stakes of a race that was relatively peaceful in contrast with violent elections in 2008.

Activists believe a big turnout is likely to favor Mugabe’s popular challenger, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,

by blunting the impact of any manipulation of voters’ rolls.

Mugabe, who barred Western observer missions, says allegations of vote-rigging amount to mudslinging by opponents.

“Things are going well at this stage of the process,” said Nikita Buturlin, an observer from the Russian Federation.

“The numbers are impressive.

If there are difficulties, they will come later.”

Some voters were wary, bringing their own pens into the voting booth after hearing rumors that the ink in stateprovided pens would disappear after several hours, enabling ballot manipulation.

Sudan signs agriculture compact

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From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

HE Republic of Sudan has signed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Compact.

This has thereby bring the number of African countries that have signed the compact to 32.

The signing ceremony was officiated by Sudanese Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Abdelhaleem Ismail Al-Mutaafi, African Union Commission (AUC) Commissioner for the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, Tumusiime Rhoda Peace and COMESA Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya.

Abuja

HE Nigerian government has again maintained that it has not been officially communicated on the proposed £3,000 cash bonds on first-time visa applicants to the United Kingdom.

Media reports in Nigeria Tuesday, indicated that the UK Government will begin to implement from November, 2013, the 3,000 Pounds Sterling ‘’cash bond’’ for first-time visa applicants from Nigeria, and five other Commonwealth countries.

The other countries are India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Insecurity: U.S. puts off proposed Kano consulate From Vincent Ikuomola,

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Abuja

HE general insecurity situation in the north has continued to affect virtually every phere of the region as the United States of America has put off the planned opening of Kano consular office.

There are two consulates in Nigeria, Lagos and Abuja.

The decision to put on hold the idea was confirmed Tuesday by the US Information Officer in Abuja, Rhonda Ferguson-Augustus during a press briefing by the Chief Consular Carol Cox on student visas.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

60

NEWS

ASUU urges NUC to account for over N100b stabilisation fund for varsities T

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged relevant anti-graft agencies to probe the National Universities Commission (NUC) on how over N100 billion annual stabilisation fund for universities was spent.

The union also accused the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Julius Okogie, of being a cog in the wheel of university education and development in Nigeria.

In a statement on Tuesday in Awka, Anambra State, by ASUU’s Nsukka Zonal Coordinator, Dr Chidi Osuagwu, the union said the strike would linger, if the Federal Government remained insensitive.

The Nsukka zone of ASUU comprises Abia State University, Uturu; Anambra State University, Uli; Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki; Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

ASUU has been on strike for over a month, following the non-implementation of the five key areas in its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government. The action has paralysed academic activities at most of the nation’s universities.

The Nsukka zone of ASUU said if after the probe of the NUC by relevant agencies and somebody is found guilty of meddling with the funds, the person should be removed and punished.

The statement reads: “This strike will linger, if the Federal Government fails to honour the agreement. If it will take the Ghana experience to bring the anomalies in the university system back on track, so be it.

“We invite all Nigerians, but specifically the responsible agencies of government to bring the NUC to account for the annual stabilisation fund for Nigerian universities, estimated at over N100 billion.”

The ASUU said yesterday the Federal Government has the resources to implement the agreement reached with

SSANU: no plan to join ASUU strike From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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HE Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) yesterday said it had no plan to join the ongoing indefinite strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

SSANU Southwest Vice President Alfred Jimoh spoke at an emergency congress at the Art Theatre, Hall, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State.

He said the union was dialoguing with the Federal Government on the implementation of its allowances, adding that a strike is the last resort when dialogue fails.

Jimoh said: “We usually adopt the strike option when dialogue fails. So far, we have been talking with the government and there is an improvement, although they are yet to meet our demands.

“We were about to embark on a strike before ASUU when government looked unserious.

But ASUU is on the government’s neck now; we will not to compound their problem.

There’s no plan to join ASUU.”

ASUU to students: write post-UTME at your risk

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TRIKING Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that successful students in the various 2013 post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in government-owned universities may not be recognised, if offered admission through the exercise.

The union also described as cheap “political statement” the alleged pronouncement by Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam that the strike would be over today.

The union said the strike would only be called off when the government implements all the components in the 2009 Federal Government/ASUU agreement and the 2012 mem-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

orandum of understanding (MoU).

