August 07, 2014

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MORE •Security men stop pro-Aregbesola rally • AND ON PAGE •Jega promises free, fair election on Saturday 7&65 •Governor accuses Obanikoro of planning assault

Ebola: Nigerian nurse dies Two critically down with virus Saudi man dies Death toll hits 932 From Vincent Ikuomola, Frank Ikpefan, Abuja, Kelvin Osa Okunbor, Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Wale Adepoju

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NIGERIAN female nurse who treated the late Liberian Patrick Sawyer at the First Consultant Hospital in Obalende, Lagos has died of the Ebola virus.

This is the first death of a Nigerian from the disease after the Liberian’s death on July 25.

Two other Nigerians among the five who are down with the virus are in critical condition.

The Liberian-American, who travelled to Nigeria on July 20, fell ill aboard the Asky Airline plane that brought him and was admitted at the Lagos hospital where he was treated. He died on July 25 as his test results showed that he was infected with the virus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) whose officials are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, said yesterday that the death toll from the virus had hit 932.

The virus is spreading. A Saudi man who visited Sierra Leone has died in Saudi Arabia of Ebola-related symptoms.

Minister of Health Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu said at a news conference yesterday in Abuja: “Yesterday, 5th August, 2014, the first known Nigerian to die of the EVD was recorded and this was one of the nurses that attended to the Liberian. The other five cases are currently being treated at the isolation Continued on page 4

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INSIDE

•Spain to accept Europe’s first Ebola virus case •Sawyer disregarded WHERE ARE directive not to travel THE CHIBOK •Nigeria seeks U.S. drug GIRLS KIDNAPPED •Governors strategise ON APRIL 15? •AND MORE ON PAGES 4-5

•A NIGERIAN SOLDIER AT WORK? One of the men in Nigerian Army uniform who stopped a rally for Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Osogbo, the state capital...yesterday. Some residents said they doubted the identities of such men because of their dressing. Soldiers do not usually STORY ON PAGE 7 wear hoods and brown boots.

Boko Haram attacks Borno as ‘butcher’ recounts killings

STORY ON PAGE 4

•Ardo...yesterday

It takes me two minutes to slit a throat, says key suspect

•SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P51 •NATURAL HEALTH P53 •FOREIGN P68

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS

‘Chibok girls d •Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa (left) speaking at the launch of Airtel Insurance in Lagos...yesterday.

With him are Head, High Value Segment, Airtel, Kenechukwu Okonkwo; President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, Bola Temowo; Vice President, Brand and Marketing Communications, Airtel, Obinna Aniche; and Regional Expansion Manager, Microensure, Kierini Kiraka.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

USA Today, in an editorial on Tuesday, queried President Goodluck Jonathan’s response to enquiries about the Chibok girls at the ongoing U.S.African Leaders Summit in Washington DC. As far as the newspaper is concerned, the president’s response does not inspire confidence

W •From left: Head, Lagos State chapter, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) A.G.M/Marketing/Sponsorship Committee, Dr. Biodun Marcus, Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Joseph Okomah, Secretary, AGM/Sposorship Committee, Mrs. Adetokunbo Akinosho Thomas, Vice- Chairman, NIPR Lagos, Comfort Nwankwo, Treasurer, NIPR, Lagos State Silas Udoh during the PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS AGM/Public lecture news conference in Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Director, Large Tax Payers, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Nike Disu, Managing Director/CEO, Policy and Strategy Consulting, Mr Tunde Erinjogunola, Director, New Growth, LIRS, Mr Bisi Alli and Board Secretary, Mrs Bimpe Oluwa-Badmus at a workshop on economic growth and IGR organised by Policy and Strategy Consulting in Lagos.

HEN a vicious militant group kidnapped nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls in April, much of the world was outraged. The Twitter hashtag #BringBackOurGirls went viral, spawning broad concern from people around the globe — and smug derision from critics of digital advocacy.

Four months later, about 60 of the girls have managed to escape and the rest remain missing. The world has mostly moved on, distracted by such events as wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the shoot down of a Malaysian jetliner and the immigration crisis at the U.S. border.

But amid all the horrors that regularly compete for the world’s attention, this one shouldn’t be forgotten.

For one thing, the teenage captives are symbols of the importance of educating girls. They were all seized after returning to school in a dangerous area to take their final exams.

Among them are future lawyers, doctors and teachers — women who could someday help lead their country.

For another, there’s evidence that the international uproar might have

•Jonathan with escaped Chibok girls

helped raise the cost of harming the girls too high even for Boko Haram, an extremist group that regularly kidnaps and kills in its quest to bring a brutal form of fundamentalist Islam to parts of Africa.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that U.S. surveillance flights spotted large groups of girls, suspected of being the captives, in remote parts of Nigeria. That dovetails with reports that Boko Haram — whose name means “Western education is forbidden” — is treating at least some of the kidnapped girls with unusual care.

Leaders of the group, after first warning that the girls would be sold into slavery, later offered to trade them for Boko Haram prisoners held by the Nigerian government. The world’s focus on the girls has made them both valuable pawns and risky victims.

The response of the Nigerian government, which has often seemed overmatched in its five-year struggle with Boko Haram, doesn’t inspire much confidence.

President Goodluck Jonathan at first largely ignored the incident, then claimed ac-

Africa’s natural wealth should not be stolen and repatriated, says Biden United States Vice-President Joe Biden, in a remark at the U.S.-Africa Business Forum on Tuesday , spoke about why America cannot do without Africa and vice versa.

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•From left: Director-General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Dr Joseph Odumodu; Regional Investigations Manager, Hewlett Packard (Hp), Europe, Middle East and Africa, Mr Geoffrey Eyles and Managing Director, Glaxosmithkline Pharmaceuticals, Mr Lekan Asuni discussing at the 2014 Hp Anti-counterfeit conference in Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

MERICA is excited about the prospects of Africa, because Africa present — possesses two incredible resources: an overwhelming abundance of natural resources, and the resources of its people. And both — both its people and its natural resources warrant significant investment and development.

I’d like to focus just for a moment on the people. As I said when I spoke yesterday at the African Civil Society meeting, the people of Africa and their leaders are attempting to tackle the establishment of sound political and economic institutions; the creation of wealth that reaches beyond the elite to provide people with economic op-

portunity throughout the — the continent, including women and girls; forging a peace in some countries still torn apart; protection of the health of your citizens. And you all — you all know the great talent that exists in Africa, but turning that talent, even in a greater capability, requires significant commitment and significant investment. But if Africa’s governance and institutions can put its people in a position commensurate with their possibilities, the sky’s the limit.

I mean, it is limitless. There’s no reason the nation of Africa cannot and should not join the ranks of the world’s most prosperous nations in the near-term, in the decades ahead.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS

rls deserve continued attention’

‘Our top priority is to rescue the girls’ President Goodluck Jonathan will not be stampeded into ordering any rescue attempt that may further endanger the girls, writes REUBEN ABATI in an opposing view to the USA Today editorial.

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THE rest of the world may have moved on, as USA TODAY writes in its editorial, but I assure you that safely rescuing the abducted girls and returning them alive to their parents remains President Jonathan’s topmost priority.

The president met recently with parents of the girls and leaders of their community to give them a personal assurance that his government will continue to explore every possible option and deploy all available resources in the ongoing effort to bring the girls home.

As President Jonathan explained to the par-

ents, the great challenge, which may have paradoxically created the erroneous notion of tardiness in the rescue effort, is to ensure that none of the girls lose their lives in any rescue operation.

President Jonathan’s commitment is not just to get the girls out, it is also to rout Boko Haram completely from Nigeria. But he is very mindful of the safety of the girls and will not be stampeded into ordering any rescue attempt that may further endanger the girls.

We ask those who continue to suggest that the Jonathan administration is not doing all

it can to rescue the girls to understand that we are dealing with terrorist thugs who celebrate death and have no qualms about slaughtering helpless men, women and children.

Other than the parents and relatives of the girls, no one else is more determined to do something about their plight than the president, who continues to be the target of unfair criticism over his government’s handling of the affair.

We quite understand that part of the problem is that the media and the public would like to know more of what is being done. But

we ask our people and the global community to show greater appreciation of the fact that saying too much could have very adverse consequences for the entire effort.

Reasonable people should understand the challenging nature of this effort, but we know that there are persons in Nigeria who wish to exploit the plight of the girls for political reasons. That is unfortunate.

Above all, President Jonathan is committed in the long term to a comprehensive program of expanding educational opportunities for all girls and, indeed, all young people in Nigeria.

tivists invented it, and finally yielded to pressure to accept international assistance.

Jonathan, in Washington this week for a U.S.-Africa summit, says his government is making every effort to find

the girls. But he offers no evidence, is dismissive of the foreign help and argues that divulging any details could compromise the mission.

Jonathan has said repeatedly that a military operation to free the girls

would probably result in the deaths of many, all but ruling it out. In the place of military action is bargaining, and Nigerian leaders have sent ambiguous signals about who is negotiating and what’s on the table.

The challenge of fighting militants who casually sacrifice civilian lives in the name of religion isn’t confined to Nigeria. American forces have struggled inconclusively with extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan for

more than a decade.

The world’s anger can sometimes seem a weak candle next to the flame of intolerance and murder, but in the case of the captive Nigerian schoolgirls, it’s important to keep it burning.

There is simply no reason.

As we look to the future to try to help realize that vision, the question is no longer — when I got here as a young man as a young senator on the Foreign Relations Committee, the question always was asked, “What can we do for Africa?” That’s no longer the question. It’s, “What can we do with Africa,” not what can we do for Africa. What can we do together?

What can we do together? And I mean that. The president means it as well. I believe there’s a significant opportunity for the United States and Africa to do more that benefit both of our peoples. This is America’s economic self-interest. Fifty — $50 billion in U.S. exports to Africa already support a quarter of a million American jobs right here in the United States.

Africa — African consumers are spending $1.3 trillion, and that’s projected to double by the year 2030. At the same time, AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act, has allowed more than 6,400 African products to reach American customers duty-free, supporting African jobs and industries range — ranging from vehicles to vegetables. Since 2010, non-oil exports from sub-Saharan Africa to the United States have almost quadrupled. I see no reason why — and this is not hyperbole — I see no reason why trade and investments be-

tween the United States and Africa should not double or triple or even quadruple in the decades ahead. But to get there, each of us has a whole lot of work to do. And no one knows that better than the people and, particularly, the heads of state sitting in this audience. To start, American businesses have to show up. My dad used to say to me as a young man, he said, “Joey, half of winning is just showing up.” American businesses have to show up, and they are showing up.

And they’re doing it in greater and greater numbers to compete alongside India and Chinese, European companies for African trade and investment.

It’s sort of stamped into our DNA. We like to compete. We welcome the competition. But because it is not just how much we trade and invest that matters; it’s how we do it. We can always do better, but the United States is proud of the extent to which our investment in Africa goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to hire and train locals to foster economic development and not just to extract what’s in the ground; to protect human rights, labor rights; and protect the environment; to create new opportunities for women and girls.

A famous columnist here in the United States says women are half the sky. They are half the sky. And to win contracts and friends on the mer-

its, not through kick-backs or bribes.

This can be hard when others cut corners, but we believe it’s absolutely worth it, not only to help growth, but also to ingrain a set of rules of the road that are fair and decent to all competitors. Because the ties we are building are ties that have to last. The rules we’re advancing are rules that will benefit us all, and the prosperity we are promoting is prosperity we can sustain together if we do it correctly at the front end.

The United States government has a great deal of work to do as well to help realize the full promise of this moment. And you’ll hear about that from many other U.S. officials, particularly one that will be following me in an hour and a half or so who I just left, the president of the United States. We’re working with the United States Congress to renew AGOA before it expires next year. We’re working to connect more African companies with American businesses and the United States is also providing more direct support to make trade and investment easier.

Our Export-Import Bank financed a record $1.7 billion in exports to Africa over the past 10 years. We should do more. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation, OPIC, has financed nearly $3 billion in projects across Africa under Presi-

dent Obama and every dollar invested by OPIC as sparked on average $2.66 in additional private sector investment.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has funded over 100 projects expected to generate over $1 billion in U.S. exports while building up the infrastructure of sub-Saharan Africa.

In each of these areas, President Obama will announce, very shortly, significant new initiatives.

We’re also focused on energy. I need not tell this audience two thirds of Africans still regularly go without electricity.

If we can help you power Africa, that will empower the people of Africa to grow their economies. That’s why, under President Obama’s leadership, as he will discuss later today, the United States is helping to mobilise private investment and offer financing to help Americans provide for — excuse me, to help Africans provide for yourselves clean and affordable and abundant electricity, which is badly needed.

Today, the United States will sign a $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation compact with Ghana to strengthen its – its energy sector…

When the World Bank ranked the 50 most improved countries with respect to efficient business regulations, 20 of them, 20 of the 50, were in Afri-

ca, including the most — the most improved environment in the world: Rwanda.

We all know there’s a great deal more work to do, but we all know the way to get it done. It’s hard, but we know the path. We know that in the unforgiving daylight of the global economy, investments can and will go elsewhere when it sees excessive regulation, a broken judiciary, or widespread corruption.

I’m optimistic about my own country. You know, I have traveled about a million miles just since being vice president, and I don’t think there’s a major leader in the world I haven’t met over the last 30 years, just because of my job, not my consequence. And I’m reminded by some world leaders what I have told them in the past, and I say it again, it’s never, never, ever been a good bet to bet against America. It has never, ever been a good bet to bet against America.

And America is betting on Africa.

The idea — the idea and the reality are just tantalising. The possibilities are immense. We’re betting on each other, Africa on America and America on Africa, and what we can accomplish together for the enormous benefit of our people.

•Courtesy: “U.S.-Africa Business Forum, hosted by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the U.S. Commerce Department”

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

Adamawa: Nyako’s deputy asks court to sack acting governor

Boko Haram attacks Borno as ‘butcher’ recounts killings

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OKO Haram Chief Butcher, Zakari Mohammed Ardo, has said that he slaughtered “only five people” while operating with his fellow sect members.

Ardo, who was yesterday paraded before reporters at a police facility in Abuja, said it took him two minutes to slaughter a human victim marked for the slab.

The suspect said he was the leader of a five-man team of butchers. According to him, the four other members pinned the victim down while he cut the throat.

The 30-year-old suspect, who spoke to reporters through an interpreter (he spoke in Kanuri) said he joined Boko Haram in 2012 and operated with the sect until his arrest on July 12, 2014.

Zakari Mohemmed was arrested by the police along Darazo-Basrika road, Bauchi while fleeing from the Balmo Forest.

He has since been under arrest until news filtered in at the weekend that he had escaped from police custody.

Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said the police authorities decided to parade the suspect to debunk reports of his purported escape.

According to him, the suspect was still being interrogated and investigated.

Boko Haram attacked Gwoza town in southern part of Borno State yeaterday, killing

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DAMAWA State’s former Deputy Governor Bala Ngilari has asked Federal High Court in Abuja to sack acting Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and make him the governor following the impeachment his former boss, Murtala Nyako.

The request formed part of the prayers in a suit he filed against Fintiri and five others. The suit was instituted on his behalf by his lawyer, Festus Keyamo.

Also sued are the Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly, the House of Assembly, the acting governor, Nyako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

scores of people.

The town’s police station, two churches, the local government secretariat and some other buildings were burnt down by the invading insurgents who shot indiscriminately in the down onslaught. The town is 135 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital.

A resident of the town Yahaya Mbursa recounted attack when he spoke with reporters yesterday. He said after setting the churches on fire and snatching unspecified number of vehicles at the Motor Park near the burnt police station, they fled into the hill tops of Mandara Mountains and the Sambisa Forest.

“The Boko Haram dawn attacks were very shocking and terrifying. The gunmen burst into this town through the mountain tops and western forest of Sambisa. Some of the residents had to flee into nearby bushes and the hills, near this market square.

“I cannot tell you the exact number of people killed yesterday while fleeing, but about a dozen were shot dead,” he said.

Another source in the town said: “We had to run for our dear lives when the gunmen attacked the motor park and warned us not to panic but surrender all the vehicles; including the ones being loaded with passengers.” He added that Continued on page 64

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for the virus at the San Jose de Monrovia Hospital in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

Brother Pajares and his two fellow workers, Chantal Pascaline Mutwamene of Congo and Paciencia Melgar from Equatorial Guinea, belong to the Hospital Order of San Juan de Dios, a Catholic humanitarian group that runs hospitals around the world, and had been helping to treat patients infected with the virus.

They had been in quarantine since Saturday along with two

The House of Assembly had, shortly after impeaching Nyako on July 15, declared the deputy governor’s seat vacant upon accepting a purported resignation letter allegedly written to the Speaker by Ngilari.

The plaintiff, who denied resigning his position within the contemplation of the provision of Section 306(1), (2) & (5) of the Constitution, said the purported resignation letter he sent to the Speaker was not meant to be acted on by the House of Assembly.

He stated in a supporting Continued on page 64

Ebola: Nigeria seeks U.S. experimental drug for victims

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HE Federal Government has requested for the experimental drugs being developed by the United States Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the treatment of Ebola victims.

The Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyeabuchi Chukwu, broke the news to State House correspondents yesterday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo in Abuja.

Chukwu said he had been communicating with the director of the centre so as to get the drugs for Nigerians already infected by the Ebola disease.

•Ardo...yesterday

Spain to accept Europe’s first confirmed Ebola case SPANISH missionary priest working at a hospital in Liberia was taken to Spain yesterday aboard a military jet.

Spain had been preparing to accept Europe’s first confirmed case of the Ebola virus.

A medically-equipped military jet was sent to Liberia to repatriate Miguel Pajares, 75, a Spanish missionary priest working at a hospital in the West African country.

The priest was one of three missionaries to test positive

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

others – who have since tested negative - following the death of the hospital’s director, Brother Patrick Nshamdze.

The priest was due to arrive back in Madrid yesterday to be immediately transferred to the capital’s Carlos III hospital where an isolation ward had been set up in preparation.

The priest, who has spent five decades working as a missionary in Liberia, will be treated by only two medical professionals in a bid to con-

tain the risk of virus spreading.

“The safety protocols we will use guarantee minimum risk,” said Mercedes Vinuesa Sebastian, the director general of public health in Spain.

On hearing that he would be repatriated, the Spanish priest told Spain’s ABC newspaper by telephone: “This news has lifted my spirits, it is great. I am very happy. It is worth fighting on.”

Continued on page 64

“We are doing everything possible, he said, adding: “This morning, I sent an email to the director of the U.S. Centre for Disease Control because we have been in communication in the last 36 hours by e-mail as well as talking.

“And I asked that we are getting report that the experimental drug seems to be useful.

“It is also possible that we can have access for our own people who are presently being treated under isolation?’

“So, we are making efforts; we are relating with them and we are doing everything possible to Continued on page 64

Death toll hits 932, says WHO

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HE World Health Organisation (WHO) says the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to 932.

The new figures came yesterday as authorities in Nigeria confirmed the death of a nurse of Ebola. Saudi Arabia also announced one death of a person with Ebola-like symptoms.

The outbreak emerged in March in Guinea and shows no sign of slowing down. Most of the new deaths are coming from Liberia and Sierra Leone.

There now have been 363 deaths in Guinea, 282 in

Liberia, 286 in Sierra Leone and one confirmed death in Nigeria, according to WHO’s statistics as of August 4.

A Saudi man who was being treated for Ebola-like symptoms has died at a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s health ministry says.

If confirmed, this would be the first Ebola-related death outside Africa in an outbreak that has killed more than 900 people this year.

The man recently visited Sierra Leone, one of four countries in the outbreak.

Continued on page 64

Nurse who treated patient dies of Ebola virus in Lagos Continued from page 1

ward in Lagos.”

He said all the Nigerians diagnosed with Ebola were primary contacts of the index case - the late Patrick Sawyer.

“The 24/7 emergency operations centre will be fully functional tomorrow (today).

It will be headed by Dr Faisal Shuaibu as the incident manager. He will later today lead a six-man inter-agency team drawn from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to Lagos to complete the setting up of the centre. They will be joined by the other personnel from Lagos State government and the federal hospitals in the Lagos area as well as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

“We are making arrangements to procure isolation tents to quicken the pace of providing isolation wards in all states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

“We are also setting up a special team to provide counselling and psychosocial support to patients, identified contacts and their families,” he said.

The minister reassured Ni-

‘Sawyer disregarded directives not to travel out of Liberia’

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From Dele Anofi and EALTH Minister Prof. Onyebusonnel.

Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja chi Chukwu said yesterday that Director, Port Health Services, Dr. Liberian-Amerian Patrick Sawformer Independent National Electoral Sani Gwarzo added that as part of efyer, who died in Lagos of Ebola Virus, Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. forts aimed at containing the outbreak was aware of his status before entering Maurice Iwu about the efficacy of bit- of the virus, 66 personnel were required Nigeria. ter Kola in fighting the disease was by the Federal Ministry of Health to Chukwu described the outbreak of “premature” and “incorrect”. man and screen travellers at travel enEbola in Nigeria as a “national emer“No evidence shows that bitter kola try points. gency”.

Chairman, House Committee on will prevent or cure Ebola. Iwu’s experHe said the Federal government had iment was inconclusive,” he said.

Health, Ndudi Elumelu, said the meetplaced restrictions on repatriation into Project Director, Nigeria Centre for ing was convened to find out measures the country of bodies of Nigerians Disease Control, Prof. Abdulsalami Na- being put in place to curb the spread of abroad. sidi, said 70 Nigerians were under sur- the disease and to know the actual numThe Minister told members of the veillance for the disease. ber of Nigerians affected.

House of Representatives Committee “Ebola is what most Nigerians are According to him, of the 70 primary on Health and other stakeholders at a and secondary patients Sawyer had currently worried about; measures must public hearing on Ebola virus that Saw- contact with, 39 were hospital contacts; be taken to protect people,” he said. yer disregarded instructions of Liberi- 22 were airport contacts.

Also speaking at the State House in an health officials not to travel out of Those in contact with and who attend- Abuja, Chukwu said the Federal Govthe country. But he did not elaborate on ed to Sawyer, according to Nasidi, in- ernment had requested for the experihow he was able to travel through Lome clude men of the State Security Service mental drug, Zmapp, being used in the to Lagos ostensibly to attend a confer- (SSS), Nigerian Immigration Service treatment of the Ebola virus by the ence in Calabar, Cross River State.

(NIS), medical and airport support perContinued on page 64 Chukwu said a report credited to gerians that the government in Lagos, is expected to recruit and the Federal Capital Ter- volve a large congregation of “was working hard to ensure more health personnel. ritory,” Chukwu added. people to prevent the spread. the containment of the out“We are embarking on reTwo of the five persons beIdris, who also confirmed break. cruiting additional health per- ing treated for Ebola virus at the death of the nurse, said the To increase public aware- sonnel to strengthen the team the isolation ward in Lagos government was doing all ness of the virus, the minister who are currently managing are in critical conditions, the that is necessary to care for has appointed Prof. O.Onajole the situation in Lagos. state government said yester- those in isolation and those in of the Lagos University Teach“We are making arrange- day. critical situation. ing Hospital (LUTH) as the Di- ments to procure Isolation Commissioner for Health His words: “ Based on conrector of Communication and tents to quicken the pace of Dr. Jide Idris urged religious tact tracing arising from the Community Mobilisation. providing isolation wards in bodies to cancel all meetings index case that came into the Onajole, who will be based all the states of the federation and crusades that would in- country from Liberia, a total

•Chukwu...yesterday

of 70 persons were monitored.

Out of these, eight have been admitted and their blood samples taken. Result of five out of the eight blood samples taken have been received with four testing positive while the fifth was negative.”

The commissioner said the government was challenged with getting the requisite infrastructure needed to adContinued on page 64

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

5

NEWS EBOLA VIRUS

Southwest governors move to curb the spread

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OUTHWEST governors met yesterday in Lagos State on how to stop the spread of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) following the death of the first Nigerian victim on Tuesday.

The meeting, which held at the Ikeja Office of the Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), was attended by Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Oyo State Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo.

Rising from the closed-door meeting, the governors urged the Federal Government to ensure that the nation’s borders in the Southwest are effectively policed to prevent the EVD from entering the region through them.

Fashola said the meeting afforded the governors the opportunity to share experiences and seek collaboration for an effective control of the deadly virus.

He said the governors were determined to prevent an outbreak of the virus in the region.

Fashola said: “We discussed issues of containment and the challenges of illegal borders. We felt the need to express appreciation to health workers who have taken the responsibility from the front by attending to people who are showing symptoms and people who are suspected to have had contacts with the very first case that was reported in a man who came from Liberia.

“We also discussed possible support by the Federal Government and coordination among states. We feel that it is imperative that our collaboration suggests to us that Nigerians, especially those in these states and

•Mimiko (second left) speaking at the meeting in Lagos...yesterday. With him are: Fayemi (left), Fashola (middle), Amosun (second right) and Adeyemo PHOTO:OMOSEHIN MOSES

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

in other states, should not panic and that we would overcome this with the very best practices and collaboration. It is important, therefore, that advocacy must continue about what the risks are and the sources are.”

Amosun said Ogun State was short of manpower and materials to effectively man its over 100 illegal borders.

The governor said foreigners easily entered the state through the illegal routes.

He said: “We are more prone and more at risk with this Ebola virus than so many other states. I did mention that we have put our security agencies and the medics at the illegal borders. But when you have an excess of 100, you and I know that the state doesn’t have the capacity to man the borders.

“Indeed, it’s not our responsibility to man the borders. But we should collaborate with the Federal Government. That is what we are doing.

“At the last count, we had about 70

(illegal borders). You can take containers and trailers and what have you, even on a normal day, through the borders. People hardly use the official borders. It’s through the illegal ones you see them conveying all those smuggled cars. Now, it becomes more worrisome, by the time you look at the fact that everybody is taking proactive measures of banning flights.

“So, if people cannot fly, you know obviously they would find a way of entering the country. That is why we are calling on the Federal Government to assist us. We need men and materials to man those borders.

“As we speak, we have about 68 Hilux vans manning those borders.

It’s not just the vehicles alone. We also need the manpower of the Immigration Service, the Nigeria Customs Service and even our medics have to be there. That is why I have been shouting that we need help, if we are going to succeed in the prevention of this Ebola virus.

“We agreed that we would interface with the Federal Government

to see what it is doing. We learnt that the Federal Government is doing something. But we need to see it: what and what it is doing.

“We are exposed to over 100 borders in Ogun State. I know Oyo too will have stories to tell. Don’t forget that this disease has been localised, more or less. Everybody agrees that it is within the West African sub-region. Of course, we have that access where people can come in easily.

“As we speak, we have our men on ground. But we are being stretched to breaking point. These are some of the things we have been discussing, that there is no way we can continue or cope. We do not have the wherewithal to man those borders.”

Mimiko said the onus lies on every Nigerian to ensure that foreigners do not have unfettered access into the country, especially through the borders.

He said: “Every Nigerian and everybody should know that those who aid and abet illegal entry into Nigeria now could be up to something

No Ebola in Ebonyi, Enugu, say commissioners

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BONYI and Enugu state governments have said there are no cases of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in their states.

They also said the virus had not been detected in any part of the Southeast.

Health commissioners in both states said no resident had been reported to have the deadly virus. But they cautioned the people to be vigilant and report any suspected case to health authorities.

Ebonyi State Health Commissioner Dr Sunday Nwangele and his Enugu State counterpart, Dr. George Eze, addressed reporters yesterday in Abakaliki and Enugu.

Nwangele said Ebonyi was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Emergency Re-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki and Chris Oji, Enugu

sponse Team and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to prevent and control the disease.

He also said the state government was reactivating the rapid response team for effective operations.

Dr Nwangele urged health workers to wear protective devices, adding that the people should take precautionary measures, such as regular hand-washing and avoiding contacts with animals.

The commissioner urged those keeping pigsties to disinfect them with detergent.

He also advised the people to contact the ministry, in case of any suspected case or if any of their relations from any of the affected countries, shows

any sign of having the virus.

Nwangele hailed the Federal Government for setting up a treatment and research group, besides its response to stave off the disease.

Dr. Eze said various measures had been taken to prevent the disease from entering the state.

The commissioner said the media briefing was informed by the numerous calls his office received from the residents who wanted to know if there was an Ebola case in the state.

He said: “Till now, we have not established any Ebola case in Enugu State. For now, it is a threat across the country. But we are guarding against it.

“We want to let you know that we have the manpower, the muscle and our specialists have put heads together to

manage the situation.

“Governor Sullivan Chime has always reiterated the need for a healthy state. That is why he has empowered the ministry down the line.

“So, we are calling on our people not to panic but take the necessary precautions. Our best is to prepare ourselves to tackle this scourge, if it comes.

For any scourge that came in the past, it was contained. So, we believe that this one will be contained.

“We have started sensitisation in the media, but we feel that it is not enough.

We are coming with bombardment that will not create panic among the public.”

The commissioner also assured that health personnel had been adequately trained and equipped to respond promptly when the need arises.

Delta designates seven hospitals as isolation centres

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ELTA State Governor E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has said the state government has set up a committee to educate the residents on the prevention and management of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The governor urged the residents not to panic.

He said there was no identified case of the virus in the state, adding that seven hospitals had been designated as isolation centres to handle any suspected case, as part of the measures to prevent the disease from getting to the state.

Addressing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stake-

•Uduaghan urges residents not to panic holders’ from Delta North Senatorial Zone at Asaba, the state capital, the governor said the committee comprises the Commissioners of Health, Information and Environment.

He said the committee had been inaugurated, adding that he would brief the residents on the measures taken to ensure that the virus does not enter the state.

Uduaghan said: “There is no Ebola virus in Delta State. It will not come to the state. We are doing everything possible to deal with the scourge.

We have set up an inter-ministerial committee comprising the commissioners for Health, Environment and Information to sensitise and brief Deltans on the measures in place to tackle any outbreak in the state.

“We have designated seven hospitals in the state as isolation centres where any suspected cases will be managed.

Also, every local government area has a contact person and there is a contact phone number - 32815 to which short messaging service (SMS) can

be sent to report any suspected case.”

The governor advised the people not to panic.

He said: “We require the cooperation of all Deltans to stop any outbreak in the state.

We need to increase our personal hygiene: wash our hands regularly and use hand sanitisers. Those of you with relatives in any of the West African countries where there is an outbreak of Ebola virus, who need to bring in any body from there, should let us know so that we can ascertain the cause of death.”

that could be dangerous to the health of the nation. So, we out there, Nigerians in the adjoining villages, everybody must take the responsibility of combating this new challenge.

It’s very important for the message to go out.”

Fayemi said the curative drug for the virus had not been certified.

He said: “This is still a drug that is on trial. From what we gathered, it has been tested on animals. But it has not been tested on humans yet. There are processes a country has to go through to procure drugs that are still on trial.

“Even the FDA has not certified this drug for use yet. If we are going to access it, my own limited knowledge of this process is that it can only be by a controlled trial centre at this stage. It can’t be a certified drug for use. If what the Federal Government is trying to do is to be one of the centres to test the efficacy of the drug, I think that is well-meaning, that is commendable. We should encourage the Federal Government to take that action.”

Medical team boycotts Anambra communities From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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MEDICAL team of Anambra State indigenes from United States (U.S), called ASA-USA, has boycotted two communities in the state, following the rumoured Ebola virus detection in the areas.

The team, which is on a medical mission in the 189 communities, said its members would not go to the areas until investigations on the Ebola scare are concluded.

The team leader, Prof Allison Anadi, addressed reporters yesterday at Enugu-Ukwu Civil Centre.

The two communities are: Nando, in Anambra East Local Government Area and Nkwelle-Ezunaka, in Oyi Local Government Area, where a body from Liberia was deposited.

The residents raised the alarm last week when the body of an indigene was flown from Liberia and deposited at Apex Hospital in Nkwelle-Ezunaka.

Following the development, Governor Willie Obiano directed Health Commissioner Dr Josephat Akabuike to take immediate action.

Edo bush meat sellers decry ‘ban’

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USH meat sellers’ association in Edo State have said they will seek spiritual intervention to end the spread of the Ebola virus.

The association said it was worried by an indefinite suspension of bush meat sale at the Government House, following the reported Ebola death in Nigeria.

Vice-chairman of the association, Mrs. Comfort Omoruyi, told reporters yesterday in Benin, the state capital, that over 50 per cent of its daily patronage was from the Government House.

The union leader said bush meat sales had reduced by over 70 per cent since its consumption was linked to the the Ebola virus.

But she said she still ate bush meat, including monkeys.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Mrs Omoruyi said: “Most of our customers from the Government House have stopped coming. They said Oga (governor) said we should not bring the meat there because of Ebola. In fact, most restaurants, fast food centres and major hotels in Edo have stopped using bush meat because of the fear of Ebola.

“Why is it that the root of virtually all deadly diseases originated from Africa, including HIV/AIDS, which they said also came from Africa? The same was said about Avian bird flu, malaria, New Castle diseases.

“Why can’t the white people go on advocacy for our country to domesticate free medical care for our citizens as it is done in developed countries?”

6

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

NEWS

PDP accuses APC of plotting ‘Arab Spring’

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to ignite the “Arab Spring”, should the party lose Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

The PDP was reacting to a statement by the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that the party would set up a parallel government, if the PDP rigged the election.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja, PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh said Odigie-Oyegun’s statement was an invitation to “Arab Spring”.

The Arab Spring was a peo-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

ple’s revolt that swept through many misgoverned countries in the Arab world in 2012.

Some dictators were toppled in some of the countries.

Metuh said: “Nigerians need to be reminded that the APC’s understanding of rigging is where they lose an election. Whenever they win, as was the case in Edo, it is free and fair.

“It is a globally acknowledged fact that shadow or parallel governments have no place in a presidential system.

Therefore, the threat to institute such is nothing short of implementing the agenda to destabilise and collapse the

democratic system and institute a reign of anarchy.

“The statement by the APC National Chairman, therefore, has confirmed our position that the APC is not planning for the 2015 elections but an overthrow of a democratically elected government, having realised that they cannot and will not win in the general elections.”

The ruling party said the statement raised the suspicion that the APC leaders had been holding meetings outside the country to enact an Arab Spring to forcefully take over power, if they lose in 2015.

“This explains why they have been making inflammatory statements and publish-

NABTEB releases May/June results

ing negative advertorials and articles in local and foreign media to incite Nigerians, embolden insurgents and stir hatred and division among the populace while balkanising the nation along its fault lines.

“All the pockets of antigovernment protests and calls for civil disobedience in parts of the country bear the imprints of the APC and are geared towards cultivating a fertile ground for them to unleash a reign of terror against the country.

“The importation of thugs to cause confusion in elections, including in Anambra, Ekiti and now Osun, are all part of the plot to discredit the electoral system and truncate the 2015 elections.

“The attacks on institutions of government, including the Judiciary and the security agencies, are all part of the larger plot to weaken government systems and make them vulnerable and powerless and set the stage for the materialisation of their ignoble plans.

“Nigerians are also aware of the hiring of foreign consultants by the APC to tarnish the image of the country abroad, as a means to gain foreign support when they eventually strike.

“We, therefore, call on Nigerians to be ready to defend their hard-earned democracy and protect it from encircling vultures who are hell-bent at taking us back to the dark ages.”

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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HE National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) has said it has conducted its first examination in a foreign land - Cote d’Ivoire.

NABTEB’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Dr. Olatunde Aworanti, spoke yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital, when he announced the release of the 2014 May/June National Business Certificate and National Technical Certificate (NTC) examination results.

Dr. Aworanti decried the low enrolment for the examination in Nigeria.

He said 29,129 candidates, representing 37.64 per cent, scored five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics.

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IGERIA and Ghana are planning to boost their trade relations.

The move is at the instance of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), which recently organised a forum, tagged: Doing Business in Ghana, to prepare the ground for the business relations.

LCCI President Remi Bello said the forum was meant to give enlighten, educate and exchange of ideas on how to boost trade and investment between Nigeria and Ghana, among other West African nations.

He said: “For too long, private sector organisations and institutions have confined themselves to the comfort or illusion of their individual countries, while our counterparts in other parts of the world are advancing the frontiers of their economies and markets through integration.”

He noted that in these days of rapid globalisation, individualistic disposition and outlook are no longer sustainable.

According to him, there is need to broaden people’s perspectives and thinking beyond their individual countries as sub-regional consideration becomes more compelling.

By Jude Isiguzo

O

•Military pensioners protesting over pension arrears in Abuja...yesterday.

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

lution, for which the executive was allegedly sacked.

Suleman, in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja yesterday, said a 16-member caretaker committee had been constituted to oversee the affairs of the chapter, pending a fresh election that would usher in a new executive in the next three months.

According to him, the decision to sack the National Assembly’s branch executive of the union was taken at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on April 30, where it unanimously resolved to dissolve the execu-

tive of all PASAN chapters that had not remitted their checkoff dues for upwards of three months.

He said the decision to dissolve the National Assembly’s branch executive and set up a caretaker committee was taken pursuant to extant Labour laws and in line with Rule 19 (10), of PASAN Constitution.

Suleman said: “It is also illegal for the chapter’s executive to collect check-off dues from ay employer without remitting same to the national body or divert such to their personal use.

The letter reads: “The National Assembly chapter is in arrears of check-off dues for

dia Awards, I wish to inform you that your entry, titled: Lagosians Shun Public Toilets as Open Defecation Continues, has been selected under the theme: Ending Open Defecation! Your entry was extremely well researched and thought-provoking. For the 2014 awards, over 100 entries from over 30 countries were received.

“As a winner, we invite you to attend the upcoming Stockholm World Water Week conference on August 31 to September 5. As guests of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), all your costs, including flights, will be covered. During the closing ceremony of the Water Week con-

over two years and this can no longer be tolerated.”

The National PASAN executive bemoaned attempts, on three occasions, to settle the issue amicably but were allegedly spurned by the dissolved National Assembly’s branch executive.

The letter reads: “To this end, I am constrained to formally implement the resolution of PASAN NEC by dissolving the National Assembly chapter accordingly with effect from July 4, 2014. Therefore, the executive council of the National Assembly’s chapter of PASAN stands dissolved.”

The union named Mr. Go-

bina Drisu as the new caretaker committee chairman of the National Assembly’s branch.

It urged the sacked executive, led by Comrade Mohammed Bawa, to hand over to the committee with immediate effect.

Also, Comrade Suleman informed the various bankers of its National Assembly’s chapter on the latest development and ordered them to freeze the accounts of the union in their banks.

The union warned the banks to stop dealing with the former signatories to the NASS chapter of PASAN and that no withdrawal from them should be entertained again.

VER 10,000 Nigerians have been killed by generator fumes in the last 20 years, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Good Governance Initiative (GGI), has said.

The NGO gave the figure in Lagos, following the killing of four members of a family in the Igere-Ihunsa area of Ogun State by fumes from a power-generating set last week.

The victims had gone to bed, leaving the generating set turned on overnight because of there was blackout in the area.

The organisation, which conducted the survey in Lagos State, said the family is one out of many others who have in the past lost their loved ones in such incidents.

The NGO urged President Goodluck Jonathan to take drastic effort to stabilise power supply in the country to prevent more casualties.

Six held for ‘killing’ two soldiers

The Nation man wins global environmental award HE Nation Senior Correspondent on the Investigation Desk, Mr Seun Akioye, is among six winners in the WASH Media Awards.

The awards are organised by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

The organisers, in a statement yesterday, said they received over 100 entries from over 30 countries.

It described Akioye’s winning entry, titled: Lagosians Shun Public Toilets as Open Defecation Continues, as “extremely well researched and thought provoking”.

The statement reads: “On behalf of Mark Tran, Jury Chair for the 2014 WASH Me-

By Okwy IroegbuChikezie

‘Generators have killed 10,000 Nigerians’

Union sacks National Assembly exco over N158m check-off dues HE national leadership of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has dissolved the executive of its National Assembly chapter over alleged non-remittance of N158 million check-off dues to the national body in the last four years.

PASAN General Secretary, Mr. Drisu Suleman, in a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasua, said the outstanding check-off dues spanned April 2011 to June 2014.

PASAN’s President of the National Assembly chapter, Comrade Mohammed Bawa, described as fake the National Executive Committee’s reso-

Nigeria, Ghana to strengthen trade relations

T •Akioye

ference, we will formally recognise all winners from our six themes on stage, presenting you with a diploma and cash award. Further details will be shared with you shortly.

“Once again, congratulations on winning the Ending Open Defecation category for this year’s WASH Media Awards...”

HE police said they have arrested six people on the alleged killing of navy and army officers in Apapa, Lagos.

An Army officer was at a night club on Payne Crescent with his girlfriend, on Tuesday, when bouncers at the club’s gate allegedly refused the lady entry on grounds that she was not a soldier.

The bouncers reportedly insisted that the lady, who wore camouflage knickers, should pay the gate fee before she would be allowed into the club.

Sources at Area ‘B’ Apapa Police Command said the situation led to an argument attracting a naval man.

After the bouncers reportedly explained what the problem was to the naval man, he was said to have

By Jude Isiguzo

sided with the club.

He was said to have insisted that the soldier’s woman friend must pay the requested gate fee.

This angered the soldier, who allegedly pulled his Jack knife and stabbed the naval man to death.

The news reached other naval personnel who raced to the scene. They reportedly killed the soldier.

The killings caused pandemonium in the area.

Shop owners abandoned their wares and ran away to avoid being caught in the clash.

The night club was also abandoned by its guests who have come for merriment, the bouncers and other workers who fled the scene.

Sources said the Area Commander, Assistant Commissioner (ACP) Innocent Ndubueze Anene moved a detachment of policemen to the scene.

Two military men, three bouncers and the soldier’s lady friend were arrested.

Deputy police spokesman, Mr Lelma Kolle, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), confirmed the incident.

He said the woman wore Army knickers and wanted to enter the night club but was stopped by the bouncers who insisted that she must pay the gate fee because she was not a soldier.

Kolle said the Army officer went to the club with the woman but the intervention of the naval officer made the soldier to stab him to death.

7

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2014

NEWS OSUN 2014 Atiku: Aregbesola is a people’s man

Obanikoro plans to harm APC members, F O says Aregbesola SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said the Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, should be held responsible, if anything bad happens to any All Progressives Congress (APC) member.

He said he had credible information that Obanikoro and Police Affairs Minister Jelili Adesiyan had instructed security personnel to kill two APC members.

The governor spoke yesterday at the launch of the students’ smart identity card at the Salvation Army Middle School in Alekuwodo, Osogbo.

Urging security agents to play by the rules, he condemned what happened on

•Governor launches students’ identification scheme Monday at the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, where APC campaigners were turned back by security men and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaigners were allowed in.

Querying Obanikoro’s presence in Osun, Aregbesola said APC members had been told to be law-abiding but may react if pushed to the wall.

He said: “How could the

PDP be this desperate? Obanikoro and Adesiyan told security agents that by the time two APC members are killed, other members will learn from it and the APC’s stiff resistance would be destroyed.

“We urge security agencies not to allow themselves to be used by these PDP ministers, whose party was terrorising our state before the inception of this administration.

“I am using this medium to tell security operatives that Osun people are lawabiding; they have always been contributing to the payment of your salaries and you are not supposed to harass them with the guns which were bought for you with tax money.”

On the identity card for students, the governor said Information Communication Technology (ICT) is among other promising paths his administration has chosen to tread to develop the state.

Osun is the first state to provide students with an identification card containing their biometrics.

With the card, each student is a uniquely identifiable in-

dividual and cannot be mistaken for another person.

With it, the government can identify genuine students in public schools and access their information at the push of a button.

Aregbesola said the O’MEALS and other supplies to pupils would be coordinated through the smart card.

He said it would eliminate fraud and accounting errors.

The governor said: “We have applied it to our revenue collection and tax administration and got good results.

Immediately we deployed it in our revenue collection system, our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improved by 100 per cent from N300 million to N600 million.”

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged the electorate in Osun State to vote wisely on Saturday and re-elect Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, whose first wife, Hajia Titi, hails from Ilesa in Osun State, urged his in-laws to reject the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking yesterday in Abuja while hosting some Osun leaders, Atiku said: “I am one of you by marriage. In fact, I am a son of the soil, who shares your revered ideals and tradition of honesty, modesty, dedication to duty, steadfastness, integrity and communal responsibility.

We do have a common bond of a lifetime. So I am urging you to team up with the progressives in your state and Nigeria to put in place good governments that would benefit all and sundry. Please, do not let me down. Vote for Aregbesola and the APC. “Aregbesola is a people’s politician, a great policy maker and implementer. He is humane, simple and humble. He is a steward of high repute and his numerous works and high performance ratings would see him win a second term.”

‘No excuse for INEC’

By Seun Akioye

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•Osun State Labour Party (LP) candidate Alhaji Fatai Akinbade acknowledging cheers from his supporters at a rally in Telemu, Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area...yesterday.

OUTHS in Osun State have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure that Saturday’s election is free and fair.

They said the people would resist harassment by security agents and reject any election result that does not reflect their wishes.

The youths, under the aegis of the Youth Reformation Group (YRG) and Students and Youth Coalition (SYC), in their hundreds, marched yesterday from the Osogbo City Stadium to Olaiya Junction in Osogbo.

YRG’s National Coordinator Oludele Abiola said the march was to sensitise residents on the importance of one-man-one-vote and urged INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega to ensure a credible poll.

Publicise ID numbers of unclaimed voter cards, APC urges INEC

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give political parties the Voter Identification Numbers (VINs) of unclaimed Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

It urged the commission to declare that anyone with PVCs that have such numbers is an impostor, who must be arrested.

In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, after an emergency meeting of the APC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in Osogbo, the party said these were “irreducible minimal conditions” for a credible poll.

The APC warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)led Federal Government against inducing the electorate with cash, harassing its leaders with security men and rigging the election.

It said: “The party has re-

•Security men stop pro-Aregbesola rally ceived information that at a meeting held overnight in Osogbo involving top officials of the PDP and the Federal Government, as well as INEC officials, a huge sum of money was earmarked for key electoral officials to rig Saturday’s election in favour of the PDP. “At the same meeting, it was resolved that APC leaders like Senator Jide Omoworare, Mr Rotimi Makinde and others will immediately be put under house arrest and their movement severely restricted as soon as they cast their votes. Any arrest, harassment and intimidation of our leaders, as was massively done in Ekiti, will be totally unacceptable and deemed as orchestrated to rig the election.

“We learnt that rural farm settlements around Ile-Ife and Ilesha, among others, have

been identified as areas where the 500,000 cloned PVCs and others illegally obtained will be used mostly on Saturday.”

The APC condemned an alleged plan by security agents to keep party agents five metres away from polling booths on Saturday, saying it was a ploy to prevent accredited agents from verifying the identity of those coming to be accredited to vote.

The party said: “Accreditation is the bedrock of a free and fair election and once the security, whether military or otherwise, succeeds in preventing accredited party agents from performing their statutory role, then the basis for a free and fair election is gone. The only reason the military will not allow party agents to do their work is to aid those who are not authorised to vote to do so. This is the only way 500,000 un-

claimed PVCs and others illegally obtained can be used to rig the election.

“We urge INEC to prevail on the security agencies to allow party agents to do their work unhindered on Saturday. We remind INEC to note that soldiers, by law, have no business at polling booths, let alone preventing party agents from discharging their statutory roles.

“Even more brazen and bizarre is the information reaching us that the majority of the 500,000 PVCs and others illegally obtained may have been given to uniformed men, both official and unofficial, who, in the absence of prying eyes, will cast multiple votes and rig the election in favour of the PDP. “We also have credible information that when all fails, directives might be given to the Electoral Officers (Eos) to

allow anyone with a PVC cast his or her vote even when their names are not in the voter register. These are frightening and sinister scenarios which we want INEC to take note of and prevent from happening.”

The APC lamented that security agencies were partisan and condemned the disruption of a Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rally in support of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by officials of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Yesterday, stern-looking armed security agents, some of who were masked, prevented people from going into the Freedom Park, Osogbo, venue of the rally.

The APC said: “Also, we are uncomfortable with the tale being peddled to the rank and file of the police in Osun that the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has directed that Saturday’s election must be won by the PDP as a condi-

tion for his confirmation.

“We are aware of the desperation of the PDP to win Saturday’s election at all cost, even when everything, including an opinion poll carried out by a globally-acknowledged firm, RMS-TNS, points to the fact that the APC candidate, Aregbesola, is the leader among candidates for the election.

“Our party, especially, notes the circulation of the result of an opinion poll purportedly carried out by USAID, showing the PDP candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, as the leading candidate. Thankfully, USAID has publicly dissociated itself from such poll, saying it never carried out any opinion poll on Osun State. There is no clearer evidence of desperation than this.

“The Osun election will determine the fate of democracy in Nigeria, so we urge stakeholders to provide a level-playing field for all.”

8

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2014

NEWS SSANU-LASU protests at convocation •Union, management disagree

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•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (third right); Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye (left); Special Adviser to the Governor on Eko Project Mrs Ronke Azeez (second right); Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology, Waham Alawiye-King (right) holding a cheque at the Governor’s Education Award...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

ICPC quizzes two Ogun govt officials

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WO officials of the Ogun State Ministry of Works have been detained in Abuja by operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC).

The commission is investigating projects executed by the ministry.

Mr Adedayo Adedeji and Mr. Adio Sogbesan left Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Tuesday for the ICPC’s headquarters in Abuja, where they were quizzed for many hours.

The Nation gathered that the commission sought to know the number of projects

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

executed in Ogun since 2012, the amount of each of them, who got contracts and whether due process was followed in the award of contracts.

Sources said the agency was acting on a petition.

It was learnt that the commission requested for the documents of some capital projects embarked upon by the state government through the ministry.

ICPC, through its Head, Principal Investigation Unit, Kayode Adebayo, wrote two letters to the Permanent Secretary of the

Ministry of Works, requesting that Sogbesan and Adedeji appear at its headquarters yesterday.

The letters, dated July 28, were acknowledged by the secretary on July 30.

The letter of invitation reads: “Pursuant to Section 28 of the ICPC Act 2000, you are required to release the under listed staff to appear before the undersigned at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja on August 6 at 10am prompt for interview.”

The second letter, titled: “Request for documents”, reads: “In pursuant to Section 28 of the said Act, you are requested to release the

under listed documents to the investigating officers.

“Cash book of all projects accounts from 2008 to 2012; payment vouchers for payments made from projects accounts from 2008 to 2012; statements of accounts for projects accounts maintained by the ministry from 2008 to 2012; approved budget from 2008 to 2012; payment schedules/ cheques stubs in respect of payments made from the projects accounts from 2008 to 2012; list and numbers of projects accounts maintained by the ministry from 2008 to 2012; and any other documents as the investigation may require.”

Ayangburen’s body may arrive in Lagos today

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HE body of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Salaudeen Oyefusi, who passed on last Saturday, may arrive in Lagos today or tomorrow from London.

Some family members would accompany the body from London to Ikorodu. A palace source said yesterday that the monarch’s body would be received at the Ikorodu Oga roundabout by the Osugbos and taken straight to the Osugbo House in the ancient town for the traditional rites.

The source said the Osug-

By Adebisi Onanuga

bos would be in charge of the burial rites because the ruler’s body belongs to the Ikorodu people and not his immediate family.

“We expect that the body will arrive between tomorrow (today) or next tomorrow (tomorrow) and that is when all traditional rites would commence. As tradition demands, we cannot do anything unless the body is here,” the source said.

He said the monarch’s body must not be exposed

to the public, particularly women.

It was gathered that people would be told to keep off the streets when the body arrives and the traditional “Oro festival” would begin.

The source said arrangements had commenced to give the monarch a befitting burial, adding: “All the people of the town would be involved. The family is making arrangements, the traditional chiefs are doing their own and possibly the state government because the Ayangburen is a First

Class Oba, not just in Lagos but also in Nigeria.”

Members of the Ikorodu Traditional Council, led by the Olisa, Chief Zaccheus Odusoga, yesterday received sympathisers at the palace.

Sympathisers have continued to throng the palace and the monarch’s private residence to commiserate with his family.

Rapid Response Squad (RRS) teams are stationed in front of the palace and the monarch’s personal home to ensure law and order.

Man dies in beer parlour MAN, Izora Michael (63), has slumped and died in a beer parlour at Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

It was learnt that the man walked into the beer parlour and ordered for a bottle of beer.

Sources said he was yet to take a sip of the beer when he slumped on his chair.

He was rushed to a nearby clinic, where he was confirmed dead on arrival by health workers.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the

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From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

incident.

He said the incident was reported at the Idiroko Police Divisional Headquarters by Mr. Matthew Emmanuel, the proprietor of the relaxation centre.

Adejobi said detectives visited the scene and found nothing suspicious.

He said the body was released to the deceased’s family for burial after they declined postmortem examination.

HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Lagos State University (SSANULASU) chapter, has vowed to disrupt the university’s 19th convocation today, if they do not receive their June and July salary by 9am.

Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is expected to inaugurate some projects today in the university.

Yesterday, members of SSANU-LASU, led by the Chairman, Saheed Oseni, stormed the new auditorium, venue of the convocation for first degree graduates, singing solidarity songs.

They tried to force their way into the auditorium, but were stopped by the university’s security operatives.

They blocked the main road with their union vehicle, causing a traffic jam. Appeals by the Registrar, Akinwumi Lewis, who is also a SSANU member, fell on deaf ears.

The union called off its two-month strike over the non-promotion of some of its members last Friday and expected the management to have paid the two months’ salary arrears of members as earlier agreed by both parties. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Oseni said the union suspected that the management was bent on taking the ‘no work, no pay’ measure on members.

He said the management was claiming that the ‘no work, no pay’ measure was a directive from government.

Oseni said: “We are giving the management uptil 9am tomorrow (today) to pay our salary, otherwise, we will disrupt this convocation to

By Adegunle Olugbamila

the embarrassment of all. We have suspended our strike and we expected that before the convocation today (yesterday), they (management) would have paid our salaries.

We are disappointed that nothing was done.

“We suspect that the management is up to some games, as it has not been specific about our salaries. It is giving us the impression that it is government’s decision and that is why we will stage another protest tomorrow (today) so that Governor Fashola and his aides would tell us if they are the ones holding our salaries or the management.”

The management said the union’s actions betray the agreement reached.

Its spokesman, Mr. Sutton, said LASU Governing Council Chairman Mr Olabode Agusto assured SSANU-LASU that its grievances would be addressed at the next council meeting on August 29.

He said: “We are disappointed that SSANU is now going against the letter written to us suspending the strike because of the convocation and the assurance of the council’s chairman to look into its grievances. In the letter, the union appealed to the council for the payment of members’ June and July salaries and the management is looking into it. The fact that their salaries have not yet been paid does not mean management has gone to bed over it. SSANU’s action amounts to a breach of contract and this is not healthy for the university.”

SON destroys N8.5m products From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

HE Ekiti State office of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) destroyed yesterday substandard goods valued at N8.5 million in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The items included expired and fake electricity cables, vehicle tires, detergents, cereals, fast food, vegetable oil and margarine.

The organisation’s head in the state, Mr. Rilwan Fashina, who supervised the destruction, said the items were seized with the help of residents, who volunteered information.

He said some fake gas cylinders were confiscated and taken to the Lagos office for destruction.

Fashina pledged to sustain the fight against substandard products.

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PDP: Mimiko lied about wealth creation HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticised Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s statement that his administration attained material wealth distribution because of the conducive environment in the state.

Delivering a lecture at the Yoruba Tennis Court Business Luncheon in Yaba, Lagos State, titled: “Progressivism as an ideological instrument for social integration”, Mimiko said he achieved this because his administration created the enabling environment for manufacturers, small scale businesses and other entrepreneurs.

The PDP, through its Publicity Director, Ayo Fadaka, described the claim as “false and mischievously calculated to deceive the nation.

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From Damisi Ojo, Akure

It said: “It is instructive to note that Mimiko, in his paper, made no mention of any manufacturer, industry and small scale industry that has taken advantage of his wild claim in any part of the state.

“We do know and appreciate that development and industrialisation can never be in the abstract, as they are solid actions that are capital driven and profit-oriented.

“Therefore, we wonder at the quality of thinking and concept of action that propelled Mimiko to seek to embark on a wholesale deceit of an elite audience.

“This action is absurd, dishonest and utterly disrespectful to the sensibilities of the people of this state, who daily groan under the consequential yoke of his misrule.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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CONCERNED RIVERS STATE PDP MEMBERS STOP THE CAMPAIGN OF CALUMNY AGAINST CHIEF BARRISTER NYESOM EZENWO WIKE

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e feel deeply constrained to respond to some of the hostile and sponsored media attacks against the person of Chief Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Hon Minister of State Education and Leader of the PDP in Rivers State by a few distorted persons parading as groups and making irrelevant comments regarding the 2015 governorship elections in Rivers State.

Interestingly, all manner of clowns, under different shades, have now become suddenly courageous, pretending to be speaking for the PDP in Nigeria and Rivers State. Not long ago, a group which calls herself Concerned Members of PDP in Rivers State and Rivers Mainstream Coalition which have been in the forefront of this hostily also joined the fray. As if that was not enough, another one called Patriotic Rivers Elders Forum is now going berserk with series of baseless and unsubstantiated allegations against Chief Wike with a view to whipping up ethnic sentiments and causing disaffection as a way of weakening the resolve of the PDP in Rivers State to wrest power from Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s APC come 2015.

However, we do not wish to join these faceless groups and jelly fish-livered persons who are dancing naked in the market place except to set the records straight so that those who are likely to be misled by their lies can raise their guards.

The three groups mentioned above and their advertorials lack tact and have easily given themselves away as leprous fingers of one hand because all their attacks against Chief Wike bear semblance of materials emanating from same sources and it is obvious they are being funded by the same persons. Whichever one is correct, we can only recognise the rights of others to free speech and association as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended. It is also hoped that those who seek to assert their rights must, as a duty, respect the rights of others too. That is also fainess and justice.

One common thread which runs in all the recent advertisements published by these three groups against Chief Wike is that he has no right to contest the governorship primary election of the PDP in Rivers State purely because he is from a particular ethnic group. They allude to beer parlour “agreements” reached among themselves with some unknown opersons as to whose turn or family it is to produce the next governor of Rivers State.

While some call it agreement along senatorial lines of zoning, others call it Riverine/ Upland dichotomy. None of these groups has reached agreement even among themselves as to who should be the governor of Rivers State in 2015 and the party that should produce the governor.

Innocent observers in Rivers State see this base ploy as the handiwork of sponsored moles parading as PDP members to destabilise the harmony in the PDP so that the APC can have an edge and win the 2015 governorship election in the State.

Interestingly, genuine and committed members of the Rivers State PDP are seeing through this camouflage and resisting the satanic work of these moles. That is why their efforts to justify the money they are collecting from the APC to distabilise the PDP in Rivers State is failing.

However, we must state that there has never been a time since the creation of Rivers State that people of the State sat down to agree on the zoning of political offices in the State. That is why after the regime of King Alfred Diete Spiff who is Ijaw, another Ijaw person late Senator Melford Okilo of NPN succeeded him. In the same vein, Senator Okilo was succeeded by Chief Rufus Ada George of NRC who is also Ijaw. In the last two cases which were purely civilian, other aspirants and candidates from Ijaw and non-Ijaw ethnic groups contested those elections and lost, giving way to the majority to win. So did the zoning arrangement at that time stipulate that only the Ijaws would rule Rivers State? The answer is simply NO. Democracy as shown by the will of the people prevailed.

