August 21, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

Osun election nearly rigged, says Jega NEWS

Page 5

•INEC chief decries use of hooded men •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 2945 THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

Gunmen kidnap Lebanese in Oyo

•Police launch search

NEWS Page 8

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: MBU, MANKO, 17 OTHERS NOW AIGS P5 FAYOSE RAISES TRANSITION PANEL P8

Ebola: Five new cases in Lagos as doctor gets kudos •SEE ALSO PAGES 2&3

BoA recovers N22b loans

Fed Govt okays N200m for state

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HE Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has recovered about N22 billion non-performing loans between 2010 and last June . It has also attracted N28 billion to the bank, and has created over 2.4 million jobs, its Managing Director.....

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja, Miriam Ekene-Okoro and Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

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AGOS has recorded five additional suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the state government said yesterday.

Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris, who gave an update on the government’s efforts to contain the virus, said two of the fresh cases are secondary contacts. The remaining three are primary contacts with the late Liberian Patrick Sawyer who imported the disease into Nigeria.

According to the commissioner, the fresh suspected cases have increased the number of patients in isolation wards from two to six. One of the suspected cases is a Liberian who was brought into the isolation centre from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The Liberian has since been released, having tested negative to the virus.

Idris said: “Till date, we have recorded eight suspected cases, five of which were brought in yesterday. We have 12 confirmed cases on the whole, out of which five have died and five have been discharged. We are currently following up on 213 contacts while 62 have completed the 21-day follow-up.

“Yesterday, we recorded the death of the Senior Consultant/Endocrinologist of First Con-

Business Page 11

Oshoala shoots Nigeria into final

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OUR goals from Asisat Oshoala helped Nigeria to a 6-2 win over Korea DPR last night as they booked a place in the final of the ongoing Under 20 Women’s World Cup. Courtney Dike, the younger sister of Super Eagles player Bright Dike, put the Falconets in front with just 64...

Continued on page 4

Military probes troops ‘revolt’

Sport Page 69

Marwa, Ribadu, others wait

•Roll call ordered in barracks •Umar urges firm action

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HE intrigues surrounding the jostle for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State heightened yesterday, with the aspirants seeking President Goodluck Jonathan’s favour.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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HE military moved fast yesterday to probe the alleged revolt by some soldiers against deployment to fight Boko Haram.

Various units of the army have been ordered to take the roll call of troops to fish out the rebellious ones.

But, the Defence Headquarters yesterday said the allegation of a revolt was remote.

A former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd), advised the military to WHERE ARE address the causes of revolt.

THE CHIBOK According to a source, GIRLS some army units, especially KIDNAPPED in the Northeast, have been ON APRIL 15?

News Page 6

Obama sad over journalist killing

?

Continued on page 4

U •GETTING SET TO ST OP THE BOMBER: A policeman being dressed in a bomb proof kit with a detector at the STOP Police Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

NITED States President Barack Obama has said the beheading of US jounalist James Foley is “an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world”.

Foreign Page 67

•SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •N/HEALTH P53 •POLITICS P55 •E-BUSINESS P58 •FOREIGN P67

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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NEWS

Ebola: Nose masks, •Death toll in West Africa now 1350, says WHO

T •Director, Public Enlightenment, Rivers Ministry of Information and Communication, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, at a media sensitisation campaign on Ebola in Port Harcourt...yesterday. With him are Director of Publication, Mr Samuel Iyoyo and Permanent Secretary, Mrs Cordelia Peterside.

PHOTO: NAN

• Chairman, Opportunity USA International Consortium , Dr Herbert Nwosu (left) at a news conference on Block Seal Technology in Lagos...yesterday. With him is Executive Secretary, Nigeria International Franchise Association, Mr Olayinka Babalola.

PHOTO: NAN

•From left: Head Device and Terminal Etisalat Nigeria Mr Layi Onafowokan, Managing Director Infinix Mobile Mr Benjamin Jiang and Chief Executive Officer Konga.com, Mr Sim Shagaya displaying the new Infinix ZERO Smartphone at its public presentation in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

•From Left: Managing Director, Bumor Creazioni Designer, Frank Osodi Richard, 2014 Face of Native and Vogue (Female category winner), Adoki Joy, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Rivers State, Mrs. Cordelia Peterside, 2014 Face of Native and Vogue (Male Category Winner), Dennis Atiegoba and Managing Director, NEO MANTRA, Nkiruka Oguadinma at the unveiling of the 2014 Face of Native and Vogue in Port Harcourt.

HE West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will protect supervisors, invigilators and candidates taking its examinations from the Ebola Virus.

Its Head of National Office, Mr Charles Eguridu, spoke of its plans against the dreaded virus yesterday at a news conference in Lagos on the November/December West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Eguridu said supervisors and invigilators would be provided with hand sanitisers, gloves and nose masks. Sick candidates would be discouraged from taking the examination as part of measures to guard against the spread of the Evola Virus Disease (EVD) during the examination.

He said the council has made arrangements for emergency medical services if the need arises.

Eguridu also announced that candidates who are unable to register for the November/December 2014 WASSCE before registration closes on Monday can still sit for the examination at designated walk-incentres.

He added that candidates who have not pre-registered but wish to take the examination would be registered at zonal/branch offices after paying the N25, 000 fees charged for the service.

“This is the first time ever that an examining body in black Africa will make this facility available. Interested candidates are expected walk into any of the Council’s zonal or branch office, with two passport photographs, in addition to the registration fee N25, 000 only in bank draft, drawn in favour of the West African Examinations Council, not later than the day of the paper they intend to sit,” he said.

The normal registration fee for the examination, which starts Tuesday next week, is N11, 400.

Eguridu said the walk-in centres would be available only in states that host the council’s 12 zonal offices, 19 branch offices and two satellite offices.

Explaining the rationale for the initiative, Eguridu said it would give candidates whose papers are incomplete the opportunity to immediately retake the examination instead of waiting till next year to do so.

He said: “Before now, you will recall that when candidates want to register, we open the portal for registration within a specified period.

And at the close of the entry, the can no longer register.

“This innovation makes it possible for those who were not able to register to still do the exam. You just walk into the centre on exam day, they capture your biometrics and you write the exam.”

He added that there would be no centres in the three states that have security challenges.

Justifying the additional cost, which is irrespective of the number of papers the walk-in-candidate sits for, Eguridu said the amount is subsidised.

“This cost is highly subsidised. If we were to charge economic cost, eah candidate will be made to pay about, N60,000-, N70,000. For registered candidates we print materials well ahead of time. But to accommodate walk-in-candidates, we have to prepare for them. And may even record some waste,” he said.

Eguridu assured candidates that

•Eguridu

‘

If somebody had traveled to Guinea and came back and had a fever and has never been to a place where Ebola is transmitted, there’s no reason to suspect there’s Ebola just because Ebola is circulating in Guinea

‘

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

the council has taken care to ensure that no errors would arise from the arrangement.

“We have taken cognisance of all difficulties that may arise in the course of this innovation. We assure the walk-in-candidates that there will be no mix up,” he said.

The HNO added that the walk-incandidate facility would only be available for the Nov/Dec WASSCE, which is designed for private candidates.

Death toll now 1350 The World Health Organisation says the death toll from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is now at least 1,350 people.

The latest figures yesterday show that the deaths are mounting fastest in Liberia, which now accounts for at least 576 of the deaths.

The U.N. health agency also warned in its announcement that “countries are beginning to experience supply shortages, including fuel, food, and basic supplies.”

This comes after a number of airlines and shipping services have halted transport to the worst affected capitals of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

In a desperate bid to halt the disease’s spread, authorities in Liberia have quarantined off a huge slum that is home to 50,000 people.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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NEWS

s, gloves for WAEC supervisors, invigilators

•Residents from an area close to the West Point Ebola center, protest as they are not allowed to enter •Liberia security forces blockade an area around the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down the area leading to their homes, after Liberia security forces blocked roads in Monrovia...yesterday.

PHOTOS: AFP on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia...yesterday.

Ode to Adadevoh

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EARLY this April, Lagos State Health Ministry and Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris, appealed to all health practitioners to watch out for patients presenting symptoms of Ebola so that Nigeria would be delivered from the endemic disease already spreading through in Guinea.

The burly patient that she admitted on Sunday, July 20 had just flown in from nearby Monrovia, having cleared Airport screening for hidden weapons, hazardous materials, and illegal substances, with the might of ECOWAS bureaucracy beside him, a passport of the United States of America with him, and powerful Government connections behind him.

What Airport security was ill-equipped to detect, however, was an even deadlier national threat – the virulent etiological agent for Ebola!

Hence, in his medical history, he conveniently ignored his recent contact with a case of Ebola, visits to any person infected with the virus in a hospital, or participation in a funeral of a person who died of the disease. All three criteria, it turns out, precisely described Mr. Patrick Sawyer’s status vis-a-vis the late sister, Princess,whom he lost to Ebola, on 8th July.

In Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, an epidemic found its match that effectively stopped its incurable match of death. Obligations to the Hippocratic Oath of her noble profession compelled the Senior Consultant Physician, First Consultant Medical Center, to do no harm but only good. Her august patient had just landed from endemic Liberia with distinctive symptoms; therefore, she summoned uncommon courage, ignored his denials, queried Ebola nonetheless, arranged for blood analysis, and skilfully turned his hospitalization into quarProtests erupted in West Point on Wednesday, where residents threw rocks at police.

American hospitals record 68 Ebola scares American hospitals and state labs have handled at least 68 Ebola scares over the last three weeks, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitals in 27 states alerted the CDC of the possible Ebola cases out of an abundance of caution amid the growing outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Fifty-eight cases were deemed false alarms after CDC officials spoke with medical professions about patient exposures and symptoms, but blood samples for the remaining 10 were sent to the CDC for testing, the agency told ABC News yesterday.

Seven of the samples tested negative for the virus and results for the remaining three are pending, the

‘

With her very life, she made a supreme sacrifice but saved a nation from ominous Ebola epidemic! If ever a case or nominee for posthumous National honour is needed, case closed! Much respect, many thanks, and God bless the memory of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh

By Dr. Joe Okungbowa antine! By doing this, she stopped an Epidemic and saved a nation from a deadly virus.

As soon as his test from LUTH came back presumptive positive, she promptly alerted Federal and Lagos State Health Ministries. In so doing, she identified the index Ebola patient on Nigerian soil, stopped nationwide spread of the virus, and saved a nation from an epidemic!

While she gave him medical care for his disease, he gave her medical disease for her care!

But she patiently absorbed the impact of the infection that she contracted unwittingly without spreading it. In so doing, she saved her nation and averted a looming Epidemic that was not!

A private clinic that relies on corporate retainership and patronage of the affluent to get by, should not mess around with a VIP patient; but that, in a nutshell, is all she did by defying the petulance of a Liberian ECOWAS delegation that pressured her to discharge Mr. Sawyer to attend the “8th Joint Retreat of ECOWAS Institutions, Permanent Representatives and National Units”. By denying him medical clearance to proceed to Calabar, she saved Nigeria from an imminent Epidemic…. …Yes, with her very life, she made a supreme sacrifice but saved a nation from ominous Ebola epidemic!

If ever a case or nominee for posthumous National honour is needed, case closed!

Much respect, many thanks, and God bless the memory of Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh!

•Dr. Okungbowa is tenured professor in Florida. Culled from onlinenigeria.com

agency said.

Once a hospital or state lab notifies the CDC of a possible Ebola case based on travel history and symptoms, CDC officials talk to someone familiar with the suspected patient’s history to determine whether blood testing for the virus is necessary, said CDC spokeswoman Kristen Nordlund. They discuss symptoms and determine whether the patient may have been exposed to the virus. Exposure can happen if the patient is a health care worker, has buried someone with Ebola, has lived in a house with someone who had Ebola or has lived in a place where Ebola is spreading.

“If somebody had traveled to Guinea and came back and had a fever and has never been to a place where Ebola is transmitted, there’s no reason to suspect there’s Ebola just because Ebola is circulating in Guinea,” Nordlund said, explaining that the CDC takes suspected cases seriously but has to narrow them

•The late Dr. Adadevoh

down.

The latest scare to make headlines involves a patient at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Sacramento who “may have been exposed to the Ebola virus,” the hospital said in a statement. The patient has been isolated in a negative pressure room while awaiting blood test results from the CDC. Two patients are in isolation in U.S. hospitals while officials wait for test results to determine if they have been infected with the Ebola virus.

Officials believe that a woman in New Mexico and an unidentified patient in California are unlikely to have the deadly virus, but the two individuals are being isolated and tested out of an abundance of caution.

The New Mexico patient recently returned from Sierra Leone, where she worked as a teacher and began showing symptoms sometimes associated with the virus, including a fever, sore throat, body aches and headaches. Sierra Leone is one of

four West African countries hit by the outbreak that has claimed more than 1,200 lives.

Earlier this week, the 30-year-old woman arrived at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque with a fever, sore throat, headache and muscle aches after returning from Sierra Leone, according to the New Mexico Department of Public Health. She is currently in isolation and awaiting test results from the CDC, according to the department.

Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Johns Hopkins Medicine in Maryland and an undisclosed hospital in Ohio have also tested patients for Ebola over the past several weeks.

The CDC has urged health care providers to ask patients about their travel history to help identify potential Ebola cases.

In a statement, the California Department of Public health called the case “low-risk” and said the person

‘ is being tested out of an abundance of caution according to guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Blood samples from both patients are being sent to the CDC to rule out the presence of Ebola.

Other than two Ebola patients who were flown from West Africa to Atlanta, Ga., for treatment, there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in the United States.

People infected with Ebola are only contagious once symptoms begin to appear, which can take as long as 21 days. Ebola is contracted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, and the World Health Organisation has said that unlike other infectious diseases — such as the flu— Ebola is not transmitted through the air.

There is little risk of infection through air travel.

•Additional reports by AFP and ABC News

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

Military probes soldiers’ revolt Continued from page 1

•Governor Babatunde Fashola congratulating Chief Judge Justice Olufunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade after she took oath of office at Alausa, Ikeja…yesterday. With them is Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right), Attorney General Ade Ipaye (partly covered by the governor), Industrialist Chief Molade Okoya Thomas and Senator Gbenga Ashafa (behind the governor)

UK to send warplanes to find Chibok girls

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RITISH warplanes are to be sent to Nigeria to help locate the abducted Chibok girls, it emerged yesterday.

The over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State were abducted from their hostels on April 15.

MailOnline reported yesterday that three Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado GR4s outfitted with surveillance equipment were being deployed to fly reconnaissance missions over the Northeast.

A government source told The Times that the fighter bombers would help the Nigerian authorities by tracking the movements of Boko Haram militants.

According to the report, the mission is dependent on a nearby nation giving them permission to use a runway.

A United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) spokesman did not deny the report about the deployment of the planes, adding: “The UK continues to work

From Grace Obike, Abuja

with the U.S., France, Nigeria, its neighbours and international partners to provide advice and assistance to the Nigerian Government.

“Together with our allies, we have provided continuous surveillance support to the Nigerian authorities, including satellite imagery. We are still in discussion with partners on the deployment of further surveillance capability.’

In Abuja, protesters of the BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement said yesterday that the government owes them an apology for initially denying the abduction of the Chibok girls.

They said that when the news first broke that the girls had been abducted and they began protesting for their safe rescue, people in government accused them of lying and being sponsored by the opposition instead of squarely looking into the problem.

BBOG said in another clime, those people would have come

out and publicly apologised.

A member of the group, Abubuakar Abdullahi, stated this yesterday in Abuja, at the sitout of the group.

“We deserve an apology, at least from the people who were within government or in office that came out, or people who stood up based on the office they occupy to say that the movement was based on lies, to say that the Chibok girls had not been kidnapped, to say that it was political and all.

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“I think after the committee went and did the research and found out that this was actually true and the girls had really been abducted, at least in a sane society, it would have been that we get an apology,” she said.

The group promised that whatever the cause, they would stand firmly in their advocacy and insist that the government does its duty to the citizens of the country of which the Chibok girls are a part of and fight for their safe return to their families.

directed to take the roll of soldiers to fish out rebellious ones.

It was gathered that the Army took the decision following report that a group of soldiers refused posting to some parts of Borno State.

The said group of soldiers was alleged to have rejected deployment to Gwoza and Dalwa Village in Damboa.

But a source in the military yesterday said although the likelihood of refusal of posting was remote, the Army Units in the area had been ordered to take the roll call of soldiers.

The source said: “The Army units have been ordered to take a roll of the troops either on the fields or in the barracks to verify if there was any group of soldiers refusing posting. We will certainly get to the root of this.

“This is a well-organised army which can detect any unruly soldiers or deserters in record time.

“We are suspecting that this may be an attempt to ridicule the Nigerian Army by some forces.

As at the time they said the group of soldiers turned down posting, there was no operation going on in the said area.

“When we reclaimed Damboa and shifted operation to Gwoza, we informed Nigerians on the mileage the troops gained over Boko Haram insurgents. We do not have a weak army as being alleged.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “This allegation might be the outcome of all the activism and criticisms against the military. And if the nation’s military is decimated or undermined, everybody will be worse for it.”

The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The allegation of soldiers refusing deployment is very unlikely to be true. If it is true that anyone spoke with a foreign medium as a soldier, he must be a deserter.

“So far, we consider the purported soldier who raised the alarm as faceless and someone out to cause disaffection.”

To Col. Dangiwa Umar, the military should not gloss over the “revolt”.

Col. Umar, who made his views known in a statement, said it was time to check imminent service-wide revolt.

He said: “One is worried by the news of our soldiers’ revolt in the theatre of war, which the Northeastern part of Nigeria has become. There is the need to stem this tide by addressing the causal factors of this unprofessional conduct.

“And these factors range from :one, the dubious recruitment method. Two, poor training and equipment. Three, lack of motivation. Four, civilianisation of the military. For example, soldiers being deployed on purely police duty e.g. checkpoints at which they are seen soliciting and receiving bribe. Such soldiers cannot be expected to fight in a war .

“We should also note that more than 20 per cent of our soldiers or our military personnel are currently being deployed as aides and guards to people who are not entitled to such services.

“These are the factors that must be addressed if we are to forestall the tide of imminent service-wide revolt by our personnel.”

Airline crew won’t travel to Nigeria, others

OME Air France flight officials are refusing to board planes bound for Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria over fears of the Ebola outbreak.

Cabin crew scheduled to work on some flights “have not wanted to carry out their assignment”, a spokesman for the company told AFP. Air France serves more West Africa destinations than any other major carrier. It has given its

staff freedom to choose whether or not they want to fly to Conakry, Freetown and Lagos after British Airways and Emirates suspended flights to the region.

Air France operates daily flights to Guinea and Nigeria and a service three times a week to Sierra Leone.

Ebola has killed 1,229 people so far this year in west Africa, the worst outbreak ever of the virus.

On Monday, one Air France union, SNGAF, launched a petition calling for the “immediate end to flights to countries hit by the Ebola virus.”

“We know that our jobs put us at risk, but they are measured risks. This is completely out of control and the information is not the same from one day to the next,” said Sophie Gorins, the secretary-general of the SNPNC, which represents cabin crew.

She said that hygiene measures implemented so far were “stop-gap” and that crew had “no idea if we are carrying a victim or if we ourselves are carriers of the virus.”

Flight crews for Air France can request to be withdrawn from a scheduled flight if they believe their health or life is in “grave and imminent danger,” with the team then usually replaced by a reserve team.

Ebola: Five new cases in Lagos as doctor gets kudos Adadevoh: In the eyes of her people, others

Continued from page 1

sultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, Dr. Stella Shade Ameyo Adadevoh. She, it was, who took the initiative to intimate the ministry concerning the index case and substantially to her credit, the moderate containment achieved we owe to her and her colleagues.”

Idris, recalled that the late Dr. Adadevoh led the team which attended to the index case and her doggedness and commitment saw her personally reviewing the case even though the patient had earlier been seen by a doctor.

“No doubt, she and other affected health workers are our heroes and heroines,” the commissioner said, adding: “The Ministry of Health and indeed the Lagos State Government, commiserate with their families, co-workers, friends and loved ones on these irreparable losses which was on the line of duty.”

Idris said the ministry was continuing with the vigorous contact tracing which is now shifting from primary to secondary contacts, adding that the mode of spread remains mainly transmission from an infected person in an infective state and from infected animals.

He said: “This is call for vigilance as human transmission is only achieved by physical contact with a person who is acutely and gravely ill (fever being a key sign) from Ebola virus

A

S soon as the news of the death of Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh filtered to her immediate family, Kwame Adadevoh, her cousin living in Atlanta Georgia in the United States of America (USA), changed his Facebook profile picture.

The picture Kwame put up was the headshot of the late Dr. Adadevoh, with clear and sparkling eyes and lips parting in a warm smile. She had on her head a bright blue head tie, tied in the fashionable satellite dish fashion, she was full of life.

Under the picture, Kwame wrote: “Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, you are a hero to a lot of people in Lagos, Nigeria saving lives and caring for people was your passion.”

The sentiments expressed by Kwame were shared by another relative, her brother Kodjo who lives at New Hope Pennsylvania also in the USA. In response to the death of his sister, he had posted several family pictures of the late doctor showing her in different moods and activities. Most of the pictures were the ones taken with her family members at home while some were taken at what looked like through body fluids, such as blood, urine, stool, saliva, breast milk, semen and vomitus.

“Burial ceremonies where mourners, including family members, have direct contact with patients who died of Ebola have also played a role in the spread and direct contact with bodies should be minimised at this period.”

By Seun Akioye and Wale Adepoju

family function. In the entire picture, Dr. Adadevoh was always in the middle with that smile and warmth; it would be easy to conclude that the workaholic doctor also had another side to her that was warm, loving and fun.

Another relative, Belinda Yesutor Adadevoh who lives in Ghana said: “A sad moment for the Adadevohs home and abroad. May the priceless and beautiful soul of Dr Ameyo Adadevoh RIPP.” Her post was followed by several condolence messages. Some hours after, she wrote: “Dear snr sister may your beautiful RIPP. You fought a good fight and taken a royal bow from this wicked world. Dr Ameyo Adadevoh.”

But the post that seemed to convey the thoughts and sentiments of her family members was this: “A price to pay for your duty to God, Country and Humanity. May your beautiful soul find rest.”

Following the postings on Facebook, there has been outpouring of condolences from around the world to her immediate family. Some of the callers were “shocked beyond words” while others wanted to know if it was “the same Dr.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba said the Federal Government had not given the state any money to fight Ebola.

He said: “May be the Federal Government will release funds later. But we are grateful for all the Federal Government has done, giving us technical support in the fight against the vi-

Ameyo that died.”

Another cousin, Babatunde Akinyanju, said he had hoped for her recovery and asked that a memorial be established to her and her fallen colleagues.

“The tributes to Cousin Ameyo are all very touching. Still very raw knowing she is no longer with us. Only a couple of days ago I heard she had slightly improved so the whole family was quietly confident that she would pull through,” Akinyanju said.

Akinyanju also remarked about her “wit and warmth” when he met the late doctor in April 2014 at a “Joyous family occasion.”

Special Assistant to President Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri, in a tweet via his handle @renoomokri wrote, “No greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends-John 15:13. Rest in Peace #DrAdadevohaRealNigerianhero”.

Former Minister for Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, in her tribute described the late Adadevoh as an embodiment of godly doctor.

The late Dr. Adadevoh was also described by a family member as a “true”

rus, releasing their staff for contact tracing, case management, operation of the Emergency operation centre and the rapid response team.

“This is a collaborative effort between the Federal, state government and other foreign partners. As at now, we are yet to receive money from the Federal Government.”

Continued on page 66

Ibirogba explained that the money spent so far on the health of the Ebola victims were funds released by Governor Babatunde Fashola to combat the disease.

But Minister of Health Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu said yesterday that the Federal Government had approved N200 million for the Lagos State govern-

•The late Dr. Adadevoh

ment to contain the spread of Ebola.

Chukwu spoke to reporters at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

He said that the decision by President Goodluck Jonathan to assist the Lagos State government was in line with the commitment of the administration to tackle the Ebola disease and halt its further spread to other parts of the country.

Chukwu added that the United States government in support of the Federal Government’s efforts to check the spread of the virus had donated 30 body scanners.

The scanners that will measure temperature of travellers coming in and going out of the Continued on page 66

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

5

NEWS New Telegraph changes management

Jega condemns deployment of hooded security men for election

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HE Board of Directors of The Sun Publishing Limited and Daily Telegraph Publishing Company Limited have announced management changes at The New Telegraph.

Mr Eric Osagie is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, while Gabriel Akinadewo and Felix are Deputy Managing Directors. The appointments take effect September 1.

Others include Mallam Suleiman Uba Gaya and Mr. Yemi Ajayi, who are Managing Editor and Editor of The New Telegraph.

Under the strategic restructuring, Mr Osagie, Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editor-inChief of The Sun, is proceeding on sabbatical to The New Telegraph.

A consummate professional, Mr Osagie, is expected to bring to bear on the newspaper his wealth of experience and contacts in the political and corporate worlds.

With a robust journalism career spanning over two decades, Osagie was Features Editor of National Concord in 1998. He was also Saturday Editor of National Interest. He had a stint at ThisDay in 1995.

He was pioneer editor of the Abuja bureau of The Sun in 2002 and became Editor, Northern Operations and later Managing Editor. He served as Special Adviser, Public Affairs and Strategy to Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

In January 2010, Osagie was appointed to the board of The Sun Publishing Limited and served as Executive Director, Special Services. In December 2013, he was re-designated Executive Director (Publications) supervising editorial, sales and operations and the commercial printing departments of the newspaper company, and subsequently named Deputy Managing Director/Deputy Editorin-Chief in May 2014. He is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Fed Govt gives deadline on skills centres From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has given a two-month deadline for the completion of the skills acquisition centres at Oteuke in Bayelsa State and six months for the one at Ibeno in Akwa Ibom State.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Steve Oru, gave the deadline yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with the contractors and consultants handling the projects.

A statement by the Media Officer to the minister, Stephen Kilebi, said the contractors and the consultants were summoned to Abuja because of the “poor quality of work” at the projects’ sites.

The minister, during his tour of the sites, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work.

He threatened to terminate the contract, if the contractors and the consultants did not improve on the projects.

Oru said the skills acquisition centres were meant to create jobs for the beneficiaries in the Oil and Gas industry.

The minister said the Federal Government would not toy with the deadline to complete the projects.

The statement reads: “The minister noted that if the skills acquisition centres were completed on time and inaugurated, more people would be trained there than the present situation where few persons are trained abroad on skills acquisition by the Federal Government.

•‘Osun election was nearly rigged’ From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Jega

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HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC Prof Attahiru Jega yesterday faulted the use of hooded security men during the August 9 governorship election in Osun State.

Beside, he spoke of how an attempt to rig the Ogun State governorship.

Describing the trend as “worrisome, he said masked men would not be allowed for next year’s general elections as he also accused the security men deployed in OsunState of being “overzealous”.

Department of State Security (DSS) spokesperson Marylyn Ogar admitted that some of the DSS men deployed for the election wore hoods. Many other hooded troops in military fatigue, whose identities were unknown, were also seen in action before and during the election.

“Any security personnel deployed for the election must be someone identifiable,” Jega said during a session with local and international Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, involved in monitoring elections yesterday in Abuja.

Jega added: “In recent times,

we have witnessed an increased presence of hooded security operatives during elections. This is an emerging trend which is highly worrisome and which needs to be addressed in good time. Security agents who are deployed on election duties should not be masked, the doctrine of transparency requires that they should be identifiable.

“We will not allow such persons during the 2015 elections.

Any security personnel deployed for the election must be someone identifiable such that if anything happens we will be able to know who to hold responsible”, Jega added.

Speaking on the overzealousness of some of the security men deployed, Jega said some adhoc employees of the commission and nine NYSC members, who were engaged as ad-hoc officials, were erroneously arrested and kept in detention for over 12 hours.

He said that they were arrested around 9p.m on the eve of the election while on their way to the Registration Area Centres (RACs), which was provided for them by the Commission.

“They were not released until about 6am the next day, a situation that almost disrupted the distribution of electoral materials in some areas.

“It was sheer luck that we still managed to open the polling units early, otherwise, there would have been disaster. We took a serious view of that and

reported the matter to all the appropriate authorities because at a point we became worried that some persons wanted to undermine our effort”.

But Jega said the perceived over militarisation of the just Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, did not deter the voters from turning out to vote for their candidates.

“In fact, the two elections proved that there was a high correlation between the massive deployment of security and the willingness of people to come out and vote.

“Apart from over-zealousness on the part of some of the security men on the field, we discovered that people actually felt more secured to exercise their franchise. The key lesson our politicians need to learn from the two elections is that the era has gone when they relied on corrupt electoral officers or security agents to manipulate elections.

“In this era, any politician that intends to win election must reach out and convince the voters, be it through ‘stomach-infrastructure’ or otherwise. The only guarantee to win election now is to let the voters come out to vote for you, which in turn means that you must first of all convince them on your credibility,” he said Jega alleged that some “unscrupulous elements”, attempted to use a software, to rig the Osun election won by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the APC. “We discovered that some people had invaded our system

with software that was reducing age on the register. Thank God that we discovered it before it was too late and had to put aside the register and produced another one, even though it was at a very high cost.

“Despite the challenge, the Osun State election has been adjudged as one of the best we have conducted recently when judged by all variables for assessing a successful election.

Though the election was not perfect, we did a lot to improve on the Ekiti election.

“It is also worthy to mention that before the Osun election, security agents were able to identify thugs that were imported into the state by politicians. The security men successfully cordoned the building where the thugs were kept and prevented them from leaving the compound until the election ended.”

Jega said over 70 per cent of the voters in Osun State collected their Permanent Voters Card, PVC, unlike in Ekiti State where only about 64 per cent of the voters collected the cards.

On Adamawa by-election, Jega, said though it came as an emergency, the electoral body would do everything possible to ensure a free, fair and credible poll.

He said that some of the prospective voters had been displaced from their homes because of the insurgency in the state, which is among the three under a state of emergency.

“Nobody had planned for election in Adamawa State, but with the little time we have, we

Jonathan swears in HoS, commissioner

Mbu, 18 others now AIGs

•HoS to sanction erring workers

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan swore in yesterday the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kefasi, and new commissioner representing Imo and Abia in the Federal Civil Service Commission, Dr. Chima Odunze.

Kefasi, who was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, replaced Goni Aji, who retired after 35 years in service.

Before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting began, Jonathan urged the two officers use their wealth of experience to instil discipline in the service and enforce standard practices.

He said: "Incidentally, the two people who took the oaths of office have to do with the management of the civil service of the federation, which is critical. For any government to do well, the civil service should be its centre of activities. For us to succeed as a nation, there must be absolute discipline and orderly conduct in the civil service. That is why your jobs are quite challenging.

"But from your experience, both of you are quite conversant with the operations of the civil service. I believe that you will bring your experience to bear as you manage the civil service.

"People must handle government affairs as government af-

are preparing to make it much better than that of Osun,” Jega added.

Likewise, the INEC boss said the Commission was seeking ways to reduce the high percentage of rejected votes as was witnessed in Ekiti and Osun states. ”It is a major issue that we have to look into because we received complaints that so many ballots were rejected on the basis that the thumb prints narrowly crossed the line.

“The truth is that we have a rule that allows the electoral officer to reject such ballot. In some advanced countries, they consider whether or not about 50 per cent of the thumb print was inside the provided space.

We did not want to allow the use of discretion by our staff, which was why we made the rule. However, in view of the complaints, we will study this issue of rejected votes and see what we can do about it.”

He said INEC had concluded plans to increase the number of polling units ahead of the 2015 general elections, adding that all the polling units currently situated in private residences will be re-located to public places before the election. ”By 2015, we don’t want any polling unit to be more than 500 on average”, he said.

The ‘Situation Room,’ organised by the Police and Legal Advocacy Centre(PLAC), is aimed at providing a platform for the electoral body to interface with the CSO’s.

Reacting to Jega’s speech, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), said: “Let the SSS which has performed very well in fighting the Boko Haram menace, face that national task and allow the police to carry out the duty of maintaining law and order during elections”

•Kefasi taking the oath of office in Abuja...yesterday From Augustine Ehikioya Abuja

fairs and not personal matters.

My observation with people, from the little period that I worked in government, is that there are those who base things on their thinking and not on standard practice. There must be a standard practice."

He added: "One key thing to reckon with is standard practice rather than doing what they think is right or wrong. The idea is making sure that things are properly done to minimise errors.

"But over the period, people decide to do things in this country with impunity and misconduct. We charge you, as you are coming in, to handle this responsibility and make sure

things improve.

"From the reforms by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration till today, we still notice certain aberrations. But we believe that as the new Head of Civil Service of the Federation, you will make sure things are done properly."

The President stressed that the past four Heads of Service he worked with performed well.

Kefasi warned that any civil servant caught withholding official documents or mails beyond 14 days would be punished.

He addressed reporters at the end of the FEC meeting.

Kefasi said he would ensure discipline and boost productivity in the civil service.

The HoS said he would pun-

ish those who perform poorly while those who perform well would be motivated to do more.

His office, he said, would build a new website for the public to lodge their complaints or suggestions direct to his office.

Kefasi said: "Obviously, we have the transformation agenda of the President. So, my vision for the service is to have a compact service that is well managed, well focused, committed, highly skilled and very innovative.

"I intend to set a limit of 14 days maximum. Any mail or document treated outside 14 days, such officers will be appropriately reprimanded. There will be incentives for those who do well and, of course, the stick for those who don't do well."

HE Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of police commissioner in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu, to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Eighteen other police commissioners were promoted.

They are: Ambrose O. Aisibor, Adebayo Ajileye, Umaru Abubakar Manko, Joel Kayode Theophilus, Wilfred Eje Obute, Felix Osita Uyanna, A. J. Abakasanga and Jubril Olawale Adeniji.

Others are: Ibrahim M. Maishanu, Godfrey E. Okeke, Chintua Amajor-Onu, Lawal Tanko, Usman Akila Gwarry, Kalafite Helen Adeyemi, Yahaya Garba Ardo, Irimiya F. Yerima, Olufemi A. Adenaike and Patrick Dey Dokumor.

A statement yesterday by the Assistant Director, Public Relations of the PSC, Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, said the promotions were meant to fill the vacancies that followed the recent retirements/promotions in the Force.

The statement said the promotion was also meant to reposition the zonal and other commands to tackle security challenges.

All the promotions take immediate effect.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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NEWS FEC approves N31.2b for power evacuation

THE EBOLA VIRUS

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• Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris (middle), his Information & Strategy and Special Duties counterparts, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (right) and Dr. Wale Ahmed (left) during a press briefing on update of the Ebola Virus Disease at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos ...yesterday.

PHOTO :OMOSEHIN MOSES

Rivers invites doctors from U.S From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

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HE Rivers State Government has invited doctors from Emery University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, United States to train the state’s health workers on how to handle likely Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) case.

Rivers has not recorded any EVD case.

Health Commissioner Dr Sampson Parker spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, when he appeared before the House of Assembly to brief the lawmakers on the preparations to contain likely Ebola case.

The commissioner explained that “the Emery medical team will be arriving the state very soon”.

But Parker hinted that the Emery University team might meet empty hospitals because doctors have been on strike.

The commissioner said he had discussed with some of the doctors and leaders of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on the impending arrival of the U.S

Catholic moves against outbreak in Anambra From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

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HE Catholic Bishop of Awka, Anambra State, Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has said the traditional sign of peace that faithful observe during the holy mass has been shelved for the time being.

The Catholic practice involves handshaking and embracing during holy mass.

Instead, the cleric said, the congregation would wave at one another during the ceremonies.

Rev. Ezeokafor said the action is among the measures to prevent the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

The cleric spoke yesterday at St. Dominic’s Catholic Parish, Mbaukwu, in Awka South Local Government Area.

He said the practice of receiving the Holy Communion from the officiating priest, who would dip the communion into the mouth of the recipient, would henceforth be taken with the priest putting it in the hands of the receiver who places his right palm on top of the left palm.

Rev. Ezeokafor urged the parish priests and religious groups to adhere strictly to the directive and ensure that their parishioners conform to the new order.

HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday approved N31.2 billion for the evacuation of electricity power from the Kashim Billa multipurpose dam in Taraba State.

Information Minister Labaran Maku and Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, addressed reporters in Abuja at the end of FEC meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Maku said the project, which involves building of transmission lines, was awarded to SCC Nigeria Limited and would be completed within 18 months.

The minister said the dam would add 40 megawatts (MW) to the national grid.

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Erosion in Southeast, submitted the committee’s report to FEC.

‘Hand sanitisers can’t prevent spread’

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HE Director-General of the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Prof Innocent Ujah, has said hand sanitisers cannot prevent the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Prof Ujah spoke yesterday at a seminar on the EVD at the Lagos State University (LASU) to educate the university’s community.

He said hand sanitisers do not have anti-bacterial effect and cannot prevent the spread of Ebola.

Instead, the expert advised that regular washing of hands

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By Medinat Kanabe

with soap and water should suffice.

He added that alcohol-based hand sanitisers could keep the virus away.

The member of Treatment Group of Research of EVD in Nigeria said for the first time in his 30 years of practice, the nation responded well to an emergency.

Prof Ujah said: “It is the first time that Nigeria is being praised by the United States that we responded well to an outbreak. It is good that EVD came

to Nigeria through Lagos, because the state government is very serious. If it had come through any other state, it would have been terrible.”

Another expert at the Microbiology Department of the university, Dr Bola Oyefolu, spoke on: Overview of Ebola Virus, Characteristics and Transmission.

He said: “EVD can only be transmitted through handshake when there is a presence of injury and fluid transmission and eating with same hand without washing it first with soap and sanitiser.”

ECOWAS Parliament, NILS suspend summit

HE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament and the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) yesterday suspended their proposed security summit fixed for next month.

The Media Officer to NILS,

From Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Joke Akinsanmi, in a statement in Abuja, said the postponement followed a directive of the ECOWAS Commission that "all ECOWAS meetings be suspended as a precautionary measure to check the spread of Ebola vi-

rus among member-states".

Akinsanmi said the summit, under the auspices of the NILS and the ECOWAS Parliament, was to examine the causal and aggravating factors of transnational crimes and terrorism in West Africa with a global perspective.