Speaking yesterday at the Federal University of Technology, Minna, the chapter’s ASUU Chairman, Dr. Abdulfatai Jimoh, said none of its members would be involved in the conduct the examination for the over 3,000 candidates expected to take it tomorrow and Saturday in the institution.

Jimoh, who addressed reporters on the level of compliance by his members to the strike, warned that “any student admitted through the ongoing post-UTME is on his or her own, because we will not recognise or teach such students”.

•Maku: Fed Govt committed to resolving crisis with union From Nwanosike Onu, Awka, Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the lecturers in 2009.

The union urged the government to implement the agreement without delay.

ASUU advised the government to cut down its “profligacy in many areas” to make funds available for the education sector, particularly tertiary education.

The university lecturers, on July 3, shut down academic activities in all the public universities protesting Federal Government’s unwillingness

to “implement the outstanding aspects of the 2009 agreement” it entered into with them.

The lecturers are asking for adequate funding to revitalise the universities, government’s assistance to state-owned universities, progressive increase in annual budgetary allocation to Education to 26 per cent, reinstatement of prematurely dissolved Governing Councils of universities, setting up of a Research Development Council and provision of research equipment to laboratories and classrooms in universities, among others.

ASUU’s National President Dr Nasir Isa told The Nation yesterday that the Federal Government has reneged on its promise to meet the lecturers’ demand, as contained in the 2009 pact.

He wondered why the government was shying away from its agreement.

Also, the Coordinator of Ibadan Zone of ASUU, Dr Adesola Nasir, asked well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Goodluck Jonathan government to be “serious with the funding of university education” in the interest of the children and future of the nation.

Addressing reporters yesterday on the campus of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Dr Nasir urged the government to cut down its “profligacy in many areas” so that there would be enough money to fund the nation’s education sector.

He added: “This year alone, the government has been selling crude at close to 150 per cent of budget price and collected about N500 billion in 2013 in excess of projected revenue from tax alone.

“We are convinced that if our governments cut their profligacy in many areas, they would have more than needed to adequately fund the education sector.”

The Federal Government yesterday said it was committed to a resolution of the ongoing ASUU strike.

Addressing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, said the government was worried by the lingering crisis.

He said there were social costs to the disruption of the academic calendar, adding that the government would soon resolve the matter.

My position on child marriage,

by Yerima From Dele Anofi, Abuja

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ENATOR Sani Yerima (ANPP, Zamfara) has said his position on underage marriage was misunderstood.

He said critics of his position on full age for married women were ignorant and hypocritical.

The former Zamfara State governor stressed that he had not done or said anything contrary to the provision of the 1999 Constitution.

Yerima said: “The point of contention is the definition of full age, as contained in Sub-section 4 (b), as any married woman, and not Sub-section 4(a), which is specific about age: at 18 years and above.

“In Islamic law, a married woman is of full age because the two sources of Islamic law say full age is defined as a woman that is married.

Though people talk about it as child marriage, which is not, it is about the definition of marriage.

“There are several European countries that have similar law: Spain has 13 years; it is 14 years in Italy; in the United Kingdom (UK), it is 16 years. In Egypt, it was 18, but they have lowered it because they are now using the Sharia, where age is not a determining factor for marriage.”

‘We went to court to strengthen PDP’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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•From left: Mr Nnamdi Ebo, author of There Was a Time; Chairman of the event and lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Prof Charles Ilegbune (SAN) and Mr Dino Melaye, the chief launcher and Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network, at the public presentation of the book in Abuja.

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Fed Govt approves N2.99b for Calabar–Katsina Ala road

HE Federal Government yesterday approved additional N2.99 billion for the rehabilitation and extension of the Calabar-Ugep-Ogoja-Katsina Ala road.

The Minister of State for Works, Bashir Yuguda, addressed State House correspondents in Abuja at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said the original cost of the project was N4.6 billion, adding that the new approval of N2.99 billion would bring the cost of the project to N7.6 billion.

The new approval, the minister said, would extend the road from Kilometre 48 to Kilometre 76.

He said the project would be completed within two years.

Yuguda said: “The Council

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

(FEC), on April 1, 2009, awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Calabar-UgepOgoja-Katsina Ala Road Section 1 (Calabar-Ugep) in Cross River State. The ZIP was embarked upon in 2009 to address the deteriorating state of the road.

“The first phase of the project was aimed at addressing the

heavily distressed sections of the road while other sections, which were not captured in the original contract scope of works, would be addressed when funds become available.