However, in 1999 and 2003 the PDP elected Dr Peter Odili as her candidate for the governorship race in primary and main elections hotly contested by all interested persons from all parts of the State - Riverine, Upland, etc. Good sons of Kalabari Kingdom especially Chief Ebenezer Isokariari, Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, Late Senator Martins Yellow etc contested the PDP primary elections and either lost or withdrew.

Chief Sergeant Awuse and Chief Eric Assor both of Ikwerre extraction contested too.

At that time, we dare ask, where was the office of governor zoned to? Was it zoned to Orashi Region where Dr Odili hails from? The bigger question to ask is what would have happened if any of the other aspirants/candidates won the relevant election against Dr Odili, would the winner or indeed Rivers people have asked the winner to return the victory to Dr Peter Odili? The answer of course is NO, because there has never been zoning of any sort in Rivers State.

These unserious groups tend to make a heavy rain out of the fact that they want Chief Wike not be allowed by the FGN and the PDP to exercise his constitutional right to contest the governorship elections in PDP even as a free born of Rivers State. They resort to name calling and outright blackmail of the PDP inorder to frustrate the Party in Rivers State. What we find rather too strange and unusual is why they are afraid of Chief Wike contesting the election? Since these jesters claim to have what it takes to make PDP fail in 2015 if Chief Wike wins the PDP primary election, the right thing to do is to allow him contest the primary election alongside all other interested candidates so that they can easily defeat Chief Wike without much ado. But they are afraid to contest unless they are endorsed. It is obvious that since they are afraid to

contest the elections against Chief Wike, then it means that they are mere paper tigers, empty barrels and with nothing to offer the PDP. Our knowledge of politics shows that a serious party that is not in power in a state or country must exercise the greatest caution in choosing candidates to contest her major elections. This is the sad circumstance of the PDP in Rivers State today. Even if zoning of office of governor had been part of Rivers State politics, there is, presently a special situation which makes it expedient for zoning to be suspended so that the Party can win the election first. The reason is that election is like football, if all the strikers and game makers are to be children of same parents, a good coach will field them to play. This is because, the coach is not playing the football match for the sake of playing but with an aim to win the match. The PDP in Rivers State will be doing herself the greatest harm if she allows a weak candidate to be the governoship candidate in 2015. If that happens, the incumbent Governor and his APC, backed by a financial warhead, will easily defeat the PDP in 2015. And if that again happens, where is the pride of President Goodluck Jonathan who is a Port Harcourt Boy and whose wife is from Rivers State? This will be an unpardonable mistake.

While we are not for or against any aspirant in Rivers State, it is shameful how persons who claim to love Rivers State so much are spending so much money and time begging for endorsements from above instead of reaching out to the grassroot and mobilising the people who will vote for them in the elections.

As PDP members, we have watched Chief Wike resist Governor Amaechi’s plan to cripple the PDP when he carried the PDP mandate given to him and defected to the APC. We have watched him rebuild the PDP from the scratch in the full glare of these latter day patriots. Chief Wike did not only provide hope to PDP members, he carried their problems, inspired and encouraged them. While these were ongoing, the new lovers of PDP were busy wining and dining with Governor Amaechi. While Wike was spending his resources and mobilising the people to rebuild the party, these moles patronised Governor Amaechi. Now the house has been built to a point of comfort and those who are shouting and taking newspaper advertisements are planning to exclude Chief Wike from even contesting the primary election. Yesterday, they buried their heads in their closets, acting cowardly like men wearing bra meant for women. After Chief Wike has fought the battle and rebuilt the PDP, these wicked people are saying he should not contest any election. So where is the equity and justice that they have been talking about from both sides of their mouth?

To further buttress that these paper tigers have nothing to offer, they should tell Nigerians why the members of the National Assembly and State House of Assembly representing the areas they come from are all in the APC with Amaechi? Since they claim they are on ground and love the PDP more, they should start by convincing the PDP in Abuja and President Jonathan that they will bring back the Chairmen and members of the Care Taker Committee of their LGAs, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and those in the National Assembly in their areas from the APC back to the PDP. If they do not do so, how can thay be helpful to the ambition of President Jonathan if he decides to contest the 2015 Presidential election? Will they be in APC and be voting for a PDP presidential candidate? This is a test case and they must face this challenge or forever remain silent.

We have obseerved that this is what Chief Wike did in his LGA and in some LGAs in the State. He is working with his National Assembly Members and State Assembly Members even at great economic and security risk to the affected members. Following the fracas that took place in the Rivers State House of Assembly last year, The RSG stopped the payment of salaries to the members who are opposed to Amaechi. Have these noise makers asked how the anti-Amaechi Members and their families have been managing without income? All the cases that were filed in court have been attracting huge debits; these lazy men should tell us how much of the costs they have settled to give the PDP some comfort in the state. In all the series of activities of the PDP from the Wards to the State levels, Wike has bankrolled them while these men watched him do that. Rather than thank a man who has helped a PDP that would have disappeared in Rivers State, they are preoccupied with calling him names and causing disaharmony in the PDP in Rivers State.

Everything which Wike does to raise the morale of the PDP members after Governor Amaechi denied them all rights and privileges for refusing to follow him to the APC have been misinterpreted by these evil men who want to reap where they did not sow. Chief Wike and his supporters have bought vehicles and given to all the 23 LGAs in the State and implanted the PDP in all nooks and crannies of the State but instead of commendation, the bra-wearing men keep castigating him. The doors to donations to the PDP at all levels have been open and are still open but none of these stingy men have helped the PDP beyong printing their posters and placing media advisements. That is why we ask them to declare where they belong to. A man who wants to use his car for a long journey must service it and make it fit for the trip.

Therefore, our position in all these is clear. We appeal to the PDP at the centre to ensure a transparent primary election in Rivers State. The aspirants should go home, face the voters and work harder as nobody has the power to stop another aspirant from contesting the PDP primary election in Rivers State. Whoever the cap fits let him wear it. We in PDP cannot be swayed by the base sentiments of where an aspirant comes from or how much money he is spending for the PDP. The race is not for the fickle minded or unprepared; it is for the man with an iron chest and head if we must win in 2015.

SIGNED: Chief Emmanuel Kanee

Engr Cyril Hart

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

10

CITYBEATS Why I killed my mistress, by suspect W HY`did 31-yearo l d Kenechukwu Williams kill his mistress, Njideka Lizzy Nzewi, the Managing Director of Edmark International, a networking company?

The suspect said in Lagos yesterday that he killed the woman for cheating on him.

Williams spoke at the Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, where he was paraded by Commissioner Umar Manko. He, however, described the act as “the devil’s work”.

The suspect, who is wanted in South Africa for another murder case, allegedly strangled Nzewi (39), on July 19 at her Green Estate in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos home.

Williams, who deals in second-hand clothes in Accra, Ghana, said he met the late Nzewi in 2011 during her business trip to the country.

“We met again last year in Nnewi, Anambra State, at a function. I re-introduced myself to her and we got talking. We agreed after some few months to date and that was how we started”, he said.

Manko said on July 19, Williams strangled Nzewi and fled to Ghana with her Range Rover Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and other valuables.

“When the matter was reported, the Commander, Area ‘E’ Command, FESTAC, Mr Dan Okoro, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP), contacted Interpol which trailed the suspect to Ghana where he was arrested. But he had obtained a new international passport with the surname of the woman. He was already leaving Ghana when he

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Chadian remanded for ‘defiling’ minors

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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By Jude Isiguzo

was arrested at the border,” the police chief said.

Reliving how he strangled his mistress, Williams said: “She came home late that evening and while we were together in her room, her phone started ringing. I asked her to pick •Williams the call but she refused. The name of the caller was Ifeanyi and I knew he was not her brother. When she refused, I picked the call and put it on speaker. Immediately, the caller said ‘hello dear’, apparently thinking she was the one. She angrily took the phone from me and switched it off. I collected the phone and smashed it on the floor.

“She angrily slapped me and I retaliated. She held my manhood tightly; I was in severe pains. To free myself, I held a wrapper hanging on her neck and tried to strangle her. As we were struggling, we both fell on her bed and later on the floor. I discovered she was no longer breathing and out of fear I decided to escape”.

The suspect said he left her body on the floor, took her ATM card and the keys to her car, adding: “Together with the security guard, we drove to a bank at FESTAC Town around 3am the next day. I withdrew N140,000.

Realising that it would be risky to go back home as her elder brother would come into the house around 7am, I dismissed the security man and headed for Seme border and finally, Ghana.”

The late Nzewi’s security guard, John Tungwin, said: “When Williams woke me

... yesterday

•The late Mrs Nzewi

‘Fund forestry sector’

T •The victim’s Range Rover SUV recovered from the suspect

up, I did not know he had finished packing his things into the car. He gave me my madam’s ATM card and asked me to go and withdraw N100,000, adding that he was going to club. After giving him the money when I returned from the bank, he asked me to open the gate that he was going to pick one of his friends that would go with them, adding that madam was complained of

weakness.

“At that point, I suspected something was wrong.

Around 10am, madam’s daughter, Chineye went into her room but nobody opened the door for her. I went to the next compound, carried a ladder and climbed to madam’s room. Fortunately the window was open.

I looked in and saw madam’s lifeless body on the floor. I came down, called the house

maid and told her what I saw. I could not tell her children. I then called her elder brother who also came, saw and then called the police”.

The brother, Christian Mekwulu, claimed the suspect killed his sister because of money.

Manko advised single women to be carefull when entering into any relationship with strange men, particularly younger ones.

Alimoso residents hail ex-commissioner’s gesture

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25-YEAR-old Chadian was yesterday remanded in Ikoyi Prisons by on Igbosere Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly assaulting two minors.

Jubril Asli, who works as a guard in Lekki, Lagos, was alleged to have indecently inserted his fingers into the private parts of his victims.

He was brought before Magistrate I.O. Omotosho for committing an offence punishable under Section 135(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2011.

According to the prosecutor, Babaji Ishaku, one of the minors reported the act to her mother after she felt pains in her private parts while urinating.

The prosecutor claimed that the offence was committed on August 2 at 1pm at Marwa, Lekki Phase One. Although the defendant pleaded not guilty, he was remanded in prison custody because he did not apply for bail. The matter was fixed for August 12.

ESIDENTS of Alimoso, a Lagos suburb, have praised a former Commissioner for Health, Dr Leke Pitan, for the Free Medical Outreach campaign he initiated with his friends.

The co-donors came together under the aegis of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN) and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Lagos State chapter.

At the launch of the programme on Monday, residents of Idimu, Ikotun, Ipaja, and Ayobo in the Alimoso constituency trooped out for the scheme.

Specialist doctors from the three groups, led by Dr Pitan attended to them and gave them drugs.

The team also screened and gave out free eye glasses to beneficiaries.

Residents, including students from tertiary institutions, also enjoyed free medical consultation and screening for cancer, hypertension, diabetes, urine and general checkup.

A beneficiary, Mrs Jumoke Badru, hailed Pitan, said: “This is a laudable policy. I am sure a lot of our

By Basirat Braimah

people would take advantage of this.”

The team aims at providing free services in the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state.

The Media Consultant to Dr Pitan Campaign Organisation, Mr Tunji Oguntuase, said: “The free medical outreach is a demonstration of Dr Leke Pitan’s professional pedigree and personal commitment to providing people-oriented policies with focus on grassroots development and empowerment to the people.”

•Dr Pitan

HE Federal Government has been advised to ensure proper funding of the forestry sector.

Prof Labode Popoola of Forest Economics, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Ibadan (UI), made the call while delivering an inaugural lecture, titled: “Imagine a planet without forest”.

He said there was the need to urgently undertake forests and biodiversity resources assessment of the country to establish the status of the resources.

Popoola described forests as sources of employment and income, food security and nutrition, wood products, livestock fodders, quality recreational, aesthetics and environmental benefits; economic and socio-cultural services; scenic and landscape services, among others “Forest, as a basic life support process without which human beings cannot live, remains an intricate system made up of plants and trees that protect bio-diversity; provide home for 80 per cent of terrestrial biodiversity and improve the quality of life forms on earth,” he said.

Meat seller accused of allegedly damaging police van

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OR allegedly damaging a police van, a meat vendor, Rasheed Omotayo, was yesterday arraigned before a Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos.

The defendant, who resides on Idumagbo Road, Lagos Island, was arraigned before Magistrate Yetunde Pinheiro for alleged conspiracy, malicious

By Precious Igbonwelundu

damage and breach of public peace.

Prosecuting Inspector Ignatius Okeke told the court that Omotoso, 23, destroyed the side glass of the van belonging to Area ‘A’ Police Command.

The defendant with others at large, on August 5, at 9pm at

Ofin Canal, attacked an antirobbery police squad with the aim of snatching their gun, he said.

Okeke said the defendant unlawfully and maliciously damaged the whole side glasses of the van, a Volkswagen Vanagon bus, marked EQ 355 LND, valued at N80,000.

He said the offence contravened Sections 409, 337 (1) and166 (d) (h) of the Criminal Law of Lagos, 2011.

Omotayo pleaded not guilty and was granted N200,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

Magistrate Pinheiro adjourned the case till September 9.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘The June deadline is by the corner; Mr. President’s word is a bond. We must generate more power; we are prepared to assist all our agencies in making sure that the ball keeps rolling. We can’t afford to fail in our duties.’

•Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo

DISCO rejects N2m tariff review fee From John Ofikhenua and Alo Abimbola

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REPRESENTATIVE of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (Abuja DISCO) Engr.

Bola Odubiyi yesterday asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reduce the N2million proposed as application filing fee, arguing that it was unreasonable.

He argued that since NERC’s core mandate is not to generate revenue, it should reduce the fee to N250,000.

Making his input to the “Regulation for Tariff Review in the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in Abuja, Odubuyi insisted that the request is totally unreasonable because it is a legitimate responsibility of the commission to entertain such request.

He added that the companies are already remitting funds to the commission on monthly basis.

His said: “On the extraordinary we find the application of N2million to the regulatory body, and we are already paying NERC every month. Asking us to pay N2million for what is a legitimate request is totally unreasonable.

“We accept that if you charge some fees, which should not be more than N250,000. Remember that NERC is not a money making organisation. You are not a profit making organisation. You are supposed to cover your cost only, not to make profit.”

Odubiyi also warned the commission on the danger of entertaining separate applications from different companies at different times, stressing that it would lead to staggered tariff in NERC. “We want to state clearly that for the extra-ordinary review, this process will lead to a staggered tariff for all market participants instead of what we have now where everything is done once,” he said.

• From left: Company Secretary, MTN Nigeria, Mrs Uto Ukpanah; Africa Representative, Global Compact Nigeria, Innocent Azih and Head, Transparency and Anti-corruption Global Compact Office, New York, Mrs Olajobi Makinwa, at a Media Interaction on report of the workshop on Public-Private Sector Partnership Against Corruption in Lagos...yesterday.

SURE-P gets N15b monthly, says SURE-P chair Agwai

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HAIRMAN of the Sub sidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), General Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) yesterday said the committee receives N15billion monthly.

The money, he said, represents the N32 difference between the old pump price and the new price of N97 for premium motor spirit (PMS).

He said SURE-P has been receiving the N15billon every month since inception on February 13, 2012 and has been intervening in the provision of transportation infrastructure, healthcare, youth empowerment, among others.

Agwai, who at a news conference on the activities of the committee in Lagos, said SURE-P has been operating on a budget of N268.37 billion this year.

He said SURE-P does not decide where to intervene and how much to put into a project. “That is the role of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under the chair-

RATES Inflation -8.2% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $38.4b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

manship of President Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.

Asked how much SURE-P has received so far, he said: “You cannot sit down and quantify everyday how much petrol is sold. So, the experts have sat down. They have worked all the variables under the extreme and the low part, and on the average, we at federal SURE-P get N15billion every month as SURE-P money.

“But we don’t generate money. We’re only administering N32 that has become the difference between the old pump price and the new pump price,” he said.

Agwai said SURE-P does not offer direct employment but works through ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), that in turn pay the contractors and those on internship.

He said: “We don’t pay salaries directly. We don’t have a tenders’ board for contracts awards. We only administer payments. In one of

our programmes called Graduate Internship Scheme, we pay stipends of N30,000, but they don’t come to SUREP to collect cheques. They go through the MDAs. “For public projects, we work with the project implementation units of the MDAs. We don’t issue cheques. Our money is domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). When an MDA who we’re paying through has done a job, and we have cross-checked that the job has been done, we authorise the CBN to remit money to that organisation.

“We use SURE-P money to build public health centres, but it’s the money we administer that is used for the payments. Directly, we don’t employ anybody. We don’t give any contracts out.”

Agwai warned job-seekers to beware of fraudsters who wear SURE-P vests, collecting registration fees and promising employment to job-seekers. Some of the impersonators were said to be operating in Lagos around

the Toll Gate area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Agwi said SURE-P would build special U-Turns at various points on the LagosIbadan Expressway to ease the challenge of driving long distances to make u-turns.

The project, he said, will be concluded by 2017.

According to him, 11,000 graduates have been employed under the internship scheme, while 5,000 people are currently undergoing trainings across the country, with 200 engineers being trained at the National Power Training Institute.

Agwai said one of SURE-P’s challenges is managing Nigerians’ expectations, who according to him want projects delivered quickly.

The SURE-P committee was set up to ensure the proper management of the funds that would accrue to the Federal Government from the partial withdrawal of fuel subsidy, with Dr Christopher Kolade as pioneer chairman and Agwai as his deputy.

EU votes 415m euro for Africa’s integration

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb

By Joseph Jibueze

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HE European Union (EU) has allocated 415 million euro to support Africa’s integration programmes.

The decision was reached yesterday in Brussels, Belgium, according to a statement issued in Abuja.

The allocation is meant to fund the first phase of a new programme. It is the first ever EU programme in development and cooperation that covers Africa as a whole to address trans-national and global challenges, such as migration and mobility, climate change and security.

The support is coming under the EU-Africa Partnership, which the two continents established in 2007 to put their relations on a new

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

footing and to establish a strategic partnership, responding to mutual interests and based upon a strong political relationship and close cooperation in key areas.

The programme, which is financed from the EU budget will be a key instrument for the European Commission to implement, in close cooperation with African partners, the joint political priorities of the roadmap which was adopted

by African and EU Heads of State and Government during the 4th EU-Africa summit in April this year.

The Pan-African Programme, which was announced by President

Manuel Barroso at the 4th Africa-EU summit in Brussels in April 2014, will amount to 845 million euro from 2014 to 2020.

It will contribute, among others, to increased mobility on the African continent, better trade relations across regions and also better equip both continents The first phase that was launched yesterday, the statement explained “will include projects ranging from sustainable agriculture, environment, and higher education to governance, infrastructure, migration, information and communication technology, as well as research and innovation.

“Concrete projects will, for

example, support election observation missions operated by the African Union in its member states or improve the governance of migration and mobility within Africa and between Africa and the EU. Some initiatives will benefit citizens directly, such as a student’s academic exchange programme or the harmonisation of academic curricula across a range of African universities facilitating the mobility of African students and academics.”

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, was quoted to have said that just like in Europe and elsewhere, the challenges faced by Africa can no longer be tackled within national borders.

Eko Expo: Fashola urges patronage of made-in-Nigeria goods

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has urged residents to take advantage of ongoing Eko Expo Trade Fair and patronise ‘Made-in-Nigeria’ rather than imported goods.

Governor Fashola spoke while flagging off the 2014 Eko Expo Trade Fair at the Lekki Free Zone, Lekki area of Lagos.

He explained that there were many goods and products that the average Nigerian used on a daily basis, from cars to tissue paper, lamenting that most of these goods were being imported from other countries.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Oluranti Adebule, said people see locally made goods as being substandard or had the mentality that foreign goods were better than the ones made in the country. He urged entrepreneurs to take a twopronged approach to change this notion.

He stressed the need to promote and sustain the Nigerian brand and services, adding that there was need to be globally competitive. He stressed that the goal of sustainable employment generation required that “we assess our competencies in the face of global competition.”

“At this stage of our development, we need not delude ourselves with the misconception that Nigerians will patronise made in Nigeria goods out of patriotic sentiments as against product quality considerations”.

One of such approach, he said, was shifting focus to ‘made in Nigeria’ products because that was where the future of the nation’s economy laid, adding that the other approach was changing the nation’s current business models for the better.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

BUSINESS

Govt grants firms licences to boost hydropower generation

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HE Federal Govern ment yesterday granted three indigenous firms water use licence and permit to improve hydropower generation.

The three firms granted the permit include; Zuma Energy Nigeria Limited, William Duncan Hydro Electric Power Limited and Hydro Belt Flow Limited.

Zuma energy is expected to generate coal fire power from the River Nigeri, William Duncan Hydro Electric Power Limited will generate hydro electricity from Kwall River in Plateau State while Hydro Belt Flow Lim-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

ited would generate hydro electricity from Mada River and Katsina-Ala River.

Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe who spoke in Abuja at the official presentation of the permit to the firms said the permit would serve as provisional licenses to enable the firms to have access to the projects sites in order to finalise their project designs.

She added that substantive water use license would be granted after the companies must have fulfilled the re-

quirements of paying the necessary fees and completing the application forms.

Ochekpe said: “Nigeria’s industrialisation is greatly being hampered by inadequate power supply. In view of this, the water sector is playing a supportive role in the development of renewable energy using our dams and encouraging the private sector to participate in the development of hydropower.

“It is for this reason that we did not hesitated in granting the provisional permits to these investors.”

The minister noted that the

official presentation of license permit, organised by the Nigerian Integrated Water Resources Management Commission was granted to enable companies carry out feasibility studies on rivers to build hydro dams and abstract water for power generation.

She said the granting of permits to private sector for the development of the nation’s water resources was part of the supportive role of the sector in the development of renewable energy through dams to facilitate private sector participation to develop hydropower.

• From left: The Executive Director, FCMB Capital Markets Limited, Mr. Tolu Osinibi; Deputy Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc, Mr. Omamofe Boyo and Head, Communications, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mrs. Uche Mojekwu, at the agreement signing ceremony of Oando’s acquisition of the Nigerian Upstream Oil and Gas Business of ConocoPhillips, which took place in France. FCMB Capital Markets was the Mandated Lead Arranger and Technical Bank for the transaction.

A

Airtel subscribers to get free hospital, life insurance cover

IRTEL subscribers can now access hospitali sation and life insurance cover up to the tune of N500, 000 and N50, 000 respectively by recharging as little as N1, 000 every month, the Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa has said.

Speaking yesterday at the launch of “Airtel Insurance” in Lagos, he said the telco is rolling out the service in partnership with Micro Ensure and Cornerstone Insurance Plc. Newa who said the product has been endorsed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) noted that customers are not required to pay premium and as a result, they get the cover free.

According to him, the product is open to all Airtel subscribers between the ages of 18 and 65 years, adding that all they need to do is dial *259# to register for the service.

He explained that customers can qualify for this insurance by recharging as little as N1, 000 with Airtel each month, and as they increase their monthly recharge, they earn more insurance cover with up to N500,000 and N50,000 of life insurance and hospitalisation cover per month.

He said the insurance be-

By Lucas Ajanaku and Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

comes active on the first day of the month following registration, and is based on the amount of airtime recharged the previous month with a minimum monthly recharge of N 1,000.

Newa said customers also have a variety of packages to choose from noting that with a monthly recharge of N1,000, the insurance sceheme gives the customer N10,000 hospitalisation and N100,000 life insurance while N5,000 recharge will earn customers as much as N25,000 hospitalisation and N250,000 life insurance.

He added that a N10,000 recharge will attract N50,000 hospitalisation and N500,000 life insurance.

He said: “The product, which is tagged Airtel Insurance is packaged to deliver affordable insurance services and encourage insurance culture among Nigerians. It is first of its kind in Nigeria and has been endorsed by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

“All hospitalisations are covered, both for natural and accidental causes, with no medical exclusions, making it the most widely accessible

and generous free. Majority of Nigerians especially the middle and low income earners cannot afford most available insurance policies due to income levels and complicated insurance processes.” He said the insurance plan on the other hand was designed to make affordable insurance available to everyone in a simple manner.

Group Managing Director, Cornerstone Insurance Plc, Ganiyu Musa, said the prod-

uct is coming at a time the country is grossly under-insured.

He said his firm is excited to be at the forefront of providing truly innovative products and channels combinations that address the Nigerian situation.

He said:“That we are grossly under-insured as a nation is very well documented and we are glad to be able to provide a platform for millions of financially excluded Nigerians to enjoy the benefits and peace of mind of insurance for free.”

Africa’s growth offers U.S. an opportunity, says Obama

• Obama

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RESIDENT Barack Obama has said Afri ca’s fast-growing economies represent a great opportunity for United States (U.S.) companies to expand their investments if governments curb corruption and human rights abuses.

According to Bloomberg, Obama said Africa represents a great opportunity for American companies to expand their investments, as the U.S. competes with China to tap some of the world’s fastest growing economies.

“Africa’s rise means opportunity for all of us,” Obama told heads of state gathered for a morning session yesteray at the State Department in the final day of U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit.

He promised them “a partnership of equals that focuses on African capacity to solve problems, and on Africa’s capacity to grow.”

The president is seeking to shift the U.S. focus in Africa toward fostering investment and trade, instead of the traditional emphasis on providing aid. The new approach is being taken as China has surpassed the U.S. as Africa’s biggest trading partner with a relationship that exceeded $200 billion last year, more than double that of the U.S. At yesterday’s U.S.-Africa Business Forum in Washington, the U.S. president drew an indirect contrast y to China’s approach, saying that the U.S. wants to work with African nations to promote their expansion. “We don’t simply want to extract minerals from the ground for our growth.”

That prompted a response yesterday from the Chinese government.

“China’s African policy has always featured sincerity, friendship, equal treatment, mutual benefit and common development,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, according to a report by the official Xinhua News Agency.

“This is the fundamental

reason why China-Africa cooperation is welcomed by African countries and people.” China, the spokeswoman said, hopes the U.S. “can play a greater role” than it does now in supporting African development.

China’s state-owned enterprises have rolled out projects in every country on the continent, including hydroelectric dams, highways and rail lines linked to the extraction of natural resources.

The U.S. is seeking to expand its commercial footprint in Africa. At yesterday’s forum, which included more than 90 U.S. companies, Obama highlighted $33 billion in commitments to Africa: $14 billion in investments by companies including General Electric Co. (GE) and Coca-Cola Co. (KO), $7 billion in financing to promote U.S. exports and $12 billion for an initiative to double availability of electricity in sub-Saharan Africa.

Obama said he wanted to focus leaders’ attention today on factors that encourage investment and economic stability: governance and rule of law, expanding trade and steps to deepen security cooperation.

To draw more U.S. investment, the administration is pressing African leaders at the summit to protect human rights, especially for women, curb corruption and foster more transparent financial systems. It has been a recurring theme from the president and top administration officials over the three days of the summit.

Obama said: “Capital is one thing. Rule of law, regulatory reform, good governance? Those things matter even more because investors want to be able to do business without “paying a bribe or hiring somebody’s cousin.”

Africa’s biggest need, he said, is “laws and regulations and structure that empower the individual” and don’t simply preserve “power for those at the very top.”

Obama will return to that message during the final session of the summit today titled “Governing for the Next Generation.” The White House, in a statement, said that discussion at the State Department will include emphasizing that accountable and transparent government promotes development.

NNPC’s boss promises to sustain transformation of sector

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HE newly appointed Group Managing Di rector of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joeph Thlama Dawha yesterday said that the Corporation will sustain the ongoing transformation of the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector in order to impact positively on the economy.

Dawha, gave the assurance while taking over the baton of leadership from the former GMD, Andrew Laah Yakubu at the NNPC Towers, yesterday in Abuja.

A statement by the Group

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

Public Affairs Division, Ohi Alegbe, said the new GMD expressed gratitude to President Goodluck Jonathan on his appointment and assured that the management under him, would find lasting solution to some of the knotty issues plaguing the petroleum sector.

He praised Yakubu for his commitment and dedication to the service of the nation over the last thirty years, and wished him well in his future endeavor.

Dr. Dawha solicited for maximum support from the members of staff, stressing

that the moment has come for NNPC to impact more on the Nigerian society.

Speaking earlier, Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity given him to rise to the pinnacle of his career, and congratulated the Dawha on his well-deserved appointment.

Yakubu described the new GMD as a thoroughbred professional who has the intellectual capacity to navigate the NNPC and the entire oil industry to the next level.

Before his appointment as GMD, Dr. Dawha was the Group Executive Director for Exploration and

Production of the NNPC, where he was saddled with the onerous responsibility of repositioning and setting strategic direction for the upstream exploration and production activities of the Corporation.

The new GMD joined the services of the NNPC in 1988 and by dint of hard work and dedication, rose to the rank of Executive Director, Commercial Services of Eleme Petrochemical Company Limited, (now Indorama) Port Harcourt in 2003, from where he was appointed the Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Limited, Benin in 2005.

THURSDAY, AGUST 7, 2014

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

FREE

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper A 12-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE RAUF AREGBESOLA ADMINISTRATION

Radical vision, practical action: The Ogbeni factor ‘ We are (Omoluabi), offspring of the giant, ancient men of valor, culture and knowledge. Our ancestry is traceable to the builders of the pyramid and such other wonders of the world. Let us continue our ascent to greatness by making poverty history in our time thus achieving the lofty objective of our last hero, Chief Obafemi Oyeniyi Awolowo, who made ‘Freedom for all, life more abundant’, the credo of Action Group in 1952. Yet, the Dawn has come at last

‘

• Man of Action Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

Osun’s road to South w The government of the State of Osun says it is building multi channel roads all over the state, this it believes will stimulate economic prosperity of a state once described as civil service state. In this report, SEUN AKIOYE looks at how the road projects have affected the common Joe. It was not a political rally, at least not yet. It was a different kind of rally, one that the supporters called ‘the peoples’ rally’. At about 3:pm on the afternoon of Tuesday April 15 2014,Governor Rauf Aregbesola rode into the city of Ilesa in an open roof white jeep and a convoy of about six vehicles. He was dressed in a white lace that fitted his frame and a blue cap sat proudly on his head; a dark sunshade protected his eyes from the blinding rays of the sun. Immediately, a crowd gathered and as the convoy progressed into the heart of the city, thousands of enthusiastic supporters joined in forcing the convoy to move at a snail pace.

The governor waved at the people, sometimes gave the victory sign and danced to the impromptu music of the okada riders and other supporters who ran alongside his motorcade. He bonded with the people who feel they can honestly lay claim to him as one of their own.

In the last one year, Governor Aregbesola’s administration has built 29.71 kilometers of roads round the city of Ilesa. The new roads were located in 15 streets all over the city. It was like a ring road connecting different sections of the city so that if one began from one end, one can end up at the same spot going round the city. That was what Governor Aregbesola did when he rode into town to commission the roads, he spent over one hour inspecting all 15 roads and ended up at the Ibala road community primary school venue of the ceremony, where several thousands of people were already waiting. Time was 4:30pm.

Governor Aregbesola said his overriding ambition is to regain Osun’s place as the economic hub of the Southwest outside of Lagos and because the state is bordered by five different states of the Southwest and North central, it serves as a veritable alternative to Lagos in trade and investments. So the governor thought of linking the state with the railway and constructing standardised access roads into the state. The road construction too would serve as internal economic stimulus for the state. So almost four years into this plan, how has the state managed to achieve its objectives?

“We just want the roads fixed” Government agencies said that the construction of 15 roads in Ilesa was unprecedented in the history of the state. Instructively, many of the residents shared this sentiment.

At the ceremony to mark the commissioning of the roads, about 15 traditional rulers both within the state and outside graced the occasion. Speaking for the royal fathers, the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran said the administration of governor Aregbesola has made the biggest developmental impacts in the state. He mentioned the constructed roads as being unprecedented and threw in a clincher. “I can even say it was during your administration that I gave birth to twins,” he told the governor.

But it wasn’t only the royal fathers that appreciated the benefits of the new roads in Ilesa, the

Rehabilitation of Kobo section of Ikirun Road

people do too. Mary Oyeleye, a resident of Omo-Olupe Street, Bonnke area just opened a new business where she sells food items. About a year ago, this had been impossible to accomplish and the reasons are not far -fetched.

“We have really suffered in this Olupe Street. Before the road was constructed, this whole area was flood and muds especially the Bonnke area. There was a river there and only okada can pass through this area, when you get to Bonnke, then you have to roll up your dress and wade through the mud and river. There were houses that have been submerged in the river too. This place was a nightmare,” she said.

The bad condition of the road also had its negative economic impact. Being a major link road to several towns including Ijebu ijesa, Osogbo and Akure, the road had been completely deserted by all commercial interests, shops closed down and residents began to move out of the area.

About a year ago, work began on the road and the when the construction was completed the area took on a new image. Apart from the standard construction, OmoOlupe Street has opened for business. “We built these stores last December because the road is now passable. Also all the commercial buses are now using this road so it makes it busy. We are grateful to the governor for doing this; he has totally changed our lives,” Oyeleye said.

Omo-Olupe is not the only street opened for business, the whole of

Ilesa is. From one street to the other, residents spoke of years of decay and neglect but which has been reversed by the construction or rehabilitation of the roads. OmiEran road for instance according to some of the engineers from Ratcon Construction company-the company responsible for the construction of the roads- was a terrible specimen of a township road.

At the ceremony to commission the roads, the residents discussed the impacts of the new developments in the city. They were not the only ones to marvel in wonder, the governor did too. “As we drove round the roads today with the people, I was just wondering about what God can do. I was thinking to myself that to have 29 kilometers of roads round Ilesa, this is the first time in the history of this state. I was just thanking God,” the governor said, his eyes dilating with excitement and his voice rising in a sing-song. The crowd caught the bug of his excitement and somebody raised a song loosely translated to thanking God for a new era.

The excitement about the new roads however transcends Ilesa, in Osogbo, where several township and inter- city road constructions have been done and still ongoing, the physical outlook of the city has changed, probably forever. In Osogbo, the philosophy behind the road constructions remains the same; that is opening up economic opportunities for many of the residents of the state, from the bottom up approach.

Mercy land area, a large residential and business settlement in

Osogbo with thousands of residents now wears a new look. It is one of the several Osogbo township roads constructed over four months ago which linked several neighbourhoods. In Mercy land area- which conveniently sits on a small hill- there are about 10 newly constructed roads, linking one street with another up and down the hill.

Kayode Oyediran has operated his tie and dye business from Omonike crescent for five years now but according to him it was only this year that any meaningful improvement has occurred in the area. “Because the whole of Mercy land area was in a terrible shape, you find that people cannot move as freely as they want. The consequence of that is business concerns were affected. Here, it was only those who had okada that could work here,” he said.

But things have changed for his business. Because of the newly constructed roads in the neighbourhood he could easily move his raw materials into site and also his finished goods out of his business premises. “I think on the issues of road construction, I will give the governor a pass mark. This is not the only road he has done, if you go across Osogbo, there are so many inner roads like this that have been done. Osogbo has really changed,” Oyediran enthused.

The residents of Oke Arugbo’s 12 zones neighbourhood also believe their newly constructed roads will facilitate business development in the area and boost real estate.

According to Chief Titus Osobu,

the chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Atakumasa West in Ilesa but who owns a house in Oke Arugbo zone 2, the development in the area has been unprecedented. “I came here about 20 years ago but this type of development has been unprecedented.

There were times we had given up but today, we thank governor Aregbesola for doing this road for us.” “ We never expected our road will be fixed in 10 years, this governor has really tried and we really appreciate him for that. Tell him we are grateful recipients of all that he is doing,” Titilayo Adetoun, a resident of zone 3 who followed the profession of tailoring said.

Though the construction of roads in Oke Arugbo still has about four zones to be completed, the revolution was already catching on in all the zones. “Zone 8 where I live is yet to be constructed, but we can drive on good roads up to this point. We are certain the government must complete all the remaining roads to have a complete development,” Mrs. Adebola Adeseye said.

Outside the township roads in Osogbo, there are major inter –city construction being undertaken by the Aregbesola administration.

One of the major road constructions embarked upon is the famous Oba Adesoji Aderemi bypass.

The story behind this massive 17.5 kilometer road within Osogbo metropolis is as interesting as the construction itself. According to government officials, the aim of the road is to complete the ring

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

h west’s economic hub

Adrainage at Ofatedo

•Dual carriage way on Osogbo-Ikirun Road

•Omi Eran Road, Ilesa

road round Osogbo .

Sabitu Amudah, an engineer and Special Adviser to the governor on works is the man in charge of the various road constructions. The Oba Adesoji bypass is one of the projects that give him some of the most pleasure and when he talks about it, it shows.

“It’s a roundabout that connects Iwo road and the West by-pass. It ended there before, but we now want to complete the loop, we want to finish the ring. It starts from Iwo road roundabout and goes the whole of 17.5 kilometers to link back to the roundabout at Ikirun road, so that you have a complete ring road round Osogbo,” he said.

Going through the length of the on-going construction is instructive about the determination to the government to bring massive development to that part of the city. A Turkish construction company, SlavaYeditepe had the task of boring through rocks and wading through rivers to construct the new bypass.

From Iwo roundabout from Channel 0, work according to government is about 40 percent completed.

When The Nation visited the site, workers were seen engaged in the road work. Between channels 0-4,

•A bridge over the Osun river Oba Adeyemi bypass new bridges were springing up over railways and dual carriage ways took the place of deep forests. At Abere junction, a flyover would pass over it to link the road with OkeIjetu/Ilesa garage. According to Edwin, one of the site engineers, the flyover will have four loops and ramps to divert traffic. When completed, it will be the first flyover in Osogbo. The engineer also said the road being constructed is of the highest standards using 30cm stone base.

Another source inside SlavaYeditepe also said the roads are being constructed to last 40 years.

Even though many houses were demolished in many neighbourhoods, the people continue to look ahead to the economic prosperity it will bring. They don’t have to wait for long as the road has been throwing up business and developmental opportunities. “ I give this road two years and you will see a business district here, you just need to picture the road the whole stretch and you can imagine the endless possibilities for business development,” Edwin said.

Alhaji Moruf Adenekan, who lives around testing ground area, corroborated this view: “Everywhere on this road people are buying up land. I

know the land is appreciating now; people are buying up to build shopping malls and other things.

If you have the money, it is a good business deal to buy land here even for resale later on.”

The economic benefits are not lost on Oladele Akindele, who owns a business on Oke-Ijetu too. “ Well, there are many houses that were demolished, I don’t know if they had been compensated because mine was not demolished, but this road will bring development to this area, that is for sure,” he said.

Another road generating interesting permutation is the Oshogbo Ikirun road which began from the old garage and terminated at IlaOdo /Kwara state border. It is being handled by a wholly indigenous construction company, Sammya Constructions. The former single carriage way has been made into a dual carriage way, completed with drainage one meter deep and wide. Construction too is almost at 40 percent completion. Businesses that were disrupted before have reopened. One of them is Best Oyin Aluminium Company.

“During the construction, we

had to cope with a lot of things, but now we are very happy because business here has improved,” says Yessuf Dada, one of the workers.

But the progress did not come easy. From the old garage to Aiyetoro many buildings had to give way despite this however, Moruf Adeyemi, a traffic warden says his job has been made easier with the new road.

One of the greatest beneficiaries is Elder Olalere Isaiah, a steel worker at the Kobo area .

He said: “We have not seen this kind of governor before in Osun, this area was the home of flood, when it rains we experience massive flood. But with the drainage, this place is dry and our business has improved.”

Engineers at Sammya said there were various impediments which necessitated an extension of the time needed to finish the job. “We had to deal with the telecommunications and power cables. We have written to them to move them and even electricity poles have to be moved, all these take time, that is why we have to request for a little extension to finish,” a source said.

The Gbogan/Akoda/Ede ex-

PHOTOS: SEUN AKIOYE

pressway is another massive intercity road network being constructed by the government. According to Amuda, the thinking behind this road is to facilitate the movement of goods into the state.

“We want a situation where coming from Lagos, you can continue with the same dual carriage way into Osogbo. We already have mapped out how this will benefit commercial activities in the state, that is why we are into all these road constructions,” he said.

But the people begged for more.

Olaleye from Omo-Olupe Street, Ilesa said the residents still need a speed breaker on the road to prevent future accidents. Dada also wants a speed breaker on the Ikirun road while Isaiah wants the government to complete the inner roads around the Kobo area.

At the Ikirun Thursday market, sellers mingled with buyers even as they watched the tractors move into town and a part of the market disappeared to pave the way for the new road. “It’s our market but the government is trying to bring improvement to the state so we are happy even if a part of the market is going,” a representative of the market leader told The Nation.

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or e: Alekuwodo Road • Bef Befor ore:

w: Alekuwodo Road • No Now:

or e: Rail Way New • Bef Befor ore:

w: Rail Way New • No Now:

or e: Adesoji Aderemi Road • Bef Befor ore:

w: Adesoji Aderemi Road • No Now:

or e: Opposite Lameco Petrol Station, Osogbo • Bef Befor ore:

w: Opposite Lameco Petrol Station, Osogbo • No Now:

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

or e: Oroki Estate Road • Bef Befor ore:

•New New look: AUD Elementary School, Osogbo

•New New look: Laro Timehin Middle School, Isale Aro

•Bef Befor ore: Bef or e: Salvation Army School, Osogbo old

or e: Oroki Estate Road • Bef Befor ore:

•New New look: Baptist Elementary School, Ilare, Ife

•Ayegbaju Market, Osogbo

w: Salvation Army Model School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo • No Now:

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

• Armoured Personnel Carriers for security men

• New look: Wole Soyinka High School, Ejigbo

• Freedom Park, Osogbo

• Omuluabi Garment Factory, Osogbo

New look: L .A Adenle Middle School, Ayetoro, Osogbo •New

•The Mandela Park at night

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

• Ogbeni Aregbesola test-running one of the several patrol cars bought for police

• Renovation of Water Works

• Participants at a training on Opon Imo

•Opon Imo before they were distributed to pupils

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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NEWS OSUN: RADICAL VISION, PRACTICAL ACTION

‘Our roads will last more than 15 years’ Sabitu Amuda, an engineer, is Special Adviser on Works to the Governor. He spoke with SEUN AKIOYE What is the philosophy behind the road constructions being undertaken in Osun now?

Simply to increase the revenue generation of the state.

How is that possible?

It’s simple, people are saying that we are constructing roads and at the same time talking about revenue generation, the amount of money we have spent so far in the construction of the roads in the state remains in the state. The only percentage that goes out cannot be said to be five percent.

There are foreign companies working on the road and definitely they must be returning profits to their home country?

Thank you, when I say five percent, I am talking about salaries only and that is for those workers who are being paid as foreigners.

When it comes to the materials being used except for a small percentage all of them are sourced from this state. Granite and sand are found here, the cement whether we construct roads or not people are building houses so we have distributors everywhere, the reinforcement rods, we can say they are being rolled out in Lagos but they are bringing them here and we can still say they are sourced here.

So when we are talking about the construction, we are using the money to buy materials to construct the roads so no matter how much it costs the money is still entrenched here.

How bad were the roads before this administration?

We can say the condition was poor. That is giving it about 30 percent, even the roads that were constructed you go back after four months they are gone. When they make budgets for road construction this year, they will make the same budget for the same number of roads in the next budget. You will not see an increase in the number of roads being constructed, it is because of the methods they employed in constructing the roads.

A lot of roads are being constructed in Ilesa and other places, what is happening in Osogbo, the capital?

Let me start from the major road works. There are two that can be said to be seen physically within the state capital that is Oba Adesoji Aderemi bypass which is totally within the city. It’s from the existing stretch of the West bypass which starts from Ikirun roundabout by the stadium to Iwo roundabout where we call ‘Dele Yes Sir’ area. It’s a roundabout that connects Iwo road and that West bypass. It ended there before, but we now want to complete the loop, we want to finish the ring. It starts from Iwo road roundabout and goes the whole of 17.5 kilometers to link back to the roundabout at Ikirun road, so that you have a complete ring road round Osogbo.

What are the features of the road?

It’s a dual carriage way, some features is that there will be no interference with any other road, you are not waiting for another vehicle

to pass, when you move from Channel 0, you get to the rail line and fly over it, when you get to Ataoja area where it crosses Gbongan road, there is going to be another flyover so you have a full clover leave interchange similar to what we have in Ketu and Mile 2 in Lagos. Flyovers that allows you to complete the ring of a total length of 26 kilometers within the state capital.

We have another one that is starting at the centre of Osogbo the old garage road, dual carriage way four lanes to terminate at the boundary of Kwara state. We will be taking the road to fly over two railway crossings at two locations namely Okuku and Ilesa areas. Whether the Oba Adesoji Aderemi by pass or the Kwara boundary road, we are going to have street lights on them.

We have another one, a single carriage way that will be constructed alongside the dual carriage way which will form a crescent because of the Dagbolu hub that we want to put in place.

Just about two kilometers from the steel rolling mill you have the Dagbolu settlement. Now in between Dagbolu and Oba Ile, there is the land where we will develop an international market which we call the Dagbolu hub. It is yet to commence but we are preparing the access roads to that market. This market is going to sell the way they sell wholesale in Lagos because government is going to be responsible for hauling these products from Lagos so the traders can sell the same price they sell in Lagos.

There is a railway station there so that is an advantage. We will transport agric produce from Dagbolu hub to Lagos and we are bringing finished products from Lagos down to Osogbo and government is going to bear the cost of haulage, look at that. We want to build the economy of the state, we are not just constructing roads, we have the economy at the back of our minds.

We want to create the environment conducive enough for people to come back and do business here because Osogbo has been relegated.

Businessmen think if they come to Osogbo where is the market for their products? But if we could have all these roads in place like we are linking Gbongan to Osogbo with another dual carriage way so that the dual carriage way from Lagos will continue like that to Osun.

What about townships roads?

We have many single carriage ways in Osogbo, Ede, Ilesa, Iwo, Ife and a number of other local government roads, not directly financed by the state but enhanced because the government is supporting them with loans from the banks.

The roads are on the average six kilometers all over the 30 local governments including the area office.

The actual number of local government roads built to the same standard is 228 kilometers. We want the local government roads to be the same standards, so that in the next 15 years we will not come back to it.

We will not do any major work on the roads in the next 15 years, I am assuring you. If you look at the terrain where these roads traversed

•Amuda

‘ The roads we are constructing have opened up their businesses. Same for grocery sellers and other small scale businesses. The population of Osogbo is also increasing. Hotels are also springing up showing that the standard of living has improved in this city. you can imagine what must have gone into building the roads. You can see the road lane markings too, they are modern.

How about maintenance, what are the things you are putting in place for constant maintenance?

As we build, we are also grooming an agency to constantly monitor the roads. That is the Osun Road Maintenance Agency (ORMA).

They have the responsibility to monitor and maintain the roads all over the states.

You said you empowered local contractors when there are many foreign companies Let me tell you, Ratcon has its headquarters at Ibadan, but SlavaYeditepe has its main operation here in the state, if you can go to their camp you will see the facilities they have. Sammya is fully Nigerian; any white person there is an employee. But whether Ratcon or Slava, in terms of staff their foreign

‘

input is less than 20 percent. Majority of the workers are sourced locally. Not all sector within these companies is foreign, many of our people are in charge.

In total, how much has the government spent on these projects?

For now, we are spending in the range of N80 billion. There is one in the bracket of N29billion; one in the bracket of N18b, there is one of N15billion and N17.5billion etc.

The local government roads is costing us about N21billion, its 228 kilometers single carriage way. Add that together we have about N110billion.

What are the immediate economic reactions to these projects?

All petty traders along these roads can in retrospect admit that profit has improved because people can easily access their businesses and they can have quick turnovers.

The roads we are constructing have opened up their businesses. Same

for grocery sellers and other small scale businesses. The population of Osogbo is also increasing. Hotels are also springing up showing that the standard of living has improved in this city. That is the effect of what the government is doing, it is not a normal growth, it is anchored on the level of infrastructure government is putting in place.

Now when all these are completed, what do you see?

I want to see the ring road; I want to look at the most busy road in Washington or Broad Street in Lagos. The transformation that will happen to the properties along this road will be unprecedented. If you have a plot there, you will be thinking of having multi-storey building there. By the time we have the airport, picture it yourself, the good road networks in the state, the market hub in Dagbolu, a busy modern town, Osun is going to be great.

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Ounje Aregbe: Fighting poverty through O’meal T

HERE were grim statistics for Nigeria from the recently released “State of School Feeding Worldwide Report”, compiled by the World Food Programme (WFP) which was recently launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The report had indicated that only one out of five school children get a healthy school meal in developing countries. The report also presented a gloomy picture for Nigeria’s school feeding programme highlighting that less than 500,000 school children get a decent meal in school. In that report, Nigeria and Cameroon shared the ignoble position of coming last.

In 2004, Nigeria began a pilot project of Home Grown School Feeding and Health Programme (HGSFHP) which was part of the Universal Basic Education Programme. It was designed to feed elementary pupils in public schools. But out of the 13 states that participated in the programme, only one state remained committed to the continued implementation and improvement of the project: The State of Osun.

Osun state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has been developing a simple theory with his re-organized school feeding programme in the state. For him, providing nutritious and healthy meals in schools has a direct link to mental development and the eradication of poverty.

Therefore when in April 2012, he decided to review the school feeding programme with a bigger and better menu, he targeted not just the children but also the farmers in the state. The Osun Elementary School Feeding and Health Programme (O’MEALS), which was the result of the new thinking in Osun has since surpassed most of its main objectives.

One of the cardinal points of O’Meals is to increase enrolment and retention of school children in state primary schools. Within four weeks of the commencement of the programme however, school enrolment has jumped about 25 percent in government primary schools. By June 30, 2012, enrolment increased from 155,318,000 to 194,253 from primaries 1-3.

Basking in the euphoria of this success, the state government promptly widened the scope and included primary 4 in the scheme.

The state now feeds a total of 252,793,000 students daily at the annual cost of N3billion naira.

From the report of the WFP, Osun state accounts for more than half of the total number of children getting healthy and nutritious school meals in Nigeria.

The operation officer of O’meal, Mrs. Bunmi Ayoola, said the programme has achieved and surpassed its objectives of increasing school enrolment in the state. She said the government also ensures that the food is prepared in a healthy and neat environment.

“Balance diet helps in developing the brain’s capacity as well as cognitive response index of each child and it plays a major role

•Meal time

Meal time at AUD Elementary School

•Play time

•Students preparing to eat courtesy O'Meal

By Seun Akioye

in ensuring that children assimilate learning instructions fast and well,’’ she said.

But increased enrolment was not the only intention of the Osun state government; reduction of poverty and boosting small and medium scale enterprise were also key points in the school feeding programme. According to the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, the rebirth of the school feeding programme has had positive impact on farmers.

“As part of six points integral action plan of the state government to banish hunger, create employment and education for all; the School feeding programme has increased the enrollment of the pupils by 25 per cent within the two weeks of re-introduction, allowed farmers to engage in massive food production and encouraged learning in primary schools. Let me tell you that 80 per cent of food production by the farmers in the State will be used for feeding of our kids in the programme”.

The deputy governor revealed

that over 900 cocoyam farmers have been empowered by the government.

“In order to ensure that the programme is sustained, we have encouraged our farmers to go into massive production of fish and chicken with which to feed the pupils. We have also directed our farmers to go into massive production of plantain, banana and very soon we are thinking on the possibility of going into massive production of rice and establish rice mills across the state to encourage our farmers,” she said.

More than 3,000 women in the state have also been empowered to serve as the food vendors. The vendors are well kitted with modern cooking utensils and bowls at the cost of N152 million to the state government. One of the vendors, Mrs. Esther Ogundipe said the programme has empowered her family.

“Aregbesola has added value to my life; I am no more a housewife,’’ she said.

Today, according to the Osun state government, 15,000 whole chickens are sourced weekly from local poultry farmers; 254,000 eggs sourced weekly; 35 heads of cattle purchased weekly from local cattle farmers and 400 tonnes of catfish purchased weekly from local fish farmers.

Even though some have criticized the enormous cost of the programme, but the WFP said even in developed country, the amount spend by government on school meals is a worthy investment for the future. “This will help raise healthy adults for the future, it is a worthy investment by any government,” the world body said.

At mid-day on any school day, the bell rang; food vendors immaculately dressed began to make preparations for the feeding of their wards. All across the state, the same process is repeated at every primary school.

Meals like Yam Porridge, bread soaked in a steaming red stew with chicken to garnish, beans porridge and vegetables, all complemented with fruits were handed over to 250,000 children. In Osun schools, time for break means time for “ounje Aregbe.”

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Inside Aregbesola’s big d When Governor Rauf Aregbesola began the implementation of the public school reclassification, doubts were raised about the intent of the new policy while the government insists the new grade system will improve education in the state. But two years after, how has the policy effected a change in the state? SEUN AKIOYE writes

I

T was 11: am and preparations were ongoing at the AUD Elementary school, Isale Osun in Osogbo for the mid-day meal. Meal times at this school are always a special time not only for the immaculately dressed food vendors but for the students many of whom are from poor families. In Grade two classroom, the children beamed with smile as the vendors pass around a sizeable bowl of rice with vegetable, garnished with melon and chicken. A bottle of water was placed beside each student and two pieces of banana completed the meal.

The class teacher, Mrs. Mariam Aderinola watched with glowing pride as the students performed this pleasurable duty of completing their meal. Everyday spent in that classroom for her was a reminder of what the school used to be and how in a spate of two years things have changed completely.

“I used to teach in this school before the reclassification policy of the government, I was teaching this same class then known as Primary 2. Coming to school then was agony and we used to be fearful because the building had fallen apart and touts taken over the school,” she said, a small frown creeping to her brow.

The teacher had a solid reason to be fearful, in 2011, AUD primary school-as it was known- was a specimen of rot and mismanagement.

The buildings-those still standingwere dilapidated while the roof in many places had gone off. According to Aderinola, the whole premises was overgrown with weeds and immediately the children left the school, touts took over the compound. “They will mess up the whole compound with feaces and we would see left over marijuana and drugs. Different things were going on here, the touts were sleeping here and in the morning we would cover our noses while we teach because of the stench,” she said.

New Policy, new challenges The state of AUD primary school was a reflection of the state of education in Osun’s public schools when the Aregbesola administration came into office says the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Oyelade Oyeniran. According to the state government, public education had been so badly managed that only pupils whose parents could not afford private schools were left in the public schools. Primary students especially were poorly dressed and malnourished while performance at both internal and external examination dipped to an all-time low.

But in February 2011, the state government convened an extra-ordinary educational summit with the aim of finding a solution to the deep rooted problems. The summit paraded heavy weights in the educational sector like Professors’ Wole Soyinka, former vice-chancellor of University of Lagos, Ibidapo Obe and Peter Okebukola of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The recommendations were far

•Olufi Model High School, Gbogan

reaching and one of the vital points is the reclassification of schools in the state which implementation began in 2012. But the government knew the change will generate controversy so there were series of meetings with the stakeholders. Materials explaining government’s position were produced and distributed in the state while the state ministry of education continued to engage with the public.

Under the new school policy, the primary school system gave way to the Grade system with the former primary 1-4 with the age range of 69 years merging into what is now called Elementary school, in Grades 1-4. Primary 5 and 6 and Junior Secondary 1-3 merged together to become Middle school and now to be known as Grades 5-9 with the age range of 10-14, while the Senior Secondary students are grouped together in Grades 10-13 in what is now known as High School.

In the new policy, the Elementary schools will have a maximum capacity of 900 pupils in a purpose built state-of –the art school. Other features will be provision of school uniform, books and balanced diet meals. The schools were designed to be within the neighbourhood for easy access for all students.

For the middle school, the maximum capacity will be between 9001000 students with the provision of state-of-the art educational infrastructures and catchment to be between 2-3 kilometers while the High school will have a maximum capacity of 3000 students with hostel facilities. However, the curriculum did not change rather what changed were physical infrastructure and

more conducive environment.

But fierce opposition began against the policy immediately it was announced, while the government may have anticipated some resistance, it probably underestimated how organized the opposition will be. Questions were raised about the merging of students from different schools and backgrounds under one roof, the loss of identity especially for mission schools and the problems of how workable the new “complicated” model will be.

The government gave reasons for wanting to change the way public education is being conducted in the state, probably forever. According to Oyeniran, the new grade system is the global trend and approach to modern education for effective teaching and learning. In adopting the grade system, pupils of the same age bracket are grouped together with fewer students in classes.

The government also claimed that multiplicity of schools had decayed infrastructure over the years leading to poor funding, shortage of teachers and inefficiency. The new policy the government said will reverse the rot and make quality education available to all children without discrimination making public school comparable to the private schools.

The promise of new infrastructure On October 2nd 2013, the state government rolled out the drums to celebrate the commissioning of the state of the art new school infrastructure, the Salvation Army Middle School, Alekuwodo, Osogbo. It was not the fanfare or the presence of top government functionaries that became the center point of the event

but the arrival of Governor Aregbesola wearing a middle school uniform and beaming with smile as he commissioned the first mega school that would accommodate students of the middle school.

There are lots of promises in the new education policy of the state government. In moving students from different schools together under the same roof, the government promised to build 170 mega schools throughout the state. While Elementary will have 100 schools, Middle will have 50 while 20 High schools will be built in the state. These mega buildings will have laboratories, libraries, clean toilet facilities and ICT centers. These new infrastructures will complement other schools that would be upgraded to acceptable standards in the state under the reclassification policy.

The government also promised to feed all students in elementary school under what it called the O’Meal programme. About 3,000 food vendors have been contracted throughout the state and the students followed a regime of nutritional meals throughout the week in the state.

Under the reclassification, all public schools in Osun state will be free while government will also supply books and uniforms to the students.

But how much of these promise have been fulfilled and what has been the impact of the new education policy on students in the state?

Inside Aregbesola’s Grade Schools Passing through the busy Alekuwodo road in Osogbo, the imposing Salvation Army Middle School is unmistakable. Built in a

rectangle shape and painted in bright yellow colours, when viewed from the opposite direction without the benefit of the equally imposing signboard, one would believe the building is part of a new private university.

Three members of the Osun Peace Corps movement mounted guard at the gate while students continued with their studies in the classrooms.

No student loitered around and an examination of the entire classroom revealed that the students were all studiously engaged. There were no blackboards but white boards and instead of the chalk, markers were used to write on the boards. The students sat two in a seat and none of the classroom had more than 40 students.

At the same time, Eunice Yaya, the Head teacher at AUD Elementary school was having her first classroom inspection in the morning.

Like the middle school, AUD is a recently commissioned mega school which catered for Grade 1-4 students of six primary schools. The students in Grade 2 on perceiving a visitor sprang to their feet in greetings, welcoming the visitor to Grade 2 and ending it with a prayer for God’s blessings on the visitor.

“The difference is clear to what we used to have,” Yaya said as she exited the classroom. “We have a very conducive atmosphere for learning and our children loves to come to school because there is free feeding,” she said.

Yaya also said the reclassification of schools has improved the education standards. “Now we have teachers commensurate with the students unlike what we had before.

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g dreams for public education

•St Andrew Elementary Sch, Oke Baale

•Salvation Army middle school

This is a far better system than what we used to run.”

The AUD Elementary school also boasts of some world class infrastructures. “There are 12 toilets and bathrooms, electricity and running water and we have toys for the children. We have a multipurpose hall that can sit 200 pupils at the same time and we educate our children on how to use the facilities because we are determined to preserve and maintain it,” Agbelekale Serifat, the facility manager said.

Currently, 39 mega schools have been completed across the state and many are still under construction. At the CAC Araromi middle school, work was about 40 percent completed when The Nation visited. But the old school built in 1998 by Theophilous Bamigboye’s military administration had been refurbished with the leaking roof replaced and temporary chairs provided for the students. One teacher who spoke anonymously said: “As you can see, work is going on our new school but the government has given this one a face-lift. It is not what we want yet but we will get there.”