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From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

trying to outdo one another to warm themselves into the heart of the President.

“They are all wielding influence within and outside the Presidency to secure the ticket. Some ministers and ex-ministers have joined the fray in determining who gets the ticket.

“The most challenging is the split of the NWC, with the National Chairman, Alh Adamu Muazu tilting towards an aspirant and some members covertly working for others.”

A member of the NWC is said to be lobbying for Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri.

The source confirmed that President Jonathan is under pressure from leading politicians, businessmen and members of his cabinet.

The 10 aspirants seeking presidential favour are: Ribadu, Marwa, Gundiri, Acting Governor Fintiri; a former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo; the immediate past Special Adviser on Political Matters to the President, Ahmed Gulak, a former presidential aide, Dr. Umaru Ardo and a Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong.

Others are: Auwal Tukur, son of a former PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and Senator Abubakar Girei.

Some 678 delegates will on

September 6 determine who will be the candidate.

The delegates will be elected at the congresses slated for September 2.

The modalities for the election of the delegates are being worked out. While some aspirants prefer ad hoc delegates for the primaries, some are insisting on the election of permanent delegates who will also be on standby for the primaries for another governorship poll in 2015.

The NWC yesterday kept three aspirants in suspense on their applications for waiver.

The aspirants are Ribadu, Marwa and Gundiri.

A source said: “At the session, the applications for waiver from Ondo State were first tabled for consideration.

“But when it was the turn of Adamawa State, the NWC was briefed that the secretariat was yet to receive the letter containing the list of applicants for waiver froM the state chapter of PDP. “It could not be immediately ascertained whether it was an administrative error or part of the intrigues.”

Another source at the PDP National Secretariat said: “I think the NWC is waiting till the close of submission of nomination forms before considering the applications for waiver from aspirants from Adamawa State.”

He said the problems of the 15 erosion projects in the Southeast had been addressed.

Eze said most of the projects were nearly completed, adding that they would be completed in the next two to three months.

Maku said: “We devoted a substantial part of today’s FEC meeting to the review of the report of the erosion control project in the Southeast.

“As you are all aware, Mr. President, on assumption in office, promised prompt intervention in resolving some of the key erosion problems in the Southeast, which is known to be the most affected by erosion.

“Several communities in the Southeast have always been affected and Mr President had promised to handle some of these projects to bring relief and stop the deterioration of the environment and the destruction of their means of livelihood.”

Nigerians arrested for ‘419’ in Indonesia

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AKARTA police in Indonesia arrested two Nigerians yesterday for online financial criminality.

The two suspects – Mallo Gombo, aka Peter Nwankwo and Vincent Enwere Anuma, aka Casey – allegedly committed the crimes by setting up a copy of Bank Mandiri’s official website.

“The two suspects are being thoroughly investigated,” Jakarta Police chief detective Sr. Comr. Heru Pranoto said yesterday, according to Antara.

Jakarta Police mobile detective (Resmob) chief Adj. Sr. Comr.

Didik Sugiarto said the two men sent out links to the false Mandiri website to random targets via email.

He added that the suspects asked their targets to input their usernames and passwords on the counterfeit site.

One victim, who spoke in confidence, explained that the emails, which stated that the bank wanted to update the recipient’s records, looked like the official Mandiri emails.

After obtaining the username and password, the two men posed as Mandiri employees and contacted the victims to ask for a “token” number.

The suspects then used the “token” number to transfer Rp 100 million (US$8,541.1) from each victim’s account to another account.

The police said the two men managed to access the accounts of three Bank Mandiri customers, stealing Rp 300 million.

When the suspects were arrested, the police found on them a number of items, including two cell phones, two bank books and two Mandiri ATM cards.

The police plan to charge the suspects under Article 378 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

WASSCE: Shekarau to tackle mass failure

Adamawa : Aspirants lobby for Jonathan’s nod

HE intrigues surrounding the jostle for the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State heightened yesterday, with all the aspirants seeking President Goodluck Jonathan’s favour.

The National Working Committee of PDP is split over who to back.

The National Working Committee (NWC) could not consider the application for waiver by former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Nuhu Ribadu; ex-Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa; and a former governorship aspirant, Markus Gundiri.

A letter from the Adamawa State chapter of the party on the list of applicants for waiver could not be immediately located yesterday by the NWC. It was learnt that the letter was yet to get to the NWC. Most of the 10 aspirants seeking the PDP ticket have embarked on intense lobbying of friends and associates of President Jonathan to secure his endorsement.

It was gathered that some ministers and presidential aides are lobbying.

Some of the aspirants have also been dropping the names of the President to reach out to stakeholders in the state.

A top source said: “The battle for Adamawa ticket is more intense in the presidency in Abuja than the state. The aspirants are

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

•Shekarau

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HE Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said the Federal Government will work out modalities on how to employ any student willing to study education courses.

The major condition attached to incentive, the minister said, is that the potential beneficiary would sign an undertaking to teach in schools.

Shekarau was reacting to the mass failure in this year’s May/ June West African Examination Council (WAEC) results.

The minister stressed that no responsible government would be happy over the decline in WAEC results over the years.

Shekarau spoke on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) programme, Tuesday Live, on the topic: Reversing the Mass Failure in WAEC. The minister, who was joined by some education experts, said Nigeria needed to have qualified

teachers in its schools.

He said there had been several years of neglect in the Education sector, adding: “Part of the problems is also changes in government personalities, especially at the political level.”

Shekarau suggested that government should examine the marking scheme being produced

by WAEC and the National Examination Council (NECO), as part of the solutions.

He said: “A lot is being done in the universities, colleges of education and the Mathematical Centre to encourage people to come in. ...People would ask what government will do. Even if it is to give automatic scholarship to students who want to come and read any subject with education, on condition that after graduation they will come back to teach. These are some of the things we have to do to get the best of people coming into the teaching service. We must entice them. We must create policies that will entice into teaching.

“No responsible government will be happy, and no educationist will be happy to see the decline from 50 per cent to 40 per cent and now 30 per cent...”

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THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2014

NEWS Aregbesola: We ’ll fight poverty From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has assured the youths that his administration would continue to create opportunities for them to overcome poverty.

He gave the assurance yesterday when he received the 31 young engineers, who were sponsored by the government to Germany for Mechatronics training.

The governor expressed happiness that they completed their training without hitches, saying the aim of the training was to make them self-employed and take charge of the Bola Ige Mechatronics Institute at Esa-Oke. Aregbesola, who spoke through the Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Muyiwa Ige, charged the trainees to effectively use the knowledge they received.

He also urged them to impart the knowledge on local mechanical technicians to advance their skills and for the state’s economic development.

Two members of the team, Olagbaye Olanubi and Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, praised Aregbesola for approving the training.

They said Mechatronics is a didactive aspect of mechanic training, adding that the team was the 25th set to be sent abroad on different types of training.

Twenty candidates were earlier approved for the training, but the figure increased to 31.

Mimiko orders work on Ikare roads

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NDO State Governor Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has ordered repairs on the Jubilee Junction and Victory College roads in Ikare.

Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, in a statement yesterday, said the directive was sequel to the detection of the road’s damaged portions.

He added that the state’s asphalt company has been mobilised and was expected to begin work immediately in line with the directive.

The company’s head, Kehinde Osikoya, an engineer, confirmed that “materials have been deployed already and in the next few days, people will be on site.”

Violence: Osun PDP chasing shadows, says APC O SUN State All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) allegation of perpetrating violence in the state.

Its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, in a statement yesterday in Osogbo, said the accusation was “a deliberate act of falsehood intended to implicate the APC in crime committed by the PDP.” The APC stated: “It’s not the first time the PDP will do such a thing. Those who

have followed the situation in Osun closely in the last two years will remember that the PDP allegedly murdered one of its supporters and turned round to accuse the APC. It happened in Ilesha, Ile-Ife and Edunabon in Ife North.”

The party noted that the PDP once tried to implicate the APC’s leadership in the death of Pa Taiwo Ogundele in Ile-Ife, who was murdered over a land dis-

pute.

It stressed that in the latest allegation, the “PDP sound hollow when it accused the APC supporters, who were celebrating their victory, as the initiators of violence, turning logic completely on its head.”

“How can a celebrator be at the same time an aggressor?” the party queried.

It added that the PDP did not need to write the Inspector General of Police to

attend to skirmishes in Osun, where there is an Assistant Inspector General of Police and a police command.

“The reason PDP leadership is going that far is because it was aware that the police command in Osun knows who the aggressors, the thugs and the criminals are. And they are well-resourced and equipped to effectively deal with them,” the statement added.

Fake soldier re-arrested in Ondo

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FAKE soldier, Miss Angela Omieh, who was arrested on April 17, this year by men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, was re-arrested yesterday at Igbara-Oke military check-point in Ifedore Local Government Area, Ondo State.

After her latest arrest in the same army uniform, she gave her name as Miss Jamila Suleiman of Mile 3, Dioba, Port Harcourt, River State, contrary to her former name.

The State Police Commissioner, Isaac Eke, who paraded the suspect after briefing reporters in his office, said the fake soldier was earlier in the year arrested by military men and handed over to the police.

He said she was then charged to court but was granted bail.

He added that the suspect was re-arrested again at Igbara-Oke military checkpoint while impersonating herself as a soldier.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The suspect said she committed the offence in order to survive after the death of her father.

She confessed that she bought the uniform from a shop in Delta State and pleaded for leniency, promising not to involve in such act again.

Eke also spoke on a case of attempted murder involving one Busayo Ayowele.

The Police Commissioner said during investigation, the suspect confessed to have “soaked his man friend, one Anthony Idowu, with petrol and set him ablaze which resulted in the victim’s death.”

The police chief added that 23 armed robbery suspects were arrested over one kidnapping case and two child stealing reports.

He said the command had recorded a lot of success in the second quarter of the year.

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decided to change our counsel, Prince Ajibola Oluyede of TRLP Law or even contemplate discontinuing the matter.

“It should be recalled that Suit No: FHC/L/CS/123/14 was instituted by the former chairman and secretary for themselves and on behalf of members of the Executive Committee of the Labour Party in Ogun State.

“To that extent, we the other members of the Exco have resolved to pursue the matter in court to its logical conclusion.”

The statement said the alleged change of counsel and withdrawal of the case could not stand, describing it as “ultra vires, illegal, invalid

and of no effect.”

It added that Adegoke would now be recognised as the party’s state chairman. Abel will serve as the organising secretary, “pending the resolution of the matter in court.”

But in Ondo, three chieftains of the party have dragged its Incorporated Trustees and other stakeholders to the Federal High Court, Akure over the selection of party executives in the 18 local government areas.

The plaintiffs, Benson Adeyelu, Omosehin Deji and Tayo Akinmosi, sought an order restraining the selected persons from being sworn in by the defendants or their agents.

pects were charged to court for criminal offences.

They also prayed the court to restrain the new party executives from parading themselves as its elected officials.

Other defendants are the LP, its State Chairman, Chief Dele Akinyele and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The plaintiff, in the originating summons brought pursuant to Order 3, Rules 6, 7 and 9 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009, said the act of the defendants selecting persons to occupy various executive positions in the LP in the wards and local governments, “under the cloak of party congresses, is null and void.”

Rights abuse: Alaafin’s sons sue police for N10.5m

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OUR sons of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, have sued the police in Oyo State.

They are claiming N10.5 million as damages for abuse of their fundamental human rights.

The plaintiffs - Totoola, Jelili, Mkaila and Tella Adeyemi - filed the suit through their counsel, Adewale Omoloye.

The suit followed an alleged midnight invasion of homes and arrests of some

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

residents of Oyo town, including the Alaafin’s sons, by a group of policemen from the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Iyaganku, Ibadan on August 5.

The action of the police arose from a dispute over a plot of land in the Elere area of Sabo, Oyo, said to belong to the Alaafin, which was allegedly trespassed on by a man.

The policemen were said to have organised themselves into four groups to

carry out the raids on the residences of the princes located at Sabo, Oranyan, Oko-Oba, Alaka Estate behind Alliance and Sanga, Iyaji quarters.

An Islamic scholar, Dawood Abimbara’s residence at Sabo was also invaded where N1.4 million was allegedly carted away by the policemen.

The princes, in the suit, accused the police of maliciously invading their residences at midnight, assaulting their families and ran-

sacking their homes.

They claimed that they were later arrested and handcuffed.

The plaintiffs added that they were detained for two days at the CID without any allegations levelled against them and prevented from writing any statements.

They said they remained in the cell with handcuffs along with hardened criminals.

Hearing in the suit has been fixed for the September 4.

AN Ekiti State activist, Morakinyo Ogele, has praised the recent slash in university tuition fees by the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

He described it as the best legacy the governor could bequeath to the people.

The activist said Fashola has shown through the reduction that if Nigeria must attain its pride of place in the comity of nations, qualitative education must be made accessible to the people.

Ogele said the governor, by the act, has “rekindled the light of hope in the minds of the hapless and hopeless children of the poor.”

He said the governor has demonstrated yet again that free and compulsory education is the best legacy that any government owed its citizens.

He added that by the reduction, the governor has demystified the “blind assumptions that free qualitative education is not achievable.”

Ogele called on Fashola’s counterparts in other states to take a cue from Lagos and pursue an education policy that would be pro-people.

He lauded the Ogun and Oyo State governors for blazing the trail and acceding to the requests of students to slash fees in the states’ owned institutions.

•Two held for robbery

Crises in Ogun, Ondo LP deepen HE crises rocking the Ogun and Ondo states’ chapters of the Labour Party (LP) deepened yesterday.

Some members in the Ogun LP Executive Committee dissociated themselves yesterday from the alleged change of counsel.

The members denied withdrawing a suit challenging the alleged takeover of the party by former Governor Gbenga Daniel.

The party’s ex- State Organising Secretary, Muftau Adegoke and former Ogun West Senatorial Chairman, Olaleye Abel, in a statement yesterday in Abeokuta, said: “There is no truth in the report that we have

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Police arrest pastor for alleged rape in Ogun

•Miss Omieh

Eke stressed that 10 arms were recovered while 36 sus-

Activist praises Fashola on LASU fees’ slash

The police authorities have begun investigation into the midnight invasion to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Nation gathered that the policemen involved in the operation had been arrested and being interrogated at the Police Command headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan.

A team of detectives have visited the areas invaded by the policemen and spoke with the residents, who narrated their ordeals.

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

THE Ogun State Police Command has arrested a pastor for allegedly raping a 32-yearold woman in his church at Sabo-Odogbolu.

The woman alleged that she was in a prayer session with the suspect when he asked her to hold on to some candle sticks, instructing that it must not drop.

She said he forcefully undressed her and had unlawful carnal knowledge of her in the church.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the incident. He said the Odogbolu Division’s Anti-crime Unit arrested the man following a complaint by the victim and her relations.

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), added that the case was being treated at the Anti-Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID), Abeokuta.

The police spokesperson noted that medical reports on the alleged crime have also revealed that the suspect committed the offence.

The Mobile Anti-crime patrol team deployed on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway also arrested two robbery suspects at Danco Filling Station on the expressway last Monday.

The suspects had barricaded it in an attempt to rob commuters and road users.

The suspects - Usman Sunday (28) of Sabo, Dantajira area, Sagamu and Richard Olabode (27) of the same address, hailed from Benue and Osun states.

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THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2014

NEWS Ataoja congratulates Aregbesola, deputy •Traditionalists seek Ifa in education curriculum

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HE Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Larooye II, has congratulated the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, on their victory in the August 9 governorship election.

The monarch praised Aregbesola’s “resourcefulness in developing the state educationally, economically, culturally, socially and in all innovative facets of life.”

The Ataoja, who spoke at a celebration party he organised at his palace in Osogbo, noted that there was “no doubt that the governor brought changes in the nooks and crannies of Osogbo, considering his unequalled infrastructural, grassroots and people-oriented policies, which earned him the people’s love during his first term.”

While emphasising that the victory was made possible by God and through the people’s support, the monarch noted that “the governor is indeed the Godgiven agent of change in Osogboland and the state.”

He observed that the crowd that always trooped out to rejoice with the governor was a clear indication of his acceptability.

Traditionalists have called on the government

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

to introduce Ifa studies in the education curriculum for teaching in both primary and secondary schools.

Last year, Aregbesola promised to introduce Ifa studies in state’s secondary school teaching curriculum.

The traditionalist under the aegis of Traditional Religion Worshippers Association at this year edition of celebration of the Isese Day held yesterday at the Technical College football field, reminded the governor on his promise.

The association’s President, Chief Idowu Awopetu, said efforts by traditionalists to ensure the introduction of Ifa studies in the curriculum failed because the government was yet to approve their request.

Aregbesola, who addressed the worshippers through the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture, Alhaji Sikiru Ayedun, reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of the people.

He assured that his second term in office would be used to champion the course of the people and development.

Fayose raises transition committee

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KITI State governorelect Mr. Ayodele Fayose inaugurated yesterday a nine-man committee to join the out-going Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s administration for a smooth handover.

But Fayose and the government differed on the state’s debt profile.

The committee members are Chief Dipo Anisulowo as Chairman, Mrs. Modupe Alade (Secretary), Pastor Kola Oluwawole, Owoseeni Ajayi and Rev. Wale Komolafe.

Others are Mr. Biodun Alasoluyi, Mr. Benjamin Komolafe, Mr. Seye Alade and Mr. Dayo Ajayi.

Fayose, at the inaugural ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said appointment on the committee had nothing to do with the likelihood of securing a slot as state executive member of his administration.

Fayose, who was alarmed

•Governor-elect, govt differ on debt profile From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

by the large turnout of party members at the event, said “It (the committee membership) is not a political appointment. You are to work with the government team when it is constituted for fact-finding mission about the state of the state.

“If you look at the list very well, these are not politicians. They are technocrats; this is mainly a technical team. The plan for us is to hit the ground running as soon as we take over the administration of the state”.

He warned those with political ambitions in the PDP in 2015 against name-dropping.

Fayose charged the committee members not to use the opportunity to fight the state government.

“You just have to get the

facts and let the people be aware of the situation on ground.

“Only those with grassroots connection will be used for future elections in PDP,” he said.

He also expressed worries about the state’s borrowing, saying: “The current government has plunged Ekiti into huge debt and our money is being deducted from source.

Available records showed that Fayemi has taken N25 billion loan and only N8 billion has been paid back. This is very disturbing and worrisome.”

He said that he left N10.4 billion in the coffers when he left government.

Fayose said that today, “we are inheriting debt; I have to let the people know because of the expectations in town on my administration.

“With the situation on the

ground, Ekiti situation is not promising at all because there is no magic to perform when there is no money.”

But the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Tayo Ekundayo, said N13 billion had been redeemed out of a total of N25 billion taken in bond by the government.

Ekundayo, who added that the government had not taken other loans aside the N25 billion, advised the incoming administration to stop smearing the government’s image.

His words: “Does Fayose have the account of the state? We have never hidden anything from the people. He is a governor-elect and he must not jump the gun. He cannot be commenting on issues he has no record about. It is like the man is eager and he must stop making comments until he takes over.”

Fashola swears in Atilade as CJ

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AGOS State governor Babatunde Fashola swore-in Justice Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade yesterday as the new Chief Judge with a charge to ensure effective justice administration.

Justice Atilade, 62-yearold, succeeded her sister, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, who retired on July 26, this year.

She became the state’s15th

By Adebisi Onanuga

chief judge and the fifth woman to occupy the exalted position.

The new chief judge will serve for three years before retiring at the statutory age of 65 years.

Fashola, who spoke at the swearing-in ceremony held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, the Secretariat, Alausa, urged the new chief judge to adhere strictly to the rule of law while discharging her duty.

He advised her to keep to her oath of office and to ensure that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.

The governor recalled that her predecessor kept to her words and implemented all that she promised the state judiciary during her two years’ tenure.

The governor said the former chief judge introduced and left behind electronic filing system, reformed the state Magistracy Laws and among others.

He urged Justice Atilade to surpass the performance of her predecessor and ensure full implementation of all that she promised the judiciary.

The governor, who noted that this is the first time that judges of the same father are succeeding each other, said that the history made would be difficult to re-enact.

Justice Atilade, who described herself as “a child of destiny,” said that her elevation to the apex of the state’s judiciary was ordained by God.

She said that she gave God all the glory for all the things He has done in her life and for making her the state’s15th chief judge.

“I am a child of destiny; I am a child of the judiciary.

This is the day the Lord has made. I would rejoice in it,” she said.

The new chief judge noted that when she took up appointment in the state judiciary, there were six other judges, including Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour now of the Supreme Court, between her and her predecessor, Justice Ayotunde Phillips.

She said that because of the gap, nobody ever predicted that she would ever become the state’s chief judge, adding: “But God works in a miraculous way”.

Justice Atilade gave thanks to Fashola, the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, for her appointment and confirmation and for a seamless transition from her predecessor.

The chief judge promised to make decongestion of the courts her first priority through optimum utilisation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

She promised improved training and sensitisation of all the stakeholders on ADR. She observed that not all the cases filed in the court need to go through the trial track.

She pledged to ensure speedy dispensation of cases, particularly criminal cases, to ensure completion within record time.

Justice Atilade promised the decongestion of prisons and fulfillment of her responsibilities to the judiciary, especially at a time that there were many changes and reformation going on within the sector.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye, in an introductory remarks, disclosed that Justice Atilade was strongly recommended by the NJC and hence was appointed by the governor.

Ipaye said her appointment was also reviewed by the state assembly and that she was “found worthy” of the position of the chief judge.

He said the tenure of a judge is not subject to the whims of the populace, saying that under the constitution, “it is when judges retire that other qualified persons are typically appointed to fill the vacancies”.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Solicitor General, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), remarked that the judiciary is the pillar on which democracy rests and that the public has a right to demand the best from the judiciary.

He said that the people would be looking up to the new chief judge to promote the rule of law and ensure effective administration of justice.

Pedro remarks that as Justice Atilade took the baton from her sister, Justice Phillips, their late father, Justice Oladipo Williams, a former judge of High Court of Lagos, would be proud even in the grave.

Lebanese kidnapped by gunmen in Ibadan

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HE General Manager of Black Horse Industries Limited, Mr. S. Sakalawi, has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The Lebanese was seized and whisked away by three gunmen, who stormed the factory premises located along Old Lagos Road, Podo area of Ibadan at about 9:30p.m last Tuesday, according to reliable sources.

The gunmen, who stormed

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

the factory in a silver coloured Honda Accord car, were said to have escaped security check by driving closely behind the car of a female member of staff as she drove into the compound.

Sakalawi, it was learnt, was also accidentally driving behind the abductors.

As the three cars entered the compound, the female staff was said to have started

shouting at the security men for allowing the gunmen into the compound without insisting on knowing their identity and mission.

As soon as they sighted Sakalawi alighting from his car, the sources said that the gunmen pounced on him and bundled him into their car and drove off.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs. Olabisi Clet-Ilobanafor, later confirmed the incident.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

NEWS

APC: ban on rallies affront to democracy

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has described the police ban on rallies and political meetings in the state as an affront to democracy and the constitution.

The command said on Tuesday that its ban on rallies and meetings was still in force.

It added: “The Nigeria Police as an institution established by the law must allow itself to be guided by the law and history, rather than arbitrariness.”

State APC spokesman

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Alhaji Sulyman Buhari said: “The ban is not only illegal and unwarranted, it is also null and void.”

He added: “The command lacks the power to ban rallies, processions and meetings. Only the governor, who doubles as the chief security officer, has such power.

“The right to freedom of conscience, expression, assembly and association of the people, as guaranteed by sections 38, 39 and 40 of the constitution cannot be vio-

lated by the Police, an institution responsible for the enforcement of same rights.”

On the directive that party agents should stay away from polling units during the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR), APC said: “CVR is conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), not the command. It was INEC that requested the participation of parties and deployment of agents in polling booths. In any electoral process, the duty of the police is to ensure compliance with INEC laws and guidelines, not to

give counter orders that are unlawful.

“The command should be reminded that when a commissioner of police attempted to impose ban on rallies in Rivers State, the ban was defeated by the law and the people.

“When a police commissioner banned rallies and protests in Abuja in June, the Inspector-General of Police overruled the ban and said Nigerians have a right to organise protests and rallies.

“Besides, the statement conveying the purported ban did not explain why rallies

were banned and where the command derived such power. There is no basis for such a ban in Kwara.

“APC holds that the rights of Kwarans must not be infringed upon by the police.

The command should stop any attempt to arrest the freedom of our people. Kwara State is not under siege. No form of siege, not even the police siege, is acceptable to our party and the indigenes.

“Since we have highlighted and proved that the ban is illegal and unconstitutional, the command should rescind its decision.”

‘PDP plans to rig by-election’ From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State said yesterday that it had uncovered plans by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to use ambulances and bullion vans to smuggle fake ballot papers to four local governments for the August 30 byelection.

It alleged that the PDP planned to convey the fake ballot papers in coffins to Muyan, Rafi, Suleja and Tafa local governments, 48 hours to the election.

APC Publicity Secretary Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, urged members and the electorate to be vigilant.

He also alleged that there were to arrest prominent members of the party before the by-election.

He said the posters and billboards of their candidate, David Umaru, a lawyer, had been destroyed.

Dustbin man Danjuma dies From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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WENTY-five-yearold Danjuma, who spent over 30 days on a refuse heap, has died.

He died in front of his uncle’s home where he was allegedly dumped by officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

The late Danjuma fought to stay alive during the days he spent on a refuse heap despite heavy rains and the scorching sun.

He spent only five days in the street before he died.

Kogi to assess budget From James Azania, Lokoja

K

KOGI State government said yesterday that it would begin periodic performance assessment of its annual budget.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Chief Ali Ajuh, spoke in Lokoja.

He said his ministry would conduct periodic budget performance appraisal to ensure government’s development plan was met, adding that the 2014 budget was being implemented according to plan.

•The Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Olanrewaju Sulaiman, displaying his permanent voter card at the Opobiyi polling unit in Ajikobi ward, Ilorin.

‘Why we can’t impeach Gaidam’

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OBE State House of Assembly denied yesterday that it was plotting to impeach Governor Ibrahim Gaidam.

The Assembly, which resumed sitting after a one month recess, said it was not true as being alleged that former Borno State Governor Senator Ali Modu Sherrif was pressuring Gaidam to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or be impeached.

The Assembly endorsed Gaidam as the governorship

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections.

Moving a motion, Sirajo Wakil, (Bade Central), said it was expedient on the House to make its position clear because “there are allegations that some lawmakers met in Saudi Arabia during the lesser hajj and plotted to impeach the governor.”

He added: “It was also reported that the lawmakers were given money to facili-

‘It was also reported that the lawmakers were given money to facilitate the impeachment. The allegation is false’ tate the impeachment. The allegation is false.”

Wakil also moved a motion for a vote of confidence in

Gaidam and the Assembly endorsed it.

The Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Dala-Dogo, said the APC-led Assembly did not find anything wrong with the governor to warrant impeachment.

“The 24 lawmakers and the governor are members of the APC. We are satisfied with his performance,” he added.

The legislators dissociated themselves from the impeachment and vowed to supported Gaidam’s re-election.

We won’t accept ban on hijab, says JNI

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HE Ja’amatu Nasril Islam (JNI) has said it will not accept the banning of hijab use by Muslim women.

JNI Secretary-General Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu spoke yesterday in Kaduna at the inauguration of the secretariat of the Kaduna State chapter of the Council for Imams and Ulamas.

He said the fact that some women, who wore hijab, were connected with bombings, did not mean that everybody wearing hijab is a potential bomber.

Aliyu said security agencies should investigate if women wearing hijab to perpetrate evil are Muslims, and if they are, what is their motive.

His words: “We Muslims are concerned about insecurity. Our brothers and sisters are being killed daily in the

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Northeast and other parts of the country. Today, Gwoza and Damboa are no more in existence, as they have been overrun by insurgents who are still advancing to take over other towns. This is what should be government’s concern and not the banning of hijab.”

The Chairman of the Council of Imams and Ulama in Kaduna State, Sheikh Abubakar Usman Baban-Tune, urged the Federal Government to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

He said: “No reasonable government will keep quiet over the killings of its citizens.”

Baban-Tune enjoined politicians to be patriotic and God-fearing to ensure a so-

ciety free from unethical conduct.

The Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Religious Affairs, Islamic Matters, Alhaji Abdurahman Mamoud, said Kaduna State government is

working to ensure a peaceful coexistence among ethnic and religious groups.

He assured that the government would not ban hijab, although some groups clamoured for it.

’Aregbesola‘s victory proof of APC‘s acceptance’

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

HE Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Information & Strategy, Mr. Lateef Raji, has described the victory of Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in the August 9 election as a proof of the acceptance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by the populace.

He added that it was a victory for democracy.

Raji spoke yesterday at a ‘thank you victory party’ organised by the Mandate Group in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State to celebrate Aregbesola’s victory.

He said the victory showed that APC was loved by the masses, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met its Waterloo.

His words: “Aregbesola`s victory is a proof of APC`s acceptance by peace-loving and progressive Nigerians.

Although it is an act of God, it is also an indication of the end of PDP’s tyrannical government.”

Raji hailed APC members and other Nigerians for preventing a recurrence of what happened in the Ekiti State governorship election and for supporting Aregbesola.

A chieftain of the party in the area, Mr. Kayode Tinubu, said the governor was re-elected because of his people-oriented programmes, which improved people’s lives.

“His performance is good enough to earn him a ticket for a second term,” he added.

A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1, Lawrence Ayeni, said the commitment of the party’s supporters played a key role in Aregbesola’s victory, adding that APC members showed loyalty on the election day, which prevented PDP from rigging the poll.

An APC stalwart, Alhaji Kehinde Olorunoje, lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for doing a good job.

He said although the election was free and fair, its militarisation by the PDP-Federal Government was an abuse of power.

T

NIS decorates 128 officers

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HE Kano State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has decorated 128 officers with new ranks.

During the exercise held at the NIS headquarters in Kano, the Comptroller, Mr. Zittas Nanton Marzwal, urged the officers and men to work hard.

He said their new status should inspire them to work harder. Marzwal noted that their promotion was endorsed by the comptroller-general.

He said it was an indication that their hard work did not go unnoticed.

The NIS chief said: “Once you are considered for promotion, it means you are doing well; and when you are promoted, it means you are expected to put more efforts in the job. So, you must justify the confi-

From Kolade Adeyemi Kano

dence reposed in you by increasing your efforts.

You should be prepared for new challenges.”

Four Deputy Comptroller of Immigration (DCI), seven Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (ACI), two Chief Superintendent of Immigration (CSI), three Superintendent of Immigration Service (SIS) and 25 Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI) were among those promoted.

Others are 14 Deputy Chief Inspector of Immigration (DCII), 16 Assistant Chief Inspector of Immigration (ACII), 27 Principal Inspector of Immigration (PII), seven Assistant Senior Inspector 1 (ASI(1) and 23 Senior Inspector of Immigration (SII).

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

10

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

‘Nigeria needs rapid growth’

Five killed in Lagos clashes •Nine held as police recover four bodies

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OUR persons were killed in Oto town, Lagos Mainland, on Tuesday during a hoodlums’ clash, The Nation gathered yesterday.

A man was also reportedly killed following a reprisal attack on the community’s residents by hoodlums from Apapa Road.

The hoodlums attacked the palace of the Oloto of Oto, Oba Ganiyu Odesanya, vandalising some vehicles.

It was gathered that over 100 hoodlums who participated in the attack, also torched some houses.

By Jude Isiguzo

Two residents were hospitalised for gunshot wounds.

Oba Odesanya said he was meeting with some of his colleagues in his palace when he heard gunshots.

He said his palace was attacked and some vehicles vandalised by the hoodlums, adding that the attack had been going on for some time.

“I am still in shock. I don’t know exactly what the hoodlums want,” the monarch said.

He appealed to Governor

Babatunde Fashola to come to the community’s aid by deploying a police task force to arrest the perpetrators and secure the lives of his subjects.

The monarch said the community “is now living in fear as they don’t know when the hoodlums will strike again.”

Deputy spokesperson of the police command, Lelma Kolle, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), said four bodies with machete cuts were recovered.

He said nine suspects had been arrested, adding that they were being interrogated.

Kolle explained that about

4pm on Tuesday, the command received a distress call that there was a crisis in the area.

He added: “A joint team of policemen from the Area Command, Iponri Police Station and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) stormed the place. Our men were able to chase away the hoodlums and recovered four dead bodies with machete cuts all over them. Nine suspects were arrested”.

Kolle said he could not confirm what kind of clash it was, adding that ongoing investigations would determine that.

Man arraigned for ‘stabbing prostitute’

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26-YEAR-OLD man, Shola Egunole, has been arraigned before a Lagos Magistrate’s Court in Ebute Meta for allegedly stabbing a woman on her breast.

Egunole, who resides at 17, Fafunmi Street, Iyana Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, was alleged to have stabbed Joy Osasuwa with a sharp knife following a dispute.

He was alleged to have had

By Precious Igbonwelundu

carnal knowledge of the complainant at a three-star hotel at Otto Railway Crossing, Oyingbo, on August 12, after which he stabbed the victim on her breast for allegedly withholding his N800 balance.

Prosecuting Inspector A.U. Moses alleged that trouble started after the defendant, who had earlier given Joy N1000 demanded N800 balance after sleeping with her

on grounds that he did not conclude the act.

He said when the prostitute refused to meet up with Egunole’s demand, the defendant beat her up severely before stabbing her with the knife he found in her apartment.

Moses told the court that the victim was at a private hospital.

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened Section 243 of the Criminal

Laws of Lagos, 2011.

The defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted N200,000 with two sureties each in the like sum by Magistrate K.O. Ogundare.

While applying for “a liberal bail”, the defendant’s counsel told the court that the parties had agreed to settle the matter out of court.

The magistrate adjourned the case till September 24 for mention.

Dr. Leke Pitan (first left) fixing eye glasses on one of the beneficiaries of his free health mission, Mrs. Toyin Fatukasi, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Church leaders pray for Nigeria

By Mustapha Akintola

•Ojo

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RMED with the conviction that only fervent prayer can purge the country of its myriads of problems, eminent men of God have are daily gathering to intercede for the beleaguered nation.

The prayer, which is being hosted by activist pastor of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Odi Ajaye Zone,

Ogba in Lagos, Dr Shola Ojo, began on Monday at 51, Shonola Street, Ogba.

The sessions, with the theme, “God, save Nigeria,” will end on Sunday.

Among the clerics are: Bishop Kayode Williams, Prophet Niyi Oni, Pastors Fatoke Aduralebo, Wale Afolabi and Joseph Adelakun of the Ayewa International Gospel Singers fame, among several others.

The “power-packed prayer for Nigeria,” which kicks off 6 pm daily, started last Monday.

Pastor Ojo told The Nation yesterday that the prayer involves all denominations because it is a divine concerted effort at getting the embattled nation out of the woods on all fronts.

“As our dear nation con-

tinues to sink into an abyss daily before our very eyes, we should not fold our hands in sinful callousness.

This prayer is a spiritual order and a divine mandate for us to raise our voices to God to rescue our nation from the precipice. Look into every aspect of our national life, it is a saga of troubles; there is tension across the

land.

The cleric said special prayer teams had been dispatched to all the state capitals across the country, adding: “It is a total war against the factors militating against the nation.”

•Bamigbetan

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N aspirant into the House of Representatives, Hon. Kehinde Bamigbetan yesterday said the country would overcome its present predicament if the All Progressives Congress (APC) leads government at the centre.

Bamigbetan, who is contesting from Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency 11, said his intention to contest in 2015 is a response to the people’s wish.

He said Nigeria was passing through difficult times because those who could ensure good governance were not at the centre.

“I want to be part of the moving train to save my country. I believe with good laws by people like me, our people will be relieved of too many burdens. The APC has the calibre of people to make the auspicious change.

They have proved that through their impact in the states they govern. This is the time to move the train to the centre and I hope to be part of it,” he said.

“We hope to reinvent what we have been able to achieve at council level. Nigeria is at a critical moment; there is need for people who can make impact to move into the terrain to salvage the country. I strongly believe in the ability of APC and we will not disappoint the people,” he said.

Communities celebrate their ‘change agent’

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ESIDENTS in the Odunsi, Arobadade, Kukoyi communities and their environs in the Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos, yesterday gathered to appreciate one of their own, Johnson Akintunde Ajiboye, an engineer, for his numerous humanitarian projects in the community.

They urged him to contest for the Shomolu Constituency 2 seat in Lagos State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forth-coming general elections.

They told reporters that Ajiboye, a.k.a JAACO had been touching their lives through educational, developmental and empowerment projects.

The chairman of the residents’ association, Alhaji Kazeem Idris, listed some of the projects recently completed by Ajiboye as including purchase and distribution of 47 General Certificate in Education (GCE) forms to indigent youths and renovation of an abandoned borehole for the community.

“The borehole had been down for over eight years.

The water tanks and the machine were completely bad.

While we were wondering how to get help for the com-

•Ajiboye

By Uyoatta Eshiet

munity, Ajiboye replaced the tank, bought a new machine and completely renovated the water system; now we have safe water.”

Idris said Ajiboye recently renovated schools, built modern toilet facilities for the staff and pupils of Adeife Shodeko Primary school, Odunsi Road, among others.

Through his ‘Johnson Akintunde Ajiboye Empowerment Foundation’ which stated in 2011, Ajiboye, he added, had been putting smiles on the faces of market men and women in the area.

The foundation’s coordinator, Mrs Esther Ojo, said over 200 people had so far benefited from Ajiboye’s soft loans aimed at empowering the poor.

She said the loan of N100,000 is accessible without the stress and payment of collaterals at it obtains in banks.

PUBLIC NOTICE ODION I formerly known and addressed as Miss. ODION LOVETH EDEWEDE, now wish to be known as Mrs. ALISA LOVETH EDEWEDE. All former documents remain valid.

NPHCDA -ABUJA and the general public please take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT This is to inform the general public of the loss of title document (C of O) at Lekki Phase 1, in Eti-Osa LG area of Lagos State registered as no 95 at page 95 in volume 1994W dated 20th December 1994 belonging to Ibrahim Dada and all efforts to trace it proved abortive.