“This is to ensure that government and the public get the full benefits of the investment made on the roads in terms of improvement of the level of service.

“After deliberations, the coun-

cil ratified the President’s anticipatory approval for the augmentation of contract for the rehabilitation of Calabar-UgepOgoja-Katsina Ala Road’s Section 1 (Calabar-Ugep) in Cross River State, in favour of Messrs Piccolo Brunelli Limited for N2,999,979,575.00 to N7,613,176,725.00 only. The approval was given following a memo by the Minster of Works.”

HREE members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who recently withdrew their suit against the party’s national convention, yesterday said their action was aimed at strengthening the party.

The aggrieved members spoke in Abuja when they met with the Chairman of the PDP’s National Reconciliation Committee and Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary tyo the Governor, Mr. Daniel IworisoMarkson, quoted the litigants as saying that the party needed legal intervention to rescue it from a dangerous path.

The litigants - Mr. Bashir Maidugu, Alhaji Yahaya Sule and Abba Yale - insisted that they took the legal option when things took a dangerous turn in the party.

“We felt that only the courts could check the trend,” they said, recalling that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) also recognised that there were problems within the PDP. Maidugu, the spokesman of the group, said it took four days of frank negotiations with the Dickson Reconciliation Committee to “arrive at where we are”.

Child marriage: Cleric urges Senateto respect the law

T

HE District Superintendent of the Apostolic Faith West and Central Africa, Rev Adebayo Adeniran, has condemned the recent Senate’s Bill which plans to uphold child marriage in Nigeria.

He said the move was against the law of God, which set up the institution of marriage between a

By Nneka Nwaneri

man and a woman.

Anything against this, the cleric stressed, is child abuse and signs of the perilous times which government should rise up against.

Rev Adebayo addressed reporters yesterday on the activities lined up for this year’s annual

camp meeting of the church, which will hold from August 4 and 25 at the church’s Convention ground, Faith City, Igbesa in Ogun State.

The theme for this year’s convention is: The Fruitfulness of the Righteous.

He said: “God instituted man and woman, not man and child.

That sets the agenda for the institution because a child is totally dependent and cannot provide the kind of solution a man needs.

Anything outside God’s decree is child abuse. It’s not only that; it destroys some of the sexual characteristics of the girl child, because her womb isn’t matured enough to carry a child...”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

61

NEWS RAMADAN KAREEM

SOLAT TIME (Lagos) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– – – – –

5:20 12:52 4:13 7:04 8:16

am pm pm pm pm

– 5:02 am – 12:38 pm – 3:58 pm – 6:54 pm – 8:06 pm

A

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS

e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

T

Al- I'tikaf

HE world's greatest teacher, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), will never cease to be a teacher even in death. He recognised communication as the greatest means of fulfilling temporal desire and attaining spiritual satisfaction and thus recommended it to the Muslim Ummah. He was reported as saying: "If you want to speak with your Allah (your Lord), prostrate to Him and express all your wish and expectations in that position. And if you want Allah to speak to you, just recite the Qur'an". That is a great philosophy of communication.

As servants of Allah, there is no better way of speaking with your Master than humbling yourself in a manner that truly depicts you as a loyal servant. One of the features of Ramadan is I'tikaf which simply means voluntary seclusion. It comes up during the last ten days of the sacred month.

Its purpose is to completely abstain from all sinful acts and maximize one's spiritual upliftment. I'tikaf or self seclusion is adopted by any Muslim who wants to get closer to the Almighty Allah through the spiritual realm.

With I'tikaf, a Muslim can attain inner composure and equanimity while he is absorbed in eternal reality. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to regularly observe I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. And, after him, his wives and disciples adhered to that tradition as a means of purifying their hearts and attaining peace of minds.

I'tikaf is mostly done in the Mosque but it can also be done in a house especially by women if the house is clean and free of disturbance. While in I'tikaf the Mu'takif or recluse is expected to observe all the five daily worship (Salat) and other Nawafil (supererogatory genuflections). He is also to engage in the recitation of the Qur'an and the glorification of Allah.

He seeks forgiveness and shows gratitude to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe for all the countable and uncountable good things of life with which he has been endowed.

While in I'tikaf, one is not expected to move around beyond the vicinity of the Mosque in which he is secluded. Foods and drinks are brought to him by his wife or relations. He goes to the toilet and takes bath as necessary. But he is not to go about in vehicles during the time of I'tikaf except by necessity.