Also at former Osogbo Grammar School, work is ongoing for the construction of a 3,000 capacity Model High school. While that was going on, the old building has been refurbished and given a face-lift. But questions have been raised about the distance of the High Schools which has been mitigated by the purchase of 100 Omoluabi Scholar Buses, which according to a government official would be strictly for the students. The Nation can also verify that these buses are currently at the state Ministry of Finance.

•Oyeniran

The impact of the new educational policy in the state has also been generating interesting permutations among the residents of the state.

More than 90 percent of the people sampled independently by The Nation agreed that the policy has changed the landscape for education forever. “I have two children in school. I withdrew my son from a private school where I was paying N60, 000 to join a public school. Now the money is back in my pocket because he attends school free and the facilities are better than the private school. I have a small girl in private school as soon as she is old enough I will take her to public school,” Toyin Barry-Ogwu, who works at Diamond Bank, said.

Barry-Ogwu said the reclassification and reforms in the education sector has changed the face of education in the state. “In Osun state, no child is forced to go to school, the children are looking fine when you see them coming from school, everyone wants to be part of them now because they are well fed,” she said.

Lolade Olanipekun whose daughter attends AUD Elementary School may have had a tiring day but the mention of the new school system brightened his face. “That is one reason I am happy. My daughter is in Grade 2, she talks everyday about how good the school is. She said they eat food everyday and they have this car that goes round to play with,” he said enthusiastically.

On the education standard, he said she is showing more promise. “I am so happy that she is even writing, her handwriting is not too fine now but she is improving every day. She wants to go to school almost every

day of the week, I have seen the school myself and it is very good environment,” Olanipekun said.

Aderinola, Grade 2 teacher at AUD Elementary said a child came from one of the private schools and sat in her class. “She had a different uniform and she sat in the class. We inquired and found her school but she insisted she wanted to stay in our class. She must have been attracted by our facilities here and that is to show the improvements that have happened to this school, even the teachers are also looking very fine,” she said beaming with smile.

One parent who declined to be named said: “You will not know what the governor has done if you don’t know how bad things used to be. I have a shop here and I used to see the students begging for money in the traffic or hawking when they should be in school, but can you see any child on the road today?,” he asked.

The policy has also had a reverberating effect on private schools.

According to investigations, many parents are withdrawing their children from private to the public schools while to counter the Opon Imo policy, the private schools are now selling a similar device to their high school students. The President of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Osun state, Prince Wale Oyeniyi who is also the proprietor of Mustard Seed Schools Ode-Omu told The Nation that while the new school policy is a welcome development; it should also incorporate students of the private schools. “I want to say the reform in schools is good but I must caution that the government

must maintain the standard so that it won’t become a distortion in the end. There has to be a balance too so the other sector of the state won’t suffer,” he said.

Oyeniyi denied that private schools are losing their pupils. “I see no difference throughout the state, we have a symbolic relationship there is no problem. But I should say government should also treat private school pupils the same. They are all citizens and we too are electorates and we vote, all the children are the same, so they should all enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

But the situation was slightly different in International Schools, Abere, Ede North Local Government. The principal, Babaremi Olusola acknowledged frankly the educational reforms had affected his business. “To be candid, this is affecting us, I have seen parents withdrawing their children to public schools because of the free education and uniform and food.”

Olusola also had knocks for the government: “The way they are going about it, it’s like they don’t want us to exist, look at everything they are doing, and we should be partners in progress. We also employ people here and we are voters too. He also implore the government to grant private schools in the state tax reduction and give them what he called special grants to also upgrade their own facilities.

“We want our mega high school” At 2: pm, members of the Christian students fellowship at St Daniel High School 3, Ode-Omu began a session of prayer session. They prayed for progress of the state and

also for a new High School. Outside the old building where they met, three of their teacher sat huddled together.

“We are not happy because our school is split into three when we should all be in the same compound.

Our buildings are not to be compared with the other schools, we are waiting for the government to build us a mega high school because we really need it,” the teachers said.

About 150 meters from the High School is an imposing new building that will house St. Michael Elementary School Ode- Omu. Inside the compound, workers put finishing touches to the painting. “We have 22 classrooms here; we have modern toilets, hall, playground and even a projector. But the best part is that it is dry construction, no brick was used, fire cannot affect it and if we need to move it away from here we just dismantle it and set it up somewhere else,” one of the workers said.

Besides the new building is the old school refurbished by the state government, but compared to the imposing new building, it looked like materials made ready for the museum.

The teachers of St. Daniel while praising the new building insist they deserved it more. “That should have been or school, we need it more but they gave it to the children.”

At the sound of a signal, students of AUD rushed to the playground where several toys have been provided. They played on the see saw, the swing and other toys provided by the state government Elizabeth Ajala, the second Head Teacher stood by watching, “ We will maintain this standard, we are determined to, this is the only way we can show our appreciation,” she said with a smile.

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•The Crowd at Ogbeni’s mega rally... on Tuesday

Have goods to ferry to Lagos? Ogbeni Aregbesola’ll move it free of charge Osun State Commissioner for Commerce, Co-operatives and Empowerment, Ismaila Jayeoba-Alagbada, spoke to SEUN AKIOYE on the plans of the government to stimulate commerce by moving goods from Osun to Lagos free of charge

Y

OU are the commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperative and Empowerment, that is a lot of sector put together, how do you manage to oversee all If you look at the four departments, they are into one because what they want to achieve is to empower our people, industry will employ people, they will earn income and they will be empowered, when you produce, those people that will sell those goods into the market are empowered. When you look at the cooperatives sector, by the time they gather and pull their resources together, they will be able to get more rather than as individuals.

They will form a small scale industry so indirectly they have been empowered and the cardinal aim of this Ministry is to create jobs.

So how much of that has been created?

When you look at commerce, it is germane in any economy.

You know this state used to be the second commercial centre after Lagos in the 1960s. That is why you see the likes of Leventis, PZ here. They were here because Oshogbo is a terminus of Nigeria Railway Corporation so moving their products from Lagos was very easy. People from neighbouring states just come to Osogbo to purchase their goods from all these multinationals.

But in the 1980s all these disappeared, our railway system was not working; the infrastructural level at the state was zero, nothing to attract investors. Commercial activities were at zero level, they used to call this state the civil servants state.

Now how do you want to attract people to come and trade here? How do you bring people here?

Commerce is all about people. Look at Dubai, what do they have there? Because of the infrastructures in Dubai, it attracts people to that country and it is the same thing Ogbeni is doing in the state of Osun. By the time Ogbeni assumed office, he began moving passengers from Lagos to Osogbo during these festive periods. People have lost confidence in the railway. Soon Ogbeni is going is to start moving goods from Osogbo to Lagos and from Lagos to Osogbo, so that the people can sell at wholesale

price and earn their money so they can be encouraged to go back and farm.

Are you saying the ultimate goal of the governor in providing free rail transport is actually commercial?

Yes How is that possible?

Thank you. If we see people today with their farm produce, we are ready to transport it to Lagos and we will do it free of charge. We have been doing the publicity but the people didn’t have enough to move by rail. Ogbeni is ready; people should be encouraged to go back to the farm because this is more or less an agrarian state. But we have not seen any willing farmer.

Maybe if the farmers are empowered enough to produce larger quantity of farm produce They have been empowered. From my ministry alone, we have spent almost N800 million to empower co-operative farmers in the state. This is the first time that the money will actually go to the farmers at co-operative level and we have seen the result.

This is why when other states are complaining about food shortage, in Osun there is no food shortage. This would be the first time farmers will be encouraged to go back to the farm. Now I must confess to you, for those farmers producing cocoyam, we have set up an off-taker that will buy directly from the farmer and pay them in cash so the farmers can go back to the farms.

We have empowered 332 youths to do this, and we have given them money.

So where will the off-takers sell the cocoyam, locally or export to other states?

What we are interested in is the turnover, our intention is to feed our children with cocoyam so these off-takers will just buy from the farmers and sell to the food vendors. So the farmers will have the opportunity of having their cash in bulk and be encouraged to go back to farm. The same is for those who are producing maize. The question of where to sell cannot arise all these ones is to stimulate commerce.

There is the concept of life academy, what is it all about?

It is a place where people who want to take up skills can go.

You know we have massive youth unemployment in the country and we don’t have qualified people to do these artisans work.

Ogbeni is setting up an academy where all these skills will be available, it is a place where a retired permanent secretary can come and take up a skill because when you graduate and set up business, you will not be alone, you will take some people out of the employment market.

In fact by the time this academy comes up, it is going to be like the industrial revolution, that is in place and anytime from now it will be commissioned.

Let us go back to the train ride, how many people have you been able to ferry since the start of the project?

From December 2011, we have ferried 50,000 passengers What is the idea behind it?

Thank you very much. During these festivals, there used to be traffic congestion and people spend days on the road, Ogbeni said this must be reduced drastically. When you look at our integral action plan, you will see majority of our people have lost contact with their home. Anytime they want to come home, they will discover that it is not feasible because of the cost. The governor said he must move his people and I must confess since December 2011, the accident on Lagos–Ibadan has come down, we discover that many people who have visited their homes in the last ten years are coming now and they are happy with the development that is going on in the state.

Now looking at all these laudable projects, where do you see Osun state when all these are done?

By the special Grace of God, by the time they are actualise, Osun State will be the next state after Lagos. I know you will be shocked but look at it this way, we are bounded by six states, Abuja, Oyo , Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Ondo. So, we are in the centre of activities, Ogbeni’s plan is to make this place a hub of all activities, by that time Osogbo is a place everyone will come to.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Ahead of the 2015 deadline for attaining self-sufficiency in rice production, foremost industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote has invested $1 billion (about N165 billion) on rice production and processing in five states. The investment is expected to save Nigeria an estimated N360 billion spent yearly on rice importation, reports CHIKODI OKEREOCHA.

Will Dangote’s N165b rice investment do the magic?

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T remains a paradox that despite the availability of arable land and manpower to support local rice production, Nigeria spends an estimated N360 billion yearly on importation. Nigeria is ranked the world’s second largest importer of rice behind China, consuming nearly six million tons of the commodity yearly.

More than half of this (over three million tons) is imported mostly from India, Thailand, and Brazil. “Total import volumes oscillate from 1.7 million tons to 3.2 million tons, depending on the tariff structure, volume of local production and the prevailing local circumstances, weather and other vagaries in the rice value chain,” says former Minister for Industry, Charles Ugwuh. However, there are indications that the situation, which has since kept the Federal Government and stakeholders in the agric sector worried, might be reversed soon to pave the way for the nation to meet the 2015 deadline set for self-sufficiency in rice production.

Already, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man and President, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), is investing $1 billion (about N165 billion) in rice production and processing in Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states. The Nation learnt that DIL, Africa’s quoted and most diversified indigenous conglomerate, has acquired farmland in those states totalling 150,000 hectares for the project, which is expected to become the largest single investment ever made in rice production in Africa. The project, seen as a shot in the arm of the present administration’s on-going reforms of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) launched in 2011, was sequel to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DIL and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).

Under the MoU, the indigenous multinational will also establish two state-of-the-art large-scale rice mills with a capacity to mill 120,000 Metric Tons of rice paddy each. This brings the total capacity to 240,000 Metric Tons, with plans to double the capacity within two years. The rice plant is estimated to produce 960,000 metric tons of milled rice, representing 46 per cent of rice imported into Nigeria.

For the FMARD, the ambitious investment could not have come at a more auspicious time considering the fact that the Ministry has been working with various stakeholders to catalyse increased investments in agriculture with a particular emphasis on private sector investments.

For the Ministry, therefore, the investment represents a significant boost for the current effort of the Federal Government in achieving its total import replacement by 2015. The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said that much at the signing of the MoU. Hear him: “This investment by DIL is transformational for Nigeria and the rest of Africa. The 150,000 hectares of rice farms and the planned 240,000 Metric Tons processing capacity of international quality grade rice is guaranteed to turn Nigeria away from being a rice importing country to a major rice exporter. Through this billion dollar commitment, Dangote, Africa’s leading business man, has clearly attested to the policies and approach that the Federal Government has undertaken to transform the nation’s agricultural sector.”

The Minister noted that the rice self-sufficiency policy of the Federal Government was directed at saving Nigeria N356 billion annually and putting this into the hands of Nigerian rice farmers and rural communities.

He said that within three years, Nigeria’s national paddy rice production rose by an extra seven million Metric Tons, while the number of integrated modern rice mills in the country rose from just one in 2011 to 18 by 2014, all processing the local paddy into high quality finished rice. He said high-quality and well-packaged Nigerian rice is now in

•A rice farm. Inset: Dangote

the local market, including Quarra Rice, Umza rice, Ebony super rice, Eko rice, Mikap rice, Ashi rice, Queen of the Niger, and Mama’s Pride.

Dangote could not agree less on the potential of the investment to transform the nation’s agric sector. He explained his company’s investment decision thus: “Our goal of making Nigeria a net exporter of rice will be achieved faster by this significant investment, and I congratulate the Minister of Agriculture and his team on the very strong demonstration of public-private sector partnerships and collaboration to drive significant transformation in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.”

As an integrated operation, the Dangote farms and the mills are expected to significantly boost smallholder rice production in the regions through a nucleus and out-grower farming model, thereby transforming livelihoods in rural Nigeria. Besides, the selected sites are rice-growing communities and they will be supported by Dangote’s provision of agro-inputs, training, and marketing linkages in order to improve community farming operations. Employment opportunities will also be created for at least 8,000 Nigerians.

Dangote commended the government for evolving a robust and consistent policy that has made Nigeria an irresistible place to invest. He urged other entrepreneurs to join the moving train, rather than sit back and complain of not having a level-playing field and later on wave the flag of monopoly for successful entrepreneurs.

President Goodluck Jonathan commended Dangote for building a strong industrial base in Nigeria. “It takes a lot of hardwork, commitment and discipline to achieve the feat

by Dangote. Today is a great day for Nigeria and this investment is worth the risk. The country is capable of producing rice that can feed the whole of West African sub-region,”

he said, assuring Dangote that his investment will be protected.

But there are challenges, one of which is the nation’s numerous porous borders. The President however, cautioned that the days of smugglers are numbered and that Government is determined to install electronic surveillance equipment that will depend less on human manipulations and interventions.

He also vowed to put an end to the high spate of smuggling in the next 12 months. But it is not clear how the President intends to achieve this in 12 months considering the complex nature of smuggling.

According to experts, cross-border smuggling, particularly via the Cotonou Port, remains one of the greatest huddles before local rice producers and this may frustrate the current move by Dangote to complement government’s efforts in realising its rice self sufficiency policy. Smuggled rice often find their way into various communities and towns in Nigeria through the neighbouring countries. The penchant of most Nigerians to consume imported rice at the detriment of local ones has not helped matters either.

This is partly responsible for why local rice production accounts for less than 50 per cent of the country’s total consumption, leaving the huge demand gap for polished/milled rice imported mostly from India, Thailand, and Brazil. Experts and stakeholders argue that until and unless Government stems the rising tide of cross-border smuggling, the latest intervention by Dangote may not enhance the nation’s chances to achieve the rice self-sufficiency target by 2015.

Another issue that might pose a challenge for the foremost industrialist is the issue of tariff. Early last year, the Federal Government imposed a new tariff on imported rice to cut down imports and encourage local production of the commodity as well as offer incentives for investors in the sector. However, the policy became counter-productive,

‘This investment by DIL is transformational for Nigeria and the rest of Africa. The 150,000 hectares of rice farms and the planned 240,000 Metric Tons processing capacity of international quality grade rice is guaranteed to turn Nigeria away from being a rice importing country to a major rice exporter’

as the government was said to have lost over N300 billion revenue to smuggling through the borders with neighbouring countries.

As Ugwuh pointed out, “It is absolutely critical that government manages the tariff regime to ensure product availability, fair/ stable consumer prices, and protection of local producers/processors that are rendered cost uncompetitive by environmental factors and infrastructural handicaps. Elimination of tariff manipulations and other abuses including smuggling/corruption should provide stable ground for the enormous investments and hard work needed to grow local capacity to displace imports.”

He listed other major challenges and difficulties facing the rice value chain to include capital mobilisation, limited irrigation facilities, lack of basic mechanisation, and seasonal availability of paddy, as well as the absence of a marketing board, and payments system for paddy. According to him, “to establish a 25,000-30,000 ton capacity rice mill based on Indian or Chinese equipment costs about $6 million. To keep the mill supplied with paddy requires $12 million per year. Funding difficulties, in terms of the quantum of funds, level of interest rate, issues of collateral securities and very short repayment options, kill off dreams/ambitions of indigenous private sector ownership of mills.”

The former Minister, therefore, said the government intervention and assistance in the form of a long term loan is absolutely necessary. He said a great deal of excitement and momentum has been created by the government in favour of local rice production by deploying high tariffs and import-substitution strategies aiming to achieve total import replacement by 2015, noting that although cross-border smuggling via the Cotonou Port is a great threat, new investments by the government and the private sector into all aspect of the value chain give hope that success could be achieved in the medium term if current policies and direction are sustained.

Hope by stakeholders that new investments into all aspect of the rice value chain particularly by private investors led by Dangote would achieve result is largely anchored on the pedigree of the man globally acknowledged as a serial investor. The consensus is that given the pan-African entrepreneur’s success story in all the sectors where he has ventured, his intervention in local rice production would drive the nation’s match towards attaining self-sufficiency in rice.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Ebola: Union canvasses Textile workers call for unity workers’ safety against forced labour T

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EXTILE Garment and Tailoring Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (TGTSSAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the new global protocol against forced labour is given necessary attention.

The protocol, which was recently adopted by the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland is aimed at accelerating action against modern slavery in the World Speaking at a forum in Lagos on how the protocol has put the world leaders on the alert on new development to combat forced labour, which is rampant in the private sector, TGTSSAN’s National President, Comrade Ambi Karu,

Stories by Toba Agboola

said the call became necessary to prevent our jobless youths from being usurped by the political class for that purpose.

He said: “We are comfortable with the new ILO Protocol on forced labour that will put government of member states of the ILO on alerts. This is because the private sector is responsible for 90 per cent of the estimated 21 million victims of forced labour, reaping about $150 billion from some of the most severe forms of exploitation in existence.

“We are more comfortable because over 92 per cent of, employers and worker delegates at the re-

cent ILO Conference voted in favour of the protocol, which the ILO described as bringing one of its longest-standing instruments, Convention 29, into the modern era.

“We are optimistic that the new ILO protocol, if taken seriously by the three tiers of government, the federal, states and local governments, will revitalise action to ending forced labour, and the new rule will put those who make money from slavery on notice, that the textile garment movement and our allies in the international scene will chase them down and bring them to account.”

He said the new rule is already working in some countries.

HE global trade union federation, Public Services International (PSI) has condemned the preventable deaths of dozens of healthcare workers killed on the job by Ebola because they did not have the necessary tools and equipment.

TheEbola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone is the worst ever and the first to spill widely across several countries.

PSI General Secretary, Rosa Pavanelli said: “We cannot accept pitiful excuses, whether from health ministers or donor agencies. Health workers must have the tools to do their jobs. All whose work brings them in contact with Ebola victims must have the protective gear. Our members are dying because of unsafe working conditions, this is criminal neglect.”

The leader of PSI’s West African Health Sector Unions’ Network (WAHSUN), Dr Ayuba Wabba, who is also the National President of the Medical and Health Workers Union (MHWUN) added: “We demand that Ministries of Health,

the World Health Organisation and the West African Health Organisation to implement best practice guidelines for Ebola for all health facilities, including full and continuous supply of the needed equipment.

“Establish policies and legislation to protect healthcare workers. Set up Ebola-specific information and communication centres in all national capitals, regions, districts and provinces to provide timely and accurate information to the public.

“Intensify healthcare worker education on universal precautions and best practices for Ebola and other communicable diseases at all health facilities.

Our unions will keep up the pressure, every day until our members no longer have to lay down their lives without cause, and until we are able to provide the quality care that is so urgently needed,” the union said.

PSI said it would continue to support WAHSUN’s continuing leadership on behalf of the unions of health and social services workers of the region and their response to Ebola.

Telecom workers seek peace, harmony

T •From right: Co-ordinator, National Information Centre (NIC) Mr. Mike Omeri; Deputy Director, Information, Directorate of State Security (DSS) Ms. Marilyn Ogar and Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs Malam Nasir Zahradeen, at a briefing in Abuja.

Workers kick against influx of expatriates

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ONSTRUCTION and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the influx of expatriates into the industry, stressing that it cannot move forward without the government’s intervention on the high rate of expatriate quota menace in the industry.

CCESSA’s President, Comrade Augustine Etafo at an interactive session with reporters in Lagos, also called on the National Assembly (NASS) to take necessary steps to fast-track the deliberations on the local content bill to ensure that the policy is established as a local content Act in the construction industry.

He said: “CCESSA observes that the influx of expatriates into the construction industry is still a com-

mon occurrence and not still abated, and call on the Federal Government to intervene as more Nigeria experts are being sacked on daily basis, or not given opportunities to be gainfully employed in the construction industry.

“We advise NASS to take all the necessary steps and fast tract the deliberations on the local content bill to ensure that the policy is established as a local content Act in the Construction Industry. We also advise the Federal, State and Local Government to address the needs of the youth.”

According to Etafo, CCESSA recently reviewed youth unemployment, high level of corruption that creates a wide gap between the rich and the poor, the poor infrastructural facilities as some of the key challenges which the gov-

ernment must pay attention to for the country to address these security challenges.

While identifying policies that would help boost the level of economic activities in the construction sector as well as necessary changes to be effected to ensure job creation and also minimise brain drain in the Industry, Etafo called on the three tiers of government to intensity efforts in the creation of jobs for the teaming youth population who are graduating from the higher institutions on a yearly basis.

On security, Etafo condemned the challenges in various parts of the country, adding that its implications in the industry could spell doom for both the industry and the country at large as people walk and work with fear.

Why we suspended the strike, by Judiciary workers

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HE Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has said it decided to suspend its nationwide industrial action to give room for the implementation of the agreement on judicial independence.

Speaking with reporters in Lagos, the Publicity Secretary of JUSUN, Kayode Igbarago, said the union decided to suspend the strike for 45 days to enable a committee set up on the implementa-

tion of the court order on direct funding of the judiciary conclude its assignment.

He said the decision was reached at a meeting attended by representatives of the Accountant-General of the Federation, forum of national Accountants Generals, Ministry of Finance, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Last month, JUSUN embarked

on an industrial action to press for the execution of the Federal High Court judgment that judicial funding should be paid to the National Judicial Council (NJC) as provided by the constitution.

JUSUN had filed the suit in 2012 challenging the piecemeal payment of funds accruing to the judiciary from the consolidated revenue fund contrary to the provisions of sections 81(3), 121(3) and 162(9) of the 1999 Constitution.

HE National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE) has charged the management of the newly inaugurated courier companies to cooperate with the union in order to maintain industrial peace and harmony in the sector.

In astatement, the National President of the union, Comrade Sunday Alhassan, while absorbing the executives of the branches who were ceded to the union by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), called on their management to accord the workers’ representatives in their organisation coop-

eration they may require.

The union has ceded the private courier workers, who were members of the Postal and Telecommunications to comply with the directive of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

The new branches, according to the NUPTE National President, include United Parcel Service (UPS), DHL, IAS Express, TRANEX, and Courier Plus.

“We wish to inform the public, particularly management of these companies that our union has elected executive officers in these companies,”Alhassan said.

How to create jobs, by TUC

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HE Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has urged the Federal Government to reduce youth unemployment through technical and vocational skills policies that would boost jobs and entrepreneurship.

TUC’s President, Comrade Bala Kaigama, made the submission while interacting with reporters in Lagos on the recently adopted set of 17 proposed goals on training skills for youth empowerment by the Open Working Group (OWG) of the United Nations (UN) that will be submitted to the UN General Assembly next month.

He said: “To address the high rate of unemployment and insecurity in the country, we task the Federal Government to take bold action to substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment in the country through technical and vocational skills programmes that would boost decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

“Special emphasis must be given policies on a new set of development objectives, including ambitious targets on full employment and decent work for at least 10 million youth annually, for the next

five years to close the gap of unemployment.”

According to Kaigama, in order to achieve the goal of decent work for all, significant efforts will be needed by the Government to reduce large number of the working poor, to increase employment rates for women, youth and people with disabilities in the country.

“It makes good sense to combine decent work and inclusive growth through technical and vocational skills programmes for youth that would boost job creation and entrepreneurship. Safer workplaces and respect for labour rights are a fundamental step towards increasing job creation and entrepreneurship output and productivity as well as boosting inclusive growth.’’

He, however, called for the implementation of nationallyappropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including social protection floors, as a crucial and transformative target within the overarching goals related to poverty eradication and the promotion of youth employment.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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OPEN LETTER TO OUR GOVERNOR, HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO, CON My dear Excellency,

ISSUES FROM THE VISIT OF THE PDP NATIONAL CHAIRMAN, ALHAJI ADAMU MU’AZU TO AKWA IBOM STATE ON WEDNESDAY, 16TH JULY, 2014 lease permit me to bring the following observations, though belated, to your attention with regards to the visit of the National Chairman of your Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu on Wednesday, 16th July, 2014. This letter is coming to you now due to the fact that I travelled out of the Country a few days after the visit and have just returned home.

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support for his preferred candidate, whereas his political sons are seriously handicapped financially. Luckily for the Governor, in today’s governance, there is no difference between personal resources and public treasury. And I also know that the Governor, for now, has a saleable aspirant. So what then is the Governor’s problem?

Airport Reception

It is clear to me that the Governor’s motivation and orientation for service need to be re-examined by the Governor himself. The Governor keeps harping on the issue of empowering people who turn round to betray him. My Excellency, your people owe you nothing for your empowering them and developing capacities. Indeed, this is the Governor’s mandate. If anything, the Governor owes his people for entrusting their present and future into his hands by electing him; empowering your people is doing the job for which you were elected.

I had the misfortune of having to fly out of Uyo Airport on the day your National Chairman was received. For lack of better words, the scene on the Airport access road to the airport was tumultuous. We had to trek for kilometers with luggage to access the airport; a number of people missed their flights.

And this impasse started some six hours before the arrival of the guest, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu.

I do not expect you to know about the suffering of the poor masses given your shielded life as a Governor. That is why I am bringing this to your notice just in case you can assist to minimize such suffering by your subjects.

I am not for a moment suggesting that you can stop the political culture that seems to have come to stay – that of hired crowds to receive dignitaries to create the desired impressions of popularity and acceptability for the host and the guest. What I want to convey is for you and your government to plan how to get your aides to plan the mobilization, deployment and crowd control to minimize the sufferings of citizens who go about their normal duties. If nothing is done, I can imagine what will happen if the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria visits. The alternative is for you to order the closure of offices, airports and markets so we can have some peace and respect in our homes anytime dignitaries visit Akwa Ibom State.

Remarks by His Excellency at the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the new Party Secretariat My Excellency, permit me to say this; most of us wrongly regard the word ‘Excellency’ as another word for the ‘Governor’. Certainly we need to correct this impression. The word ‘Excellency’ is used for the Governor and other top Government officials to define the character and mien of the Governor.

The Webster’s Universal Dictionary defines Excellency as ‘‘one who excels, has superior merit or quality, a title of honour given to certain high officials” so we expect the Governor and high officials of government to exercise restraint, decorum and a high sense of responsibility in their conduct and communication at all times and levels. They should develop the capacity for tolerance and respect for others, including their political opponents.

I read with disbelief some of the remarks made by our Governor in the presence of his guest, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu. Among other things, the Governor is reported to have asserted that “those who want to take power through the backdoor will die. They will die, and PDP will continue . . .”

The Governor also talked of his political sons who were empowered but turned round to betray him and compared such sons to Absalom and Lucifer.

My deductions from the Governor’s remarks are : (1) The Governor had empowered his chosen political sons in order for them to be loyal and serve the Governor’s interest at all costs!

(2) The Governor (leader of his Party in the State) doesn’t believe that Governorship aspirants will go through the due process of primaries set up by his Party, rather he expects some aspirants to go through the backdoor!

(3) The Governor desires and surely expects his disloyal political sons to die!

(4) The Governor expects every Akwa Ibomite in the political process to follow him; nobody can have a different opinion, an indication that he doesn’t believe in democracy!

These deductions clearly portray our Governor as agitated and desperate. I cannot understand why the Governor should be desperate. On the contrary, I expect his disloyal political sons to exhibit signs of desperation – the Governor commands immense personal and State resources to canvass

Your Excellency, the impression some of us get from your utterances and actions is to say the least, very worrisome. We expect His Excellency to know and appreciate the socio-cultural levels and values of his people. His Excellency expects his people to be zombies who see him as their slavedriver and “god”.

You should know that your people are among the foremost people in Nigeria who do not only believe in Education, but imbibe qualitative Education as the foundation for sustainable development. You will recall that the Ibibio nation as early as 1937/38 sponsored her sons for overseas Education and training.

As a Lawyer, you will understand and appreciate what our forebears did by sponsoring people like Late Justice Udo Udoma, your uncle, Late I. U. Akpabio, along with others for qualitative Education abroad. Late Justice Udo Udoma became the Chief Justice of Uganda because, as a minority man, he was denied the opportunity of being the Chief Justice of Nigeria. In your legal profession, you can imagine the number of lawyers we have produced from the time of Late Justice Udo Udoma to when you graduated in the late eighties and the number trained after your time to date. This trend applies in other professions and disciplines. This is the State you have the privilege to lead.

You should appreciate the fact that because your people are educated and civilized, this makes it easy for you to govern them. This same attribute makes it near impossible for you to enslave them. Your people are republican in nature and you must respect this once you accepted to lead them. Your present attitude is an insult on our collective intelligence. I am sure your guest, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, must have been thoroughly embarrassed listening to the abuses and curses you rained on your people. He knows that Akwa Ibom State is endowed with educated and civilized citizenry.

It is expected and accepted that incumbent Governors should be interested in who succeeds them. Please exercise this right but you must accept the tenets of democracy to allow others to have their opinions. This is the least we expect from our leader. I have read in the print media your release that you never said you will kill anybody. I didn’t read that meaning either from your remarks. Yes, you never said you will kill anybody. But you expressed a clear desire for your disloyal political sons to die. These sons are in your age bracket and so we don’t expect them to die through aging process. The question some of your subjects would want an answer from you is, who and how do you expect them to die and by what means?

The comparison with David and his son, Absalom doesn’t quite answer the question because David never desired the death of his son, Absalom. My Excellency, you should be wary when you are talking about God in human affairs. His ways are not our ways. We should never assume or play God. In the case of David and his son, Absalom, we know that David was a man after God’s heart. In your case, we do not know who between His Excellency and his disloyal political sons is “the man after God’s heart”.

My dear Excellency, I sincerely wish the peace of God to be with you. At these dying months of your tenure, I advise that you should be winding down instead of opening new battle fronts. No doubt your job is a difficult one and you must have stepped on toes but you can use the remaining months to be at peace with yourself and most people.

I do hope you will take my advice with the sincere spirit I have.

I remain yours faithfully,

MAJ-GEN EDET AKPAN (RTD), OFR Atta Ibibio; Ada Idaha ke Efik Eburutu

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Obama’s Africa Summit

A bad start •New IGP Suleiman Abba has to attune to the fact that he is the country’s police boss to convince Nigerians that he won’t be partisan in discharging his duties

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ITH effect from Friday, August 1, the former Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7 Command, Mr Suleiman Abba, assumed office as Nigeria’s Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP). His appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan followed the retirement of his immediate predecessor, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, having completed 35 years in service.

Like previous occupants of the office, Mr Abba has raised high expectations as regards the positive transformation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) under his watch. Mr Abubakar was also full of lofty promises when he took charge of the force. Apart from successfully eliminating the extortion posts known as police checkpoints on the country’s high ways, Mr Abubakar has left the NPF as morally and professionally bankrupt as he met it.

Can Mr Abba make a difference? His vision sounds impressive. He promises to utilise the insight and experience provided by his over three decades in the force to formulate a vision and strategy for leading the NPF to its prime. Among his stated objectives are creating a safe and secure environment for all the people of Nigeria, leading the NPF in addressing the root causes of crime in the country, conducting diligent criminal investigation to ensure criminals are always brought to justice, and promoting the welfare of policemen and officers.

But the Acting IGP says he will place premium on ‘attitudinal change’ in the

force. Of course, until he spells out concretely what he means by ‘attitudinal change’, it will be difficult to empirically appraise his performance during his tenure.

From his initial utterances, however, it would appear that the need for attitudinal change must start with him. He sounds unduly partisan and obsequious, for instance, when he says, “Of all the reforms embarked upon by the past governments, it is only that of Yar’Adua/Goodluck administration that is working. We have seen the seven-city programmes with the necessary equipment; we have seen tens of helicopters and other facilities in place”. This kind of unrealistic statement does not suggest that the Acting IGP appreciates the enormity of the challenge before him. He assumes office at a time when the NPF is at its lowest ebb ever morally, materially, psychologically, logistically and professionally.

Across the country, the functions of an incapacitated NPF have been virtually taken over by the military and other security agencies. In practically all the states, the NPF is being funded and equipped by state governments that constitutionally have no operational control over the force. If the Acting IGP genuinely believes that any so-called reforms are working, he is dangerously deluded.

It is also quite curious that Mr Abba chose to take it on himself to absolve the Federal Government of complicity in the recent assassination attempt on General Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna. Could he really have said that the Federal Gov-

ernment was responsible and retain his new job? So far, the allegation remains unfounded and unproven. Silence on the matter would have been golden on his part.

Since Mr Abba is obviously qualified for the job, why was he appointed in acting capacity? Is the desire for confirmation responsible for his eagerness to please the presidency? With the appointment of an AIG as the new IGP, those senior to him must retire prematurely as had always been the case. Is this unhealthy scenario unavoidable?

Despite these questions, we wish the Acting IGP success in his new assignment even if we have serious doubts that he may not go far. We hope we are proved wrong.

‘From his initial utterances, however, it would appear that the need for attitudinal change must start with him. He sounds unduly partisan and obsequious, for instance, when he says, “Of all the reforms embarked upon by the past governments, it is only that of Yar’Adua/Goodluck administration that is working ...

This kind of unrealistic statement does not suggest that the Acting IGP appreciates the enormity of the challenge before him’

Wrong way to go •Manufacturers alone should not carry the blame for improper disposal of packs

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E acknowledge that environmental challenges, to a considerable extent, constitute serious threat to healthy living. And frankly, the point must be made that the challenges need official redress through germane policy regulations and attitudinal change.

We are not surprised therefore that the Federal Government is taking steps in that regard, although we disagree with its recent industrial policy initiative that shifts blame for improper disposal of products’ packs on manufacturers.

Mrs. Ngeri Benebo, Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja unfurled the new government initiative tagged: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme. According to her, the

‘We note that it has, sadly, become the norm to see the environment being indiscriminately littered with packs used in packaging different manufactured products. The spate of environmental littering, sometimes with harmful materials, must be stopped. But this new idea, despite underscoring the concerns of government, could not be an end on its own for being mono-focus’

government has designed a ‘buy-back scheme’ that intends to ensure that “…every product package must be picked up by its producer … producers must make packages that can be easily collected and recycled and not one that becomes a problem for them to dispose at the end of the day.’’ By this EPR mechanism, it becomes mandatory for a producer to remove its product waste packs from the roads and the environment, generally.

The programme, as enshrined in the regulation, is reportedly designed to be a major constituent of the extant National Environmental Regulations for the following sectors; food, beverage, tobacco, electrical/electronics, base metal, iron and steel manufacturing/recycling. Others include domestic and industrial plastics, rubber and foam, non-metallic minerals manufacturing industry, chemical, pharmaceutical, soap and detergent industry, including sanitation and waste control. The regulation reportedly provides for punitive measures for any defaulting manufacturer.

We note that it has, sadly, become the norm to see the environment being indiscriminately littered with packs used in packaging different manufactured products. The spate of environmental littering, sometimes with harmful materials, must be stopped. But this new idea, despite underscoring the concerns of government, could not be an end on its own for being mono-focus. It is important for other stakeholders to be co-opted into the policy in spite of the inherent incentives of the buy-back scheme which rewards a

consumer after returning a manufacturer’s pack to its producer.

It is inconceivable that manufacturers alone would be held responsible for poor attitude of waste disposal by Nigerians.

Isn’t it equally pertinent to ask what the government is doing about this poor disposal attitude of Nigerians and efforts so far officially made to provide/increase infrastructure for waste disposal? After all, it is not possible for manufacturers to be present in every nook and cranny of the country. What they normally have are dealership/sales outlets and any attempts to further burden the manufacturers through these outlets would lead to increment in product prices.

We see the EPR programme as just a part of the antidote, for, amongst others, improving waste management, protection of the environment and human health and motivating design of ecofriendly products through regulation. But another important arm, if the country is indeed serious about stemming this menace, is the galvanising of the local government councils to henceforth be dutiful in their constitutional role of ridding their areas of filth. There is the need for creation of local waste bins in places where they do not exist and increase in the number where they are inadequate.

More importantly too, there should be mass re-orientation of the public to change their unhygienic attitude of careless disposal of manufacturers’ packs and wastes, generally. The government’s blaming of manufacturers as solely responsible for the waste debacle is misplaced.

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VEN as the Ebola virus serves as a reminder of Africa’s manifold challenges, a much brighter future for the Continent was on display in Washington this week, where more than 40 African heads of state are attending a summit meeting led by President Obama. Done right, with sufficient follow-through, the event should strengthen American ties to a continent that is expected to outpace China and India in population by 2040 and is widely viewed as the world’s last major economic frontier.

The event is a determined, and splashy, initiative by Mr. Obama to push back against other countries doing business there, especially China, which is investing heavily in infrastructure projects and using Africa as a source of vital oil and metals. It is also an opportunity to counter critics who say he has devoted insufficient attention to the continent.

Administration officials have been eager to persuade Africa that America’s democratic capitalistic system can offer advantages that China’s authoritarian system cannot. As Susan Rice, the national security adviser, said last week, “We don’t see Africa as a pipeline to extract vital resources, nor as a funnel for charity.” She described a broader vision in which the United States is committed to being a partner to create jobs, resolve conflicts and develop the human capital needed to build a better future.

To that end, the summit meeting was preceded by a gathering of 500 participants in Mr. Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. Other events included forums on women, health, trade, food security and civil society. Still others brought together American corporate executives with African leaders. The summit schedule will end with meetings with Mr. Obama on Wednesday.

The world has largely associated Africa with desperate struggles against war, poverty, famine and dictatorial leaders. But there are positive trends, too. Africa is home to six of the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world, an emerging middle class and markets that are increasingly open to foreign investment. In short, there is money to be made there.

There is also a growing threat from militants in some countries. And, as human rights groups point out, the summit meeting’s focus on trade, investment and counterterrorism cannot be allowed to dilute the Obama administration’s willingness to press for good and honest governance, fair elections and human rights, all essential for long-term stability and growth.

New York Times TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

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•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

18

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Permit me to use your educative and informative medium to intimate the reading public with some untrue allegations going round in Kwara State against its present leadership which I consider inimical to accelerated growth and development of the state.

Some opposition leaders in the state willing to take over leadership from the incumbent Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed in 2015 have been spreading negative reports across the state especially on his performance since assumption of office in 2011.

While his scorecard remains open, visible and appreciated by discerning minds, some opponents are desperately seeking opportunities to drag the governor in the mud by a recent claim that he had been jettisoning projects started by his predecessor, Senator Bukola Saraki.

I would boldly say that apart from an open declaration of his intention to continue and complete some of his predecessor’s uncompleted projects through his establishment of a ‘government of continuity’, Dr. Saraki had severally referred to him as a ‘worthy successor’. One would wonder why he would be referred to as such by Dr. Saraki if he had actually denigrated his successor’s worthy achievements.

Opponents also went further to

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Kwara: Fifth columnists at work? claim that he was arrogant and without listening ears but an overwhelming majority of stakeholders have given credence to his humble and unassuming nature and most especially, his appeasing open door policy.

With recent developments proving that exemplary leadership is not about distribution of hard earned state’s resources to individu-

als but the investment of such resources in programmes and projects which would be beneficial to all and sundry, allegations of tightfistedness against dutiful leaders have become unpopular in progressive environments.

I would also not want to forget to mention that the sitting government had also been accused of breaching electoral laws by conven-

ing town hall meetings. Such meetings are normally conducted in fledgling democracies to grant opportunities to all stakeholders to meet their leaders in order to air their views especially on how they would wish to be governed. The APC administration had designed town hall meetings as feedback mechanisms to promote participatory governance by rendering stew-

• ‘Segun ‘Bambo Ojomo, Lagos.

Chibok girls and presidential gifts

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IR: The story of the abducted Chibok girls is an irritant that refuses to fade out of our national discourse. There is no day that the mention of it escapes the front burner of our major national dailies and some notable foreign media outfits. The negativity shooting out from this unsavoury episode of our national life on daily basis should be enough reason why the government should be mercurial and sprightly in ensuring the release of those unfortunate

girls. Now that they have spent more than three months in the den of the terrorists, their predicament should move the federal government to consider the option of prisoner-swap as a matter of urgency.

It is pathetic to hear the alleged N100m gift to the parents of the abducted girls and the 57 escapees when they visited Aso rock at the instance of President Jonathan. Is this the time to give or take gifts?

Was the money meant to make the parents forget the agitation and

advocacy for the release of their children, or make the parents turn their backs against the #BringBackOurGirls# campaigners who went global to intimate the whole world about the continuing enslavement of the girls and government’s lackadaisical response to their rescue?

The whole world is watching the unfolding scenario; the government should be fully up in arms against the insurgents and walk their talk. Enough is enough; ur-

Still on Asari Dokubo’s drums of war

IR: Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, former leader of the Niger Delta People Volunteer Force (NDPVF) is also a former Ijaw militant. Asari Dokubo is currently a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan. He recently uttered inflammatory comments with confidence, speaking as if he controls Nigeria, and insulting northern politicians and elders. The man has already declared war on Nigeria come 2015 if President Jonathan did not emerge winner.

Almost without exception, but particularly when it comes to northerners, Dokubo picks fight

ardship and seeking the people’s views on government programmes and in Kwara State stakeholders including students, market women, teachers, clergymen, community leaders, non-indigenes and other non-partisan groups have been regular attendees at each of the gatherings with the intention of joining hands with government to ensure well-being for all citizens.

It would be glorifying if opponents could be more constructive in their criticisms by concentrating on areas that more and betterment is needed, especially bearing in mind that no leader is expected to be flawless.

with anyone he sees as the president’s opponent.

He has uttered several inflammatory, threatening, divisive comments in various media houses capable of causing war in the country. Most amazing is that he has never been called to order by the security agencies.

When the Chibok girls were abducted, Asari Dokubo insisted that no girls were missing despite the video release by the Boko Haram sect. He said the kidnapping was a northern political propaganda and then he went further to organise an anti-bring-back-the-girls protest

with placards reading: “Don’t play politics with my name; Chibok is a scam, no parent, no picture, no girls.”

Again Asari Dokubo was not taken by the twin Bomb blast that rocked Kaduna recently in which General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheik Dahiru Bauchi escaped deaths narrowly. According to Dokubo the attack was a plan by northern politicians to cause calamity in the country so the military could take power from President Jonathan. He even insinuated that General Buhari instigated the attack on himself!

For those who don’t know Asari

Dokubo, he is a high profile militant with direct access to Nigeria’s presidential villa. He was once arrested in Benin Republic by the government over Boko Haram related activities in December 2013, but President Jonathan pressured for his release. Asari Dokubo is nothing more than an ethnic jingoist.

Dokubo is beating the drums of war today, but would be among the first to travel abroad when things get rough.

• Fatima Sani Umar Baze University Abuja

gent and proactive steps should be embarked upon to rescue the seized girls.

To avoid unnecessary shedding of innocent blood as being witnessed between Palestinian Hamas and Israelis army presently, it will be apposite for the president to consider the swap option and stop the parade of inducement already initiated by the millions of naira gifts rained on the Chibok parents.

President Jonathan should not wait until the abducted girls are murdered or turned to female bombers as agents of hate compulsorily carrying out the instructions of their captors with no option. He should follow the good example of President Barack Obama of America, who swapped five high ranking Taliban prisoners for a single American soldier who was released recently. The plan to borrow another $1billon to combat the insurgency in spite of all the trillions of naira already allocated for defence sounds spurious. We must negotiate instead of wasting more money, lives and properties since the more money we spend, the deadlier the attacks on the innocent civilians from the terrorists.

• Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo{JP}, Takie, Ogbomoso

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

19

COMMENTS

Arab Spring and the West

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BOUT three years ago, I had the privilege to go to the UN General Assembly as a delegate of Nigeria. This was at the height of the so called Arab Spring. During the session, the incipient conflict in Syria was under discussion. All the western countries that spoke from the podium of the UN at the plenary session condemned in unmistakable terms, the current president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad describing him in the vilest of terms calling him the butcher of Damascus and that there must be regime change in Syria and that there will be no compromise.

The ambassador of Syria to the UN responded calmly to the accusation levied against Syria by the West. At that time, most of the one 170,000 souls that has now been lost were still alive. What the permanent representative of Syria told the world was that Syria was a delicately balanced country comprising the Shi’as, Christians, Armenians, Kurds, Sunnis, and a little Aramaic speaking group. The Syrian ambassador argued that the central government headed by Bashar AlAssad even though belonging to the minority Alawite sect, part of the Shi’ites group provided the unifying cement binding Syria together and that instead of regime change, the West should support reforms.

His message landed on deaf ears, the West was intoxicated by so called successes of the Arab Spring that had led to regime change, first in Tunisia then in Egypt and then the NATO powers intervened directly in Libya through massive aerial bombing, one of which wounded Muammar Gaddafi mortally before the so-called Libyan insurgents finished him off.

There were manifestations of trouble and protests against the Sharifian monarchy in Morocco and the autocratic regime headed by Abdul Azeez Bouteflika in Algeria and there was massive Shia protest in the emirate states especially against the Sunni dominated monarchies by their Shia majority subjects.

There were flickers of protest even in non-Arab Persian

‘Can America withdraw to fortress America leaving the Middle East to stew in its own juice and yet still remain the number one power in the world? These are going to be the issues for the presidential elections in the United States in 2016’

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NDER the Constitution, the legislature is empowered to check the executive, just as the judiciary is there to ensure that these two institutions do not misuse their powers. In this wise, the National and state assemblies have the powers to deal with the president and governors if they misbehave. Such misbehaviour, the Constitution notes, must be fundamental to warrant initiating their impeachment.

In the past 15 years of democratic rule, we have witnessed the impeachment of some governors. In some instances, the process was faulty and it was reversed by the court. The impeachment of then Governors Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo), Joshua Dariye (Plateau) and Peter Obi (Anambra) was quashed by the court because their Houses of Assembly abused the process.

To achieve their aim of removing the governors, the lawmakers were found to have gone too far.

They sat either outside their states or at ungodly hours when the stipulated time for sitting is 9a.m. How do you explain a House of Assembly sitting at 3a.m., or 4a.m., all in its bid to impeach a governor? This is the sort of things we have been witnessing under this dispensation and they were rampant during former President Olusegun Obasanjo's tenure.

Despite his own serial breaches of the Constitution, former President Obasanjo survived eight years

115 DAYS AFTER

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WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

Iran, Saudi Arabia and in the Sudan but this did not constitute serious threats to the regimes there. The massive protest in Yemen led to changing of musical chairs from one dictatorship replacing another one. The removal of President Mubarak in Egypt by the massive protest against his regime gave everybody the impression that the Arab world was in the spring of a democratic change but what has now happened has not borne out his expectation.

The Sharifian dynasty in Morocco has consolidated its hold on power, the FLN regime in Algeria has been able to put down at least for now, the Islamic movement for salvation (La front Islamique du Salut) and the so called revolution in Egypt after the initial victory of a party of the Islamic Brotherhood has now resulted into the dictatorship of Field Marshall Mohamed al-Sisi. Even in Tunisia where the socalled revolution started, the Islamic forces have triumphed over liberal democracy. The result of the military intervention in Libya is a tragedy unfolding. There is no peace in Libya and the weapons acquired by the Gaddafi regime are now in the hands of different militia forces.

These weapons are also being used by forces of the AlQaeda in the Maghreb and possibly by Boko Haram. It is difficult to see what the West and the rest of us have gained from the promotion of democracy in North Africa and the Arab world. After two invasions of Iraq by the West, first on the grounds of Iraqi aggression on Kuwait and secondly on the grounds that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD), Iraq remains totally torn apart and into pieces among the Shi’as, the Sunnis and the Kurds. The patchwork of a democratic regime left in Iraq after the withdrawal of American forces is now in total collapse.

Iraqi Kurdistan is virtually independent of the rest of Iraq and the Sunni Arab northern part of Iraq from Mosul stretching all the way to Syrian Allepo hasnow been declared the nucleus of a new Islamic caliphate. Young Muslims all over the world who are looking for action and adventure are rallying to the flag of the new caliphate. This is a caliphate that believes in taking Muslims back to the period of pristine Islam of the Caliphs after the death of Prophet Mohammed.

America and the rest of the west are faced with a difficult choice of what to do, poor President Barack Obama under attack of the Republican Party of the United States wants to flex American muscle but does not seem to know how to do it. America is now fighting the so-called Islamic state of Iraq and the Levant along with a curious combination of forces from Shi’a Iraq, Iran and Hezbollah (the party of God) apparently from Lebanon and Syria. America and the West are apparently afraid that the so-called Islamic caliphate may

become an abode of terrorists who may threaten the interest of the West in the Arab world and Arabian Peninsula as a whole.

The problem America will now have to deal with is how to convince Saudi Arabia, its main Arab ally and a staunch Sunni power to go along with it in fighting the caliphate which apparently is a Sunni creation. The situation in the Middle East is a very seri-

Jide Osuntokun

ous situation, dividing the Islamic world into two-armed coalitions one Shi’a and the other Sunni and behind the Shi’a is also non-Arab Persian-Iran with ambitions of nuclear weapons.

On the Sunni side, is Saudi-Arabia and Egypt and if threatened, one of them may feel obliged to develop its own independent nuclear force to deter Iran. And not too far away from Egypt is of course nuclear weapons-armed Pakistan which is largely a Sunni country. The Islamic world has not faced this kind of division for a long time. What even makes the situation more serious is that the Shi’a has an organised clergy from grand Ayatollas to small ordinary Imams whereas on the Sunni side, there is no hierarchical organisation of the clergy.

America may be tempted to stand aside from the internecine religious conflict in the Middle East after withdrawing from Afghanistan in December 2014. America also does not need Middle East oil as it used to do because with the Shale oil and fracking gas, America is going to be energy sufficient within the next five years.

But even so, can America withdraw to fortress America leaving the Middle East to stew in its own juice and yet still remain the number one power in the world? These are going to be the issues for the presidential elections in the United States in 2016. In the meantime, Arab humanity will continue to suffer in Syria, in Palestine, in Yemen, in Libya and in Iraq. Even where there is some semblance of stability in the Arab world like in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the Gulf States, the stability there is not solidly rooted on the wishes of the people without which there would be no regime endurance.

Political miscalculation in office because the National Assembly was too timid to move against him. The impeachment of a president is not as easy as that of a governor. Where only the House of Assembly can decide the fate of a governor, the Senate and House of Representatives must concur to impeach the president. So, removing the president will be an uphill task where both Chambers of the National Assembly do not agree.

What counted in Obasanjo's favour is also playing to the advantage of President Goodluck Jonathan, who despite his claim to being soft, has done what tough leaders like Gen Yakubu Gowon, Obasanjo, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida and Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar could not do in their own time. Although moves were made by some members of the House of Representatives few months ago to make the President answer for some of his misdemeanour they were not enough to rattle him.

But, then impeachment is not a piece of cake as 24 members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have come to realise. About two weeks ago, the Assembly initiated the impeachment of Governor Tanko Al-Makura, for you guessed right, alleged gross misconduct.

The Constitution stipulates that a governor can be removed on the grounds of gross misconduct and it defines what amounts to gross misconduct under Section 188 (11) thus : ''Gross misconduct means a grave violation or breach of the provisions of this Constitution or a misconduct of such nature as amounts in the opinion of the House of Assembly to gross misconduct''. To suit their case, many of the Houses of Assembly prefer to use their own opinion of what amounts to gross misconduct and drop the constitutional definition of it which is ''a grave violation or breach of the pro-

visions of this Constitution''.

It is easier for the lawmakers to get a governor using their own definition of gross misconduct because they and only they know what they are looking for. A governor can only escape their wrath if he is lucky to be cleared by the panel that investigates him. In many cases, the panel, which is expected to be nonpartisan and independent, dances to the lawmakers' tune. I do not know the hold they have over these panels, which according to the Constitution, are set up by Chief Judges at the instance of the Speaker.

To me, the panel is the linchpin in the process. Despite the much touted power of the Assembly to remove a governor, it cannot exercise that power if the panel does not give it the go ahead. The Assembly's impeachment power may have been deliberately curtailed by framers of the Constitution, who in their wisdom brought in the investigative panel to check the lawmakers' excesses. The panel may have been introduced to stop the lawmakers from being the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge in their own case.

Let us look at the Nasarawa scenario again. If the lawmakers, who were the accusers had also been the investigators, Al-Makura would have been removed by now.

Unfortunately, some panels do not know the power they wield in this impeachment business. Many of them prefer to go with the lawmakers without looking carefully into the allegations levelled against the governor. They seem to have made up their minds from the outset that the governor is guilty and so rule without considering the merit or otherwise of the case against him.

The Constitution allows the panel three months to do its job and this provision may have been adopted to ensure thoroughness in the process. Many of the panels are nothing

but thorough. They do a shoddy job without being mindful of their place in history. Many governors have been sacrificed on the altar of our lawmakers' greed. It is refreshing that Al-Makura's case did not go the way the lawmakers expected. They were determined to remove the governor for no just cause, but failed in their mission because of the investigative panel's vigilance. he lawmakers saw the hand writing on the wall after the Chief Judge, Justice Suleiman Dikko, constituted the seven-man panel headed by Yusuf Shehu Usman. They claimed that the panel members were members of political parties and asked Justice Dikko to disband it. Of course, the judge ignored them because having set up the panel he had become functus officio (i.e performed his official duty) and could no longer interfere with the panel. On Tuesday, the panel cleared Al-Makura, who appeared before it on Monday to defend himself.

His accusers, the lawmakers, stayed away that day, only to put up a ''protest appearance'' through their counsel, Ocha Ulegede, on Tuesday. The lawyer said his clients had no confidence in the panel, claiming that two of the panellist were Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, four, All Progressives Congress (APC) members and the last, a worker of the State Christian Pilgrim Welfare

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Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

Board. The lawmakers' allegations cannot be taken at their face value.

They must substantiate their claim because in law ''he who alleges must prove''. Without such proof, their allegations would remain what they are, mere allegations.

For once, let these lawmakers stew in their own juice. ''He who digs a pit'', the scripture says, ''will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone, it will come back to him''. Let them stop whining and face the job of lawmaking because the panel has spoken and, according to the Constitution vide Section 188 (8), ''where the panel reports to the House of Assembly that the allegation has not been proved, no further proceedings shall be taken in respect of the matter''.

But, will they let go? Your guess is as good as mine.

‘Many governors have been sacrificed on the altar of our lawmakers' greed. It is easier for lawmakers to remove governors while using their own definition of gross misconduct because they and only they know what they are looking for. It is refreshing that AlMakura's case did not go their way because of the investigative panel's vigilance’

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

20

COMMENTS

T

HE Council of State, made up of the President, Vice President, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, all living former Heads of State, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria and all state governors rose from an emergency meeting in Abuja last week and resolved to ‘support President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the current spate of terrorism in parts of the country ends before December’.

This is an ambitious undertaking when from experience, such target dates set by the commander-in-chief only brought more daring raids from initial soft spots like churches and mosques to military barracks and fortified prisons and airports.

The council also resolved to end all discriminatory practices in states including the registration and “deportation” of non-indigenes as well as different school fees for indigenes and non-indigenes in state-owned institutions among others. The council did not also say how it hopes to achieve this within a federal set-up where some states earn from the federation account in a month what some others with greater responsibilities earn in a year. Finally the council resolved to ensure that the predictions by some foreigners that Nigeria would cease to exist as a united nation beyond 2015 remained a wishful thinking. The council did not disclose its strategies for achieving that noble and patriotic objective. For this reason it is difficult not to see the council as a body that has continued to live in denial.

He who comes to equity, as they say, must come with clean hands. The tainted records of some members of the council while in office have deprived them of the much-needed moral voice to check the current drift. Like the current PDP, Shagari NPN’s desperation to hold on to power through fraudulent ‘landslide and sea slide’ victory in opposition strongholds in 1983 brought in the military.

In a failed attempt by Babangida to prolong his regime described by Obasanjo as “deficit in honour”, after the longest transition programme in the nation’s history, he annulled an internationally adjudged free and fair election that produced MKO Abiola as Presidentelect. Ernest Shonekan, another prominent member was an interloper used to subvert the victory of his kinsman. Obasanjo as president, destroyed opposition, supervised the rigging of 2003 and 2007 elections and ended imposing ailing Yar’Adua and an ill-prepared President Jonathan on Nigeria following his own failure to secure an unconstitutional third term. Jonathan’s five years remains the most divisive period in our nation’s history comparable only to the civil war period by his own assessment. David Mark was an ac-

Council of State’s unworkable resolutions tive participant in the 1993 debacle. Apart from Muhammed Uwais whose valiant efforts to sanitise our electoral process was sabotaged by the PDP, governors without character who for political expediency proclaimed 13 to be greater than 16 cannot be regarded as democrats or patriots.

It is therefore not a surprise that their resolutions are a lesson in denial. We are not inventing the wheel. The state had existed for over 400 years where they became agents of modernization and industrialisation in western societies long before our own experiment at state formation. The role of the state in a democracy has been clearly defined. Citizens live and breathe through the state that keeps records of everyone in the society from -your finger print, your blood group, the salary you earn and your mortgage arrangement to ensure your children complete repayment if you die. The state dictates by its economic policies the time to procreate and the number of children you can have. The state keeps a tab on you every minute to ensure you don’t become a danger to others or threaten the system. The state even controls your thoughts through the media and making funds available for academic pursuit in areas that have impact on their society. For the state, information is power to mould society in its own image.

Here, we are not sure whether we want the modern state or a reign of warlords that preceded them. Because of the greed of inheritors of power in our new emergent states, we operate without facts and figures. In the last 14 years, thrice multibillion dollars contracts were awarded for ID card project to end planning without statistics. Thrice the money was misappropriated by PDP buccaneers who constitute the majority of the cur-

I

N normal times, one should not respond to a bastard article – bastard, in the sense of lack of authorship – apparently planted in the In and Out section of Nigerian Tribune of August 4.

But this response is imperative because the article is not only sloppy – and that calls into question the rigour of the ghost writer and of editors of the newspaper that let it slip into their publication. It also hinted at an unfazed intention to subvert the democratic process, with its sinister reference to “10% of federal might”.

Starkly put, they intend to use the security agencies to rig.

Well, we wish them good luck. All these, are of course, clear evidence of desperation, as Iyiola Omisore’s desperation mounts.