PUBLIC NOTICE OMOTOYOSI I formerly known and addressed as Durojaiye Ayoola Omotoyosi, now wish to be known as Olajide Ridwon Ayoola Durojaiye. All former documents remain valid.

The general public please take note.

•Onilado of Ilado and Inagbe Island, Lagos State, Oba Mobadenle Oyekan (left) and Alaketu of Ketu, Oba Adegboyega Adefowora, while briefing reporters on the state’s monarchs’ position on the just-concluded National Conference ... yesterday.

11

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 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

• The Executive Director, Lagos & Southwest, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Femi Bakre (2nd left); its Group Head, Marketing and Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Kalu (1st left); Head, Lagos Office, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia; FCMB's Divisional Head, Retail Banking, Mr. Olu Akanmu and an official of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Daniel Onyemenam, at the second Lagos & Southwest Regional Draw of the FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo Reloaded in Lagos.

We’ve recovered N22b non-performing loans, says BoA chief T HE Bank of Agriculture (BoA) has recovered about N22 billion nonperforming loans between 2010 and June this year. It has also attracted N28 billion to the bank, and has created over 2.4 million jobs. its Managing Director, Mohammed Santuraki has said.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja, he said with 16 ongoing partnership with governments, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the bank will be able to leverage funds and provide access to loans for rural farmers.

He said: “In the last couple of years, we have recovered over N2 billion out of the previously classified non per-

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

forming loan, bringing total recoveries in the last four years to June 2014 to over N22 billion.

“When we took over in 2010, the institution was nearly comatose due to lack of lending resources. Over the last four years, we have been able to attract additional N28 billion funding to BoA.” He said the bank has concluded plans to pilot Mobile Money Brand, BoA Greencash, which will be launched soon, adding that

the bank is also pioneering a mobile payment system for the rural and agricultural sector.

The card, he said, will be the standard for rural and agricultural payment system, adding that the bank will leverage the recent farmers’ registration activity of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to have access to the farmers’ data base.

According to him, BoA has been repositioned to provide loans to small, medium, and large scale farmers to boost production and processing of

produce.

He said: “Over the last four years under my leadership, BoA has disbursed over N18 billion in loans to about 471,000 beneficiaries, creating over 2.4 million jobs. In addition, we have provided credit support of N1 billion to cassava over 6, 000 farmers under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Cassava Growers Association.

“As part of sugar development master plan, we have collaborated with Sugar Development Council to set up a N2 billion fund to support

mini sugar mills and their 1,200 out –growers.

“Currently we have sixteen on –going partnerships with governments and other MDAs that are involved in agricultural production.

“What we do with this collaboration is that we create funds with the government and other interested parties.

“They put money, we put money, and then we lend the money to their farmers. And we have attracted N11 billion with respect to that.

“We are piloting our Mobile Money Services. We call it the Green Cash. Very soon, we are going to roll it out; this is going to be the leverage system for rural farmers.”

Kashim Billa dam: FEC approves N31.2b for power evacuation

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HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yester day approved N31.2 billion for the evacuation of electricity power from the Kashim Billa multipurpose dam in Taraba State.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku and Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil spoke to State House correspondents at the

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 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

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

end of FEC meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

Maku said the project which involves building of transmission lines was awarded to SCC Nigeria Ltd., with 18 months completion time.

According to him, the dam is expected to add 40 megawatts to the national grid.

Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze, who was the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Erosion in Southeast, also submitted its report to FEC yesterday.

According to him, all the teething problems of the 15 erosion projects in the Southeast have been addressed.

According to him, the report was carried out last year, adding that most of the

projects are near-completion and would be completed in the next two or three months.

Maku said: "We devoted a substantial part of today's FEC (meeting) to the review of report of the erosion control project in the Southeastern part of Nigeria.

"As you are all aware, Mr. President, on assumption of office, promised prompt intervention in resolving some of the key erosion problems

in the Southeast which is known through out this country to be the most affected when it comes to erosion.

"Several communities in the Southeast have always been affected and Mr President had promised to handle some of these projects in order to bring relief and stop the deterioration of the environment and the destruction of their means of livelihood."

Why we want to delist inactive stockbrokers, by NSE

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HE Nigerian Stock Ex change (NSE) yester day formally announced its plan to revoke the licences of inactive stockbroking and dealing firms.

In a statement, the NSE said it has decided to revoke the licences of inactive stockbroking firms because most of the infractions and market abuses at the stock market have been linked to them.

According to the NSE, the move is in line with its commitment to maintain the integrity of the capital market and further protect investors.

The NSE stated that it would revoke the licences of

By Taofik Salako

stockbroking firms that have been inactive for six consecutive months under new rules that authorises the NSE to revoke licences of inactive firms. The rules, approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), categorised inactivity into voluntary and involuntary inactivity.

Head, Legal and Regulation Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Ms. Tinuade Awe, said the NSE has observed that majority of the prohibited practices in the market have been linked to inactive firms noting that the new rule on revocation

of licences of inactive firms is aimed at further sanitizing the market to protect investors.

She explained that voluntary inactivity occurs where the dealing member firm has not engaged in any trading activity for a consecutive period of six months without being suspended by the Exchange or the SEC. According to her, involuntary inactivity occurs where a dealing member firm has been suspended from trading activities by the NSE or the SEC by reason of any infraction committed by that dealing member firm and it has not

carried out any trading activity within the stipulated six months period.

“The powers of the Exchange under this SEC-approved rule will be exercised judiciously and will take into account all the circumstances surrounding each individual case as well as the interests of all stakeholders, particularly the investors,” Awe said.

Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Olufemi Shobanjo, however assured that the NSE would continue to exercise the utmost care and diligence in enforcing its regulations.

Fashola signs N11b reordering in 2014 budget

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

L

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola yesterday signed a bill to reorder the state’s Year 2014 budget.

The reordering totaling N11.66b did not affect the initial size of the 2014 budget which still stands at N489billion.

Signing the bill at the Conference Room, State House, Alausa, Fashola said the current health and security challenges as well as the reversal in school fees at the Lagos State University (LASU) necessitated the adjustment in the budget.

According to the governor, the ordering was also necessitated to cater for “some hazard allowances and those types of things for people who do hazardous work and lately the unplanned but now compelling need to improve capacity to overcome the challenge of the imported Ebola Virus”.

Explaining the effect of the reordering, Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi said the difference was between the capital and recurrent expenditure, noting however that the change was not really significant.

Gbeleyi said: “In this regard, we have a total of N11.66billion of our budget reordered. This is made up of N7.2billion reordered into recurrent expenditure and N4.46 billion into capital expenditure; so it’s just a slight reduction of one per cent in favour of recurrent expenditure.”

Governor Fashola had two weeks ago, written to state House of Assembly to request for a re-ordering of the 2014 budget to address some exigent and pressing issues in the state.

The budget re-ordering, according to the him, was necessary to meet demands for more public services, which are “sufficiently compelling and cannot wait until 2015”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

BUSINESS

Rail to employ 3200

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HE Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) is to generate over 3200 jobs for engineers and technicians when the current rehabilitation work on the Lagos/Kano and Port Harcourt corridors are concluded, the Minister of Labour, Chief Emeka Wogu has said.

Wogu who spoke at the flag off of the technical and vocational education training project for railway technicians working along the Lagos-Kano corridor also said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) is investing in the purchase and deployment of five air conditioned passenger coaches for the NRC. Giving a break down of the figure, its Deputy Director in charge of Press in the Ministry of Labour, Samuel Olowookere quoted the minister as saying that 1,605 job spaces would be filled as part of government’s skills development efforts towards sustainable railway operations in the country at the end of the training.

He said anoother 1,600 jobs would be created when the Eastern railway line is rolled out for both professional engineers and technicians

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

along the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri railway corridor.

According to the minister, the objective of the project was to enhance the institutional capacity of NRC to ensure sustainability of rail transport delivery, particularly in the area of railway track maintenance, including skills training for gangers and sub-gangers, train guards and senior station masters.

Wogu said the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity, through the activities of its Community Services, Women and Youth Employment (CSWYE) Programme and Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) has made impact on various segments of the nation’s economy. He added that TVET has created about 5,000 jobs nationwide.

He also said in a bid to ease the pains of millions of ommuters, the SURE-P is funding the deployment of five air-conditioned passenger coaches by NRC inext month, in addition to the six modern air-conditioned coaches and two diesel multiple units funded by the SURE-P which has been

commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said SURE-P has intervened in the renovation and commissioning of eight TVET centres across the country and has also partnered Galaxy Backbone to train and empower 1,000 auto-technicians with relevant tools.

Wogu said the agency was working in partnership with Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) to up-skill 1,000 housing and construction artisans as well as collaborating with National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) to train about 220 Nigerian Electrical/Mechanical Engineers and position them for opportunities in the power sector.

The Minister pointed out that the flag off of the SUREP TVET training programme in collaboration with the NRC is a further boost to President Jonathan’s drive for mass employment under his Transformation Agenda, adding that the long-awaited transformation in the railway sector, “apart from improving cooperation between one community and the other along the route, it also reduces pressure on our road and air transport system”.

• From left: Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Kalamba Gbeneol; Head of Mobile Financial Services, FirstBank, Mike Ogbalu; Project Manager, MDGs Implementation, FirstBank, Folasade Femi-Lawal; and Relationship Officer, MDG, FirstBank, Aishat Sumayin, at the launch of the Conditional Cash Transfer programme of the Federal Government in Rivers State.

FirstBank’s Firstmonie to disburse IRSTMONIE, the mobile will soon be made available banking service from MDGs funds for disbursement to

F

FirstBank, has been selected by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to disburse funds of Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme aimed at increasing human capital development of the poor in the country.

The CCT programme, which is specifically targeted at addressing the needs of qualified core poor households, would give them access to funds that will improve their lives and that of their children.

It is designed to provide cash grants to the extremely poor and vulnerable households as a form of investment in human capital development in pursuit of Nigeria’s move to alleviate poverty in attainment of the 2015 deadline for the MDGs goals.

Speaking on the development, Head, Mobile Financial Services (Firstmonie), Mike

Ogbalu said: “We are delighted that Firstmonie has been selected to fulfil this noble cause of mitigating poverty and improving the lot of the less privileged in our society.

“With our involvement in disbursement of the MDGs funds, it only implies that Firstmonie would also be helping to fulfil the objective of the CCT scheme, which is to improve the effectiveness of conditional cash transfer mechanisms to provide adequate incentives for extremely poor families to use available education and health services for children and pregnant women while increasing household consumption.”

According to Mike, Firstmonie would be used to disburse close to N3billion to 15,810 households 343 local government in 15 states of the country in the first tranche. He added that funds

benefitting households in selected states.

“Each individual beneficiary under the scheme would be receiving N5, 000.00 on a monthly basis for 12 months with an additional N100, 000.00 upon acquiring the necessary empowerment skills training by MDGs. A total of N174.1million would be disbursed to each state.

First tranche of states to benefit from the scheme include: Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Borno, Delta, Edo, Ekiti, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Sokoto, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

Already, there are several Firstmonie agents’ points, excluding the bank’s branch agents, across all local government areas of the 15 states that the funds would be disbursed to. The agents would also be providing customer support services to beneficiaries in the selected areas.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

14

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Some ‘powerful forces’ representing certain multinational interests are said to be set to frustrate plans for a higher cement grade by blackmailing the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON). Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

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HE Director-General (DG) of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr. Joseph Odumodu, is under intense pressure to soft pedal on the upgrade of cement directive.

Odumodu appears free from importers and manufacturers of sub-standard products. Those on his neck are powerful forces opposed to the introduction of new guidelines and standards for cement.

The SON to sanitise the building and construction industry, formulated a policy to review the standard of cement, classified it into three grades and stipulated their uses.

The policy, which was okayed by the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, classified cement into 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5 grades. While restricting the use of the 32.5 grade to plastering of structures, the policy recommended that the 42.5 grade be used in construction of buildings, beams, load bearing columns, pillars, block moulding and other structures. The 52.5 grade is recommended for the construction of bigger projects, such as bridges, flyovers and high rise buildings.

The guidlines pegged the product’s standard at NIS 444-1-2014, which is the new criterion for cement.

SON also released 10 testing standards as national requirements for the product in the country.

The review, according to SON, incorporated information on application of the various grades of cement as well as additional information and features on cement bags. The features/information include: colour code for proper identification according to strength and class. The coloured part of the bag with the labelling information should take onethird of the bag surface on both sides.

While the location, or address of manufacturer, batch number and expiry date must be stated on the cement.

The guidelines and standards, however, did not go down well with some importers and manufacturers, particularly those importing, or producing the 32.5 grade. They are insisting that it would not only lead to increase in the price of the product, but result in its scarcity.

Some of them argued that it would be difficult for some manufacturers to respond to the new requirement in the production lines.Those advancing this position include Lafarge WAPCO, United Cement Company of Nigeria (UNICEM) and Ashaka Cement. To them, restricting the use of 32.5 grade to plastering amounts to its ban.

However, it is not their hard line position against the policy that is giving observers serious cause for concern; rather, it is the way they are campaigning to force SON to submission.

Although the so-called powerful forces, allegedly representing certain multinational interests, have dragged SON to court over the issue, there are fears that the same forces may have included blackmail and intimidation to their list of strategies to cow the agency. Added to this is feeling that they may have enlisted the support of unions and organisations outside the industry to advance their course.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), for instance, may have been sold the dummy that the new guideline on cement would

•Odumodu

•Omar

•Aganga

The cement war rages lead to job losses as they have joined the fray.

In a statement, its President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, said the review “portends danger to the fragile economy”.

He said: “The government should avoid manipulations that would eventually harm our collective aspirations for society that benefits the populace and not individual interests.

“The combination of the West Africa Portland Cement, UNICEM, Sokoto Cement, Ashaka Cement, Purechem and others that are presently surviving the hardship unleashed on the productive manufacturing sector in Nigeria, have thousands of people in their employ, which is scandalously too inadequate for an industry that is key to infrastructural development in a country with a population above 160 million.”

The NLC accused SON of carrying out “orchestrated campaigns that incidents of building collapse in different parts of the country occur simply because the quality of cement currently in use in the country is not the 42, 5 type.”

SON has, however, responded that it would not join issues with the Labour. The agency, however, said it had become pertinent to state that unseen hands had erroneously convinced the Labour over the implications of the guidelines and standard grades for cement.

To SON, the involvement of labour was part of the plot to vilify and discredit the agency. The organisation believes that as a government agency, it must not shirk its responsibility or seen to be intimidated or cowed by anybody.

“Why should companies and firms dictate to a government agency how it should be regulated? It has never happened in other climes,” a policy analyst argued.

According to the expert, who declined to be mentioned, what is curious is the fact

‘

that SON, in its determination to ensure that it carried all stakeholders along, decided to give the manufacturers enough grace period before monitoring and enforcing the new regime.

The agency, he said, as part of its statutory work, invited all cement manufacturers in Nigeria to a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Lagos. At the meeting, it was resolved that in line with the implementation of the new standard NIS 444-1: 2014, new guidelines are to be followed.

The guidelines include: a 60-day frame for cement manufacturing firms to inscribe manufacturing and expiry dates on cement bags; best before use dates as well as batch numbers on their products.

All adverts by cement producers, SON directed, must be cleared with the agency before they could be run. Also, all claims in adverts on the integrity of products and conformity requirements are to be crosschecked by the agency before they are aired or printed.

Besides, storage facilities of cement firms must meet the stipulated standards required for the product (dry cold).

Sources close to the meeting told The Nation that representatives include Dangote Cement, Lafarge WAPCO, Unicem, Ashaka cement, Ibeto, Sokoto and Pukemcem. They promised to support SON to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to.

The General Manager, Operations, Lafarge, Larry Opakunle, observed that more time was needed for Lafarge to install the new technology.

At the meeting, Odumodu explained why SON opted for the guidelines for cement. According to him, the regime is necessitated by the need to ensure public safety and best practices.

According to him, SON came up with the policy because of the safety of consumers most of who have had to bear the brunt of the rising cases of collapsed

I have a responsibility to ensure public safety. We need to ensure that ethical standards are applied in products usage; we also need to act in the best interest of the country, because people have died, people are still dying due to the problem of building collapse. We must, therefore, take corrective and preventive measures

‘

structures in the country. The new guidelines, he said, would allow endusers make the right choice, help to avoid unethical application of the different types of cement; enhance proper identification of the different cement classes for traceability as well as to guide the users.

“I have a responsibility to ensure public safety. We need to ensure that ethical standards are applied in products usage; we also need to act in the best interest of the country, because people have died, people are still dying due to the problem of building collapse. We must, therefore, take corrective and preventive measures,” he said.

Odumodu made the clarification that the agency has not banned the production of 32.5 grade of cement, saying it has only limited its use to plastering of structures.

He said cement firms, including Lafarge WAPCO only needed to increase their production capacity of the 32.5 grade to rse market output and retain staff.

He allayed the fear of possible loss of jobs due to the new standards, describing it as unfounded and misguided. He also dismissed the recent claim by Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) that it did not have a component laboratory for determining cement quality.

SON, according to Odumodu, has put measures in place including a task force to effectively ensure compliance when the new cement regime kicks off.

It would recalled that as part of efforts at eliminating the menace of building collapse, the agency embarked on the standardisation of the basic inputs in building and construction such as iron and steel, roofing materials. Having enforced standardisation in other building inputs, the agency set out to review cement standard by adopting a holistic approach to ensure that standards are maintained in all spheres of the building process.

SON’s technical committee consulted widely with stakeholders from all sectors including COREN; Universities; Research Institutes; builders; consumer associations; Block Molders Association of Nigeria and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), among others, who participated in the activities leading to the review of the cement standards.

All the stakeholders agreed to streamlining cement types, with 42.5 grade for general purposes, while 32.5 will be restricted to plastering. The House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Public Investigative Hearing on the Composition and Pigmentation of Cement (Cement Quality) in Nigeria, headed by Hon. Yakubu Dogara, recommended that only 42.5 grade should be produced to tackle building collapse. The House subsequently asked SON to enforce the measure.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

INDUSTRY

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Mimiko inaugurates N1.6b Shoprite Mall’s construction

Training for shea nut stakeholders, others begins

RAINING for stakeholders involved in the production, processing, packaging, marketing and export of shea nut has begun.

The programme was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment,Dr. Samuel Ortom, in collaboration with the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPPAN) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ortom said: “The Federal Government has realised their coming together as stakeholders in the Shea Nut industry will, no doubt impact positively on the output in the shea nut industry, enhance job and wealth creation, improve employment generation, and act as means of fighting poverty and also enhancing the diversification of the nation’s foreign exchange inflow.

“This is in line with Mr.

•$2.1b lost to smugglers

By Toba Agboola

President’s transformation agenda in the country. Likewise, it is the mandate of this Ministry therefore, to create policies that will positively drive quality certification of the nation’s agricultural commodities prior to processing and export.”

Ortom stated that Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO’s) findings indicated that Nigeria’s Shea trees produced 57 per cent of the shea nuts across the shea belt in Africa.

“It is, however, unfortunate to inform you that Nigeria hardly process five per cent of its shea nuts to butter neither do we pick nor export up to 20 per cent of the entire Shea Nuts produced annually in the country. The remaining 80 per cent is left to rot away un-utilised. The

output of the shea industry in Nigeria has the potentials of being equal with other agricultural commodities like cocoa, sesame seeds, soya and a host of others.”

In his contribution, the representative of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Charles Ezinma (Shea Desk Officer) said that Nigeria has lost $2.1 billion to activities of smugglers from expected $3.8 billion per annum from foreign exchange, adding that his ministry is addressing the issues of long gestation of the crop, poor storage facilities and smuggling.

Earlier, the Acting President, NASPAN, Mrs. Nelly Osagie Ndaguba urged the Federal Government to encourage the regeneration of Shea Tree Woodland Park across the Shea belt, improve quality control assessment for shea nut and shea butter, quality and provision of modern laboratory as well as provision of ware houses.

‘Access to finance major challenge facing MSMEs’

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HAT is the major headache of small business?

Access to finance, according to the head of Department, Business School, University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, Prof Silvanus Ikhide.

He listed other obsstacles faced by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to include access to power and poor infrastructure.

Ikehide spoke in Abuja at a conference organised by the group.

He said other problems included high administrative cost, vague information and lack of collateral to access loans.

“Our sources of finance, in most cases, are equity and debt; with equity accounting for a greater part of what we have. Micro enterprises depend on micro credit for financing, but researches done have not indicated that micro credit promotes investment,’’ he said.

Ikhide said micro enterprises in many countries accounted for about 95 per cent of the entire eco-

nomic activities in the informal sector. He said small enterprises had the potential for expansion in Nigeria, but were limited by their small sizes and poor access to finance.

“SMEs are very important in job creation in many countries and they have come to about 50 per cent of total employments in these countries. SME finance is a big problem in Nigeria because the sector is small. It accounts for less than 50 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) compared to what we have in other countries.

“We believe that a robust SME sector in Nigeria will address the issue of unemployment. This is because we have seen this result in other countries. We believe that if you have a high degree of unemployment of about 70.5 per cent in a country, policy must be focused on SME’s to deal with this issue.

“Also, the cumbersome applica-

tion procedure and high interest rate of borrowing in Nigeria should be checked to enable small business owners access funds easily,’’ Ikhide said, adding that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should balance its role as a regulator, supervisor, guarantor promoter and overseer in assisting small businesses.

Ikhide also said that micro enterprises were constrained due to lack of information, adding that this could be dealt with by leveraging existing relations.

Also, the President, Anabel Group Inc., Mr. Nicholas Okoye, said crime, terrorism, lack of education, poor healthcare facilities and unemployment were major challenges that Nigerians face.

“We need to give young people jobs. We need to do whatever it takes to get young people jobs.

If you give people jobs, terrorism, violence, and crimes will become a thing of the past. Job creation is a critical part of economic development,” he said.

•Mimiko

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NDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has inaugurated the construction of a N1.651 billion Shoprite Shopping mall and car park under the Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The projects scheduled to be completed in 15 months, are located within the state-owned Owena Motels, Akure and close to the state’s multibillion naira event centre popularly called ‘Dome’ project.

Mimiko at the ceremony attended by top government officials, proprietors of the company, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, said the concept is to transform Akure into a Modern Retail Shopping City and an entertainment hub

for the state and its environ.

He said while in the process, the project would create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths and graduates, and also for farmers and artisans which would therefore boost revenue generation for the state.

“Having this shopping mall here will make it easier for retail businesses in our state to thrive, expand and discourage adulteration as well as excessive spending on transportation and storage.

This project has the capacity to serve as a true beacon of hope for everyone in Ondo State and it deserves to succeed. I am confident that with Top Services Nigeria Limited on board, our collective responsibilities will be met and our collective aspirations achieved,” he said.

The governor said the project when completed, would not only ensure the steady supply of genuine and affordable goods and services, but would also make Akure a commercial hub.

IMF team to hold talks on bailout

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ISCUSSIONS on an economic programme that will be supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to bail the country out of its economic challenges are to be held.

A team from the IMF is expected to meet the government at the Peduase Lodge, where discussions are expected to open on the bailout negotiations.

A source at the Presidency said the government was ready to negotiate with the IMF officials and expressed optimism about the outcome, although it declined to proffer details.

The Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Min Zhu, had earlier, in a statement, announced that the fund had received a formal request from the country to initiate discussions on an IMF support programme for Ghana.

It said: “The fund stands ready to help address the economic challenges it is facing. An IMF team will be sent in early September to initiate discussions on a programme.”

The government announced its decision to seek a bailout from the IMF to help restore stability in the economy, particularly in the areas of strengthening the local currency and reducing the fiscal deficit.

This was greeted with mixed reactions by the public, including the Minority in Parliament, who blamed the current state of the economy on gross mismanagement.

Industry stakeholders have expressed the belief that the IMF’s bailout would further burden people with economic hardships since stringent measures would have to be instituted to salvage the economy.

ABUCCIMA pledges security at fair

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•From right: Security Manager Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese, Ali Garba; DGM Production Sunday Adondua and Head, Health Safety and Environment (HSE), Akinola Gbonegun, during an event at the factory.

HE Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABUCCIMA) said it has made adequate security and medical arrangements to protect those attending the upcoming Abuja International Trade Fair billed for next month.

The chamber’s Director-General, Mr. Joe Wenegieme said in Abuja that efforts have been made to ensure that the event is successful. “The trade fair will hold next month as scheduled, and since markets and supermarkets are still operating, we have no reason to cancel it. We trust that everyone coming into the country will be properly screened and the system is work-

ing well. Nigerians are also aware of the preventive measures.

Therefore, the trade fair will hold,” he said, adding that security officials from the Nigerian Army and the Police Force would be present at the event’s venue to prevent any violence or security breach during the trade fair.

“We have spent a lot of time and money making arrangements for the availability of security officials, such as members of the Army and the Police to be available at the venue. We hope there won’t be any security scare, but people and items will still be checked by these security officials before they are allowed to enter the Complex,” he said.

Post-2015 agenda will address MDGs’ unfinished goals, says Fed Govt

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OST-2015 development agenda will tackle unfinished Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) framework, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr Precious Gbeneol, has said.

At a Presidential Summit titled: “The MDGs and the Socio-Economic Transformation of Nigeria: 2015 and Beyond,” he said the new set of goals would handle issues not addressed under the current framework, such as poverty reduction, access to sustainable energy, infrastructure, among others.

“This summit is to ensure that the new agenda is complete with strate-

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Asst. Editor gies to sustain the momentum in the final push to achieve the MDGs in the areas where Nigeria lags behind. Nigeria will forward the outcome of the summit to United Nations (UN) and other partners; this summit will enable us deliberate on appropriate indicators to be embedded in the new framework,” she said Gbneol said poverty eradication remained a global challenge, adding that it was an indispensable requirement for sustainable development.

According to her, to achieve sustainable development, there is the need

to promote inclusive and equitable economic, social and environmental equity and prudent natural resource management.

“The formulation of post-2015 development agenda should be based on these principles in an inclusive process that lends voice to the yearnings of all and particularly, disadvantaged groups,’’ she said, adding that the new goals would integrate the social, economic and environmental imperatives of sustaining development.

“As the scale of resources needed to finance the post-2015 development agenda was daunting, it is imperative

to institute the right funding mechanism. This summit provides the opportunity to brainstorm on financing options to appropriate recommendations”, she said, assuring that the summit would help to accelerate progress on the attainment of the MDGs. The UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Toure, said progress had been registered in sectors such as education and health. He said school enrollment had increased by more than 300 per cent in Nigeria, adding that access to primary healthcare has increased with investments in health infrastructure and systems.

He said the post-2015 presented op-

portunities to fulfill responsibilities of addressing new development challenges. He said the UN and its partners would continue to work with the Federal Government towards meeting the new global development agenda.

President, Pan African Parliament, Mr. Bethel Amadi, said the MDGs did not place significant emphasis on reaching the poorest and the most excluded segments of the society. He also said the MDGs did not incorporate the cumulative impact of conflict and violence in Africa, adding that they have negatively affected its development.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

16

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

calls for gas-to-power NIPOST to create 3,000 jobs Union policies’ implementation T P HE Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) will create 3,000 jobs before the end of the year, the Post Master-General of the Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Mori Baba, has said.

According to him, NIPOST in conjunction with 10 private firms have mapped out strategies to broaden the coverage of all sectors of the economy towards effective implementation of the Stamp Duties Act. He decried the lacklustre implementation of stamping protocol by government agencies and parastatals and the private sector, saying the country is losing millions of naira in revenue to the development daily.

Mallam Baba, who spoke dur-

From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

ing the opening of a summit on Implementing Stamping Protocol in Nigeria, urged government agencies and the private sector to key into the implementation of the act. The country’s economic growth depends largely on revenue accruing not only from oil, but other sources such as the stamp duty levy, he said, adding: “I am pleased to inform you that NIPOST as an organisation has done so much to create awareness of the existence of the Stamp Duties Act and I am glad to let you know that Jigawa and Osun states have approved the full compliance with the provisions of the Act by

its Ministries and Agencies.’’

Delivering a paper on ways in which government agencies and the private sector can be made to comply with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act, Mr Christopher Muo, a Consultant to NIPOST, said there is the need for synergy at all levels and tiers of government .

He decried a situation where only Anambra and Enugu states have keyed into the implementation of the Stamp Duties Protocol with attendant increase in their internally generated revenue. He urged the National Assembly, Federal High Courts and other agencies of government to follow suit in the larger interest of the country.

• From left: Acting President, National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) Mrs. Nelly Osagie Ndaguba; Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom and Registrar, Trade Mark, Patent Design (Commercial Law), N. Salman Mann at the kick off the National Shea Nuts/Butter season and the International Training programme for grassroots stakeholders in Abuja.

ASSBIFI hails CBN’s directive on workers’ rights

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HE Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has hailed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to financial institutions to respect their employees’ rights in line with the Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles (NSBP). The directive, ASSBIFI said, would bring sanity to the system.

ASSBIFI’s Prsident, Comrade Sunday Salako, said good labour and human practices would enable the institutions retain productive workers.

He told The Nation: “This is because human rights violations that are associated with a financial institution’s business activities will not only undermine its standing, but also make it vulnerable to public scrutiny.”

According to Olusiji, the direc-

Stories by Toba Agboola

tive expects that banks’ attitude to rights should be consistent with the Constitution, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights, and other international treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

He said: “Key policies and requirements should include recognition of employees’ entitlements to safe and fair labour conditions, and to exercise collective and individual rights to associate and speak freely, as allowed by law,” he said, emphasising that in applying the CBN’s principle for instance, a bank is committed to upholding and respecting human rights and internationally recognised standards in its business operations.

“In addition, though its ability to influence a client’s behaviour

may be limited, a bank will assess the human rights commitment, capability and track record of the clients to which it provides financial services.’’

He continued: “Consequently, banks, discount houses, and development finance institutions are advised to note that their employees are at liberty to freely associate in furtherance of their rights as allowed by national regulations and laws, and international conventions and treaties that Nigeria is a signatory to.

“It shall constitute an infraction, which will attract sanctions, where a bank, discount house, or development finance institution is found in any manner to hinder or prevent its staff/employees from exercising their rights to free association as required under Principle three and other extant regulations and laws.’’

Firm to employ 3,000

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RYSTAL Sugar Company located in Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State, is expected to employ 3,000 on completion early next year.

The Chairman of Jigawa State Advisory Council on Investment and Economic Management, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu , made this known during an inpsection of work at the firm’s premises in Hadeijia.

He said: “We were here last year as part of our programme to make sure that companies sold by government to private investors, are not just shut down without being put into production. Last year, when we came here, we met them working and the work was at 35 per cent.

“Today, we noticed tremendous improvement in the site. They have succeeded in achieving 85 to 95 per

cent completion in most of the various components of the company.

The management have assured us that the sugar plant will be commissioned early next year and they will employ 3, 000 workers in the first instance.”

He said the council was impressed with the rate of work, adding that the owners have invested on machines and infrastructure at the site.

ROPER execution of policies on gas will boost power supply, the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) has said.

SSAEAC’s National President, Comrade Bede Opara, said: “I think if properly implemented, the policy would in the medium to long-term trigger additional investment in the infrastructure for gas to power.

“The submission by the Petroleum Resources Minister that inadequate infrastructure for gas supply has been the bane of the sector since it was privatised, and that a detailed tariff is being worked out by the Ministries of Petroleum Resources and Power, the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERC) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to find a lasting solution to the problem through the review of gas pricing, will in the short-term, anticipate that this will quickly boost gas supply and in turn, power output, is a welcome development.”

The union, he said, had urged the Federal Government to build a national gas grid owned by Nigerians, or executed in partnership with credible private sector players in a public-private partnership arrangement.

“The grid can be put in place in four years, and should have capacity to handle gas volumes far in excess of the present limited domestic and regional demand. Such gas infrastructure will stimulate further domestic demand for expanding electricity requirements

and various industrial purposes as well as facilitate domestic gas competition.

“This is because the Nigeria Vision 2020 Economic Transformation Agenda has it that the overall target for the power sector is to grow installed power generation capacity from 6,000mw in 2009 to 20,000mw by 2015 and 35,000mw by 2020,” he said.

He said the pronouncement by the Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, that Nigerians may witness another hike in electricity tariff without improvement in power supply to justify another increase, was unfortunate.

“Hiking tariff is not justifiable because the burden on citizens is enormous, as they also have to battle with scarcity and high cost of kerosene, diesel and cooking gas. And if the hike is aimed at pleasing investors, it subjects Nigerians to more suffering, indeed, double jeopardy.

“People should not pay for what is non-existent. The ideal thing is to work towards putting power first. Thereafter, it would be clear to all and sundry that there is a change that could warrant tariff increase. I am of the view that Nigerians need a respite from the unbearable economic hardship in the country,” he said.

He said there was still an outstanding payments to workers of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), adding that a review shows that the subcommittee on the processing of staff benefits said the screening was cubersome.

NDE, BoA sign loans’pact

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HE National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to assist NDE trainees with loans.

The Coordinator of NDE in Kano State, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, made this known at the opening of a training for 50 women in modern bag-making and footwear production in Kano.

He said under the deal, the directorate would identify viable business proposals from the beneficiaries for funding. He urged them to open accounts with the bank to get loans.

The coordinator advised the women trainees to form cooperative societies to enable them to tap from the advantages of networking.

Abubakar said the decision to train the women was to provide them with skills to enable them set up their own businesses.

He said after the training, the trainees would be given a start-up capital to enable them to start their own businesses.

“Unemployment among women can have highly devastating effects owing to their vulnerability.

In addition, the Universal Declaration on Equal Opportunities and Gender Sensitivity has become household principle. We have been championing the cause of women by ensuring their full participation in economic activities for self-reliance,” he said.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Binta Jibril, praised the directorate for tackling unemployment among women and youths.

Jibril, represented by the Director Women Affairs, Hajiya Hajara Shehu, said the government was ready to partner with the directorate to reduce unemployment in the state.

The training, which commenced last week, will last 21 days.

‘Make workers’ welfare a priority’

T

HE Chairman, Rivers State Council of Trade Union Congress (TUC), Mr. Chika Onuegbu, has urged the government to give attention to workers’ welfare.

He said by doing so workers’ productivity would increase, industrial harmony maintained and economic growth sustained.

At a thanksgiving service to commemorate his tenure as the National Industrial Relations Officer of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), Onuegbu said many of the issues affecting the workers have remained unresolved for years, leaving many workers in a state of tension, which

has resulted in low productivity and unsatisfactory output, corruption, abuse of office and ineptitude.

He noted that unresolved issues, such as casualisation, non- or partial implementation of the constitutionally backed new minimum wage and failure of employers to ensure a secured future for their workers through compliance with the relevant pension laws are some of the numerous challenges facing workers.

He pointed out that industrial peace and harmony has a slender body, the strength of which is determined by the amount of justice done to the human dignity in the workplace.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

17

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Protesting wives •The Nigerian Army and government should address the root of these spousal objections

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N a most unanticipated manner, female power, or feminine influence, has emerged as a potent factor in the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism campaign. Within two days, soldiers’ wives staged protests at two barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, insisting that they would not allow their husbands to go to battle against insurgents in Damboa and Gwoza, two towns in the state that continue to witness heavy fighting between the country’s troops and members of the Islamist guerilla force, Boko Haram. It is worth considering the possible moral influence of the wives on their husbands.

Remarkably, these protests at Maimalari Barracks and 21 Armoured Brigade, Giwa Barracks, reportedly involved about 100 women who actually blocked movements into the barracks and caused quite a stir. One of them, who captured the reason for their action was quoted as saying: “Those that their breadwinners were killed in the course of defending their fatherland are suffering; the government has not done anything for them to alleviate their sufferings.” She also said: “As soldiers, our husbands are supposed to defend their fatherland in the face of both external and internal aggression as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but that could only be done when they are supplied with modern war equipment and properly motivated as obtained in countries in other parts of the world.”

In other words, the objective of the demonstrations was to drive the point home that sending allegedly ill-equipped soldiers to the battlefield amounted to sending them on a suicide mission. This is an

unassailable position, and the courage exhibited by the women in carrying out such protests reflected their serious concern and apprehension, which is understandable. It is true that, in the event of fatalities, the wives would have to bear the brunt of the tragedy and deal with the consequences, especially in the context of alleged neglect of such affected families by the military authorities. Against this background, it was timely and appropriate that they chose to speak out.

There is no doubt that the democratic environment implies an accommodation of such protests, even though it was rather strange and jolting to have civilian women interfering in what should be considered a strictly military affair. It would appear that this was an aberrancy designed to combat an aberration.

It is noteworthy that, in relation to the government’s counter-insurgency operations, there have been public complaints by soldiers themselves on welfare and professional issues. So, the wives were not mere alarmists. Furthermore, it is relevant to recall that a number of powerful and concerned individuals, including the Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima, had alleged that the Boko Haram fighters were better armed and more motivated than the country’s soldiers, which was said to be responsible for the seeming difficulty in crushing the insurgency. Perhaps expectedly but unconvincingly, the military authorities have continued to deny this grave assertion; however, denial is not enough as the demonstrations by the soldiers’ wives have shown.

Instructively, there are reports that the military this month reclaimed Damboa town, which was seized by Boko Haram

in July; and in the case of Gwoza, reports said the military tried unsuccessfully to retake the township from the rebels.

The piercing lesson of the wives’ protests should not be lost on the military authorities, and indeed the government, no matter how shocked they must be that the demonstrations happened. In fact, the stunning incidents should serve as a wake-up call. Now that issues relating to the terror war have reached this novel height, the military and governmental response should focus less on the odd messengers, the wives, and pay greater attention to the message, which is, arm the soldiers fittingly and effectively, motivate them and take care of the families of those of them who died in the cause of serving the fatherland.

‘In fact, the stunning incidents should serve as a wake-up call.

Now that issues relating to the terror war have reached this novel height, the military and governmental response should focus less on the odd messengers, the wives, and pay greater attention to the message, which is, arm the soldiers fittingly and effectively, motivate them and take care of the families of those of them who died in the cause of serving the fatherland’

Chike Offodile (1922-2014)

•Though brilliant, he will be remembered chiefly for two savage decrees

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HE passage of the former AttorneyGeneral of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Chike Offodile, SAN, on August 3, 2014 raises mixed feeling for most Nigerians. To some, he is affectionately remembered for his brilliance and as a legal theorist who believed that law can be used as an instrument for social engineering to effect the necessary changes in the society.