To be continued tomorrow

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:05 – 12:37 – 3:58 – 6:49 – 8:00

Ramadan 23 , 1434AH am pm pm pm pm (Source: Islamicfinder.org)

Senator presents food to Muslim women in Enugu

UK Muslims share Ramadan meals with Homeless

GROUP of the Muslim volunteers in London, United Kingdom have organised special Iftars for the homeless and people of other communities to break barriers and correct misconceptions about Islam.

“We want this Ramadan campaign to challenge some of the misconceptions people have about Islam,” Omar Talha, an alumnus of the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), told the BBC. “But it’s also about connecting with all communities on a more humanistic level.

“It’s only right that as Muslims and Londoners, we serve the wider London community in the spirit of Ramadan,” he added.

The special Iftars, held at Ramadan Tent in SOAS in Bloomsbury, Central London, were first suggested by Talha, an activist in Muslim volunteer activities across Britain.

His experience in hosting Iftar dates back to 2011 when he organised an Iftar for SOAS students.

At this iftar, participants gave out meals to the homeless in Lincoln’s Inn Fields, a large public square in Holborn, central London.

This experience spurred Talha to create a more organised campaign this year for the entirety of Ramadan, with the support of individual donors and various restaurants, such as the homeless charity St Mungo’s.

For him, these Iftars were important to remove the negative portrayals of Islam and for Muslims to understand how to contribute positively to London.

“Some residents from St Mungo’s saw our advert in their residence and came,” said Mr Talha.

“They were reluctant to say who they were at the beginning, but later said they were happy that there are still people reaching out to them,” he said.

Attending the Iftar, many non-Muslims were touched by the warmth of special Muslim traditions in Ramadan.

“The event has allowed people to access a belief and culture that may be alien to them,” David Muller, who is from Switzerland, said.

“I think more people may like to know about it and that’s why this gathering is valuable.”

Alyna Rogow, who lives in the United States, found the experience educating.

“I already knew eating dates was important,” said Rogow.

“But I’ve been learning more about the terminology of Ramadan. I’ve really liked the atmosphere here today and I’ve been talking to people about how to volunteer and donate.”

Seeing the success of their experience, Talha said he hoped the campaign would grow and have a presence in important London landmarks.

“We have a vision of having Iftar in Trafalgar Square with people from all walks of life and all communities. It would be a huge compliment to London’s diversity,” he said.

(Enugu)

(Abuja) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Nnaji

A

SENATOR representing Enugu East Senatorial District, Gilbert Nnaji has presented food items

to Muslim women in his constituency.

Presenting the items, which consist of 100 bags of rice and 100 cartons of tin tomatoes, in addition to cash at the Islamic Centre, Uwani, Nnaji said Ramadan is important not only to the Muslims but to all the Abrahamic religions.

Nnaji said he acknowledged the tediousness of the

Ramadan period, hence “I am making the presentation for the adherents in my constituency to have something to break their fasting.”

He sued for continued peaceful co-existence, saying that the peace in Enugu is due to the understanding between the Muslims and Christians.

He urged Muslims in the state to continue to be law abiding and strengthen the bond between them and the Chris-

tians.

Receiving the items on behalf of the women, the Secretary-General of Muslims in the state, Alhaji Musa Ani, thanked the senator for his gesture which he said came at the right time.

He said it was the first time a senator is extending such gesture to them and assured Nnaji of their ceaseless prayers for him.

•From left: Sheikh Shittu: Mrs Tejuoso; Mrs Beatrice Tugbobo and Alhaja Sherifat Seidu

A

Lawmaker urges peaceful co-existence

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Mushin Constituency 1, Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, has urged Muslims and Christians to live in peace to promote development in the country.

At a Ramadan prayer lecture held at the Odi Olowo/ Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Secretariat, she said Muslims should use the holy period to embrace their Christian neighbours and bury any difference that exist among them.

She said: “As a representative of the people, you have to be able to identify with those who are in your religion and those who share other beliefs.

We have to appreciate Ramadan and encourage our people to do well to those who come their way.

“This is the time to give to the less-privileged; it is a pe-

F

By Musa Odoshimokhe

riod when you have to be charitable. Even when you have lots of money and you don’t give to those who are in need, it means you are not doing what God wants. Ramadan offers such a moment and that is why I urge my Muslim brethren to show love to their Christian brethren by coming together so that we can make progress in our country.”