To start with, the writer was so self-harassed that he got his facts wrong, right from the first sentence: “Next Saturday, August 4...” Saturday is August 9. Even if the writer was confused because he did not believe what he was writing, what of the editors that let the copy pass – bemused too? It stinks of a planted job, a hush-hush affair that comes back to haunt the thief.

Then he went ahead to tell a lie about himself: that he was not partisan. Did this guy think his readers were fools?

Then, a voodoo vox pop, trotting out the lies and old wives’ tales of the Omisore camp – a camp completely barren of any

‘Omisore and his party are dishonourable. Omisore’s personal notoriety was borne out of the campaign of threats and intimidation he ran, never once articulating his own programme but burning all his bad-tempered and ill-bred energy at demonising Aregbesola’s glittering achievements Omisore would wish never existed but which his troubled eyes see and his jagged soul hates, but which the people roundly applaud’

rent council of states. The sabotage was also aided by those who claim to have half of their empire spread across Nigerian borders that can be ferried in during census headcounts and elections. Today, the Nigerian state has no idea whether those herdsmen armed with sophisticated weapons, engaged in mindless killing of our compatriots in the trouble spots in the north are Fulani herdsmen or not. Yet the council of state now says the self defensive measure taken by Niger State in deporting hundreds of herdsmen who descended on their state is unacceptable.

Then we are not told how the council resolutions fit into the quota system of admission policy into the federal universities without which all the available positions in Nigerian universities can be filled up by qualified candidates from Delta and Imo states.

Some of the resolutions also ignore the existing federal character policy which guarantees states have equal opportunities of representation at the centre. What the council seem to be advocating by deemphasizing indigene-ship clause in our constitution is a negation of this policy.

We have chosen to run a modern democratic state with federal arrangement for development and to resolve some of our crisis of cultural cleavages yet live in denial that we are a multi-ethnic society with different world views. For instance, the Yoruba wherever you found him on the planet will readily admit “ile ni abo isimi oko” meaning they dream of returning to their roots. Chinua Achebe put the Igbo worldview better when he said something to the effect that “we are strangers in this land, when calamity befalls the owner of the land we go home leaving the owners of the land who know how to

appease their own gods”. If the Fulani that spread across West Africa have no primordial attachment to a particular place, it is because it is part of their culture to adapt by marriage and through economic relationship with elite of their host communities or conquered territories. But today we run a modern state with federal system, where Fulani herdsmen cannot justify their lawlessness of invading other’s territories since their 200 years membership of Nigeria multi-ethnic society does not confer any superior advantage over those who have inhabited their land for centuries.

Like the marauding Fulani without borders, the Igbo with over 60% of its people outside their ancestral home want indigeneship clause expunged from the constitution so that like the Fulani, they can also control the political power of their host communities. Our council of state members that live in denial forgets that it was the greed of Fulani political elite that was at the root of ongoing bloodletting in Plateau and Benue which started with a popular uprising shortly after independence. And behind the mutual suspicion between ordinary Igbos and Yorubas was the greed of Igbo elite’s attempt to take over the rein of political power in Yoruba nation, a move resisted by Yoruba elite in 1952. And contrary to the claim of the national security adviser the civil war was as a result of registration of non indigenes but more by northern elites’ desire to avenge the elimination of their political leaders by Igbo who they accused of taking over political power through unconstitutional means.

Preventing disintegration of a state is not by the council’s wishful thinking but by the state performing its responsibilities to its citizens which is today not the case when we have no idea who Nigerians are, and federating units are prevented from taking responsibility for those who inhabit their territories.

‘Preventing disintegration of a state is not by the council’s wishful thinking but by the state performing its responsibilities to its citizens which is today not the case when we have no idea who Nigerians are, and federating units are prevented from taking responsibility for those who inhabit their territories’

As Omisore’s desperation mounts...

By Kola Salako ideas, no matter how simple or basic: Aregbesola’s commissioners were brought from Lagos, Aregbesola is a jihadist, Aregbesola has not completed any inter-city road, Aregbesola is very rude in speech, Aregbesola compelled everyone to wear same uniform allegedly awarded to a sole contractor – and the most asinine of all: Aregbesola is anti-education, even though he bought I-Pads for pupils and students! Is this a thinking mind at all, or a person consumed by the torments of his own soul, long since sold to the devil for filthy lucre?

Even with the voodoo poll, Omisore still came across as a terrible and pitiable figure: as even the writer admitted the gruff PDP candidate still has the Ige murder albatross on his neck. Yes, he got some justice of sorts from the courts, which cleared him of allegation. But he appeared to have doubly lost the case in the court of public opinion. The court has said what it had to say. But the people believe what they believe.

A classical case of court justice versus social justice!

After all said and done for the writer however, a great deal more had been said than done in his nefarious attempt to pool the wool over the eyes of the unwary. He now came out with it: the Omisore camp would try to use the so-called federal might to rig the election of August 9.

Hear him wax lyrical with his own embarrassing and tormented thoughts: “... APC doesn’t have an anti-dote to the 10% of the Federal might. If Aregbesola is aware of this 10%, as I’m sure he must, his anxiety must doubly mount. What will they do about the crouching tiger called “Federal 10% might’? Can they insnare (sic: he probably meant ensnare) it? Can they mobilise the hoi polloi to insnare (sic) the lurking tiger?

So, this country has got to the nadir that even election robbers would profane legitimate arms of the state, and brag about it and be shamelessly published by a newspaper that Awolowo founded? Wish Chief Obafemi Awolowo were alive to read this article in his dear Tribune of August 4!

Chief Bisi Akande got it right: the PDP are electoral robbers. They have always been. They will always be. The added tragedy however is the new-found brazenness to use state arms to steal votes and openly brag about it. That can

only happen by a commander-in-chief that is too eager to look the other way, as his errant ministers and party men court disaster by using the army and police to rig elections.

What happened to those who did it in the past? They ended up in the belly of their own wild pets!

Still, all these are mere braggadocio. The other day, Femi Fani-Kayode, scion of the Femi Fani-Kayode who was among those that killed democracy in the First Republic and put Nigeria on a journey to perdition, sounded rather like his dad. He admitted that three former governors: Bisi Akande, Isiaka Adeleke and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (the last two formerly from the PDP ranks) were campaigning for Aregbesola.

So, who else does PDP have in Osun?

Of course, like father, like son, Fani-Kayode the son bragged like Fani-Kayode, the father, that despite the overwhelming odds facing their candidate, Omisore would triumph. Well, everyone is entitled to their illusions! But surely the son knows how his father’s pipe-dream collapsed back then?

Omisore and his party are dishonourable. Omisore’s personal notoriety was borne out of the campaign of threats and intimidation he ran, never once articulating his own programme but burning all his bad-tempered and ill-bred energy at demonising Aregbesola’s glittering achievements Omisore would wish never existed but which his troubled eyes see and his jagged soul hates, but which the people roundly applaud.

Omisore is set for electoral guillotine - and he, and his wilfully misguided people know it.

Even then, the ghost writer concluded with Freudian slip that hinted at Omisore’s gubernatorial pipe-dreams. He quoted the scriptures. But he forgot the Bible says people that believe in their arms, to force evil over good, would be humbled by the superior might of the Almighty. So long for Omisore’s federal might!

On the secular front, he even quoted Napoleon Bonaparte!

“Justice, so slow, is sure to over-take the wicked.” That, is a straight Omisore fit - hot, fresh and smoking from the past!

And Napoleon! Did this writer ever hear of Napoleon’s waterloo? That, for Omisore, is what Osun would be, even with his rogue federal might!

• Salako writes from Ikirun, Osun State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

21

COMMENTS

F

OUR weeks ago, I described Singapore’s economic miracle – how Singapore started off as a poor country without natural resources in 1965, and became one of the richest countries in the world in less than 10 years. My purpose is to show the Southwest something to emulate.

The South-west is supremely ready to achieve the Singapore miracle. Sixty years of free Primary Education, and over 30 years of free Secondary Education, have made the Southwest the most educated part of Africa. In the plans of the originators of the educational progress (Chief Awolowo and his colleagues), the mass education was meant to be the base for the building of a great modern economy.

Unfortunately, however, the South-west is not a country on its own. It is part of a much larger country in which purposes are diverse and different, and ill-will and animosity among peoples are powerful influences over central policy. The controllers of the Nigerian central government at independence regarded the South-west’s economic ambitions as overambitious, divisive, capable of weakening the central government and possibly even breaking up Nigeria. Since then until now, pulling the South-west down has been an unspoken but constant purpose in the operations of Nigeria’s central government.

In the midst of this “pull-them-down” experience, the rulers of the Yoruba South-west have lost both confidence and focus. They know what their people need and desire, but they usually try to play it safe by behaving like the rulers of other parts of Nigeria. On the whole, in all fairness, the South-west governments still tend to outperform the governments of other regions of Nigeria, but, unfortunately, much of their performance misses the point altogether.

Here is the point: All phases of a people’s modern development are parts of one and the same package of development. Educational development is not an end in itself; it is a means of preparing and strengthening the people to carry out all the other facets of development.

At the present stage in the development of the massively educated South-west, the prime development programme must be to put the people to work. Putting the people to work is not a side issue; it is not a haphazard action of a governor, an action aimed at winning electoral support. This does not mean that other aspects of development (like building of roads, beautifying towns, etc) should stop; what it

T

HE need for Nigeria to have highly functional and globally competitive national airline(s) has for so many years occupied minds within and outside the industry. Like an incubus, the issue has refused to go away. The discourse and arguments are laced with facts, half-truths, blurred perception and, more often than not, highly emotional on the sides of protagonists and antagonists alike.

Very few Nigerians know, even in the industry, that there were three great chances created between 1992 and 2001, any one of which would have put us on a sound footing for competitive airline business operation.

These three chances were Capt Mohammed Joji’s “Air Nigeria” – 1992/1993, Engr Ibrahim Jani’s ”Turn Around” – 1997/1999 and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s “New Co” – 2000/2001.

The second great opportunity thrown away was in 1997/1999 when Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, an oil and gas industry professional with experience in property management was appointed the MD/CEO of Nigeria Airways.

Jani took over from Group Captain Peter Gana, a serving Air Force officer, who took over from late Engineer Agom. With Agom’s foreclosure of Joji’s Air Nigeria project and return to the Ministry, the airline’s fortunes began a new decline. By the time he handed over to Gana, the airline’s challenges had mounted. The debt profile, both domestic and external, had risen, over-flight charges had mounted, insurance premium unpaid and operational aircraft grounded or seized. Delays in staff salaries set in and pensioners were in the cold. Nigeria Airways was no longer operating to London due government policies and the airline’s debts. This was Gana’s operating environment.

By the last week of Gana’s exit, the challenges of his inherited operating environment had snowballed into strangulating dimension as the airline’s insurance broker – Alexander Howden, had withdrawn its insurance cover which crippled all operations including the two last return Christian Pilgrimage flights out of Israel. As the crises raged on, Peter Gana was removed and replaced with Jani. With severely contracted operations and mounting debts, even Drucker would have shuddered. Many a

South-west: Emulate Singapore’s economic miracle means is that putting the people to work must be the NUMBER ONE priority of the government.

As Singapore’s economic miracle should teach us in the South-west, putting the people to work should consist of various programmes.

First, we must give our people the kinds of skills that a modern economy demands, starting with basic skills and quickly expanding to more sophisticated skills. For us, this should include, first, snatching our educated and jobless people from the streets and giving them various training in productive skills, as well as strong work ethics. This is like a remedial programme. To get it done, a state government will need to respectfully involve our business people in it, in order to establish skilltraining facilities of various kinds, public and private. Involving the business people from start will ensure that business people will see the improving skills as an opportunity for them to expand their businesses. This will also encourage new businesses – and, altogether, result in the expansion of businesses.

The state government must then intervene in various ways to encourage businesses. First, provide all sorts of facilities that can attract businesses to the state –for example, well planned industrial estates and shopping centres well served with roads, water supply, and electricity. I said electricity because it is an absolute essential. In Nigeria where poor access to electricity is a damaging problem, investing state funds for regular local supply of electricity to an industrial or shopping centre can generate a big boost to a state’s economy, and thereby create jobs. Secondly, help the owners of certain local businesses to upgrade their businesses – such as owners of restaurants, inns and motels, mechanic workshops, recreation centres, group homes, private retail outlets, etc. Thirdly, encourage and help business starters. Singapore did this by creating various facilities and centres for training educated and skilled people in the basics of business, and various aspects of business management. She also did it through various financial supports to businesses. Some of our state governments

have given small loans in the past; but they have done it in unproductive ways, and have usually linked it to politics. We must learn from a country like Singapore, Taiwan or South Korea how micro-credit systems are properly organized and managed to boost the economy.

Fourthly, set out to attract foreign businesses to come and invest and do business in your state. Learn from a country like Singapore the many ways it did this successfully. But I can say now that one cardinal step is to ensure that your politics is predictably orderly and stable.

The rulers of Singapore tell us that a predictably orderly and stable political life is NUMBER ONE STEP in attracting business people from other parts of the world. In this matter, being part of Nigeria is a big problem – since every Nigerian president believes that it is his right to rig elections in any part of Nigeria, no matter how much turmoil that may cause. How should our South-west states handle this unpredictability? We should learn to deal with it as best we can – and strive towards having a separate country of our own soon.

Fifthly, while raising up businesses among our own people and attracting foreign businesses to come, we must give special emphasis to businesses that produce goods for export to other countries. Experience has shown that such businesses are the leaders in quickly building a country’s prosperity. When your workers produce goods that are exported, the income they earn is essentially from abroad – it means the people of other countries are providing good jobs for your people, and that is a great thing. Exports can be from our farmers, all the way to our workers employed in the most sophisticated technological businesses.

Gbogun gboro To make our goods acceptable all over the world, we must ensure high quality in our goods.

Snatching our educated people from the streets and quickly turning them into skilled workers and business owners is the first stage of our development – the “remedial stage”.

The next is the long-term stage. In this stage, we reorder our educational system so as to prepare our children to grow up to be mostly skilled workers, businessmen, managers, etc.

It is a new ball game in education. We will need to give totally new emphasis to mathematics, science, language and civics in early elementary schools; and, later,more mathematics, science, technology, knowledge of trends in the wider world. To achieve these, we must sharply raise the training, competence and prestige of our teachers, and make our schools proud centres of learning and exploration. This stage is the real gateway to our future greatness.

All these would be easier in our own separate country, but we must start now. And we must integrate our states’ development agendas to improve our chances of success.

‘Snatching our educated people from the streets and quickly turning them into skilled workers and business owners is the first stage of our development – the “remedial stage”. The next is the long-term stage. In this stage, we reorder our educational system so as to prepare our children to grow up to be mostly skilled workers, businessmen, managers, etc’

National Carrier: Roads not taken

BY Chris Aligbe manager would have sought funding from the government. But Jani did not. Rather, armed with a first-class engineering degree and, most probably, one of the soundest minds that ever ran Nigeria Airways, he proceeded first with a painstaking study of the airline challenges so as to know the Achilles’ point in the vicious cycle of the dwindling fortunes of the airline. His first action was to keep the skeletal operations going. Then, he invested the airline pension funds which had been left sitting with no accruing benefits. He then cut down travels, sought to expand cargo operations through leases and began debt negotiations to achieve debt restructuring and reduction. As at this time, Nigeria Airways was not flying to London due debt issues and Abacha’s sanction on British Airways, banning its operations in reciprocity. Nigeria Airways was also not operating to New York, primarily due to the US ban on Murtala Mohammed Airport, citing safety issues. So, unlike his predecessors, Jani had only Jeddah, a religious pilgrimage route, rather than high traffic commercial routes and Dubai, a new route started by Peter Gana and still under development.

Jani now turned to his management with a gospel of partnership with airlines – African and foreign that Nigeria Airways could reach a code-share or joint-venture arrangement to enlarge its market share and widen its revenue base. Under consideration were Ethiopian airline and Cameroon airline. But before this could emerge from the drawing board, Jani suffered a setback. Jani was picked up by the Directorate of Military Intelligence over allegation of involvement in Abacha’s phantom coup. Many believed that was the end of Jani, even if he was freed, he would not, as is usual, be allowed to return to the airline. However, in the period of his absence, while one hawkish director, in fact the most junior, pushed to replace him, the management he left stepped up his joint venture idea and entered into a despicable arrangement

with Bellview Airline, a domestic airline, to fly Nigeria Airways Amsterdam route.

The agreement exposed the lack of knowledge and exposure of the management to business negotiations. The smarter MD of Bellview – Kayode Odukoya went away with the meat, leaving Nigeria Airways with feathers he easily could shed and shed, he did. Just on the day of commencement of the Bellview operations, Jani surprisingly returned to his job with his integrity intact. He ran through the agreement and literally blew up at the ridiculous terms. All attempts made to redraw the agreement were rebuffed by Bellview as it continued operations. Jani distanced Nigeria Airways from that operation, refused to repudiate the agreement, predicting the collapse of the operation without Nigeria Airways involvement. He was correct the Bellview venture to Amsterdam faced loss-making challenges and eventually collapsed with the repossession of its operating aircraft due default in lease payment.

In the very short course of time, Abacha shockingly died. Gen. Abubakar who succeeded him lifted the ban on British Airways and this was the great turnaround opportunity which nobody in Airways imagined.

Only Jani imagined and saw it. For us all in Nigeria Airways, British Airways was not only a colossal competitor but a predator. In pursuit of his strategy, Jani opened up contact with BA authorities led by Allan Burnet, and secured the first ever assistance when BA offered Nigeria Airways two of its B737 to lift players round the country during the FIFA U-21 world cup hosted by Nigeria. The BA gesture was at no significant cost to Nigeria Airways despite the revenue which accrued, though NFA did not pay substantial part of the bill till the airline’s demise.

Jani further solidified this new relationship as it now opened up a JV partnership discussion with BA. The mutual respect that arose culminated in one of the best airline JV ever entered into by any airline globally. As at this time, all Nigeria Airways wide-body aircraft – DC10s and A310s were either grounded or seized by creditors. Jani agreed with Brit-

ish Airways to deploy one of its B747 jumbo to fly Nigeria Airways seven weekly frequency on the Lagos/London route. The aircraft would be painted in Nigeria Airways livery, use Nigeria Airways call-sign. The aircraft would be operated by British Airways with some Nigeria Airways cabin crew, trained by BA in joint operation with BA cabin crew. Nigeria Airways was to have 100 seats free and would not incur any cost whatsoever for the entire operations. This JV was approved by late Dr. Olusegun Agagu who was then the Minister of Aviation.

Having achieved this, Jani turned to the marketing department, especially to the highly resourceful manager in London, Jonathan Jiya, charging him to fill up the 100 seats. Following Jani’s footsteps, Jiya, who later became MD of Nigeria Airways and now traditional ruler of Esan community in Bida, invented, for the first time ever in the global aviation industry, the 2-piece concept which allowed passengers to check-in two baggages of 23kg each. Jani approved this and its market success alarmed not only BA but all European airlines at inception. Today, 2-piece concept is now a global practice. Not many Nigerians, let alone the global aviation world, know that the innovative marketing strategy was a Jiya/Jani creation.

More importantly, the British Airways JV earned Nigeria Airways N100million monthly. This improved liquidity, made timely salary payment easier and regular, same for pension and freed revenue from other sources for debt repayment, administration, retraining and maintenance.

Without fear of being controverted, had Joji, or Jani or indeed the IFC been allowed to drive on, our nation would have been a cynosure of successful airline operations.

As the effort to find a solution to the floatation of a sound national carrier continues, the stunning strategies of Joji and Jani as well as the IFC advisory and excellent professional approach will remain a reference in any future effort towards a virile national carrier.

• Aligbe, an aviation consultant writes from Lagos

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

The 30th anniversary celebration of the Lagos State University (LASU) ends today, with the award of higher degrees. Has the institution achieved the dreams of its founding fathers? Stakeholders believe that more should be done to attain those dreams, reports ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

•Entrance to LASU. Inset: Prof Obafunwa

How to achieve LASU founders’ dreams A

• Prof Olumide

T 30, the Lagos State University (LASU) has come a long way despite its many challenges. The institution has lined up activities to mark the milestone during its 19th convocation. The convocation ceremonies, which started last Wednesday, end today with the award of higher degrees. Its visitor, Governor Babatunde Fashola is expected at today’s ceremony to commission some projects.

The university, whose motto is: “Truth and Service”, was founded by the first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, in October, 1983 as a multi-campus, non-residential institution. It however, began academic activities in 1984.

Its past Vice Chancellors are: Prof Olumide Afolabi (1983-1988), the late Prof Jadesola Akande (1989-1993), Prof Enitan

Bababunmi (1993-1996), the late Prof Fatiu Ademola Akesode (1997-2001), Prof Abisogun Leigh (2001-2005), and Prof Akanni Hussain (2005- 2011).

Its current Vice Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Obafunwa, was appointed in 2011.

Over the years, LASU has moved from one crisis to the other and earned praises for one groundbreaking research or other.

Cultism, students' unrests, national and local workers' strikes, among others, have been some of LASU’s undoing.

Other issues include late release of results and issuance of certificates, and school fee hike.

However, with the resolution of the latest crises (fees reduction by 34/60 per cent and the suspension of strikes by the university's

INSIDE

Ogun teachers rue excess workload, shortages -Page 27

Chibok girls: Expert advocates security education -Page 48

•Prof Bababunmi

•Prof Akande

chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) coming during the celebration of its 30th anniversary, the management, government, workers, students, alumni and parents look forward to a new beginning.

A speech to be delivered at today's convocation, Fashola would express concern over the incessant strikes and the need to avoid them for the university’s progress.

"One of the greatest sources of worry to the government is the frequent interruption of the academic calendar of LASU. How can we build the institution of our dreams and train quality students if we find it difficult to sustain a planned calendar? All • Continued on Page 26

CAMPUS LIFE Enter Igwe of Malabo Kingdom -Page 29

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

26

EDUCATION Fatai Olateju ADO POLYSonoiki FILE was one of the pioneer students of the Lagos State University (LASU) in 1984. The graduate of Political Science was also the first National President of the LASU Alumni Association as well as the first Chairman of its Board of Trustees. In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Sonoiki is optimistic that his alma mater can rule Africa if everything falls into line.

LASU can become Harvard of Africa

D

ESPITE her challenges, do you think LASU can wriggle out and emerge one of the best universities in Nigeria in 20 years time?

With due respect, 20 years is too long. LASU can be the best in Africa within the next five years and in that 20 years be the 'Harvard of Africa'.

LASU was founded on the foundation of excellence and integrity. That culture is what we need to restore now. Once we do that our aim then is to be the university that will be ranked first in Africa, and it is achievable.

Could you relive some good memories of the past?

For instance, in the whole federation, you know it is only in the University of Lagos that it is competitive to do a masters Degree. But I led those who wrote entrance examination to the Faculty of Social Sciences to the University of Lagos in 1989 and I remember the Senate of LASU congratulated me on that feat. The good thing there is that all LASU candidates that went to that university were taken purely on merit. The result of that effort was nothing short of excellence from all parameters of assessment.

It might interest you that one of the first graduates in the Faculty of Law had a First Class at the Nigerian Law School. Another interesting thing is that about 50 of them went there and none of them came out with Third Class. If LASU Faculty of Law can become the seventh best in the world in 2011 by the global ranking of faculties of law, then what stops us? It is just the determination of stakeholders to make a difference and prove to the founding fathers that something good can come out of LASU. As pioneer students, we all did our NYSC in 1989. I did mine in Benue State. That was the year pioneer graduates of LASU did their service year. You need to see the way other students were looking at us as if we were from the moon. The reason is:

that particular year, LASU participated in NUGA games for the second time and emerged second best.

Do not also forget that the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria was a former Miss LASU. So where did LASU get is wrong?

Where we got it wrong was the politicisation of appointment in that university coupled with the Nigerian factor. There is a class of people who believe that whoever is the vice chancellor must do their bidding, failing which he is shown the door. You will recall that the first Vice Chancellor, Prof Afolabi Olumide, left unceremoniously. His successor Prof Jadesola Akande spent only one term which was ridden in crises.

Akande's successor, Prof Bababunmi too only managed to complete his tenure amid crises and that tradition

• Sonoiki

has remained till date.

Would you proffer a solution?

I think the government should do more in the appointment of vicechancellors. Second, workers and students alike should realise that there can only be one captain in a ship. Workers should realise that the

‘I think the government should do more in the appointment of vice-chancellors. Workers should realise that the continuous existence of LASU would ensure their garri. The interest of the system must be their priority. All these protests especially by workers would not help but ground the system’

continuous existence of LASU would ensure their garri. The interest of the system must be their priority. All these protests especially by workers would not help but ground the system. Even in overseas, there is a system in place in which crises are resolved With this anniversary, is there a plan by the alumni association to galvanise past graduates to attain the LASU dream within record time?

Last Thursday of last month, the alumni from Nigeria met with the UK chapter of the association in UK. We had a conference courtesy of the UK chapter on Higher Education in Nigeria with special reference to LASU. A good number of our colleagues over there are aware of what is going on at the home front.

The effort of that conference is that as I am talking to you, plans are now at the advanced stage to start an exchange programme with the University of Kingston, UK. Their vice chancellor and president of the alumni have agreed to an exchange programmes for lecturers in LASU. Two, we hold our AGM annually, and we always publish it in the media inviting everybody. There is a difference between you being an exgraduate of LASU and being a member of the alumni.

As an alumni member, you must pay your N5,000 annual dues. Before, it was N250. The painful thing is that very few people turn up. We keep telling them that alumni associations is a charitable organisations; and that aside the money and time there is an opportunity for networking among members. It's a platform where members can assist one another.

How to achieve LASU founders’ dreams • Continued from Page 25

parties, especially staff and students must, as a matter utmost urgency resolve that this unfortunate trend must end. Henceforth, at the time of admission, every student must have a right to predict his or her year of graduation provided all examinations are passed as and at when due.”

To students, parents, alumni and staff, to the management, Governing Council and government ensure the entrenchment of a normal academic calendar.

According to the students, what seems to distinguish LASU from other universities nationwide are strikes which they lamented often prolong their stay.

A Post-Graduate Diploma student, who simply identified himself as Kareem, said he spent extra time because of strike.

He said: "I think the problem is incessant strikes. I studied Education Management at Post Graduate level in 2012/2013 session; and we would have finished our programe on time if not for the ASUU strike that lasted about six months.

"In fairness, what marks us out of other institutions is simply that our lecturers are very encouraging. Many of them are dedicated to work and want to see us graduate. Though we have few challenges as regards the release of our results but, most time, our results are released on time, and that credit goes to the current management."

Chairman of the LASU Parents Forum Alhaji Nurudeen Calfos said parents were tired of strikes and the way the university's dirty linen is washed in public, They hope this would not be the story by the time the university clocks 50.

"As parents, we are tired that no matter how little LASU problem was, it is celebrated on the pages of national dailies. We are interested in a peaceful co existence of workers and management. Look at the months our children have wasted while agitating for a review in their tuition. Now I learned

they will be writing exam this month and I wonder what the students have imbibed when they spent most of their time out of classes.

"We parents are saying enough is enough. Management should find a lasting solution to incessant strikes that keep dragging our children's graduation," he said.

A worker in the junior cadre who does not want to be named, believes part of the solution to LASU's problems would be for administrators to be appointed on merit, irrespective of whether they hail from Lagos State.

He said: "I have spent 20 years in this university. In my view (Prof Peter) Okebukola was the best vice-chancellor we never had. Though he was there in acting capacity, he understood university administration and he did his best to improve workers welfare. Unfortunately, he could not assume became the vice-chancellor because he was not from Lagos. But truth is, everybody knows he is one of the best and he has contributed so much to this university. So why not give him such position?"

On his part, Vice-Chairman LASUASUU, Dr Issac Akinloye Oyewunmi, believes improved workers' welfare would go a long way to restore LASU to the path of glory.

"Happy workers are efficient workers," Oyewumi quipped. "Once workers know they can enjoy career progression in a system, they would put in their best. Here, workers are not well motivated. No job satisfaction.

"Universities should be allowed to run the way they are run - on committee system. Those in administration must see themselves as first among equals. Others should not be seen as worthless or nincompoop. There

•Prof Akesode

• Prof Leigh

•Prof Hussain

should be mutual respect and realisation that others over have ideas too," he added.

President of LASU Students' Union Nurudeen Yusuf Temilola called on all to put behind shameful past and forge ahead for greatness. Reorgainisng the information unit of the university to correct her battered image according to Yusuf, is a step in the right direction.

"At 30, LASU has come of age. Her products are second to none in the labour market. Unfortunately, we have been misrepresented and vilified by the media. LASU is different from what they present to the world. With the image question, we need to shakeoff the inglorious past to embrace enthusiastically, a new and promising future. LASU should empower the Public Relations Department of the University with modern facilities to launder the image of the students Union."

He charged the management to forge more partnership with the public especially distinguished Lagosians towards facilitating hostel accommodation for students.

"If there is one thing we need in LASU today, it is hostel accommodation. We need to add to the female

hostel so that the campus culture can stay. . We need aggressive construction of hostel accommodation on our campuses in Epe and Ikeja. With this in place, the night life which is an interesting part of the university education will come alive.

Nurudeen further called on management set up different enterprises such as LASU Bakery, LASU Water, and LASU Press amongst others towards jerking up the university's internally generated revenue.

For former student, Ibrahim Olanrewaju who graduated five years ago from the Department of Business administration, infrastructural development is key.

He said: "I was in LASU recently to collect my certificate and I was amazed with some new structures springing up at different areas in the university.

Despite that, I want to say LASU is too far away from what we all can call ideal university. The poor academic environment we left behind five years ago is still there if not worse. Many of the classrooms are still leaking. The conventional blackboards that we used during our time are still there and some of them are now old. It will not be out of place if management installs electronic board in each class, where

teaching between lecturer and students can often be done online."

As a pioneer lecturer in the Department of Political Science of LASU, Dr Segun Johnson knew the zeal with which lecturers worked to produce the best students. Recalling that time, Johnson, who left the university 10 years after for greener pasture in the UK, hopes that the zeal would possess the present crop of workers and students today.

"At inception, we had two challenges - to lay a solid foundation for the school and also offer the students a university life they would never experience elsewhere. This was because we knew then that the students didn't have any senior students they could look up. So we groomed them to be role models to the coming generations.

This accounted for why upon graduation, they could hold their head anywhere," Johnson said.

When he assumed office, the vice chancellor, Prof Obafunwa had a vision to rid LASU rot, clear all pending results, especially in the university's external campus system, galvanise workers across board to be more proactive towards their responsibility, clear backlog of salary arrears owed workers, improve infrastructural landscape of the university, and consolidate on the previous administration with respect to e-operation on campus.

So far, Obafunwa has succeeded in graduating students yearly with graduands clutching their certificates on convocation day. He also recorded a milestone in the release of results on time. He still has about one year to achieve the rest of his vision. Will he?

‘At 30, LASU has come of age. Her products are second to none in the labour market. Unfortunately, we have been misrepresented and vilified by the media. LASU is different from what they present to the world. With the image question, we need to shake-off the inglorious past to embrace enthusiastically, a new and promising future’

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

27

EDUCATION

Ogun teachers rue excess workload, shortages

T

EACHERS in Ogun State are complaining. They said they are not only putting in more hours weekly, but also that each of them is doing more than one person's work.

They urged the state government to recruit more hands to fill long over-due vacancies created by their retired colleagues.

The President, Ogun State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools' of Nigeria(ASUSS), Dr Tunde

•We'll address it soon, says Amosun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Folarin, made this known in Abeokuta, the state capital at the third quadrennial delegate congress of the union.

"Teachers unions have warned about excessive workload and complained about staff being put under too much pressure especially at the urban centres. The department of education of the

BBC runs an annual survey, where a sample of teachers in different types of schools across the globe, including Nigeria keep a diary of their working lives.

"The last result published in February shows that in 2013 secondary schools principals and teachers spent an average of 63.3 and 55.7 hours per week working," he said.

Folarin warned that the

•Otunba Oladele and some pupils with the comics.

Oduduwa comes alive at King’s College

T

HE comic genre as a platform for educating young readers got a boost when Panaramic Entertainment unveiled the 'Okiojo's Chronicles' at a public presentation at King's College annex, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Five hundred and sixty copies of the comic books were donated to the college at the event.

The Okiojo series is a product of three years’creative efforts of former pupils of the college, Tunji Anjorin, Adeniyi Adeniji, Rotimi Dawodu and Rotimi Anjorin and others who formed

By Jane Chijioke

Paranamic Entertainment.

They said the Okiojo's Chronicles is designed to educate and entertain, especially students about Nigeria's rich cultural heritage.

The Principal of King's College, Otunba Oladele Olapeju, praised the old boys for creating a comic series that would help project Nigerian heroes.

"Oduduwa, Queen Amina are well-known personages in history who played heroic roles that cut across their respective communities and influenced the history of their

‘Oduduwa, Queen Amina are well-known personages in history who played heroic roles that cut across their respective communities and influenced the history of their eras. It is important younger generation of children must know them

P

ROCTER and Gamble (P&G) Nigeria has unveiled a new contest, ‘Always moving forward’, to boost girl-child education in Nigeria.

The contest, which is open to girls between 12 and 18, will see them answer the question, "Who will you be in 10 years?" Their answers will come in form of a short profile titled: Me in 10 Years.

The 50 lucky winners will be presented with educational grants worth

eras. It is important younger generation of children must know them; the roles they played in our history which will help the children to appreciate the fact that people have been here and achieved something monumental for the society," he said.

General Secretary, King's College Old Boys Association (KCOBA), Mr. Lucky Idike, said the old students behind the comic book series have helped in creating employment.

He added that Nigerians have never been found wanting of ideas. "Circumstances have forced people to dig deep into their ingenuity and come up with something tangible that is relevant to the yearning of the society - the Okiojo's Chronicles falls within this bracket," he said.

Apart from Oduduwa, the two other comic in the series are: The Story of the Yoruba: 1897 (tells the story of the Benin Kingdom); and Queen Amina 1 and 2.

P&G launches contest N100, 000 each.

Brand Operation and Integration Manager, Tolu Pogoson, said the competition was in line with the philosophy of its Always sanitary pad, which aims to improve the lives of females, especially teenagers.

"The contest, apart from the rich financial rewards it promises to the winners, is designed to inspire these

young girls by providing them with an opportunity to think positively and work assiduously to achieve a bright future for themselves and the society," he said.

Brand Communications Manager Olatomiwa Akande said intending contestants have until next Friday to register on the Always Moving Forward, Facebook page.

non-replacement of retired principal-generals as well as teachers in public secondary schools in the state would "not augur well" for quality service delivery.

The Nation gathered that the four Principal-Generals representing the four geopolitical zones of the state retired a long time ago but were yet to be replaced.

Contrary to the practice,

Folarin said teachers should be recruited yearly to fill vacancies.

He said: "Unlike Asian countries where teachers are among the highest paid workers, Nigerian teachers are truly a segment of the populace sentenced to hard labour and poor remuneration.

"The outright neglect of teachers in the scheme of things will not augur well and of course the non-replacement of retired principal - generals in the state is a dangerous path to thread further.

"Recruitment to fill staff vacancies in the schools is long overdue and it should be done yearly to replenish the system as old hands leave the job."

Responding, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, said the state is committed to the interest of teachers, and would address their demands.

Amosun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, said it is not true that there are shortage of teachers in the state's schools.

He explained that there are areas that have more teachers compared to pupils' population. He said what should be done is for the school managements and the government to come together and identify based on data, places needing refilling and adjustment.

Odubela assured them that the government would soon replace the retired principalgenerals and recruits teachers in core areas.

New DVCs appointed PROFESSOR Ibiyinka Ogunlade and Prof Olufemi Victor Adeoluwa have been appointed deputy vice-chancellors of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti.

The appointments were made at the 218th meeting of Senate on July 23. It was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Ogunlade of the Faculty of Science and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof Adeoluwa of the Faculty of Educaiton, will serve a renewable two-year tenure.

Ogunlade, a professor of Organic Chemistry, holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan (1977); Masters in Analytical Chemistry, UI (1983); Ph.D in Applied Chemistry from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife (1992); and a PGD (Education) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (1995).

Adeoluwa bagged his Bachelors in History from the University of Benin in 1986; Masters in Educational Technology from the University of Ibadan (1988), and a doctorate from the University of Ado-Ekiti (now EKSU) in 2002. He became a professor in 2009.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

EDUCATION GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

Commander lauds school’s performance

T

• Parents lay hands on their wards

PHOTO: KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

Parents pray for graduating pupils

I

T was with passion and all the seriousness they could muster that parents prayed for their children during the Valedictory Service/ prize giving of Wellspring College, Omole in Lagos.

Each graduand, not minding that the school field was a little wet from the rain, knelt before his/her parents as they prayed for their success, protection and guidance as they move on from secondary school in search of university education and greener pastures.

The session, perhaps, provided the parents with an opportunity to beseech the Almighty to intervene in the lives of their children to right any wrongs they may have made in fulfilling their parenting role.

This may have also been influenced by the day's exhortation delivered by Dr Peter Olonade, which focused on the vital role parents play in the development of their wards from birth.

Olonade said though God created man to achieve great feats, man is limited because of the activities of enemies within and without. Contrary to the thinking that the enemies might be witches or demons, Olonade said they are most likely parents or relatives closely associated with the child (enemies within) or found in the larger society (enemies without).

Rather than worry about the enemies without, Dr Olonade warned parents not to be the enemies of their own children by their deeds and misdeeds.

He explained that it has been scientifically established that the intel-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

lect of children can be negatively affected if they are not well nurtured between 10 months and two years of age. He also added that negative emotional signals that children pick from their environment early in life can limit their learning. As a result, he counseled parents to be mindful of the way they raise their children.

"As parents, we are also carriers of destinies. Parents have to be prepared so we can prepare our children for the world out there so no destiny would be truncated," he said.

Founder of the school, Mr Daniel Isimoya, said they take prayers seriously because it is the only way to insure the graduands for the future.

"They have been with us for the past six years. We are happy we were able to finish with them and they are intact. They are leaving us; we are not in a position to teach them again but we can talk to God," he said.

Principal of the college, Mrs Oluwayemis Oloriade, counselled parents to make out time from their busy schedules to be with their children.

"Parents have a lot on their hands because these children are exposed to many things in their absence. If we are available for them, we teach them the right thing. A day should be devoted by the mother or father for the children. If you don't give them the right values, outsiders will give them the wrong values," she said.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of a billboard donated by the graduands to the school, and the presentation of gifts by the

graduands to their parents.

The event also featured other activities, such as dances, dramas and special songs.

HE management of Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos, has been praised for churning out good results.

The Commander, Nigerian Army Education Corps, Major-General Dapo Adebayo, gave the praise last Thursday during the 2013/2014 valedictory service/speech & prize giving for about 420 graduands.

Adebayo, who was represented

by Colonel Kabir Ndamadu, as special guest of honour, praised the school's commandant, Col Yakubu Momoh, for the efforts made to achieve such successes as well as the improvement in learning and teaching infrastructure in a short time in office.

The Commander also commended the pupils for their brilliant performances in external examinations which he described as phenomenal in the history of the school.

He urged them to maintain the discipline they received from the school and not involve themselves in any act that could bring shame to the school.

Col Momoh, who was deployed to the school in February, urged the graduands to be focused in their

new lives.

"Set out to get a great personal and professional life for yourself and do not be distracted. Fix you sight on your goal and you will achieve it," he said.

The Commandant urged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of their alma mater by not allowing the labour of their teachers and parents to be in vain.

At the event, chaired by Ikenna Anochie, Peter Lydia Omotayo emerged as the best overall pupil, while Ihenacho Chiamaka was the runner up.

While thanking the Commandant and the entire management of the school, the Senior Prefect (girl), Enah Rebecca, remarked that the 2014 graduands would not forget their teachers whom she described as “God sent moulders.”

She thanked them for the tuition, discipline and other virtues which according to her will make their lives fulfilling and rewarding.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Alajasa of Ajasaland Oba Sule Suberu; Olympic Medalist, Chioma Ajunwa, who is the Divisional Police officer (DPO) Meiran Divisional Police Headquarters.

• Col Ndamadu (right) presenting a gift to Lydia (second left). With them is Col Yakubu Momoh (second right).

P

RINCIPAL, Lead Forte Gate College, Ogudu, Lagos, Ben Greyling, has urged pupils to be more devoted to their studies and other school activities to become enviable persons in the society.

He gave the advice at the 13th graduation for Primary Six and SS3 graduands at the Ogudu branch of the school.

Grayling said they can only achieve greatness in life if they are

Be studious, pupils urged committed to their studies.

"I implore you all to give your education special attention and do all what is expected of you academically to be an enviable person in future and especially to your immediate family," he said.

In his sermon, Publisher of Our Daily Mana, Pastor Chris Kwakpovwe, charged the graduands to appreciate God by celebrating little things.

He said they should be grateful for

God's protection throughout their education but reminded them not to be complacent with their present achievement.

"You have just begun the journey of life and should live up to your parents' expectation and to the glory of God because if a 16-year old son could become president of a country, I think nothing stops you graduating students from being a president, engineering star, medical star, etc," he said.

Garland celebrates milestones

I

• Garland pupils performing at the event.

T was double celebration at Garland International School, Ejigbo, Lagos during its Fourth Valedictory/Prizegiving day.

While the 46 nursery graduands and 20 Primary Six pupils crossing over to secondary school were the main focus of the event, the school also celebrated the milestones it achieved in the session just ended.

The Proprietress, Mrs. Ada Nwaogwugwu, said was particularly happy that the school was able to complete a two-storey building to boost its infrastructure.

She said the block which consists of classrooms, library, and an ultra modern kitchen/dining hall, was completed within four months.

She thanked the parents for their understanding during the project.

By Mojisola Clement

"Where you are in today is the product of that effort to build a modern and spacious facility for your children. This was completed within 4 months," she said.

She said she was happy the outgoing pupils were transiting to good secondary schools.

"Today, we are sending forth 20 pupils, whom we believe have done very well and will stand out in their new schools. All the pupils got admitted to schools of their choice such as St. Francis College, Idimu, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Federal Government Colleges, and other private secondary schools," she said.

She advised the graduating pupils to be good ambassadors of the school.

29

‘Catch the fun while it lasts’

The fear of failure

Page 31 Page 42

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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

The Federation of Igbo Students (FIS) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has picked Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo as its Igwe (the king), ending the fouryear battle for the stool, reports EMMANUEL AHANONU (Political Science).

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Enter Igwe of Malabo Kingdom

A

FTER a long battle, the Federation of Igbo Students (FIS) at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has resolved its differences, with the selection of Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo as its Igwe (king).

The stool was established in 1994 to serve as a symbol of unity for Igbo students. The former Igwe, Gabriel Ejikeme, then a Public Administration student, spent five years on the throne. When he graduated, he could not hand over because of the crisis rocking the association. Ejikeme and his chiefs were accused of dictatorship and maladministration.

Ejikeme served as the Eze mmuo (chief priest) before he was selected by 24 of the 34 kingmakers to lead the association.

The crisis deepened in 2011 when some members challenged Ejikeme’s right to hold the Ofala. They said he lacked the authority to organise the event because he had graduated. According to tradition, an Igwe whose tenure has ended does not have the right to hold the festival.

However, instead of holding the historic event on the campus as tradition prescribes, Ejikeme took it to Airport Field, an off-campus location. After the festival, he convened a council of elders’ (chiefs) meeting to choose a new Igwe. The meeting ended in a deadlock.

One of the contenders accused Ejikeme of monetising the stool.

After a series of failed handover attempts, as none of the contenders met the Igwe’s criteria, Ejikeme left office.

Despite his exit, the group remained polarised. All efforts to instal a new Igwe and restore peace in FIS failed because of what some students described as traditional restriction, which allows only the outgoing Igwe to crown the new Igwe and his chiefs.

To salvage the situation, some of the chiefs, who served under Ejikeme were contacted to prevail on him to perform his traditional duty. He agreed and few days later, the process of choosing a new Igwe started.

As expected, Ejikeme played a major role, breaking the kolanuts and pouring libation to ordain incoming chiefs. Two old chiefs screened the contenders for the stool and tested their knowledge of Igbo culture and tradition.

The incoming chiefs were allowed to choose their

•Continued on page 30

• Chinedu...the new Igwe

•Group to hold rally for the blind-P32 •Oyo College adopts e-voting-P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The 2014 varsities ranking I

N 2013, Twitter posted a job ad for computer science graduates at its proposed “global centre of excellence” in Vancouver, Canada. In the ad, it had unusually specific requirements for bachelor’s degree-holders. Their bachelor’s had to come from one of the world’s top 100 universities as defined by the Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), 4ICU or a similar ranking. This, goes to show how powerful university rankings have become.

As far back as 1983, the U.S. News and World Report had begun rating U.S. institutions. Since then, dozens more ranking systems have sprung up, mainly global rankings like those by THE, QS, and the Shanghai Ranking Consultancy. These three were launched a decade ago and remain the most established and well known worldwide. They have broadened their offerings over the years while new agencies have entered the field, providing everything from regional rankings to discipline-specific ratings and reputational league tables However, criticism has dogged all of them to a greater or lesser extent because of the data and methodologies they employ. A central criticism is that rankings measure largely research output and reputation and don’t take into account differing institutional missions.

Another drawback is that rankings systems cover just a small fraction of the world’s institutions, between one and three percent of universities, according to a report by the Brussels-based European University Association. The humanities, fine arts and social sciences are under-represented in the rankings because most of this research is published in books rather than the journals used as bibliometric indicators. Also excluded in some are journals published in languages other than English, because of their lower citation counts, according to the report.

But arguments like these haven’t dampened the popularity of rankings and, many observers agree, their influence over institutional behaviour and public policy is growing which was why twitter job included that section in its job ad.

To say that the education sector in Nigeria has been challenged for years now

is to state the obvious. There are issues of funding, infrastructural decay, paucity of qualified lecturers, ratio of lecturers to students, cultism, unpredictable academic calendar etc. Maintaining high standards

Pushing Out with

Agbo Agbo 08116759750 (SMS only)

in the midst of these challenges is even more problematic when combined with frequent strikes by various unions in the public university system.

However, some varsities – despite these challenges – are making modest inroads and are being recognized for their efforts.

In the 2014 University Web Ranking conducted by International Colleges and Universities (4ICU) released last Tuesday, University of Ilorin (Unilorin) was adjudged the best university in Nigeria, the 20th best university in Africa and 1842nd in the world.

The 4ICU is an international higher education search engine and directory that constantly reviews accredited universities and colleges across the world.

For the latest exercise, it ranked about 11,307 colleges and universities by web popularity in over 200 countries.

The ranking, according to 4ICU, is based upon “an algorithm including three unbiased and independent web metrics extracted from three different search engines: Google Page Rank, Yahoo Inbound Links and Alexa Traffic Rank.”

It said web metrics data are collected on the same day to minimize temporal fluctuations and maximize comparability. A pre-computational filter is adopted to detect outliers in the raw data. The total number of external inbound links (or backlinks) pointing to each university website is also cleaned from duplicate domains based on a statistical sample; unique inbound links (i.e. links coming from different domains) are in fact a much more significant and powerful measure of website link popularity. Finally further investigation and a review of Alexa Traffic Rank data are carried out for universities adopting a subdomain as their official institutional home page.

The latest ranking is a significant leap for the Unilorin which has moved from its last year’s fifth position in Nigeria and 56th in Africa to first and 20th positions

•aagboa@gmail.com respectively. With the new ranking, the institution’s status as the nation’s number one university has been given an international confirmation. This, to me is modest progress.

Statistics released recently by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) after the last Universities Matriculations Examination (UME) seem to tally with this as it showed that the university was the most subscribed university by admission seekers in the country for the 2014/2015 academic session. The University of Benin, Benin City, came second.

Since 2011, Unilorin has maintained a steady rise among most preferred institutions by admission seekers in the country. In 2011, it ranked eighth; it ranked fifth in 2012; second in 2013 and first this year.

The University of Lagos came second in Nigeria and 21st in Africa while the third position goes to Obafemi Awolowo University, which also comes 26th in Africa. Also on the ranking table are: the University of Ibadan came fourth in Nigeria and 38th in Africa; the Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, fifth in Nigeria and 59th in Africa; Criticism aside, we need more of such rankings to keep our institutions on their toes despite the daunting challenges the Nigerian situation often throws up. We are in the knowledge era and as citadels of learning, our ivory towers should take the lead.

Re: From Liberia with love Your article “From Liberia with love” in The Nation’s edition of Thursday July 31, 2014 is an interesting piece, particularly the place where you stated inter alia: “in the midst of all this it appears our intelligentsias have gone to sleep, gone are the days when our ivory towers used to be

Enter Igwe of Malabo Kingdom •Continued from page 29 chieftaincy names but some names attracted special condition. For instance, anyone who chose Ogbuefi (one who kills cow) must either kill a cow or buy parts of a cow for the old chiefs.

The Igwe’s selection was full of drama.

It took hours before the old and incoming chiefs gave Ejikeme the nod to crown his successor. Before Ejikeme performed that duty, he was made to swear an oath that his reign would not exceed a year.

At a ceremony held at Abang Arang in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, Henry Chinedu Umeokonkwo, a 300Level Public Administration student, who took the title of Ogbuefi Na Uko Efi was crowned the 13th Igwe of Malabo Kingdom. He chose the name: Mmiri Mara Ugo 1 of Malabo (rain that falls on eagle).

The chiefs, who scaled the tough screening, were also conferred titles with

•Njoku (middle) blessing the incoming chiefs

their wives.

There was a celebration on the night of the coronation; some chiefs came with their wives to rejoice with the Igwe. Members of the association were served Igbo delicacies, such as Ugba (African salad), palm wine, pepper soup, roasted yam, gin and kolanut.

The Igwe’s first Ofala festival was held

simultaneously with this year’s Igbo Cultural Day, which took place at Malabo Square.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke, represented by his deputy on Academic, Prof Austin Obiekezie; Dean of Students’ Affairs Prof Eyong Eyong, represented by Mr Emmanuel Emore; Director of General Studies, Dr Chike

a beehive of heightened intellectual activities. Gone are the days when economists, sociologists, historians and political scientists gather to take inter disciplinary approaches to solving complex national problems that government often find very useful.”

Do I need to state that that signposts the level of frustration in the Nigerian society up to our citadel of learning. But I may ask: which intelligentsias are you talking about? This question becomes imperative when we recall that university teachers (ASUU) only resumed classes a few months back, while their polytechnic counterpart (ASUP) resumed a few weeks back. Did these prolonged strikes send a message?

I dare say it is all signs of frustration cutting across all strata of the citizenry; and how much thinking would striking teachers engage in in order to arrest a bad situation? You did mention economists, sociologist, etc. Which of them would you ascribe that deep thinking to? The economist whose daily living revolves around government patronage, or the historian that deliberately twists facts in order not to offend his political godfathers and other associates?

Let’s also turn to the almighty politician. Is it the politician in the ruling party or the opposition? The politician in the ruling party has surrendered his thinking cap to the party leadership thus he cannot think anymore. The opposition, on its part, is not taken seriously by both the government and the citizens’. His actions are always taken with a pinch of salt no matter how constructive they are. The government, on its part, is self-centered as only its ideas and proposals are deemed “correct.” no matter how distraught the citizenry may feel about such ideas and proposals.

This quagmire is compounded by the poverty prevalent in the society which has made the average citizen dumb and out of tune with current reality and, indeed, subdued. The truth is that the average Nigerian is subdued; it doesn’t matter the level he finds himself- educated or not, employed or not, graduate or undergraduate etc. In conclusion, I’ll say without fear if contradiction that Nigeria needs a revolution.

That again is another kernel. Where does this revolution start from? Is it from the north, south, east or west? That is the dilemma we find ourselves in.

• Charlie Nwachukwu, (08077820966)

Warri

Ekeopara; pioneer FIS president Azubuike Iloakasi, and second Igwe of Malabo Kingdom, Charles Njoku, were in attendance.

The VC praised the Igbo students for holding onto their culture. He charged them to be steadfast in their academic pursuit, saying: “While you are passing through the school, you should also allow the school to pass through you, and that cannot be possible if you are such a student who goes from your hostel to class from class back to hostel.

You must dedicate time to read your books.”

In his speech, Igwe Henry listed the criteria for the award of chieftaincy titles. He said: “To be conferred with a chieftaincy in Malabo Kingdom, you must have moral and academic excellence. You must be one who commands respect on campus.”

He urged his chiefs and members to promote excellence and Igbo culture.

There was a cultural contest in which students from the Southeast participated; each state showcased its peculiar attire and food. Anambra State emerged the best. The event also featured wrestling as done in traditional Igbo society; news broadcast in Igbo, cultural dance by students and drama.

The association unveiled its almanac and honoured some of its members, including the president, Ekene Odumegwu.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

31

CAMPUS LIFE The open space in front of Hall 2 at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) is supposed to be a car park, but students’ frequent visits to the spot at night has turned it into a rendezvous of sorts for lovebirds and fun seekers, writes EDDY UWOGHIREN (200-Level Medicine).

T

HE Hall 2 Car Park at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) is beautiful at night. Visitors throng the spot, which is popularly called “Heartbeat of UNIBEN” to catch fun at night.

In the morning, it hosts few activities. The sound of passing vehicles can be heard from a distance.

Photographers are seen taking shots of the few students around.

At sunset, the park is crowded and throbbing with activities. It becomes the rendezvous for fun seekers and lovebirds.

The park is also an event centre, hosting campus fellowship meetings, seminars, cultural day celebrations and academic tutorials.

At a dark spot, which stretches to Hall 3, students, usually in twos, hang around. Boys and girls hold hands, whispering sweet nothing into each other’s ear. The occasional presence of snakes and other harmful creatures does not deter them from catching fun.

“Catch the fun while it lasts” is the refrain among students.

“We are catching fun,” a student, who simply gave his name as Joseph, said when this reporter sought to know what he was doing at the park at 11:32pm.

At the park entrance is an array of almond trees, called Ebelebo in UNIBEN parlance. The trees give shade to lovers.

A few metres away is June 12 building. The aroma of toast egg and bread called Mischai in UNIBEN oozes from every angle of the building. Pots are always steaming with Indomie noodles and fried eggs. Fun seekers stay on queue to buy the food.

To some students, there is nothing wrong in unwinding at the Car Park, Ebelebo trees or the June 12 building at night. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” said Moses Edafe, a regular visitor.

He added: “All we do here is to

•Students at the Hall 2 Car Park catching fun at night

‘Catch the fun while it lasts’ come and catch fun at night; we rekindle old flames and renew friendship. Even you, as a medical student (pointing to this reporter), know that it is good to catch fun and relax. The fun here opens up our brain for better assimilation when we go to read at night.”

Moses’ girlfriend, who was with him when CAMPUSLIFE met him, said there was nothing wrong with visiting the lovers’ spot at night.

According to her, all they do there is “networking” and to catch fun with friends.

Etinosa Obazee, another student, frowned at erotic activities in the park at night, saying a serious student who has loads of academic task to accomplish would not spend a second at the lovers’ spot at night.

“Why don’t you (pointing to this reporter) also go there with a lady at night?” he quizzed.

Nelson Okonkwo, an Agriculture student, disagreed with Etinosa’s view, asking how many students attending classes daily doing well in their academics? “Visit the faculties notice boards and you will be amazed to discover that the socalled serious students are not doing well academically,” he said.

He added: “Don’t mind the people castigating us. They are the poor students who don’t have money to spend and cannot survive the competition on campus.

If given the opportunity to go and relax at lovers’ spot, they would grab it with both hands.”

A graduate of UNIBEN, who gave his name as Momodu, said

•Team A and B before the final match

the notion that unserious students visit fun spots at night was biased and unjustifiable.

Momodu said: “During my stay in UNIBEN, I visited many of those spots, especially the Ebelebo tree. Those moments keep playing in my mind. I have forgotten some of what my lecturers said in class but the moments at the spot are still fresh. It was under Ebelebo tree I meet my girlfriend whose father works in a big company in Lagos. I have been called to submit job application there. If I was not a visitor of fun spot, how could I have met her and got this kind of help through her father?”

He said a friend of his, who graduated with a first class, was a visitor at the park on Saturday

nights. “After we caught fun, we returned to our books,” Momodu added.

A 300-Level Pure Physics student, who gave his name as Osagie, said it was not a bad idea to visit the park. “It depends on what one is going there to do,” he said.

A fellowship president said: “Why will two unmarried students be holding hands in a park at night? The Bible frowns at it.

Those students are deceiving themselves.”

A medical doctor said relaxation is important if one must remain alive. He said: “Too much work and stress can result in mental health problems, memory failure and even heart disorders. People must create enough time relax to stay healthy.”

•The winners celebrating after the match

Occupants of the Alvan Ikoku Hall of Residence at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have held their annual soccer fiesta for promotion of friendship. KINGSLEY AMATANWEZE (500-Level Metallurgical and Materials Engineering) reports.

T

HE quadrangle of the Alvan Ikoku Hall of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), came alive last week. It was turned to a pitch for a soccer fiesta organised by the hall’s occupants.

The event was full of intrigue, suspense, drama, and disappointment as the students challenged themselves in the contest tagged: “2014 Alvan Inter-Series”.

The 14-day tournament is usually held before the end of the second semester to foster friendship among students in the hostel. Eight teams participated in the event.

They were grouped as Series A and B. The hall has eight sections, with each forming a team.

The final match was between the 200 Series A and 200 Series B teams.

Students trooped out of their rooms to watch their colleagues slug it out on the field. Some stayed on the corridors of their rooms.

Play soccer, make friends The event kicked off on a dramatic note, with the hall warden, Prof Tagboo Ugwu, chosen as the referee; two students acted as commentators. Music blared from both ends of the field as a disc jockey kept the spectators dancing with hip-hop tunes.

After 25 minutes of the first half, Chima Ohanyerem, a 500-Level Metallurgical and Materials Engineering student and Team B player, scored the opening goal. The opponents equalised when Nickson Oscar, 400-Level Political Science student and Team A striker, netted the ball in the second half.

A few minutes later, the Team B took the lead again after Chigbo Onu, a 500-Level Geology student, shot the ball beyond the goal line.

Almost immediately, Team B scored another goal, ending the match at 3-1.

During the trophy presentation, Chigbo was named the highest goal scorer of the tournament, having scored five goals in the tournament.

Chima got the Most Valuable Player award, making it the second time he won the prize. Another Student, Jude Agbedo, 500-Level Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, was awarded the Best Coach, while Ifeanyi Eze, 300-Level Computer Science got the Best Defender.

The highpoint was the presentation of the trophy to Team B. In a chat with CAMPUISLIFE, Chigbo described the match as difficult, admitting that the opposing team was the toughest side. He

said: “I believed in my team and we all worked like a team.”

When asked how he managed to score five goals given the small post on the pitch, Chigbo said: “It is a matter of knowing when to strike and then knowing the time the keeper is not watching.”

Chima said he was elated over lifting the trophy for the first time and for being adjudged the Best Player the second time. “I am very happy because this is my last appearance at the tournament as I am graduating from the university.

Thank God the trophy came our way. I think I have written my name in the history book of the hall. I am so happy to have being a part of this team, we really worked hard and I think we deserved it,”

he said.

The hall governor, Chibueze Uzoma, 400-Level Pure and Industrial Chemistry student, said the soccer fiesta was the best. He said: “I can say with all sincerity that this year’s Inter Series is the best that has ever happened in the hall.” He, however, hailed occupants of the hall for behaving decorously and making the event a success.