Perhaps that was why his was the first appointment by General Muhammadu Buhari who overthrew the corrupt and inept government of President Shehu Shagari in 1983. As Buhari’s attorneygeneral, Chief Offodile crafted the legal instruments that enabled that regime forcefully move the society in the regime’s determined direction.

Of course this made many others to per-

‘Chief Offodile is remembered as the attorney-general who presided over the promulgation of the infamous Decrees 2 and 4, of 1984, which enabled the regime to trample on the fundamental rights of Nigerians. One of the farcical imports of the military decrees crafted by the late attorney-general was the retroactive law which enabled the regime to prosecute and execute two drug dealers, against the norms of the criminal justice system around the world’

ceive the late jurist in a different light. In a sense therefore, an account of Offodile’s stewardship as attorney-general would depend on the person giving the account of how the Buhari/Idiagbon regime fared. The point though is that the regime might have meant well at inception, it eventually derailed in the course of its barely 20 months in power. This was evident in the way it handled the civil service purge which many believed destroyed the system; the issue of the 23 suitcases, and most especially the decrees promulgated by the regime.

Chief Offodile is remembered as the attorney-general who presided over the promulgation of the infamous Decrees 2 and 4, of 1984, which enabled the regime to trample on the fundamental rights of Nigerians. One of the farcical imports of the military decrees crafted by the late attorney-general was the retroactive law which enabled the regime to prosecute and execute two drug dealers, against the norms of the criminal justice system around the world. It was also under his watch, that journalists and human rights activists were hounded and jailed for criticising officials serving the government of General Buhari.

Indeed, journalists and people who believe in press freedom would continue to remember Offodile’s era as one in which the journalism profession became endangered with the promulgation of the infamous Decree 4. The decree was bad through and through in that it was not about ensuring that journalists reported the truth but that they should not report stories that could embarrass the

government, even if it was true. The attorney-general who provided the legal cover for what many considered the excesses of General Buhari’s government could not have been perceived in good light, and understandably so.

Ofodile was born to Ofodile Ezeugo of Umu Obi Udogwu royal family of Ogbeozala village – and Umunebe of the Olisa Ojiede family in Odojele village, both from Onitsha, Anambra State in 1922. He attended the Immanuel Church Infant School, St. Mary’s Primary School and Christ the King College, all in Onitsha, taught briefly at the Holy Trinity School at Onitsha Waterside, before joining the Post and Telegraphs (P&T) Department, Enugu. He thereafter travelled to the United Kingdom for further studies and was called to Bar at the Middle Temple in 1959.

Offodile belonged to the prestigious inner circle of the Bar known as the Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and was before his appointment as the federal attorney-general, a prominent legal practitioner in the commercial city of Onitsha. He retired from active practice in 2009 after 50 years of his call to Bar. He was also a prominent Onitsha son and until his death was the Onowu Iyasele (the Traditional Prime Minister) of the Kingdom of Onitsha. Offodile was conferred with the National Honour of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic by President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2008.

As Chief Chike Offodile joins his ancestors, we join other Nigerians to wish his soul a heavenly repose.

Warrior cops on America’s streets

– Missouri riots show that US police are far too militarised

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AST Saturday, Michael Brown, a black 18-yearold man, was shot and killed by a policeman in Ferguson, a suburb of St Louis, Missouri. In the days that have followed, the circumstances of his death have been deeply disputed by local police and community leaders. The police say that Brown attacked the officer and was shot in a scuffle. A friend who was with Brown says that, on the contrary, the teenager had his hands in the air and was shouting “Don’t shoot” when he was killed. Whatever the truth, hundreds of irate Missourians have taken to the streets of the predominantly Afro-American suburb every day this week to protest at his killing.

Brown’s shooting is one more example of the appalling race relations that afflict towns across America, which have their roots in the long history of segregation. However, one aspect of this case that has been particularly alarming is the scale of the police response to the riots. This week the outer suburb just north of St Louis has looked like a town under military occupation, with men in uniform toting M-16 rifles, sitting on armoured vehicles, sporting night-vision goggles and moving around with grenades hitched to belts. These men have not been from any army, nor from the local National Guard, but are local police officers.

Many Americans believe police brutality is a relic of the past, something associated with figures such as Bull Connor, the commissioner for public safety in Birmingham, Alabama, who unleashed fire hoses and dogs on civil rights demonstrators in 1963. But what the Ferguson case has brought home is the remarkable extent to which the US police has been militarised over the past 20 years. This has been happening under a programme known as 1033, whereby the US military sells surplus and redundant supplies to local law enforcement. Last year, this amounted to a $500mplus business.

There may have been some initial justification for the 1033 programme. The assistance was originally requested by the police force, which said it was being outgunned by drug gangs at the height of the narco wars. The emphasis placed on national security after the 9/11 attacks made it seem an even more logical precautionary measure, since anybody who could destroy the twin towers in New York was surely capable of extreme violence anywhere. However, Ferguson has exposed the downside of the practice because a 55-strong small-town police force has not been trained to use such weaponry correctly – nor does it appear to answer to higher authorities.

Amid the furious political debate over the Ferguson riots this week, there has been some common sense on display. President Barack Obama has ordered the Justice Department and the FBI to investigate the killing of Brown. Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri has taken all responsibility away from the local law enforcement and vested it in the state police, which happens to be headed by a black man raised in Ferguson. Senator Claire McCaskill from Missouri said the issue of militarised police forces should now be examined.

But it would be a pipe dream to imagine that any more substantive response will emerge from a deadlocked Congress. More to the point, there will be no consensus among legislators over a tragic event which involves the use of guns, a matter on which America’s National Rifle Association is sure to let its views be known. No changes were made to gun laws after 20 young people were killed in Connecticut in late 2012. No changes are likely to be made now. The scenes in Ferguson look as though they might have taken place in Fallujah at the height of the US invasion of Iraq. Even that will not be enough to curb the growing threat posed by the militarisation of America’s police forces.

– Financial Times

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THE NATION THURSDAY,AUGUST 21, 2014

18

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Prior to 2005, when I struggled with thousands and succeeded with 250 candidates for admission into the Rochas Foundation College Ogboko, I never knew or heard of Owelle Rochas Anayo Ethelbert Okorocha. A family friend had informed my father of the institution in Owerri. We went to Owerri to obtain the admission form; the then Director of Programme [DoP], Mrs. Mgbor informed us that a campus of the college was being established in Ogboko. She advised and directed us to Ogboko since it would be closer to us. We did.

I took the entrance examination and emerged the eighth best of the over 500 successful candidates. Remarkably, on the day of the interview, securely straddled behind my father on his Yamaha moped, along the Akokwa- Orlu road now being dualised, he gave me titbits that could help me at the interview.

He gave me the full name and appropriate titles of the founder and his position as the then special adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on inter- political affairs.

The interview trimmed us down to the 250 pioneer students of the Ogboko campus of Rochas Foundation Colleges scattered all over country in Owerri, Ibadan, Kano, Jos and of course Ogboko.

Hardly had we settled for academic work in October 10, 2005 than the news came in October 22, 2005 that our daddy (for that is what we called and still call our founder

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

The Rochas Okorocha I know and sponsor), was among the 117 passengers of the Belleview Boeing 737 plane that crashed in Lisa, Ogun State with no survivors. Incidentally, I had lost my school beret on Friday and was brooding on my imminent fate on Monday. The news came on Saturday. My beret immediately became trivial. I prayed: Heavenly father, if the punishment for losing my beret is the price to be paid to make this news false, I am ready to receive a double portion. On Monday, the news was false and the punishment forgotten. He had boarded the

flight but left before departure due to lack of space.

The day we wrote the English language examination of the West African Examination Council (WAEC), sponsored by our founder, was the day he won the 2011 Imo governorship election which was declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He later won the supplementary elections.

Frankly, I am yet to see any philanthropy that surpasses that of the Rochas Foundation. From my lost beret to my sandals, my pen to my

Roads: Getting it right in Ogun

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IR: The provision of a good road network, especially in a city like Abeokuta, is certainly in the interest of its residents.

Beside its necessity for easy access and communication across the city, it harbours a lot of economic benefits. Contrary to the thinking in some quarters that the road re-construction and expansion in the state is a total failure and wasting of

money, I make bold to say that the re-construction and expansion of roads in the state under the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun, remains the most successful and uncommon programme ever run by the state government since the creation of the state in 1976.Anybody who says that the funds meant for the road re-construction in the state have not been

Attention, Benin Electricity Company

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IR: I hereby call the attention of Benin Electricity Company to the anomalies being perpetrated by its office in IkoleEkiti. I refer to the exploitation of the people and residents of IkoleEkiti through what I call criminal shedding of electricity.

I believe that before the company can shed power, it should be with prior notice to the client/customer.

books and schoolbag, tuition and transportation as well as my daily lunch were all free. I also received termly allowances. This applies to each of the then 5,000 students of the Rochas Foundation Colleges, now over 10,000 students. It is also worthy of note that most of these campuses have boarding facilities all free of charge.

While most NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are solely committed to providing food items and housing, the Rochas Foundation is mainly based on providing free standard education-

the best empowerment to humanity. Hence, the school’s motto: we educate to empower! Some have argued that the Rochas Foundation is actually sponsored by foreign agencies and that Rochas Okorocha actually makes high rate returns from the venture. If foreign organizations decide to support a commendable vision, what about it?

And since philanthropy has become a lucrative business, why have Okorocha’s detractors not adopted his style of philanthropy instead of the rice-and-salt distribution during campaigns to woo electorates? Another feeble argument raised is that Okorocha’s free education was a selfish venture for political gains. He has since silenced them by replicating his humanitarianism as the governor of Imo State by making education free from nursery to tertiary levels in the state.

• Uzoaganobi Ebuka, Owerri, Imo State

Secondly, the method used in shedding is such that there will be epileptic power supply for a day and the following day there will be total blackout. This will amount to supplying epileptic power for just 15 days in a month without corresponding reduction in the monthly bill.

I feel this criminal act should be checked and corrected. The staff

should not skin the customers in order to make profit. The era of logical stealing and exploitation should be over by now as the electricity distribution company now belongs to private body which is expected to promote the culture of transparency and integrity.

• Adewumi Tope Humble Odo-Oro Ekiti, Ekiti State

judiciously applied may have deliberately blindfolded himself such that he cannot see the progress being made by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration.

Ogun State since its creation has structures and infrastructure that even dates back beyond its creation in 1976 courtesy of the Obafemi Awolowo government in then Western Region. Successive government in their own way had ensured that certain social amenities like road, water, healthcare, education etc are in place in one form or another in most part of the State. So Amosun certainly has structures to re-build in virtually all sectors of the society.

It must be pointed out however that in the provision of new infrastructure and amenities, the people has to be carried along to minimize the negative impact of unintended consequences. One is talking about sensitization and mobilization. A

6-lane road, flyover and foot bridges are certainly novel thing for many motorists and pedestrians alike. Enlightenment is needed for the people to appreciate that these facilities requires new attitudes and modification of behaviour.

Apparently, the people were not prepared for the unintended consequence of the “re-building” agenda of Amosun. This understandably have fuelled emotional out-burst even from persons who ordinarily should be enlightened enough to appreciate that birth pains are not death throes in this rebuilding strategy.

In all one must accept the need to re-build in Ogun state with all its unintended consequences. Let the government do more within its resources and forget about opprobrium from some quarters on its priorities.

• Ademola Orunbon, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

19

COMMENTS

Professor Tunji Dare at 70

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MISSED attending the lecture and the book presentation and the merriment surrounding Tunji Dare’s attainment of three score and ten years.

Welcome to the group which I joined two years ago. Age sometimes creeps on one and one is sometimes amazed about how old one is. When I celebrated my 70th birthday, it was with mixed feelings. I was grateful to God for being with me all these years and I was also wondering how fast these years have moved. I did not feel old but now, I have to act my age, I am sure Tunji must be feeling the same way. Radicalism and old age do not seem to go very well together. A radical or a revolutionary old man would be a curious combination and perhaps a misuse of words. Those of us who felt we were radicals when we were young can no longer lay claim to radicalism of any sort at our age. But since we are not dead yet, we must continue to speak out like Tunji Dare. So my dear brother, do not relent in campaigning for a country that we can all be proud of. I recently bumped into Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, distinguished former Nigerian foreign minister and UN diplomat in Abuja.

He jokingly said that he was nominated as a member of the on-going national conference under the category of elder statesmen. He said he told his wife that he is now an elder statesman in Nigeria and his wife asked him to behave as an elder from now on and no more fooling around! But this does not mean that if we see anything wrong in our country we should not point it out no matter whose ox is gored. I was particularly delighted when I read in the newspapers, the comment of Cardinal John Onaiyekan of the Roman Catholic Church asking those in government not to see criticism of their roles as amounting to lack of patriotism and that people in government and those in opposition do not have a monopoly of patriotism. In other words, all of us have a stake in this country and as long as we wobble on in spite of our age as a state, those of us who have opportunity to speak out must not shirk our responsibility. Our responsibility is to Nigeria and not to any particular regime. If people like Tunji Dare and the rest of us keep quiet in the face of tyranny and bad government, we would have died many times before our death. Sometimes the coarseness of our criticisms is directly proportionate to the bad governance prevailing

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HEY are never in short supply for those who need their service. Sycophants are always there for the picking of those in power. Their tribe is so large that you do not need much to get them to do your bidding. They are 10 for N1 or even cheaper than that depending on your bargaining power.

At times, you may not need to pay them, just give them food and booze and the job is done.

To the larger society, sycophants constitute a nuisance, but to those who use them, they are the best thing to ever happen to mankind.

Those in power like to be surrounded by sycophants while at the same time pretending that they do not have need for such people. Sycophants thrive on mischief. They deceive a leader into believing that he is the all-in-all; that there is no other person like him and that without him the country would go burst. The late Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, was made to believe that without him, Nigeria will crumble. But, 16 years after his death, Nigeria is standing gidigba.

Since we like those who massage our egos, leaders generally are easily taken in by such talks. When they hear such statements, their heads swell and they grin from ear to ear, while asking : ''is that so?'' Of course, the response is usually : ''it is so, your excellency, without you, there will be no Nigeria. So, you must remain in office forever''. These sycophants, these friends of any government in power are at it again. They have

129 DAYS AFTER

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WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

in the land.

Tunji Dare has paid his dues as a journalist, a teacher, and a tribune of the people and the voice of the voiceless.

In the satirical style with which he writes, he manages to send serious messages to those in power in hilarious ways without offence. Whenever I get my newspapers on the day he writes, I am usually anxious to see what he has written on and to sit back and enjoy the wisdom of his prose. Tunji Dare is certainly the best journalist employing satire to deliver his message and his punches.

Even before meeting him physically, I already thought I knew him because of his writing.

I first met him at an intellectual level when the late Nelson Mandela came to Nigeria and the University of Lagos and the then Vice-Chancellor of Lagos, Professor Nurudeen Alao asked me to prepare a citation for the honorary degree the university was going to confer on Mandela. I did not know that he had also asked Tunji Dare to do the same thing. After both of us had submitted our drafts, he then asked Tunji Dare to come to me so that we could merge our two citations. Tunji Dare as self-abnegating as ever, said my draft was more than adequate and that there was no need to merge the two and that he would publish what he had written in The Guardian and this was precisely what we did. I did not train as a journalist and I make no pretence to literary ability. On a jocular note, I remember a professor of English reading my autobiography some years ago and telling me that he was surprised that I can write well. I laughed and told him that I thought as a professor of History, I ought to be able to write proper English. In fact most of the best writers of English language are people with my academic background.

Tunji Dare comes from Kogi State. He is a Yoruba man from that state and he is not ashamed to call himself a Yoruba man unlike some of his compatriots from that part of Nigeria who say they are Okun which I always find very funny because okun is a greeting in some parts of Ekiti, Kwara and Kogi and what it means is “Hello” or “How are you?” But apparently for political advantage of belonging to the north especially when belonging to the north carries huge advantage of jobs, political positions and power. On the other hand, associating with the Yoruba in the south was regarded as a

disadvantage. It is like a Hausa man from Niger State, instead of saying he is a Hausa man he says he is Sannu which sometimes the Ijesha people derisively use to refer to the Hausa people. I hope that no group of people in Nigeria should feel so powerless to the point of having identity crisis; there is no need for the Jide Yoruba in Kogi to Osuntokun call themselves Okun people. More grease to your elbow, Tunji. You are not an old man as far as I am concerned; you should continue to write with all the emphasis at your command and to make your views on the future of Nigeria known as you have done in the past. Who knows what the future will bring. And in the whirligig of time, some of your views may become prescription for this sick and doddering country. May God continue to be with you Tunji, may He continue to enlarge your coast. Speak out, and speak out loud. God did not create us for fear, rather He created us to dominate our environment. Your people are known for their intrepidity and you are a typical representative of the upright, courageous and truthful Yoruba in the periphery who have had to hold their own against all odds in order to survive and have survived very well.

‘Tunji Dare has paid his dues as a journalist, a teacher, and a tribune of the people and the voice of the voiceless. In the satirical style with which he writes, he manages to send serious messages to those in power in hilarious ways without offence’

The hood and the monk started playing on the intelligence of President Goodluck Jonathan just as they did to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former military president Gen Ibrahim Babaginda and the late Gen Abacha, among others.

Last Saturday, a group, the Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN), kicked off its campaign to get the President to declare his second term ambition. It is not a hidden fact that Jonathan is interested in a second term. Want to bet? He will run for election next year. If he does not run, I will go into exile, to borrow the words of those who in the past prevailed on some of our past leaders to run or they will become citizens of other countries if those leaders did not heed their call.

Knowing that Jonathan will run next year whether heavens fall or not, TAN does not need to go into all these pains to organise rallies to beg him to do so. It reminds one of the rallies held all over the country in the Abacha days by one misguided youth called Daniel Kanu.

Where is he now? Despite his father's stupendous wealth, the boy was misled into dipping his hands into a matter bigger than him. No wonder, he ended up the way he did. Kanu was used by politicians, who stood to gain from his ill-conceived project.

The Youth Earnestly Ask for Abacha (YEAA) so-called one-million man march in Abuja was well funded from within and outside government. The five existing parties then also urged the late Gen Abacha to transmute from a military to a civilian leader to prevent Nigeria from collapse. What a cheek! All the parties adopted him as their consensus candidate even when he did not indicate interest in the post nor was he a card carrying member of any of the parties. No doubt, Kanu was suffering from youthful exuberance, but what do we say of the old men and women who saw nothing wrong in picking

the late Abacha as their parties' standard bearer despite not being their member. That was how low we sunk as a nation under his administration.

TAN is following that path. The only difference is that Jonathan is a politician, who is interested in running, while the late Abacha was a general, who was interested in running but could not come out to declare his intention. He preferred to do it through proxies like Kanu, the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), Congress for Nigeria Citizen (CNC), National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN), Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN) and Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), which were the parties in existence then. Of the lot, GDM tried to stand its ground but its voice could not be heard in the cacophony created by the other parties and Kanu that were hell bent on installing the late Abacha as president.

We are walking the same road again with TAN's planned proJonathan rallies, the first of which was held in Awka, the Anambra State capital, last Saturday for the Southeast zone. The next stop is this Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital for the Southwest. The Southsouth edition will hold on August 30 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Minna, Niger State (Northcentral) - September 9; Gombe (Northeast) - September 20 and Kano (Northwest) - September 27. Without doubt, TAN has the government's backing in engaging in this shenanigan. The group has the right to drum support for whoever it believes should lead the country, but it should be mindful of public sensibilities.

Is the group reading the mood of the nation at all? Is this the time to embark on such a sensitive campaign? The man at the centre of it all knows the implication of taking such a step at a time like this, hence he has kept mute on his ambition, to his apparent discomfiture. There

is nothing the President may desire most at this time than to tell the whole world that he is contesting next year’s election, but his hands are tied by the problems besetting the country. Although he fixed this year for his declaration, he knows that it is inauspicious to make such a declaration now.

What will he say to make Nigerians buy into the Jonathan-for-another-term project if he declares now with the prevailing insecurity and the yet to be rescued over 200 abducted Chibok girls, who have been in captivity since April 14, among others? What will he say are his achievements since he mounted the saddle in 2010, following the death of former President Umaru Yar' Adua? Only a president without a heart will make such a declaration at a period like this. Do not get me wrong, if Jonathan wishes to declare, he is free to do so, but he should do first things first. Let him bring back the Chibok girls and make the country safe, then he may remain in office for life, if he so wishes! t is a shame that TAN and its backers, including the gover nors and top government functionaries that attended its Awka rally last Saturday could lend themselves to such nonsense. Has the quest for power made them to lose their sense of reason? Is being in power more important to them than the unity of Nigeria? It is a shame that those among them that we hold in high esteem could stoop so low. And for us to have ever thought that these were respectable people. Huh! Do they think it was appropriate to be part of such campaign at this period? If their children were among the abducted Chibok girls will they be out in the street campaigning for second term for Jonathan?

Why are they doing this? The answer is obvious, they want to remain in the good books of Jonathan, who is just waiting for the right

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Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

time to tell us that he will run in 2015. Our security agencies saw nothing wrong in the pro-Jonathan rally; they even provided security for the organisers. Will they act the same way if some other people organise an anti-Jonathan rally? If they disperse such a rally, they will be indirectly telling Nigerians that they, too, are for Jonathan. We are told that the hood does not make the monk. How true. In truth, Jonathan does not need TAN or any amorphous group for that matter to do what he already has in mind – run for a second term.

It is as clear as daylight, Jonathan will run in 2015, whether or not TAN and other related groups, goad him to do so.

‘Jonathan does not need TAN or any amorphous group for that matter to do what he already has in mind – run for a second term.

Jonathan will run in 2015, whether or not TAN and other related groups, goad him to do so’

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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COMMENTS

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S a people of culture the Yoruba people are conservative but futuristic. To the extent that they invest heavily on the future they are often described as progressives with great value placed on peaceful change.

For them, power is acquired often for the service of the people. Intrigue is a common feature among the people because of individual’s feeling of self-worth and value placed on family name which started to wane with the advent liberal participatory democracy. As siblings competed as political adversaries, nothing was to be the same again. Even the hallowed positions of the obas, the guardian of the peoples culture became threatened .as the new emergent political elite became more desperate. Thus today, the current Ooni of Ife whose father the Olubuse1 told the British hegemonic powers in 1903 that ‘an Oba no matter how powerful cannot wear a crown if his father did not wear one’ has since crowned all the Baales of Ife quarters including that of Modakeke that had engaged Ife in two devastating wars in the last 40 years. The seed of discord was sowed by politicians who in the name of democracy and quest for votes discouraged the Modakekes from paying taxes on Ife farm-land which was then the economic mainstay of Ife elite. The Ooni, who in 1931 when seniority crisis erupted between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Oba Ado as the Oba of Benin was then known, told the colonial powers that the latter was number two while the former was number three. The Ooni’s quibbling children have since challenged their father’s supremacy. When the Alaafin threw his own challenge not too long ago, there was an MKO Abiola, a wealthy powerful politician who had just acquired the all important Oyo chieftaincy-title of- ‘Are Onakankafo’ on hand to nudge him on. Abiola was to turn history on its head when he publicly said, ‘we have heard of Oyo Empire but never an Ife empire’. The Alaafin himself has since been challenged by the Oba of Ogbomoso who as late as 1903 was addressed as Baale of Ogbomoso.

But beyond the internal intrigue, what has prolonged the nightmare of the Yoruba is their involvement in national politics witch pitched them against other Nigerian ethnic groups at different levels of cultural development. Today the Yoruba bear the brunt of an unworkable Nigeria project. Their attempt to develop along their own line of national aptitude was resisted by other dominant ethnic groups and past successive attempts to forge a national alliance to move the nation forward ended in disaster.

Awo’s attempt to replicate his achievements

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N this knowledge-driven and youthoriented world, the greatest treasure of a people is to have a leader who is in sync with modernity to lead it to the utopian world of progress. If a state as historic and important as Kano routinely gets into the news for the bad reason – from drug abuse to breakdown of epidemics, it certainly needs redemption.

We need someone to rescue the state to a better clime.

The Kano of today requires a pragmatic leader who is in tune with current events trends and development all over the world.

Indeed, the future of Kano depends largely on a quintessential leader blessed with vision, focus, commitment, resourcefulness, exposure, dynamism, hard work, fearlessness, noble family background and above all, credibility and the fear of God. For the state to fit rightly into the modern society, the major catalyst is for it to be steered by one who knows exactly the direction developed all is headed to. Abba Risqua Muhammed perfectly fits this description.

Abba Risqua Muhammed, for outsiders, is the only surviving son of late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammad. When

‘Like his father, Abba Risqua is only invited, by the people to lead the Kano State Government, because of the confidence they have in him being the most suitable to give Kano the dynamic, purposeful and efficient leadership it requires. Kano identifies with Murtala’s son because he would do what he would be asked to do and even much more to give his fellow indigenes a sense of belonging, hope and strength in the Kano project’

Endless quibbling by Oodua siblings in the West at the centre in order to move the nation forward was resisted by the forbears of the current beneficiaries of today’s anarchy, who clamped him into prison swearing he would be ‘too old by the time he comes out to question how we run Nigeria’.

Akintola’s attempt to cut a deal to remain in power against the will of his people following a sanction for anti-party offences by his party leaders equally ended in disaster. MKO Abiola who was forgiven and rehabilitated after his initial betrayal of the progressive forces that provided him with a scholarship to study accountancy in London secured a pan Nigeria mandate after an election rated as the most credible in the nation’s history in 1993.

The result was annulled by the reactionary forces. He spent his four years term in prison and died protecting the mandate he was freely given.

Bola Ige was an outstanding Nigerian as well as a Yoruba irredentist who out of a ‘feeling of self-worth’ decided to spite his Yoruba cult of elders by joining a much despised Obasanjo at the centre. The mix adventure encouraged by Obasanjo out of mischief ended in brutal assassination of Bola Ige in his bedroom by those suspected to be agents or reactionary forces he chose to dine with, albeit briefly. Obasanjo, undoubtedly a progressive in view of his futuristic policies as military head of state, and as a two term president, thought he was smarter than his Yoruba compatriots as he self-conceitedly boasted he had achieved on a platter of gold what others fought for while he was a mere bare-footed secondary school student. He however now has enough time to reflect on his interven-

tion in the Nigerian project.

In the Nigerian unworkable enterprise, the Yoruba has been the greatest loser. A people that have been producing graduates and PhD holders since the mid 1800 have lost the initiative to even plan the education of their children. The national average of success in the last WAEC was put at 33%. With the virtual collapsed infrastructure which has led to the flight of multi-nationals that were once the strength of the zone, the Yoruba has lost the command of the economy now controlled by smugglers and importers of labour of other societies while our children roam the streets for non-available jobs. Today, the Yoruba that is not even represented in this administration because of siblings quibbling has nothing to fight over, as against the north and the east that have identified what they want from the nation. The former has even threatened to go to war over oil revenue sharing and the latter as survivalist with 60% of their compatriots spread over the country want the indigene-ship clause removed from the constitution. Ironically the two dominant ethnic groups who have often act as if their only stakes is what they can get out of the country have jointly ruled the nation since independence.

Now that those the Yoruba have invested heavily on in recent times are defecting back to PDP that has for 15 years called darkness light, I think it is time the Oodua siblings stop quibbling.

Last Sunday, Nuhu Ribadu, one-time AC presidential candidate and a pillar of APC defected to PDP claiming no party has monopoly of thieves. He now wants to be gov-

ernor of his Adamawa State. Like Atiku Abubakar who the Yoruba has equally invested on, Ribadu doesn’t seem to believe in anything. Pat Utomi, a presidential candidate several times over and a pillar of APC is said to have obtained his PDP nomination form from Delta. Like Ribadu, he now wants to be governor of his oil-rich Delta State. Ali Modu Sheriff, two-time governor of Borno State and one time senator, widely demonized by PDP as the father of Boko Haram has now been welcomed by PDP with open arms. Last week, the cream of Igbo from the South-east attended a Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) rally where President Jonathan was endorsed for 2015. Before then, TAN had been spending money like water to make spurious claims of President Jonathan’s achievements.

These peddlers of fraudulent claims along with respected Igbo leaders and revered members of their communities such as Ribadu, Atiku Abubakar and Pat Utomi are the partners the Yoruba have been condemned to work with in addressing the nation’s national question.

Now with the elders of quibbling Oodua siblings hobnobbing with Mimiko, Daniel, Omisore, Fayose, men who have not demonstrated they have the capacity for a vision for our people, as desperate federal government unleash rascals, and characters who move around with hooded armed soldiers intimidating our people, the only choice left for our current authentic political leaders is to stop dissipating energy on those who do not share their common vision of society and turn inwards as their forbears did in the 50s. The petty wars going on in Ogun, Oyo, Edo and other parts of the South-west must stop in the interest of our people If it is impossible to have a common vision of society with those at different levels of cultural development, it is a challenge of present privileged Yoruba political leaders to combine the lesson of our past with their today’s activities to fashion out a vision of tomorrow for our people.

‘If it is impossible to have a common vision of society with those at different levels of cultural development, it is a challenge of present privileged Yoruba political leaders to combine the lesson of our past with their today’s activities to fashion out a vision of tomorrow for our people’

Kano 2015: Why Risqua is the man

By Hassan Mohammed his father was tragically murdered by some people opposed to Nigeria’s progress in 1976, Abba Risqua was only six years old. He is now 45: fully made man and accomplished in all respects. A graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos, he also holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the prestigious Cardiff Business School, Wales, United Kingdom. He is also a trustee of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, an NGO that has done a lot for Kano people and other Nigerians.

In terms of leadership and management acumen, Alhaji Abba Risqua had served as the Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on International Relations from 2000 to 2007. He is now managing his booming business empire as the Group Chief Executive of AMG Petroenergy Limited, one of Africa’s foremost energy service providers.

Coming from that golden heritage of a hero that was late General Muhammed, Abba has no hiding place for people looking for credible individuals to take critical leadership roles. It is therefore for this and his personal attributes as an accomplished man that a number of times people of Kano approach him to make himself available to serve the people by standing in for election. This time around, the magnitude and intensity of the demand is huge. As the 2015 general election beckons, the call is for Abba Risqua to come and take up the governorship seat of Kano per chance the state will have a Midas touch of a scion of late General Muhammed.

There is no gainsaying that General Murtala Muhammed is still regarded as one of Nigeria’s true heroes. He was not only one of those fiercely patriotic sons of the land who defiantly fought to keep Nigeria as one united country; he possesses startling qualities that are cherished by all. He was detribalized, he was authentic, he was enthusiastic about the

progress of the country, he was extraordinarily bold, and he was a patriot who truly loved his country. He was a man in a hurry to accomplish great things. He died in that hurry, in the prime of his life. Imagine what he could have done with power had he lived for a little longer?

It is also worthy of note to mention that as a mark of his prudence and uprightness, when he was assassinated in 1976 while serving as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he left only N13,000 in his account and one bungalow in Kano – this was despite serving in various other positions at a time of the celebrated oil boom.

Already, a group, Kano Good Governance Project, is spearheading a movement for Abba Risqua Mohammed to answer the calls of the people to throw his hat in the ring. The coordinator of the socio-political movement, Alhaji Shehu Usman Umar, said their call followed “careful and acute dispassionate study of the low and high profile Kano indigenes” the result of the group’s survey revealed that “none has even the semblance of convincing capacity to recapture the state than Risqua Murtala Muhammad the only surviving son of the remarkable General Murtala Ramat Muhammad.”

According to the group: “As the only surviving son of General Murtala Ramat Muhammad, we find it desirous and needful to approach Alhaji Abba Risqua Murtala Muhammad with sincere proposal to come forward and serve people of Kano State, as we are also confident that he would bring to bear the numerous inborn noble leadership qualities bequeathed to him by his great father. Needless to say, this fame and ideal leadership capacity demonstrated by Abba Risqua’s father, have been unequivocally appreciated by uncountable immortalization gestures to the family by individuals, institutions and organizations in both public and private sectors, from local, state and Federal levels”.

This is an ideal time for Abba Risqua to come forth to complement the efforts of his late father in the development of our nation, with Kano as his primary ground. For those of us engaged in the lobby to have Abba Risqua accede to our demands, our message to him remains that this maybe discomforting, or even disruptive of his other engagements but he has an obligation to serve his people whenever they so desire, which we believe would please the resting soul of his late father, of blessed memory.

It is not surprising, however, that Abba Risqua is not jumping at our demand. It is the humility that is characteristic of the lineage.

His father showed similar attitude when he was approached to take over Nigeria’s mantle of leadership as the Head of State, for he was quoted as saying to them, “To hell with you!

I have said I don’t want to be anybody’s Head of State”. But when he eventually accepted to head the nation, fatefully for 199 days, the nation went through the most remarkable socio-economic revolution ever in the country.

Again, like his father, Abba Risqua is only invited, by the people to lead the Kano State Government, because of the confidence they have in him being the most suitable to give Kano the dynamic, purposeful and efficient leadership it requires. Kano identifies with Murtala’s son because he would do what he would be asked to do and even much more to give his fellow indigenes a sense of belonging, hope and strength in the Kano project.

To rescue Kano from some bad influences and turn around its development pace, Abba Risqua is the man for the job. Having Abba Risqua in Kano Government House come 2015 would, in addition to giving Kano a new lease of life, offer the state the benefit of dynamic leadership driven by youthful exuberance with a touch of deep knowledge of issues.

• Mohammed is of Kano Good Governance Project

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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COMMENTS

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OST old folks of my age don’t surf the internet, mostly because we don’t know how to do it. I am one of those who don’t know how to do it. But occasionally I stumble upon some things that have been said on the internet concerning my Gbogun Gboro column. Recently, I stumbled on this that someone wrote: This Gbogun Gboro must be an old Yoruba person who is very knowledgeable about the Yoruba nation, about other Nigerian nations, and about Nigeria. Concerning Nigeria, his is often the most realistic voice out there. I appreciate that comment. I prefer it to the comment by another writer who wrote that Gbogun Gboro doesn’t ever seem to see good things about Nigeria.

Sure, I see good things about Nigeria. I have known a lot of good things about Nigeria. When I went to school as a young boy, our Nigeria, just over 30 years old at that time, was the great excitement that ran through all our school learning. Nigeria made us dizzyingly proud. Children tend to create childish myths, and we created many about our Nigeria. For instance, we “knew” that our Nigerian football team was the best in the world, and that some members of that team were so good shooters that they could rip goal-keepers apart with their shots. We even had stories of how, during a tour of England, our national team simply terrified English teams. There was a litany which we used to recite proudly: Nigeria is the largest producer of groundnuts in the world; Nigeria is the largest producer of palm oil in the world; Nigeria is the largest producer of cocoa in the world; Nigeria is the largest producer of tin in the world. We were sure that our Nigeria was going to become the greatest country in the world – and we were eager to get ready to serve her with all our might.

Nigeria was an intoxicating possession.

For the most part, the dream and the pride grew as we rose higher and higher in the educational system. In my secondary school years, Chief Awolowo’s generation of leaders in the Western Region turned on an incredibly bright leadership light, and made our region “first in Africa” in most areas of development and enterprise.

We could only think that the rest of our Nigeria would catch up soon, and that that was the direction our country was destined

Being realistic about Nigeria to go. Later, at the University College, Ibadan (UCI), the peak of the educational system, we students lived, learned, dreamed, and walked the earth like oncoming servants of one of the greatest countries of the immediate future of the world.

If any among us did or said something shoddy or unbecoming, we politely chastised him with, “Arise, gentleman”. Shakespeare wrote in one of his sonnets that it is at “heaven’s gate” that the lark sings; we students of UCI lived in the confident hope that it was on top of the world’s highest mountains that Nigeria and Nigerians would soar.

In those wonderful years in the life of our country, I had the privilege of representing UCI and Nigerian students in a number of international conferences – in Africa and other parts of the world. Again and again, I had the awesome experience of standing face to face with important leaders of the world as they said, “Young Nigerian, we hope that you Nigerians are aware that your country holds the key to Africa’s future”. We Nigerian student leaders made it the rule among us to be humble and cautious in our statements before the word; but even so, one of our most senior student leaders once allowed himself to say in a conference in Switzerland, “It is whithersoever my country Nigeria goes that Africa will go”. Though we later rebuked him in private for his gaff, we nevertheless believed (nay, we knew) that he was right.

Unhappily, very unhappily, virtually none of the great dreams of Nigeria has had fulfilment. Since independence, our Nigeria has declined relentlessly. From the enormous wealth of our country’s resources, we have succeeded in producing very sordid poverty for our people. Even our federal government admits that about 70% of Nigerians live in the awful condition classified as “absolute poverty”, and that the percentage continues to increase.

Some estimates have it that some 78% of Nigeria’s youths are unemployed, and that that percentage continues to increase.

For decades, Nigeria has been classified, year after year, as one of the most corrupt

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Y August 27, Abia State will be 23 years old having been created out of the old Imo State by the General Ibrahim Babangida administration in 1991. Scientifically, the age of maturity for human being is 12 years, but at 23, solid foundation is being laid in Abia State for the first time. This is because since its creation, successive governments in the state, especially during the military era, ran its affairs with impunity and recklessness. But they did not do it without the collaboration of some civilians from the state who served as their conduit pipes.

Under the guise of businessmen and government contractors, they registered phony companies and government contracts were awarded to them and funds released to them. At the end, no contract would be executed and nobody would ask for the refund of the public funds already paid into their pockets.

That was the kind of leadership provided for the state for more than a decade. The hope and expectation of the people for a change in the status quo with the inception of democracy in the country in 1999 was never to be a dream come true. This was because the same characters that connived with the military leaders to impoverish and under-develop the state for almost a decade ploughed the looted funds into the politics of the state and hijacked the political leadership.

So nothing changed in terms of leadership style, aside change from military rule to civilian democracy.

Between 1999 and 2007, there was no sign of governance in the state, especially in the area of infrastructural development, youth empowerment and peaceful atmosphere. The state then ranked top in the promotion of unnecessary political controversies to attract undue attention from the public and media.