She stated that those who want peace must learn to share with others who don’t have.

According to her, it is only when the haves share with the haves-not that they could sleep with their eyes closed.

“Though I am a Christian, I have come to appreciate the Ramadan period, to take part in this prayer session, to pray for the development of our constituency, the state and the country.

“You should also remember that in Lagos State, there is no religious divide, there is complete harmony here. We want the country to know that when there is peace, there will be growth, development will happen and our people would be better for it.

“If you respect other peoples’ religion, it does not mean you are changing to their religion but we must know that we are all created by God and it is Him that we are worshipping,” she said.

“If you must live in peace with someone you must be tolerant and appreciate religious divides. The Christians should learn to appreciate the Muslims and vice versa,” she added.

She noted that Islam is a friendly religion which gives humanity abundant opportunities to be their brother’s keeper.

“You see they pray five times daily, if adherents of the religion could spend as much time communicating with God and seeking His divine blessing for humanity, its means it is a peaceful religion. Those who have hidden under the cover to commit unacceptable things should have a rethink,” Mrs Tejuoso warned.

The Chief Imam of Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye Alhaji, Abdul Gafar Shittu said there would be peace in the country because God would intervene in what is happening.

He thanked the lawmaker for observing the Ramadan prayer session with them and prayed God to continue to strengthen her and the formers Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, who he said is a strong pillar and supporter of Islam in the constituency.

Shun greed, cleric urges Nigerian leaders

OREMOST cleric and international preacher Sheikh Muhydeen Ajani Bello has urged Nigerian leaders to be moderate in the acquisition of wealth.

The cleric noted that the tendency to acquire wealth at the expense of the masses was the cause of the ills in the country.

He said leaders must show concern and love the poor for peace to return to the country.

Sheikh Bello spoke yesterday in AdoEkiti, at a Ramadhan Lecture, organised by the management of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (Progress FM 100.5FM).

Speaking on the topic: ’The role of religion in governance’, the lecturer explained that all religions preach love, adding that “whatever religion a leader practices, his

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

position demands that he reaches out to all and sundry equally and fairly.”

He noted that Nigerians are not enjoying good governance because of “the insincerity of its leaders towards the led.”

Quoting a Quranic verse in which Allah says: “If it pleases me (God), I would make all of you Muslims. I would have all of you just one sect. But I was the one who decreed differences”, the preacher noted that the challenges facing the country had nothing to do with differences in religion.

Commending Governor Kayode Fayemi for the developmental efforts which he said “is very noticeable everywhere in the state,” the cleric said “I advise you people (the Ekiti) not to lose this opportunity.

“Fayemi is an opportunity for you. I

urge and appeal to you to take it. I was somewhere three days ago where we were being urged to pray for some governors who were doing their jobs well.

Fayemi was one of those being mentioned,” he said.

Fayemi, represented by Alhaji Sulaiman Afolabi Ogunlayi, noted that religious tolerance and harmony has accounted for the peaceful inter-relations in the state which, according to him, was aided by the Nigeria Interreligious Council (NIREC).

According to him, the State NIREC is one of the best in the country, urging the operators to always ensure peaceful inter-faith relations.

Alhaji Musa Ayeni urged the people to be united and use the ongoing Ramadan period to pray against the current spate of killings in the country.

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

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www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES ALMAJIRIS WILL BEGIN SCHOOL BY SEPTEMBER–Jonathan

Ha..ha...ha that must be SEPTEMBER 3013

VOL.8, NO.2,564

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

L

UCK, or providence, is a major factor in politics. In a CNN interview during his recent official visit to China, President Goodluck Jonathan accepted this. He acknowledged that it is his good luck that has guided his political career in Nigeria, including his meteoric rise from obscurity to the presidency of Nigeria. A former university lecturer in Zoology at the University of Port Harcourt, he entered politics in 1999 and, in just over ten years, rose to the pinnacle of power in Nigeria.

He started his political career as the deputy governor of Bayelsa. When the governor, Alamasiegha, tripped and was impeached for fraud and money laundering, Jonathan took over from him as governor of the state. Barely two years later as governor, he was handpicked by Obasanjo and made the vice president in Yar’Adua’s PDP government.

Halfway into his administration, Yar’Adua died and was replaced, in spite of strong opposition from the Northern establishment and his limited experience in politics, as the President of Nigeria, a position that, in his wildest dreams, Jonathan could not have believed was possible. He defied the logic that politics is the art of the possible. He hardly lifted a finger before becoming president. He served out the rest of Yar’Adua’s term in office. He is in the middle of his own first term, and now wants a second term as president. He may yet get it.