The event was graced by dignitaries, including the Secretary of the University of Nigeria Electoral Committee (UNECO), Mr I. A. Amuzie, and Students’ Union leaders, who were led by the president, Christain Agu, and the Speaker of the parliament, Precious Nwacha.

There were also hall governors of male and female hostels.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE The Nation/AfricanLiberty.org essay winners

W

E are pleased to announce the winners of T h e N a t i o n , AfricanLiberty.org Essay Contest, which is powered by the Network For a Free Society. Based on the review of the submitted essays, the highest score is 77 per cent, while the lowest score is 3 per cent. The general assessment shows an increase in the knowledge and spread of liberty in Africa. The content of the essays presents an evidence of positive impact the sponsors are promoting in Africa.

The grading of the essays was based on four key criteria: • Understanding and discussion of the issues: This is to assess the level of understanding of key liberty elements by the writer. This carried 50 marks.

• Organisation and conformity, which carry 15 marks.

• Grammar, structure and creativity shown by the writer. This attracted 15 marks.

• Originality: This assessed the use of other people’s works and idea, and whether the writers appropriately credited the source(s) of used intellectual materials.

This attracted 20 marks.

The details of the results are recorded below: PRIZES 1 st - Adeloye Olanrewaju Samuel, Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. George Ayittey (Platinum) Prize: $1,000 and full scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, South Africa from September 4 - 7, 2014. : 2nd - Gracious Odala Balamu, Majoring Philosophy, Chancellor College University of Malawi.

Anthony Fisher (Gold) Prize: $700 and full scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional

African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, South Africa, from September 4 - 7, 2014.

3rd - Olusegun Omoleye, Medicine and Surgery, University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Derenle Edun (Silver) Prize: $500 and full scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, South Africa from September 4 - 7, 2014 4 th - Shittu Oluwakemi Adeola, Department of Biology, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State; Uzuazor Precious Aghogho, Chemical Engineering, University of Benin, Edo State and Afolayan Monisola Ayowumi, Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The Nation newspaper Media (Bronze) Prize: 70 per cent scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School, South Africa from September 4 7, 2014.

Other Consolation Prizes: 50 per cent scholarship to 2014 Students and Young Professional African Liberty Academy (SYPALA) at the University of Cape Town Graduate Business School in South Africa goes to: 5th - Oloyede Deborah, Economics, University of Ibadan, Oyo State 6 th - Yohana Gadaffi Ouma, School of Law Parklands Campus, University of Nairobi, Kenya 6th - Francis Wambugu Komu, Mathematics and Computer Science, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya 7th - Balogun Rilwan Opeyemi, Civil Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Kaduna, Nigeria

•Participants singing the national anthem before the event started

Entrepreneurship seminar for corps members

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ORPS members serving in Lagos State, last week, learnt some basic skills in business development and entrepreneurship in a seminar organised by the Joan Agha Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

The event was held to equip the serving youths to cope with challenges of life after school. The seminar with the theme: Promoting entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths: Building a successful career also featured discussion on how they could create employment and turn their challenges to fortunes.

It was done in conjunction with

From Timothy Owomolade LAGOS Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability and Professionalism (LEAP) Africa and Growing Business Foundation.

President of the foundation, Mrs Joan Agha, said that by the end of the seminar, participants would have explored opportunities available, set up and develop businesses to facilitate their entrepreneurial skills.

“It is a known fact that people die using only 10 per cent of their talent.

So, you should deliberately condition your mind to know what you want

and make the best of the present times by being grateful for the little things that come your way,” Mrs Agha said.

The foundation, she said, also have mission to touch lives, build a nation, offer scholarships, empower women and the youth to engender a peaceful society. Mrs Ahga added that the foundation would give medical aids to the needy across the country.

The participants were charged to look up to successful people in business and told to avoid boredom, feeling unworthy, frustration, anger, and worry. They were told to focus on qualities that could make them attain their goals.

Make your vote count, council chief urges students

B

ARELY two weeks to the commencement of voters registration exercise slated for 15 August 2014, in Cross River State, chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Hon. Joseph Itotup, has urged students to come out en masse to participate in the exercise. He said it was the only way to exercise their franchise in the 2015 general elections.

Itotub spoke when students under the aegis of the National Association of Akamkpa Students (NAAS) visited

From Kanjal Godshield Kanjal CRUTECH him in his office last week. He said arrangements were on to ensure students in the area gain requisite skills acquisition to be self-employed.

“We are making arrangements to make sure all youth from this area are trained in various skills and to give indigent students scholarship studying various professional courses in and outside the country. As the Chairman

of this council, I would continue to create an enabling environment for you because I know we have prospective governors and law makers here. I assure you that very soon, I would release your bursary which would be increased to N20,000,” he said.

The president of the association, Enyam Kelvin, said he was working hard for the welfare of the students in the various tertiary institutions in the country.

Book for launch

T

HE stage is set for the official launch of a book, The perfect scholar, authored by Mr. Jimoh Braimoh, a first-class graduate of French, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State.

Jimoh said the book was aimed at helping students improve their academic performances in biblical and practical ways.

“The ideas in the book are proven, tested and practical. With hindsight and the benefits of divine grace, I employed some of

From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN the techniques laid out in this book to excel as an undergraduate in this university. And I am confident anybody can apply these ideas to improve their academic life,” he stated.

Students who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE said the book would be helpful to all categories of students who were serious about achieving academic excellence.

•Dr Falomo (middle) with Major Kehinde Danmole (second right), Mr Lanre Adebayo and others after the press briefing

Group to hold rally for the blind

T

O stem discrimination against visually-impaired persons, the Nigerian Society for the Blind (NSB) is set to mark its 9th White Cane Day awareness in Lagos with the theme: Fitness walk for sight.

Speaking at a press briefing held last Monday at NSB Vocational Training Centre in Oshodi, the NSB chairperson, Mrs Biola Agbaje, said the walk was aimed at sensitising the public on the need to accord respect to the visually impaired and importance of the use of the white cane for the mobility of the blind.

The use of a white cane, Agbaje said, is a symbol that a visuallyimpaired person is approaching, noting that no matter how trained

From Balikis Moyosore LAGOS they are, it is always difficult for the visually-impaired people to move around. “This is why they need our help and assistance in finding their way around,” she said.

She also said the common practice that a visually-active person must be the one to take the visually-impaired around should be over.

Agbaje, who was represented by the chairman, Organising Committee of the White Cane Day and Executive Council Member of the NSB, Dr. Olu Falomo, said that the white cane had been accepted globally as a symbol of the visually-impaired,

adding that the awareness was to sensitise the public on the significance of the material.

She said the event would encourage visually-impaired citizens to use the white cane, stating that in other climes, people with the same sight condition use trained dogs to move around.

She, however, stressed that the event would be an avenue to keep participants fit, especially people who have obesity.

Wife of former Lagos State Governor, Mrs Obafunmilayo Johnson, will lead the rally scheduled to hold on Saturday from 7am to 10am from the National Stadium in Surulere to Costain Roundabout and back to the stadium.

•Chairman, The School of Etiquette, Emmanuel Baiyekusi, presenting a laptop, Bible and management books to Dr Alexander Ibrahim, the winner of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Essay Competition organised by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

My plan for Abia people,

by Senator Nwaogu

Philanthropist lifts prison inmates

PAGE 33

Lawmaker donates scientific equipment to Imo schools •PAGE 40

•PAGE 38

•PAGE 36

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

•NOA state director, speaking at the summit

Stakeholders adopt community S policing in Ebonyi ‘ TAKEHOLDERS comprising labour/town union executives, traditional/religious leaders, civil servants, politicians, law makers, human right activists, opinion leaders and indeed the general public in Ebonyi North Senatorial zone have unanimously adopted community policing as the best strategy towards curbing the recent security menace bedeviling the country.

The adoption followed an intensive campaign on community policing flagged off by the National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State recently at headquarters of Abakaliki Local Government Area.

Speaking during the campaign, the State Director of the agency, Dr Emma Abah explained to the people that the programme was a vital national exercise that calls for the attention of patriotic Nigerians, who are to fashion out pragmatic and people-centred approach to strengthen the pillars of peace and security in our society.

Dr Abah reminded the stakeholders, especially the traditional rulers of their roles in the society prior to the coming of white men.

He regretted that the leaders in the society, instead of collaborating with the police, after its creation to oversee that work, left the entire work of policing in the hands of the instituted force. He insisted that such was wrong and detrimental to the peace, security and development of any society.

In his words: “Before the coming

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

of the colonialists, traditional rulers and other leaders in the community were involved in ensuring security of citizens and their properties. This they achieved by maintaining law and order through their native authority system as well as their vast network of intelligence-gathering system.

“With the institution of police force during the colonial rule, the community leaders relinquished their responsibilities to the police instead of collaborating with them to ensure a more perfect security system.”

The director advised the community leaders to go back to the old system where policing was the responsibility of all adults in a community.

He said: “It is not because the instituted police have failed us completely. No! But because we need all members of the community to become allies in the effort to enhance their safety and the quality of their neighbourhood.”

Also addressing the people, the chairman on the occasion and member representing Abakaliki/ Izzi Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga

The message is that you and I have roles to play in the security of our lives and property.

We must be responsive to the happenings around our environs since we can see that nobody is escaping the situation. There is danger everywhere and everybody must be aware of it

‘

said the gathering was essential since it sensitises the people on the need to give a zone-to-zone intervention to the issue of security.

Regretting, he said: “Before now, we have had people display reluctant attitudes towards the police, especially in the area of providing them with adequate information to work with, but today, all Ebonyi North stakeholders are here to correct that attitude by calling on all to rise and respect our security agencies.

“The message is that you and I

have roles to play in the security of our lives and property. We must be responsive to the happenings around our environs since we can see that nobody is escaping the situation. There is danger everywhere and everybody must be aware of it.”

Hon. Ogbaga urged all participants at the forum to assist in the proper dissemination of the campaign message to the people in the hinterlands, insisting that they must be involved if the enforcement must take place.

In a goodwill message, the officer in charge of Servicom, Francis Onyedindu, an ASP who represented the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Maigari Dikko FDC, reiterated that security is paramount to the survival and sustenance of any democratic policy in any given society, stressing that “community policing is a philosophy that promotes organisational strategies, which supports the systematic use of partnership and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”

He advised the people to adopt community policing as a means of building a close tie between the police and the people, insisting that the police remains everybody’s friend.

Also speaking, representatives of other security agencies namely Nigerian Immigration Service, State Security Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, present at the forum, noted that the philosophy of community policing rested on the belief that the security agencies and •Continued on page 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

My plan for Abia people, by Senator Nwaogu Senator Nkechi Nwaogu represents Abia Central Senatorial District at the Senate. She is the chairman, Senate Committee on Gas. In this interview with JUDE ISIGUZO, she speaks on her governorship ambition in Abia State come 2015 and sundry issues. Excerpts:

•Senator Nkechi

A

S a governorship aspirant, what are your plans for the people of Abia?

Before now, I established an annual publication known as Oyibo Nwanyi Magazine. I was the first to initiate documented legislative activities of any legislator. That magazine reveals that I am the first Senator that

established a skill acquisition programme for sons and daughters of Abia in various vocations.

From 2009 to 2010, I trained 200 men and women in various vocations and resourcefully empowered them by providing them with the equipment required for the training.

Right now, 150 men and women have been trained in various vocations such as tile making, interlocking, POP making, hair making, fishery, piggery and bead making.

Very soon, I will provide them the necessary equipment to start life. I am the first Senator to provide assistance for the first 75 tertiary institutions in my Senatorial District.

In 2012, I provided two-year scholarship assistance for 150 students in tertiary institutions. I am the first Senator that provided a corporative

grant of N1 million for the six local government areas. I provided automobiles for the chairmen. I have also distributed more than 80 transformers to the people. There is no local government area that has no one or two projects which I executed.

This is my 12th year, my third time of soliciting for my people. I am saying let me go to the executive so that I can add value to the society and in the lives of the people too to add to what is being done by the present government.

What is your background?

I was trained in financial management. I have been a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament since its inception in 2005. I know what bilateral trades that exist that can help a state like ours.

As part of my programmes, I will ensure that there is a bilateral trade expansion among the 15 member states. If we empower these private entrepreneurs, they will create jobs.

We can talk owners of Golden Guinea, Ceramics and Aba Textile Mills to see how we can help them so they can get back into business.

These are areas we can bring on board for real economic development.

Politics is often seen as an enterprise for men. How did you venture into politics?

I would say I started being interested in politics while I was working as a member of Abia Economic Advisory Board between 1991 and 1993 when Ogbonnaya Onu was the governor of Abia state.

By 1997, I found out that there was

need to help women be financially independent. When I noticed the situation women found themselves in as a result of depending solely on the men, I decided to approach politics from the angle of economic empowerment and emancipation. This led to my establishing a non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as Women in Action for Development. I believe that when women are fairly economically empowered, they will begin to look at their environment which includes political environment. Then they will begin to assert themselves by insisting that they can add value to the society by being part of nation-building.

Between 1994 and 1997, I vied for governorship election under United

Nwobashi Cornelius who also were at the summit, condemned some security agents, who, on retirement, become threats to their societies instead of continuing with protecting the people. They advised them to desist from such act.

They further urged the security agencies to ensure that they keep to their promise of keeping them

from harm, especially when they disclose vital information to them.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abakaliki Central Police Station, SP Josephat Okoye, thanked NOA for the programme, even as he appreciated the participants for turning out en masse to adopt a strategy for solving this contemporary challenge.

•Continued on page 35

Stakeholders adopt community policing in Ebonyi •Continued from page 33 the community must work together as partners to solve the contemporary challenges faced in today’s society. ”The focus of community-oriented policing is not necessarily on response, but on preventing crime and resolving community problems,” he added.

Continuing, he said: “Effective community policing has a positive impact on reducing crime, helping to reduce fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life of people within the community. It accomplishes these things by combining the efforts and resources of security agencies, community government and members in search for solutions to communal problems.”

They also agreed that there was need for security agencies to share information among themselves to facilitate adequate provision of security for the people While appreciating that government and community leaders are beginning to recognise the importance of involving themselves in

the protection of their areas, the Ebonyi North Zonal Assistant Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Anthony Uguru, maintained that the communities must take a unified stand against crime, violence and disregard for law and must also make a commitment to increasing crime prevention and intervention activities.

He advised the community leaders to immediately identify critical areas in their communities that need local intervention, institute a community policing committee, as well as a standard operating procedure in conducting community policing in their areas.

He called on the participants to rise to the challenge of nipping insecurity in the bud.

He said: “No single agency can solve this complex social problem alone. A combined community cum police effort will definitely restore the safety of our neighbourhood.

Let us join hands to make our society safe.”

The chairman of the Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon.

•Some participants at the event Batholomew Ottah,, expressed satisfaction that his council was the flag-off point of such an important issue. He urged the residents to adopt the good messages preached

by National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State.

Hon. Elizabeth Oshianu, Emmanuel Nwuzor, Solomon Ochopa, Simon Edezie and

•Some fans, TV sets, Video machines for the aged by Mrs Obiano in Anambra during the Mothers’ Summit

•Some processing machines donated at the event

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Ohanaeze youths endorse APGA chairman for ‘ Senate

T

HE Anambra State chapter of the Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) has endorsed the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh to represent Anambra South Senatorial zone come 2015.

The OYC also asked the APGA chairman not to retire from politics as his retirement would do no good to the Igbo people, more so as he was still young.

The youth, led by the chairman of the Anambra State chapter, Hon. Tony Uche Ezekwelu were at Umeh’s residence in Enugu to honour him as their grand patron.

Ezekwelu told Umeh at the occasion that they cannot afford to have him as a retired politician now “because he has a lot to do for Ndigbo.”

He recalled that it was Ohanaeze Ndigbo that gave birth to APGA and the Anambra State chapter of the Youth Council, adding that the youth council would continue to partner with the party for the good of the Igbo nation.

The youth leader announced a yearly sports festival in honour of the late Biafran leader; Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would start from November 4 to December 5 this year.

The sports festival, he said, would be preceded by annual lecture series on the life and times of the late Ojukwu.

Ezekwelu also announced the institution of the youth re-orientation and empowerment •Continued from page 34

Nigerian Congress Party (UNCP).

Unfortunately after we have picked the form, the Republic was truncated.

In 1999, I went back to politics, this time I found myself in APP. I also contested for governorship position, even though I lost at the primaries to Prince Vincent Ogbulafor.

I was the Deputy National Treasurer of the party by December 1999.

By February, 2000, I had become the Acting National Treasurer. I held that position until I vied for a seat at the House of Representatives. After that,

Based on calls from several quarters for him to contest election to represent Anambra Central zone at the Senate, and the call by the youth today, I have accepted to contest and I am sure to win…Ojukwu, until his death, was thinking of the future of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the world…The idea of honouring Ojukwu with an annual sports festival is a great one. I will throw all my weight behind it From Chris Oji, Enugu

‘

programme in addition to the establishment of an Igbo language newspaper known as Igbo Amaka. He presented copies of the paper to Umeh.

Responding, Umeh said he accepted the endorsement to run for the Senate to represent Anambra Central Senatorial zone. He told the youth that the campaign or his journey to the Senate shall be done by them.

•Chief Umeh with members of the youth council He said: “Based on calls from several quarters for him to contest election to represent Anambra Central zone at the Senate, and the call by the youth today, I have accepted to contest and I am sure to win.

He thanked them for the honour they have bestowed on him and particularly that of the sports festival in honour of Ojukwu.

Umeh recalled that Ojukwu, until his death, was thinking of the future of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the

world.

“The idea of honouring Ojukwu with an annual sports festival is a great one. I will throw all my weight behind it,” he promised.

The APGA chairman also advised the youth to give Governor Willie Obiano all the necessary support he needed to move Anambra State forward.

Umeh used the occasion to praise the leader of the Southeast delegates to the National Conference,

General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), whom he described as a dogged fighter and true son of Igbo land.

“General Ike Nwachukwu led us well and performed extra-ordinarily in the conference. Thanks to the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji and the people Abia State for giving us Ike Nwachukwu to lead us at the conference,” said Umeh.

He made a donation of a Hummer bus to the youth council.

My plan for Abia people, by Senator Nwaogu I contested for the Senatorial position to represent Abia Central District at the Senate and God gave me victory.

Would zoning not affect your gubernatorial ambition?

Definitely I will run for the office of the governor of Abia State. I believe that the same God that brought me this far will see me through. The same God has not finished with me. I will run on the plat-

form of PDP. I am the only woman running for this position. I am the one to beat. I know God will use me to break the jinx to become the first elected woman governor in Abia State.

In our party, the constitution doesn’t say you should zone positions. I am challenging my people and the party executive in the state to give us a level playing ground. I have nothing and can do nothing

•Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle), with Prof Pat Utomi (right) and Fola Adeola (left) at the 70th birthday celebration of the Managing Director of Emzor Pharmaceutical Plc, Dr. Stella Okoli at Oriental Hotel, Lagos.

but in God I can do something and I know people of Abia are still interested in Nkechi Nwaogu becoming the next governor of the state.

Sometimes change is difficult to accept and change does not come easily. I am not bothered about the zoning. Anybody has the right to make a pronouncement or a proclamation that it has been zoned to Abia South. I am indigenous to Abia. I have the constitutional right to contest any election.

What would you say are some of your achievements as Chairman Senate Committee on Gas? As the Chairman Senate Committee on Gas, I saw the pains of our not realising the potential in gas resources. The first six months the members inaugurated, we instituted a public hearing and we got the approval of the leadership to ensure that the international operating companies in oil and gas sector that Nigerian government should insert units that will measure gas when it is produced, gas used and gas flared.

Before now, it was only the measurement from the IOC that Nigeria operates on. Nigeria has even more gas than oil. We have been to Russia and other countries where gas is even more supreme, yet we know our power sector is suffering as a result of insufficient gas supply.

We are worried to increase domestic utilisation of gas. We had a conference in May this year which aimed at creating awareness for foreign investors to come to Nigeria. This is yielding results as investors are coming. We are also amending the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Law so that we can get rid of the obsolete laws, concessions and expired waiver that were given to NLNG from 1989 till date. The pricing of gas at the moment is un-

attractive.

We must begin to unbundle the gas sector and hopefully by the time the Petroleum Industry Bill is passed into law, some of these things will be unbundled and more investors will come.

On fuel subsidy, I support its removal. They are crying about corruption, yet they are supporting its retention.

They allow importation of refined fuel. It’s only the very few cabals that are enjoying that. The subsidy government removed was with good intention and for the benefit of the less-privileged and downtrodden who use kerosene. It still gets to them at controlled price. It is the middlemen and women out there that have become notoriously rich. We think Nigerian Labour Congress should support subsidy removal unless they share the booty of the ill-gotten wealth from subsidy. They should allow subsidy to go just like subsidy has been gradually removed from AGO (diesel). Today, diesel sells between 160 and 170. We refine it here.

Bringing kerosene at N40 and selling at N150 is wickedness.

How would you assess President Jonathan’s performance?

President Goodluck Jonathan is doing very well. Despite doing well, people still criticise him.

What I notice about what is happening is conspiracy.

People have decided to destroy our country yet they are blaming it on Mr. President. Does he know who Boko Haram is?

But there are people in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. Why haven’t they come out in mass to give the security operatives the real information about how to stop this problem that is impinging on our economic development? There is nobody that would do better than he has done so far.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Philanthropist lifts prison inmates

I

T was a day of immense joy for the inmates of Abia Prison Command as Chief David Ogba Onuoha the Chief Executive Officer of Bourdex Group and a Senatorial aspirant for Abia North Senatorial zone on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited the Controller of Prisons Abia State Command, Mrs. Ukwuori Ndukwo Kalu to donate mattresses to prison inmates.

While presenting the 200 mattresses to the prison inmates in Umuahia, Onuoha said he is performing his civic duties as a responsible citizen of the state to complement the efforts of both the state and Federal Governments in alleviating the sufferings of the masses.

Onuoha further said prison facilities are not places for punishment but where correction and reformation are carried out, saying both the state government under the leadership of Governor Theodore Orji and the Federal Government with Goodluck Jonathan as President, have done a lot for the less-privileged people in the country.

He said the prison inmates should be reformed to serve the society when they finish serving their prison terms, stressing that when they are reformed, they will be of good service to the people of the state and the country.

The businessman said the Controller of Prisons Abia State Command Mrs. Kalu, has done well in the maintenance of the prisons in the state, even as he thanked the Federal Government for her appointment.

He urged the Controller of Prisons to distribute the mattresses to all the prisons in the state to enable the inmates to have quality rest while they sleep, stressing that when a man rests well, he or she will think well and will not have the time to think about committing crimes.

‘

•Chief Onuoha donating mattresses to Abia prisoners From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

Onuoha also said the 200 mattresses worth N2 million will help in alleviating the sufferings of the members of the Abia prisons.

“The next step for me and my organisations will be to move to the motherless Babies’ Homes in continuation of my empowerment programmes for the youth and the indigent women in the state.”

He warned that people should not associate what he has done for the prison inmates with his political ambition, adding that let those who have political ambition not start scampering to overdo each other because he has done it.

“If they must donate to the less-

The issue of reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates in the state should not be left in the hands of prison officers alone, but should be a collective responsibility…This is so because if they are released without proper reformation, there is the likelihood that they could go back to crimes and the residents of the state will be the victims privileged in the state, they must do it from their hearts and not to curry cheap political favour.”

Receiving the mattresses, Mrs. Kalu thanked the donor for his kind

Businessman advises students on entrepreneurship

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HE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Innoson Group, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma was at the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNEC). He was there on the invitation of Mr. Nicholas Okoye, the founder of Empower Nigeria and President of Anabel Group to talk to the students about entrepreneurship.

Chukwuma stunned the students with his 80 per cent fluency in English language. Before then, the story was that he was a complete illiterate.

But that impression changed after his delivery extempore.

He announced that for low and middle-class Nigerians desiring to drive brand new cars.

“They would have their dreams realised in few days time. The brand new cars with air condition and other gadgets would sell at between N1.5 million and N3.5million.

His company, Innoson Group of Companies, manufactures cars, buses, tankers and other products.

Chukwuma said to the students: “I think afar. Before, people would be

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We are encouraged that we have a solution for Nigeria which, in our opinion, can reduce the unemployment rate in our society considerably and set the stage for a new Nigeria that guarantees all-round access to opportunities for all citizens

From Chris Oji, Enugu

in doubt about what I do for a living.

I have already gone far. My plant at Enugu here is not for plastic manufacturing. It is for manufacturing of plastic components of motorcycle.

But because the plant is big, I added the manufacturing of plastic upholsteries so that the workers will be busy.

“I did all these because I was thinking of how to make motorcycle parts cheaper. Today, motorcycles sell at N60, 000 compared to the old price of N150, 000. I want everybody to know that it’s not a must that people must work in government or wait for the government to create jobs.

“I use myself as an example. I don’t work in government. But I have made it in life. I have also touched the lives of many who are in our employ. I have over 7,500 people in my employ.

I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school. I am just a manufacturer.

In my humble beginning, I never knew we are going to get this far.

‘

gesture to the inmates.

While commending his efforts, she said not many people in the state could remember the people in the prisons.

Mrs. Kalu used the opportunity to thank the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji and his wife Mercy for their support to the prison inmates and for ensuring that peace and unity reign in the state. This, she said, has given people like Onuoha the opportunity to be in the state and remember the prison inmates without any fear of losing their lives.

She noted that the issue of reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates in the state should not be left in the hands of prison officers alone, but should be a collective responsibility.

“This is so because if they are released without proper reformation, there is the likelihood that they could go back to crimes and the residents of the state will be the victims,” she said.

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•Innocent The most important thing in life is for people to have the interest in working and think very fast and try to bring new ideas into what they are doing.

Today, I have a vehicle factory where we manufacture cars. To have a vehicle factory does not necessarily involve huge amount of money. It only needs ideas. There were a lot of vehicle manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Some succeeded, while some failed. Before I started mine, I did a comprehensive feasibility study about them for about seven years.

During those years, people thought I was wasting my time. After the study, I found out why Nigeria finds

it difficult to produce cars. I then set up my car assembly plant which is now a success.

On August 8, this year, I will launch my own air conditioned cars which will be sold between N1.5million and N3.5million. My factory is not an assembly plant. Eighty per cent of Nigerians do not believe that we manufacture vehicles in my company. But we manufacture, that’s what we do. The raw materials are bought from different countries and some are procured in Nigeria.

I am here to tell you how I started and what informed my progress.”

The founder of Empower Nigeria and President of Anabel Group, Nicholas Okoye expressed delight that such a successful entrepreneur like Chukwuma was able to honour

the invitation to speak to the youth, regarded as the movers of tomorrow.

“We are excited that we are in a position to fulfill our promise to the Nigerian people; that we will be taking our message of empowerment, entrepreneurship and support for micro, small and medium-businesses to the hinterland of Nigeria. We are encouraged that we have a solution for Nigeria which, in our opinion, can reduce the unemployment rate in our society by considerable measure and set the stage for a new Nigeria that guarantees all-round access to opportunities for all citizens,” Okoye said.

The Empower Nigeria road show would also be held in Nnewi, Umuahia, Uyo, Asaba, Yenegoa, Port Harcourt and Calabar.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUGST 7, 2014

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

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Group praises Imo government

The group, however, appealed to the governor to make education free for non-indigenes, saying they are part of Imo State by virtue of their business establishments and for having lived in the state for over 30 years with their families, which he said qualifies them as Imo citizenes

A

GROUP under the aegis of non-indigenes resident in Imo State has pledged its support for Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere over the their exemplary leadership qualities.

The group, which paid a visit to the office of Deputy Governor, spoke through its leader, Chief Nnadozie Udensi, commended the effort of the government in transforming the state. They noted that policies and programmes initiated by the two leaders in recent times have enhanced the economy of the state as business opportunities are springing up.

Chief Udensi also praised the government’s ‘Rescue Mission’ in the areas of making education affordable for indigenes and reducing the tuition of non-indigenes by 50 per cent. The group, however, appealed to the governor to make education free for non-indigenes, saying they are part of Imo State

‘

•Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere (left) greeting Chief Udensi

By Nneka Nwaneri

by virtue of their business establishments and for having lived in the state for over 30 years with their

families, which he said qualifies them as Imo citizenes.

Chief Udensi, who extolled the virtues of Prince Madumere, described him as a man of humble disposition and transparent quali-

ties.

The group, which draws its members from every geo-political zone of the country, also praised Governor Okorocha for his unrivaled effort on security, which resulted in the safety of the people and economic progressive that is being experienced in the state. It promised its readiness to perform its obligations as required by law and other civic responsibilities in appreciation pledged its support for the administration.

In response, Prince Madumere thanked the group for its visit and assured them of government’s continued partnership and dividends of democracy to all Imolites irrespective of ethnic or tribal background.

He, therefore, called on the group to remain good citizens and join hands with the government in fighting crime with the “know your neighbour campaign” recently launched by Governor Okorocha.

New deal for the aged in Anambra

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HE Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State, was filled to capacity. Old women numbering more than 10,000 gathered at the centre. They were not briefed on what the event was about neither had they any inkling of the benefit of attending the event. They were merely invited to witness the Mothers’ Summit which was initiated by the wife of former Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Margret Obi, to ease boredom among the aged.

Some of them were guided into the hall by their daughters or close relations, while others ambled in on their own aided by their walking sticks.

Eager to witness how young women were going to discuss issues bordering on community development, the senior citizens were surprised by the largesse showered on them by the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano.

Mrs. Obiano invited the aged and the less-privileged, who seemingly have lost hope in the society, to have a sense of belonging.

The event was the eighth edition of Mothers’ Summit in the state.

The event also served as this year’s August Meeting, where women of the state, from Nigeria and the Diaspora, deliberated on how to move their communities forward.

The theme of this year’s summit was “Women and Progress in Anambra State: A Priority Agenda.”

It was held in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, attended the summit.

Various groups, including the Police Officers’ Wives’ Association (POWA), Department of Security Services (DSS), Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives’ Association (NAOWA) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were in attendance.

At the event, Mrs. Obiano announced incentives for the aged to enhance their well-being. She donated some items to the aged and other less-privileged. They included 50 television sets, 50 standing fans

‘

•Mrs Obiano (middle), her husband, Governor Willie Obiano and wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Okeke, acknowledging at the event in Awka From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

and indoor games such as Ludo, Draught and Poker, among others.

Aside these items, Mrs. Obiano promised to build a day care centre for them which, according to her, would serve as a recreation centre for the aged. The centre, she said, would be provided with such recreational items as television sets and radio sets, among others, to keep them happy.

Above all, she empowered 30 indigent women from each of the 189 communities in Anambra State to enable them start petty businesses.

This, according to her, would enhance the welfare of their families.

Also, 15 children and eight physically-challenged from each of the communities also benefited from Mrs. Obiano’s largesse.

She said the provision of such incentives would increase in subsequent years, since everybody knows that only the vulnerable groups keep increasing in number rather than reducing because of the risk factors in all spheres of life.

It was not only discussions on community development at the summit

Apart from these items that would make them lively, Mrs. Obiano promised to build a day care centre for them which, according to her, would serve as a recreation centre for the aged. The centre, she said, would be provided with such facilities as television sets and radio sets, among other things that would keep them happy

‘

which was interactive in nature. It featured paper presentations by Dr. Ebere Ugochukwu, professor of Pediatrics; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi entitled “Nutrition and Cancer in Women” and Prof. P. Ibekwe, a consultant gynaecologist and Provost, College of Health Sciences, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State.

He spoke on “Prevention and Management of Common Cancer in Women.”

In a chat with our correspondent, Mrs. Obiano said the aim was to make the aged people happy, adding that denying them movement out of ignorance was sending them to their early graves.

She also said she had acquired garri

processing mills and corn mills for the indigent in the state, adding that she has other plans towards enhancing their well-being in the future.

Mrs. Obiano said: “My first 100 days in office was splendid and I equally unfolded my plans to transform the fortunes of women, widows, people living with disability and less-privileged children in the state.

“My next 100 days will witness the unfolding of my pet project Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) in every community.

“I will improve the status of old people by re-activating the old people’s homes through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Awka.

“Again, I will liaise with the Anambra State House of Assembly to enact a law that will protect widows from family harassment and illtreatment which are rampant in the society.

“All these plans will involve a lot of money and that is where our sons and daughters who have the means should come in to help in procuring some of the equipment, especially on •Continued on page 40

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

40

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

New deal for the aged in Anambra

•Some of the equipment donated

T

HINGS are looking up for students of Science in secondary schools in Imo State. The Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in collaboration with the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Enugu distributed Scientific Equipment to secondary schools in Imo State.

The students, who were, before now grappling with studying science subjects without equipment for practical studies can now heave a sigh of relief with the arrival of the modern science equipment.

Beneficiaries of the project were not just government-owned schools as has always been the practice. Privatelyowned and missionary schools equally benefitted from the gesture.

In all, 141 schools were given equipment to boost the study of science in their various schools.

Speaking during the official distribution of the equipment at the Holy Ghost College Owerri, Imo State capital, Ihedioha, disclosed that the programme was designed to support the educational needs of the students in Imo State and to complement the efforts of government and the private sector to reposition education.

According to him, the quality of education in the state has become a primary concern to stakeholders, stressing that no society can make meaningful progress without an educated population.

“We are talking of not just education for its sake but education that will lead to self-reliance. We are talking about education that will lead to industrial and technological progress of our state,” he said.

He further stated: “For educational progress to be made, we need to appraise where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going to. Sometime ago, a group of experts were commissioned to study and determine the level of preparedness by secondary schools in Imo State, in terms of equipment, re-agents, materials and qualified teachers, in teaching both basic and advanced sciences.

The findings showed that funding for science education in Imo is low.”

Hon. Ihedioha lamented that the implication of the low funding of science education in the state was that students in the secondary school system could complete their education without exposure to the basic experiments required of them in sciences.

The Deputy Speaker also attributed the massive failure of Imo State students in science subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Technical Drawing, Basic Technology and Mathematics in public examinations to lack of basic scientific equipment to aid learning, regretting that “data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), The National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) demonstrates that in 2013, WAEC Examination, Imo State scored an average 46 per cent, whereas our neighbouring states of Anambra and Abia scored 67 per cent and 65 per cent respectively. This is unacceptable and must be reversed for the sake of the future of our children.”

He equally blamed the massive fail-

•Deputy Speaker House of Reps, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha amidst dignitaries cuts the tape to flag off distribution of the equipment.

Lawmaker donates scientific equipment ‘ to Imo schools From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

ure on dearth of qualified science teachers in the state’s secondary school system, noting that, “the ratio of science teachers to students in Imo State is one of the poorest in the country today. There was a time in this state when science teachers were paid incentives that made them earn higher than other teachers. This motivated them to give their best. This is no more the case today. It was in the realisation of this deficit in our schools that I decided to make my own contributions towards solving the problem.”

Earlier in his address, the DirectorGeneral of SEDI, Prof. Christian Okechukwu Nwajagu, represented by the Deputy Director, Mrs Ifeyinwa Okeke, noted that the country’s economic survival and ability to compete maximally in the global market is subject to sustainable scientific breakthroughs and technological development; hence the need for effective and result-oriented science learning at the fundamental levels.

He further stated that science education is jeopardised as a result of lack or inadequate science materials and equipment for learning and teaching, adding that “several students shy away from science subjects, claiming that they are abstract and difficult. This has largely been attributed to lack of scientific equipment in our schools.”

He said: “Science and its application called technology are the duo movers of any country’s economy and hence any investment in the field is a worthy and commendable one. More so, in a time like this when the country’s slogan is vision 20-20-20. In order to achieve this slogan of joining the formidable league of industrialised countries of the world in 2020, this event is

The ratio of science teachers to students in Imo State is one of the poorest in the country today. There was a time in this state when science teachers were paid incentives that made them earn higher than other teachers.

This motivated them to give their best

‘

a welcome development.”

He also explained that, “the JSS kit contains several scientific materials, charts and accessories which were carefully developed in line with Basic Science curriculum approved by the Federal Ministry of Education. It is aimed at actualising in practical terms the objectives of Basic Science education.

The kit emphasises hands-on-mindson practical activity and can be used to perform over 50 experiments in line with Basic Science curriculum. The use of the kit in learning science has the capacity to elicit interest and increase achievement in the subject.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee for the Distribution of the Scientific Equipment, Prof. Obioma Iheduru, the Deputy Speaker, through

the initiative, has inspired confidence in the electorate in the state that leaders are alive to their responsibilities of providing for the needs of the people.

Decrying the declining standard of education in the state, Iheduru, stated: “I enjoin you to ask the question, how qualitative is our educational system in Imo State today?

Whither the once famed epithet; education is our industry. We ask why is Imo at the bottom of the ladder in performance at public examinations by WAEC, NECO and JAMB. When was the last time that an Imo State student obtained first position in any of these examinations?

Praising the initiative, a retired school teacher, Mr. Paul Uzoukwu said the gesture will go a long way to revive in the students the desire to learn, adding that no science teacher can produce Grade A students without an equipped and functional laboratory.

He opined that with the proper application of the equipment, the state will soon regain its top position in science education.

“I am optimistic that with time and right use of these modern equipment, the students will excel in the science subjects, which has been a source of worry to parents, teachers and other major stakeholders. The Initiative is apt and should be emulated by other public office holders.”

Some of the students, who were joyful over the gesture, assured that with the provision of the equipment, they would work hard to justify the huge investment.

Miss Njoku Rose, a student from one of the benefitting schools said: “I am so grateful to the Deputy Speaker for his kindness. Before now, we only read about this equipment, but now we can see and use them for our practical”

•Continued from page 39 cervical and breast cancers.

She went on: “My pet project CAFÉ will definitely play a significant role in ensuring the welfare and progress of women.

“I have already started with lifesaving kits to address the needs of expectant mothers and the distribution of cancer-testing kits to the entire local government areas in the state for early detection of cancer in our women,”she added.

Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Chinwe Nwaebili, informed our correspondent that they never knew what breast or cervical cancer meant until the ailments became rampant due to ignorance.

She advised women to notify a specialist anytime they noticed any abnormality on their bodies, even as she commended Mrs. Obiano for taking the lead.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Victoria Chikwelu, said 1.7 million women will be diagnosed of breast cancer in 2020 which, according to her, would be 26 per cent increase from its current level.

She added that women’s health should be a priority agenda at all levels.

Dr. Chikwelu further said health systems in many communities were not responsive to the needs of women, adding that in many places, cultural taboos make it impossible for women to seek medical care from male health care providers.

Earlier in his address, Chief Obiano said his administration had a high regard for women, promising to be committed to health-related issues concerning them.

He said: “I still hear the voice of my mother in my head to date whenever I find myself drifting below the standards I have set for myself.

“This is why we need you to plant the values that will return the lost glory of our people. On our part as the government, we shall not relent in our efforts to open new doors of hope to Anambra women.”

One of the widows, Mrs. Ebele Okafor, who spoke with our correspondent, described Mrs. Obiano as a caring mother. She prayed God to guard, guide and protect her for the people of Anambra.

Taking care of the aged, she said, would prolong their lives, adding that widows and the less-privileged had not been at peace because of hardship.

Also speaking, 84-year-old Pa Simon Nwafor said Mrs. Obiano was another messiah sent by God to ameliorate the sufferings of the downtrodden.

He said wives of Anambra State Governors were always sources of blessing to the people, adding that it became more pronounced with Mrs. Margret Obi. He noted that with what Mrs. Obiano is doing, she meant well for the aged and the needy.

The Chairperson, Anambra State House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Rebecca Udorji, representing Awka North State Constituency, said some of the health issues arose as a result of people abandoning their roots.

She said Ndigbo; especially women, should go back to the old practice thought them by their forefathers by using herbs.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

41

CAMPUS LIFE Oyo College adopts e-voting

I

N what appeared to be an innovation in state-owned institutions in Oyo State, the college has organised the first e-voting for aspirants in the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

The election, which started at 9.00am at the college’s ICT Centre, had members of past management team in attendance, including 22 observers, electoral committee members, election monitoring team, men of the State Security Services (SSS), security operatives and polling agents of the candidates.

The observers, monitoring team and electoral committee who were drawn from students, lecturers and administrative staff lauded the initiative of the school management on the adoption of electronic voting system. Some of the students after casting their votes also praised the Provost, Prof.

Gbemiga Adewale for the introduction of electronic system of voting in the college.

Joseph Oluyemi Deborah, a student of Animal Health and Production Technology Department, described Prof Gbemiga Adewale as a man of vision who was committed to students’ welfare.

Another student, Sukurat Aminu Titilope, described the electronic system of voting as a

•The medical students talking to the pupils

Students’ medical mission to Edo schools W HEN the coastal buses that conveyed medical and dental students of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) stopped at the assembly ground of Ediaken Primary School in Benin City, pupils trooped out to welcome them.

The students, decked in white laboratory coats, were urshered into their classrooms by the elated pupils.

Unity Osakpamwan, a five-yearold pupil, asked: “Why are you people here? Hope you haven’t come to give us injection because we are not sick. I wonder why you people will leave your hospital and come after us?”

There was an outburst of laughter. Like Unity, other pupils expressed the same fear as a similar version of the drama played out in

From Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN other classes.

The students were at the school for the annual primary school health campaign of the Christian Medical and Dental Association Students (CMDAS).The event, according to Win Efimueh, was organised to sensitise the pupils on prevailing health problems, ways of avoiding them and career counselling sessions.

“As children, they are at the formative stage of development and any habit they pick up is likely going to stay with them. We are here to teach them the right health habit so they can inculcate them”, he

stated.

The students also presented gift items to the school and pupils who distinguished themselves in a spelling bee competition.

Replying on behalf of the school, Mrs F.I Aigbehi, thanked the students for finding time to hold the programme. She encouraged the students to sustain the relationship between the school and association.

Daniel Okpani and Mercy Imaro said they were happy to have partaken in the campaign.

He said: “I feel happy because I have just mentored some pupils.

The outreach also brought to my remembrance how I was 11 years ago, a feeling which inspired my empathy for the pupils.”

M

EMBERS of the Broadcast Students Association (BSA), Public Relations and Advertising Students Association (PRADSA) and Journalism Students Association (JSA) at the Lagos State University, (LASU) have organised an orientation tagged Studying to be outstanding for new members.

The event which took place at the faculty building in Ojuelegba, urged the students to be of good conduct as ambassadors of the institution.

One of the guest lecturers, Olunifesi Suraj, urged the students to embrace leadership roles, saying it would take them to greater

From Everistus Onwuzurike and Abiodun Morakinyo LASU heights. He added that student-lecturer relationship was crucial to their academic success.

President, Communication Students Association, Olamilekan Hassan, urged the students to put more energy to their studies, saying they should utilise the knowledge they would acquire to meet the challenges of life.

A fresher, Okumoh Mary, expressed her Joy of finally studying the course of her dreams, adding that she was eager to make great success out of the programme.

Crawford varsity warns admission fraudsters

C

By Wale Ajetunmobi LAGOS and payment of school fees.

In a publication signed by the university registrar, Tunde Oluite-Adekoya, he advised applicants to visit the university’s website or the campus for clarifications.

Students’ unionism set to return to UNILAG

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•Students at the press conference

fast, efficient and 21st centurycompliant.

An electoral observer, Mr Gbolahan Oyelere, Ag. Head of Agricultural Extension Programme, said the voting system was peaceful, free and fair, void of rancour and hooliganism which was evident in the orderly conduct of the election.

At the end of the election, Hassan Are Opeyemi of Animal Health Technology, HND II, emerged president, after polling 364 votes to defeat Olaide Oladipupo Lateef who had 331 votes.

Adewale praised the efforts of the officials for the success of the election, urging students to support their leaders.

Other winners included Mary Awoyemi, Vice president; Ridwan Ogunsola Olalekan, Financial Secretary; Ololade Adeagbo, General Secretary; Biliamin Mustapha, Assistant General Secretary; Mujeeb Adegbenro, Sports Director I; Oluwaseun Aderonke, Social Director I, Temitope Bennett, Social director II, Issac Emmanuel, Public Relations Officer; Atinuke Kayode, Treasurer; Joseph Adeyemi, Auditor.

Faculty welcomes freshers

RAWFORD University Igbesa, Ogun State has alerted members of the public, parents, guardians and admission seekers to be wary of fraudsters who send false text messages and create fictitious websites, soliciting for payments into a dubious bank account for the purchase of admission forms

•Dr Onyene (left) with other members of management speaking at the conference

By Gbenga Aderanti OSCOED

HE Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon Ade Bello, last Thursday, inaugurated members of the Constitution Drafting Committee of the university’s Students Union Government at the Senate Chamber. The event was attended by the institution’s Counsellor, Mrs J.A. Asiwaju; Deputy Dean of Student’s Affairs, Dr A.K. Adebayo; Dr Lukumon Adeoti, Dr Virgy Onyene and Dr Dele Ashiru.

According to the chairman of the committee, the drafting process would begin with sensitisation programme in the university community and a workshop that

From Modiu Olaguro UNILAG would be held where papers would be presented by former students leaders in the university.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Dele Ashiru, Political Science department, advised the members of the committee to see the job as a call to public service.

Elections for the post of ViceChairman and Chief Whip were conducted with Olanrewaju Ogundipe emerging as winner while the Hall Representative of Honours Hall, Miss Taiwo was nominated unanimously as Chief Whip.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE Many believe that the fear of failure is why students study in classrooms at night.

Does this hold true for students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)? TOYIN ALI (200-Level Law) writes.

The fear of failure A

FTER hours of lectures and class work, many students are usually tired and return to their hostels to relax.

While relaxing, some doze off without revising what they learnt in class earlier in the day.

Others, after eating, return to the classroom to read and revise classwork. Yet, some others play all night.

For students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the fear of failure is the beginning of wisdom. Whether at night or during the day, it is not unusual to see students reading in classrooms. Some move to the most silent spot in the school library, while others prefer corners of classrooms and open spaces.

Determined to get a good grade, Taiwo Olatunbosun, a 200-Level Law student keeps vigils in lecture theatres. For him, a vibrant legal practitioner must be well read and be abreast of important cases. Taiwo planned his schedule when the semester started and keeps faith with it till.

•Students reading in Lecture Theatre 1 at night

“I believe reading all the time is the best way to achieve academic success. This is why I planned my schedule ahead of school timetable,” he said.

Students who believe that academic excellence is not without sacrifices flock to the classroom to burn the proverbial midnight oil. At UNILORIN, academic activities begin at night. Lecture rooms are jam-packed with students attending tutorials.

From the University Park, students move in large number to the academic blocks for night reading. To them, it is the best way to

prepare for examinations.

However, it is not all students reading overnight that are there for the business. Some are there to cause distraction; others it is to merry.

The academic engagement of Abdulmumeen Abdullah, a 500-Level Engineering student, is triangular in pattern.

“I go for lectures and come back to my hostel, and then return to night class, this is the best way to keep up with my dream,” he said.

Abdulazeem Ologuntere, a first year student, said: “I have been given orientatation

before I gained admission that night class is key to academic success. Even on my first day on the campus, I was in night class to read even though we had never been thought anything then. I want to make it a habit, so that I won’t have cause to read for another entrance exam.”

The Students’ Union Building is not also left out; students sit at comfort spots to read. The edifice has a well-furnished basement and common room with good seats. The spot also serves as a night joint for fun seekers on campus.

After a successful tenure, members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have held a thanksgiving. IKECHUKWU OFILI (300-Level Public Administration) and FRANK EJEAGBASI (400-Level Medical Physiology) report.

To God be the glory A

FTER a successful tenure, outgoing members of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) Students’ Union Government (SUG) were at St Paul Catholic Church last Sunday for a thanksgiving.

They danced and rejoiced to the music of the choir. The union members were led by their president Bassey Ekaani and Publicity Team leader Augustine Akah.

It was also an opportunity to appreciate God for the feat of the publicity team in Ghana, where members came second in a debate. Augustine led a team of debaters to the Islamic University College in East region of Ghana.

There were seven preliminary stages in the contest. The UNICAL team got to the quarter final with 16 points. More than 205 debaters from 15 higher institutions in seven countries participated in the debate with the topic: Taxation in Africa is a theft.

The teams that reached the final were Kwame Nkrumah University, UNICAL, University of Ghana in Legon and Imo State University (IMSU).

The Kwame Nkrumah University came first with 15 points; UNICAL was second with 12 points. The UICAL also won Best Performing Institution and its team leader, Augustine, emerged the Best Adjudicator and third Best Speaker.

In his homily at the thanksgiving, the Assistant Parish Priest, Reverend Father Francis Offiong, urged the students to always promote the school’s image and be its worthy ambassadors.

He advised them to put God first in anything they do.

Another clergy, Reverend Father Emmanuel Duke, said for one to attain the kingdom of God, one must be prepared to

•Reverend Duke (right) praying for the students’ leaders during the thanksgiving

dispose all worldly possessions.

Duke noted that there was nothing wrong in acquiring material wealth, saying it was God’s blessing on earth but “we should make sure we have the kingdom of heaven as well and ensure our quest for materialism does not come between us and the kingdom ”.

The thanksgiving procession was led by Augustine, and Editor of the SUG Information Bureau Stanley Uchegbu.

Speaking on his achievements, Augustine said he introduced and published The Voice of Malabor, the SUG magazine that would be sustained by the incoming executive. The magazine, according to him, is adjudged the best students’ newspaper since in the history of the institution.

“During my tenure, I organised an interac-

tive meeting with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) officials and the students during the last strike to avail students of information about the true position of lecturers,” he said.

“We started with very little resources but our tenacity was the only capital we have to keep the magazine afloat,” Stanley, Editor of the magazine said.

“It got to a point it appeared production was affecting my studies because I devoted my time, running from one office to another to ensure my team interviewed all the principal officers including the ViceChancellor, Prof James Epoke.

“But today, we are in church to thank God for making our dream a reality, despite turbulence and production hitches that came

along the line; we were able to surmount all odds and achieve success. God deserved to be praised for this,” he added.

Stanley praised everyone who supported the vision of the magazine, especially the university principal officers, who, he said, granted his team an audience despite their busy engagements. He hailed students for their support towards the success of the magazine.

Joseph Ochang, a member of the editorial team, described the magazine as informative, especially for the freshers who have just been absorbed into the system.

“If any fresh student thoroughly glances through the magazine, he would be informed about the activities of the university,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Education as tool against insurgency

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RAWING from mankind’s experience with wars and violence, with special regard to Nigeria’s current horrid security challenges, never had the need to provide quality education, especially for the girlchild by government received earsplitting support than now.

Proponents of education for the Nigerian child maintain that it promotes knowledge skills and values that will bring about behavioural changes that will enable children, youths and adults to embrace peaceful means of resolving conflicts.

The current state of insecurity in the country orchestrated by the Boko Haram insurgents seems to give impetus to the massive support which the crusade for education for every Nigerian child is receiving, as views are that education imbues in one refined lifestyle.

This view which sees education as the bedrock of development in any society is, seemingly incontrovertible.

For instance, if those who joined the Boko Haram; the rampaging Islamist sect that is totally opposed to anything western education had been imbued with the values of education, they would not have taken up arms

against the state, unleashing indescribable mayhem on her.

They also would not take bestial pleasure in killing their fellow mankind. They would also have been taught that there are alternative means of settling scores or grievances.

They will accord dignity to human life, knowing that they have no right to take any life which they never created. They agree to embark on suicide mission because they were brainwashed and received unconstructive indoctrination.

The worrisome destruction of lives and properties in the Northeast geo-political zone and other parts of the country is so massive so much so that one wonders if there is any hope for those communities and people affected by the insurgency.

Based on the above, one is convinced that genuine commitment to provision of quality education for all, especially children, would eliminate ignorance which often fuels violence.

Education is a tool for social justice as well as a fundamental driver of economic development. This explains why governments, the world over, show serious commitment to the

provision of quality education for their citizens.

Education is one of the most important factors that not only sustain the culture, including the democratic principles, but also empowers an individual and determines his status in a competitive world.

Some of the aims of education are mental, physical, psychological and emotional development of the human person.

Education for the Nigerian child seeks preparing him for full and happy life which, in turn, makes him useful to himself and his society; as it moulds the individual for a better future.

Education inculcates in the child the values of national consciousness and unity, right type of principles and attitudes which allow survival of both the individual and the society. It also trains the mind of the child to enable him to think for himself and independently take decisions on issues. The aim is to eradicate illiteracy from the society.

Over and above this, education ensures that the child acquires appropriate skills, ability and competence that will make it possible for him to earn his living in order to be comfort-

By Ike Stella able and contribute, in reasonable manner, to the development of his society.

Our leaders should show greater commitment towards ensuring that the country’s future is guaranteed. This they could do through formulation of policies and programmes that make education of her citizens a right and not a privilege. We hold this view because the state or society is the chief beneficiary of education when its enlightened and patriotic citizens, through hard work, enhance its growth and development.

Stella, 300-Level Accountancy, NOUN

Curbing tobacco consumption in our society

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T is with great pleasure and concern for humanity that I write to bring to the knowledge of the entire populace the ugly trend tobacco consumption has taken in recent times.

Since human existence, institutions have come up with diverseways to address critical issues , which are not only challenging to man, but also deprive of comfort and national endowments. There is, therefore, a pertinent need to look critically into the social, moral, economic, and medical effects of tobacco consumption in Nigeria.

Tobacco is a green, leafy plant that is grown in warm climates. After it is picked, it is dried, ground up, and used in different ways. It can be smoked as cigarette, or cigar. It can be chewed (called smokeless tobacco or chewing tobacco) or sniffed through the nose (called snuff).

Nicotine is one of the four thousand (4,000) chemicals in cigarette and its smoke. It is the chemical that makes tobacco addictive or habit-forming. Among these toxic chemical are over 50 others that are carcinogens (cancer causing agents).

Prevalence of tobacco consumption is reported by the World Health Organization (WHO), which focuses on smoking (not smokeless chewing Tobacco) due to reported data limitations. Smoking has, therefore, been studied more extensively than any other form of consumption. In the developing world, tobacco consumption was rising by 3.4% as at 2002. The WHO, in 2004, projected 58.8 mil-

By Cyril Iboro lion deaths to occur globally, from which 5.4 million are tobacco-attributed and 4.9 million as of 2007. Presently, tobacco kills nearly 6 million people each year with approximately 70% of the deaths occurring in developing countries.

The health effects of smoking are the circumstances, mechanisms, and factors of tobacco consumption in human health. Tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable death globally. Tobacco use leads most commonly to diseases affecting the heart, liver and lungs, with smoking being a major risk factor for heart attacks, strokes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also causes peripheral vascular disease and hypertension smoking tobacco has also been found to diminish taste and smell ability.

Taking a look at its reproductive hazards on users, tobacco use is associated with miscarriages among pregnant women who smoke, and contributes to a number of other threats to the health of the foetus, such as premature births and low birth weight and increases by 1.4 to 3 times the chance for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). From the paternal perspective, incident of impotence is approximately 85 percent higher in male smokers compared to non-smoker, and is a key factor causing erectile dysfunction.

Furthermore, tobacco consumption has the potential of causing severe and chronic emo-

tional disorders. A clinical nuero-physiological analysis has shown how nicotine which makes tobacco a drug into the bloodstream, and stimulates nervous system, making one feel one has more energy. This physical mirage can really kill more than the nicotine toxicity, as the affected user often perceives lifethreatening strenuous tasks as simple. The disgruntled victim is eventually left emotionally unstable and traumatised.

In addition, there is a high rate of destitution arising from tobacco consumption, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. Lastly, the picture or scenario created by the addiction of tobacco is pathetic – this emanates from the regression in the economic stratum of an addicted tobacco user, mostly found in low income earners. This of course, can induce the affected individuals, especially the youths into social menace like robbery and thefts.

For the avoidance of doubt, the issue of addiction has been from Stone Age. I surmise the nearest future of political governance with credibility and proficiency in eradicating the improper and unhealthy use of tobacco in Nigeria. Addressing this indecorous trend or act, starts from checkmating the commercial travesties, imposed by the big large-scale manufacturers of tobacco. Some strategic measures to curbs this problem may bring about an economic downturn – a downside signal in tobacco marketing, or advertisement, but the incontrovertible truth remains that tobacco merchandising has more demer-

its than merits.

Moreover, heavy tariffs and taxes should be imposed on the manufacturers and the sellers, as this will definitely affect the price tag system at the consumer level, thereby discouraging many users. Health education institutions should be adequately equipped with facilities to aid enlightenment campaign both in the public within institutions of learning – making the entire populace, and the users understand the health implications.

Rehabilitation exercise will also help to a great extent to manage the colossal challenges faced by individuals who are addicted. In fact, nearly 35 million people make a serious attempt to quit each year. Unfortunately those who try to quit on their own relapse, often within a week. Also, clinical psychological assistance can help an addicted individual gradually cut down tobacco intake to minimal, and to zero level, without having any withdrawal syndrome. Public smoking, when banned, will tremendously help reduce the risk of diseases due to exposure or inhalation of secondhand smoke by non-smokers..

Moreover, it is pertinent to establish a Nigerian Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Community Development Service (CDS) group on Anti-Tobacco, where youth corps members will be trained to educate the masses on the dangers inherent in Tobacco use. This CDS group, when established, we hope will give rise to the establishment of Anti-Tobacco clubs in senior secondary schools and tertiary institutions that harbour the target audience.

We are Muslims and we preach peace

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T is surprising that a nation currently undergoing security challenges such as insurgency, kidnapping, militancy and the likes can be hurt from an intentional attempt to steer commotion by a supposedly guided, but misguided section of our nation. At a time like this when every government and non-governmental establishments are on red alert due to their safety, nothing should be the role of every responsible and conscious citizen of our beloved country than to help them in that regard.

University of Ilorin is a well- known institution that gives zero tolerance to acts ranging from cultism, thuggery, immorality and insecurity among other forms of anti-social vices.

Not only that, it has been playing a pivotal role

‘If the writer doesn’t know the meaning of fundamentalism, he/she might get the 7th edition of the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary which puts the meaning as: ‘’the practice of following very strictly, the basic rules and teachings of any religion’

By Ashraf Akintola in maintaining that every sections in the school is safe. Starting from the entrance of the school, that is few kilometers from the main school area, you would be subjected to a thorough search that doesn’t exclude your vehicle. Not only that, you would also identify yourself with a valid identity card which is your visa into the school compound. Mind you, the security alertness doesn’t only stop at that as you would constantly be under the watchful eyes of security personnel, both in uniform and mufti.

It is, however, dumbfounding and uncalled for that a scrupulous microscopic part of the whole entity of Nigeria, who because of his/ her personal interest in causing commotion can put pen to paper and write malicious information about the better by far university that has been the envy of all due to its excellence in all facets of academic and moral endeavors.

Identified as ‘’Biola Azeez’’, he/she wrote in the Sunday, July 20, 2014 edition of the Nigerian Tribune that: “Religious fundamentalists invade UNILORIN. No, they are mere Muslim youths”.

Nothing can justify this lackadaisical attitude than the fact that whoever he/she is, his/her intention is to disrupt the peaceful coexistence that is being enjoyed by adherents of both Islam and Christianity in the university and the country at large. Apart from the fact that the university has an interreligious council that takes care of all affairs that affects faithful of both religions, it has made sure that the dress codes, as stipulated by any religion is practiced by its

adherents without molestation, as no religion supports lewd and immoral dressing. This is just to mention a few.

An act that can be judged as the peak of treason and conspiracy one does against his/ her country is exemplified in the contents of the said write-up, as it is based on an erroneous investigation. Therein, he /she quoted the Chief Imam of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Abdul Ganiyy Oladosu. On inquiry from him, he was not aware of such development. The imam, who was utterly surprised on hearing the new development, blatantly refuted the claim has he said no one has asked him about things like that.