Decayed infrastructures begging for government’s attention were abandoned, while elected and appointed office holders built business empires and those of their family members, converting government assets into family assets at will. The state-owned newspaper was destroyed.

Voodoo politics was also introduced in the state and an intriguing matriarchy took charge of government decisions, while the son became the ceremonial leader of the state. A suburb in Bende council area of the state became a Mecca of sorts for politicians seeking appointment into the state government.

Nobody dared ask question or criticise government’s policies or actions, which were in most cases anti-people. That was the democracy dividend for the impoverished people of the state then. There was no difference between the military and democratic era in the state. It was as if things were better in the military days.

By the time the second term of the government expired in 2007, the state was left worse than it was met in 1999 in terms of decayed infrastructure, absence of quality and access roads, a health sector in shambles as residents sought medical attention in neighbouring states. The state of education was pathetic, and the rate of examination malpractices was at the peak as special

countries in the world. As a result of violent crimes, Nigeria is classified as one of the most unsafe counties in peace time in the world. Year in, year out, countless thousands of Nigerians die as a result of interethnic conflicts. Year in, year out also, countless thousands of Nigerians die from religious conflicts. Today, a most extreme Islamic fundamentalist sect holds a whole region of Nigeria in its grip, accounting in the past five years for some 12,000 violent deaths, according to official estimates. Nigeria has become the home of hopelessness, crookedness and unrelieved vileness in human and group relationships.

A recently held National Conference will place its report before our President today.

Many of us are congratulating ourselves for some of its fairly reasonable decisions.

However, some of its other decisions – like the decision to splinter our federation into 54 states – certainly will doom the more reasonable decisions to failure. And the heavy issues that the conference did not touch represent a preservation of a devastating part of the status quo. The conference does not touch such issues as corruption, poverty, unemployment, crimes, spreading inter-ethnic hostility and conflicts, and religious terrorism. It tells a horrible story that this is the best we can produce from a National Conference. And that horrible story gives a hard new emphasis to the question, “Should we continue to insist on being one country, or should we consider other paths to our future?”

These are the reasons why it is hard for me to be otherwise than toughly realistic about Nigeria. I have seen Nigeria flying to the gates of heaven, only to see her turn around and plunge down to the gates of hell. It is perhaps permissible for younger Nigerians, who did not see the beauty and pride that used to belong to Nigeria, to accept today’s wretchedness and even continued decline. I, in contrast, cannot resist trying to find the true explanation – and that is where my being realistic comes from.

While trying to find explanations, I must reject the explanation often proposed by those who despise the Blackman in the

Gbogun gboro world – the explanation that Nigeria’s decline and failure are the product of inherent or genetic faults in Black people and in us Nigerians. We are not inherently or genetically incompetent or crooked peoples.

The builders of our various civilizations and states were by no means incompetent or crooked. The trouble, I believe, is most probably from the nature and making of the country which was forced upon us.

Being together in one county like Nigeria does not seem to be the way we really wish to live. Doesn’t our dignity as humans demand that we should realistically consider this?

‘I have seen Nigeria flying to the gates of heaven, only to see her turn around and plunge down to the gates of hell.

It is perhaps permissible for younger Nigerians, who did not see the beauty and pride that used to belong to Nigeria, to accept today’s wretchedness and even continued decline’

Abia at 23: Journey so far

By Elder Ndukwe Ugbuaja centres that encourage examination malpractices became dominant in the state than public schools. The state debt profile was as high as N29.9 billion.

No foundation was laid for the incoming government to stand and take off from. The civil service meant to drive government’s policies was bogged by petty and clannish politics, encouraged by the government. The state capital Umuahia remained the same glorified village it was upon its creation in 1991.

Assuming office in 2007, Governor Theodore Orji, came with a vision and blueprint on how to transform the state, but his predecessor on whose party’s platform Orji was elected had a different agenda which was maintaining the status quo in the state. Stifled and hounded on many fronts, Orji was just a figurehead and the system at the national level encouraged the situation at that point. Having seen it all in government as Chief of Staff for eight years, Governor Orji tarried for the best time to strike and liberate the state from the menace of godfatherism, a feat he achieved before the 2011 general elections, after due consultations with the people on what they wanted. Thereafter, the state breathed air of freedom. And since then, Orji’s government has been in hurry to cover the lost ground. It is no doubt a daunting task, but the government has remained resolute and focused even in the face of numerous financial challenges.

As one can witness in the state today, there is no incessant political crisis especially in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is because of Orji’s peaceful and developmental approach to governance. A development that has made the people of the state to now sit down and discuss the way forward for the state without any reservations. A new Government House befitting of a state is nearing completion in the state capital Umuahia now. So also is an Ultra-modern International Conference Centre, a New Workers’ Secretariat completed and occupied by the civil servants. Also completed and being used now is the Ubani Ibeku International market, Amuba Housing Estate, Isieke Housing Estate, Ohiya Power station, more than 350 kilometre roads constructed and rehabilitated.

Also not left in the health revolution in the state is the Umunneto General Hospital which the state government has given a facelift by the massive construction of new structures, and equipping it with modern facilities. The hospital which was before now a shadow of its former self can now compete with any modern hospital in Nigeria and beyond in all ramifications.

At the commercial city of Aba, the government has constructed a modern auditorium at the Specialist Hospital Abayi, for student doctors of Abia State University Teaching Hospital. Millions of naira was released to the management of the hospital for speedy

completion of ongoing project in the hospital to ensure that patients get quality medical service and students graduate as at when due.

The same treatment has been meted to the Nursing department of teaching hospital whose accreditation process that has stagnated for years now is nearing completion.

Before 2007, only two Schools of Nursing in the state were fully accreditated, but presently seven Schools of Nursing have been fully granted accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria. Also, the School of Health Technology Aba, School of Nursing Umuahia, Uzuakoli Tuberculosis and Leprosy Centre have witnessed massive rehabilitation and expansion.

Also in partnership with EU-Prime, the state government has distributed more than 20 vans to the council areas in the state for effective immunization of children against polio and other sicknesses. And in line with Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, the government has built over 250 health centres across the 17 council areas in state. Most of the centres, which are mainly located in the rural areas, have been equipped. Health personnel have been posted to the already completed and equipped centres with good incentives such as accommodation and means of transportation to encourage them and make their work easier.

Some of the centres without resident doctors have visiting doctors attached to them and qualified nurses permanently attached to attend to the patients with the visiting doctors coming regularly.

The present government has also paid all the counterpart funds relating to HIV/AIDS programmes in the state and for other health agencies that have anything to do with HIV/AIDS. Due to the impressive performance of the state in reproductive health in partnership with United Nation Funds For Population Activities, UNFPA, the state remains the only one in the Southeast zone selected for participation in UNFPA. In addition, the organization has selected the state as its zonal headquarters.

There is also the radical reformation of the state civil service which has eliminated quackery, non-challance while promoting competence and professionalism. The intervention in education sector has been great and encompassing with the building and rebuilding of state-owned public schools, funding the sector adequately and others.

What is paramount now is sustaining the situation and improving on it to ensure that the dark years of locust and looting will not find its way back to the government of the state.

So ahead of 2015 general elections, all hands must be on deck to ensure that people of questionable characters will not find their way into the Abia Government House.

• Elder Ugbuaja, wrote from Ukwa-west, Abia State

22

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

The review of fees in tertiary institutions in Ogun State has divided the students. A group is in support of the government; the other is not. Many students were injured when they clashed at the Government House last week. Governor Ibikunle Amosu has promised to look into the matter, reports ERNEST NWOKOLO (Abeokuta).

• The protesting students.

PHOTO: GOOGLE

Fee hike splits students I

T is a thorny issue which many institutions try to handle with care. In the past few weeks, many tertiary institutions have been enmeshed in crisis over increase in fees. Last week, students in Ogun State clashed over the matter at the Government House. Some of them were in support of the review, others were not. The government swiftly intervened to reduce the fees to restore normalcy in schools.

But the reduction, which was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, will take effect from the 2014/ 2015 academic session.

Under the new regime, some students

will pay 61 per cent less than they are currently paying; some others will be paying N29,700.

According to Odubela, Medical students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) who are paying N301,610 will now pay N176,596, a 41.4 per cent reduction. Their counterparts in the Faculty of Arts will pay N81,112 instead of the current N126,540, amounting to 35.9 per cent reduction.

In Moshood Abiola Polytechnic(MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Higher National Diploma (HND) and Ordinary National Diploma (OND) students will pay N40,000 and N23,300 instead of N71,300; first year students of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) will

INSIDE

UNIBEN VC returns -Page 27

Copyright commission seizes pirated books -Page 47

pay N75,000 instead of N103,435, representing 27.5 per cent reduction; returning students, who hitherto paid N93,465 will, henceforth, pay N65,000, representing 30.4 per cent reduction. HND students of Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa will pay N46,000 instead of N118,000, a reduction of 61 per cent. Three ICT institutes owned by the government also benefited from the reduction.

The review has divided the students. A group is praising Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the reduction; the other claims the cut is a Greek gift. Those against the reduction are insisting on N50.000, for all programmes, saying it should take effect from the 2013/2014 academic session.

CAMPUS LIFE

They gave the government till tomorrow to meet their demand.

For two days, the students laid siege to the Government House, protesting the review. Odubela’s efforts to calm them failed. Sixteen students were injured when the protest turned violent.

Those happy about the reduction held a rally at the Oke - Mosan Governor’s Office to thank Amosun.

They comprised students of MAPOLY,TASUED; College of Education, Omu; the four ICT polytechnics and the College of Health Technology, Ilese Ijebu.

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

Students’ mission to kick out Ebola -Page 29

• Continued on Page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

26

EDUCATION

Jonathan’s aide cautions against unproductive unionism

S

TUDENTS of tertiary institutions have been cautioned against a unionism that is detrimental to their academics.

The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan on Student and Youth Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, gave the advice when he paid a visit to the executives of the Students Union (SU), of the University of Benin.

Imagwe, who was a former

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

NANS president, recounted some of the challenges he encountered in the saddle. According to him, how to succeed in his education topped his priority despite being NANS leader. Imagwe urged them to adopt a more mature approach in resolving issues on campus rather than embarking on what he described as “unneces-

sary protest” against constituted authorities.

He said: “I want you to understand the fact that unionism is different from academic work. I wouldn’t have been an SSA to the President, if I had not placed my education as priority irrespective of how I went about my union activities. Secondly, that you are a union officer does not give you the right above the law because you

are the mirror to other students on how you act and respond to issues.

“I know we led a lot of protests as union leaders then; fortunately, today I wouldn’t lead such protest because the situations are different and I have grown to understand that there are other approaches to adopt to achieve the same results.”

Besides, the Presidential aide appealed to the newly sworn in SU

President, Comrade Ikhide Ifidon John, to carry along his executive members. This, he noted, would check the tendency by the school authority to infiltrate their rank and cause division.

Ifidon, who received the SSA with his exco members, promised to follow the exemplary leadership quality of past leaders in ensuring that the welfare of students tops his agenda.

Nigerians benefit from UK scholarship programme

N

IGERIA has been listed as one of the countries to benefit from scholarships under the Scholarship UK programme.

Mrs. Olanike Fadahunsi, Business Development Manager, Knowledge Development Opportunities (KDO) Inspire, whose firm is driving initiative in Nigeria, said the programme would encourage Nigerians to get training abroad that can fast-track the country’s development.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

She said the scholarship, which provides up to 70 per cent tuition fee-waiver, was made possible by some organisations which came together to make education abroad more affordable, and to facilitate cultural exchange.

In the United Kingdom (UK), the average cost for tuition is between £9000 and £14000 for postgraduate courses, but with the programme

students can study for less than £4000 pounds (about N640,000).

Apart from the UK, she added that students can now apply to institutions in Russia, Belarus, Cyprus, Malaysia and China.

She said: “Scholarship UK is a programme organised by several partner universities and education consultancies around the world. Although initially intended to provide scholarships and tuitions waivers for UK universities, the programme has

opened up to other countries...and the list keeps growing.

“Governments are also getting involved and sponsoring indigenes of their states. Recently, the Enterprise Bank started offering loans which cover the portion of fees not covered by the waiver to make things even more convenient for parents and guardians.

“The benefits cannot be quantified when our graduates return from foreign countries and begin to ap-

ply the expertise they have gained over their course of study. Parents are proud because employers seem to show favouritism to these graduates.”

She said prospective students would take a test tagged “The Europe Connect Scholarship and Tuition Waiver Test (ECSTWT)” after registering online. Those successful are then allowed to select the most suitable university from the options availbale.

Fee hike splits students •Continued from page 25

Chairman, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Ogunsola Okikiola; Speaker, Students Representative Council, MAPOLY, Oniyide Akeem; Students Union President, TASUED Comrade Sunday Osas and his College of Health Technology counterpart, Fasade Nelson, among others, lauded the reduction.

Okikiola described Amosun as an exceptional leader, saying 61 per cent reduction in fees, from what he inherited from the previous administration, has put smiles on the students’ faces.

Said Okikiola: “What the governor has done opened a new phase in the history of Ogun. That is why we are here to appreciate him. He reduced our school fees drastically, constituted efficient governing council in various schools, appointed special assistant on students’ affairs and even gave brand new buses to all higher institutions in the state, including federal schools.

“He has also gone as far as approving the payment and disbursement of our bursary.

“These achievements are coming during our time, especially when some of us are studentleaders. They are a plus to us and they are not done for us only but for our parents also. All we have to do now is to support the governor so that these good works will continue.”

Odubela, who received the students on Amosun’s behalf, assured them that the administration would remain committed to their welfare. He said the foundation for hostels in MAPOLY would be laid within six months.

But those against the reduction seized the entrance to the Governor’s Office, to register their displeasure.

The protesters blocked the Abeokuta-Kobape-Sagamu Expressway.

The students clashed with their MAPOLY counterparts who were returning from the rally at the Kuto, an Abeokuta suburb.

A pot of fetish objects - ebo (sac-

• One of the damaged vehicles during the protest

rifice) bearing egg, eko, feather, among others - was deposited by the protesters at the Governor’s Office gate. The items were smeared with palm oil.

Over two dozen policemen, including the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikemefuna Okoye, had a hectic time stopping the students from pulling down the gate to enter the secretariat.

In 2011, Amosun reduced the fee by 10 per cent, following public outcry over the 100 per cent increase by the Gbenga Daniel administration shortly before leaving office.

Under Daniel, Sciences, Medicine and Pharmacy students were paying N394,000 per session; while their counterparts in the Arts, Management and Social Sciences paid between N187,000, and N223,000.

According to Odubela, the new regime also abolished the different fees paid by indigenes and

• Odubela

non-indigenes. He said students, irrespective of their state of origin, offering the same course and in the same level, would, henceforth, pay the same fees.

PHOTO: GOOGLE

Odubela said the reduction was reached after deliberations inviting government, studentleaders and heads of institutions, including those of OOU. But to OOU students, the university remains the highest feepaying institution in Nigeria.

The students said any reduction above N50,000 is unacceptable and would not be in consonance with the present economic reality.

The OOU students’ leader, Comrade Ifade Olusegun, told The Nation that they would always protest until Governor Amosun grants their demand.

Their grouse, according to Olusegun, is that the Amosun administration had made promises it did not fulfill in the past. The students cited 2011 when Amosun promised to reduce the fee prior to the general elections but did not.

Olusegun said: “Enough of de-

‘Our demand is simple; we want a breakdown of our tuition fees.

Also we want the reduction to be implemented this session, it’s as simple as ABC. If the governor realised the need for reduction, why must the governor say the implementation must be from next session’

ceit, why the school fees, when election is forthcoming, no we shall not accept the dubious offer.

“Our demand is simple; we want a breakdown of our tuition fees. Also we want the reduction to be implemented this session, it’s as simple as ABC. If the governor realised the need for reduction, why must the governor say the implementation must be from next session.”

Odubela, said the governor would take the protesters’ demand to the committee that deliberated on the review, particularly with respect to OOU and get back to the students tomorrow.

Government considered the students’ view so strongly, Odubela said; hence it began deliberating on them immediately.

He said: “We are in a meeting now over the issue and before the week lapses, we will come out with our position that would address their demand. Rest assured that we will address their complaints satisfactorily.”

According to Odubela, those injured in the clash among whom were one Omo Akin and another identified as Omolade were treated at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi - Aba, Abeokuta, and have since been discharged.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

27

EDUCATION

UNIBEN VC returns hale and hearty T HE Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof Osayuki Oshodin, has made a surprise appearance at the university premises, provoking jubilation among workers.

Dressed in a grey shirt and jacket on black trousers, Oshoding presided over the meeting of Appointments and Promotion Board of the institution. Management staff were seen singing songs of praises to God for his return since he was flown abroad for medical attention in May.

From , OSemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

At a briefing, members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and NonAcademic Staff Union of Universities (NASU), described calls for Oshodin’s replacement as ‘selfishiness driven by greed’, saying the tension created by the Oshodin’s absence slowed activities in the university.

Chairman of SSANU, Comrade John Alile and his counterparts at

NASU, Comrade Joel Idonije and Comrade Sunday Momoh noted that even in the absence of Oshodin, UNIBEN completed its first semester, resumed for second semester, while students who graduated have been mobilised for their mandatory National Youth Service Coprs (NYSC).

This, they added, was in addition to the hosting of the 11th edition of Nigerian Universities Staff Sports Association games, among others.

Said the unions: “It is sad to note how the pursuit of selfish

interest could drive some persons to the point of losing sight of the uniqueness of the university system whose operations are largely guided by the rule of law.

“We advise those calling for the appointment of an acting vicechancellor to check the statutes for their own good. Anyway, we are delighted to make it known that Prof Oshodin is hale and hearty; he resumed duty today.”

Alile said the appointment of two acting deputies to Oshodin was done with strict compliance with due process

•Prof Oshodin

Children should learn emotional IQ, says don

A

TEACHER of Psychology, Dr Olu Omojugba, has underscored the gains of teaching emotional intelligence (IQ) to children.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Social and emotional intelligence: A tool for managing excessive behaviours among children and adolescents’, at the second teachers’ forum by Reonus Resources Educational Consult at Anthony Village, Lagos, Omojugba said emotional intelligence helps children to effectively negotiate complex social relationship and environment.

“Emotional intelligence is the ability to monitor one and other people’s emotion; discriminate between two emotions, and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviors,” he said.

He added that social and emotional intelligence could be taught by setting good examples for children, setting clear and reasonably high

By Medinat Kanabe

expectations, discussing about what is right or wrong with them, and teaching them how to handle their problems.

He said aggressiveness, lack of confidence, loneliness, lack of respect for property of others, lack of team spirit, and the like are warning signs that children lack such skills.

The event also featured the launch of the Edumonitor Magazine, which the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Reonus Resources Educational Consult and Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Mrs Igbiaye Esther, said would celebrate education and cover school owners, civil service and the Ministry of Education.

Other lectures delivered included:’ Professionalisation of the teaching ‘by Lagos State coordinator of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mr Gbolahan Enilolobo; ‘Teachers career planning and entrepreneurial education, and teachers work-life-balance,”.

• From left: Representative of Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mr Omilade Kayode, Mrs Obilana Oyinda, Mrs Igbiaye, Capt. Dennis Osah and Dr Omojugba during the launch of the magazine.

School ends maiden summer classes

A

•Pupils of Elim Providence School, Isheri Osun, Lagos, performing during their end-of-year party.

Educationists decry multiple taxes in Lagos schools

T

HE Principal, Unique Children Schools, Lagos, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olatubode, has described the imposition of multiple taxes by the government on private schools as killing.

She made the observation at the school’s graduation ceremony in honour of the final year students of both the primary and secondary arms of the school.

According to her, it is very important that various state governments make issues, such as annual taxes, dues and levies imposing on private schools with

Akanu Ibiam Poly matriculates 4,066

By Adegunle Olugbamila

their payment compulsory as friendly as possible.

“All these levies are seriously affecting our operations. School establishment is known around the world to be a social service and they should therefore be treated as such,” she stressed.

Also decrying the proliferation of private schools, the principal called on the government to impose stricter measures to curtail the trend so as to guarantee standards in the sector.

On graduating students, Olatubode advised them to be committed to their studies, adding that there is no excuse for failure.

Proprietor/Chief Executive of the school, Mrs. Esther Ayere-Alatise, assured the parents and guardians that the school would continue to produce children who are sound and can compete with their colleagues in any part of the globe1.

SECONDARY school Juilliard Academy based in Magodo GRA, Lagos has ended its one-month summer classes. It was attended by pupils from both Nigeria and abroad.

At a party to mark their ‘send off’ of the over 50 pupils, some of them reminisced on their experiences, with some participants saying they wished the programme continued.

The President of the students’ Representative Council, Kamsy Ibuoka, said: “We enjoyed ourselves. We were taught many subjects and skills. It was a fun-filled journey. We learnt something new which would remain in us forever.”

Another participant lamented: “I don’t want to go back home. At home, we won’t have excuses. We will start doing all the work.”

• Rector warns against cultism

T

HE Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Ebonyi State, has matriculated 4,066. The new students were admonished to shun cultism.

The students were admitted into the 28 academic departments cutting across its five schools.

Acting Provost of the institution …Igweonu, enjoined the students to be worthy ambassadors of their families and the polytechnic.

He said: “The management of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytech-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

nic, Unwana has zero tolerance for secret cultism and any student found to be a member will be expelled. You must remember that your offer of admission is provisional and your admission could be withdrawn if you breach the matriculation oath.

A breakdown of the number shows that 1,284 fresh students would pursue Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, while 2,782 students were offered provisional admission into Award of National Diploma.

By Joseph Eshanokpe

In her assessment of the session: The school’s Proprietor, Dr Maria Onyia, said: “I am glad you gained something and you do not want to go back home. You were very well behaved. I will miss you, though some of you will be coming back in September as our students.”

She said they needed to rest before they return to school to offer 22 subjects at the junior secondary school level and 13 at the secondary cadre.

Onyia, an educationist said some of the contents of the summer classes include: fields sport, carpentry, hairdressing, painting, cooking, car fixing, music, dance, aerobics, bead making, barbing, and crocheting.

The event was spiced with performances in music, dance and plays. Prizes were also awarded to the best performing groups and pupils.

Mrs Onyia said the problem with the education sector is not the pupils but ill-trained teachers. She decried a situation where non-education graduates are dumped into the system because they need jobs.

Abroad, he said, such graduates even of education, must be certified before they can step into the classroom.

Other challenges, she said, were: lack of an assessment structure and funds, urging the government to allow experts who can turn things around into the system.

However, she praised the school’s curriculum. “I love the Nigerian curriculum. If I had my way, I would only teach it. The problem is that teachers are not trained to teach it. Also, parents want it; they ask if we teach the British curriculum,” she said.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

EDUCATION FUNAAB FILE

LASU VC praises lawmaker

Workers fill asset form THE state Director, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Ogun State, Mr. Elisha Rabiu, has said the only legitimate business a public officer could engage in aside his/her official work is farming.

Rabiu said this at an interactive meeting between the staff of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) and the CCB to enlighten workers on how to complete the Assets Declaration Form.

Under the constitution, the director said any business except farming is illegal. He also said public servants are forbidden from taking gifts from people to avoid conflict of interest. He said conflict of interest arises when a public officer’s personal affairs interferes with his/her official duties.

He added that in the event of an allegation of breach of the code of conduct, a petition could be addressed to CCB while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be copied.

“If you want to write petition as a result of breach of the code of conduct, please, copy EFCC because we are working together,” he added.

Health insurance for students OFFICIALS from the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Abeokuta, have visited FUNAAB to create awareness on the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).

Leading the team, the state Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Boore, said NHIS was established to promote, regulate and facilitate effective implementation of Social Health Insurance programmes.

Under the TISHIP, he said students could access affordable and quality healthcare.

Responding, the vicechancellor, who was represented by his deputy (Development), Prof Felix Salako, thanked the team and informed its members that TISHIP is already operational in the university.

Coordinator of the NHIS in FUNAAB, Dr. Olusola Akinwande, provided the delegates with information on the operations of his unit.

Awareness on Ebola FOLLOWING the deaths of four Ebola Virus victims in Lagos, the Director, FUNAAB Health Services, Dr. Olusola Talabi, has urged members of the university community to take proactive measures to protect humans and animal population on campus.

Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Abiodun Amusan, the director urged students and workers to increase hygiene by washing their hands, objects and animals.

He said workers of the university’s health services as well as those of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Animal Farms will now wear protective gowns, gloves and face masks to avoid infections and transmission.

The director also advised workers and students with relations in Lagos, where Ebola Virus Disease victims have been confirmed, against non-essential travel.

He said they should report all cases of abnormal bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting to the university’s Health Services.

By Adetutu Audu

• Provost of Micheal Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED) Epe, Lagos Prof Olu Akeusola (left) being congratulated by the representative of Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Nebath Tanglang while NOUN Registrar Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi (right) applauded during the university's 5th inaugural lecture on where Akesuola spoke on: 'Preserving Yoruba language through linguistic vaccination of comparative grammar’... on Tuesday.

Keep working, retired teachers told

A

S seven Quality Assurance officers of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) bowed out of service last week, a cleric, Rev Blessing Ajayi, advised them to keep working if they do not want to become tired.

Rev Ajayi of St Jude’s Anglican Church, Mende, Maryland, who delivered the exhortation at the Retirement and Pen Down in honour of the Heads of Quality Assurance in seven Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) at the Methodist Primary School, Oshodi, said working would do them good.

He said: “Engage yourself mentally so you can grow stronger by the day.

When a man stops working, he becomes useless. Look for where you can still be useful to the society. You should still be there supporting the people. If you stay in one place, it will make you useless and your life will become irrelevant.”

For those who are not yet retiring, Ajayi counselled them to give in their best.

By Medinat Kanabe

“Retirement is coming soon, so do well so that goodness and mercy shall follow you.”

Sharing her experience as head of the Quality Assurance unit of Badagry LGEA, Mrs Margaret Whesi Hunsu, said she earned very little when she started but kept at it because of her interest in the job and love for children.

Today, she said she is grateful to God that many of her pupils are now successful.

“An example is Layode Ibrahim who was in my class at Muslim Primary School, Badagry and Prince Adeyemi Akran who was in my class at St Thomas Primary School, the first school in Nigeria in Badagry,” she said.

She said she hopes to go into trading.

For Mrs Modesola Oladimeji, who retired from the Oshodi/Isolo LGEA, she was happy to be part of the change in the education sector.

“Before, teaching was only the teacher’s job; now the students are in-

volved through instructional materials.

Now students are freer; also the relationship between teachers and supervisors has also changed. They are no longer afraid. Unlike before when ever they heard we were coming for inspection they become scared,” she said.

The only man among the retirees, Mr Folarin Samuel of Alimosho LGEA, also said inspection has changed from how it was practised before.

“When we came it was not like this, then the inspection system was the old type. They used to put fear in the minds of the teachers and pupils then but now we have attended seminars and we are more enlightened on how to go about it.. We are friendly with them because we know now that we are partners working in collaboration to see that the schools moves forward,” he added.

He urged the board to address the challenges of shortage of vehicles needed by quality assurance officers to monitor schools.

Mrs Stella Iyabode Ogungbemi of Mushin LGEA is glad she completed her service without a scandal.

VICE-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Prof John Obafunwa, has praised a lawmaker, Dayo Bush-Alebisosu, for facilitating the donation of 110 laptops to the institution.

He said at the university’s convocation that the donation followed the selection of the university as a beneficiary of the Advanced Digital Access Programme for Tertiary Institution (ADAPTI), a school support initiative of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

He said Bush-Alebiosu’s recommendation was instrumental to the university’s selection for the programme.

Bush-Alebiosu, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties and Agreements, said he believes in the power of education to prepare youths for leadership.

He added that he facilitated a similar project for Maryland Comprehensive Secondary School – apart from various other projects he has implemented in schools within his constituency in Kosofe.

Beneficiary schools include Expressway Primary School, Ikosi-Ketu; Oworonshoki Primary School, Oworonshoki and Orishigun Primary School, Ketu where blocks of classrooms were built, desks, benches, teaching aids for their teachers and instructors as well as textbooks for pupils, instructional materials have been provided.

The lawmaker concluded that though the primary responsibility of lawmakers is to make laws for the good governance of the country, he would always put in his efforts in the provision of developmental projects and amenities the constituency and the state at large.

Head girl bags five awards

A

LL eyes were on Sarah Benson as she made repeated journeys to the podium to receive various awards during the Valedictory/Prize Giving Day of Livingstone College Ikorodu last Friday at Ikorodu Town hall.

Sarah, who was the Head Girl of the school’s Ogba annex, clinched the overall best graduating student, best in Physics, Special Ambassador, Leadership and Best Science Student awards.

Addressing the graduating SS3 pupils, the guest speaker and a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Mrs Nimisore Akano, urged them to take their education seriously and use it to impact positively on the society.

“Put what you have leant into good use and impact positively on your friends, family and the society at large. Getting education is just a part of it, the use you put your education is the most important. Make sure to better the situation from the way you met it with the education that you have acquired, and always strive to achieve excellence,” she said.

Founder of the school, Dr Kola Olusola Chriswealth, in his message titled: Buried treasures, urged the graduands to discover their talents and use it to develop the society.

The Acting school Administrator, Mr Abayomi Oluwagbemiga

•Christwealth (second left) and his wife, Mrs Oyinola (second right) with Sarah (middle), and her parents, Mr and Mrs Benson

By Ibrahim Yusuff

Adeniji, urged the pupils to make judicious use of their time and be disciplined.

“My message to all the graduating student is that time is a concept you cannot ignore. Your time is limited; do not waste it living someone

else’s life. You have exactly the same number of hour per day that was given Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Goodluck Jonathan etc; therefore you can do great things than them,” he said.

One of the graduands, Miss Simbiat Awolaja, praised the work-

ers for their caring attitude.

“The members of staff of this school have been so wonderful.

Sometimes, if I did not have money for school fees and I pleaded with them to give me time, they used to allow me to for few days,” she said.

Lagos sells bursary forms

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HE Lagos State Scholarship Board has commenced the sale of bursary award forms for 2014/2015 session for its indigenes in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Speaking on the exercise, Director of the Board, Mrs Omauton Jegede, urged freshers who are indigenes of

Lagos to apply so they can benefit from the bursary.

She said the form would cost N1, 000 for undergraduates in the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, while students attending the Law School and Maritime Academy will pay N2, 000 for their forms.

After payment is made to the Office of the Special Adviser on Education in the Lagos State Secretariat, she said the students would obtain scratch cards from the board’s office in Agege.

The exercise will close on October 31.

29

Woman, 42, breaks dept’s First Class jinx

*CAMPUSES

From classroom to the field

Page 31

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 42

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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

Nobody knows its source. It started from someone, who told someone, bla, bla, bla...

The salt bath therapyfor Ebola rumour spread like wildfire. It hit higher institutions where many students applied the therapy. They have since known better and joined the campaign to check the spread of the disease, report MSONTER ANZAA (300-Level Medicine, Benue State University), STANLEY UCHEGBU (Accounting, University of Calabar), JENNIFER UMEH (ND II Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic, Offa), VIVIAN GYANG (300-Level English, Federal College of Education, Pankshin), AFIS ODEYEMI (300-Level History Education, University of Ilorin) and RAPHAEL KELECHUKWU (200-Level Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka).

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Day of rage at UNICAL

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ANY will not forget that day in a hurry. They woke up to receive calls or texts, telling them that salt bath could keep Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) at bay.

Many quickly did as they were told and informed their friends and relations to apply the therapy. As campuses across the country, the story was the same.

That Friday, students of the Federal College of Education (FCE) in Pankshin, Plateau State, received calls and texts, asking them to drink salt and water. The solution, it was said, will inoculate them against the virus. Many of the students, who just resumed after the 10-month Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) strike, rushed to the market to buy salt. More than 20 persons ended up in hospital in Jos, the Plateau State capital, after taking the solution.

At the University of Calabar (UNICAL) and Benue State University (BSU) in Makurdi, staff and students scrambled for table salt in their desperation to apply the therapy. There

•Biochemistry students of the UNN during a campaign against Ebola

PHOTO: RAPHAEL KELECHUKWU

Students’ mission to kick out Ebola was excitement in hostels as students rushed to the bathroom to ‘purify’ themselves with the solution. Some went round announcing the ‘good news’ to ‘save’ as many people as they could reach. There was chaos.

Ebola was imported into the country last July 20 by a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who died on July 25.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has since declared it as the worst outbreak of Ebola, which first broke out simultaneously in Nzara, Sudam and Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1976.

•Tears as fire razes hostel-P32

The Federal Government and 36 states have taken steps to check the spread of the disease since the late Sawyer infected those he came in contact with after being rushed to the First Consultants Hospital in Lagos.

Higher institutions too have joined the awareness campaign, following the widespread salt solution rumour.

At the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), students, under the aegis of the Nigeria Society of Biochemistry Students

•Continued on page 30

•Hoodlums attack students during protest-P44

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

30

CAMPUS LIFE

After Ade Ajayi, will Pushing Out history end? (II)

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HE publication of “Trade and Politics in the Niger Delta, 1830-1885” by the late Professor Kenneth Onwuka Dike, the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of University of Ibadan marked a watershed in Nigerian history. The book, which is fallout of the late professor’s doctoral thesis of the same title, cleared the path for Ade Ajayi and the other historians of the same disposition to follow the lead.

But suffice it to say that in terms of what is described as African history for Africans and from the perspective of the African, few will question that the late Prof. Ade Ajayi has a greater part of that glory.

Dike - who was the first African to achieve the completion of Western historical scholarship - brought his misgiving about the training he received to a positive use with the setting up of the University of Ibadan History department, the Historical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Archives all of which served the evolution of the Ibadan School of History and the project of national transformation.

Keith A. P. Sandiford, in his book “A Black Studies Primer: Heroes and Heroines of the African Diaspora,” wrote that Dike, as the head of the organizing committee of the First International Congress of Africanists in Ghana in 1963, sought for a strengthened meticulous non-colonial focused African research, and to introduce native speakers to history and for people to view African history through a common eye.

In his essay “Kenneth Onwuka Dike, ‘Trade And Politics,’ and the Restoration of the African in History,” Ebere Nwaubani argued that Dike was the first modern scholarly proponent of Africanist history. His publications were a watershed in African historiography. “He studied Western history within an intellectual framework that was seriously racial, imperialistic and triumphal. Within the context of such scholarship, it requires nothing less than a radical turn of mind for him to reject Western history and its methodology for a regional one in the service of Nigerian identity.”

For the benefit of those who might not know, Historiography - simply put - is the scholar’s device for interrogating issues. It refers to a scholarly attempt to recapture or reinvent history as a discipline. In this regard, what is at stake is the necessity of

with

recapturing the history of Nigeria decimated by the colonial ideology and strategy of 08116759750 Eurocentricism.

(SMS only) What is also needed then was the urgency of recalibrating the meth•aagboa@gmail.com odology for writing that history that would sufficiently serve the purpose of progressive completion of the process of political freedom and in- ers gave Nigerian and African history meandependence in order to make the living to- ing. The significance of the Ibadan School gether of different nationalities to have true of History to the reclamation of a usable meaning. past towards charting a smooth path for NiTo this end, the challenge of rewriting his- gerian postcolonial development cannot be tory becomes a critical one since the past of overemphasized. any nation or culture serves as the spectacle The school echoed a nationalistic historifor reappraising the possibilities of the fu- cal programme around which history can ture. This is why I quite agree with the words be reinvented for the sake of Nigeria. In of German politician, Karl-Heinz Hansen: this sense, history would not just be an at“A people not prepared to face its own his- tempt at an objective agglomeration of facts. tory cannot manage to face its own future.” It is precisely this tenacity that recommends As each generation must necessarily write the Ibadan School of History as a commendits own history, Dike set the foundation for able forerunner of the national project in Ade Ajayi and other prominent historians Nigeria. of that era to build upon. It is thus in this With over 60 publications, Ade Ajayi’s context that one can appreciate the profun- scholarly output is formidable by any standity that informed the inauguration of the dard in a country where a scholar has to Ibadan School of History. This school of his- contend with bureaucratic/political distractory was born out of necessity, not only for tions and material deprivations which has the reconstruction of a past that lay in ruin grown in the last couple of years. This great under dubious colonial strategy, but also scholar’s point of departure always is that more important because of the exigencies history is not just a narrow specialisation of a postcolonial/post independent present or prism to be studied and written for its already compromised in all ramifications. own glory and sake.

The Ibadan School evolved essentially as He believed strongly that the discipline a historiographical challenge to the man- should not even be seen from the prism of ner in which Nigerian history had been merely a search for truth, but that the truths written by the colonialists. In this sense, we history reveals must be spoken to power, can say that historiography itself com- not in the spirit of confrontation, or to make mences from the desire to reinterpret the the writer popular for a moment, but to make past. According to the American historian society better. This was why he approached Edward W. Bennett; “History, too, has its former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the uses, such as the provision of a ‘usable’ past.” need for the reintroduction of history to priThe Ibadan School was therefore motivated mary and secondary schools. Unfortunately by the urgent need to wrest the interpreta- that has not been done to date. tion of the Nigerian historical past from the It is in this spirit that he turned his prodiintellectual clutch of the premeditated Brit- gious scholarship on the processes and probish colonialists. lems of national integration, education, As one of Dike’s foot-soldiers that de- public policy and administration, analysing, ployed intellectual resources, J. F. Ade-Ajayi clarifying and illuminating issues and pointalongside historians like, Saburi Biobaku, ing the way forward for Nigeria.

Adiele Afigbo, Emmanuel A. Ayandele, Perhaps the best tribute to pay him is to Tekena Tamuno, Obaro Ikime and foreign assert that he de-colonised the African narhistorians like Michael Crowder, J. B. rative by his writings. His area of research Webster, Robert (Abdullahi) Smith and oth- focused on Yorubaland, where his intellec-

Agbo Agbo

tual interrogation, curiosity and discoveries were more pronounced. As a historian, he adopted a dialectic approach by not looking at events in isolation, but as parts of bigger historical forces. His dialectical approach equally x-rays societies in broader and deeper perspectives, including the dynamics of cultures, religion, work activities and other ways of life.