But Jonathan is not the only Nigerian leader who got into high office by sheer luck. Our first Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, got into that office simply because his Party leader, the Sarduana of Sokoto, declined the invitation to go to Lagos. He was very disdainful of Southern politicians and did not want to be contaminated by the Southern ‘infidels’. Instead, he sent Balewa, one of his party deputies. In 1954, Tafawa Balewa, a former school teacher, was appointed the federal prime minister and remained in that position, for nearly 12 years, until his assassination in the bloody 1966 military coup.

His successor, General Aguiyi Ironsi, the GOC of the Nigerian Army, was a hard drinking and blundering military officer, without the slightest ambition of being Nigeria’s head of state. He had previously served as the head of the Nigerian military contingent in the Congo in 1960, and later as the military attaché in the Nigerian High Commission in London.

He was just happy to be the GOC of the Nigerian Army, a post given him as a compromise by the NPC/NCNC federal coalition government. He had not even been recommended for that position by the departing British head of the Nigerian Army, Major General Welby Everard, who, for professional reasons preferred either Brigadier Maimalari, or Brigadier Ademulegun. After the 1966 coup, power was handed over to him by the rump of the federal parliament. Within six months, he fell from power and was assassinated in a counter coup by Northern military officers, who were fiercely opposed to his plan to introduce a unitary system of government in the country.

Following that coup, power was handed over

WHO SAID WHAT

This is not just a merger. This is the first ever merger in the history of Nigeria. It represents a paradigm shift in the politics of the country. Together, we must own it’

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Element of luck in politics

•Dr. Jonathan

to then Col. Yakubu Gowon, the chief of staff, who had played no part in the July 1966, coup that ousted Aguiyi Ironsi. In fact, he had returned to Nigeria from a training course abroad a few days before the coup, and was to have been eliminated in the coup. He escaped by sheer luck and was imposed on the country by his Northern military colleagues as the new military head of state. His military superior officers, Brigadier Ogundipe, and Brigadier Adebayo, were not acceptable to the Northern officers responsible for the coup. He was only 32, unmarried, and he did not want the job. He had absolutely no experience of government and, for quite a while after taking over the government, had to be guided by the coterie of federal permanent secretaries. He fought the civil war successfully but was overthrown in 1975 by his military colleagues while attending an OAU summit in Uganda. In some ways, he regarded his ouster as a relief from a job he did not want or relish in the first place.

He was replaced by then Brigadier Murtala

‘He defied the logic that politics is the art of the possible.

He hardly lifted a finger before becoming president. He served out the rest of Yar’Adua’s term in office. He is in the middle of his own first term, and now wants a second term as president’ Mohamed who, unlike his military predecessors, had always wanted the job badly, since 1966 when he plotted the ouster of General Ironsi. He did not get there by providence, but by calculation. He had such influence among Northern military officers that it would have been difficult to stop him. But he lasted barely a year on the job before he was assassinated and his military regime overthrown in 1976.

He was succeeded as military head of state by then Brig. Obasanjo, his deputy. Obasanjo had played no part in the coup and actually went into hiding at the Victoria Island residence of late Chief S.B. Bakare, his old friend, from where Gen. Alani Akinrinade, fetched him. As a compromise between Gen. Danjuma and Gen. Yar’Adua, the ranking Northern military chiefs, Obasanjo was made the new head of state, a job that he did not want at the time. But through providence, or sheer luck, Obasanjo has been twice Nigeria’s head of state. In 1999, he was released from prison

HARDBALL

ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU

where the brutal dictator, Abacha, had sent him to a life sentence allegedly for being involved in a phantom coup plot. Had Abacha not died suddenly in 1999, Obasanjo would have been left to die in prison. But the Northern elite were looking for a Yoruba head of state after it had denied Abiola who won the 1993 presidential election. They wanted a safe Yoruba head of state and Obasanjo fitted that description. Elected in 1999, he served out his two terms as Nigeria’s head of state, another remarkable story of sheer good luck, or providence. This is a position that Chief Obafemi Awolowo struggled for during his long political career, but which he did not achieve, though he was eminently qualified for it. On several occasions, Gen. Obasanjo has publicly admitted that providence played a large role in his professional career, both as a military man and as a politician.