Furthermore, the writer proceeded in launching an offensive attack on the image of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Unilorin Branch, whose headquarters is situated inside the central mosque in the school, by stating that membership are been called for therein. Just a visit to the central mosque would convince the doubting Thomas that the Muslim students association that is being castigated preaches nothing but the pristine Islam that is being sent by Allah through the prophet (S.A.W).

It is, therefore, pertinent to note that MSSN doesn’t fraternize, for all Muslim students on campus are automatic members of the society.

On the issue of cutting of trousers and forbidding taking pictures, the writer, who succeeded in painting the picture the bad way, as that has been the norms of some journalists against the doctrines of Islam, should be aware that it is the tradition of the prophet that the trousers of the

male should not exceed the ankles. Nobody can refute that fact as it has been so since the advent of Islam. Same thing applies to the taking of pictures as scholars of Islam frown against that act. Meanwhile, the picture in question is that of human beings.

However, if the writer doesn’t know the meaning of fundamentalism, he/she might get the 7th edition of the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary which puts the meaning as: ‘’the practice of following very strictly, the basic rules and teachings of any religion’’. A person with the right control of English grammar would not dispute the fact that, according to the definition of fundamentalism, that one who refrains from the practice of fundamental principles of any religion is out of such religion.

Your being a Muslim is, however, the practice of its fundamental principle. There is a distinct difference between insurgency and fundamentalism. I hope the writer gets that well.

In conclusion, the general public should be aware of people like Biola Azeez, as they are agents of destruction who find joy in disrupting the peaceful coexistence of any setting. This, however, states that the accusation leveled against the school, the Muslim community and the Muslim students’ society on campus is baseless and can lead to a fracas among innocent people, if the information gets into wrong hands. We are Muslims and we preach peace so that our nation that is bound in freedom, peace and unity would not be divided because of the personal propagation of a propaganda that can lead to a lot of brouhaha.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

44

CAMPUS LIFE

•Psychology students during the Old School day

Departments mark week

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TUDENTS of the Department of Psychology at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), have held their annual week. The opening day was the back-to-school programme, where students wore different attires to participate in the match – past and dance parade round their faculty.

It was fun as the crowd gathered to watch their colleagues display different skills. The programme tagged, The past is key to the present, was eventful as students exhibited the characters of early students who were trained by the whites during the colonial era.

A student told CAMPUSLIFE: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, they say. After stressful academic weeks, students, one should socialise and relieve the body of stress in order to prepare

From Mbegbu Chikezie UNN better for exams. We have been having great fun.’’

The students of Department of Public Administration and Local Government also held their departmental week. The first day of the programme started with rag day, where students were decked in different attires. The following day was the cultural day, where students displayed the best of Igbo culture and tradition.

A student, Mathias Onyemechi Igwe, 300-Level Public Administration, said: “It is a welcome development because it will help the younger generations to appreciate the culture of Igbos and makes it stronger.”

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Public administration students in traditional outfits

KWASU organises career exhibition

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HE Counselling and Career Services Centre (CCSC) of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has organised a programme tagged Career Fair Exhibition for students and fresh graduates of the institution.

The programme in its maiden edition provided an avenue for the graduating students to display their talents and exhibit what they have for the labour market.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Olabisi Adedigba, the Coordinator of the centre, noted that the objective of the fair was to bring together KWASU students, different organisations and employers to meet the yearnings of the university to produce graduates who would not be job seekers but employers of labour.

Adedigba explained that collaboration with the organisations was necessary because they were in the best position to lead the students’ right, adding that they would be able to point out what the market needed and what the students were expected to bring to the labour world to attract potential employers.

“As graduating students of this great institution going into the world of work, it is important to intimate them with the information they need to be relevant graduates in the market. This fair will give them a unique insight into that which they need, to be relevant in the market especially in the 21st century,’’ she said.

Dr Yomi Akindele-Oscar, an Associate Professor of Health and Counselling Psychology at Olabisi

From Hameed Muritala ILORIN Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, in his paper titled: Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers in a Down Market, advised the students on the appropriate precautions and habits expected of a job seeker.

He warned that the career-life journey of an applicant is filled with challenges, adding that only graduates who are adaptive to change can survive and win the race of employment.

In her address titled: Vital Strategies to Maximise your Career Success Dr Mary Ogechi Esere, a lecturer at the Department of Counselling Education, University of Ilorin, stressed that self-discovery was the key to a successful career.

While identifying the importance of the possession of team spirit in any chosen career, she said: “No matter how hard you work or how many brilliant ideas you may have,

if you can’t connect with the people who work around you, your professional life will suffer’’.

She advised against pessimism, poor-self-confidence and low selfesteem, saying they were anti-career.

For, Kwara State University, all activities were geared towards building the individual and a great nation while developing everyone to become elements of change.

In his presentation, titled: Building an enduring entrepreneurship drive before and after graduation, Dr Muritala Awodun, Dean, School of Business and Governance, said career life was full of obstacles. He explained that failure was not falling to the ground but the inability to rise after one has fallen.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, said the event was to ascertain the activities of the university as a university for community development.

Science wins VC Cup

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HE Faculty of Science, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, has been crowned champions of the seventh edition of the Vice Chancellor’s Cup for the 2014/14 academic session, after defeating the Faculty of Social and Management Science 2 - 0 on penalties in the final match.

The grand finale, which was decided on Tuesday July 22 at the institution’s

From Abiodun Adewale AAUA Sports Complex, went into penalty shoot-outs after 90 minutes of exciting football.

The goalkeeper, Andy, took centre stage for the NASS team in the shootouts by saving for penalties as his teammates converted two out of four spot-kicks.

Landmark varsity’s first convocation

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ANAGEMENT of Landmark University in Omu-Aran, Kwara State has held its maiden convocation ceremony with the theme: The release of pathfinders.

The occasion was graced by dignitaries across the country, including representatives of Kwara State Governor Abdulafatah Ahmed, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Minister of Education; Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture; Ambassador Uriel Palti, Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Prof Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC); Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo and his wife Pastor Faith Oyedepo, Vice-Chancellors of various universities across the country and traditional rulers.

The university produced 39 students with First Class Honours, 186 Second Class Upper Division, 152 Second Class Lower Division and nine Third Class Honours, among others.

Dr Oyedepo urged the graduating students to guard against abuse of time, energy and waste of resources.

“There are no classmates in life, but rather there are only classmates in

•Some of the graduands at the event

From Geraldine Nwokocha LU school”, he added.

The keynote speaker, Akinwumi, praised the university for their effort towards agricultural revolution, saying the university was the first privat university of agriculture in Nigeria.

The best graduating student, Hermans Roselyn from Accounting department with CGPA of 4.90, said: “Despite the strict rules and regulations of the university, I worked tirelessly to attain this enviable height”. She advised her fellow graduands to be of good behaviour anywhere they found themselves.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Chase skills now, degrees later, technicians told •NBC graduates, absorbs 37 line technicians

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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ANY young people would love to be in the shoes of the 37 technicians who graduated from the Technical Training Centre (TTC) of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) last Thursday.

They were selected among thousands to undergo a two-year training in bottle equipment operations and maintenance that also involves theoretical and practical knowledge of automation and mechanical engineering, which prepares them for the City and Guilds of London examination.

Now that they have completed the training, which Pastor Tope Dada, Head of the centre, said cost the NBC N4.8 million per student (covering feeding, accommodation, allowances, and training materials), they have all been employed by the company.

In light of the high rate of graduate unemployment, Mr Olawumi Gasper, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), counselled the graduands not to jettison the great opportunity they have to start a lucrative career at NBC in search of university degrees.

“You are on the route to a very sound career. Most of you have National Diplomas (ND) or more. But from here you have gained sound training that would make you to be sought after. Most of you after this will still want to get university education. I don’t begrudge you for that.

But never leave a sound career for a certificate. You can get a degree along the way,” he said.

With the training they have received, Gasper, an engineer and

• Langat (right) presenting a certificate to Kareem Oladapo, one of the technicians. With them is Mr Gasper.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Olatunde Odebiyi

former Rector, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) said the graduates have been exposed to the secret of technology and should build on it to improve the manufacturing industry in Nigeria.

“You are so lucky to be exposed to the secret of technology. There is nothing regarding machine and instrumentation that you do not know.

We expect you to assist us in improving the manufacturing industry,” he said.

In his charge to the new technicians, the Managing Director of NBC, Mr Ben Langat, said despite having received world class training, they would only be successful if they have the relevant soft skills.

“This centre has equipped you with all the technical skills that you need to succeed in your career. But that is

not everything. The different between those who succeed or not will be defined by you attitudes, worth ethics, and discipline in completing tasks before you,” he said.

He warned them to flee from alcoholism and laziness, which he described as the biggest career killers.

Through the TTC, Langat said the NBC has contributed to expanding the number of youths with technical skills sought after by industry.

Counting the centre’s success, Langat said that over 560 students have graduated from the centre flagship programme with over 90 percent gainfully employed by the company.

“We have recorded scores of success stories of our graduates who have excelled and risen to key management positions within and outside the NBC system through sheer brilliance and hard work,” he said.

Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, praised NBC for investing in the lives of the young ones and called for more collaboration between the government and NBC and other companies, saying that it would help curb unemployment.

He urged the grandaunds not to see challenges in life anymore but opportunities to challenge the status quo.

As is the centre’s culture, Mr Tope Dada said the new technicians, who are the Set 25 and Set 26, developed a new pallet testing machine (used to measure the strength of pallets on which bottles are loaded) as their project for the company. He said this would save NBC about N25 million monthly.

One of the new line technicians, Amaka Adigbonu, who has been posted to NBC’s Port Harcourt plant, told The Nation that she learnt a lot during the programme.

90 shine in OAU post-UTME

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• Prof Oye Ibidapo-Obe, Chairman, HIVOTEC Nigeria Board of Trustees (fourth left) and Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon Bello (third left) with (from left) Mr Manfred Woehe, Joe Makoju; Wolfgang Pfeiffer, Dr Segun Ajayi; Prof Omotayo Fakinlede; Moses Ogunsola and Prof. Frank Okafor, Director-General, HIVOTEC Nigeria at a meeting of the board in Lagos.

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UNIPORT alumni president seeks to HE new National President, (CWC) constituted by all National University of Port Harcourt reunite members Executive Council Members, in-

Alumni (UNIPORT) Association, Mr. Sampson Ngerebara, has called for unity among former students of the school.

Ngerebara, who was the president of the Rivers State Chapter of the alumni association before his election last month, said his first priority would be to reconcile all aggrieved members, including the immediate past National President Chief Ike Chinwo.

He also said his administration would reposition the association by reviewing its constitution, publish the UNIPORT Alumni Association magazine by October,

COEASU begins strike

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

mobilise members, and revisit the Alumni Centre project, among others.

Ngerebara is a graduate of Electrical Engineering (1985 set).

According to the election report released by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Chris Orji, Ngerebara defeated Dr Solomon Godknows Ibulubo in the election, which held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

"The election was conducted by the National Working Committee

cluding presidents and secretaries of the various state chapters. Sixteen chapters were at the congress.

“During the election, Ngerebara won majority votes and was declared the winner, after which he was presented to the council for ratification by the entire members of the congress for ratification," the statement said.

The motion for the ratification of the election was moved by Mr. Godfrey Utebor (BOT member) from Delta State, and seconded by Wilson Aggrey, past president of Baylesa State chapter of the association.

ORE than 90 candidates among the 14,648 who sat for the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, last Saturday, scored above 300 of the available 400 marks.

The results were released about four hours after the examination.

In a statement, the varsity’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said seven out of the top eight candidates applied to study Law; while the eighth candidate applied to study English Education.

One candidate scored 360, two candidates scored 352 each, and each of the remaining six candidates scored 348.

With 360, Akinade Oladayo Felicia (45027699HD) came first. Adeagbo Folakemi Olanike (45737901HC) and Koye-Ladele Mofehintoluwa (47368712CI) came second with 352.

Iloabuchi Emerie Collins (47185750II); Ayodele Timothy Oluwaseun (47189939DE); Odelami Akintomiwa Akinleye (47194139EE); Ajayi John Jesuferanmi (47198557HJ); and Ojo Isaiah Olaonipekun (47356218GI) came third with 348. Of the lot, only Ojo did not apply to study Law. He applied for English Education.

Out of the 14,648 who participated in the screening, 7,779 candidates scored 200 and above.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Bamitale Omole, has applauded the academic and administrative workers for a job well done.

He thanked them for making the academic progress and overall development of the university their priority.

THE Colleges of Education, Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Ekiadolor Chapter has given notice of a three-day warning strike starting today over failure by the management to honour an earlier agreement it entered with the union.

To avoid disruption of the academic calendar, the union is demanding the immediate payment of the 2013 headship allowance to heads of department/ coordinators, deans/ directors of various schools, the 2010/2011 and 2012/2013 promotion arrears.

The union also complained that a lot of money is being owed their trust fund, and that they now receive half salaries - that is - when salaries are even paid.

However, reacting to the issue, Provost of the Institution, Prof Amen Uhunmwangho, said in a text message: "Promotion arrears are paid at convenience to payer.

Right now, we are cash scrapped.

We have arrears of salaries to clear. Headship allowance is also predicted on availability of funds.

Our proprietor is already looking at ways of solving our problems.

We need to display understanding and I have told them; they assured us of appreciating the facts;, we are meeting again."

In a jointly signed communiqué signed by the COEASU Chairman, Fred Omonuwa, and secretary, Dr Victor Okosun, the union regretted that series of peace meeting held between the management and the academics workers to avert strike have not been fruitful.

Explaining reasons for the strike Omonuwa said "The colleges of Education Ekiadolor have been facing some series of problem bordering on non-payment of many agreement entered into with the school management and they borders on lecturers welfare which of course include payment of headship, defrayment promotion arrears since 2010 which has been agreed that it will be defrayed one after the other.”

They threatened that if nohing is done by the expiration of the warning strike, they would down tools indefinitely.

VC launches disciplinary board THE Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Rahamon Bello, has inaugurated an eight-member Student Disciplinary Board to assist the university to address disciplinary issues.

He noted that the board would administer the laws governing students on campus on behalf of the management and senate.

Bello noted that the university has witnessed an increase in indiscipline on campus to the extent that external security agents have attempted to arrest erring students.

He said an environment without discipline encourages total breakdown of law and order and that the university management cannot afford to fold its arms and look on while students take the laws into their hands.

The board, chaired by Prof E. O. Omolehunwa of the Department of Accounting, has Mr. O.A. Omotola of the Students' Affairs Division as the secretary.

Other members include: Prof A. Atsenuwa (Department of Public Law); Prof O.A. Falaiye (Philosophy); Prof J. Okpuzor (Cell Biology & Genetics); Dr. G.A. Ayoola (Pharmaceutical Chemistry); Dr. S.A. Oladipo (Educational Administration), and Abdul Adefolarin, a student of the Department of Insurance, who will represent the students.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

ACE FILE

Post-UTME holds August 23 THE Management of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo has announced that the post-UTME screening will hold on August 23.

The exercise, according to the Registrar Mr. Felix Aderinboye, will be held for candidates who chose the college in the 2014 Unified Tertiary Examination (UTME) and scored a minimum of 180 for degree programmes, and 150 for National Certificate for Education (NCE).

He added that candidates who intend to change their choice of institution are also qualified to participate in the exercise.

The website, which opened for registration on July 28, would close on August 22.

He said interested candidates are expected to buy the institution’s post-UTME screening forms and upload their digital passport photographs online before they are eligible to participate in the exercise.

Registration scratch cards are available in First Bank, United Bank of Africa Plc and Skye Bank.

Candidates are to come to the screening centres with their UTME result slip, downloaded application form and writing materials on the day of the exam.

Admission committee formed THE management has constituted a new admission committee for the 2014/2015 admissions.

The committee, which will serve for two years, will be headed by Mr. Rojuwa Igbaro of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts. In a statement, the Registrar's office stated that the position of the chairman carries with it responsibilities, including leadership, maturity and competence.

It expressed the hope that the college would benefit tremendously from the quality and experience of the chairman.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Registrar, (Academic Affairs) Mr. Gabriel Awe, has been appointed secretary to the committee.

Other members were: Mr. Suleman Zubair; Mrs. Olayemi Asaju, Mr. Moses Ojo; Mr. Johnson Olasehinde and Mrs. Justina Ogboru.

Corps member presents book FASAN Esther Nifemi, A Corps member in the Physical Planning Department, Miss Esther Fasan Nifemi has launched Shadow of the past, at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Ado- Ekiti.

Her first, the 80-page book, addresses child abuse and hope for battered lives and abuse in the society.

The occasion was graced by the representatives of the ViceChancellor, Deputy Governor elect, lecturers and non-lecturers of the varsity, and Corps members.

APPROACHING DEADLINES ISN Fellowship Program for Developing Countries, 2014.

APPLICATIONS are invited for fellowship program available for physicians from emerging countries with the ultimate goal of improving the standards in the Fellows' home countries upon their return and becoming leaders in their fields.

Fellowship program provides relevant and contemporary nephrology training to physicians. The program offers two types of Fellowships: Long term awards (7-12 months) and Short term awards (2-6 months). Applicants must have been nominated by a Home Mentor and their Home Institution must guarantee their reemployment once training has been completed. ISN Fellowship grants are awarded on the condition that Fellows return to their respective

home countries within three months after completion of the training.

Study Subject(s): ISN Fellows receive hands-on training in advanced host institutions, allowing them to acquire state-of-the-art knowledge in basic and clinical nephrology, dialysis, transplantation and epidemiology. The training focuses on providing the exact skills and knowledge specifically required by the home institution.

Course Level: Fellowship program provides relevant and contemporary nephrology training to physicians.

Scholarship Provider: ISN Scholarship can be taken at: The ISN Fellowship Program can be availed at any ISN member host institution.

Eligibility: If you can answer positively all these questions, you are ready to proceed with your application.

-Are you at least 30 years of age? (If

you are over 40, you may only apply for a short-term fellowship - even so over 45 years, you may not be successful).

-Are you living and working in a developing country? (Low or medium economy according to the World Bank criteria).

-Have you received basic training in nephrology in your home country?

-Are you nominated by a Home Mentor and your Home Institution who guarantee your re-employment once training has been completed?

-Can you be recommended by two senior nephrologists in your home country?

-Are you endorsed by the National Society of Nephrology in your home country? If you are applying from a country where there is no nephrology practice, you can apply for a Fel-

lowship training only if you have governmental or institutional support to set up a nephrology program upon your return.

-Have you identified an appropriate Host Mentor and Institution with whom you have agreed on a suitable training plan?

-Does your training plan reflect the skills and knowledge that are required by your home Institution and which you can implement on your return?

-Can you understand and communicate in the host country's language?

-Are you willing to guarantee your return to your home country within three months of completing the training? (Otherwise all funds received from ISN must be refunded).

Continued on next edition

Distance Learning will dictate future of education, says OAU VC

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HE Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Bamitale Omole, has recommended electronic learning (e-learning) as a platform that universities should embrace.

The e-learning, Omole argued, would soon begin to dictate the future in education and pose a threat to conventional universities which Omole feared, may become ‘dinosaurs of tomorrow’.

Omole spoke during the launch of the OAU e-learning in Lagos. The programme, according to him, would be coordinated by the institution’s Centre for Distance Learning.

"We are the first university to come out of the cocoon and announce to the public say to the public that the future of education will be e-learning," Omole said.

"If care is not taken traditional uni-

By Amidu Arije

versity may become dinosaurs of tomorrow. In order not for this to happen given the fact that there is limitation in space and time, the Federal Government is doing a lot to improve on education by pumping in more money. But the number of young students and workers that want to benefit from education are so many that no matter how much is given, there will still be vacuum; but with e-learning all will be able to get university education," he added.

Omole said the programme will take off with four undergraduate programmes- Accounting, Economics, Education and Nursing Science, noting that other programmes also at undergraduate level would follow soon in the future to accommodate all shades of students.

To ease learning and the barrier of power failure, a customised tablet with which a user could work online and offline with a back up battery that will last up to nine hours without charging, has been designed for the programme, Omole added.

Omole said out of about two million teeming youths who sat for this year's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), only 400,000 of them will be admitted by the various universities in the country.

"Over two million students wrote UTME but only 400,000 will be admitted in Nigerian universities nationwide. However, with the kind of e-learning that has come today, the future is right at the door step of everyone that can go on our website to register," he said.

The Rector of the OAU CDL, Prof

• Prof Omole

Olabode Asubiojo, said the curriculum for the e-learning is the same as the in-house programmes warding off any iota of discrimination between in-house students and e-learners.

The consultant to the programme Mr Bunmi Akiyemiju, said the OAU e-learning is meant to make learning accessible to the people.

‘If care is not taken traditional university may become dinosaurs of tomorrow. In order not for this to happen given the fact that there is limitation in space and time, the Federal Government is doing a lot to improve on education by pumping in more money’

New Registrar for Bowen

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UTHORITIES of Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, has appointed Dr. Kayode Ogunleye, as the new Registrar of the institution with effect from Friday, August 1.

Ogunleye was a Deputy Registrar in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

He started his career over two decades ago in LAUTECH, and has worked in all the units in the Registry Department, with his last designation in the Academic Affairs Unit.

Ogunleye had his PHD in English Literature from the University If Ibadan in 2009.

On his new office, Ogunleye promised to build on the foundation of

his predecessors in Bowen.

"I will build on the foundation already laid down by my predecessor in office and rebrand the institution.

“I will make the Registry Department of the Institution to be made up of efficient and professionally sound administrators. I will build a pro-active and dynamic registry, where discipline, hardwork and professional etiquette would be the hallmark,” he said.

Earlier, a former Registrar of LAUTECH, Mr. Niyi Fehintola, described Ogunleye as a vibrant and focused administrator, whose commitment to work and disposition to life has always been a source of challenge and inspiration to his fellow colleagues.

UDUS VC seeks team work, excellence

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HE new Vice-Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, has pledged to further advance the university as a custodian of knowledge through collective responsibility.

Zuru, who made the pledge during his maiden meeting with the management of the university shortly after assuming office, promised not to compromise the high academic standard to sustain the university's record of academic excellence.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Zuru assured of his readiness to work with the management team as a team towards attaining UDUS' lofty goals.

Until his appointment, Prof Zuru was the Vice-Chancellor of Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero. He is also a former UDUS' Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Director, Sokoto Energy Research Centre and holder of Petroleum Technology and Development Fund (PTDF) endowment chair

in Petroleum Chemistry Earlier, UDUS' Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Lawal Amadu had congratulated Zuru, adding that the management was ready to work with him. He advised him to come up with decisions that are in the best interest of the university.

Amadu said management was looking forward to a prosperous tenure under Zuru's leadership.

Thereafter, the meeting featured handing over.

• Miss Ayomide Oluwole (middle) flanked by her parents, Dr. Oladipo and Mrs. Oluneye Oluwole during her graduation from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

47

EDUCATION GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

GRADUATION

Mictec graduands reminded of values ICTEC International School, Ogudu, Lagos State, did not hold back in giving its 2014 SS3 graduands a befitting send off.

The event featured special presentations, including dance, songs, recitations, and drama, as well as awards to those among the graduands who excelled in the school.

However, amid the cheers, excitement and merriment, the graduands were counselled not to forget all the preparation they had received during their secondary education in the school.

Leading the way in the flood of counsel was the Director of the school, Mr Michael Tejuoso, who spoke on the theme: Prepared for excellence.

Tejuoso reminded the 28 graduands of the seven ethos they were taught earlier. He urged them to put them into use to impact society positively.

He said: "You have been prepared under seven ethos and practices in

M

• A cross section of the graduands.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Mictec. These include: purpose, planning, passion, principle, pursuit, perseverance, and prayer. The preparation is focused on transforming our students for academia, leadership in different disciplines, professions and for a fulfilled lifestyle. While preparing them, we look forward to seeing them (become) the great change agents in society. Our core values being the guide: service, sincerity, efficiency, righteousness, vision, impact, creativity, excellence."

While counselling the graduands

to embrace positive attitudes, goal setting and surround themselves with good friends, Tejuoso however warned them to beware of their negative aspects which could lead to laziness, procrastination, peer pressure and the like.

In her speech, the guest speaker, Mrs Jarriet Ogbobine urged the graduands to have self confidence so as not to be easily swayed by friends in the university.

"I am not telling you not to have friends but understand the reason

why you are in school. Have self confidence because low self esteem can make you to be easily lured aware. Don't go away with the impression that mummy and daddy will always be there," she said.

Addressing parents, Mrs Ogbobine advised that they should continue to monitor their wards.

"Parents, this is just the beginning.

Tighten your belt and be more inquisitive. You need to know everything going on in the lives of your children.

They are now in the market place

where if you don't inform them, friends will tell them. Don't shy away from talking the talk," she said.

In an interview with The Nation, the principal, Mrs Funmilayo Awoniyi said the school has given the pupils all they need to excel.

"I want them to be the best. They have wings to fly. Let them go out to the world and be like the biblical Daniel. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. If they fear God, wherever they go to, they will excel," she said.

AOCOED Staff School relaunches Yearbook

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WO years ago, the Yearbook of the AOCOED Staff School (ASS), Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos was launched, but due to some reasons, it could not fly.

However, the repackaged edition of the Yearbook, which was merged with the school graduation/prize giving day at the school premises penultimate week, was a welcome development among parents and teachers as it generated generous donations from invited guests.

Amid fanfare, parents praised the management for the initiative which the headteacher Mr Ogunmade Sunday Adetayo, believed would kick start another phase in the 22-yearold school's quest into building a more befitting Alumni base.

The Yearbook is a 15-page glossy colour package comprising pupils name and data across board, including teachers and other personalities invited during each graduation.

Hear him: "The idea of the relaunch of the Year Book is simply for Posterity. Henceforth the Year Book will contain pictures and data of all the pupils across board with a special page dedicated to graduands each year.

Adetayo continued: "Three years ago, we celebrated our 20th anniversary amid pomp. By October 13, we will clock 23. Therefore its about time we commenced consolidating on

our alumni base. Many of our products are doing well in or outside the country. These are the one we still depend on to continue to launder the good image of the school. We are hoping to see them return to their alma mater to give talks to pupils they left behind."

The head teacher thanked parents, teachers and the owner of the school, Adeniran Ogunsayan College of Education for their support, belief and dedication in ASS. The Chairman, Otto/Awori Local Council Development Area Bolaji Kayode Roberts who was also honoured at the occasion said his administration would continue to support the school as it has always done.

"Our administration has been equally supportive and very passionate concerning the rapid growth of this school. We have always been very responsive to all the demands that impacts positively in the lives of the children as well as the school in general. I want to assure you that we shall not relent in providing all the needed support as at when due" he assured.

Roberts expressed hope that 65 graduates would make their alma mater proud as they proceed to secondary school.

The event was spiced with dance, plays and cultural performances by the pupils.

•The graduands with a teacher, Mrs Elesho Toyin (left), Mr Ogunmade (second left) Robert and sectional head (Nursery and Preparatory) Mrs Victoria Olunlade.

Don’t lose focus, graduands urged

T

HE 2013/2014 graduands of Olufilade Comprehensive College, Papa-Ajao, Mushin, Lagos have been advised not to lose focus as they go into the world.

The Director of the school, Mr Adefumilayo Adeola, at this year’s valedictory in the school hall last Saturday.

Adefumilayo, who congratulated the graduands, said it takes discipline, determination and the fear of God to succeed.

"Look around, look at your friends and say congratulations; all of you have now graduated. Utilise the knowledge you have gained here and never lose focus no matter what.

"Whenever there is this type of programme, the question is: what is

By Ibrahim Adam, Mojisola Clement and Oluwatosin Olawale

your decision about life? Life is not a destination but a journey and that is why it will take discipline, determination and the fear of God will help you achieve success," he said.

Fourteen students graduated from the school while 18 proceeded to the Senior Secondary School cadre.

Pastor Aderibigbe Richard, who spoke on 'Success for all' during his message, implored the graduands to use the knowledge they've gained to make themselves, the school, the family and the Nigeria a better place.

The former head girl of the school, Oladejo Mayowa Victoria, who dreams to becoming a computer en-

•Some of the graduands with candles presented by their juniors.

gineer in future, recounted how as a prefect, she often run into trouble waters while directing er schoolmates some of whom she said were older than her.

The school General Manager Mr

Mabogunje Adetokunbo led the management with parents in a prayer session for the graduands.

Different group of students made their presentations in drama, cultural dance, talk show etc.

Responding to one of the questions at the talk show, Mrs Patience Oyenuga, representing the parents' body advised other parents to support the teachers' effort after school to help their children better academically.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

48

EDUCATION

Chibok girls: Expert advocates security education

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N educationist, Alhaji Jamiu Idris, has called on the Federal Government to integrate national and personal security into the curriculum of Civic Education.

Jamiu, who once served as the Secretary of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos wing, said this while reacting to the abduction of the Chibok girls by the Boko Haram sect.

He said: "It is over 100 days that these children have been seized by Boko Haram and I want to suggest that the fight against terrorism should be taken to classrooms where every pupil will be taught how to identify and guard against the incursion of any kind of insurgency."

Condemning the serial bomb attacks by the sect, which have claimed many lives and property in the north, Idris said security should be built around the students by regu-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

larly updating the education curriculum with new information about security and the antics of Boko Haram and other terrorists.

"If Boko Haram members could stroll to a school and seize more than 200 girls in a jiffy, then the Federal Government must do more than just deploying soldiers or anti-bomb squad in the country. Government must provide employment for teeming jobless youths while also sensitising the students against terrorism," he said.

Idris, now secretary, NUT, Ekiti State wing, explained that though the teachers had no expertise to fight terrorism, they could help the government enlighten the society and schools about personal and national security.

“Most of the Boko Haram mem-

bers are youths who have no jobs.

Some of them are students who do not have the right education. Everybody has a role to play in this. We should not politicise the fight against Boko Haram. It is a national problem that all of us must fight. I know that Lagos is doing a lot of sensitisation among the pupils and we are doing the same in Ekiti State.

This must go round the country to save the life of our children," Idris said.

He called on teachers and pupils to always raise the alarm whenever they notice any strange movement around their schools and quickly report to appropriate authorities to take action.

"While we are waiting for the peaceful release of the Chibok girls, I think it is a proper thing to do if the government can vigorously take the campaign to schools," he added.

•A cross section of the matriculating students.

Sokoto varsity admits pioneer set

N

O fewer than 783 students admitted for the 2013/2014 academic session by the Sokoto State University, Sokoto took part in its maiden matriculation last Saturday.

Speaking at the ceremony that attracted dignitaries, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nuhu Yaqub, said the students were admitted out of the 800 approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

He praised Governor Aliyu Wamakko for his dogged commitment to establishing the university and for providing enormous funding that has been invested in infrastructure for the smooth conduct of academic and intellectual activities.

He promised that the management of the institution would continue to live above board, and would not condone indiscipline from workers and students.

Wamakko said the university was established to provide the badly-needed educational opportunities to the teeming qualified

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

candidates in the state and other parts of Nigeria.

"The essence of establishing the university was devoid of politics but the educational development of the state and Nigeria in general.

Sokoto has been a centre of learning since several centuries ago and learning has been a significant part of the culture of the people.

"Opportunities knock but once and the university is about the future of the state, Nigeria and the entire globe," Wamakko, said.

He added that the world had become a global village, and any state or country that neglects the education sector would lag behind.

The governor further promised to sustain the huge level of funding and provision of structures, facilities and other needs of the university.

Also, Pro-Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, praised the educational enthusiasm of Governor Wamakko for taking a giant step to come up with a uni-

versity of world standard, describing the commitment as "taking the bull by the horns to establish the institution.”

The former National Security Organisation (NSO) boss challenged the university to strive to help towards the needs of the immediate environment.

“Other wealthy individuals in the state and other parts of Nigeria should complement the efforts of the state government by endowing chairs, as well as donating facilities to the university.

“We will, however, ensure that the university operates in line with existing global standards to make it truly world-class," he promised.

The Special Adviser, Higher Education to Wamakko, Prof Gajam Ardo also promised that the university’s workers and students will not betray the confidence reposed in them by Wamakko and the people of the state.

Also in attendance, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar III and the Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, Alhaji Iliyasu Bashar.

Auchi poly appoints deputy rectors, others

R

ECTOR, Auchi Polytechnic, Dr Philipa Idogho, has approved the appointment of two deputy Rectors for the institution.

They are Mr Fred Agboinghale (Deputy Rector, Administration) and Mr Jafaru Buraimah (Deputy Rector, Academics.

Until their appointments, Agboinghale was a chief lecturer and Dean, School of Applied Sci-

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

ence and Technology and also chairman, Committee of Deans, while Buraimah, an engineer, was a chief lecturer and Chairman, Housing Committee of the polytechnic.

The newly appointed deputy rectors took over from Dr. S.G. Eshiotse (Administration) and Mr E. U. Onochie (Academics) who

have completed their tenures.

Eshiotse will serve as the Director of Degree programmes, while Onochie's new assignment is to head the Centre for Equipment Maintenance and Industrial Training.

Other new officials include: Mr F.U. Balogun, Dean, School of Evening Studies, and Mr A. A. Obomeghie, Acting Dean, School of Applied Science and Technology.

EDUTALK

with

The Ebola joke!

T

RUST Nigerians! Ebola has become a joke - though there is nothing funny about it. It is a deadly virus that kills infected people fast after a two-day to threeweek (the average being five to eight days) incubation period. Yet, comedians have started making Kofoworola jokes out of it.

Someone sent me one created by Belo-Osagie a comedian called Funny Pikin. It Kofosagie@yahoo.com is a conversation between AIDS (a 08054503077 (SMS only) male) and Ebola (a female) in which AIDS complains that the new comer has come to usurp its influence as one of the most feared diseases in Nigeria. To remain ‘relevant,’ AIDS said he would ‘upgrade’ to become an airborne disease. Ebola tells AIDS that people have been advising her to go to Sambisa Forest, where the Boko Haram sect is allegedly holding the girls abducted from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State on April 15. She (Ebola) adds that it would be her "Bring back our Girls" mission. When AIDS warns her not to infect the girls, Ebola replies that the girls would even prefer her to Boko Haram. This is not funny at all and should not become the butt of our jokes.

However, there is a truly hilarious real-life experience that someone shared with me that should give us concern about the level of ignorance of the disease. This colleague was asked by her niece, who just completed her secondary education from a public secondary school in Lagos, about Ebola. This was the conversation that transpired between them.

Girl: "Aunty, what is Ebola" Aunty: "It is a deadly virus that kills infected people quickly. It is highly infectious and can be caught by coming into contact with an infected person's body fluids (saliva, faeces, urine, sweat, vomit, breast milk, semen)" (Girl goes to her room but returns shortly) Girl: "Aunty, did you say the virus is deadly?"

Aunty: "Yes it is. Why do you ask?"

Girl: "Because my friends have changed their names on facebook from Dorosexy to Ebolasexy and Dorodiva to Eboladiva.”

We are in an emergency situation and need to act fast to check the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria. Government has to do more to sensitise the public about the disease, and going by what transpired between my colleague and her niece, school children should not be left out. Though schools are presently on holidays, the government must find ways to reach the young ones where they are. Since regular hand washing with soap and water can kill the virus, this is an opportunity to teach primary and secondary school pupils about age-long hand washing techniques that have not been taken seriously.

Information provided by the United States Embassy also states that apart from soap, the virus can be killed by sunlight, bleach and drying.

Washing machines can also rid clothes won by victims of the virus.

Apart from school children, the general public needs to be enlightened about the dangers of touching corpses of infected persons or eating undercooked bush meat. Infected fruit bats and primates are said to be the major carriers of the virus. And I learnt that there are some areas in Nigeria where they are eaten. This means Nigerians need to avoid them while the epidemic lasts.

We need to take this campaign seriously to protect the lives of our people. When people are educated, they can take informed decisions to protect themselves and prevent the spread of the disease.

This is also an opportunity for our researchers to go to work. If the United States has been able to come up with a serum that is helping its infected citizen, a doctor, to recover, then our government should demonstrate its seriousness to check the spread of the virus by commissioning our researchers to go to work. At least, we would be contributing to knowledge. Already, some of our natural medicine experts claim there are some herbs that can combat the virus. This is an opportunity to find out if it is true.

Now that health workers in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have shut down hospitals because they are the ones most at risk treating infected patients, we cannot afford to treat our own situation lightly, especially as we have a much larger population, and doctors are on strike.

The Federal Government should liaise with the United States to get the serum. That may be the fastest way of stopping the virus in its track. But the preferred outcome would be for our own doctors, biochemists, biotech experts and others to come up with an indigenous but effective solution to the problem. And who says we cannot?

‘However, there is a truly hilarious real-life experience that someone shared with me that should give us concern about the level of ignorance of the disease. This colleague was asked by her niece, who just completed her secondary education from a public secondary school in Lagos, about Ebola.

This was the conversation that transpired between them’

50

51

THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun mobilisation for next year’s governorship election. But, the struggle for the ticket is tearing apart the chapter, reports EMMANUEL OLADESU.

Kwara 2015: 10 for governor in PDP T

EN Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are jostling for the governorship ticket in Kwara State.

The aspirants include Mr. Sunday Adebayo Babalola, an engineer, Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Senator Simeon Ajibola, and Deacon John Dara. Others are Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and Alhaji Bio Ibrahim.

It is a challenging moment for the troubled chapter. Since its former leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), things have not been the same. Apart from the decimation of the party, the struggle for its governorship ticket has unleashed intra-party tension. The PDP national leadership is worried by the bitter struggle. Aspirants are working at cross purposes to outshine one another and the promotion of self-interest has displaced the defense of collective interest.

To triumph over the APC, at the poll there is the urgent need for the Kwara PDP to put its house in order.

But, while a section of the party is leaving no stone unturned, in its bid to recapture the State of Harmony, the obvious division in the fold is counterproductive. Instead of building the party structure, ahead of the election,” aspirants are nurturing personal strictures.

The ruling APC is laying landmines.

Unlike the PDP, it is a united fold, with old and new members forging ahead. The next election is expected to be laced with intrigues because the principal actors in the two parties had

• Belgore

• Jani

at different times worked closely with one another. Many of them had worked under former Governor Saraki. They were also part of the PDP family under the leadership of the strongman of Kwara politics, Waziri Olusola Saraki. The implication is that chieftains on both sides are not strangers to, which had characterised previous elections.

The image of the Saraki Dynasty may continue to rub off on the APC. The cordial relations between Saraki and Ahmed is a core advantage. However, the split in the Saraki bloc has also been noted by observers. To the PDP, the days of the Saraki Dynasty are numbered. Senator Gbemi, the daughter of the late elder statesman is one of the arrowheads of the PDP, which is plotting to halt the influence of the formidable political family, which brought her to the limelight. But, to the APC, the dynasty h as enlarged its coast.

According to analysts, Kwara PDP lacks a formidable leadership. In the APC, Saraki is held in high esteem as the leader. In the PDP, the governorship aspirants are leaders of their tiny cells. Therefore, they perceive one another as rivals to be pulled down. For example, the antagonistic groups and caucuses were locked in a war of attrition over the choice of a new minister to replace Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who was dropped as minister by President Goodluck Jonathan. The scramble for the ministerial slot further divided the chapter. There was no leader to resolve the crisis and serve as a symbol of unity.

The dust stirred by the bitter struggle has not settled. It is now being carried over to the battle for the governorship ticket. Although only 10 aspirants have unfolded their ambition, sources said that more will join the race, following the release of nomination guidelines next month.

• Oba

In the race are serious contenders and pretenders. However, some aspirants stand out. Also, among the veteran contenders,only two appear to stand out. They are Belgore, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in 2011 election, and the business mogul, Jani Ibrahim.

Remarkably, in the last election, Babalola was the runner up to Ahmed. Thus, he is positioning himself for the race. His supporters are wiping up sentiments, saying that he deserves political sympathy. He is popular in the party. But, he has some hurdles to cross.

Belgore is from an aristocrat background like Saraki. Although he defected to the PDP, there is no assurance that the party will give him the ticket on the platter of gold. He has been described as a new comer by rivals. Observers have predicted that the primaries may be tough for him.

The former university don, Oba, is

working assiduously to get the ticket.

He is the Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC). But, he is not perceived as a rallying point in the party.

Senator Ajadi is pushing for power shift to his district. But, he may not be able to garner enough support at the primaries.

The businessman, Jani, is believed to be be making waves. His influence as a captain of industry and philanthropist is overwhelming. He is the Chairman of LUBCON, a lubricant company in llorin, the state capital. He is believed to be the second largest employer of labour in the state, second only to the government.

Jani is an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos. He is the former National President of the NIPSS Alumni Association and Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways.

He is the former President of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) and former Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA).

The politician is also believed o be close to the grassroots. The focus of his campaign is derived from his name, JANI- for Jobs-AgricultureNatural Resources- Infrastructural Development.

One of the factors that will shape the contest is zoning. Kwara South Senatorial District, which produced Ahmed in 2011, wants to retain the slot next year. Kwara Central, which has the largest population, is also agitating for the slot. Kwara North has not enjoyed the slot before. Thus, PDP chieftains from the zone are campaigning for power shift.

The question is: which district will produce the PDP flag bearer?

Kunle Famoriyo was a special assistant to the slain Attorney-General and Justice Minister , Chief Bola Ige. He reflects on the life of the Cicero and how his influence will rub off on the Osun State governorship election, 13 years after his murder.

Osun poll: Will Ige factor count?

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HE governorship election in Osun State will hold on Saturday. Voters will go to polls to exercise their franchise. They will have another golden opportunity to either renew the mandate of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola or change the government.That is the beauty of democracy. If the late Chief Bola Ige were here with us today, he would have led the campaign for the emancipation of democracy by deploying his best diction, in the belief that only the best is good for the State of Osun. He would have taken the pains in explaining even to the man in the remotest village that democracy is a system of government, particularly in the advanced world, which gives the people that singular power to decide their fate by themselves.

Thirteen years ago, the Cicero of Esa-Oke was murdered in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State by suspected assassins. Uncle Bola, as he was fondly called by his teeming admirers, was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation. That Uncle Bola was a politician of no mean stature is not debatable.

He was also a great lawyer.

Theerfore, he injected finesse into the polity. Uncle Bola would always work for the best, as far as democracy was concerned.

More than a decade after his demise, the question is: what is the state of democracy in Nigeria? Is democracy a system governed by the rule of law, and not by individuals? Are citizens equal under the law and no one is discriminated against on the basis of their race, religion, ethnic group, or gender? Is Nigeria a nation where no one may be arrested, imprisoned or exiled arbitrarily? If detained, do you have the right to know the charges against you, and are you presumed innocent, until proven guilty according to the law?

Uncle Bola would always tell anybody who is ready to listen that the norm in civilised societies is that true democracy cannot be said to reign where a government is put in place by the force of gun, or under any duress whatsoever. For democracy to be truly worth its salt, he would explain, it must be sustainable and anchored on transparency, represen-

• Aregbesola

tation, pluralism and accountability.

It is all these that have called to question the new trend of militarization of the national polity, with particular focus on the conduct of elections under heavily armed soldiers and stern-looking policemen with security sniffer dogs as witnessed recently in the Ekiti gubernatorial election.

Uncle Bola would not have wasted a moment in describing as an aberration the militarisation of electoral process under whatever guise.

Nigerians have another opportunity to defend democracy on Saturday. What actually are in the offing for the electorate in Osun State? How prepared are the stakeholders, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? Is the INEC truly independent? Can INEC assure the citizenry of a free and fair election? Will the vote actually count? These are some of the pertinent questions that Uncle Bola would have readily directed at those concerned without mincing words.

Only a few days ago, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Osun State, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje declared at a forum in Abuja that the state will not be less militarized during the election, as was the case during the election on June 21 in Ekiti State. Agbaje had anchored his pronouncement on what he tagged the heightening security situation allegedly being caused by inflammatory utterances of politicians in the state.

He pointedly accused some politicians of seeing election as a do-or-die affair.

Agbaje, while participating at the “Nigeria civil society situation room dialogue, organised by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) with support from the British Department for International Development (DFID), explained that no fewer than 19 political parties are fielding candidates for the Osun election. According to him,

more than 742,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have so far been distributed, out of a total of over 1.2 million. He added that INEC was still going to supply about 149,000 PVCs towards the end of July and that Temporary Voters Card (TVC) shall not be used. The REC debunked allegations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that INEC was disenfranchising its members in the collection of PVCs ahead of the election.

His words: “The issue of whether INEC is asking people which party they belong to does not hold water, as the allegation is laughable; they should come forward with proof, because we know that our staff have been trained to be apolitical and if any person tries that, such a person is playing with his job.” Agbaje explained that the commission has produced a very credible register of voters for the conduct of the polls. This, he said, was done through the Automated Finger Print Identification System (AFIS), which was used to rid the register of multiple registrations.

Results from the AFIS, he added, revealed a total of 37,273 multiple registrations, while valid registration stood at 1,318,120; a reduction of 2.75 per cent. On the issue of photochromic ballot papers, he said what the commission has done to forestall such allegation is to discard all the old inks and get new ones from the headquarters.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

THE NATION AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

CLINIC DAY The Director, Pax Herbal Clinic and Research Laboratories, St. Benedict Monastery, Ewu, Edo State, Revd Father Anslem Adodo, answers the question on natural plants for physical wellness.

ISTLETOE, the parasitic plant is a peculiar plant.

Its roots sink into the branches and trunks of other trees, instead of into the soil. The seeds need sunlight to germinate, unlike most other plants that need darkness. The leaves produce chlorophyll even in the darkness, unlike other plants that turn yellowish when there is no light.

Mistletoe is an evergreen plant that does not die easily. As a parasite, mistletoe is a disease on other plants which makes farmers to dread the plant. Mistletoe produces toxic berries, which are eaten by birds that spread them to other trees.

Being gelatinous, the seeds stick easily to the trees and so germinate there.

Mistletoe, Viscum Album belongs to the Lorantaceace family of plants.

The leaves contain choline and acetylcholine, which act directly on the autonomic nervous system. The berries contain alkaloids and toxic substances. For this reason, we advise against any form of internal application of the berries.

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Question: I have my misgivings about orthodox medicine; please, what natural plant can I take to maintain my physical and general wellness?

-Adebamiji Oloruntobi, a student in Akure, Ondo State.

How to preserve mistletoe Collect fresh leaves from the tree.

The best time to collect mistletoe in tropical country like Nigeria is between 12noon and 1pm. As soon as you collect the leaves, rinse them in water, and then spread them out on a mat or zinc in an airy place. Do not expose the leaves to direct sunlight for more than one day. This is generally true of all herbs. It is always better to dry fresh leaves in a shady but airy place. It takes seven to 10 days for mistletoe to be properly dried. As the leaves get dried they tend to turn dark in colour.

Indeed, mistletoe is a very peculiar plant.

Kinds of mistletoe The mistletoe on guava, kolanut, cocoa and trees of the citrus family are the most potent kinds of mistletoe. All other are also good but may not be as effective as the ones mentioned above. For the treatments of cancer, the mistletoe of guava is the best, This is because it contains the highest concentration of lectins, a kind of proteins that science has discovered to destroy cancerous tumors and cells. It is the mistletoe on guava that actually cures cancer. This important piece of information is known to some herbalists who keep it close to their chest. I give it here so that humanity may profit from it.

For the treatment of cancer, then, I recommend the mistletoe of guava trees. For the treatment of hypertension, nervousness and insomnia, I recommend the mistletoe on kolanut and the citrus trees. The mistletoe on cocoa is best for diabetes. However, these are observations based on practical experience rather than on orthodox scientific research, unlike in the case of guava. I invite our scientists to verify these observations. For all other forms of illness, mistletoe on any edible fruit would help.

Methods of preparing misltletoe Method one: Infusion Soak three dessertspoons of dried

•Mistletoe

Mistletoe: The wonder herb and powdered leaves into a cup of hot water. Allow it to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking. You may add honey if you wish. Do this two times daily.

Method two: cold extract Soak two handfuls of the fresh or dried leaves in one cup of cold water for eight hours or simply overnight. The following day add one cup of hot water to it. Sieve and store in a flask. Drink one cup in the morning and one cup in the night. Mistletoe is well known for the treatment of the following diseases:

Hypertension Mistletoe not only lowers blood sugar but also helps to repair the pancreas and other diseased organs in the body. Mistletoe is one of the most effective herbs for hypertension. No matter how serious or chronic the case maybe, mistletoe always makes a difference. Follow the method one or two as described above.

Heart problems Mistletoe is an excellent herb for the circulatory system. It promotes flow of the blood to the brain and heart, especially in those suffering from coronary arteries and angina pectoris. Mistletoe is the safest herb for heart problems. In treating patients with heart problems, great care must be taken to take the correct herbs or drugs, since any minor mistake could be fatal. With mistletoe, there is nothing to fear because its efficacy has been proved and confirmed. Follow method one or two as described

above for three months.

Insomnia Mistletoe relaxes muscles, calms the nerves, eases palpitations, migraine, nervousness and pains.

Those who suffer from epilepsy will find mistletoe very helpful as it protects against attacks.

Arthritis Mistletoe increases the production of urine and the elimination of toxic wastes from the system.

Those who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism and gout have testified to the efficacy of mistletoe.

Where other herbs have failed, mistletoe has proved to be a saviour. Eternal application of mistletoe is recommended in cases of arthritis, rheumatism and gout. Soak three handfuls of dried of fresh leaves in a bottle of water for two days. Steep a napkin in the solution and place it on the painful, swollen or inflamed joints. This brings a quick relief.

Infertility For infertility problems of various forms, mistletoe has proved highly effective. Drinking two cups of mistletoe daily will correct gynecological problems such as excessive menstruation, painful menstruation, irregular menstruation, anovulation, Amenorrhea and uterine hemorrhage. For fibroids, drink three cups of mistletoe daily for six months. For this I recommend the mistletoe on Guava. I know a lot of women who were faithful to this medication and patient enough to complete the six months therapy. Today they are

not only free of fibroids, but are enjoying a new lease of life, for mistletoe rejuvenates.

Cancer Herbalists have been using mistletoe for the treatment of cancer long before modern science did any research on it. Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer in Nigeria. Many women have fallen victims of this ailment. Radiotheraphy, chemotherapy or breast excision is temporal remedies-they do not cure the sickness. Mistletoe is there to offer hope to all cancer patients.

However, managing cancer with mistletoe is a long term affair. We must get rid of our modern day mentality that wants immediate solution to every problem. Recovery is a slow process. Herbs work slowly but more steadily and surely. For the treatment of cancer, soak three handfuls of dried mistletoe leaves in one beer bottle of water OVERNIGHT. The following day, add half bottle of hot water. This gives you one and a half bottles of solution. Drink one glass, four times daily. Continue this for at least six months, even though you would feel healthy after two months of medication. Don’t be carried away.

Follow the given prescription.

Diabetes I do not want to go into the issue of whether diabetes is curable or not. That is no longer an important issue. The important question today is: what is the most effective plant for treating diabetes? I stand to affirm that mistletoe is among the most effective herbs for diabetes. I know

•Revd Fr Adodo

of many diabetics who have never taken western drugs for the past five years but depend solely on mistletoe. Many of them simply drink a cup of mistletoe solution once a week. In serious cases of diabetes, I recommend the same dose as for cancer above for six weeks, after that follow either method one or two of preparation and continue for five months.

General health Mistletoe is not meant for the sick alone. It is also recommended for those who wish to remain healthy. Drinking a cup of mistletoe tea daily will ensure protection against diabetes, malaria, typhoid, migraine, hypertension, pneumonia and all sorts of physical ailments.

As an anti-malaria, mistletoe is your best bet. For this, drink two cups daily. I prescribed this for a middle-aged man four years ago.

He used to suffer serious attacks of malaria fever every two weeks.

He went to the best hospital around and took the latest drugs in the market, all to no avail. The fever kept coming every two weeks. It got to a stage that all the medical doctors treating him became frustrated and said to him: we are tired of you. Till this moment, this man never suffers a single attack of malaria fever.

Mistletoe is indispensable for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Within one month of mistletoe therapy, one would notice that almost all the symptoms, such as, fever, weakness, dysentery,, and weight loss have been arrested, and the patient can go back to work.

Could mistletoe hold the key to unraveling the HIV/ AIDS menace?

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH

Some natural ammunition against Ebola Virus fever (1)

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BOLA virus fever has crept back into the news in Nigeria, causing worse fear in the public than the first HIV-AIDS alarm a few decades ago. I remember vividly the news reports of the 1980s concerning a Nigerian American AID worker who had just arrived from the United States and was having his papers checked by immigration officers at the MurtalaMuhammed Airport in Lagos. One of these officers mistook AIDS. He dropped the papers and fled. Soon, others joined him. And, in a twinkle, everywhere was upside down. Because Ebola virus can destroy a population at an alarming rate, I consider it important that we be advised about how bubonic plague depopulated Europe in the 4th century. (more of this will be discussed next week.) From Asian trading ships, the killer bubonic plague arrived in Mecina Sicily, Italy, in October 1347 and immediately killed its first victim. Between 1348 and 1350, it killed 1.5 million of the approximately four million people in medieval England. By 1349, the Black Death, as it was called, had killed six out of 10 Londoners. All together it killed about 70 million people in Europe. It was thought to be spreading by fleas which follow rats about. Rats in homes and in the streets were common sight in England at that time as they are in Nigeria today. It was thought then that these fleas infected whoever they bit with whatever pathogens they picked up from the rats. But a new forensic study on human remains in the north of London carried out this year suggests that bubonic plague could have been an air borne infection spread by sneezing and coughing.The victims died within three days after they were infected. Lumps appeared in the armpits and groin, followed by black spots on the arms, thighs and other parts of the body.Ask yourself, as you read this; what would you do if you were having sumptuous lunch or dinner at a 5- star hotel, and the manager announced that one of the guests had just taken ill with Ebola Virus fever, suggested you should not panic but all guests should gently file out of the hotel? What about being in an airplane with a passenger in the next seat who suddenly begins to convulse and bleed from Ebola fever? If you leave your seat, will another passenger let you take refuge near him or her as an exposed person?

Today, we know HIV does not infect anyone who looks straight into the eyes of an infected person. A few decades ago, the HIV-challenged person was seen as the black plague which ravaged Europe a few centuries ago. If a family member was infected by the plague, other family members abandoned him or her to his or her fate, and fled the home, like those immigration officers in Lagos fleeing from the AID worker, because it was certain all of them would be infected overnight, and killed by the plague. It may help our understanding of how to prevent falling victim or of how to keep a person challenged by Ebola fever, if we recall the story of four prisoners who survived the plague scourge. With many homes empty and corpses littering everywhere and stinking, these prisoners were sent everyday to clear the human remains and bury them. Only a prisoner would be given this job, for his life was thought to worth little or nothing, anyway! But, to the dismay of the authority, they did not contract the plagueor any other infection for that matter, and lived well beyond man’s conquest of the great plague their secret? They ate garlic with their meals everyday! We shall come to this later!

Ebola in Lagos

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HAT fuelled the present Ebola scare was the death in a Lagos hospital of a consultant to the government of Liberia who flew into Lagos via Lome, Togo’s capital. Ebola has killed about 700 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. Promptly, the traveler was taken to a highbrow Lagos hospital where Ebola virus infection was diagnosed before he died. Promptly, too, his body was cremated (burned to ash) to prevent spread of the virus, the hospital was shut and its doctors and personnel exposed to the virus quarantined. This event must have been harrowing to the gentleman, especially if he had no conviction about a human soul surviving the earth body, its cloak on earth, and had not separated from that covering before his remains was cremated. Surely, in this circumstance, his experience would be that of a man thrown alive into a raging fire.For every physical form has an ethereal or non-physical prototype after which it formed. A physical fire has an ethereal form. So does a physical earth body!

Riot Act As should be expected, the health authorities have rolled out what is akin to the riot Act. A potential crisis is on our hands, and we should be well advised about how to go about our daily activities without contracting Ebola virus and, should we, about how to overcome any challenge to our lives. From it all, it would appear there is no cure as yet. So, it is better to avoid being hit by a virus which, unlike the common cold virus, the virus of influenza or the immunity destroying HIV, hardly gives its victim any chance to challenge and overcome it. Two critical suggestions in the Ebola Virus “Riot Act” are…

• Wash your hands with soap and water before putting anything, especially fruits, into your mouth and • Avoid exposure to or contact with the virus.

If these are about the best protection we can obtain, its like this is a helpless situation.

For exposure and infection hide in many of those things we do every day but hardly pay attention to. For example, those dangerous situations include. Exchange of Body fluids (kissing, sexual intercourse etc). For people who board buses, body contact is difficult to avoid. On hot days, many people sweat.

Cant skin contact in tightly packed buses promote exposure to the virus from infected persons?

Handshakes Even if we choose to imprison our hands in our pockets all day, will we never touch what an infected person has touched? Do we not receive money from people everyday?

Do we not eat from plates an infected person in a restaurant

may have washed? Do we not return a spoon, complaining to the water that it is slippery from oil in the food of the last user?

What about the glass cup we drink our beer from at the favourite joint? Even if we prefer to use a straw, what’s the guarantee that someone hadn’t touched it? I do not know what happens to my clothes at the laundry, or if my barber is a carrier!

Raw food It is believed, also, that raw foods can be a vector, especially if they were exposed to monkeys and bats, which are thought to be carriers of Ebola virus. Every living organism is a carrier of one parasite or the other, but the parasite does not trouble the carrier. Thus, when an Ebola virus carrier monkey or bat has contact with a fruit or vegetable, it may deposit the deposit on it. A human being who is unfortunate to eat such an infected fruit or vegetable becomes infected thereby. That is why health authorities have advised that we wash our hands well with soap and water before we eat anything. In his THE NATURE DOCTOR, Swiss-born Dr. H.C.A. Vogel says this much and much more, based on his experiences during health study tours of the tropics in search of healing plants. Advocating the use of Echinacea puperea against viral and bacterial disease which he may have picked up while eating pawpaw (carica papaya) for example, Dr. Vogel says: “Imported vegetables can pose dangers if they are not 100 percent clean, and so are perhaps infected with typhoid bacilli or viruses of dysentery or some other infectious diseases. If you live in a hot country or tropics, never eat any raw food or fruit that you cannot peel or disinfect. The same advice goes for anyone who travels to such countries. It is advisable to be scrupulous in this respect, for the damage is quickly done. When peeling fruit, do not forget to disinfect the skin first, since anything adhering to it can stick to your finger and, in turn, infect the peeled fruit before you eat it. Constant caution is indispensable, even though it may make life a little more complicated”.

Dr. Vogel says he does not by the foregoing suggest abstinence from fruits eating. He only wishes to point out the need for caution. That caution is inevitable especially in Nigeria where fruits are sold in cuttings and packaged in cellophane wraps by women, and sold at the dust and smoke-filled roadside.

Ebola fever symptoms

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HESE symptoms or presentation are the same wher ever Ebola fever strikes, whether in Ebola village, near a tributary of River Congo, where Ebola was first discovered in 1976, or in Liberia or Lagos, where the first death ever has been recorded. Some of the symptoms to watch out for are : 1) Fever 2) Throat pain 3) Muscle pain 4) Nausea and vomiting 5) Diarrhoea 6) Severe internal bleeding.

The virus may stay inactive in the body for about two months before it announces its presence with these symptoms. As stated earlier, there is as yet no known cure for Ebola virus fever in orthodox medicine. It is unclear, also, if Alternative Medicine has a definitive solution, although many cure claims have been made, especially in Nigeria. It would appear that the chances of survival are high if the disease is diagnosed early. In this regard, the disease has to be quickly distinguished from malaria cholera, other viral diseases and Denge fever, which may cause bleeding in eyes, nose, ear and mouth.