Anyone who goes through his works will find these embedded in such works as “Yoruba Warfare in the Nineteenth Century” and “Christian Missions in Nigeria, 1841-1891.” He was also a collaborationist and an editor. He co-edited “A thousand Years of West African History,” as well as “History of West Africa” with Michael Crowther.

The true goals of history are understanding and interpreting the past. Historians have made repeated calls for a new history or a close study of the recent past of the Nigerian history; a past which will be made more germane to the problems and issues confronting us today. For example, one of the problems facing our rulers today is that of ethnic and religious tension all of which resulted from the fact that colonial rule brought people together in new ways and for new purposes as the colonial rulers sought to forge new administrative structures.

Our nation is among that part of the world now generally referred to as emerging economies or societies in transition. Without a clear sense of identity based on sound historical education, we are in danger of merely drifting along with others. Although we are in the age of globalization; but we must not fail to appreciate that international community is an aggregate of nations, each with its own distinctive character. We failed here because we did not start with a national character; we developed one under stress of circumstances, but with good leadership we can arrive at a common ground.

In closing out, it will appropriate to reemphasise that we need a clear national ideology that will define a common future for the citizens. A clear example is from Italian history. Their leader provided a clear focus for their effort at unification by interpreting the history of their society and prospecting from it the ideology of Risorpemento (resurgence), the political and social movement that agglomerated different states of the Italian peninsula into the single state of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. The British also have their ideology of unity in diversity which we seem to have copied without actually believing in it.

Students’ mission to kick out Ebola •Continued from page 29 (NSBS), held a rally to sensitise the university community on the deadly virus. They moved round the campus with cardboards conveying different messages. The inscriptions on some of the placards were: “Please stay alive; prevent Ebola”, “Ebola, na only you waka come? There is God oo”, “Kick Ebola out of Nigeria, kick Ebola out of Africa”, among others.

NSBS also held an awareness symposium, featuring lectures on how Ebola can be prevented from spreading.

Collins Anene, NSBS president, said: “The virus can kill millions of people in a short period and it is good we know what to do, how to do it and where to start from,” he said.

But for his death, Sawyer would have been in Calabar for an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) conference.

Unsurprisingly, the UNICAL community is in fear. At its Goldie Market, table salt was a fast-selling commodity when rumour of the therapy broke.

At the UNICAL Teaching Hospital (UCTH), the prices of hand gloves, masks, bitter kola and disinfectant rose as people scrambled for the items. A piece of bitter kola, which hitherto sold for N10, went for N50.

The Commissioner for Health, Prof Angela Oyo-Ita, in a statement, said the government had placed the public on alert to

prevent the outbreak of the disease in the state.

To complement the government’s effort, the Department of Philosophy, last Wednesday, organised what it called “Emergency awareness” on Ebola virus.

The Head of Department, Prof Dorothy Olu-Jacob, said there was need to educate people on the dangers of allowing the disease to spread.

The campaigners took off from the campus and moved round Calabar to educate people on the streets and in markets. The students employed jokes and drama to demonstrate how the disease can be prevented. The rally ended with a candlelight procession for the victims.

At the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, described the virus as “extremely deadly and terrifying” when the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration Service, Kwara State Command, Mr Peter Aburime, visited him last Monday.

He said measures must be adopted to prevent the spread of the virus.

Solomon Dooga, a 500-Level Medicine and Surgery student at BSU, lamented the misinformation about the disease, which he said, could abort efforts to contain the virus.

“It is bad that people are spreading rumours about the cure for Ebola. There are many people suffering from hypertension and asking them to take salt solution and bath with it can lead to their death. This is

•Another group of UNN students during the campaign

unscientific and only shows the level of ignorance in the land. The rumour could make some people ignore medical instructions and help in spreading the virus in the process,” he said.

Francis Egwuatu, 500-Level student of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), said the level of awareness should be raised on campuses given the situation in hostels, where several students live in a room.

Philip Okorodudu, who just graduated from the Delta State University, said: “I have started avoiding handshakes with people already. I now pretend as if I don’t see anyone extending his hand to shake me. We are in a serious situation and all hands must be on deck to prevent the spread of the virus.”

Geraldine Nwokeocha, a Mass Communication student of Landmark University in Omu Aran, Kwara State, urged the government to step up efforts to contain the virus.

“We have to strengthen efforts to eradicate the virus, while we are preventing it. The world would be in a dire situation if the virus is not eradicated.”

Felix Sanni, a student of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State, urged the government to use cost-effective and result-oriented means to battle the virus.

Damilola Ibitoye, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), said students must complement the government’s efforts to contain the virus by adhering to the guidelines issued by medical personnel.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE She dropped out of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State in 1995. Now, at 42, Mrs Monsurat Ogedengbe has graduated with a First Class degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The Science Education major shares her experience with BALIKIS MOYOSORE (Mass Communication, Kwara State Polytechnic) and OMOLARA OGUNWALE (ND II Mass Communication, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba).

Woman, 42, breaks dept’s First Class jinx M

RS Monsurat Ogedengbe became a mother while she was an undergraduate at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

This forced her to drop out of school. But her dream of acquiring a degree did not die after her parents stopped financing her education.

She enrolled in the Distance Learning programme of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where she graduated with a First Class in Science Education.

She beat 50 others in her class. She is the first student to bag a First Class in her department.

To realise her dream, she went into trading, tailoring and home teaching to raise money for her schooling.

“I got married when I was in 200Level, studying Chemical Engineering at the OAU. Things were hard for us then, but my husband and I ensured we gave our children proper upbringing from whatever we earned. I put my children first, that was why I had to go through

all those struggles for my education,” she said.

Was it easy combining business and academic? “Nothing good comes easy. But I remained focused and I gave each area proper attention. The consistency and commitment made it easy for me to cope.

Sometimes, during my leisure, I picked my books and read. Reading is my hobby and I have a timetable for reading. I knew that, for me to achieve my goal, I needed to be committed,” she said.

Through her excellent performance, Mrs Ogendengbe was privileged to meet the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola. She was introduced to the governor by an official, who respected her will to pursue excellence. She told the governor how she had been the best in her class from primary school.

After the meeting, the governor assisted Mrs Ogendengbe to pay her fees. She said: “For an unexplained reason, the people in charge stopped the scholarship after two years.”

Mrs Ogedengbe is also a brilliant

computer technologist. She has a diploma in Computer Engineering from MBM Computer School in Obalende, Lagos. She heads the Risk Management Department of Annex, a lottery firm.

She does not want to stop at first degree; Mrs Ogendengbe is preparing to further her education. She has taken some professional courses and examination for her Master’s.

Asked if she had any regret dropping out of school, she said: “I believe it is not how far but how well one can go. I don’t have any regrets whatsoever. I have doctors, lawyers, and so many prominent people as friends around me. My children, especially, are doing well academically. So, whatever I could not accomplish then, I am achieving them now.”

She advised women never to lose hope but to always try to make their life meaningful no matter their condition. She said: “For those that have the dream to be better persons, I will encourage them to be focussed and learn from past expe-

•Mrs Ogedengbe

rience. Even after bearing children, people thought it was over for me, but I never allowed the challenges to kill my passion.

“Being without education is an invitation to ignorance. Nobody achieves greatness sleeping while

he needs to go to school. We must think beyond our problem and move closer to the people that can help us.”

She thanked Fashola for the scholarship and hope given to her during her trying time.

The Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) has resumed for the 2013/2014 session. But, lectures have not started, creating fear that the semester may be prolonged, writes UCHECHUKWU EKWUEME-DURU (300-Level Industrial Technology).

Resumption blues at FUT MINNA

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HE session should have started last year but the 10-month Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike delayed the 2013/2014 academic calendar at the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA).

The session has begun but the students cannot wait to see the end of the first semester, especially those into one trade or the other outside the campus.

According to the calendar, academic activities were to begin last Thursday but they did not.

When CAMPUSLIFE visited the campus, there were few students in lecture halls; many were yet to resume. Course outlines and timetables were yet to be released.

Some students, who spoke to our correspondent, are afraid that the session may be prolonged because of the low activities on campus.

Benjamin Ekhalia, a 300-Level Industrial Technology student, said he would be happy to see the semester end fast to make up for the months lost to the strike. “The last semester was unnecessarily prolonged, but I adjusted myself to fit into it. This time, I am planning to do the same thing,” he said.

The previous semester was dramatic, Olawale Adediran, a 300-Level Physics Elec-

•Olawale

• Oluwatosin

•Benjamin

tronics student, said, adding: “We had to rush our studies to make up for the months wasted on ASUU strike.” He said he believed the new semester would not be different because students only have less than three months to study.

Oluwatosin Eweje, a student of Biochemistry, said students would be put under pressure to finish the course outline just as they did last semester. She said: “With the way things are going, we may be put under pressures the way they did last semester. It was a very tough time for us, but we scaled through by God’s grace.”

Akpan Iberedem, a 400-level Mechanical

Engineering student, said last semester was his most trying period on campus. “I don’t pray to pass through what I experienced the previous semester. It was the most tedious and trying time for me because I was stressed beyond limit,” he said.

He hopes the current semester would be fruitful and less stressful.

Unlike other students, Abdulfatai Abdulraheem, is not in a hurry to leave the campus. Whether the semester is prolonged or not does not matter to him. He said he was interested in what the school would leave in him. The final year student of Geology said last semester was not as stress-

ful as other semesters. “One thing about this school is that, things are really not predictable. Last semester was not as stressful as some other semesters. The exam date was hurriedly announced and everybody got prepared. I am not expecting anything less, this semester,” he said.

Patience Wada, 300-Level Industrial Technology Education, said: “I thank God for a successful semester that has passed. Everything went well and good for me as I planned. I hope this new semester would be better. I am preparing for the new semester and I can’t wait for lectures to start.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

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Varsity begs union not to go on strike

HE Management of the Kogi State University (KSU), Anyingba, has moved to placate the institution’s chapter of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), which threatened to shut down the campus, following the management’s failure to meet its demand.

The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Hassan Isah, said measures were being taken to address the demands of the union to achieve industrial harmony.

From Mohammed Yabagi KSU According to him, payment of minimum wage for staff was approved by the state government in December 2011. However, the union demanded that the payment be backdated to January 2011 when it was approved by the Federal Government.

The VC said management was considering the financial implication of the 11 months arrears, which he said

had been submitted to government.

He said Governor Idris Wada has directed the Head of Service to take urgent action on the matter.

On pension and gratuity, which is one of the union demands, Prof Isah said 45 workers were sacked foor misconduct, noting that their details had been submitted to the government for their pension and gratuity.

The VC added that he had written to the government to consider and approve the immediate payment of

pension and gratuity to families of deceased workers and retirees. He assured the union that the governor was aware of their plight and making efforts to resolve the matter.

Isah lamented the non-inclusion of the financial implication in the report submitted by the committee set up to look into the issue of hazard allowance, saying the laxity necessitated the need for another committee to look into the issue. The report of the new committee, he said, will be submitted to the Gov-

erning Council at its meeting next Monday.

From this month, he said, some level of non-teaching staff would benefit from responsibility allowance. Those to benefit include faculty officers, hostel administrators, university’s Health Services Unit personnel, and staff of the Works and Bursary, among others.

Isah appealed to the union to shelve its planned strike, saying the management was attending to their demand.

•Some of the occupants moving unaffected materials out of the building

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Tears as fire razes hostel

T was all tears last Wednesday at the Benue State University (BSU) as fire razed Hall 5 – a female hostel.

The occupants returned from lecture to see charred remains of their personal effects. They wailed as thick smoke bellowed from the bungalow.

The fire, which started at 11am, was said to have been caused by faulty electrical cable in the ceiling.

Students ran in different directions to fetch water to put it out. For several hours, security personnel, male students and the school fire fighters battled the inferno to prevent it from spreading to the nearby hall.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that some students were in their rooms when

From Joshua Obelle BSU the fire started. One of the victims, Esther Obelle, said: “The inferno started from the ceiling after an electric spark at 11am. But because there was no prompt action, the fire spread to the rooms. It was a tragic incident.”

An eyewitness said: “After the spark, some students, who were relaxing in their rooms, ran out. The next thing we saw was fire. Some broke down in tears when they saw their properties on fire.”

Regina Akor, a 300-Level Accounting student, whose room got burnt, lamented: “Apart from these clothes on me, I have no other one again.

•Sympathisers at the scene

All my belongings have been burnt by the fire. What am I going to do now?”

When the fire was put out, students trooped to the scene to sympathise with their colleagues. Some occupants were seen recovering unaffected materials from the building.

Mary Anyogo, a Mass Communication student, said: “We must help our colleagues whose hostel got burnt. We thank God that no life was lost in the process.”

The Dean of Students’ Affairs would not be reached for comment at the time of this report.

Engineering students make case for quality education T HE Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka chapter of the Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA) has held a symposium to mark its Engineering Week.

The event, which held at the FEG Engineering Hall, hosted students from Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Delta State University (DELSU), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), and Anambra State University (ANSU).

In his paper entitled: The importance of university and industry collaborations in engineering research, president of the DELSU chapter, Jude Uti, said collaborations between universities and engineering firms led to industries making giant strides in product improvement, service delivery, technology and medical advancement.

He said the event offered students opportunity to meet with industry professionals, who could help them to choose mentors in their respective area and equip them with necessary knowledge to make them employable.

A lecturer in the Department of Industrial Production Engineering (IPE), Prof Christopher Ihueze, in his lecture titled: The making of Nigerian engineer and common engineering courses: Panacea for infrastructural development, said poor and inadequate infrastructure hinders Africa’s development. He said the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and

From Oluchukwu Igwe UNIZIK Vision 20:2020 may not be attained if infrastructure is left to rot without funding.

He condemned people’s attitude to emphasise university education without quality, stressing that corruption, insufficient and poor infrastructure, lack of incentives and obsolete engineering curriculum reduced performance of engineering students.

The Director of Electronics Development Institute (ELDI) in Aba, Dr Michael Ndinechi, who spoke on

S

From research to realisation, said: “A successful national research endeavour requires a number of facilities to be put in place, which include knowledge institution, laboratory facilities, funds and researcher-industry linkage.”

At the event were former UNIZIK Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Sam Omenyi, president of the Students’ Union Government Chukwunonso Ibe, presidents of NUESA in ANSU, FUTO and ESUT chapters Kingsley Anyadike, Chibuzo Okonkwo and Igwe Ofodile respectively.

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Lecturer’s SANship excites students

AW students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) have rejoiced with a senior lecturer at the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, Dr Joshua Olatoke, for his recent award of the prestigious Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title.

The students said the elevation came as honour to the university.

Olatoke is one of the 17 lawyers cleared to be conferred with SAN title by the Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee (LPPC).

In the letter conveying the award to Olatoke, signed by LPPC Secretary, Mr Sunday Olorudamisi, stated: “It is my pleasure to inform you that at the meeting of the Legal Practitioners and Privileges Committee held on July 11, 2014, you have been elevated to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. The swearing-in ceremony will be on Monday, September 22, 2014 at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

Olatoke attributed his elevation to the support and the good academic atmosphere created by the university management, which he said enabled him to make his impact felt in the discipline. He dedicated the success of his SAN appli-

Poly marks union week

TUDENTS of the Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY) in Bori have organised the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Week, which ended last Sunday with a thanksgiving at the Chapel of Jesus Christ on the campus.

The week-long programme was declared open by the Director of Students’ Affairs (DSA), Mr Emmanuel Oma. Activities on the first day of the week featured a welcoming event for freshers in National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes, orientation and famil-

From Emmanuel Awazie and Gift Onu RIVPOLY iarity exercise with the SUG leaders.

Students came out in funny attires on the second day to mark the “Old School Day”. The next day, they held “Rag Day”, which had them moving around the Bori community to raise money for the less privileged. The “Gala Nite” and “Departmental Day” were also held.

The last activity was the Cultural Day, which held last Saturday,

where students wore various attractive traditional attires to promote their culture. Although, Duncan Mighty, the artiste, who was billed to entertain the students, did not come; his absence did not stop the fun as students thrilled themselves during the night party.

Some of the students, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, described the event as memorable, noting that it was properly organised. They hailed the union leaders and the management for the success of the Week.

From Toyin Ali UNILORIN cation to the university.

He said: “I glorify and give thanks to the Almighty God for reaching the peak of my professional career. The enabling environment created by UNILORIN management gave me the opportunity to be able to use the talent that I have. I dedicate the success of my application to the university, which supported me.”

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr Yusuf Arowosaye, described the SAN title as “a thing of joy that will boost the morale of our students.”

He said Olatoke’ elevation was a testimony to his dedication to legal practice and development of Nigerian jurisprudence through uncommon passion in teaching of law.

Students took to Facebook to congratulate their lecturer. Moses Balogun, a 400-Level Law student, described Olatoke as “my best teacher” in the faculty. “His professionalism earns him much respect among the staff and students,” Moses wrote on his wall.

Another Law student, Jamiu Hassan, wrote: “I knew from the start that Dr Olatoke would reach the pinnacle of his career; this is due to nothing but for his rare passion and commitment to impact knowledge.”

Olatoke joined the services of the university in 1998as Lecturer II. He obtained his academic certificate up to Ph.D level from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAY) in IleIfe, Osun State between 1988 and 2007.

As an academic, he has many articles and publications to his credit and has supervised many Master’s and undergraduate students. He has also handled over 59 cases, 11 of which were heard at the Supreme Court and 27 at the Court of Appeal.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

Patient needs N600,000 for surgery •PAGE 35

This old, frail octogenarian needs a good home •PAGE 36

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

PAGE 33

Getting education right in Anambra •PAGE 40

N

EW yam festival or iriji as it is called, is one of the most significant and popular traditions of Ndigbo. It is celebrated at the beginning of every harvest season to thank the gods of the land for blessing the people with bountiful harvest and to mark the beginning of another farming season.

In Igbo land, new yams are not eaten, especially by titled men, until the new yam festival has been celebrated as a mark of respect for the crop that can only be cultivated by men and regarded as the king of all crops.

Celebrated in the time of ‘plenty’ as the harvest season is known in Igbo land, the New Yam Festival is associated with heavy eating and drinking.

Friends and visitors are lavishly entertained with various yam delicacies like pounded yam, yam porridge and roasted yam eaten with vegetable soup, red palm oil and smoked fish.

In the past, it was a time great farmers with large barns of yam are recognised and rewarded with traditional titles. But in this day and age, New Yam Festivals are no more the exclusive reserve of great yam farmers. It has become socio-cultural event where the rich cultural heritages of the Igbo people are displayed.

At this year’s edition of the annual “Iriji Mbaise” Festival in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, although heavily marred by political interferences, the people relived the good old days when hard work and commitment to farming were rewarded and celebrated.

At the event, which held at the Chioma Ajunwa Stadium, great farmers proudly displayed their prized yams, some of them so big so much so that one could wonder if they were actually dug out from the earth or produced by a craftsman.

One of the greatest yam farmers, Ezeji Felix Onwere, attributed this year’s rich harvest to the benevolence of God who had blessed the people with good climate. He noted that yam farming is one of the most intricate aspects of farming.

He said Imo State has the potential of producing yams enough for the entire country and for export.

“Imo State is known for farming and we have the capacity to produce enough yams for the entire country and for export.

You can see the sizes of the yams on display today, which tells you what we can do. But we need the support of the state

•Ihedioha with others during the 'Iri Iji' Mbaise festival

Igbo and the razzmatazz of new yam festival ‘

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

government to enable us to go into large-scale farming,” he said.

Prominent among the dignitaries that attended this year’s “Iriji Mbaise” Festival were the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri and Governor Rochas Okorocha, among other politicians and illustrious sons of Mbaise nation.

In his speech, the Chairman of Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro, thanked God for a successful and bountiful farming season, even as he declared open another farming season, which he prayed will be better than those of yesteryear.

He seized the opportunity to commend the government for encouraging farming through its numerous agricultural policies, especially the grants given to farmers for palm cultivation,

Imo State is known for farming and we have the capacity to produce enough yams for the entire country and for export.

You can see the sizes of the yams on display today, which tell you what we can do. But we need the support of the state government to enable us to go into large-scale farming

‘

adding that if the agricultural policies of the present administration are sustained, they would guarantee food security and prosperity for the state.

The royal father further

thanked Governor Okorocha for the massive infrastructure development, especially the flag-off of the Mbaise/Ngor-Okpala Campus of Imo State University and the free education programme,

which, he noted, the people had benefitted from.

In his speech which was greeted with thunderous ovation by the crowd, Governor Okorocha said his Rescue Mission administration has approved the Mbaise/NgorOkpala Campus of Imo State University to demonstrate his love for the Mbaise people.

He disclosed that a lot of Mbaise sons and daughters have benefitted from his personal free education project through the Rochas Foundation.

He said: “Mbaise people are the greatest beneficiaries of the free education policy of my administration because of their population. My administration has constructed more than 45 kilometers of road in the three local governments that make up Mbaise.

“My administration has constructed three ultra-modern •Continued on page 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

34

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Father’s will tears apart doctor, ‘ High Court Judge

By Jude Isiguzo

•Suleiman Abba, IG

C

HILDREN of the late monarch of Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Michael Nweze, are fighting over his property.

It was gathered that since three years after their father’s death, there have been accusations and counter accusations between the two brothers, who are highly placed in the society, over the content of their father’s will.

Operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Alagbon, Lagos, who are investigating the matter, are disturbed as it appears that one of the sons of the late monarch is allegedly frustrating investigation using the judiciary.

The late Igwe Nweze’s eldest son, Dr. Michael Chukwuemeka

Nweze, a United States-based paediatrician, alleged that his younger brother, Justice Joseph Ifeanyi Nweze of Anambra State Judiciary and his sister, Mrs. B.O. Mbamalu (Nee Nweze), have doctored their father’s will to deny him of his entitlement.

Dr. Nweze also alleged that his siblings forged his signature in order to pass a board resolution removing him as a director in their late father’s two companies, stating that his name was substituted with that of his brother’s wife.

The alleged fake documents were served to the Onitsha branch of a new generation bank, which changed the signatories.

Investigation also revealed that the companies’ original certificate of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) still has the name of Dr M.C. Nweze as a member of the board.

It was gathered that detectives from the PSFU invited Justice Nweze for interrogation. The documents that manifested through the purported board resolutions were said to have been investigated forensically and were discovered not to be original copies.

A source said: “The doctor was away in the U.S. when all these documents were forged with the aim of taking over everything their father left. The same documents were used by the Judge to take over the companies’ accounts and to open and operate new ones.”

Police investigation revealed

Arrest warrant was executed three years ago on Justice Nweze and his sister. They were questioned and released on their personal recognition. At that time, the parties agreed to a forensic audit of the companies. A letter to that effect was said to have been written to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) which assigned the case to the accounting firm of Sola Oyetayo

‘

that when all efforts by the investigating officers to amicably settle the matter between the brothers failed, a retired Supreme Court Justice and a prominent Onitsha physician, who are friends of the family decided to intervene.

A peace meeting was held at the Onitsha GRA residence of the Justice. However, after hearing from the two parties, they directed that a new manager be appointed to administer the companies, pending when the letters of administration of the estate would be ready.

It is instructive to state that our

correspondent had obtained a letter of indemnity from Dr. Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze on the matter.

It was gathered that the estate management firm of J. Okoro and Associates were appointed to manage the companies, even as documents were signed to this effect.

However, two months after taking up the job of managing the estate, Okoro demanded an upto-date account of all funds received, but he was not obliged.

Rather, it was alleged that the firm was accused of fraudulently taking over the estate.

Igbo and the razzmatazz of new yam festival •Continued from page 33

hospitals in the three local government areas in Mbaise, and new school buildings in all the wards in Mbaise. I have given key appointments to Mbaise sons like the Commissioners of Housing, Public Utilities and Public Safety, Advisers, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants, among others.”

Earlier in his speech, Ihedioha, who was incidentally the chief host, decried lack of state government’s presence in Mbaise, accusing the governor of deliberately neglecting the zone in terms developmental projects.

The Deputy Speaker, who had earlier presented the traditional kola nut to Governor Okorocha, said: “My Governor, we are happy to have you in our midst at this time. Mbaise people are peace-loving and hospitable. As our governor, who has graced this occasion for the first time since you assumed office, we are glad that you will personally address issues of neglect and marginalisation of Mbaise Nation before handing over to Owerri Senatorial zone, and particularly to me in 2015.

•Ihedioha inspecting the traditional yam

“There is no single state government presence in the entire three local government areas of Mbaise land and it calls for worry. What we see are Federal Government projects while the state government has ignored the area completely. It is our collective wish that the issues be addressed soon enough as the 2015 general elections are approaching when you

will leave office for my administration as the Governor come 2015 to address the issues of neglect and decay in our land.”

Prof. Onwuliri, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event, also accused the Governor of abandoning the zone, adding that, “since Okorocha assumed office in 2011, he has never attended the

“Iriji Mbaise” until this one that proceeds the election year.

“This is not the ground for venting personal animosities. He even left before the actual ceremony began. He just brought trouble to the event and this is an embarrassment to the state and its people. I am positive that by 2015, we will all have a chance to redress this anomaly.”

A lawsuit against the firm at the behest of Justice Nweze was dismissed. But prior to its dismissal, Justice Nweze allegedly took back the management of the estate.

Police sources said: “Arrest warrant was executed three years ago on Justice Nweze and his sister. They were questioned and released on their personal recognition. At that time, the parties agreed to a forensic audit of the companies. A letter to that effect was said to have been written to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) which assigned the case to the accounting firm of Sola Oyetayo.

“It commenced work but stopped when Justice Nweze allegedly refused to agree to use the estate fund to pay him. Justice Nweze allegedly complained about digging up evidence against him and dared the antifraud unit to meet him in court.

Since then, several frivolous lawsuits have been initiated to intimidate his elder brother, Dr. Nweze, who is the head of the family and to distract the police.”

•Continued on page 36

Obiano orders rebranding of agency

A

NAMBRA State Governor, Willie Obiano has ordered the rebranding of Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA), even as he suspended the activities of the agency in Ihiala, Nnewi, Onitsha and its environs, except Awka.

The agency will now bear Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ATMA).

This was revealed in Awka by the Commissioner for Transport, Chuma Mbonu, while he led the traffic decongestion team at Aroma during the gridlock.

According to him, the bad eggs in the old agency, which had been identified, would be sacked after what he described as rescreening of the workers.

Mbonu said: “We are reorganising and re-branding the agency. It will come in a new form and new shape for greater efficiency as ordered by Governor Willie Obiano.

“Those of them who are good will be retained after the rescreening exercise while the bad eggs will go. We have the data of all of them.

“Already, we have suspended their activities in areas such as Ihiala, Nnewi, Onistha, Ekwulobia. We have retained their services in Awka for close supervision.

“The new agency will be made up of men and women of integrity. You know their reputation before now had not been wonderful. Obiano has a passion for road transport matter,” Mbonu said.

Again, he said the state government would rely on additional information from the public to act accordingly, adding that Anambra State was no longer for miscreants.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

35

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT Mrs. Oluchi Victor, a pool agent, is experiencing severe pains on her hospital bed because of injuries she sustained from the beating her neighbour gave her.

She needs N600,000 for plastic surgery.

She spoke to our Aba correspondent, SUNNY NWANKWO reports on how her neighbour’s brutality has kept her in hospital for six months.

“P

APA Chiamaka (a name she called her neighbour) is a very shy man who hardly looks at someone’s face. We have not had any quarrel for nearly one year when we moved into our compound. His wife and I used to exchange home movies. Honestly, I am yet to know why he attempted to strangle me to death. When that attempt failed, he hit me with his car.

That has kept me in the hospital for the past six months.”

These are the words of Mrs. Blessing Victor while narrating the incident involving her neighbour, Mr. Ibezim Michael, a driver with Geometrics Power Company Limited, Aba, who, after luring her with a coupon business, allegedly attempted to strangle her to death.

When his attempt failed, she said, he hit her with his company’s car which has left her bedridden since February 12, this year.

Having spent six months at the hospital, the family resources have been drained.

Though the first phase of her treatment is almost completed, Oluchi, a

•Oluchi on her hospital bed

Patient needs N600,000 for surgery ‘ patient at a hospital in Aba (name withheld for security reasons), will need to undergo plastic surgery to live a normal life again.

She is begging the government, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations and public-spirited individuals to come to her aid to enable her foot the bill of N600,000, which she said her family could not afford.

Oluchi, who is an indigene of Ohafia in Abia State and married to an Akwa Ibom man, said: ”I work as a pool agent. I have two kids. My first daughter is three years while the last one is one year old. We live at Obuzor, Ekeakpara in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

“On February 12, this year, a man living in the same yard with me by name Ibezim Michael called me on

He said he called to tell me that one of their staff was waiting for me at home …The person plays heavy stake and usually do not go to pool offices. He rather prefers playing privately because of his position…The man always sends him to play pool for him at a pool office somewhere at Okigwe Road

‘

phone to inquire if I had opened for business. He said he was on his way to the pool office.

“In a short while, Mr. Ibezim ar-

rived at my office.

“He said he called to tell me that one of their staff was waiting for me at home. According to him, the per-

son plays heavy stake and usually does not go to pool offices. He rather prefers playing privately because of his position.

“He further told me that the man always sends him to play pool for him at a pool office somewhere on Okigwe Road.

“He said since we are living in the same yard and having observed that I do neat business; paying my customers as at and when due, that he cannot continue going to Okigwe Road, even as he begged me to follow him to our yard to see the man.

“He said he had told the man to patronise me as not only his neighbour, but someone that does not indulge in dubious or shoddy deals.

•Continued on page 40

Traditional ruler decries arrest of staff school principal

T

HE traditional ruler of Okahia Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, His Royal Highness, Eze Okey J. Ananaba, has condemned the leadership tussle among the six governing members

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Aba. Eze Ananaba, while addressing journalists in his palace, con-

demned the use of policemen by a faction of the institute’s governing board to arrest Mr. Chukwudi Adibe (newly appointed principal for NINLAN Staff Secondary School). The action, he said, would have brought chaos in his commu-

•Governor Rochas Okorocha in a handshake with His Royal Highness Eze Charles Osuji after receiving staff of office as the traditional ruler of Akwakuma Autonomous Community at Government House, Owerri

nity if not for the intervention of some members of his community and the Aba Police Area Commander, ACP Peter Wagbara that exhibited professionalism and sound judgment on the matter.

He said: “I am condemning the invasion of NINLAN city campus by police officers from Aba Area Command, who were led to the school to arrest the school principal by a faction of the governing board members. When they came, they were thought to be gunmen who came to abduct the principal.

If not for the prompt intervention by some elders in the community, the story would have been different from what we are talking today.

“I am a land donor and a stakeholder in the institute. We don’t want trouble in our community and cannot fold our arms to watch things go wrong in a school sited by the Federal Government in my community.

“The reason why I called for this press conference is to call on the Federal Government and the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, to wade into the leadership crisis in NINLAN to avoid further harassment of the institute staff by any faction of the governing board.”

On ways to end the leadership tussle, the traditional ruler suggested complying with the Umuahia Federal High Court judgment with suit no FHC/UM/CS/ 84/2007, which calls for the reinstatement of Prof. Ben Elugbe to

complete his tenure as the executive director of the institute to avoid contempt of the court, He added that if there were reasons why the judgment of the court would not be obeyed, the Minister for Education should send directives which everybody including the governing council members should obey.

The Nation gathered that since the squabble among the governing council members grew out of proportion, members of the staff of the institute have continued to express worries over the development and will appreciate moves by the Federal Government to end the prolonged leadership tussle which, they said, has affected academic and administrative activities in the institute negatively.

A member of NINLAN academic staff who spoke anonymously was optimistic that a united governing council would provide the enabling ground for an executive director that understands the institute’s mandate which is to preserve Nigerian Languages.

The NINLAN, four years after it was proscribed and ceded to the University of Nigerian (UNN), Nsukka, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, regained its autonomy after the Federal Government through the Ministry of Education in October 2013 reinstituted it as an independent institute; but leadership tussle has since prevented the school from hitting the ground running.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

36

37

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Don seeks end to harmful widowhood practices L

•Madam Rophina

•Rophina in front of her home

This old, frail octogenarian needs a good home ‘ L

EANING on her walking stick in front of her dilapidated mud house, Madam Rophina Okwara looks frail, tired and resigned to fate. She cuts a pitiable picture that reduces even the stone-hearted to tears.

Fate had dealt a cruel blow to this childless woman from Umunam in Atta Autonomous Community, Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State.

To her, life has not been fair. It has been a long story of hopelessness, despair, poverty, pain and neglect.

Having lost her only son and benefactor 10 years ago, Madam Okwara has been condemned to a life of misery in her home that could best be described as squalid, wretched or desolate.

The home where she lives alone is made of mud and thatch roof

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

and may collapse any moment due to its state of dilapidation.

When our correspondent visited her decrepit home, hedged round with pieces of blocks and broken wood, Madam Okwara appealed to the wife of Imo State Governor Mrs. Nneoma Okorocha to provide a new and comfortable home for her through her pet project “She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP)”, which has built and equipped over 1,000 houses for indigent widows.

Speaking slightly above whisper, sullen-looking Mrs Okwara said: “I’ve lived here for over 65 years. My father lived here before he died many years ago. Actually, I didn’t marry because my parents didn’t allow me to do so

because my mother had no son.

So, they prevailed on me to stay here and bear a male child which God later blessed me with.

“My son, Adolphus, was the hope of my life and was doing well in Aba. Unfortunately for me, the devil snatched him away from me when he was about to change my poor situation. Since then, more than 10 years ago, I’ve not left this hut and I’ve been hoping on God to give me more strength to live on till I die. You can see that I’m getting old and can no longer do many things.”

Madam Okwara, who makes and sells brooms in the village market, said each year she renovates the hut to keep away the rain and cold. “When the thatched roof gets bad and has some leakages, I usually go to the bush to get raffia palm leaves to

Abia youths‘ hold prayer summit

T

HE National Youth Wing of the Abia State Town Unions Association (ASTUA) will hold a prayer summit on September 20 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Its President, Prince Ikenna I. James said this during a briefing in Lagos.

He said the youth are presenting the state Governor, Dr. Theodore A. Orji, before God and also interceding for all Abia youths and people for overall success.

He noted that the governor represents the life and image of the state. That, he said, necessitated the need for prayer for all-round success in his programmes.

James said the summit would

Assessing Governor Orji’s administration, Ikenna praised his efforts particularly the empowerment of youths. He prayed that God would grant the governor more knowledge and good health

‘

hold in Lagos first and later in Umuahia.

He added that the elections of the association would hold in October, stating that the president and the

vice-president are the only elected officers.

Officers such as Legal Adviser, Director of Protocol and National Coordinator are appointed posi-

My son, Adolphus was the hope of my life and was doing well in Aba. Unfortunately for me, the devil snatched him away from me when he was about to change my poor situation. Since then; more than 10 years ago, I’ve not left this hut and I’ve been hoping in God to give me more strength to live on till I die

‘

cover the leakages,” she said.

Thanking God for sparing her life through the years,despite the dangers she has been exposed to, tions which are held by James Nwabuche Esq., Prince Kelechi, Ulu Torti and Dr. Emeka Nwaogu.

Assessing Orji’s administration, James praised his efforts, particularly the empowerment of youths.

He prayed that God would grant the governor more knowledge and good health.

On the purported claim by one Okey Ezekwe as the public relations officer (PRO) of ASTUA youth wing; he said the group had no PRO, adding that such false claims are common given that the elections are drawing near.

The youth leader expressed his belief that the prayer summit will strengthen Abia youths and open channels of blessing for them.

Evangelist Uma Ukpai will be the chief guest speaker.

she said: “I am appealing to the wife of our Governor and other public-spirited Nigerians to help put a roof over my head. You can

see I’m getting old and, sometimes, because of ill health, I can no longer craft the raffia palm leaves to make thatched roof and this affects me a lot when the rains come.

“I’ve heard that the wife of the Governor has been going round the state building houses for people in my condition and I’ve been praying to God to use somebody to reach her so that she will remember me and also build a house for me.

“Before now, I had taken my fate the way it is. I have been doing my best, praying to God to make me die peacefully without any serious sickness so that our church people will bury me.

“But, last year, they told us that the wife of our Governor is building houses for poor widows. That news changed my thinking be-

cause I strongly believe that if the Governor’s wife sees or hears about my condition, she would do for me what she has done for many other women like me. I’ll be grateful if our Governor, through his wife, will wipe away my tears and years of suffering.”

Though the villain may not extol old age as a virtue, it is a symbolic and gracious gift from God. Old age has its infirmities and limitations. It is, therefore, our social responsibility to respect, support and adore the aged through provision of social security which ensures protection against socially-recognised conditions that include poverty, old age and disability.

One wishes that Mrs. Okorocha would listen to the plea of this old and hapless woman in a snap through her SNARP.

IKE the voice in the wilderness, Prof. Catherine Ikodiya Oreh has raised her voice in support of the crusade against dehumanising practices on widows in Nigeria and most Third World countries. She urged men to desist from giving support to those harmful practices that dehumanise widows.

Oreh, a professor of Adult Education/Community Development at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, spoke at the 80th Inaugural Lecture of the university at Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Nsukka Campus.

In her paper entitled “Igbo Cultural Widowhood Practices: Reflections on Inadvertent Weapons of Retrogression in Community Development”, Prof. Oreh said the loss of a spouse (particularly the husband) is associated with extreme painful and distressful experience in addition to other risks and challenges to the wife.

She condemned the practices which subjugate widows, leaving them with no hope and no security.

She listed other challenges widows encounter to include disruptions of relationships, deteriorating health and physical capacity as well as declining financial resources.

The practices, she maintained, have far-reaching consequences on the widow, her children and the community. All these, she said, are factors affecting development in

‘

•Prof. Oreh From Chris Oji, Enugu

various communities.

She described community development as a process that “brings about improvements in the life of people through changes in the conditions of their community”, and that “women generally have greater potential for community development.”

The 80th Inaugural Lecture emphasised the position of the United Nations General Assembly

No matter the challenges associated with widowhood, the practice would soon be brought to an end. To achieve this, she recommends that education is the only tool for effective coping strategies and the bedrock of community development

‘

on widows which, she said, called on member-states and other international organisations to end all negative practices associated with widowhood.