There are many examples in some foreign countries as well of the factor of luck in shaping the career of other politicians. Had President John Kennedy not been assassinated in 1963, Lyndon Johnson would not have become the president of the US. And had his brother, Robert Kennedy, not been assassinated in 1968, Richard Nixon would not have been elected the US president. At another level, had King Edward V111 not abdicated the throne in 1936, to marry a twice divorced American, Mrs. Simpson, and been replaced by his younger brother, King George V1, Queen Elizabeth 11 would not now be the British monarch, a position she has now held for over sixty years. Had she not been Queen, we would not now be celebrating the latest royal arrival with so much pomp and pageantry.

It was sheer luck that brought the former Labour Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, to power in 1963, when the tottering Harold Macmillan’s Conservative government was narrowly defeated by Labour in the elections.

Hugh Gaitskell, the outstanding leader of the Labour Party, was widely expected to lead the Labour Party to victory in the elections, but died shortly before the elections. He was suspected of being poisoned by the Soviets who preferred Harold Wilson as Prime Minister. Harold Wilson was once quoted as saying that a day in politics is a long time, and that as long as there is death, there is hope for every aspiring politician. On both counts, he was right.

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

NEITI: NNPC, Okonjo-Iweala splurging in our crude oil

R

EADERS of this column would conclude that Hardball has become rather morbidly obsessed with the goingson in Nigeria’s oil industry and the quick response is: wouldn’t you be if some fellows are draining your life-blood and splurging around in it? This is the picture that has emerged in recent years concerning Nigeria’s rich hydrocarbon assets: we see an image of adults engaged in ceaseless and relentless mud fights without any intention whatsoever to quit messing around and clean up the mess.

It is as if they have been in the mud so long that they have become encrusted in it.

The recent report of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI) is yet another ugly signpost. NEITI’s 2009 – 2011 oil and gas physical and process audit report turns out even more damning than the previous ones. The total sum of N273 billion ($8 billion) is at stake having not been remitted to the Federation Account. Between the petroleum ministry, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and sundry subsidiaries, this amount cannot be accounted for. Broken down further, more than 136 million barrels of crude oil estimated at $10.9 billion was lost to theft and sabotage in the period under review. Another highlight is a total payment of N3 trillion (supposedly as subsidy) to importers of refined petroleum

products.

It is always a long woe tale that Nigerians reap from her oil sector: every audit reports, whether from NEITI, National Assembly committee panels, Auditor-General’s office, or independent reports, the results have been the same, confounding sleaze, rampaging corruption, sheer brigandage and inefficiency. Speaking at a presentation ceremony (yes, they celebrate these sordid figures) of the report in Abuja last Monday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr. Andrew Yakubu, only made light of this grave national issue: “I am glad that the chairman (of NEITI), in his remark, clearly stated that there is a remarkable improvement between the past and today. So we will get there,” chimed the NNPC big man.

No sir, we will never get there; we will get nowhere with you and your ilk splurging in the muck of our oil industry and the reason, Hardball states, is that you are not working and you have no intention to work. When was the last time NNPC issued an annual report of its financials? Just last year, when the influential The Africa Reports was preparing its Top 500 African Companies, it could not get figures from NNPC. Here is the magazine’s damning comment in its February 2013 issue: “…many of the corrupt, in-

flexibly and badly managed state-owned enterprises are improving their ways. While some remain opaque – notably the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation which would arguably show as one of the largest companies in Africa but does not submit information to our researchers…”

Because we have opaque leaders running opaque governments, naturally, state-owned firms will operate under a heavy cloud of opaqueness. This is why in a continent in which NNPC operates, Algerian, Angolan, Moroccan and South African oil firms are quoted as leading the charge. SONATRACH, the Algerian oil mogul will spend $80 billion in the next four year to further grow her burgeoning oil estate. This will include four brand new refineries in four years at the cost of $14 billion. SAMIR, the Moroccan giant recently opened a new distillation unit in its existing refinery with a capacity of 4 million tonnes of refined products per year; and South Africa’s petrochemical conglomerate, SASOL is planning to build a pioneering gas-to-liquids plant in the US state of Louisiana to take advantage of the shale gas revolution. Examples of serious people doing serious work even in Africa, abound.

You see why Hardball says we will never get anywhere with people like Mr. Yakubu and his quick-fingered bosses splurging in our oil?

They can’t even give us basic annual accounts of their transactions! What a pity.

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