Ebola cure hopes

Save in Mac 27 - Health-Natural Pages and Pixs - Natural Health

Asthma leaf Also called Tawa-Tawa leaf, this asthma remedy has been suggested for use in Ebola fever therapy. The proponents say it may be combined with paw paw leaf, which as an antibiotic may check the bacteria which instigate bleeding.

Guava leaf Extracts in guava leaf have demonstrated ability to stimulate platelet production. Platelets are special cells which congregate at bleeding sites to block leakages, and should be helpful in hemorrhaging conditions.

Ewedu This is a deep green vegetable popular among the Yoruba tribe of South-Western Nigeria. The English name for Ewedu is Corchorus or Jew’s mallow from many studies; it is packed with vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and many antioxidants which protect the body against free radical and the degenerative diseases they cause. The A-C-E vitamins support collagen health. Besides, there are Beta carotene, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and the B vitamins. There are about 40 species of this vegetable, which feature in cuisines worldwide.

Other Ideas

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ROM Alternative Medicine point of view, there are rem edies for every presentation of Ebola virus fever. But the biggest picture, as always, is a robust immune system.

We all take the immune system for granted. Yet it is the solution to all the ailments which seek to assail the body. We must proceed in this journey for a cure by conceding infinite wisdom to the Almighty creator of all things. In His Wisdom is the body endowed with immunity against everything harmful to it. In His Wisdom, too, is the earth commanded to bring forth food and medicine for maintaining this endowment in optimal performance. We must recognise also that, in spite of this, the body has no life of its own. It is mud or earth animated by an in-dweller, the human spirit, that resident which can speak of the body in terms of… “my hand” or… my head” or… “my body” the human spirit, the I or You which glows through this body as “the breath of life “from God. If the spirit glows well, through spiritual not religious activities, the body is robustly healthy when, in addition to that glow, it is well nourished and looked after. It is from these directions that the following ideas are suggested. The suggestions are based on the presentation of Ebola virus fever.

Pain in neck and joints Toxins from the virus must be causing irritation and inflammation which, in turn, must be producing pain. The first step should be to detoxify the system of these toxins by stimulating the eliminate organs, in particular the liver, kidneys and bowels, to eliminating them. For the liver, we shouldn’t be tired of Milk thistle, Jerusalem Artichoke, Carqueja or the proprietary blends such as Liver balance and Liver Health. Club Moss, Maria Treben Bitters, ChankaPiedra, greater Celandine, Dandelion, Tumeric Peppermint, Garlic Grape fruit, Beef root, Carrots, green tea, Olive Oil, Lemon and lime, walnut cabbage for the kidneys, there are Bell’s kidney cleanse and function Tea, Kidney Rescue, Dandelion, Horsetail, Yarrow, Maria Treben Bitters, Golden rod, Bedstraw, nettle, and Corn Silk, among many others, Siberian ginseng, charka piedra, urvaursi, marsh malbio, parsley.

Headache

In many Nigerian Alternative Medicine circles, Bitter Kola has been suggested as a possible cure. It is suspected that the bioflavonoids in Bitter Kola hold the key. By their nature, bioflavonoids are antiviral, like Vitamin C, and work with Vitamin C to build and maintain the collagen matrix of the body.

Collagen is a protein which helps to hold the cells together.

There are about 100 trillion cells in the adult human body. Collagen, acting like the cement mortar which holds together the blocks of a house, holds the cells and, therefore, the body to-

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

gether. In Ebola Virus fever, it would appear the collagen matrix in blood vessels is damaged and the clotting factor disarranged. Such damage could cause a weakening of the blood vessels and make blood leak from them. As the blood leaks, the in-built clotting factor of the blood system ought naturally to block the leakages. But it does not, suggesting its task is overwhelming and it cannot cope, or that the virus has disabled it alongside the damage to the collagen bonding. This then could lead to massive internal bleeding (hemorrhaging) which may reduce the blood volume over time and cause the heart to collapse. Collagen destruction and rehabilitation occurs throughout the body, but not on the scale impacted by Ebola virus fever.

In Retinitis pigmentosa, a condition in which blood leaks from blood vessels into the retina of the eyes, obscuring vision or causing blindness, damage to collagen by free radicals or other factors has probably occurred. Even floaters of the eyes have been linked by some doctors to this phenomenon.

I will not be surprised if Bitter kola extracts inhibit Ebola virus. I know it to be antibiotic and antiviral. Whenever I suspect food poisoning and I chew one or two of this kola, that’s the end of the story. And haven’t we learned a lot from professor Adefule – Oshitelu, the ophthalmologist of about 40 years at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) who has developed extracts of bitter kola into an eye drop for the management of glaucoma? Nigerian researchers, especially at the university of Port Harcourt have studied bitter kola effects on the liver and found it to be heap (live) protective.

This may be due to spasms of nerves troubled by toxins from Ebola virus. They can be due, also, to stress and digestive disorders, if the virus is ravaging the bowels. Some useful suggestions are magnesium (Natural Calm), Blue vervain, Chramomile, Cayeme, Elder flower, Feverfau, Skullcap, Rosemary, Peppermint, Majoram, Passion flower, Valerian Root and wormwood among several others.

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

• Continued next week

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AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF AKWA IBOM STATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, CHIEF (DR) GODSWILL OBOT AKPABIO BY CONCERNED ELDERS FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF MR. THOMAS THOMAS, EDITOR OF GLOBAL CONCORD NEWSPAPER. e are concerned elders of Akwa Ibom State who are genuinely interested in the harmonious co existence of the linguistic groups in Akwa Ibom State. We have followed His Excellency’s developmental strides and commend his government for the improvement of several infrastructure in our state. His Excellency started well in 2007 and we wish him God’s speed as he nears the end of his administration.

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urge His Excellency to drop charges of terrorism preferred against Mr. Thomas Thomas. We call for his immediate and unconditional release. Release Thomas Thomas today. As a lawyer, His Excellency, the Governor needs not be reminded that any infraction by the media does not call for such high handed reaction as have characterized his administration so far.

The Gestapo style arrest and continued detention of a patriotic Ibibio son, Mr. Thomas Thomas has taken an ethnic coloration.

Tension has long set in following that mindless arrest and indefinite incarceration of this celebrated journalist by the SSS on 1st of July 2012, a period of over one month on the orders and pleasure of His Excellency and Akwa Ibom State Government. The continued detention of the journalist is an extension of the pogrom on Ibibio people of Akwa Ibom State that has characterized this administration since 2007 but this time, in another dimension.

Akwa Ibom people have accepted assurances of security agencies in the state that no Paramount Ruler of Ibibio origin was marked for assassination. It remains for the State Government to drop charges of terrorism preferred against the Editor and release him to douse ethnic tension that is building up in the state.

We quite agree that the allegation that was raised by the report published by Global Concord Newspaper which led to the arrest of Mr. Thomas Thomas was weighty. However, we wish to rely on His Excellency’s explanation that it was not true and his demonstrated commitment thereafter to secure our traditional rulers as seen in the provision of noticeable security presence in and around the palaces of traditional rulers in Akwa Ibom State.

But as we hold His Excellency innocent in the alleged plot to eliminate some vocal paramount rulers of Ibibio extraction, we quickly recall the trauma that Ibibio people in particular and Akwa Ibom State in general were thrown into in 2011 when His Eminence, Edidem Robert James Obot, Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area was brutally assassinated in broad day light. There was no premonition that a revered traditional ruler and totem of Ibibio people globally was a target and can be so targeted. If there was any such clue, the press then may have been so docile and refused to make it public maybe for fear of being hounded by your government and security agencies.

As Elders, we believe Thomas Thomas, in relying on his source after due analysis of the information at his disposal, acted in the best interest of the state as the state would have been thrown into anarchy and further ethnic distrust if any such gory assassination was repeated. The journalist’s aim may then have been that of alerting the state government and her security apparatus of a likely repeat of the 2010 unwarranted attack on Ibibio people and their traditional rulers. Constitutionally, journalists are whistle blowers and watchdogs of the society and government must strive not to hunt them down when they raise any alarm, real or speculative, rather, it should step up action to nip any untoward occurrence in the bud. We also wonder how the professional indiscretion of Mr. Thomas Thomas amounted to terrorism to have warranted his abduction by your agents.

Consequently, we frown at any attempt to use security forces to cow media practitioners in Akwa Ibom State. We therefore join civil society groups and well meaning Akwa Ibomites to

This call is on the heels of stories by concerned Annang persons detailing how Obong Victor Attah, our immediate past governor tolerated seemingly false and speculative stories published by Annang indigenes to discredit his government but at no point did Obong Attah prosecute any journalist on account of what was published against him. It is on this note that we urge His Excellency, Governor Godswill Akpabio to show more maturity and continue to tolerate the media as he winds up his government.

Once again and finally, we commend His Excellency for raising the level of development in the state and urge him to do more to justify the huge resources that have accrued to the state in his era.

Signed: General Edet Akpan (Rtd) Former Director General, NYSC, Atta Ibibio.

Obongawan Rita Akpan, Former SSG, Former Minister for Women Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Effiong Dickson Bob, Chairman, Governing Council, University of Benin Obong Sunny Jackson Udoh, Political Leader, Uyo Senatorial District Obong (Engr.) Effiok Akpan, Former Governorship Aspirant, NRC, Political Leader Obong (Engr.) Bassey Inuaeyen, Former Governorship Aspirant, PDP, Political Leader Obong Nsima Umoh, Banker, Former Governorship Aspirant, PDP Akparawa Okon Imeh, Past President, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Obongawan (Pharmacist), Dora Ebong, Foremost Women Leader Akparawa Udo Sam Umoatang, Past President, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Obong (Engr) Offiong Akpabio, Political Leader Chief Udoisim Emah Uboh, Former Commissioner and Community Leader Chief Friday Okono, Community Leader, Nsit Atai

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e-Business

IT security professionals blame govt, banks for frauds

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GROUP, Information Technology System and Security Professional (ITSSP), has blamed the government and banks for persistent online bank frauds, arguing that the lenders prefer to put the cart before the horse.

Its President, Rogba Adeoye, said the banks put the security of transactions at the end of the ladder, adding that as technology is being deployed, its security should also be of importance to the organisations.

He said the cash-less policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is facing challenges because it is

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

technology-driven, arguing that fraudsters are working round the clock to defeat the technology.

He said the time had come for the government to appoint chief information security officer of the federation. State governments should also replicate it.

Adeoye said: “The fundamental problem of cashless in the society is that its technology driven. Since technology is at the root, there will be a lot of people that want to defraud within the system while the people deploying the technology will be eager to deploy

Akpabio praises Best Airtel Partner

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KWA Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio has described the the Best Airtel Distribution Partner in Nigeria award won by Idems Ultimate Ltd, the state company, as a reflection of the state’s spirit of industry, integrity and honesty.

In a statement, Idems Ultimate, founded by Mr Uyime Idem, got the crown this the year and was honoured in a ceremony in Eko Hotel, Lagos.

Idem carted home a Land Cruiser (2014 Model) and an i35 Hyundai Sports Utility Vehicle for being the number one Airtel partner. He also won the same prize last year.

Akpabio, who expressed the delight of the government and the good people of the state over Mr. Idem’s success, described it as the result of hard work, diligence and good conscience.

He noted that these attributes

exhibited by Idem were the reason Nigerians, in search of honest people to keep their homes, sought house helps from Akwa Ibom, noting that he had to change the narrative with the free and compulsory education policy so that instead of running peoples’ homes, Akwa Ibom children would run the economy and businesses applying these same attributes.

He posited that Idem was blazing a trail, which would soon be hopefully be followed by other Akwa Ibom business people as the enabling environment for business persons to maximise their potentials has been put in place by his administration.

Idem thankeds Akpabio for creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the state, and said without such an environment he would not have recorded the enviable achievements.

Etisalat sponsors first set of telecoms engineers

E

TISLAT, through its Telecommunications Engineering Programme, has announced that the first set of intakes to the Masters programme have concluded a four-week internship with its technical team.

Its Director Brands & Communication, Enitan Denloye said: “The internship programme is a compulsory part of the programme for the beneficiaries.

He said: “Etisalat hosted a four week internship period as part of the compulsory course requirement for the Masters programme.

According to a statement, the first set of intakes has concluded this internship with our highly trained technical team in Abuja.

“In addition, Etisalat has provided access to e-resources for the programme to students and lecturers alike. Apart from the internship, we are also sponsoring lecturers of ABU to undertake doctorate degrees in Telecommunication Engineering at the University of Plymouth in the UK. The first two lecturers are in the first year of the

programme, while plans are in place for another set of lecturers to proceed by the end of this year.”

A beneficiary of the programme, Mr. Bello Habeeb said it has enriched his knowledge. He said: ‘ETEP is an excellent programme, which would equip engineering graduates with the capacity and expertise in optimally staffing the telecommunications sector; and graduates from this programme would also serve as manpower to effectively steer the telecommunication industry which has been tagged as the backbone of the new economy.’

Another participant, Mr. Chuks Nzefili said the opportunity has demystified the myth between theory and practical. He said: “The ETEP internship has helped bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge in the classroom and practical experience on the field, thus deepening the knowledge acquisition process.

Etisalat Nigeria is building capacity and enabling the creation of resource persons in Telecoms Engineering.

That is the best that can be done for a nation.”

How ICT can grow MSME, by CWG chief

C

HIEF Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc, Austine Okere has said if the appropriate technology is deployed, it could redefine the growth of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

Speaking on the cloud-based business model solution the firm developed for MSMEs sector called SMERP and Webshop, he said they are designed to enable the 17.7 million MSMEs in the country increase sales and run their businesses more efficiently.

He said following CWG’s participation in the SME Summit, a side event of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa where its cloud based business modelSMERP and Webshop were demonstrated live to SMEs owners, the firm has continued to engage with

partners and stakeholders working to improve the business of the 17.7 million MSMEs in Nigeria.

Okere, also an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Columbia Business School, New York, said enabling existing MSMEs to even employ one more person a year creates millions of jobs and grows the economy much more than any big investment would.

The vision of CWG tallies with that of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).

Director-General, Alhaji Bature Umar Masari welcomed Mr. Okere and his team to SMEDAN. He recounted the key role SMEDAN is playing to mid-wife the various programmes that the Federal Government and its agencies are directing at the SMEs’ sector.

their services. So it is like antivirus and virus. The antivirus comes out every day while the people that produce virus are busy trying to prove that they cannot be defeated.

The solution is to go e-everything. e-everything means egovernance. e-governance is not the same thing as e-government. e-governance means e-commerce, e- business, e-transaction and epayment. Within all these, electronics works.”

He recalled that the bank failures that were recorded in the past was also due to the absence of mechanisms to checkmate unwholesome

activities, adding that the initial hiccups that accompanied the introduction of ATMs have gradually eased off.

Adeoye said the CBN was trying to secure the payment platforms, arguing that it is the responsibility of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

He said NITDA has a comprehensive document that contains Information Technology Security and Network Security Standard firms, lamenting that what is lacking is implementation.

His words: “ITSSP now wants to take that document as our bible

and champion enforcement and compliance.

Let’s go for compliance, let the leader use the resources available. We will develop the capacity. We must appoint a National Information Security Officer. Somebody has to be in charge of information security technology of Mr President, Mr Governor of the CBN.” Adeoye said that billions of dollars are wasted yearly by banks to secure their payment platforms by foreigners, adding that the place of proper identity management in the scheme could not be overemphasised.

Network challenges ‘ll not impede mobile health

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HE National Mobile Health Insurance Programme (NMHIP) launched by the Salt & Einstein MTS in partnership with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and MTN Nigeria, will succeed despite low quality of services by global system for mobile communication (GSM) service providers.

Salt $ Einstein MTS Executive Officer, Mr Lai Labode spoke on the sideline of the launch of the project in Lagos.

He said it would grow the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) as a healthy workforce will produce more, adding that the management of the firm took the circumstances of the country into cognizance before coming out with the initiative.

He said: “Salt & Einstein MTS is the first mobile financial service aggregator in Africa who facilitated the recent partnership between NHIS and MTN Nigeria that will eventually see MTN, offering mobile healthcare services to its sub-

By Ebunoluwa Oladele

scribers, in collaboration with NHIS, through the mobile phone, on a single mobile financial service platform, created by Salt & Einstein MTS. “While creating the single platform and facilitating the collaboration, we were not oblivious of network challenges currently faced by subscribers, neither were we afraid of the weak infrastructure rollout in the country. We rather saw opportunities in these perceived challenges because we knew the enormous benefits that the initiative would bring to Nigeria and Nigerians.”

According to him, any focused businessman would always see opportunities in challenges and would thread in areas where others are scared of threading because of the potential opportunities that are associated with challenges of any magnitude.

He said in spite of the perceived

challenges, subscriber figures have continued to grow while teledensity is almost 95 per cent.

Similarly, mobile phone penetration has kept increasing arguing that he is convinced that perceptions would not negatively affect the mobile healthcare initiative.

“As we make progress with the initiative, telecoms operators will continue to improve on their services and also increase infrastructure rollout in the country. The reason is because they are in business to make profit and will do everything possible to maintain best service quality offering in order to keep their customers,” he said.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr. Mike Ikpoki said the scheme will remove barriers from Nigerians. He said: “At MTN, we believe that health insurance contributes to the removal of financial barriers to healthcare, thereby giving people unrestricted access to good health care without having to pay out-ofpocket.”

• From left: Head Innovations, CWG, Tayo Oduwole; Group CTO, James Agada; Director-General/CEO, SMEDAN, Bature Umar Masari; GMD/CEO, CWG Austin Okere; Regional Manager, North, Nasiru Izegwire during a meeting in Abuja.

‘Broadband penetration vital to online business growth’ T HE Managing Director, Shop to My Door, an online trading platform, Mr Nduka Udeh, has said broadband penetration is needed to boost online trading in the country, adding that efforts of the government in this direction will address the issue if purposefully pursued.

According to him, broadband availability has helped the firm to stabilise, arguing that when it first started, is started paying as much as $1,000 per month for a 256 kilo watt per second connection but now, it is just $100 for a four mega bytes per second connection.

“So the cost of bandwidth has been falling and it is good for online trade,” he said.

He said online shopping provides users a save, convenient and dependable means of purchasing items, adding that in spite of the teething problems confronting the sub-sector, it will

By Oluoma Omeihe and Olawunmi Kolad

continue to grow and contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Speaking at an ATM & Card Expo at eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, he said most people fail to realise that the money they ought to have saved shopping online by way of clearing and forwarding costs are taken off their necks when they shop online.

According to him, with offices in the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US) and China, all the clients needed to do is use their automated teller machine (ATM) cards to shop from online stores in those with ease at the comfort of their homes and get it delivered between three and four days or four and six weeks depending on

the type of shipping they desire.

According to Udeh, fears about the security of online transactions may be keeping some people away from taking advantage of the platform, he however said the platform deployed by the firm is such that does not store the data of the customer, saying once the transaction is carried out, nothing concerning the card holders is ever stored.

He said: “We encourage customers to pay for their items online and whenever they are having difficulties with it they pay through our website.

Shop to My Door operates on a platform that doesn’t store cardholders’ data and once the payment goes, the card details automatically deletes. We use FFL encryption, verified by Visa and MasterCard’s secured option.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

59

SHOWBIZ

2face’s new album rocks Billboard charts

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IKE his previous works, The Ascension album, by Nigerian pop singer, 2face Idibia, has attained international feat, barely two weeks after it was released.

The album premiered at number 12 on the charts under the “World Albums” category of the universally-acclaimed ‘BillBoard World Album Chart’.

Apparently, the achievement is exciting to the artiste and his 960 Music label, as he continues to blaze the trail among artistes of his generation.

“2face Idibia would like to say a big “Thank You” to Beat FM, Cool FM, Inspiration FM, Brilla FM, Eko FM, Top Radio FM, Bond Fm, Rhythm FM, Rainbow FM, Wazobia FM, Traffic Radio, Classic FM , Metro FM, SMOOTH FM, Nigeria Info, RayPowerFM, StarFM, Radio Continental, Naija Fm, Unilag FM, Choice FM City FM, NOUN FM, Faji Fm, Radio Lagos, MiTV,

AIT, TVC, STV, NTA, Galaxy TV, Nigiezie, MTV Base, Channel O, Soundcity, Trace, HIP TV and all other Blogs, Radio and TV Stations who have shown continuous support over the years,” a statement from 960 Music company reads in part.

The listing of The Ascension is a major achievement

for an African artiste.

According to BillBoard, Chart positions are usually determined based on key fan interactions with music, including album sales and downloads, track downloads, radio airplay and touring, as well as streaming and social interactions on Facebook, Twitter, Vevo,

YouTube, Spotify and other popular online destinations for music.

The inclusion of 2Face Idibia’s The Ascension album on the charts is an indication of the general success of the album, not only in Nigeria, but across the continent and the entire globe.

Davido clears air on Ebola stigma

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HILE on concert in Philadelphia, Nigerian singer, Davido, ran into mucky waters when a twitter fan accused him of stigmatising his Liberian fans over Ebola pandemic. The fan who tweeted with the handle @Djversatile Tenelee, said;” I’m gonna keep it real with my folks. Something did not sit well with me after Davido concert tonight at Trilogy Night Club in Philadelphia. One thing Nigeria artistes or any African artists should know when it comes to Africa is that, it should be where you advocate, because at the end of the day its home. Don’t matter what part of Africa you are from. As we all know it’s a Ebola epidemic in Liberia and most part of West Africa.

Femi Kuti, D’banj, Omawumi storm US for Africa Summit

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IGERIAN artistes, led by D’Banj, have all arrived in US for the ongoing US-Africa Summit which kicked off on Monday. The stars, who make up One Campaign ambassadors, include Cobhams Asuquo, Omawumi, Femi Kuti and Victoria Kimani. They were joined by Sipho Moyo, the Africa Executive Director of the One Campaign.

The summit also has President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other v

Artistes support Julius Agwu for Crack Ya Ribs London

T

HE 2014 London edition of comedy concert, Crack Ya Ribs, hosted by ace comedian, Julius Agwu is set to hold in the later part of this month.

According to the host of the show, Glasgow city will be the first to experience the concert on August 22 before the London show on August 24 at the Hackney Empire.

The train will later move to Manchester on August 28 for another rib cracking edition at Roots Restaurant while the last stop will be at Aberdeen on August 30 at Café Drummond.

Agwu revealed that the concert will parade music stars such as Phyno and Patoranking. Comedians already penciled down to deliver jokes to guests are Akpororo, Osama, Monkalas, Romeowivoutjuliet and Pencil. Two prominent London based disc jockeys, DJ Abass and DJ Osa Jatt will be on the wheels of steel.

This year’s event, Agwu stated, is supported by Arik Air, Diamond Bank, Gistfactory and Lebara Mobile. Over the years, Crack Ya Ribs has held in different cities across the world such as Atlanta, Texas, Glasgow, Manchester, Lagos, Abuja, PortHarcourt and London.

top Nigerians in attendance.

Following his recent venture into agriculture, D’banj was on American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) with Africa George Stephanopoulo recently, where he talked about agriculture and poverty, as an ambassador for One Campaign’s agriculture initiative.

The artiste has also featured in the Cocoa Na Chocolate song created to raise awareness on agriculture in Africa.

By Mercy Michael Upon the way to Philadelphia for a concert, Davido & HNK gang mentioned they did not want to contract Ebola from Liberian girls. I for one felt upset knowing most of his fans are from Liberia.

Immediately the message was released, it became a hot gist on twitter. Shortly afterwards, a twitter row had ensued among his fans who were divided on the issue.

Another fan with the tweeter handle @barbybenson, who didn’t believe that Davido could say such had to reach out to the music star. “Please address it cuz I honestly love ur music and respect u as an artist and is upset by it,” he tweeted.

Upon reading it, Davido replied the fan with a tweet; “Please don’t believe the rumours people are so jobless to make up stuff and put false words into my mouth! Did not and cannot say such things”.

The reigning hip hop sensation who is presently on tour US and has been enjoying mad love from his fans across the globe.

Pasuma, Tiwa Savage in duet

F

UJI artiste, Wasiu Alabi is currently working his hands on a new album and to spice it up, has also done a duet with Tiwa Savage. The song, titled Ife, appears on the artiste’s hip hop album, which presently has three singles Abo, Omo Olopesope and O Ti Clear released.

Better known as Pasuma Wonder, the Fuji star, in a recent interview stated that the track is something a lot of people have been waiting for. “I mentioned my intention to record a hip hop album in 2009 but I have been too busy working on so many other projects. Right now I am pushing everything aside to record a nine tracker hip hop al-

bum that will blow everyone’s mind away.

“Everyone is talking about it and the responses have been very good. Ife is a love song and having Tiwa on it is like Fuji making love with R&B. it is a song everyone will like, not only because of the rhythm and lyrics, but also because I did the unexpected,” he said.

Other artistes featured on the album include 9ice, Wande Coal, Banky W.

Ebola scare: Jim Iyke offers apology

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OLLYWOOD actor, James Ikechukwu Okolue, popularly known as Jim Iyke, on Wednesday apologised over an Instagram message he sent on the Ebola virus. According to the controversial actor, he did not mean to scare anyone or make mockery of the disease situation.

“May I humbly apologise if my comments on Ebola – based on fear – were taken out of context. The last thing I wanted to do was to alarm anyone,” he said in statement.

Iyke, last week, posted a photo of himself at the airport in Monrovia, capital of Liberia, about to jet off from that country.

According to the post, Iyke had fled the country, cutting short his business trip over

fears of contracting the disease.

The virus is believed to have killed over 800 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since the outbreak began in February, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) records.

Following unpleasant reaction from fans, the actor has also rendered an apology to families and persons affected by the deadly virus.

“My heart goes out to all the families who have been affected by the Ebola virus – those who have lost their lives or loved ones, those who are still bravely fighting the disease and all of the communities who are battling to keep the infection under control.

You are all in my prayers,” he said.

On the need to have him

Entertainers brace up for 2014 CAMA

A screened of the virus, the actor added: “As I travel constantly across continents, most recently USA, Senegal, Liberia, Ghana, Gambia, I have been screened where and when necessary along with the other passengers.

“I believe it is the responsibility of every citizen to be vigilant and help contain the outbreak by following the advice of the local and international medical professionals and government officials,” he stated.

LL is set to hold the 2014 edition of Classic Africa Merit Awards (CAMA), an event designed to reward those who have contributed immensely to their chosen professions.

Scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 10at 10 Degrees Event Centre, Oregun, Lagos, the fourth edition of CAMA commences with a red carpet from 2pm.

According to the founder and publisher of Classic International Magazine, Dave Agwazim, affirmed that Sunday’s event, which is targeted towards celebrating the five years existence of the magazine, will see the

awardees drawn from entertainment, business, politics, education, media, religion and sports.

“This year’s CAMA is going to be very unique because, some of our Award recipients will be coming including the President, Enugu US Dr. Ifesinachi Ugwuonye; Ikay Afrique, a promoter of Nollywood in Texas, US and UK as well as Mr. Sam Onwuka, a London-based Nollywood Promoter,” Agwazim stated.

The first edition of the awards took place at Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Lagos, which was opened by the former Governor of Lagos State, Chief Lateef Jakande.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

60

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Misfortune (4)

1. Canoe (4) 4. Price (4)

2. Keen (4)

7. Container (4)

3. Until (3)

8. Father (2)

4. Gonorrhea (4)

9. Tack (4)

5. Range (4)

11. Not Near (4)

6. Prostititute (4)

13. Final (3)

10. Insect (3)

14. Wasted (5)

12. Gave food (3)

15. Indicating location (2)

14. Pig’s pen (3)

17. Grain (3)

15. Skill (3)

19. Unit (2)

16. Verruca (4)

21. Aid in crime (4)

18. Asia (4)

24. Pain (4)

19. Exclamation (2)

26. Eggs (3)

20. Tide (4)

27. As it is (2)

22. Boyfriend (3)

28. Narrated (4)

23 Fish (3)

29. Net (4)

25. Expression of surprise (3)

WORD PUZZLE

ShOwBiTz

Kerry Washington Finds route through the Aisle

Olivia Pope is off the market. In a move worthy of her TV alter-ego, Kerry Washington has secretly wed San Francisco 49ers cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on June 24 in Hailey, Idaho.

Bet you didn’t even know she was dating. Hell I didn’t!

The secret ceremony was witnessed by only closest friends and family and the marriage certificate was witnessed by the actress’ parents, Earl and Valerie.

Minister Chisaraukwu Asomugha officiated the nuptials.

The last known relationship Kerry was in was with her fiancé David Moscow whom she was with from 2004 to 2007. In her last tweet before taking a break Kerry wrote, “Ok. Logging off! See u in a few weeks! SO excited 4 all u UK #Gladiators about 2 experience Season 2! Spread the word!”

Congrats Kerry and Nnamdi!

Pep Talk

Find alternative words to the clues below and fill them in their spaces in the grid.When you are done another word for ‘APPEALING’ would be spelt. The first one has been solved to spur you on.

poetry

A B A T E

What is Fear?

I lay on my bed soaking my pillow with my tears, I try to remember exactly what it is that I fear.

Is it the passing of time or the love that I lack?

Is it the mistakes that I’ve made or the fact that I can’t bring the past back?

What is it that I’m afraid of?

Why am I so scared?

Is it the people I’ve hurt or the people that have hurt me?

Am I afraid of everything that I cant seem to see?

Is it the love of a friend, or the loss of my family?

Is it the possibility that my life can end in a tragedy?

What is it that I fear most?

What do my eyes say I’m scared of?

Is it the sun that sets but won’t seem to rise?

Is it the hope that I have that always seems to die?

Is it the trust of a person that I cannot begin to grasp?

Is it all the memories of my horrid past?

Is it me?

Can it possibly be that the thing I fear most is the thing I can’t be?

The things that I try to understand?

The me that I try to be with when I’m feeling sad?

The person I’m expected to be? Is that what I fear? . . .

I think the thing I fear most . . .is me

Bianca

Flores

Smile A smile is cheer from you to me, the cost is nothing its given for free.

They console the weary and gladden the sad.

And can make someone happy when they are mad.

Unlike blessings in which we pray its the only thing you keep when you give it away.

- Heather Black

CLUES 1. Ebb 2. Fact 3. Vagrant 4. Awaken 5.Turn Away

6. Crawl 7. Flatter 8. Inaction 9. Speak out 10.Occurrence

HUMOUR

Teacher & Student Teacher :What happened in 1809?

Student: Abraham Lincoln was born.

Teacher :What happened in 1819?

Student: Abraham Lincoln was ten years old Teacher: How old is********** your dad.

Student: He is as old as I am.

Teacher: How is it possible?

Student: Because he became a dad only after I was born.

A gift for girlfriend Man 1: I want to buy a gift for my girlfriend for her birthday but I don’t know what she would like. Give me a suggestion.

Man 2: Does she like you?

Man 1: Yes Man 2: Then she would like anything.

A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages; it is only one single mind which has been educated during all this time. - Bernard de Bovier de Fontenelle

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

61

MONEYLINK

AfDB plans $3b support for Power Africa project

CBN limits banks’ Tier 2 Capital to 33%

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has pegged Tier-2 or supplementary capital for banks at 33.3 per cent of Tier-1 Capital.

The CBN in a circular to banks signed by the Director, Banking Supervision, Mrs. Tokunbo Martins, said, henceforth, total Tier Two capital, including Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) Reserves should be limited to 33.33 per cent of total Tier One capital.

Tier 2 capital is supplementary bank capital that includes such items as, revaluation reserves, undisclosed reserves, hybrid instruments and subordinated term debt.

A bank’s reserve requirements include its Tier 2 capital in its calculation, but it is considered less reliable than its Tier 1 capital.

Mrs. Martins pointed out that lenders are required to note that unaudited OCI gains will not be recognised

A

Stories by Collins Nweze

as part of capital, while unaudited OCI losses shall be deducted from the institution’s capital in arriving at total qualifying capital.

The circular, titled: ‘Exclusion of Non-Distributable Regulatory Reserve and Other Reserves in the Computation of Regulatory Capital of Banks and Discount Houses,’ said the policy is part of the ongoing reforms by the regulator aimed at ensuring more prudent assessment of the regulatory capital of Money Deposit Banks.

She said this is also in line with global efforts aimed at raising the quality and loss absorbency of the capital base of banks.

The regulator said that the Regulatory Risk Reserve created pursuant to Section 12.4 (a) of the Prudential Guidelines which was effective on July 1, 2010, will henceforth be excluded from regulatory capital for the purposes of capital adequacy assessment.

•CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

Also, collective impairment on loans and receivables and other financial assets will henceforth not form part of Tier 2 capital, while OCI Reserves will be recognised as part of Tier 2 capital, subject to the limits set in the CBN Guidance Notes on the Calculation of Regulatory Capital.

Mrs. Martins said the provisions of this circular supersede the provisions of S. 12.4 (b) of the Prudential Guidelines as well as S. 2 of our Guidance Notes on the Calculation of Regulatory Capital.

K

transmission and processing of card data.

Speaking during the presentation ceremony, the Executive Director, Operations & Technology, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei, who stood in for the Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank, Philip Ikeazor, said that “Keystone Bank had engaged the services of PCI-DSS Qualified Security Assessors, Phillips Consulting Limited, to guide it through the implementation of the standard and conduct the final certification assessment.”

She said the result of the assessment is that amongst other things, Keystone

Bank achieved the “creation of a restricted Card Data Environment within our network; the identification and sanitisation of card data from the general network environment and Provision of training for our staff on card data security best practices and general awareness building on the PCI-DSS requirements.”

While presenting the certificate, Mr. Wole Ogundare, Associate Partner, Phillips Consulting had encouraged Keystone Bank to continue to the atmosphere of compliance noting that “Compliance is not a destination but a journey.”

U

NION Bank is to boost its loan portfolio by 30 per cent in the second-half of 2014, after increasing it by 10 per cent in the first six months, targeting retail and business customers, its Chief Finance Officer, Mrs. Oyinkan Adewale, has said.

“In the second half we would do 30 percent (in loans). We closed December 2013 at N231 billion loan book.

We are looking generally in the region of 40 per cent growth for 2014,” she told Reuters.

Union Bank was bailed out in 2009, along with eight other Nigerian banks in the wake of the financial

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGET FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,672.85 1,114.49 121.71 1,087.30 1.3620 1.3560 1.0221 1.1841

167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,672.85 1,113.68 120.82 1,087.00

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 30/07/2014 23/07/2014 21/07/2014

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Amount Offered in ($) 400m 300m 400m

Amount Sold in ($) 381.27m 272.9m 399.01m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES August 1, 2014

Inflation: June

8.2%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves

GAINERS AS AT 06-08-14

crisis that hit the financial services sector.

A private equity consortium recapitalised the lender, which reported last week that its first-half pretax profit fell by a third, on lower gross earnings. Shares in Union Bank, which have fallen 14.3 per cent this year, were up 0.2 per cent at N8.20 yesterday.

Mrs. Adewale said she expected the second-half profit to be “strong” without giving a guidance for the full year, but said that the fall in the firsthalf was due to one-off writedowns in the first six months of 2013, which would not occur in the second half.

DATA BANK

Bid Price

1.3529 1.3570 1.0039 1.1841

Tanzania, the six Power Africa focus countries. Once implemented, these operations would contribute towards five to 10 per cent of the stated Power Africa goal of developing 10,000 megawatts of new power generation in SubSaharan Africa.

The AfDB supports far-reaching power sector reforms and provides technical assistance, financing and guarantees for power generation, transmission and distribution projects in Africa.

The AfDB Group – including the concessional lending window African Development Fund (ADF), to which the United States contributes – works directly with governments and private investors to advance critical reforms needed to attract public and private financing and build the capacity in Africa’s power sector. AfDB commitments to Africa’s energy sector currently total over $12 billion, and are projected to increase by $2 billion in the coming year.

Union Bank seeks 30% loan growth

Keystone Bank receives PCI-DSS Certification EYSTONE Bank has received a Certificate of Compliance on the successful completion of the Phillips Consulting assessment on Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI-DSS).

The PCI-DSS is an extensive set of guidelines developed by five of the top global payment card brands, and adopted worldwide by card services providers - Card Issuers, Banks, Transaction Switching Companies and Merchants - to better protect customers’ payment card information from compromise and fraud through increased controls around the storage,

FRICAN Development Bank (AfDB) Group President, Donald Kaberuka has reaffirmed the lender’s support to advance the Power Africa initiative, with a commitment of $3 billion over a five-year period.

This support was originally announced by the AfDB, as an anchor Power Africa partner on the continent, in July 2013. In 2013 only, AfDB interventions related to focus countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Tanzania) amounted to over $600 million.

Under the enhanced partnership announced Tuesday, the United States and AfDB will collaborate on scaling up the use of off-grid and mini-grid technologies, supporting geothermal power development, and strengthening regional power trading between African countries among others.

Over the next year, the AfDB expects to commit around a billion dollars in support of energy projects in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, and

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.3b

US Dollar

154.73

155.73

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

260.4415

262.1247

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

ETERNA

3.85

4.17

0.32

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

COURTVILLE

0.53

0.57

0.04

Money Supply (M2)

N15.9 trillion.

CCNN

14.56

15.33

0.77

Euro

207.3691

298.7093

BETAGLAS

16.30

17.11

0.81

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

170.4263

171.5277

Yen

1.5028

1.5177

CFA

0.2966

0.3166

236.1789

237.7053

Yuan/Renminbi

25.0351

25.1978

Riyal

41.2569

41.5236

SDR

27.8076

279873

NNFM

18.77

19.70

0.93

1.71

1.79

0.08

ETI

16.80

17.52

0.72

JBERGER

63.00

65.00

2.00

ACADEMY

MOBIL UBA

169.62

173.75

4.13

7.64

7.80

0.16

LOSERS AS AT 06-08-14

SYMBOL INFINITY

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

1.60

1.52

-0.08

61.99

58.90

-3.09

PORTPAINT

5.46

5.19

-0.27

CHAMPION

8.74

8.31

-0.43

VITAFOAM

4.33

4.12

-0.21

10.59

10.09

-0.50

TRANSEXPR

1.96

1.87

WAPIC

0.89

LIVESTOCK IKEJAHOTEL

MRS

NASCON

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

1M

12.175

12.101

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

FOREX RATES

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

T-bills - 364

10.22

-0.09

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

0.85

-0.04

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

3.28

3.14

-0.14

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

0.75

0.72

-0.03

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 06-08-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 06-08-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

63

EQUITIES

Conoil increases cash dividends by 301% to N2.8b

T

THE board of directors of Conoil Plc has recommended increase in cash dividends to shareholders by 300.6 per cent.

A regulatory filing obtained yesterday indicated that the board of directors of Conoil, at its meeting on Monday, approved the audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2013 including distribution of a gross dividend of N2.78 billion as cash dividends for the business year.

A breakdown of the dividend recommendation implies that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of N4, representing an increase of 300.6 per cent on N1 paid for the 2012 business year. Conoil had distributed N693.95 million as gross dividend for the 2012 business year.

The current dividend would be paid to shareholders on the register of the company as at August 25, 2014. Shareholders of the company are expected to approve the dividend payment at the annual

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

general meeting on September 26, 2014, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom. The dividend would subsequently be posted to shareholders on October 6, 2014.

Also, the board appointed Mr. Charles Uwaechie as an executive director with immediate effect.

Although the details of the company’s full-year results were not available as at press time, Conoil had shown impressive earnings in 2013. Nine-month report of Conoil for the period ended September 30, 2013 showed that pre and post tax profits rose by 341 per cent and 329 per cent respectively. While sales growth was modest at 6.0 per cent, the company had leveraged on increasingly efficient cost management and financing structure. Turnover rose to N121.80 billion in 2013 as against N114.77 billion in comparable period of 2012.

Profit before tax jumped from N699.42 million to N3.08 billion while profit after tax leapt to N2.09

billion as against N487.22 million recorded in corresponding period of 2012. With these, earnings per share stood at N3.01 by September 2013 as against 70 kobo by September 2012.

Management of Conoil had said they expected to drive performance with projected 65 per cent revenue increase from its nationwide retail outlets, especially newly commissioned mega stations. Performance was also expected to be augmented by additional income streams from new lubricant products launched earlier in the year as well as expected 72 per cent increase in probable revenue from the fullyderegulated lubricant business.

With its new production plant in Port Harcourt, Conoil plans to step up engine oil exports to West African markets as well as enter into joint venture partnerships with leading car manufacturing companies for the use of Conoil lubricants in their vehicle engines. It also expects additional incomes from ancillary

43500

N

43000 42500 42000 41500 41000 Mon

Tues

Wed Thurs

Fri

Mon

Tues

Wed Thurs

Fri

Wed Thurs

Fri

Mon

Tues

Timeline: July 14-Aug 06, 2014. Source: The Nation

Why we are raising new equity funds, by Diamond Bank chief

D

IAMOND Bank Plc would use the net proceeds of its ongoing new supplementary equity issue to strengthen its internal processes with a view to ensuring better returns to shareholders.

Speaking yesterday at a “Facts Behind the Figures” forum at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), group managing director, Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, told the investing public that the net proceeds of the N50.37 billion rights issue would put the bank in a better position to sustain impressive returns to shareholders.

Diamond Bank is currently offering a total of 8.69 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each to existing shareholders in the ratio of three new ordinary shares for every five ordinary shares held as of June 13, 2014 at N5.80 per share. The issue, which commenced on July 30, is scheduled to close on August 26.

Eighty six per cent of the net proceeds of the rights issue would be used for the expansion and refurbishment of the bank’s business locations while four per cent and 10 per cent would be used for the development of the bank’s information and technology infrastructure and as additional working capital respectively.

Otti said the rights issue with its “very large discount” was a way of compensating shareholders that have stood by the bank through thick and thin.

He urged shareholders to take advantage of the rights issue adding that the offer would ensure that the bank continued to have superior

returns.

He outlined that Diamond Bank has remained focused on supporting the real sector of the economy noting that the bank’s winning strategy revolved around “innovative market leading products, focus on retail segment, growth in high-end corporate banking clients, focus on human capital management, and driving business expansion through organic growth.”

“We believe organic growth is the way to go,” Otti said.

He pointed out that the bank has been the best performing Tier 2 bank since 2012 in terms of return on equity and stock market performance.

K

position in our core markets”, Adenuga said.

He outlined that the company’s strategy is to provide quality products and services that will make customers want to patronize its fuel and non-fuel products adding that the company would continue its aggressive acquisition and expansion drive that aims at increasing, substantially, the number of its retails outlets nationwide.

Adenuga noted that as part of the strategy to shore up the bottomline, the company has strengthened and consolidated its leadership position in the aviation business with investment in the acquisition of new world-class equipment to meet the demands, on real time basis, of the company’s ever-growing local and international clientele.

According to him, Conoil’s future is rosy because the company is constantly thinking ahead and acquiring additional capacity that is necessary for growth and profitability, despite the unpredictability of the economic environment.

Equities record modest gain amid increasing selling pressure

16-Day Pricing Trend at NSE P o i n t s

services including marketing of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) and Bitumen, which were reactivated in the first half of 2013 and were expected to boost sales as from the second half.

At the company’s last meeting with shareholders, chairman, Conoil Plc, Dr. Mike Adenuga, assured that the company has a robust growth strategy that places emphasis on continued investments and delivery and expansion of quality products and services.

According to him, the future outlook of the company remains bright as it has built stronger financial position and facilities that will create enduring value for shareholders.

“We will constantly develop strategies to sustain our position as the only marketer that always goes the extra mile for our ever growing customers, with total commitment to excellent service delivery. We firmly believe that such a robust strategy will ensure continued growth and stronger

In his remarks, chief finance officer, Diamond Bank, Mr. Abdulrahman Yinusa, who talked about the group’s half-year performance, said it achieved a return on equity of 19.2 per cent in first half 2014 with the return on equity expected to rise above 20 per cent for the full year, excluding impact of any increase in equity capital.

Yinusa added that the rights issue was expected to be 100 per cent subscribed at its close.

Otti said the half-year performance and the state of Diamond Bank currently was evidence that it was set for sustained growth.

IGERIAN equities recorded a modest average gain of 0.11 per cent or about N16 billion yesterday as the stock market showed marked slowdown in the gaining momentum than started on Tuesday.

With 38 decliners to 19 advancers, the marginal positive overall market situation was driven largely by a handful of highly capitalised stocks. The All Share Index (ASI), the composite index that tracks all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), inched up to 42,339.84 points as against its opening index of 42,292.93 points.

Aggregate market value of all quoted companies also rose marginally from its opening value of N13.965 trillion to close at N13.981 trillion, indicating an increase of N16 billion. The market had recorded an average return of 1.18 per cent yesterday.

The average-year-to-date return at the stock market inched up to 2.45 per cent yesterday, implying that an average investor has a modest return of 2.45 per cent on his portfolio so far this year. Adjusted for inflation rate of 8.2 per cent and interest, investors are currently trading at a loss.

Mobil Oil Nigeria topped the gainers’ list with a gain of

N4.13 to close at N173.75. Julius Berger Nigeria followed with a gain of N2 to close at N65.

Northern Nigeria Flour Mills rose by 93 kobo to N19.70. Beta Glass added 81 kobo to close at N17.11. Cement Company of Northern Nigeria garnered 77 kobo to close at N15.33. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated rose by 72 kobo to close at N17.52. Guaranty Trust Bank chalked up 54 kobo to close at N29.99. Nigerian Breweries rose by 50 kobo to N186.50.

Eterna added 32 kobo to close at N4.17 while FBN Holdings rose by 28 kobo to close at N15.25 per share respectively.

On the other hand, MRS Oil and Gas led the losers with a loss of N3.09 to close at N58.90.

Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria and Dangote Cement dropped

by N1 each to close at N123 and N228 respectively. Guinness Nigeria lost 86 kobo to close at N200. Stanbic IBTC Holdings declined by 70 kobo to N29.30 while National Salt Company of Nigeria dropped by 50 kobo to close at N10.09 per share.

Total turnover stood at 323.91 million shares valued at N4.87 billion in 5,738 deals. The three most actively traded stocks were Access Bank, with 43.81 million shares; Zenith Bank, with 40.32 million shares and Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), which recorded 26.41 million shares.

Kaduna signs N2b MoU with BoA, BoI

ADUNA State Gov ernment yesterday signed a two N2 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) as part of efforts to revive the agricultural sector and promote industrial development in the state.

The counterpart funding between the state government and the financial institutions is also to be used in granting small industries, create jobs, reduce poverty and subsequently create wealth.

Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero said the state government got the approval of the House of Assembly to use N500 million from its 2013 Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment program (SURE-P) funds as coun-

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

terpart fund to access the funds from the BoA while additional N500 million as loan from BoI to be used as counterpart fund to access that of the BoI. According to the him, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) remains a critical aspect in implementing the industrialisation policy of his administration to reduce poverty and create jobs and wealth among its citizenry.

While assuring of judicious use of the funds, he lamented the high interest rate charged by the commercial banks which according to him is a discouraging factor for assessing their loans.

“The state target is to develop its economy and make it economically independent without waiting for Federal allocation.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Santuraki averred that, once the agricultural sector and the SMEs are adequately taken care of, every other area of development will be captured.

He disclosed that the bank had so far spent about 2.4 billion naira to about 8,000 farmers in the state, while assuring that, there are plans to extend credit facilities to about 2,500 SMEs throughout the 23 local government area of the state.

“As we see expected successes,

we will very soon scale up the intervention funds” he assured.

Similarly, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Rashid Olaoluwa said the counterpart funding was geared towards the industrial development of the state.

He said, the synergy will provide platform for accelerated economic growth and transformation of the state, adding that, Kaduna State has now joined the league of dynamic states.

Mr. Olaoluwa also disclosed that BOI has disbursed over 23 billion naira as loans to businesses in the state while assuring of further and continuous support to the state government.

64

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

NEWS Death toll hits 932, says WHO Continued from page 4

World Health Organisation (WHO) experts are meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss a response to the outbreak.

The two-day meeting will decide whether to declare a global health emergency.

Ebola, a viral haemorrhagic fever, is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans, with a fatality rate of up to 90%.

A WHO statement said 932 patients had died of the disease in West Africa so far, with most of the latest fatalities reported in Liberia.

Concern has also been growing over a number of new cases in Nigeria, West Africa’s most populous nation. On Wednesday, a nurse who treated an Ebola patient became the second person to die of the disease there.

Nigeria’s Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu described the outbreak as a national

•General Overseer, Redeemed Chiristian Church of God Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and his wife Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye during the graduation of Redeemers Christian Bible College students on the third day of the 62nd Annual Convention of the church in Ogun State...yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC AYODELE

‘Sawyer disregarded directives not to travel out of Liberia’ Continued from page 4

United States Centre for Disease Control.

He spoke at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

The minister said those using the drug seem to be responding to treatment.

On efforts to contain the disease, he said the government would by isolation tents, which costs about N20 million apiece.

According to the plan, state governments will partner with the Federal Government to procure at least one per state. Lagos will have more because of its population.

The challenges being faced, he said, include location of the isolation tents as occu-

pants of such areas always protest and sometimes become violent while opposing the citing of the tents around their homes.

Nigeria has now recorded seven cases of the Ebola virus, with the first index case being from Liberia.

Chukwu said: “We have a national emergency; indeed the world is at risk. Nobody is immune. The experience in Nigeria has alerted the world that it takes just one individual to travel by air to a place to begin an outbreak.

“It is an emergency and, secondly, everyone is at risk. We have recorded seven confirmed cases, that were in contact with the first imported case from Liberia. Yesterday 5th August 2014, the first known Nigerian to die of the

EVD was recorded and this was one of the nurses that attended to the Liberian. The other five cases are being treated at the isolation ward in Lagos.”

For fear of stigmatisation, he said, the names of confirmed cases would not be made public yet.

“That is why we are protecting the identity of those affected. Stigmatisation will not solve the problem; it is maintaining good personal hygiene that can solve it,” he said Chukwu said: “The general public does not need hand gloves. Health personnel are the most vulnerable and they change the gloves regularly and do not take them home.

Also those at immigration points are advised to wear

gloves and to change regularly. The Ebola organism is weak outside the body, so frequent washing of hands and using hand sanitiser is advisable. Don’t try to form your own liquid.”

He also advised families of affected persons not to share bedsheets, pillow cases and towels, as they stand a great risk of contracting the virus through bodily fluid.

Stressing that the disease is contagious and infectious, the minister said: “If you are close to affected person you can contact via sneezing, coughing as they pass out droplets.

“The constitution provides that government has the right to quarantine anybody suspected to have Ebola in the interest of public health”.

Nurse who treated patient dies of Ebola virus in Lagos Continued from page 4

dress the developing situation. He noted that efforts were ongoing to address the situation.

Idris said volunteers, especially contact trackers, case management personnel, including doctors, nurses, environmental health workers, phlebotomists with experience and expertise in infectious disease control, were needed urgently.

He said the government was willing to take care of such volunteers in safety to personal health and life insurance cover.

“I, once again, allay the fears of health workers who have the requisite expertise needed to manage these confirmed and probable cases.

The bottom line is that if we cannot provide the requisite quality and quantity of health workers needed for the management of these cases, outsiders would find it difficult

to come in and help as is the case in scare human resource in health settings,: Idris said.

He urged business men and women engaged in the commerce of materials and equipment critically needed in the management of the outbreak “not to cash in on this unfortunate situation by hiking the prices of their commodities such as gloves, sanitisers, decontamination equipment and chemicals.”

Idris said 27 persons had been traced in the secondary contact tracing as at yesterday.

On the Centre for the Treatment of Tuberculosis (TB) in Lagos Mainland, the commissioner said: “If we need to move the people with TB there to another place, we will move them, so that we can properly separate those infected with Ebola virus.”

Appealling to the striking doctors, he said, doctors at this time should sheath their swords and return to work because there is a national health

emergency at hand.

He added: “There is no panic as long as basic precautionary measures, such as hand washing, adoption of appropriate waste management and enhanced personal/environmental hygiene, are adhered to.

“Burial ceremonies where mourners, including family members, have direct contact with patients who died of Ebola have also played a role in the spread. Direct contact with bodies should be minimised at this period even as washing and burial of such bodies should be professionally handled with safety to personal health of handlers being a cardinal focus.”

At the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, screening of passengers have been stepped up.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) and Federal Ministry of Health officials screening passengers with infra red equipment at

the arrival halls.

The screening with infra red equipment and hand gloves is to avoid body contact with passengers.

The screening of in - bound passengers is in three stages.

These are distribution of forms to ascertain their health status, checking of the aircraft and screening of the passengers with infra red equipment before they embark on immigration protocols.

Facilities have been provided at the airport for passengers who manifest unusual body temperature and other symptoms of the Ebola virus .

Scores of Port Health personnel, wearing white gloves are stationed at various units in the arrival hall to carry out body temperature tests on the arriving passengers.

FAAN spokesman Yakubu Dati described the screening as part of efforts taken by the government to curtail the spread of the virus.

Spain to accept Europe’s first confirmed Ebola case Continued from page 4

It will be the first time a confirmed case of Ebola is to be treated on European soil.

Hospitals across United States are isolating and testing potential Ebola patients, erring on the side of caution as the largest Ebola outbreak to date rages in West Africa.

A 46-year-old Columbus, Ohio, woman who recently travelled to one of the three countries affected by the out-

break is being held in isolation at a local hospital, the Columbus health department said yesterday. She was hospitalised several days ago but is “doing well” as she awaits Ebola test results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which are expected, the health department said.

The CDC last week sent a health alert to hospitals across United States urging them to ask patients about their travel history to help identify poten-

tial Ebola cases. The CDC said has tested blood samples from six people with possible Ebola symptoms who had recently traveled to West Africa.

Emergency room physicians at Johns Hopkins Medicine thought one of their patients had Ebola on Friday, but it turned out to be a false alarm, according to an internal memo obtained by ABC News.

The patient was ultimately diagnosed with malaria, but

Dr. Trish Perl, a senior epidemiologist at the hospital in Baltimore, wrote in a memo to her staff that those involved did a “remarkable job” identifying and isolating the patient as well as making sure a minimal number of people were at risk for contracting the virus.

“This is a ‘wake up’ call for all of us to recognize that we are vulnerable because of the patients we serve and our location,” Perl wrote.

emergency, adding that “everyone in the world is at risk” because of air travel The Saudi man who was suspected of contracting the disease died of cardiac arrest, according to the website of the country’s health ministry.

The 40-year-old is said to have returned from a recent business trip to Sierra Leone.

The ministry’s website said he was being tested for Ebola, but did not say if the tests had concluded that he had the disease.

The website said the man had been treated in an isolation ward and would be buried according to Islamic tradition, while following precautions set out by world health authorities.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas to Muslims from several West African countries, amid concerns that visiting pilgrims could spread the disease.

Adamawa: Nyako’s deputy asks court to sack acting governor Continued from page 4

affidavit that “I did not submit any letter of resignation to the 5th defendant (governor) or any other person other than the 1st defendant (the Speaker).

“I only submitted a purported letter of resignation (exhibit A), to the 1st defendant, but I never intended to comply with the strict provisions of sections 306 (1), (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution by submitting it to the 5th defendant (the Governor).

“I never intended exhibit A (the letter) to be any subject of debate or resolution by the 2nd defendant (House of Assembly), but a private correspondence between myself and the 1st defendant, hence it was marked ‘secret’.

“That exhibit A was only submitted to the 1st defendant with the intention of discussing the contents with him privately at a more convenient time to alert him at a possible action I may take at a later date because of certain political developments in Adamawa State, hence I did not submit it to the 5th defendant

(as Governor of Adamawa State) as strictly stipulated by section 306(1), (2) & (5) of the 1999 Constitution.

“That I was, therefore, shocked to see that my letter was read and acted upon by the entire members of the 2nd Defendant when it was never addressed to them,” Nggilari stated.

He raised seven questions for the court’s determination.

He is pleading with the court to, among others, restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its agents from conducting a bye-election to fill the office of the governor following the impeachment of the governor and the purported resignation of his deputy.

He seeks an order “removing the 3rd defendant (Umaru) as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State forthwith”, and “an order directing the Chief Judge of Adamawa State (or Acting Chief Judge, as the case may be) or the President of the Customary Court of Appeal to swear” him (the plaintiff) in as the state’s substantive governor.

Nigeria seeks U.S. experimental drug for Ebola victims Continued from page 4

ensure that we contain this disease.

“It is an emergency but with the cooperation of all and with government leading and God blessing our efforts, we shall contain it.’’

The minister confirmed that as at yesterday morning, five Nigerians had contracted the disease and were being treated at an isolation ward in Lagos.

Information Minister Labaran Maku assured Nigerians that all that was needed to contain the virus was being done by the government.

He, therefore, called for public’s support and cooperation in the effort to check the spread of the disease.

“Every effort that this country should make is being made both from the point of view of specialist intervention from the ministries of Health and Communication.

“But we need public’s cooperation; it is very very important for the country and for public health,’’ Maku said.

The CDC Director, Dr Thomas Frieden, said on Sunday that the American doctor who contracted Ebola in West Africa seemed to have improved after being treated with the drug ZMapp.

The Ebola disease has killed two persons in Nigeria.

They were the AmericanLiberian, Patrick Sawyer, who landed in Lagos and a woman nurse who treated him.

Boko Haram attacks Borno as ‘butcher’ recounts killings Continued from page 4

they took many vehicles away.

A former Vice-Chairman of Gwoza local government Mr. Francis Mbala, confirmed the attack.

Military sources in Maiduguri to ld reporters that that troops in the Bama-Gwoza axis and the ones in Damboa town and Bulabulin Ngarwa village

in Borno state, were on Special Military Operations against insurgents.

“The insurgents are on the rampage, as they have no any other place to hide now, other than to attack vulnerable towns and villages near the Mountain tops and Sambisa Forest,” the military source, said because he is not authorised to speak to reporters.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

65

NEWS Enugu impeachment panel bans media coverage

T

HE seven-man probe panel inaugurated to investigate allegations of misconduct against the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, began sitting yesterday, banning media coverage of its proceedings.

The maiden sitting of the panel, which was billed to start by 9a.m, was delayed till 10:43a.m. The panel chairman, Mr. Oraekeyi Uche Franklin, apologised for the delay.

Franklin said although the panel members arrived earlier, but said none of the parties were in court, prompting the committee to resume at 10:43a.m.

He said: “We want to reiterate the point we made yesterday (Tuesday). We are not a tool for political witchhunt.

“We will give fair hearing on all the parties to come

From Chris Oji, Enugu

and prove or defend the allegations as the case may be.

Nobody should entertain any fear.

“It is an investigative sitting. We will not hold public sittings. After today, there will be restrictions; we may not allow the press. The only people we shall allow here are the members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Deputy Governor or their lawyers”.

None of the contending parties had a representation during the sitting.

Te Director of Civil Litigation in Enugu State Ministry of Justice, Innocent Eze, who appeared for the state, told the panel that “ordinarily, there is supposed to be evidence of service of notices of this sitting on the parties involved.

Defection: PDP invites Anambra APGA Reps

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HE leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has invited four defecting All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA) members of the House of Representatives for a meeting today.

The lawmakers, who are from Anambra State, will meet with the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Adamu Muazu and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on their demand for waiver to enable them to contest for elective offices in 2015.