Prof. Oreh noted that no matter the challenges associated with widowhood, the practices would soon be brought to an end. To achieve this, she recommended education as the only tool to cope effectively and the bedrock of community development.

She, therefore, called for sensitisation and empowerment of widows to improve their knowledge on how to avoid being victims or perpetrators as well as knowing when their rights are trampled upon and to fight against it. The enlightenment, she said, would improve widows’ standard in education, health and finance. It would help them play active roles in the society.

Moreover, she recommended the joint ownership of properties by husband and wife as it would not require letters of administration for either of the partners to claim the estates when a partner dies.

She also stated that it would be •Continued on page 38

Father’s will tears apart doctor, High Court Judge •Continued from page 34

When Justice Nweze did not pick calls from our correspondent for comments on the matter, a text message was sent to him.

Reacting to the allegations, Justice Nweze, through his lawyer, A.O. Emodi Esq. in a text message entitled “False and sponsored allegations by Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze”, said: “We have seen your SMS which suggests an intention to further libel and interfere with court proceedings. We assume that Dr M.C. Nweze also brought to your notice the fact that there is a claim for one billion Naira damages against him for libel and false allegation in a suit no 0/306/2013 at the

High Court, Onitsha.

“There is an application in suit No 0/493M/2011 against him for instigating the police by the same false allegations. There is also a suit No FHC/AWK/CS/48/2014 at the Federal High Court Awka, to direct the police to charge him for giving them information which they found to be false.

“We must not fail to observe that we do not understand your interest or that of your public in any private disagreement between brothers. It may easily be understood as part of a sponsored campaign against our client which you want to capitalise on to increase the sale and circulation of your newspaper for which our client may seek legal redress.

“You are advised before proceeding on that course to demand a letter of indemnity from Dr Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze. That is if you are not already aware of the above facts, but decide to proceed because of the financial benefits to you no matter whose ox is gored.”

Spokesperson for the PSFU Friday Archibong, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed they are investigating the matter.

One of the investigating officers said Justice Nweze was using lawsuit to try to stop and intimidate police investigators to hands-off the case. But “we are not deterred by these,” he said, adding that even the Chief Judge of Anambra State had been notified of the matter through an official letter.

•From left: Chief Oscar Okwume making his declaration speech to the people of Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency. With him are the Chairman of PDP Nsukka Local Government, Hon. Alphonsus Nweze (right) and his deputy, Alphonsus Oloto.

PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

38

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT •Continued from page 37 acceptable and pleasing if fathers and/or husbands would write wills, stating clearly how their properties should be shared in the event of death.

She urged them to update their wills with data of their wives rather than that of their siblings or parents. This, she said, would go a long way in helping their wives not to experience such dehumanising practices when they die.

Prof. Oreh called on Christian organisations, such as Christian Council of Nigerian (CCN) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to speak with one voice

Don seeks end to harmful widowhood practices against the malpractices and come up with consistent policies against infringement on widows’ rights.

She also said the government should enact laws that will protect widows, even as she advised that such laws should have clear structures of implementation at the grassroots. She said communitybased organisations should be involved as a task force to monitor and enforce sanctions on defaulters.

Prof. Oreh also asked the Ministry of Women Affairs in various

Anambra community boils

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GULU community, the home town of former Anambra State Governor, Chief Peter Obi is boiling, following protests by few youth against the leadership of their town union.

The youth from over 20 villages, led by Mmaduagwu Eric and Aguluka Nnamdi as Secretary, threatened to wage war in the community if some people were not cautioned.

Again, the Agulu Youth Empowerment Committee under Agulu People’s Union (APU), has mandated the President-General of the area, Chief Paulinus Aniagbaoso to drag the few people to court over alleged character assassination.

About eight people staged a protest against Aniagboso over alleged

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All these things are happening and the President-General, being a peaceful and quiet man, is just sitting and watching…We the youth will not sit and watch because our town is sacred.

Let the land not rise against us for abhorring evil

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

misrule and high handedness.

However, addressing reporters at the Agulu Town Hall, the Youth Committee led by Mmaduagwu said the people who protested in the community were non-indigenes of the area.

He said they had alerted the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Innocent Obodoakor and the elders of the land on the development.

He said: “All these things are happening and the President-General, being a peaceful and quiet man, is just sitting and watching.

“We the youth will not sit and watch because our town is sacred.

Let the land not rise against us for abhorring evil.

“We are going to show them that nobody has monopoly of violence.

For every action aimed at undermining the hard-earned peace in Agulu, there will be equal reaction and it will be disproportionate.

“Therefore, it is in their best interest to behave. We will even go further to take a pre-emptive action if we perceive any unholy plan,” the youth threatened.

Also, the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Chamberlain Ego, said such protest by some people were not planned or discussed, describing it as a shame.

He, therefore, called on Governor Willie Obiano to wade into the problem in Agulu.

Ego said the community which was in crisis for 12 years, would not want to delve into such again.

states to scale up activities which will integrate and involve women groups at the grassroots to provide information for widows on who they can take their complaints to when harassed.

Urging the audience to join in the fight against harmful widowhood practices, she spoke of the intention of the Department of Adult Education, in collaboration with the Agencies for Mass Literacy, Adult and non-formal Education to develop programmes on Probate Education which would aim at

sensitising the entire polity on the rights of widows.

She opined that enforcement of harmful widowhood practices is violence against women, adding that it would make widowhood exhaustive and traumatic. Noting that it would require a radical approach to change the plight of widows, the don said community development movement should function as a radical movement for social change.

Prof. Oreh noted that if development in Nigeria and in every com-

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HE Enugu State House of Assembly has initiated moves to end frequent violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

The bill, entitled “A law to make provisions for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in Enugu State and other matters related thereto” is being sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East Constituency.

The lawmaker, in an interview with reporters, said the bill, when passed into law, would promote symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.

Nwamba, who lamented several lives and properties that have been lost in different parts of the country owing to the clashes, urged other states to replicate the law.

“The main reason for this bill is to ensure adequate peace between the two parties- farmers and herdsmen. Nobody in this country is ignorant of some violent clashes which have occurred as a result of disagreement between the farmers and the herdsmen.

“We have cases where the herdsmen will allow their cattle to graze on farmlands, and when the farmers kill the cows in retaliation, the herdsmen will challenge the farmers.

“So, it is my belief that when this bill is passed into law, it will end conflict and promote peace between these parties that need the services of each other.”

The bill provides for the establishment of grazing areas in each of the three senatorial zones of Enugu State and the nomadic cattle rearers shall ensure that the cattle are confined within the grazing ar-

munity must be enhanced, it would be appropriate if all traditional or cultural practices that inhibit full participation of women in development process are removed.

“All legal, political and cultural constraints that tend to impede women’s access to higher productivity must be checked and removed to ensure adequate and proper exploitation of their potential for national and community development.

Assembly wades into herdsmen, farmers clash From Chris Oji, Enugu

eas as provided.

It further provided that “any person who permits cattle to graze in an area not designated as grazing area, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both.

“As from the commencement of this law, the commissioner shall appoint pound masters in all the local government areas whose functions shall include the impounding of cattle found grazing

‘

in non-designated grazing areas.

“Cattle found grazing in an area not designated a grazing area shall be impounded by the pound master or any other person duly authorized by the commissioner.

“Any cattle impounded under this law, which is not claimed within one week of the impounding, shall be sold in accordance with auction law; the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in government coffers.”

The bill, which was mentioned at the House Plenary Session, is expected to be debated later.

Any person who permits cattle to graze in an area not designated as grazing area, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both

•Governor Rochas Okorocha with leaders and members of Regional Cattle Market, Okigwe during their visit to Government House, Owerri

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUGST 21, 2014

39

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Anambra shines at Arts Expo

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ITH the theme: African Arts and Crafts: tools for economic empowerment, the seventh edition of the African Arts and Craft Expo came to a close penultimate weekend with all its artistic and cultural thrills and frills.

The exhibition, which was organised by the National Council For Arts and Culture, Abuja, featured exhibitors from the 36 states and other African and Asian countries. On display were rich and diverse African crafts, fashion and cultural designs, interior decorations, raffia works, leather designs, classical ceramics and pottery works, coral beads, textiles and fascinating jewelries. The fair provided great opportunities for effective and focused promotional marketing incentives for would be sponsors.

Anambra State was one of those that shone during the week-long exhibition, winning three awards in Best Product and Brand Designs in Brass and Metal Works; Most Enterprising Exhibitor categories,

•Crowd at Anambra’s pavilion

and a third position as the Best in Pavilion Preparation category. The state’s pavilion had on display rich various African crafts, fashion and cultural designs, interior

decorations, raffia works, among others.

The fair was organised primarily to showcase some aspects of Nigeria’s rich culture, promote

export and import business of arts and crafts to buyers worldwide, impact requisite knowledge of import and export guidelines to arts and crafts producers and marketers

as well as sensitise investors on the need to invest in arts and crafts sector as a way of encouraging enterprise development and exportoriented production.

Ebola: No handshaking, embracing in Abia

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HERE is a saying that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. But, this time around the story is different as it has turned to the fear of Ebola Virus and handshaking is the beginning of being alive. The dreaded virus has forced the people of Abia State, which is mainly populated by Igbo extraction, to stop their traditional way of greeting.

The people from the state in the Southeastern part of the country are well known for greeting with a strong handshake among the men while the women embrace one another while greeting.

However, that was before the advent of the Ebola Virus Disease, which experts say is contracted through body contact with the fluid of an infected person. This has forced people to stop shaking hands, especially those who are believed to have come from Lagos or any other place with a reported case of the virus.

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

It was an embarrassing situation during a wedding in Aba at the weekend when guests refused to shake the hands of others including the newly wedded couple. In fact, the master of ceremony (MC) started the fear in the guests when he announced that there would be no shaking of hands at the reception hall for fear of contracting Ebola virus.

The MC also announced that those who intended to spray money on the couple as they danced should desist from doing so, instead that they should drop their monetary gifts on the floor. He went further to ask the groomsmen and the bridal girls to dance round the couple to shield them from those who may want to spray them with money.

In a similar vein, the Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogar, said the woman,

alleged to have died from the virus at Ndiolumbe in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government, was alive and responding to treatment at a state government-owned hospital in Umuahia.

Dr. Ogar said the woman never had the disease and had not been in close contact with any one with the dreaded ailment and that she did not live in Lagos but only went there for a church programme and came back when she fell sick. The woman had malaria before she travelled to Lagos for the programme and, like most Nigerians, bought some drugs which were not good for her system, he said.

Ogar said she reacted to the drugs: “She was suffering from what we call in medical parlance as StevenJohnson syndrome and not from Ebola virus as was written in some newspapers.”

He said people should be aware that the disease has no cure or vaccine for now, “but the only cure possible for

now is to be clean and desist from getting in contact with those who have been identified to be victims.”

He added that taking salt bath, drinking of salt water and eating of bitter kola are a myth which has not been proved, noting that the only known solution to the spread of Ebola is to wash the hands every time or use the sanitiser.

Ogar said the state was well prepared for the war against Ebola virus which, he maintained, has not come to the state. He said necessary equipment for the protection of health workers in the event of its outbreak in the state hadbeen purchased.

He said the state government had designated five centres - Old Specialist Hospital in Aba, the General Hospital at Okeikpe in Ukwa, Ohafia, Isuikwuato and Okpuala Ngwa - for the treatment of the disease.

Ogar said a committee had been set up to sensitise people on the need to be aware of the dread disease, adding that they have been working round the clock to sensitise people at the nook and crannies of the state.

The state Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, has dispelled the rumour making the rounds that the virus has found its way into the state, saying that there was no case of the virus in any part of the state. He decried the manner some people have

‘

Government has designated five hospitals across the state for the treatment of the disease. The hospitals are the Old Specialist Hospital in Aba, the General Hospital at Okeikpe in Ukwa, Ohafia, Isuikwuato and Okpuala Ngwa general hospitals •David Mark speaking at an event

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•Dr. Ogar been rushing to the press to say the virus has found its way into the state and urged people to allow the state to work instead of creating panic when there no need for it.

Orji said the government had taken precautionary measures to ensure that the virus does not find its way into the state.

He said, “A committee has been set up to chase Ebola virus away from the state instead of the virus chasing us in the state and we have ordered for all the necessary equipment needed to fight the virus which the health commissioner has gone to purchase.”

The governor said the state government was ready to face the challenge of the virus, “Just like we did against kidnapping, I want to thank the doctors for their sensitisation in the state on how to avoid contracting the virus.”

Orji said the commissioner for health had been directed to proceed to wherever he could buy the equipment needed to handle the cases of Ebola in the event it finds its way into the state, “We must be ready to face it when the need arises and, for now, it not yet here.”

He said that since the Ebola outbreak, people are calling every ailment Ebola, stressing that the virus has its symptoms, “I am speaking as the governor of the state after consulting with experts in medical field, there is no Ebola in any part of Abia.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

40

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Getting education right in Anambra P

IQUED by the conditions of schools in Anambra State, despite immense efforts by the administration of former Governor Peter Obi, the state government has entered into a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF) to improve the awful situation.

The government took the step because it believes that the education sector has not taken its pride of place.

Most of the schools lack adequate teachers, teaching aids, classrooms and their environments have become dumping grounds for refuse.

Buttressing the reasons for the partnership, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha, said the Anglican Girls’ Secondary School, one of the schools in Onitsha, was turned to a refuse dumping ground.

Garbage, which traders were said to have thrown into the school, would take about three trailers to evacuate. It is on this ground that the state government brought

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

stakeholders together to discuss the issue and then chart a way forward.

Some students receive their lessons under trees as some of the buildings of some secondary schools are dilapidated.

Omenugha lamented that most of the girls’ schools have dwarf walls rather than good perimeter fences.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at J-Jumac Hotels in Awka, a representative of UNICEF, Dr Agatha Nzeribe said the agency introduced the package to improve the state of education.

She added that all stakeholders such as Ministries of Information, Economic Planning and Budget, Education, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and Post-Primary School Commission (PPSC), among others, should pool resources in order to ensure success.

According to Nzeribe, UNICEF, as a development partner in 10 of the states in the Southeast, South-

•Olisa Emeka of ASUBEB (right) and Dr. Nzeribe of UNICEF south and Benue states, have a legal frame work that is transparent and accountable.

Noting that education is a right, she said it is an expensive venture that UNICEF had intervened in to

•Prof. Omenugha (left) and Lady Joy Ulasi of PPSSC •Continued from page 35 “He said if the man is satisfied with the way I will treat him that he (Ibezim’s Oga) will become one of my regular customers.

“I was happy that my neighbour could be so concerned to have thought it wise to bring such a customer to me. I was reluctant to go back to our compound because it was not long I left our yard for the office.

He told me not to worry because he came with a car, assuring me that he would take me back to my office.

Reluctantly, I agreed to follow him to the house.

“On our way, he suggested that we take the alternative road to avoid traffic jam which is usually associated with the road.

“At a point, he pulled the car over.

While I was inside the car waiting, he quietly came over to the door where I was sitting, opened it and grabbed me on the throat. He asked me to say my last prayer because, he said, I was going to die. He kept pressing me hard on the neck as he tried to strangle me to death.

“There was nobody on the road to come to my rescue. He pressed me so hard that my two eyes were bulging out. I could barely talk or cry out as a result of what he did to me.

“On hearing the sound of a motorcycle driving towards our direction, he stopped pressing me so as to avoid being suspected by the motorcycle

block the loopholes, adding that the proposal was made to Anambra State because it had done well in implementing its educational policies.

“We are looking forward to Anambra being another Singapore in this part of the world in nearest future,” she said.

In a paper entitled “Moving Forward”, the resource person, Dr Rosemary Nwangwu listed about five reasons to justify the partnership.

These include lack of equipment and supplies in schools, weak leadership, uninspired personnel, bureaucratic red tape and politicisation of the education sector.

She said private schools; most of them unregistered, cashed in on these situations in public schools to flourish.

However, she praised Anambra State Government for what it had been able to do not only in the education sector but also in making sure that peace returns to the state.

For Prof. Omenugha, it was an exciting moment for the state, the education sector and indeed, UNICEF. She said other sectors depend on education. Therefore, government alone cannot handle it without the input of the public and other cor-

porate organisations.

She noted that the education sector is going through lots of challenges. That, according to her, informed UNICEF’s intervention.

She said: “PPP means that they are reaching out to people other than government to address the enormous problems in the education sector.”

These groups, according to her, included the traditional rulers, town union presidents, non-governmental organisations, corporate entities and other individuals to get education right in the state.

“Government has solely managed and financed education and others should contribute their quota for us to drive education to the level it is supposed to be. Government alone cannot handle it,” she said.

Continuing, she said UNICEF had created that platform for Anambra, adding that the state would have to do its NEEDS assessment.

“We need enormous amount of money to succeed in this exercise because erosion is another huge problem facing some of these schools. That is why there is going to be a kind of trust fund in whatever we are going to do,” she said.

‘ Patient needs N600,000 for surgery rider. Immediately the person passed by. As luck would have, he stopped pressing me after he heard two women trekking and approaching towards our direction.

“Suspecting that the women have seen us and could raise the alarm, he pulled me out of the car and while he was trying to reverse and escape, he hit me with the car and I sustained severe injury on my legs.

“It was at that point that the women raised the alarm which attracted other people to the scene. It was a woman, one of the early callers at the scene of the incident, who recognised me and went to inform my husband.

“Before my husband could come, some public-spirited individuals had arranged for a tricycle that took me to a private hospital, at least to save.

At that point, my seven-month-old baby was nowhere to be found.”

On the relationship between both families before the incident, Oluchi explained: “We had not had issues.

We have been living peacefully. I used to exchange home movies with the wife (Mama Mimi as we fondly called her). Since the incident happened, I learnt she visited but was sent back by my relations. She has

To pay the bill at this hospital is difficult because I cannot afford it. Sometimes, I borrow to pay but there is no money to pay for the hospital bill again. We are appealing to the government and public-spirited individuals to come to our aid to save the life of my wife. We are really facing a critical time at the hospital now

‘

not called or sent text message(s),” she said. On what life has been since the accident, Oluchi added that because of the harsh situation we find ourselves in, to eat is even a problem. We don’t even have the money to offset the medical bill. I have started walking gradually with a walking stick.

“I am appealing to public-spirited individuals and the government to

please come to my aid because it has not been easy for my family.

“The doctor has been so good to us because there are things he will decide to do freely. Police from Osisioma has equally visited me here to take my statement. My husband told me that the case has been transferred from Osisioma to the Aba Area Command.

Mr. Archibong Victor, who cor-

roborated his wife’s account, said it was the Geometric Company that brought his wife to the hospital, adding that after taking care of some of their medical bills, they abandoned the couple to their fate.

The company’s vehicle has been in the custody of Osisioma Police Station.

“Though they paid about N200,000, they said they will not help us again.

That is why we are still here. There is nobody to help us.

“To pay the bill at this orthopedic hospital is difficult because I cannot afford it. Sometimes, I borrow to pay but there is no money to pay for the hospital bill again. We are appealing to the government and publicspirited individuals to come to our aid to save the life of my wife. We are really facing a critical time at the hospital now.”

He said though Mr. Ibezim is facing a murder case in the law court, his priority is seeing his wife’s condition better and improved.

You can save the life of mother of two by offering financial assistance through First Bank account number; Kalu Oluchi 3029875848. For more information, you can contact her on 08069242807.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

41

CAMPUS LIFE

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HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of the Social Sciences Students Association (SOSSA) has held its maiden annual conference. The event brought together students from all departments in the faculty.

The event with the theme: The university system in the 21st century: Expectations, misconceptions, challenges and prospects, was initiated by Kunle Onikoyi, the association’s president, to address declining standard in tertiary education.

Dr Nkem Onyekpe of the History and Strategic Studies Department, in his lecture, noted that the universities in contemporary times must conform to the realities of the century, which, he said, was being affected by globalisation, neocolonisation and cultural imperialism, amongst others.

The don stressed that standards were declining because of the underfunding, low remuneration, corruption in employment procedure and politicisation of staff promotion. Management of higher institutions, he said, spend invest more on infrastructures rather than human capital development.

Dr Onyekpe asserted that the withdrawal of the state from its obligatory duty of funding school turned tertiary institutions to commercial centers for profit making.

Proffering a solution, the don said tertiary institutions must stop playing politics with academics. He urged schools to return to scholar-

•From left: Comrade Shiyanbola Loremikan; Dr Onyekpe, Dr Franca Arthur, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Soyombo Omololu; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babajide Alo; Director of Quality Assurance, Prof Wale Okunuga; Dr Olukayode Eesuola; SOSSA president, Kunle Onikoyi

Students discuss declining standards From Charles Agu UNILAG

ship and tackle intellectual laziness.

He said: “When these challenges are solved, we, in the system, would be able to achieve the three fundamental aims of scholarship, which are to seek the truth, to teach the truth and to preserve the truth for the good of society.”

Dr Olukayode Eesuola of the Department of Political Science stressed that university was supposed to be a place, where there should be mutual interaction between students and lecturers. He said higher institutions must discourage anything that could dampen the purpose.

“University is not a place of religiosity; it is a place where ideas

flow,” he said, urging lecturers to use conflict of opinions to creates knowledge.

Dr Franca Arthur stressed that the students should get involved in unionism, saying: “If you don’t participate, you have no right to complain.”

Comrade Shiyanbola Loremikan, a former National Public Relations Officer of Committee for Defense

of Human Rights (CDHR) stressed the need for good character. “Let us promote good citizenship and let people know that Nigerians can succeed with hard work,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, represented by his deputy, Prof Babajide Alo, hailed the students for the initiative, which he said discussed germane issues affecting tertiary education in the country.

institution on direct entry (DE), especially those who studied Medical Laboratory Science. This, he said, will make the programme attractive and make the technician reach the peak of their career.

The inductees were presented with the profession regulatory

body work permit and identity card, which serve as their licence.

A graduand, Ikirigo Sokari, appreciated his parents and lecturers for empowering him with the knowledge, promising to be a good ambassador of the school and the profession.

College inducts 69

N

O fewer than 69 graduates were inducted into the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) at a ceremony at the Bayelsa State College of Health Technology (BYCOHTECH).

The graduates, who studied Medical Laboratory Science, took the oath.

The event was the department’s maiden induction and it was held at the college’s pavilion. It witnessed the presence of the dignitaries, including parents and guardians of the inductees.

Of the 69 graduates, 47 were sworn in as Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), while 22 became Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLA).

Administering the oath on the graduands, the representative of the MLSCN Registrar, Mr Humphrey Elendu, said the service of the inductees was needed to achieve effective primary healthcare. He charged the inductees to uphold the ethics of the profession in the dis-

A

•The inductees taking the oath at the ceremony

From Isaac Mensah YENAGOA charge of their professional duties.

Elendu praised the management for ensuring that all programmes offered by the institution got full accreditation. He advised the in-

ductees not to stop studying, urging them to go further.

The college Provost, Dr Teddy Adias, applauded the MLSCN for making the school the centre for professional examination. He asked the council to prevail on universities to accept graduates of the

Anambra, UNN to partner on agric

NAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano has expressed his administration’s willingness to partner with faculties of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to drive the agricultural programme of the state.

The governor made the comment when he received the UNN ViceChancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, and other principal officers, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Lodge, Awka.

Dr Obiano said his administration would need the support of researchers in the university to generate improved rice seeds, cassava stems and other crops needed to fulfil the dream of his administration in making the state sufficient in food production.

He also stated that the state would need the support of the Department of Film and Theatre Arts to revive Anambra culture and make the state a destination for

From Inya Agha UNN tourism.

He said: “We understand that nothing can be achieved without securing the state from armed robbery and kidnapping. The criminals are currently on the run; I am still pursuing them. Right now, people can walk around freely without harassment of security sirens.”

Ozumba praised the governor on his determination to take the state to a greater height, citing the security summit organised by the government and deployment of drones for surveillance and agricultural mapping. The governor’s quick response to threat of Ebola virus in the state, he said, should be hailed.

The VC informed the governor of the 54th Founder’s Day Lecture that will be organised by the university in October. The event, he said, will host the Deputy Senate

•Gov. Obiano receiving the letter from Prof Ozumba

President Ike Ekweremadu as speaker and requested Obiano’s consent as Chairman.

On the entourage of the VC were

the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Polycap Chigbu, his counterparts on Administration and Enugu Campus, Prof Edwin

Igbokwe and Prof. Ifeoma Enemo, Registrar, Mr Anthony Okonta, Bursar, Mrs Chinenye Eze-Obi and her deputy, Dr Mercy Odukwe.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE The 11th edition of the Nigerian University Staff Sports Association (NUSSA) Games has been held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN). EDDY UWOGHIREN (200-Level Medicine) and EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (300-Level Pharmacy) report.

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From classroom to the field

RAFFIC was brought to a halt last Monday on the Ugbowo Campus of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Security personnel had a hectic time clearing the stretch of road that leads to the Sport Complex, where hundreds of participants in the Nigerian University Staff Sports Association (NUSSA) Games gathered for the opening ceremony. Despite the downpour, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) rolled out the drums to welcome the participants and guests.

Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Osayuki Oshodin, described the event as a game of unity. Represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof Obehi Okojie, the VC urged the participants to show the spirit of sportsmanship.

He said: “Sports are seen as well-structured physical activities guided by rules and regulations. I, therefore, appeal to all participants to adhere strictly by the rules and regulations governing the event so that we can have a successful contest.”

Saying that the institution was proud to host the 11th NUSSA Games less than four years after it hosted the 23rd NUGA, the VC urged the athletes and officials to use the event to engender lasting friendship that would help to promote unity among universities’ workers and management.

The NUSSA National Chairman, Prof M.O. Mgor, said the game was established with the objective of promoting unity among the members of the staff of various universities.

He said: “Sports has been recognised as a good instrument for promoting understanding and paving the way for exchange of valuable ideas and human resources among universities in Nigeria. I urge all participating

The University of Ibadan (UI) has admitted Master’s students for the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) programme. The students were taken through an orientation last week, reports STANLEY IBEKU.

athletes and universities to display a high level of honour, integrity and sportsmanship for the event to be successful.”

Bayero University, Kano (BUK) led the procession during the march past, which was arranged in alphabetical order. The UNIBEN team came last. The National Open University (NOUN) was hailed by the crowd for having the most colourful display during the parade. The institution also fielded the highest number of athletes.

The ceremony started with opening match between the UNIBEN team and University of Jos (UNIJOS) team. The match ended 1-0 in favour of the hosting institution.

Celebrating the victory, a member of the UNIBEN team, who gave his name as Bobby, said: “This is the evidence that UNIBEN is the best. We expect more victories in subsequent fixtures.”

Photographers, snacks vendors and commercial cab operators made brisk cash during the event as students flocked to the complex to watch the games.

A student of Chemical Engineering, Precious Omorodion, said it was fun watching lecturers displaying skills on the field. “The event must be sustained to make lecturers look younger and mentally fit for their academic task,” he said.

Meanwhile, occupants of the regular hostels were not happy at the decision of the management mandating them to vacate the hostels to accommodate the sportsmen. They said the directive asking them to leave their hostels came late.

A student said: “I woke up to see a notice mandating students to vacate the Hall 3 because of the games. The circular came late;

•UNIBEN team waving the spectators

they should have told us while school was in session so that we can plan on how we could keep our valuables. I was forced by the porters to move to another block. My room is being occupied by the athletes and I am occupying another room whose occupants have gone for the break.”

Although some athletes expressed displeasure on the condition of the hostels allocated to them, many hailed the management for

the hospitality. One of them from Nassarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), who simply identified himself as Garuba, said: “I have gone round and I am impressed by the facilities here in UNIBEN. The VC deserves commendation. They are doing a good job. I encourage other schools to understudy and duplicate these for smooth organisation of this kind of sporting event.”

•The students with some of the staff after the orientation

Exploring opportunities in information science

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HEY came from various disciplines - science, medicine, agriculture, engineering and others - but their mission is one: to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills in information science needed for the information age.

This is the aim of the new Master’s students of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) at the University of Ibadan (UI).

They were welcomed into the Centre last week at an orientation.

The Director of the Centre, Dr Wole Olatokun, told them that their admission was a golden opportunity to improve their knowledge in Information Science.

He described the Centre as a sea where people come with different types of container to take water.

Some will come with bottles,

Olatokun said, while some will take drums, depending on their need.

The don admonished the students to use the opportunity to broaden their knowledge base, noting that the students are privileged to be admitted from thousands of candidates, who applied to the Centre.

He revealed that one of the successful students had been applying to the Centre since 10 years ago.

T56+he Centre’s immediate past Director, Prof Muta Tiamiyu, urged the students to take advantage of the rapid developments in the Information Technology world. He decried a situation in which young people fail to learn trends in technologies, saying young people must not be reluctant to acquire skills that would help their career.

He said the course outline was thorough, adding that students needed

to show seriousness towards their studies.

President of the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science Students’ Association (ARCISSTA), Towo Adeyemi, enjoined the freshers to pay attention to instructions from both academic and nonacademic staff.

Other lecturers at the Centre took turns to advise and enlighten the students in the areas of registration, students’ welfare, examination and result computation. Also, the students were enlightened on the use of the library and the Information Technology laboratory.

The event afforded the students the opportunity to ask questions affecting them especially on academics. But it was not all talks, as the students took the dance floor after the orientation. Also there

were photo sessions.

Other officials present at the event included the Acting Postgraduate Coordinator, Dr Funmilayo Omotayo, Results Officer, Dr Adeola Opesade, Registration/ Welfare officials, Mrs Folake Longe and Dr Janet Adekanbi, and Examinations Officer, Ms Kemi Ogunsola.

Some of the students spoke on why they chose to take their Master’s in information science.

Believe Gbaruko said he had always wanted to be an engineer in Information Technology (IT) to make meaningful impact in the sector. According to him, he is interested in computer applications and he is hopeful that the degree would develop his abilities.

Also, Oluwafemi Egbodofo, said he was fulfilled being admission into ARCIS, saying: “It is a place I

am meant to be. I love computer and IT; I have always been engulfed in things related to them. I chose ARCIS because of the centre’s reputation in the training of information professionals. I have always wanted a discipline that would spur me to do great things and I believe ARCIS would meet my expectations.”

Kunle Adekoya hopes to explore opportunities in information science and he is confident that his expectations would be met.

ARCIS was established in November 1990 as a Master’s degree programme with the aims to give students a broad knowledge in the foundations of information science and technology. It seeks to equip graduates with relevant skills in the development and management of information systems.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

43

CAMPUS LIFE

Are they medical doctors or murderers?

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By Ezekiel Efeobhokhan

ERHAPS a 300-Level Biochemistry student, identified as John, would not have died if the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) is not on strike. John was allegedly poisoned by a friend at an off-campus hostel. He returned to his hostel in pains, vomiting blood. Immediately, he was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). On getting there, there was no medical personnel to attend to the dying student.

Doctors were on strike, the symphathisers were told. No first aid was administered on him. The poor John was left to writhe in pain.

He was then taken to the university Health Centre. Unfortunately, he gave up the ghost on the way. What a way not to die! What is

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while scores are dying. This is exactly what an illiterate man would do and will be termed a murderer. The so-called elite doctors, under the guise of NMA, are doing the same thing, with full immunity. They are well exercising their right to murder!

Since when did the NMA start passing bylaws for para-medical profession, such as Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) and other health workers association? Are these professions under the NMA? When will these doctors know that lives are more important than any other thing?

They’ve shown gross irresponsibility, fatuous ferocity and crass insolence. Leaving your responsibility as a life saver, all in the guise of helping the patient, you are now sentencing them to their early grave. Has it ever been told where the police force go on industrial action? No matter how corrupt a police force could be, their importance can never be downplayed. They are ‘essential workers’. They know their place.

They said pharmacists should not be called doctors. A pharmacist who graduated with a Bachelor in Pharmacy (Pham B) is not called a doctor, but those with a Pham D would be tagged doctors. They argued that Pham D would bring confusion to the hospital chain of command. Why have we not heard about the confusion in developed countries of the world were Pharm D certificates are also

issued? This is nothing but a mere figment of their lustful imagination, driving them to a catastrophic, embarrassing and disappointing end.

Who are mostly affected by these actions?

The poor. This is simply because most rich people have their personal doctors and can also afford the exorbitant fees of private hospitals owned by these same doctors who are on strike!

I began to ask myself whether our doctors are truly protectors of life as they claim, or merchants of death. I began to ask myself whether this group is humane or just a bunch of greedy wolves in sheep clothing. It’s really disheartening to know that the health and lives of the poor have been sold on the platform of individualism and overblown ego.

Indeed, strikes are anti-medical profession; this is because the ultimate job of the doctor is to care for the sick and save lives, even in its tiniest form. I have painstakingly read the grievances the doctors tendered for the recent strike. They are not just selfish, but a sign of myopic thinking. Let it be known that whatever you have sown, that you shall reap.

Ezekiel, 300-Level Pharmacy, UNIBEN

Let your light shine

CCORDING to Longman Dictionary, light announces the break of the day and the exit of darkness. Light is the energy from the sun; a flame; a lamp that allows you to see things clearly.

A lamp gives light in darkness. One would not light a lamp and put it under the bed; it is supposed to illuminate the room. A lamp needs fuel to keep it burning so that its light won’t go dim or out. Light from a lamp comes as a result of the burning of the thread powered by the fuel.

We all need to put our lights on. Light in this context connotes talent, which is the natural ability to do something well. Talent is in each of us in different measures, sizes, kinds and purposes.

In some, it is the talent of writing, constructive thinking, dancing, engaging in sports activities, creative arts, singing, acting, playing musical instruments. In others, it is the inherent ability to learn fast, lead, speak, counsel, preach the word of God, crack jokes, display vocational skills, and lots more. All these are in us respectively for a purpose, and that which we must fulfill.

We all need to put our talents into proper use for our good and the good of mankind.

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the meaning of wickedness? How else can the brutality of mankind be felt?

Just because of pride and administrative recklessness, innocent lives are being lost.

The President is fighting tooth and nail to end terrorism and Ebola. Now, NMA is pursing another agenda.

It was in grief that I wrote this piece about the ongoing doctors’ strike. If I had not lost a colleague, maybe I would not have given this article a thought.

A philosopher had once advocated death for all men as solution to the mischief they have caused to the world. In his time, corruption was a norm and a way of life. In his own reasoning, he prescribed death as the solution to the trouble he faced.

But it was evident that his solution was synonymous to the cynical attitude of the ostrich who buries his head below the sand in the site of trouble, while its other parts were exposed. This is the part that our Nigerian medical doctors have chosen to plough. The moment they really need their head to think, it is buried!

Doctors, who swore to the Hippocratic Oath to save lives, are the ones snuffing life out of the people through their self-serving strike.

Just at the time the nation needs them the most, the doctors turn their back. Threatened by terrorism and the gruesome Ebola, the medical doctors are sitting in their houses

By Taiwo Adebulu

S the Presidency and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) are at loggerheads over the latter’s October ultimatum to the Federal Government to rescue the over 200 girls abducted over four months agoin Chibok, the Boko Haram insurgents have stepped up the ante in their murderous crusade for the control of the Northeast.

The recent violence is the abduction of over 100 young men in a nocturnal raid at Doron Baga, a village in Borno State. The young men were said to have been abducted to be conscripted.

The government insists that it knows where the girls are being kept but would not do anything to put their lives at risk. Aside that reckless deception, combined with delusions of grandeur, the government seems to be skeptical about embarking on a kamikaze fight for the rescue of the girls.

As it is, the government that is saddled with

Bernard Afanabere in his book, You are Packaged to be Distinguished, puts it: “Unless you discover that you are here on earth for a mission, you will struggle through life without making a difference.” Do not let your talent be idle like a lamp kept under the bed.

What powers you to put your talent into use is, firstly, the passion birthed in you in your place of fellowship with God, accompanied by being disciplined, determined and faithful. In John Mason’s book, An Enemy called Average, he says: “If you choose not to step out and make maximum use of the gifts and talents in your life, you will spend your days on this earth helping others reach their goals”.

History will remember you for executing that which you are good at doing best. See the likes of Usain Bolt (atheletics), Wole Soyinka (writing), Innocent Idibia “2face” (music), Cobhams Asuquo (music producer), Late Nelson Mandela (leadership) and Bright Okpocha “Basketmouth” (comedy) to mention but a few. They have excelled in their field of endeavour.

When your light is on, it shines and attracts people of all kind, the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s on this ground that some would come

to help increase the illumination and others help put off the light. With utmost care, being alert and prayers are the armour to use.

Within you lay the seed of greatness which needs to be exploited. Being destined for greatness requires taking risks and confronting hazards. It might seem rough now or later, but one thing you and I are sure of is that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. My bosom friend would always say: “Never give up”.

Let’s take this illustration for example. Imagine you are a log and those who come to damage you as sandpaper. They will come rubbing on you with the sandpaper, thinking they are making things rough for you. In the end, they (sandpaper) would become worn out and you (the log) turn out to be very smooth.

There is also a need for you to carry extra oil which will enable you journey through to the end, in the capacity of self-development and taking special courses to help develop your mind, body and skills. My course representative back then at the university would always tell us that: “People look for you not because of who you are or your physical make up, but because of the stuff you have to offer” and also “What every potential employer wants in any employee of the 21st century is

rescuing them safely is not willing to bell the cat and make a daring foray into the precipitous path to Sambisa.

In a spontaneous reaction to the abduction of the girls, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign sprang up all over the cities. It was a massive one on the social network. Soon after, the public hysteria fizzled out; the cacophony of voices calling for the girls’ release cascaded into oblivion and the campaign suffered neglect, as the leaders of the campaign were intimidated by security operatives. The flow of the campaign, without a scintilla of doubt, suggest a people that cannot sustain their agitations with patriotic fervour.

The girls are now left in the lurch. No one can tell what fate has befallen them, if at all they’ve not been marked for suicide bombing. Unfortunately, they were caught in the web and travails of a society in the throes of leadership malfunctioning. Thus, the society in which they belong has turned its back on them.