But Governor Willie Obiano has also initiated moves to halt the defection of the lawmakers to PDP. In what appeared a battle between APGA and PDP to win over the lawmakers, the governor has asked for a separate session with the lawmakers today at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

The affected members are the Chairman, House Committee on Environment and leader of the Anambra State caucus in the House, Mrs. Lilian Uche Ekwunife; the Deputy chairman, Media and Public Affairs Committee, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Victor Afam Ogene; member representing Nnewi North / Nnewi South / Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and Deputy Chairman, Committee on Capital Market, Chris Azubogu and Cyril Egwuatu of Onitsha North / Onitsha South Federal Constituency.

According to findings by our correspondent, while the PDP leaders asked for audience with the lawmakers in Abuja by 1p.m today, the governor wanted a meeting with them by 4p.m in Amawbia in Anambra State.

Vehicle owners get ultimatum

T

HE Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Ilasan Division Jakande Ajah and Iponri Divisional Headquarter to remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction two weeks after this publication.

The vehicles are: Scrap Prado Jeep No AX 788 KRD, Scrap Dodge Neon DZ 537 UND, Scrap Hyundai Lantra CA989FKJ, SCRAP PEUGEOT 405 Unregistered, Scrap Pajero Mitsubishi BD 409 KRD, Scrap Nissa Bus XK 98 KRD, Scrap Coaster Bus XH 627 ABJ, Scrap Isuzu Van unregistered, Mercedes Benz Lorry water tanker XV 449 AKD.

TMG urges coordination of security personnel From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

A

N election monitoring organisation, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), has urged the Federal Government to coordinate the activities of security personnel deployed in Osun State for Saturday’s election.

TMG Chairman Zikrulahi Ibrahim spoke yesterday in Abuja while unveiling the group’s observer report on the Ekiti State governorship election.

Zikrulahi said the heavy presence of security agents played an important role in the Ekiti election and could undermine the creditability of the Osun election, if their activities are not coordinated.

He said a situation where police and army officers clash during election was not acceptable, adding that security agencies should have defined roles.

Zikrulahi said: “During the Ekiti election, some army officers lashed out on a police DPO on duty. Although security agencies played a positive role in the Ekiti election, they should be coordinated.”

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that all logistics are perfected to prevent technical problems.

The report on the Ekiti election claimed that some voters did not know whether their names were on the voter register or not.

•Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko listening to Pakistan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr.Muhammad Al- Sharif Saleem, when he visited him at the Government House, Sokoto...yesterday.

Aregbesola ‘ll win, says opinion poll

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will win the Saturday governorship election, if there is free and fair election, according to a survey by the Yoruba Academy.

The group, which conducted a survey in the state’s 30 local governments, also reported that female voters may turn out more than their male counterparts.

The findings were based on the analysis of voters’ preference, based on the pedigree of the candidates, performance of the governor, disposition of the spectrum of local voters and expectation about free and fair exercise.

According to the survey, which was conducted in the last week of July, Aregbesola will defeat his rival, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in over 24 local governments.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

These include Ayedaade, Ayedire, Atakunmosa East and West, Ede North and South, Egbedore, Irepodun, Ejigbo, Ifelodun, Ife East and South and Ila. Others are Ilesa East and West, Irewole, Iwo, Obokun, Odo-Otin, Olorunda, Orolu and Osogbo.

PDP may garner more votes than the APC in Boripe, Boluwaduro, Ife Central and Ife North, the report stated.

The survey by the Yoruba Academy has trailed the poll survey by the TSN-RSM, a survey group, which is a member of the Gallup International, According to the previous survey, the governor will win 73 per cent of the votes. But the survey also revealed that public confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dropped by 10 points.

According to TSN-RSM, “the APC continues to dominate the political landscape in Osun State, judging by its performance on all key indicators evaluated. It scored highest and also increased in rating on first mention, sympathy and voting intention.”

It added: “The governor, Rauf Aregbesola, is the candidate of choice by Osun voters with 73 per cent lead over other candidates. This is a clear indication that the choice of Osun voters in the next governorship race is Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Meanwhile, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP comes a far distant second, polling 19 per cent, representing a two per cent decline from the earlier survey.

On gender disparity, the Yoruba Academy reported 38 per cent male voting and 62 per cent female voting for the APC and 33 per cent male and

•Aregbesola

67 per cent female for the PDP. This is distinct from the general voting population.

However, the public perception of the electoral commission reported by both TSN-RSM and the Yoruba Academy are identical. While TSN-RSM reported that public confidence in the INEC has waned, the academy reported that most respondents showed eagerness for a free and fair election where votes will count.

INEC pledges free, fair poll in Osun

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HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the people of Osun State a free and fair governorship election on Saturday.

INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, who spoke with stakeholders in Osogbo, the state capital yesterday, described the election as another test for the commission.

He also said INEC would prove through the poll that it is ready for the 2015 general elections.

Heads of security agencies, the INEC National Commissioners, Resident Electoral Commissioners, traditional and religious leaders at the event.

•IGP: No voter will be intimidated From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

The programme, which would be the last to be held before the Saturday’s election, gave the commission an opportunity to express its readiness to conduct a transparent and acceptable election.

Jega, who said the commission had improved on the electoral process since 2011, noted that it was fully ready to conduct the Osun poll, using all the resources at its disposal.

Warning politicians against unguarded utterances that could undermine the in-

tegrity of the commission, Jega assured that the commission was ready to punish any of its official involved in fraudulent acts.

The INEC boss maintained that enough National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioners from other states would be deployed to supervise the election in each local government, urging all political parties to field credible and trained party agents in each polling unit.

The Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, said all security agencies had come together to ensure that the election meet

international standard.

He assured that voters would not be harassed and intimidated by his men on the election day.

The police boss added that there would be no use of siren by very important personalities (VIPs), adding that security agents in uniforms would not be allowed to escort their principals to the polling units.

The INEC National Commissioner Supervising the election, Ambassador Muhammad Wali and the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Agbaje, promised that the commission’s openness and transparency would not be compromised.

Arewa youths back governor

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GROUP, the Northern Youth Coalition (NOYOC), has urged Northerners residing in Osun State to vote for Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the governorship election.

The group described the governor as the bridge between the North and the South, adding that the bridge should be strengthened for peace and economic development.

The group’s leader, Mallam Kudu Abubakar, said in Lagos that Aregbesola’s economic and social policies

By Emmanuel Oladesu

has not discriminate the people, based on religion, creed and ethnicity.

He said: “We have a historic responsibility to vote for Aregbesola. As representatives of youths in the 19 northern states, we are showing solidarity for the governor of Osun State. As northerners, we are desirous of peaceful co-existence with our neighbours and our hosts. In the state of Osun, we have about 350,000 northerners who have taken

permanent residence in Osun. Our support for Aregbesola is based on his passion for humanity. He is the golden bridge between the North and the South. Let this bridge not be broken”.

Abubakar hailed the governor for promoting religious tolerance, noting that no case of ethnic violence has been recorded in the state in the last three years. He said his steadfastness, courage, attitude to natives, spirit of understanding and support for peaceful c-existence are legendry.

Abubakar recalled that Aregbesola has interacted with northerners in Kaduna during the Second Republic as an activist and active supporter of the revolutionary activities of the late Mallam Aminu Kano.

He added: “Aregbesola has laid a solid foundation for genuine transformation of the state through giant leaps in tourism, environmental protection, economic growth, and indigenous rights protection as entrenched in the United Nations Charter.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

66

NEWS UNICAL student shot From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

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STUDENT of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) escaped death yesterday, following a fracas at the Students’ Union Government (SUG) election.

It was learnt that the victim sustained injury after the gun of a security guard went off when he was controlling the students, who were rowdy.

The victim, it was gathered, was taken to the hospital.

The election was concluded after the incident.

An official of the institution, who preferred anonymity, said: “The students were rowdy and while trying to control them, the gun of one of the security men went off and hit the victim.

“The situation is under control and the student is responding to treatment. It was an accident and the matter is being handled.”

Inspector held as police rescue senator's mum

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HE police in Bayelsa State have rescued the abducted 90-year-old mother of Senator Emmanuel Paulker.

It was learnt that Madam Florentina was rescued on Wednesday morning through the strategies adopted by the police command.

A source said the pressure the police mounted on the kidnappers led to the freedom of the nonagenarian.

"After the incident, the police and other security agents arrested five suspects, who allegedly had links with the fleeing abductors.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

"The relations of the abductors were also apprehended to help mount pressure on them.

The pressure by the relations and other suspects compelled the hoodlums to set the old woman free," the source who pleaded anonymity said.

He said the victim was abandoned at a fishing camp at Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw Local Government.

It was gathered that a police inspector, identified as Tosin, was among the arrested suspects.

He was apprehended on the

scene of the incident after the kidnappers fled with their victim.

The source said: "He is a policeman from another division. He was found on the scene of the incident. The officer was armed with two rifles. He was not supposed to be there."

The arrested policeman is attached to the Akenfa Police Division in Yenagoa.

He was accused of directing the kidnappers and conveying them in a vehicle to the home of the victim.

The family of Paulker, who represents Bayelsa Central in

the Senate, said ex-militant leaders played a crucial role in the rescue.

A former militant leader and National Coordinator, Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI), Pastor Reuben, was said to have intervened and facilitated the rescue.

Police Commissioner Hilary Opara confirmed that the victim has been rescued.

He said the old woman was rescued with the help of other security agencies and the government.

Madam Florentina was last Wednesday about 3am kid-

Igbinedion visits Oshiomhole From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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‘Oil causing Ogoni pains’ From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

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ENOWNED environmental rights activists, Celestine Akpobari and Rev. Nnimmo Bassey, have said crude oil exploration and exploitation in Ogoniland are causing the people pains.

They urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on the environmental assessment of Ogoniland.

The activists noted that in view of the devastation, Ogoni environment no longer supports life, leading to the death of many people.

They spoke yesterday at Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoniland and the seat of Khana Local Government, at a workshop organised by a non-government organisation, Health of the Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and the Federal Ministry of Environment.

The workshop, with the theme: “Women and UNEP Report on Ogoni Environment”, was attended by women from the four Ogoni local governments- Gokana, Khana, Eleme and Tai, as well as other personalities.

PDP youth leader, others defect to APC From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

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UNDREDS of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youthmembers, led by their leader, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at Ukpato ward in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

The defectors were received by Deputy Governor Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu and the APC Chairman in the local government, Chief Matthew Ehigie in Okogbo at a rally.

Odubu assured them of equal opportunities in the APC. Ehigie said they would not regret their courage to become part of a positive change.

Spokesman for the defectors, Mr. Godwin Aroko Enoma, said they were fed up with the anti-people activities of the PDP.

napped by gunmen at her home in Opolo-Epie, Yenagoa.

Residents were angry that the kidnappers abducted the woman despite her age.

They were also annoyed because she was kidnapped for the second time in four years.

On February 23, 2010 the nonagenarian was abducted by armed youths, who later demanded N100million as ransom.

She was rescued in March 2010 by security operatives, who shot one of the kidnappers on Immiringi Road during a gun battle.

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole (right) with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion when he visited the governor, at the Government House, Benin...yesterday

Unknown gunmen kill youth ‘over Edo Assembly crisis’ A

GROUP, Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network, has alerted the public to the death of its member, Mr. Daniel Aifegha, who was allegedly shot dead by gunmen.

A human rights activist, Rev. David Ugolor, has also alleged that there were threats to his life over the political situation in Edo State.

The Nation learnt that Aifegha was killed in his hometown, Eme-Ora, on Monday.

Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network urged the police to investigate the murder, allegedly linked to his stance on the crisis in the House of Assembly.

In a statement made available to The Nation, the body alleged that before he was killed, the deceased had a confrontation with a political leader on the Assembly crisis.

The group’s President, Comrade Theophilus Ibodeme and Secretary- General, Comrade Anthony Igiebor, alleged that Aifegha was threatened before he was murdered.

They called for investigation to bring the suspects to justice.

“We implore the police and other security agents to make use of the available facts, such as the deceased’s call log, messages, interaction on his face-

Octogenarian seeks justice over son’s murder

A

N octogenarian, Madam Magaret Aifeghai, has cried out to the police to help fish out the killers of her son, Daniel.

She said gunmen shot dead her son on July 29 when she was in Port Harcourt.

The old woman led her relatives in a peaceful protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council.

She said her son was a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Said she: “I have five children and they have killed one. Daniel was the fourth child. I was not at home.

I was in Port Harcourt when I was called that my son had been killed.

“We have reported to the police. I want them to help me. I don’t want my son to die in vain.”

The farmer, who took Daniel to hospital, Oluwa Uduyugwomen, said he was in another village when he was called by the deceased to come and take From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

book account and his conversation with those with him before he died, to aid investigation,” the statement said.

The Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, alleged that he received threat messages on

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

him (Daniel) to hospital.

He said: “My friend called me that he was shot. I met him holding his stomach. He told me not to allow him die. I took him to a hospital at Afuza, but he did not survive. He mentioned one person that threatened him. We have a political issue in our area over who we will vote for in next year’s election. We’ve refused to work for a particular candidate and they are not happy.

“I have been told that I am the next target. So, I want the police to protect me.”

The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, urged the police to fish out the killers.

Police spokesman Noble Uwoh could not be reached for comments, but a source at the Sabongida Police Division where the matter was reported confirmed the killing.

his facebook from people who called him an All Progressives Congress (APC) activist.

He said in a statement yesterday: “Considering the suspicious movements of some unknown persons around my office in the last few days, I am alerting the police, Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies to take note

of this threat to my life by yetto-be- identified persons.

“I consider this development a threat to freedom of speech and an attempt to stop me from exercising my right to hold opinion on issues that affect my state and country.”

Ugolor said he would forward the names of the suspected persons to the police.

ACOMORAN, council boss solicit support for Ajimobi

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BADAN, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday stood still, as thousands of members of Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) in Ibadan North West Local Government and the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun, defied the rain and trooped out support the re-election of Senator Abiola Ajimobi.

The okada riders, as they are popularly called, converged on the council secretariat at Onireke marched through Dugbe, Mokola round-about, Oke-Padi, Ire-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

akari, St Stephen, Inalende, Oniyanrin, Ayeye, Opo Yeosa, Orimerin, Beere, Ogunpa, Agbeni and Labaowo, ending the rally at Onireke.

The programme tagged: “Ajumose Okada Day” celebration, was organised by the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan North West Local Government, Mr Wasiu Olatunbosun.

He said the programme was organised because it was the responsibility of a responsible government to cater for his citizens.

“We are also using this me-

dium to solicit the citizens’ support for Ajimobi’s re-election in 2015. This is not the first association we are doing it for. We have received 10 associationns’ out of 18’s support for Ajimobi’s re-election which will bring about a great transformation to the state” the council boss stated His words: “We are looking for ways to work together with all associations so that we can ensure the re-election of Ajimobi in 2015, which will bring about continuity in the state. “ This government has a greater plan for all artisans and all interest groups. I want com-

mercial motorcyclists to form an association for their wives so that I can start empowering them in the chosen area of vocation or trade.”

Olatunbosun debunked the rumour making the rounds that the governor intends to ban Okada riders from plying major roads in the state saying it’s the opposition parties that want to use them against the present government.

The council boss said the association should be wary of civil servants keen on condemning Ajimobi for aspiring for a second term.

HE Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, met yesterday with Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Igbinedion, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is the father of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.

He came in his customised maroon red Rolls Royce Phantom car.

It was learnt that the last time Chief Igbinedion was at the Government House was in 2011.

He spent about 35 minutes and told this reporter: “He is the Governor of Edo State and I have come to see my Governor.”

Oshiomhole congratulated the Esama on his forthcoming 80th birthday.

He said: “Let me welcome you formally to my modest office. Thank you for taking time out to visit. I am in receipt of your birthday invitation. I promise you that I will be there with our friends. It is something that we want to join in celebrating because longevity and good health are a rare combination. Some people have longevity, but poor health, others have good health but not long life. So when God gives you both, only He and He alone decides whom He chooses to so favour.”

Funeral for Ondo community leader

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HE body of Chief Samuel Adebisi Adedeji, who died on July 17, would be buried on August 15 in Igbara-Oke, Ondo State. He would have been 89 on that day.

According to a statement issued on behalf of his family by his son, Dr. Dokun Adedeji, the obsequies would begin with a service of songs at his residence next Thursday evening and there would be a funeral service at the Anglican Church, IgbaraOke, the following morning before the internment.

Chief Adedeji is survived by his widow, Grace and children and many grandchildren.

•The late Adedeji

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

67

NEWS APC members urge Saraki to contest 2015 presidential poll

Kwara repays N17b bond

•Ex-governor cautions desperate politicians

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said yesterday his administration has redeemed the N17 billion bond obtained in 2009 for infrastructural development projects.

Ahmed, who announced the redemption at a meeting with stakeholders in Ilorin, the state capital, expressed satisfaction that Kwara had met its obligations under the bond.

He said the N17 billion was utilised for the Kwara State University Malete, the International Aviation Col-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

THE Kwara State All Progressives Congress’ (APC) members in three senatorial districts have urged the former Governor, Senator Bukola Saraki, to contest the 2015 presidential election.

The party has expressed confident of victory “in spite of alleged moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government to wrest power in 2015 in the state.”

APC chieftains spoke yesterday in Laduba, Asa local government area at a special prayer session for Saraki and Governor Abdufatah Ahmed.

The programme was organised by 17 Wards Elder’s Forum.

One of the conveners, who is also the APC Kwara Central Senatorial District Chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Adeshina, said: “We are not perturbed because we have the backing of the people. In Kwara State, over 90 per cent of the electorate is behind APC. “As part of preparation for the elections, we have sensitised our people to come out en masse on August 15 and collect their permanent voter cards. Those are our weapons of elections. On the days of election, they should come out to cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. Our choice will be our leader’s choice. “ On the reason for the prayers, Adeshina added: “We are gathered here to offer special prayers for our leader, Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for God to meet their heart desires.

“Specifically, we want to pray for Saraki to achieve his ambition of becoming the next president of Nigeria come 2015. All the three senatorial districts have endorsed his presidential ambition come 2015. Before one embarks on any adventure, it is wise to put it into the hands of God to take absolute control.”

Saraki has cautioned desperate politicians not to throw Nigeria into chaos.

He said: “I also once again appeal to all those who are desperate for power at all cost and those whose ambition appears to be more important than the sustainability of our democracy and the peace and stability of this our great country to desist from all these acts of desperation.”

The chairman Senate Committee on Ecology and Environment, in a statement yesterday, hailed the vindication of the Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Tanko AlMakura by investigative panel set up by the PDP-controlled state House of Assembly.

His words: “His appearance at the panel’s investigation – despite his belief that the processes were faulty – and his exoneration, once again shows that quality and faultless leadership cannot be taken out for political gain, using illegitimate means.

Gombe to employ 2,000 teachers, civil servants

•‘Market ready for another N23b request’

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From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

lege, Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre, the Ilorin Township Stadium, Ilorin Water Reticulation Project (Phase One) as well as road and electrification projects.

The governor said information from the capital market indicates that the market is excited and reinvigorated to subscribe to the state’s proposed N23 billion bond for infrastructural development.

He expressed confidence that the new facility, when

obtained, would also be judiciously utilised and serviced in line with established tradition.

The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Investment Promotion and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Ogunshola, said throughout the life of the bond, the government never defaulted in the payment of coupons to bond holders on June 15 and December 15 of every year.

Ogunsola said the 14per cent fixed rate five-year bond maintained an issue

By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

G

•Ahmed

rating of A and issuer rating of Bbb issued by Agusto and Co rating, a pan-African rating agency.

He said this signifies the superior quality credit profile of the government.

OMBE State government will soon employ 2,000 qualified graduate teachers in public schools, according to Head of Service Alhaji Aliyu Kamara.

He said the government had already employed 2,000 relevant first Degree holders, but still need to employ the same number.

Kamara said arrangements were underway for massive employment of youths and others into the civil service.

Kamara pledged the administration’s commitment to building workers’ capacity while collaborating with the Centre for Human Development for staff training.

He said the days of dearth of tools and relevant office equipment would soon be over as government spends more funds to enable civil servants work without tears.

“We are committed to all these things. We are working vigorously and we will work to ensure that we achieve all these things, because we are concerned about the wellbeing of the citizenry.

“We will leave no stone unturned in the drive to ensure that Gombe State excel and become one of the most vibrant states in this country by the year 2020,” said the Head of Service.

Jigawa worried over rape From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

T •Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (left) congratulating Acting Chief Judge Mr Mukhtair Abimbola, during his swearing-in in Ibadan...yesterday

Suspect with N200m drug arrested at Kano airport

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ATIONAL Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) agents at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Command (MAKIA) have arrested Aneke Afamuefuna lnnocent with 19.5 kilogrammes of cocaine valued at N200 million.

The airport’s NDLEA Commander, Mr. Ambrose Umoru , who spoke to reporters in his office yesterday, said the drug suspect was nabbed during

a routine inward screening of passengers of an Ethiopian airline flight No.931 last Friday.

He said Innocent (43year old), who hails from Enugu State, had neatly concealed high grade pure cocaine in several HP Laser jet printing toners, which were sealed in a factory to avoid detection.

Umoru added that the suspect had boarded the Ethiopian airline’s flight in Caracas, Venezuela via Sao Paolo, Brazil en route Addis

Ababa, Ethiopia via Kano.

He disclosed that suspect arranged with his drug gang in Venezuela for onward transmission to a Nigerian representative in the airport.

Umoru said preliminary investigations revealed that Innocent’s Nigerian collaborator was actually in the airport to receive him on arrival, but took to his heels on sighting the arrest of the suspect by NDLEA operatives.

The suspect is still under

investigation and would be charged to the Federal High Court.

Aneke, in a chat, said: “This my friend abroad pushed me to what I did not know by giving me this dangerous drug to deliver to a person in Kano without me knowing the content of what I was billed to deliver. He pushed me into this trouble.

“I have three children and because of the plight that I was going through, he used me to commit this crime just for $5,000.”

ABU, KADPOLY face tax panel for N9.5b debt

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ADUNA State Board of Internal Revenue has taken the managements of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and Kaduna Polytechnic to Tax Appeal Tribunal sitting in the state capital over non-payment of N6,169,774,658.01 and N3, 436,864,461.06 tax.

The matter, which was brought before the tribunal via a Notice of Appeal filed

by the counsel to the appellant, S.A Maisamari, dated January 16, sought for an order of the tribunal to compel the two respondents to pay the outstanding tax liabilities.

The notice also gave the grounds of appeal to include that the respondents have failed to comply with the demand notice served and dated November 15, 2013.

The suit was mentioned

at the Northwest zonal office of tribunal yesterday before its Chairman, Bashir Abdullahi and four other members.

Counsels to the appellant, led by I.M Samson, an Assistant Director in the Ministry of Justice, presented a motion on notice, seeking an order of extension of time for them to file their motion out of time and the second,

deeming the originating process in the suit as duly filed and signed.

But counsel to the respondents, M.A Garba for ABU and Nathan Dandien for Kaduna Polytechnic, did not oppose the motion on notice.

The tribunal summarily granted the orders sought for by the appellant.

The case was adjourned to September 10.

HE Jigawa State government has ex-

pressed worry about its rate of rape incidence which stands at seven to 10 cases in recent months.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Yakubu Abdullahi Ruba, who spoke to reporters yesterday in Dutse, the state capital, said the judiciary has mapped out a plan to effect quick dispensation of cases at the courts.

Abdullahi said his ministry in collaboration with the justice sector and law reform commission have embarked on mass enlightenment campaign to reduce their occurrence.

He added that the state chief judge, in line with the quick dispensation of cases, had ordered the hearings on criminal cases on daily bases.

“Before, cases last between five to 10 months.

But now, cases only last for two to five months.

“Also, we made all the security agencies operating here to understand the stands of our law on the issue.”

He said the state government recently organised a stakeholders’ meeting, where security agencies were educated on the state’s laws and how some cases are to be handled.

“We in Jigawa State are making efforts to ensure that justice is done to all parties on any criminal offence,” he added.

68

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Israel agrees to extend Gaza ceasefire

Body of missing mother found in Remote Area

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SRAEL raises hopes of an extended ceasefire amid reports volunteers in Gaza are beginning to empty morgues and bury the dead.

Israel has conditionally agreed to extend a ceasefire in Gaza beyond a Friday deadline, an Israeli official said.

The official said Israel “had no problem” extending the three-day truce with Hamas, but did not say for how long.

The ceasefire entered its second day on Wednesday, giving Gazans a chance to return from refugee camps and see what remained of their homes.

The break in fighting comes as Egyptian mediators shuttle between delegations from both sides in Cairo to try to work out a more permanent peace deal.

Some details have emerged about the negotiating points of Hamas, including an internationally funded reconstruction of the coastal strip.

Under the Hamas terms, the reconstruction would be overseen by a Palestinian unity government led by Mahmoud Abbas.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon said the UN was ready to help rebuild Gaza but for the last time.

He told the UN General Assembly in New York: “Do we have to continue like this build, destroy, and build and

•A Palestinian man lies on a sofa amid the rubble of a home in Gaza

destroy?

“We will build again but this must be the last time - to rebuild. This must stop now.”

Shortly before the announcement about a possible ceasefire extension, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a vigorous defence of the conflict.

“I think it was justified. I think it was proportionate and that doesn’t in any way take away the deep regret we have for the loss of a single civilian casualty,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem.

He said it would have been disproportionate to not “defend your people and giving the terrorists a licence to kill”.

The fighting has killed nearly 1,900 Palestinians, while Israel has lost 67 people, three of whom were civil-

ians.

In Gaza, cars and donkey carts loaded with household goods and mattresses filled the streets and queues formed at banks as people waited to withdraw cash.

Small groups of civilians trickled back to their homes, making their way over buckled roads, through dangling power lines and overturned trees.

Volunteers in southern Gaza city Rafah, which experienced some of the worst fighting and bombardment, began to dig graves to bury bodies which have filled up morgues.

Meanwhile, crews from utility companies worked frantically to repair downed electricity and telephone lines, though Gaza’s only power plant was damaged by an air-

strike.

In the Shijaiyah neighbourhood east of Gaza City, carpenter Mahmoud Al Maghani, 44, said: “I think my workshop was here, but honestly I can’t make sure of that. I came yesterday and all I found was rubble.”

Turkey is now in talks with Israel and Egypt about establishing an air corridor to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza and evacuate injured Palestinians for treatment.

The war broke out on July 8, when the Israeli military began bombarding targets in Gaza in an attempt to stop Hamas from launching rockets at Israel.

Ground troops were sent in on July 17 to destroy underground tunnels, Israel military said.

Afghan ‘insider attack’ kills US general, injures 14 other allies

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N American major genral was shot to death Tuesday in one of the bloodiest insider attacks of the long Afghanistan war when a gunman dressed as an Afghan soldier turned on allied troops, wounding about 15 including a German general and two Afghan generals.

The Army identified the American officer as Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, a 34-year veteran. An engineer by trainPUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME IZUCHI I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ELUWA NGOZI IZUCHI, now wish to be known as MRS. CHIGBU NGOZI ONYEDIKACHI. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ing, Greene was on his first deployment to a war zone and was involved in preparing Afghan forces for the time when U.S.-coalition troops leave at the end of this year.

He was the deputy commanding general, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

Greene was the highestranked American officer killed in combat in the nation’s post9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the highest-ranked officer killed in combat since 1970 in the Vietnam War. Five major generals were killed in Vietnam, the last Maj. Gen. John Albert Dillard, whose helicopter was shot down.

The attack at Marshal Fahim National Defense University underscored the tensions that persist as the U.S.

combat role winds down in Afghanistan — and it wasn’t the only assault by an Afghan ally on coalition forces on Tuesday. In eastern Paktia province, an Afghan police guard exchanged fire with NATO troops near the governor’s office, provincial police said. The guard was killed in the gunfight.

Missouri inmate put to death for 1995 killing in 1st US execution since Arizona one went awry BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri man was put to death Wednesday for raping and killing a college student in 1995, making him the first U.S. prisoner executed since a lethal injection in Arizona last month in which an inmate took nearly two hours to die.

The Missouri Department of Corrections said Michael

Worthington was executed by lethal injection at the state prison south of St. Louis and was pronounced dead at 12:11 a.m., 10 minutes after the process began. He is the seventh Missouri inmate executed this year.

Worthington had been sentenced to death for the attack on 24-year-old Melinda “Mindy” Griffin during a burglary of her Lake St. Louis condominium.

Before the execution began, while strapped to a gurney and covered with a sheet, Worthington spoke with his witnesses — some of them his relatives — through the glass, raising his shaved head.

When the drugs began flowing, his head lowered back to the pillow and he appeared to breathe heavily for about 15 seconds before closing his eyes for good.

OKAFOR I, formerly known and address as Miss Vivian Isioma Okafor, now wish to be known and address as Mrs. Vivian Isioma Arumemi. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I komolafe rasaki olalekan akanni of Phchiatric estate Ikorodu, declare that documents of property at block 18,flat 61, LSDPC housing estate phase 1 ogba ikeja which belong to my uncle Late pastor Akinkunmi Kayode Dento got lost through fire incedent in 1982.LSDPC and General public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the General public that Certificate of occupancy No 00011451 belonging to Alhaja Kudirat Alake Dada issued by Ogun state government on the 11th day of November got lost in transit, and all efforts to traced prove abortive. If found please report to the nearest police station.

British students stabbed to death in Borneo

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OUR men are arrested after Newcastle University medical students Neil Dalton and Aidan Brunger, both 22, were killed.

Two British medical students have been stabbed to death after leaving a bar in the Borneo city where they were on a hospital placement.

The two men, named by Newcastle University as Neil Dalton and Aidan Brunger, both 22, died after they were attacked by a group of men in Kuching.

The friends were reportedly followed in a car and knifed as they returned to a backpacker lodge from the bar, where a row had earlier taken place over noise.

Four men have been arrested following the murders in the Jalan Padungan district The fourth-year students were in the Malaysian part of the

island in Sarawak province on attachment to a hospital in Kuching, the university’s acting vicechancellor Professor Tony Stevenson said.

Prof Stevenson said in a statement: “We were informed this morning of the very sad news that two of our fourth-year medical students working at a hospital in Kuching, Borneo, have been tragically killed.

“Neil Dalton and Aidan Brunger, both 22, were on a sixweek work placement, along with five other medical students, to put the skills they had learnt during their time here at the university into practice.

“This has come as a huge shock to us all and our thoughts are with their families and friends at this very difficult time.

“Two of our members of staff are flying out to Kuching as soon as possible and we are working

closely with the British high commissioner to support the other students and to co-ordinate their return to the UK.” The students - both keen sportsmen - were due to finish their placement on Friday.

Mr Dalton was from Ambergate, Derbyshire, had achieved four A* grades in his A-levels and had been featured in the local paper when he took part in a sponsored bike ride for the Alzheimer’s Society, the Derby Telegraph reported.

Mr Brunger, from Gillingham, took part in the 2013 Great North Run in Newcastle, raising money for Prostate Cancer UK. Professor Jane Calvert, Dean of Undergraduate Studies for Newcastle University Medical School, said the students were “excellent” and “highly committed” and were both doing well in their studies.

YSTERY surrounds the death of the 38-year-old mother of two whose body was recovered near a country road.

The body of an Oregon mother who went missing last month has been found in a remote area near a country road.

Jennifer Huston, 38, was last seen on July 24.

Her green SUV was found on the road near Sheridan, about 25 miles southwest of Ms Huston’s home in Dundee.

Her body was recovered a short distance from the vehicle.

Oregon police say there was no evidence of foul play and no danger to the public, though they declined to elaborate on how she died.

A post on a Facebook page set up to held find Ms Huston said: “Thank you to everyone who has helped us search for Jennifer.

“We are grieving at this time and ask that we be given privacy.” Ms Huston has two small children aged two and six, according to The Oregonian newspaper.

She was last seen withdrawing a small amount of money from an ATM, fuelling her SUV and buying Gatorade, trail mix and what police described as a non-lethal amount of sleeping pills. When she was found, she was still wearing the same clothes as the day she disappeared.

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Kenya arrest suspect from Somalia’s al-shabab group

ENYAN police have arrested an official from Somalia’s militant Islamist group al-Shabab, security sources have told the BBC. Police believe the suspect is former journalist Hassan Hanafi, who is accused of killing journalists in Somalia, other sources said.

However, the man has denied under interrogation that he is Mr Hanafi, the sources added.

Al-Shabab has carried out a spate of attacks in Somalia and Kenya.

Last September, 67 people were killed when the group’s fighters laid siege to the upmarket Westgate shopping centre in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

Somali security sources said Mr Hanafi was arrested a few days ago in Nairobi following co-operation between the intelligence services of the neighbouring states, reports the BBC’s Abdullahi Abdi from Nairobi.

Mr Hanafi was believed to have been in Kenya for medical treatment when police swooped on him, in a rare cross-border arrest of an al-Shabab suspect, our reporter says.

However, the man - still being interrogated by Kenya’s antiterror squad - insists that he is the victim of a mistaken identity and should be released, our correspondent adds.

Mr Hanafi joined al-Shabab’s armed wing a few years ago after a stint with Radio Andalus, the group’s mouthpiece in Somalia, our reporter says.

Local journalists have long suspected that he is behind the killing of their colleagues, our reporter says.

About 20 journalists have been killed in Somalia over the past three years.

Facebook privacy challenge attracts 25,000 users

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data privacy campaigner has signed up 25,000 people to a “class action lawsuit” being taken against Facebook.

Max Schrems alleges that the way the social network monitors its members’ activity on and off the site puts it in breach of EU laws.

As part of the claim, he also alleges that the company cooperated with Prism, a US surveillance scheme.

Facebook has previously denied knowing about Prism before it was mentioned in leaked US government documents.

The company has, however, acknowledged complying with national security requests from US government agencies.

Facebook has not commented on the wider case being brough We complain, then go home and drink beer” The BBC understands it does not plan to respond until it has been served the relevant papers.

Facebook search Mr Schrems asked Facebook users based outside the US and Canada who wished to take part in the case to sign up via an app.

Facebook’s Graph Search feature is one of the facilities being challenged The case is targeted against the company’s Irish subsidiary, which is responsible for all accounts belonging to users outside of North America. It has been filed with the Commercial Court for Vienna, the 26 year old’s home city.

Among the allegations are that Facebook broke EU privacy laws by introducing: •Graph Search - a facility allowing users to find out about other members’ activities on the social network •External website tracking - monitoring members through the Like buttons embedded into third-party webpages •Big data analysis - the ability to gain insights into Facebook members’ by data-crunching the billions of interactions people have with the site every Mr Schrems is demanding 500 euros ($667, £396) in damages for each of the first 25,000 people who signed up to the case.

While the Austrian legal system does not make provision for US-style class actions, Mr Schrems is working round this by getting the other participants to transfer their financial claims to him, which is permitted.

Facebook users can still register their interest in joining the legal action If he wins he intends to share the money after delivering a 20% cut to a German firm that is funding the case.

While the promised payout might have helped him attract support, Mr Schrems says the money is a side-issue.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

70

T R A N S F E R S . . .

NATION SPORT Lampard thrilled with City switch

Turan not planning Atletico exit

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RDA Turan has no desire to leave Atletico Madrid as he feels he is playing for the "best club in Spain".

The winger was a key member of the Atletico side who broke the domestic dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona last season by claiming a first La Liga title since 1996 and also reached the final of the UEFA Champions League.

Atleti's success has already seen Diego Costa and Filipe Luis join Chelsea, while several other stars have been been tipped to depart Vicente Calderon.

Turan is the latest player to have been linked with a move away from the club, with Manchester United reportedly among his suitors.

But the Turkey international is not planning on leaving the Spanish capital.

"I'm with the best club in Spain," Turan said at a news conference ahead of Atleti's friendly with Galatasaray later on Wednesday.

"I'm part of this system."

Meanwhile, coach Diego Simeone highlighted Turan as vital to Atletico in their quest for further honours this term.

"Arda is vital for us, due to his technical ability and his work ethic," Simeone commented. "He has grown a lot.

"He has natural talent and continues to be someone who makes a difference to the team."

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RANK Lampard cannot wait to get started after sealing his shortterm move to Manchester City.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed on Saturday that Lampard - who signed for new MLS franchise New York City last month after 13 glittering years at Chelsea - had opted to join the Premier League champions ahead of the 2015 MLS season, which begins next March.

And City made the move official on Tuesday, with England veteran Lampard expressing his delight at getting the chance to carry on playing in England prior to his debut campaign stateside.

"Joining up with Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to train and play at the top level and make sure I am in top condition for New York City," the 36-year-old told City's official website.

"It has been an amazing few days for me since the unveiling in Brooklyn and everyone connected with both clubs has been fantastic to me.

"This is a new chapter of my career and I'm really excited about the experience.

"I met Manuel and some of the players in New York and I'm looking forward to getting into training and making a contribution for Manchester City ahead of my move over to New York."

•Higuain

Higuain: Messi didn't make me want to ditch Napoli •Lampard

Johnson backs new arrivals to adapt

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DAM Johnson has no doubt that Sunderland's new arrivals will be able to adapt quickly to life at the Stadium of Light.

The Premier League side completed a big-money move for Manchester City's Jack Rodwell on Tuesday, with Billy Jones, Jordi Gomez, Patrick van Aanholt and Costel Pantilimon having already arrived.

Head coach Gus Poyet has spoken of his desire to bring in further recruits, particularly in attack, but Johnson is not worried about the possibility of a settling-in period for the new signings.

"I think from now until the start of the season there will be a big change again - outgoings and ingoings I would imagine," Johnson told The Sunderland Echo.

"But as long as we can keep the basics of what we want to do as a team, I don't think we'll have any problems.

"There's been a lot of talk about different players. We'll have to see who else arrives, but the players who are already here have fitted in quickly.

"I think to be honest, the only reason players don't settle in too quickly is when they can't speak the language. You're a long way away from home and can't understand what is going on."

Poyet led Sunderland to safety last season, as well as a place in the League Cup final, and will be looking to build on those promising foundations when the 2014-15 campaign begins with a trip to West Brom on August 16.

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ONZALO Higuain has claimed Lionel Messi failed to convince him to join Barcelona this summer but joked his Argentina team-mate should move to Napoli.

During the World Cup group stages, before Luis Suarez's move from Liverpool became a reality, there were strong rumours that the ex-Real Madrid attacker would be swapping the San Paolo for a return to La Liga this summer with the Catalunya club.

Messi conceded it would be brilliant to play alongside his Argentina teammate on a weekly basis at Camp Nou in June, but Higuain insists that he was never swayed by the four-time Ballon d'Or winner to ditch Napoli after a single season.

"Did I want to go to Barcelona? I always told the truth and that is that I

wanted to think only of the World Cup and then I would return to Napoli," the striker told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"So I kept quiet and I had nothing to fear, because there was nothing to comment about.

"Messi said certain things and I can only be flattered by them. I believe that every player would love to play alongside a great champion like him, but that does not mean that I ever wanted to leave.

"But if Messi came to Napoli, that would be great."

Higuain mused that Antonio Conte's departure from Scudetto holders Juventus will level the playing field for the rest of Serie A's top clubs and predicts a better showing from him and Rafa Benitez's men than 2013-14's third-place finish.

"Although there is no Conte, Massimiliano Allegri is a good coach so

Juventus will still be the opponent to beat," the 26-year-old added.

"Roma have reinforced and Rudi Garcia has a strong team, yet this year they are involved in the Champions League which will take away some of their energy, whereas last year they had no Europe to deal with.

"So it will definitely be a more balanced league. I do not think that there's a team capable of getting 102 points this season like Juve did last season.

"The advantage we have over the last year is that our project in motion, we know Serie A now and we have learned that we must not drop points against the smaller teams.

"Our failures should not happen again, we will always have the same attitude in every title race."

Bayern reach agreement with Liverpool for Reina

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AYERN Munich have reached an agreement with Liverpool for the signing of Pepe Reina, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that the Spain international - who spent last season on loan at Napoli - was in negotiations to join Pep Guardiola's German champions and Rummenigge has now revealed the two clubs have settled on a fee for the goalkeeper.

"We have reached an agreement with Reina and Liverpool. [Technical director] Michael Reschke could prepare a few things back home while we were in the USA," the Bayern boss told Bild.

"Reina is an established and experienced player who fits the profile of the technical staff," he later added via the club's official website.

Reina is expected to serve as back-up to Manuel Neuer at Bayern, who have become short on goalkeepers following the elbow injury suffered by veteran Tom Starke.

Reina was Rafa Benitez's No.1 choice last season as Napoli clinched third place in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, after the

Liverpool shot-stopper left Anfield for firstteam football following the arrival of Simon Mignolet.

The player himself stated at the end of last month that he intended to see out the remaining two years of his contract with the Reds, specifically after Benitez had conceded that Napoli could not afford to sign him on

a permanent deal.

Reina's fee is reportedly around the •3 million mark, with the former Barcelona man set to reunite with Guardiola following their spell together as players at Camp Nou. He is due for a medical and to sign his contract in the coming days.

•Pepe Reina

•Turan

Muller joins Hamburg from Mainz

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AMBURG have further bolstered their attacking options with the capture of winger Nicolai Muller from Mainz on a fouryear-deal.

Muller becomes the latest arrival in what has been an impressive transfer window for Hamburg, who have already added extensively to their squad ahead of the new Bundesliga season.

The 26-year-old follows the likes of striker Pierre Michel-Lasogga and defender Johan Djourou, both of whom made loan deals permanent, and midfielder Valon Behrami to the Imtech Arena.

His move to the six-time German champions comes after an impressive campaign with Mainz in 2013-14, in which he scored 10 goals in all competitions.

Mainz are competing in the Europa League this season following a seventh-place finish last term.

However, Muller has rejected the opportunity to play European football to instead help one of Germany's historic football powers bounce back after narrowly avoiding relegation in a play-off with Greuther Furth.

"I wanted to take the next step in my career," Muller told Hamburg's official website. "Going to a big club in such a city.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

71

SPORT EXTRA World Cup ‘ll make Omeruo better — Boro coach

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IDDLESBROUGH manager Aitor Karanka has said he expects Nigeria defender Kenneth Omeruo to be a better player after the World Cup in Brazil.

"He was handed the opportunity to play in the World Cup and he is now coming back to us a better player,” Karanka told The Northern Echo.

"He is a very important player to us. He is someone I love to have with us because he’s a player who came here

from Chelsea and his mood was always perfect. He was always happy and fighting for his position."

AFCON qualifiers: Nigeria must prepare well - DosuThe 20-year-old Omeruo made 14 appearances for the Championship team last season after he made a switch from Stamford Bridge to the Riverside in January on loan.

He is back on a second loan spell with Middlesbrough despite interests from EPL sides like Hull City and QPR.

Pillars now have 37 points from 21 matches.

F •Joseph Yobo, John Obi Mikel, Juwon Oshaniwa and Kenneth Omeruo of Nigeria celebrating a goal

AFCON QUALIFIERS

Nigeria must prepare well — Dosu F ORMER Nigeria goalkeeper Joseph Dosu has advised that the Super Eagles should be given the best of preparations if they hope to loom large above their opponents in Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round which starts next month.

Nigeria will face Rwanda, South Africa and Sudan in the battle to secure a ticket for the 2015 AFCON billed for Morocco.

The 1996 Olympic gold med-

allist insists the group is a tough one but is optimistic that the Super Eagles will make it to Morocco if the NFF put their house in order and settle the coaching contract of Stephen Keshi early enough.

"A lot of countries have been playing games against each other while we are still not settled but I believe Nigerians should have told Keshi to continue, and then the coaching crew can now decide on which players to invite," Dosu told

Goal.

"For sure, we shouldn’t be afraid but the important thing is for our federation to put their house in order and decide on the choice of coach they want to continue with the national team,” he added.

The draw is seen as a rekindling of rivalries between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, the South Africans are hoping to earn their first victory in a competitive match against the reigning African champions.

"There is no pushover in football anymore; all now depends on how your preparation is. If we have good preparations, I think we can beat them home and away.

"We have done that against the South Africans and we should be able to overrun the Rwandans in both legs but for me, preparation is important.

Determination and confidence will come into play despite having the right players, he concluded.

Man arrested for leaking Schumacher's medical files found dead

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man arrested in connection with the theft of Michael Schumacher's medical files has been found hanged in his prison cell.

The suspect, a helicopter rescue worker, was found dead yesterday, 24 hours af-

ter he was detained.

Schumacher's medical file, which held details of his surgical procedures following his skiing accident, were stolen and offered to the media for £40,000 in June.

The seven-time Formula One champion suffered ma-

jor head injuries sustained last December and he was kept in a medically-induced coma for six months. From there he was transferred from Grenoble Hospital in France to Lausanne, Switzerland.

The man arrested worked

Almeria may block Ramon Azeez EPL switch

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HERE are strong indications that modest Spanish side Almeria may block Nigerian star Ramon Azeez from joining Swansea City in the EPL. AfricanFootball.com has been informed that Swansea have tabled a bid for the 21-year-old Nigerian World Cup midfielder, but Almeria is not in a hurry to sell.

“Yes, there is a bid from Swansea for Ramon. The player and his club are currently in Thailand for pre-season and that includes the club president, who does not wish to sell Ramon,” a source close to the former Flying Eagles’ skipper disclosed.

“Almeria are due back in Spain at the weekend and Ramon has said he has been

speaking with his agent on the transfer.

“We just have to wait and see how things play out but at the moment, Almeria is not willing to let go one of their prized assets.”

Almeria barely escaped relegation from La Liga last season with Azeez, drafted in from the reserves, popping up with some crucial goals and assists in the process.

He played a total of 32 matches and scored two goals.

The Spanish media, including the influential sports paper AS, have reported that Swansea City have lodged a £2.4m offer for the highlyrated youngster, who impressed in his breakthrough year in the Spanish top flight last season.

•Ramon Azeez

for Rega, the helicopter company which dealt with Schumacher's transport from France to the University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud, 20 miles from the German's family home on the shore of Lake Geneva.

He denied any wrongdoing.

ORMER Kwara United striker Adamu Hassan netted his eighth goal of the season for Pillars after just three minutes, before Giwa FC drew level through a solo effort

by Shaibu Ibrahim in the 40th minute.

Four minutes later, Ezekiel Mba restored Pillars lead after he was set up by Gambo Mohammmed.

Kabiru Umar, back from a toe injury, grabbed the third goal in the 85th minute.

Also in the early kick-off in Kano, El Kanemi Warriors beat Warri Wolves 2-0.

El Kanemi now have 29 points from 21 games, while Warri Wolves have 31 points from 21 games.

Onyekachi Okoye gave the Warriors the lead in the 23rd minute from the penalty spot when he sent goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi the wrong way.

The penalty was awarded to the hosts after Monday Osagie

handled the ball inside the 18yard box.

The second goal to seal the victory was scored by substitute Tasiu Mohammed in the 85th minute, when he connected home Demba Malik’s cross.

Home team Enyimba defeated Sunshine Stars 2-0 to move to the fourth place on the league table with 32 points from 21 games, while Sunshine Stars have 30 points.

Daniel Etor gave ‘The People’s Elephant’ the lead in the 13th minute when he pounced on a rebound after Sunshine goalkeeper Henry Ayodele parried Ugwu Uwadiegwu's effort towards him.

The former U20 international Etor was Enyimba tormentor in chief as he terrorised Sunshine defence at will.

Markson Ojobo sealed victory for the six-time champions with a 90th minute penalty goal after Jude Ebitogwa handled a goabound ball.

Lobi secures important win against Crown FC

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OBI Stars secured first away win in two seasons against Crown FC at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan and battled valiantly to end it that way yesterday in a Glo Premier League Week 21 tie.

It was Lobi’s first road maximum points since 2012 when the club beat Dolphins 2-0 in a league in Port Harcourt and this aided the club to end the season in third place behind Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers.

There was no much to talking point in the first half with both sides happy to sit at back to soak pressure but everything got changed in the 53rd minute of the match after the Ajilete Boys’ defender felled Lobi’s schemer, in the vital area and centre referee Ferdinard Udoh did not hesitate to spot the infringement and awarded a penalty kick to the away side.

Lobi’s captain, Bunde Moses stepped forward to plant the spot kick to the right side beyond the reach of Crown FC goalkeeper, Michael Uweru for his side’s opening goal.

The Ogbomosho side couldn’t find their bearing to the disappointment of their fans and their attempt to nick an equalizer could not materialize.

The away side proved to be much more improved, co-

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

ordinated and composed than their hosts who had to contend with getting a leveler and also striving to please their supporters who were utterly disappointed with their performance.

The Vice Chairman of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa has hailed his boys top notch performance and also praised the centre referee, Fernidard Udoh from Akwa Ibom State for upholding the tenets of the game against hostile atmosphere after his boys nicked a vital three point away to Crown FC. “This is the kind of officiating we are expecting in the premier league. The referee stamped his authority throughout the game and my boys too were never intimidated despite the charged atmosphere.

“We have said that we would ensure that we improve better than we did in the first stanza and this away victory is a morale booster ahead of better things to come,” Iorfa told NationSport.

Lobi’s head coach, Evans Ogenyi also thumbed up his wards and challenged them to do even better in subsequent matches and he urged them not to be carried away by this result.

Lobi Stars are on 31 points from 21 matches

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 2014

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

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HOEVER had any doubt about the strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State should, by now, be convinced that he was damn wrong.

But, can the APC be beaten on Saturday?

No. Some latter day pundits and rogue bookmakers may continue to tell us that rallies are no indicators of political muscle, but we all know they symbolise acceptance and solidarity, if not affection, even if it is superficial.

After all, the Yoruba say a o fe o lawujo o n darin: t’o ba darin naa ta ni o gbe? (You can’t call a song in a gathering in which you’re unwanted. Who will sing with you?).

Tuesday’s APC rally at the Osogbo Township Stadium was unprecedented in its size, impact and import. The panegyrics on Aregbesola’s sterling performance in education and infrastructure. The frenetic displays of excited youths and old men lining the roads, waving brooms and screaming “Ogbeni!” in a town that had been groaning under a heavy security presence. And the obstinacy of the sea of people who would not be deterred by the threatening rain. It was cloudy all through.

I wasn’t surprised. Whoever has joined the monthly Walk-to-Live programme won’t be surprised at the governor’s charm.

Aregbesola doesn’t need to grub gari in public and tear at roasted corn with both hands for him to “connect with the grassroots”. No. His is natural.

Men and women of the Directorate of State Security Services (DSS) in mournful dark dresses and dreadful hoods had been parading the streets, shouting, shooting into the air and shutting down traffic - without provocation. That, I am told, is their own way of maintaining peace. Strange.

After one of such scenes last Saturday in the town, an old man wondered why we couldn’t retrieve the snatched Chibok girls by simply sending the DSS men and women to Sambisa Forest where they are believed to have been held in captivity by the fundamentalist Boko Haram sect. A driver said the way the operatives were firing into the air, there was no way President Goodluck Jonathan, who incidentally was leading his party’s rally less than five minutes away, would not need another $1billion loan to buy bullets, bombs and boots for the Armed Forces.

Pardon the digression. The crowd at the Aregbesola rally started gathering as early as 7 a.m. By the time the man of the moment and other party chiefs arrived at the stadium late in the afternoon, the scene had become electrifying. The crowd outside the throbbing arena was bigger than the one inside. It was a great spectacle. There were many groups in uniforms. There were many itinerary musicians, but K1 the Ultimate, the Fuji maestro, was on the band stand, dishing out acerbic messages to Aregbesola’s opponents.

It was Aregbesola’s show quite alright, but there was no doubt that former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola snatched away the star performance prize. He consolidated his rejection of the Peoples Democratic Party

VOL. 8, NO. 2,931

‘Preventing disintegration of a state is not by the council’s wishful thinking but by the state performing its responsibilities to its citizens which is today not the case when we have no idea who Nigerians are, and federating units are prevented from taking responsibility for those JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN who inhabit their territories’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (NMMA)

The battle for Osun

•Ogbeni Aregbesola

•Dr. Omisore

(PDP), a party under which he ran the state for about seven years. The Okuku prince danced like a prince on his birthday, waving a broom excitedly and raising high his new party’s flag – to the admiration of the crowd, who yelled and yelled as Oyinlola shuffled and wriggled to the music.

The former governor advised would-be voters to reject Otunba–sorry, a slip there, Dr, as he says he should now be known and addressed– Iyiola Omisore, the PDP’s candidate, at the poll. He listed many reasons why PDP should not take the reins of governance and mesmerised the crowd with details of why he parted ways with the PDP, spicing it all with anecdotes that sent the crowd reeling.

Jonathan, he said, outfoxed former President Olusegun Obasanjo who helped him to get to the office, dismantling his influence in the party. He, Oyinlola, was denied the PDP’s national secretary, even after a court had pronounced him the rightful owner of the seat.

The Ogun State arm of the party had its executive disbanded and handed over to men of questionable loyalty, he said. He was also bitter about the marginalisation of the Yoruba, saying none occupied a position of influence in the Jonathan administration.

“Chief Bisi Akande is a former governor of this state. Isiaka Adeleke is a former governor of this state, just like me. We are all here with Aregbesola.

So, who is left on the other side? We are all waving a final bye to injustice,” Oyinlola said in impeccable Yoruba–to the admiration of all.

Party chair Chief John Odigie-Oyegun warned the PDP not to rig the 2015 general elections, saying if it did, the APC would simply form its own government. He sent the crowd into a moment of emotional depression when he asked that a minute’s silence be observed in memory of the late Chief Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice who was murdered by unknown gunmen in his Bodija, Ibadan home on December 23, 2001.

Oyinlola had wondered how some of those indicted in the Ige murder are the ones now holding leadership positions—courtesy of the PDP. Ige, a frontline politician with consummate oratory and caustic tongue that hit his opponents more than a million bullets, was from Osun.

The rally was an opportunity to deliver a damning verdict on the Jonathan presidency, which Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu described as incompetent. He urged the youth to see the election as theirs because, according to him, it will define their future. They should, he said, be brave in the face of intimidation. “Soldiers can’t shoot you,” he told them, adding that they should protect their votes.

A source told me that soldiers the people need not fear; the trouble is contending with fake soldiers who bear arms, even as their identities remain a secret.

A rally for Aregbesola was stopped yesterday by “soldiers”. Are these genuine sol-

THE EBOLA CHALLENGE

B

AD news. A nurse at the Lagos hospital that treated the Liberian-American Ebola virus victim, Patrick Sawyer, is dead, the government announced yesterday. Doctors are battling to save the life of their colleague who treated the late Sawyer.

Nigeria has now recorded seven cases of the lethal disease, which has sent the world scampering for help. Liberia and Sierra Leone have declared an emergency, with the former shutting down schools. The attention the Federal Government and the states are paying to the matter is commendable, but doctors are seeking assurance that they will get adequate protection as they join the battle to save lives that are threatened by the virus.

The Middle East is in turmoil, with many, including women and children, dead. The fate of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370 remains hazy, five months after the plane vanished with 239 on-board. Malaysia Airlines MH17 was brought down in Ukraine. All 298 on-board died. And now Ebola.

Is the Apocalypse here?

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HARDBALL

I

T was Chinua Achebe, in his A Man of the People, that threw in the Igbo jibe: that one of the roguish politicians, in

his fictional polity, had stolen more than enough for the owner not to notice.

Like fiction that shapes today’s dirty reality, Chief Nanga, MP, could well pass as patron saint for today’s power politicians, in Nigeria’s present troubled democracy! Chief Nanga’s power-withoutscruples (mis)philosophy has a lot in common with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (a classic name-asparadox case!) in its present capture-byopposing-governors’ impeachment unholy crusade.

Surprised with the ease with which Adamawa’s Murtala Nyako was shoved off his seat, and firing off victorious shots in the air as the impeachment train furiously galloped into Lafia, Nasarawa State, the Tanko Al-Makura ouster was supposed to be a piece of cake, which

Nasarawa: King-Kong kayoed! should also warn the stiff-necked band in Edo and Rivers — and any other state that tickles the PDP King-Kong’s fancies — that the bell tolls for their errant governors.

Not even anti-impeachment protests by the political masters of the all-mighty Nasarawa legislators, the voters themselves, could impress the rampaging legislators, having smelled blood, like some rogue hunters fixed on their hopeless prey.

They seemed particularly re-energised after a “private visit” to Aso Rock Villa, with you-know-who, who perhaps further assured them that legitimate federal coercion would surely be available for their illegitimate state endeavour. He is commander-in-chief and chief monopolist of state force, isn’t he?

At least, after discounting the rag-tag Boko Haram now seriously competing for space!

Still, it is true: a dog that would meet its

diers who swore to defend Nigeria? I doubt it.

My advice to all those who are trying to turn the military against the people is that they should stop it; such indiscretion is costly.

But Tinubu wasn’t done with his blistering assault on the Federal Government’s integrity, chiding her for not doing enough to free the Chibok girls, more than three months after they were abducted. He said: “They keep saying they know where the kidnapped girls are kept. If truly they know, let them bring them out and if it is the enemies that are keeping them and they know, it means they are saying they should be taken away.”

Aregbesola brought back memories of those days of ideological politics, of colourful rallies, wisecracks and stinging remarks. He was pragmatic in his approach as he–in an open allusion to the Ekiti State election–exhibited how would-be voters should handle the ballot paper, which many believe could be compromised.

Omisore and his camp have been boasting that he will beat Aregbesola in all the local governments. Only a major calamity, such as damaging the integrity of the ballot paper, could make such an empty dream come true. But, will Osun people allow that? I doubt it.

Aregbesola’s talismanic acceptance is due to his performance–the massive road construction, the beautiful schools, feeding of thousands of pupils free of charge, the social security system for the elderly, provision of security equipment for the police, ambulance services, jobs for the youth and his sheer integrity.

A friend once joked that Osun’s monthly allocation is not enough for some of those battling to rule the state and their friends to fund their champagne life. Of the 36 states, Osun is 34 on the revenue allocation ladder. Despite this obvious financial inadequacy, Aregbesola has embarked on projects that are the hallmarks of progressive governance that the APC is striving to enthrone nationwide.

Aregbesola has always said that in this election, there are only two options for the PDPled Federal Government: it should allow the people’s will to prevail or be ready to kill as many people as possible and go down in history as the most draconian government ever.

Whoever doubts that should go back to the video of the Tuesday rally.

doom is totally deaf to the hunter’s whistle! And so it has been with the Nasarawa lawmakers whose temper appeared more like law breakers’.

They met every protest with a sneer.

And every plea, by traditional rulers and other crucial stakeholders to backpedal, with dismissive scorn. Pronto, they ordered the Nasarawa State Chief Judge (CJ), Justice Suleiman Dikko, like legislative village headmasters, claiming constitutional backing, as the Legislative Leviathan, even as the governor virtually shouting himself hoarse that he was not properly — and therefore not legally — served the impeachment notice. The CJ obliged them.

But then, having had their way they realised, like a reckless boxer, they had run into a sucker punch, entirely their

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above own making! Suddenly, they wanted the CJ to disband the committee they had ordered him to constitute. Drama!

The CJ demurred, citing constitutional provisions. The legislators insisted threatening to boycott the court they caused to be set up; and to go to court to challenge their own doing. It is political vengeance turned splendid farce!

What did the legislators expect? A zombie CJ that would stuff the committee with partisan hangmen that would, after sending a governor to political gallows, crown the legislators as gubernatorial legisla-thieves? Or a fair arbiter that would do justice to all, without fear or favour, as the cliché goes?

Anyway, the last time Hardball checked, the governor had been cleared of all the charges. Is that the end, or there is more legislative banditry to come?

Talk of stealing too much for the owner not to notice!

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