In J.P Clark’s poetic discourse, the hopeless child asked the river bird, “Will mother come back today?” In the Chibok narrative, the mothers are the ones looking for their children. The parents asked the bird, “Will our daughters come back today?” They were offered a posh rendezvous for a banquet hall side exchange, but not without a tantalising mirage. The bird, in its full Ijaw regalia, couldn’t have provided a more pleasing response than the one poeticised in Streamside Exchange.

The parents were chewed out of the presi-

dential villa like a discarded piece of bubble gum, without a glimmer of hope for their daughters, except the reported presidential largesse. Their clamour was, at last, torpedoed in eerie silence and the girls’ souls were sold off by their very own.

Such was the situation Njoroge found himself in pre-colonial Kenya. He was a victim of neglect. The protagonist, in Ngugi Wa Thiongo’s novel, Weep not child, believes he is the Moses sent to lead his country from bondage to freedom. He sees education as the way and strives for it. Njoroge, always a dreamer, a visionary, who consoles himself by a look of better days to come, wakes up rather late from his youthful dreams. The realities of the emergency and horrors of the MauMau has made him realise that life could not be lived in visions.

With the disintegration of the umbilical cord linking his polygamous family, his education ends abruptly. He turns to Mwihaki for love, yet rejected. Njoroge becomes disillusioned when brought face to face with the realities of his society. He opts for suicide, but rescued.

But more telling is the story of a Little Child

by Rapheal Armattoe. The poet intimates the wailing child with the tragedy of life.

Armattoe wrote: “Thy daddy does not mind/ For he was once a child/ And played in forest wild.” Even the once shoeless daddy appears to be mindless of the children’s plight, for his focus is on 2015. Who will come to the rescue of the child?

Nicolas Winton, a British citizen, masterminded the rescue of 669 children on the eve

By Benjamin Idoko not the class of his degree but the quality of his delivery”. The latter quote is not to make you feel so relaxed with your course of study as a student, but it is to encourage you to put in the very best you can in your academics and the sky will be your starting point.

Finally, let your talent shine like a light.

Make others see clearly by transforming the world in that field of yours. Put your talent to work. Let your light shine.

Benjamin just finished from Physics Education, UNIAGRIC Makurdi

Weep not, child

the Second World War, saving them from Nazi concentration camps. He transported them from Czechoslovakia to Britain, in an operation later known as Czech Kindertransport, and arranged for them to have homes.

Wiston kept quiet about his heroic exploit for years, until his wife found the details of the operation in a scrapbook in 1988. He never spoke about his achievement because he believed his actions to be unremarkable and he never craved media hype. That heroic deed earned him the nickname, British Schindler.

On his 105th birthday anniversary a few months ago, he was awarded the Order of the White Lion, Czech Republic’s highest honour, for giving their children “the greatest possible gift: the chance to live and to be free.”

Weep not, child. Take solace in the prayer of the psalmist that the expectations of the poor shall not perish forever. Rejoice greatly, O daughters of Zion; shout, O daughters of Chibok. Behold thy king may come to thee.

Without mincing words, the abducted Chibok girls also deserve the chance to live and to be free. That ‘schindler factor’ is all our government needs to render the greatest possible gift to them. Even in the time of national crisis in the States, George W. Bush, was still proud to say with diplomatic aplomb, “my greatest accomplishment is that I kept the country safe amidst a real danger.”

Taiwo just completed National Youth Service, NYSC IBADAN

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

44

CAMPUS LIFE 30 years after, ex-classmates meet again T

HE first set of graduates of the College of Health Sciences of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has held a re-union, which brought them together years after graduation. The attendees were the class of 1978-1984.

The event, tagged: 30th Year Reunion and Public Lecture, was graced by the first Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Prof Oladipupo Akinkugbe, and his successor, Emeritus Prof Adeoye Adeniyi.

Both were guest speakers at the event.

In his lecture titled: Still too many loose ends to tie, Akinkugbe praised the ViceChancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, and his team for sustaining quality, adding that UNILORIN topped the ranking of Nigerian universities.

He said: “I continue to be very proud of your heritage and pray that you will all continue to fulfill our nation’s highest expectations of playing a major role in creating and sustaining best international practices in the three vital areas of teaching, research and service.”

Prof. Akinkugbe described the 1978-1984 class as outstanding ambassadors of the medical school. He advised the alumni to make their alma mater a good place to learn.

Prof Adeoye described Akinkugbe as the “foundation scholar” of the medi-

From Afis Odeyemi UNIOSUN

cal college. Hailing the alumni for the event, Prof Adeoye said: “Seeing you here today, through the grace of God, we have not failed. I salute you, I thank you, and I am very proud of you.”

Prof Ambali, represented by his deputy on Management Sciences, Prof Yisa Fakunle, said Akinkugbe is a “father of Medicine” in Nigeria, saying his predecessors were academics that pictured what others could not see many years ago. He said the foundation which the duo laid in the university four decades ago was yielding fruits.

The class representative of the 19781984 class, Dr Ebun Bamgboye, a Consultant of Nephrologists and Clinical Director, described their teachers as “pillars that made us into what we are today.” The set donated medical equipment to the UNILORIN Teaching Hospital.

Also at the event was the Deputy VC on Academics, Prof N.Y. Ijaiya, Registrar, Mr Emmanuel Obafemi and Liberian, Dr J.O. Omoniyi, among others.

Deans praise Osun governor for facility

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HE Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) has praised the Governor of Osun State and Visitor to the Osun State University (UNISOUN), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for the institution’s Faculty of Engineering Building.

The committee hailed Aregbesola during a visit to his office in Abere.

The deans appealed to the governor, who has been re-elected last Saturday on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to fast-track the completion and furnishing of the Faculty of Technology Building, noting that the action would be a testimonial that “an engineer governed the state”.

From Abideen Olasupo UNILORIN Responding, Aregbesola thanked the committee for its interest in the state and the university. He stressed that provision of quality education in a conducive environment was one of the cardinal principles of his administrations. He promised to ensure timely completion of the facility, noting that his administration would fund the institution to be centre of excellence in engineering training.

The Dean of Engineering of the UNIOSUN, Prof Jelil Alamu, was part of the committee members that met with the governor.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Freshers at the event

Memorable matric for freshers

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HE matriculation of the Federal University of Agriculture (UNIAGRIC), Makurdi, Benue State have come and gone, but the event would remain indelible in the minds of the freshers inducted into the citadel of learning.

The fresh students rolled out the drums to mark their welcome into the university. Despite the cloudy weather that threatened to rain, the students trooped to the James Ayatse Convocation Square on the main campus to take oath of matriculation.

The occasion lasted for two hours and was attended by parents, guardians and friends of the matriculating students. Clad in academic regalia, the Vice-Chancellor,

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Prof Emmanuel Kucha, led the body of principal officers to the venue.

The Registrar, Mrs C.C. Ohemu, presented the students before the management and administered the oath on them.

Prof Kucha, in his address, urged the freshers not to misuse the opportunity offered them through their admission, stressing that the management would support their aspiration to get a degree. He warned them against joining unregistered associations, noting that such may cut short their stay on the campus.

He promised to prioritise matters

affecting their welfare. According to him, 5,868 students were admitted into various departments of the institution.

A 100-Level Crops and Environmental Science student, Peter Ioma expressed gratitude to God for his admission, having failed two times to get admitted into the school.

Helen Ada of the Department of Statistics and Computer Science said her success in the entrance examination excited her parents, who attended the ceremony.

However, there was no merriment for the students on the campus as authorities placed ban on such because of commotion that attended such events in the past.

Don preaches skills acquisition

OR Nigeria to overcome the challenges of sustainable development and growth, there is need for review of curriculum of tertiary institutions, which must emphasise skills acquisition. This was the submission of Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University in Imota, Lagos.

The VC made the suggestion at a conference of School of Business and Management Studies, Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

He was the lead speaker at the conference with the theme: Sustainability of political, economic and educational systems in developing countries.

I

From Damsa Ahangba UNIAGRIC MAKURDI

By Kunle Akinrinade Olukoju said: “The curriculum of formal institutions needs a strong element of skills acquisition and vocational training. For those of us in tertiary institutions, the relevant questions to answer at this juncture are: should tertiary institutions provide general knowledge or specialist training? What should universities, polytechnics and colleges of education be doing? To what extent do we maintain academic standards and remain globally competitive? I wish to suggest that a holistic curriculum is required to at this stage of our national development.

“We need to produce graduates of tertiary institutions who can work with their hands and think on their feet. Ultimately, we should make our education sector more directly relevant to the needs of the economy and society. Entrepreneurial education and vocational training should form the backbone of the curricula.”

Olukoju urged students to avoid demanding grades from lecturers, saying they should instead submit themselves to quality peer review.

He added: “Students should engage in skilled jobs and as well face their studies because skill acquisition and academics qualification produce better output as a graduate.”

Hoodlums attack students during protest

T was a peaceful demonstration by students of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) in AgoIwoye, Ogun State, last Thursday.

But as the protesters moved to the Ogun State Government House in Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, the capital city, it turned violent.

A group of hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protest, resulting in a free-for-all. The students, led by their union president, Olusegun Ifade, were going to the government house in buses to protest hike in tuition fee.

The OOU students alleged that the buses in which they were riding came under attack by students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) in Abeokuta. Some were injured in the ensuing melee and valuables, including phones were lost.

Emmanuel Agboola, president of the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, and Omolade Oluwasola, a 200-Level Psychology student, sustained severe injuries.

They were taken to Idiaba Hospital. Riot policemen later moved to

From Sanya Boluwatife OOU the scene to restore peace.

On Friday, students took to the street as early as 6:30am, causing gridlock on major roads, such as Oke Ilewo, Kuto and Ibara. Police dispersed the protesters, whisking away 20 students among who was Seliat Oginbiyi, Vice President of the Students’ Union.

The Police Public Relation Officer, Ogun State Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the riot policemen acted to prevent break down of law and order.

The government had earlier announced the reduction in fee, which it said would be implemented next session. But students rejected it, saying the reduction must start in the current session.

The Commissioner for Education Segun Oduubela tried, in vain, to pacify the students, who later converged on the governor’s office. The protesters demanded to Governor

•One of the injured students

Ibikunle Amosun.

The governor later came out to address the students. He condemned the students’ action to disrupt the traffic, saying the protester should have employed decorum in expressing their views. He said his government remained student-friendly, pleading with the students to give him seven days to review the reduction.

Olusegun urged students not to pay the fee until the government responds on when the reduction would start.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

VC decries non-patronage of research findings

ACE FILE

I.D. cards, a must

- IBB lauds varsity for keeping name intact

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HE Vice-Chancellor, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, Prof Ibrahim Kolo, has blamed the stunt in the country’s economic growth on non-patronage of research findings churned out by the universities.

He accused development agencies of not putting the findings to use.

Kolo, who spoke while opening the institution’s third inaugural lecture delivered by Olusegun Olorunsanya, a professor of Animal Production, said academics and researchers have become discouraged about conducting research that is not put to use.

The vice chancellor lamented that several research produced by universities had perished over the years for lack of patronage by the concerned sectors of the Nigeria economy.

“Ours is to make the research, we

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

make available our findings and it is left for the development agencies to put the research findings into use. These agencies are being contacted accordingly to sell our knowledge to them for them to buy into the package of knowledge we have,” he said.

Kolo pointed out that despite several contacts, such agencies were yet to express interest in the university’s research findings adding: “you know Nigeria is such a difficult country unlike other places where you see agencies putting research findings to use.”

In the lecture titled: Meat for belly, belly for meat, Prof Olorunsanya allayed the fears of the audience about eating meat because of the threat posed by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He noted that domestic animals do not carry the virus and urged people not to

avoid eating them.

To forestall frequent clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers, he recommended that government at various levels should establish adequate grazing reserves to allow for the raising of more animals for meat.

Olorunsanya also stressed the need to upgrade local animals with exotic breeds through artificial insemination to optimise animal production in the country.

Meanwhile, the former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, has praised the management of the university for academic feats it has recorded within its short time of existence and for promoting the image of the university.

Speaking when he received Prof Kolo and other principal officers on the occasion of his 73rd birthday, Babangida said: “I am happy and proud of the good things that you are doing and how you have

• Prof Kolo

positively portrayed my name within and outside the country”.

He promised to support the university.

During the visit, the VC conferred on him the institution’s Grand Honorary Fellowship award and expressed gratitude to him for allowing the university to use his name and also for his financial and moral support.

Kolo attested that Babangida’s name hads opened several doors for the university.

He assured the former military leader that the university will continue to maintain high standards in education of students in the provision of manpower to Niger State and the country.

OAU reopens

S • A cross section of the matriculating students

LAUTECH sets guidelines against Ebola - 5,281 freshers matriculate

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HE Vice-Chancellor, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Prof Adeniyi Gbadegesin, has released prevention guidelines to new students to check the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), which has so far killed four Nigerians.

While addressing the 5,281 matriculating students last Thursday, Gbadegesin told them that the university’s health centre would run 24-hour service to assist students and other members of the community in case of emergency.

He advised them to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus as they go about their academic and co-curricula activities both on campus and in their residential hostels.

Prof Gbadegessin urged students to maintain personal hygiene, particularly hand washing and avoid bodily contact with infected people.

“In addition, you are to keep listening to the radio and other media for you to receive instructions from accredited health organisations,” he said.

Gbadegesin also warned the students to steer clear of negative political activities as the 2015 elections draw nearer, saying they should always remember that their primary assignment in the university is academic pursuit.

A total of 5,281 students were admitted into various faculties of the institution for undergraduate studies for the 2013/2014 session.

The VC told them that 10, 609 candidates applied to the institution out of which they were selected.

Gbadegesin advised them to be

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

committed to the oath they signed, warning that any breach of the oath would not be tolerated.

He particularly warned against joining or participating in secret cult activities, stressing that the institution has zero tolerance for such.

TUDENTS of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife are to resume on Sunday to complete the Harmattan (second) semester of the 2013/2014 academic session.

The university was shut on June 18 following a protest by students over school fees hike.

In a statement the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, noted that the Senate of the University met last Friday to announce the re-opening of the university.

Lectures are to start Monday.

The release warned on the students to face their studies and avoid causing trouble that may truncate the re-adjusted academic calendar.

• General Manager, Operations, Deepwater Nigeria, Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited (EEPNL), Mr Oladotun Isiaka (middle) with the recipients of the NNPC/EEPNL International Postgraduate Scholarship award, Oluwadamilola Soyoye (left) and Emmanuel Dibiagwu, during the 2014/2015 awards presentation in Lagos.

THE Management of Adeyemi College of Education (ACE), Ondo has cautioned students to refrain from not wearing their lanyards and identity cards while on campus.

In a circular issued by the office of the Dean, Student Affairs, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olarinoye, the students were reminded that not wearing the identity card runs contrary to the rule and regulations of the college.

“The wearing of lanyard and identity cards by all students is compulsory as it makes it easy to identify our students in the College,” it said.

The circular also stated that wearing lanyard without the identity card is unacceptable and warned that students caught flouting the rule would face disciplinary action.

Support for Rotary Club THE Rotary Club of Ondo, ACE chapter, is to receive support from the management for its activities.

The Acting Provost of the College, Dr. Olufemi Olajuyigbe, made the promise at a meeting with the executives and board of directors of the club in the college, led by its President, Mrs. Justina Ogboru.

Mrs. Ogboru told Olajuyigbe and other principal officers that the club funds humanitarian projects through personal donations, partnerships, and the Rotary Foundation.

Olajuyigbe said he was optimistic that the club would positively impact the college.

He, however, urged its members to publicise its activities in order to swell its membership base within the college.

Other principal officers at the meeting included the Registrar, Mr. Felix Aderinboye; Librarian, Dr. Rotimi Egunjobi, Bursar, Mr. Ganiyu Abdul; and the Dean, Student Affairs, Mr. Olasunkanmi Olarinoye.

Four students suspended FOUR students of the Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti have been suspended for flouting the rules and regulations of the institution.

They were suspended for gross misconduct. Three were suspended for one semester, while one will be gone for two semesters.

Daniel Sanmabo (FPA/ME/11/30008, Mechanical Engineering), O.D. Babalola (FPA/AC/11/30033, Accounting); and F.A. Akinyosoye (FPA/BF/11/3-0011, Banking and Finance) will be gone for one semester; while C.A.Kayode (FPA/BT/11/3-0033, Building Technology) will be suspended for two semesters.

The punitive measures took effect from the first semester of the 2013/2014 academic session.

Peace has returned to college, says provost

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HE acting Provost, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu (FCAI), Dr Felix Anuebunwa, has attributed the peace in the college to his efforts to resolve the issues that caused crisis and insecurity for some years.

Before his appointment in March last year, The Nation learnt that the college was shut for months due to conflict between the former provost and various unions in the institution over payment of allowances.

There were also allegations that indigenes of the community were

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

favoured for employment in the college over non-indigenes as against the quota system used in other federal government owned institutions.

But the community in showing solidarity to the former provost, who is their kinsman, barricaded the school, leading to closure of the school for months.

The situation led to the removal of the former provost and his subsequent replacement with Dr.

Anuebunwa in acting capacity.

Anuebuwa said there was disillusionment among management staff and other cadre of workers; projects were abandoned; student population was low (about 300); livestock, poultry, fisheries, cassava farms were moribund; the college had no master plan, and many departments were awaiting accreditation/ re-accreditation.

When he was appointed acting provost in March 22 last year, Anuebunwa said he set up several committees comprising workers

and members of the host community, which resolved differences among parties. He added that regular parleys he initiated with community leaders, and operating an open-door policy in running the college, went a long way to assuage hurt feelings.

Other problems were: poor Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); delisting of the college from the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP); illegal bank accounts; ghost workers and acute water problem.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

46

CAMPUS LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS

AAUA FILE

VC praises SSANU Cooperative THE Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, (AAUA) Ondo State, Nigeria, Prof. Femi Mimiko, has praised the leadership of the institution’s Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, (SSANU) Cooperative Multipurpose Society (CMS), for providing governance to the society.

He spoke at the inauguration of SSANU CMS building.

Mimiko, who turned the sod of the building, said: ”I really appreciate you for the great effort you have put into building this beautiful structure. The leadership of the society promised to deliver in six months’ time, but we are inaugurating the building in less than five months. I will like to salute the leadership of the society and vision that went into this building. This is simply beautiful and I am proud of you.”

Mimiko urged SSANU leadership to always be proactive by adding values to their members.

He said: “When we have opportunity to lead our unions, the focus should not be how to wrestle down management or authority. It should be how to add value to what we have.

Unionism is also something that may be proactive. We can chart a new course. We can think out new ideas. We can dream dreams.

Unionism that is still operating at the level of mere agitation is living behind time. Unionism must be able to come out with creative things like this new facility.”

Alumni inaugurates sub-committees THE Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) , Ondo State Alumni Association interim Working Committee, Akure chapter, has inaugurated three sub-committees..

They were inaugurated at the second meeting of the association at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Press Centre, Akure.

The committees are: mobilisation and publicity, fundraising and charter drafting.

The association interim chairman, Mr. Wunmi Ajayi, urged the committees to live up to expectation.

A statement by the association’s interim Public Relations Officer, Mr. Shola Ilesanmi, said the next meeting would hold on Saturday, August 30.

APPROACHING DEADLINES BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN’S SCHOLARSHIP FOR MASTERS STUDENTS AT BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY IN UK, 2015 Bournemouth University is inviting applications for Business School Scholarships to pursue taught master programme starting in January 2015. Students resident in Colombia, Taiwan, Turkey, Nigeria at the time of application who are classified as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes are eligible to apply for the 50% award. Students resident in China, India, South Korea at the time of application who are classified as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes are eligible to apply for the 25% award. The application deadline is 18th November 2014 for January VER 800 students of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Otto/ Ijanikin (AOCOED) participated in the college entrepreneurship development exhibition, last week.

The students, who are in 200 Level, displayed various items at the CECADEP Annex, venue of the exercise, wooing prospective customers to patronise their wares.

Some of the items on display included clothings, cosmetics, hair and body creams, beads and other fashion accessories. There were derivatives from coconut, sport mattress, artworks, baskets, mats, beads, various local soaps, palm oil and shoe polish.

The exercise, which started eight years ago, forms part of the institution’s objectives at empowering their students and making them self reliant upon graduation.

According to two key lecturers handling the course, Layiwola Lateef and Olawole Isiaka, students are beginning to believe more in themselves with respect to self empowerment.

“It (entrepreneurship programme) has brought about attitudinal change among the students towards appreciating entrepreneurship education,” Lateef said.

He continued: “It has also made them tap on their innate creativity.

Some of them didn’t realise they can create something from their talent until this programme started.”

The students, he said, were made to choose any vocation that interests them, while the centre helps them to perfect their various skills in addition to teaching them on how to repackage their products to have consumers’ appeal.

“They (students) brought in products, which they decided to do. So an

2015 entry.

Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded to study within the Business School at Bournemouth University.

Course Level: Scholarships are available for pursuing masters degree at Bournemouth University.

Scholarship Provider: Bournemouth University, UK Scholarship can be taken at: UK Accreditation: Bournemouth University is an accredited university.

Bournemouth University is accredited by the University Alliance ACU. Eligibility: -Students resident in Colombia, Taiwan, Turkey, Nigeria at the time of application who are classified as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes are eligible to apply for the 50% award.

-Students resident in China, India, South Korea at the time of applica-

T

will get 25% fee reduction.

Selection Criteria: An outstanding academic profile, relevant to your course, as follows: Upper second-class honours (2i) classification plus personal statement as in the scholarship application form.

Notification: Successful applicants will normally be informed within one month of the deadline. Your award will not be formally approved until you hold an unconditional firm offer.

How to Apply: Applicants should apply by post. You can apply at the same time or after you have submitted your course application form.

Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 18th November 2014 for January 2015 entry.

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•One of the student-exhibitors displaying his wares at the event.

AOCOED Entrepreneurship Centre showcases talents • We have recorded enormous successes

By Adegunle Olugbamila

avenue such as this (exhibition) gives them a platform for competition, marketing and negotiation as well as customers’ acceptance of their products,” Lateef said.

The duo are, therefore, appealing to the college management for more time as entrepreneurship teaching, which comes up once in a week, now appears more time consuming. They are also pleading to have a more befitting centre for the programme.

“The teaching only comes up once

IAUE gets new Deputy Vice Chancellor

HE Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State, has appointed Prof. Joseph Barineka Kinanee as its new Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Barineka, who will be in-chare of Academics, teaches at the

tion who are classified as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes are eligible to apply for the 25% award.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Students of Colombia, Taiwan, Turkey, Nigeria, China, India and South Korea can apply for these Business School Scholarships.

Scholarship Description: This scholarship is offered to students who have applied to study a full-time Taught Masters at the Business School on BU campus.

Number of award(s): Up to 3 scholarships of 50% reduction and 4 scholarships of 25% reduction will be awarded.

Duration of award(s): Not known What does it cover? Students from Colombia, Taiwan, Turkey, Nigeria will get 50% fee reduction and from China, India, South Korea

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

institution’s Department of Education Psychology, Guidance and Counselling.

Until his appointment, he was Director, School of Basic Studies at St.

John’s campus of the university.

In a statement, the school management said Barineka’ appointment takes immediate effect.

Barineka succeeds Prof.

Lawanson Agbani Briggs, who served for four years.

in a week. It is actually more theoretical in content, but along the line, we fashioned practical into it, which now makes the whole exercise more demanding and time consuming,” Isiaka said.

The duo, while thanking the management for its continued support, called on the government to support entrepreneurship education in colleges of education nationwide.

“It is so sad that there is no special funding or grants for entrepreneurship education in colleges of education nationwide. We strongly feel there is need for a direct intervention impact from National Council of Colleges of Education (NCCE) and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) because what we are doing has a multiplier effect,” the duo said.

Teacher education, they added, is

Quality medicine govt’s concern, says don

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• Vice-Chancellor Institut Des Etudes Professionnelles Superierures (Littoral University), Prof Ayeni Oyebode; (2nd left); his counterpart from Covenant University, Otta, Ogun State Prof Charles K. Ayo(2nd right); and ILEPS Registrar Mr Kayode Ezekiel Ayeni (left); CU Registrar Dr Olumiyiwa Oludayo (right) and CU Head, Legal Team, Mrs Ebe Oni (middle) during the sighning of MoU by both universities at the CU Senate Council Chamber.

pivotal to addressing Nigeria’s empowerment programme. “As teachers, we train them every year, therefore neglecting teacher education especially in the area of self empowerment, may spell doom for the country,” they argued.

Lateef explained that the achievement recorded by the centre cannot be separated from the college.

“As the college aims to be one of the best three nationwide and a world class teacher education institution globally, this entrepreneurship centre dreams to be a model that other colleges will emulate.

“Here, we align our objectives with that of the college. What we started eight years ago is already yielding fruits. Many of our students are already into one enterprise or the other and the various reports we receive encourage us to want to do better,” Lateef said.

HE government has been urged to step up efforts in providing quality medicine to their citizens.

This, according to a professor of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Nelson Ochekpe, will assist health officials in delivering quality services to patients.

Ochekpe, who lectures at the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Jos, said provisions of quality medicine should be a concern of governments, health officials as well as patients.

Delivering an inaugural lecture tagged: “Quality of medicine: Everyone a stakeholders?”, Ochekpe advised the Federal Government to come up with rules and regulations that will control the produc-

From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

tion and distribution of drugs.

He also called for proper administration of the drugs to patients by health officials as well as good use of the drugs by patients.

Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, said his government would continue to support the University to excel in its academic performance.

He said: “Despite the fact that I am not a professional in the field, but by listening to the lecture it means we have qualified lecturers in University of Jos.” The university, he said, has produced qualified graduates that are doing well, producing qualified leaders that would not fail the state and the country.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

47

EDUCATION Copyright Commission seizes pirated books

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PERATIVES of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), have confiscated about 250,000 copies of pirated books in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital.

The books, worth about N10 million, were seized during a raid on some bookshops in the Mile 1, Rumuigbo and Rumuokoro areas of Port Harcourt.

The Commission, it was learnt, swung into action following petitions it received from some publishers in the country alleging that their books were been pirated and sold in Port Harcourt and Aba, Abia State.

During the raid, two bookshop owners suspected to be dealers in pirated books were arrested, while others took to their heels on sighting the operatives.

One of those arrested said he was unaware that the books supplied to him were pirated, while the other who denied selling pirated books, claimed his stock was di-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

rectly from the publishers.

However, he was unable to produce his receipt for the purchase when asked to do so.

NCC Director of Enforcement, Austin Amadu, said six areas in Port Harcourt were marked as major spots where pirated books are sold.

“We have seized works worth N9million to N10 million, and we have gone to shops that are selling pirated works up to five, six or seven shops,” Amadu said.

He warned book dealers to desist from selling pirated books because it was a criminal act. According to him, such fraudulent act deprives authors and publishers of rewards from their intellectual works.

“The NCC is warning those who engage in this illicit business to desist from it henceforth. We will come heavily on those that have engaged in piracy,” he said.

‘Sound education catalyst for development’

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GUN State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Olusegun Odubela has observed that education is essential to national development and remained the best legacy any government can bequeath to its citizens.

He spoke at the Prof Ebenezer Otesile Annual Debate and Quiz competition for secondary schools in Ogun State at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State.

In a paper, titled: ‘Qualitative and affordable education: Essential for national development’, Odubela noted that the quality of education given to the people would determine the level of development of the nation as well as the behaviour of the citizens.

The commissioner, who was represented by the ministry’s Director, Education Inspectorate Service and Teachers Development, Mr. Johnson Odeyemi, lauded the initiative of the Association of Veterinary Medicine Students (AVMS), College of Veterinary Medicine, FUNAAB and the pioneer Dean of the College for organising the programme.

He said it was in tandem with government’s vision for primary, secondary and technical education, to completely overhaul its curriculum to empower students

•From right: Mr. Irete Anetor, Public Relations Manager StarTimes, Beloved Chuks Udoh, essay winner and pupil of Divine Steps College, Lagos; Mr. Okpata Daniel, essay winner and student of Landmark University; Ifeoluwa Awodesu, essay winner and pupil of Light House International School Lagos and Michael Lestat, Head Business Development, RWells Media Limited during the prize presentation to winners of StarTimes Digital Migration and Me in Lagos.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

not only in the cognitive, but also in the affective and psychomotor domains.

The initiator of the competition, Prof. Otesile, said the competition aims at educating secondary school pupils about the veterinary profession, familiarise them with the university system and motivate them to achieve their aspirations for life.

He charged them to believe in themselves, work hard and pray for God to crown their efforts with success.

Sacred Heart College, Ibara, emerged first, while Adeline Ogunlade Memorial School, Obantoko and Focus International School, Sagamu, won second and third positions.

Counselling ‘can solve Maths failure’

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HE Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED), has recommended counselling to address pupils’ phobia for mathematics.

The group also suggested enlightenment campaigns in allaying the fear of the subject and sciences.

Its President, Mrs. Osiki Francis, told reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the association’s national coordinating committee (NCC) meeting, that there is no reason to fear the subjects.

“Fear already defeats the individual even before he confronts the problem. That is why self defeatist attitude should be addressed through counseling. We need public enlightenment campaigns. Information is key to allaying fear of mathematics and sciences,” she said.

WITED’s call follows mass failure in mathematics in the West African Senior Schoor Certificate Examination released by West African Examination Council (WAEC) last week.

On the challenges facing women

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

taking up mathematics and technical education courses, Francis said: “The challenges varied. It could be socio-cultural. There are some places where women are to be seen and not heard. They just have to be in the kitchen, but that concept is changing. Although, fundamentally, our place is in the kitchen; another is religious factor and so on.”

WITED, she said, was borne out of the desire to encourage girl child, who have the God-given flair to appreciate mathematics, science and technical courses.

Said she: “For meaningful national development, the female folks that constitute about half of the population of Nigeria should not be left behind.

“Government can encourage girl child to take up mathematics and technical courses by giving scholarships and awards to those excelling in these subjects. Besides, science laboratories should be well equipped, science and mathemat-

‘Illiteracy responsible for Nigeria’s problems’

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ACK of education has been identified as major factor responsible for Nigeria’s multifaceted problems.

Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko spoke in Sokoto when he was confered with the Excellence Award in the Advancement of Primary Education in Nigeria by the Association of Primary Schools Headmasters of Nigeria.

According to him, the most plau-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

sible solution to the country’s myriad of problems is education.

The governor expressed his administration’s determination to carry the education sector in the state to the highest level.

“This is part of our obligation and the oath of office, and not to win an award.

“We will continue to do our best to address the needs of the elec-

•Pupils of Dawah Nursery and Primary School, Jakande Estate, Isolo, Lagos during their graduation. With them is their teacher, Muinat Agboola.

torate in all aspects of human endeavour,” the governor, said.

He assured that the state government will continue to provide the conducive atmosphere for effective teaching and learning in schools at all levels.

Wamakko, a former headmaster, said he would forever relish the memory. He urged members of the association and those of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state to restore the usage of good lesson plans, log and time books, as well as scheme of work.

“You must also cultivate a cordial relationship between the schools and the parents, as this impacts positively on the administration of the schools.

“This will invariably lead to the realisation of our goals and further move the state forward,” Wamakko, said.

The association national president, Alhaji Lawal Mahmud, praised Wamakko for making his administration ‘Teacher-friendly’.

He appealed for the disbursement of vehicle loans to teachers and the provision of a vehicle for the state’s chapter of the association, among others.

Mahmud commended the state government for recently disbursing N200 million as loans to primary school teachers in the state.

“We are following your commitment to the upliftment of education in the state especially your foresight in establishing a state university with modern facilities as well as other colleges across the state,” he said.

ics teachers should also be encouraged, because when they are happy they will be at their best in their works and the students will do well.

“Parents’ roles cannot be overemphasised. They are the starting point of the life of the child. Parents should be enlightened as they have the right attitude to the girl child in pursing these subject areas.

“Women, who have the ability, are being encouraged to come on board. There should be no force, no coercion. It is those that fit into the programme that are encouraged to come on board.

“Our approach is to go to the primary and secondary schools to sensitise the girl child that she should have no phobia for courses such as mathematics, sciences and engineering. The grassroot is our first target, from there we will move to the traditional rulers, who are the custodians of culture, to pass the message to their subjects and allay fears of mathematics and technical subjects.”

US Consulate begins summer reading in Lagos

By Ibrahim Yusuff

THE United State ConsulateGeneral, Barack Obama American Corner, in conjunction with Ovie Brume Foundation, have commenced its annual summer reading programme for primary school pupils within the ages of six to 12 in Lagos The three-week event aimed at increasing the reading culture of the pupils, started on Monday at the Obama American Corner, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Mrs Marlore Brown, who represented the U S Consulate, said the programme was meant to encourage pupils to read and learn during their holiday period.

Her words: “The summer reading programme is designed for children ages six to 12 to encourage them to read, learn and have fun during the summer holiday that children are out of the school. The events of programme will include reading, writing and activities like Spelling Bee and other games so that the children will not only increase their reading ability, but also have fun during their holiday.”

Speaking with The Nation, the Coordinator, Barrack Obama American Corner, Mrs Lois Ekeleme urged pupils to maximise their holiday period to improve on their reading skills rather than spending it on frivolities.

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

EDUCATION

Benin power Co. to train Elizade varsity students T HE Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has entered into a partnership with the Elizade University to train its students on Power Engineering.

Managing Director of BEDC, Funke Osibodu, who made this known to journalists, said the partnership would allow the students “to understand the reality on ground” while they are still in school.

She said such practical exposure to realities in the work place would benefit the students when the firm considers recruiting people.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

“Every year, we are open to their engineering students coming in during their vacation for internship. By the time they would be graduating the students might have spent eight months learning the practical aspects of their courses. We also have the chance to know them. It is easier for such people to get jobs through that process,” she said.

Mrs Osibodu added that the firm would also run courses in collaboration with the university, located in Ilara-Mokin in Ondo State, to

provide training for its workers.

“The second aspect is that we are jointly setting up certain curriculum. We have it at three levels – there is the beginners, basic, intermediate and executive levels.

The location of the Elizade University makes it easy for us to run three-month training programme for our staff. We will make use of their lecturers and some of our staff. We have gone far. We will be having 30 engineers and 35 lines men that will be running three weeks training. It is the process of getting to retrain ourselves.”

•Mrs Lesi (left) watches as the girls learn programming.

Technology camp inspires teenage girls

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ITH exposure to blogging, programming, mobile application development, and other useful skills, 30 secondary school pupils, graduated from a twoweek camp organised by the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) last Saturday empowered to make productive use of Information Technology.

The girls, from JSS2-SS2, showcased some of what they learnt to their parents and guests at Saturday’s closing ceremony held at Laureates College, Mafoluku.

Apart from IT, they learnt video production/editing, photography, art and craft, and went on field trips to General Electric (GE) and Main One, Lekki in the course of the camp.

At Main One, they had the opportunity to see the equipment that bear internet from offshore into Nigeria, while at GE, they had an exciting time learning about web design, HTML, blogging, and being mentored by GE Women about career opportunities in IT, blogging, and others.

After an exciting display that impressed the parents, prizes were awarded to girls who distinguished themselves during the camp. The overall prize for academic excellence and behaviour went to Sekinah Oziohu-Ibrahim, a pupil of Zamani College, Kaduna.

In her remarks, Mrs Rotola Ogunye, IT Leader at GE, told the girls there was no limit to what they could do. She urged them to continue to study engineering, mathematics and the science and be the best in the subjects.

She told The Nation in an interview that GE supported the camp because of its belief in investing in people.

“This is our second year doing

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

W.TEC. We had the girls for two days and they worked with G.E. women who mentored them and taught them blogging, programming and counseled them on careers.

“Women are a big part of what we do. We are a technology company and part of our strategy is to develop talents around us. It is a good opportunity for us to impact our community. It is something we are really passionate about,” she said.

Mrs Funke Opeke, Founder of Main One praised the camp for encouraging girls to embrace information technology.

“I am an engineer and women are underrepresented in engineering career. It is important to have more women in engineering and they need to know it also makes for a great career.

Women are a big part of what we do.

We are a technology company and part of our strategy is to develop talents around us. It is a good opportunity for us to impact our community. It is something we are really passionate about

“The girls visited our operating office and were able to see where internet comes into the country from offshore and many other operations.

This kind of programme exposes young women to Information Technology, opportunities in ICT and helps them build skills even though they do not have to read engineering,” she said.

Many of the parents were impressed with the programme and poured encomium on the Executive Director of W.TEC, Mrs Oreoluwa Lesi and her crew.

Mrs Lesi said the camp, which is in its seventh edition, has evolved from teaching pupils how to use technology to teaching them to create technology.

“In terms of our curriculum, it is always evolving. This year we did a lot of technology creation – not just learning how to use computers but also creating things. They created websites, mobile applications, animations, short films; they learnt to program so they could create games using scratch. So they learnt to use technology to create technology,” she said.

She added that W.TEC has started working with some schools to transfer these skills for a longer duration of training so the pupils can better master them.

Speaking of gains of the camp, Sekinah said she learnt a lot and found her career path.

“At first it was kind of weird because many of the girls were not in my age group. But with time I connected with them and I was really inspired by them. We were always working in teams. I found what I was looking for here. I actually had a problem with career choice but now I know I want to become a corporate lawyer,” she said.

EDUTALK

with

Download craze

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HAT we are an information-hungry people is not in doubt. We consume information from abroad as much as we import physical goods and services. The average internet user visits the Google search engine looking for all kinds of information. During the salt-can-cure-Ebola hype, a friend said her mother told her she believed salt and hot water bath worked because she got the piece of news from Google.

I am a regular consumer of Google goods. I use it to search

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

for news items, websites, past articles, photographs, definitions, scholarly articles, in fact, anything new. However, in my years of consuming internet goods, I get frustrated about not finding enough local content.

When expecting a baby two years ago, I supplemented any information I got from my doctors and the pregnancy books I read with what was said about the topic online. I subscribed to a foreign website (www.babycenter.com) which sent me weekly newsletters about my developing baby. I got my baby layette list, tips on nutrition, pregnancy complications, and even labour online. I joined the online forum for mothers with the same birth month as my baby but could not contribute because all the experiences were foreign. I only read posts by others to learn what I could.

While most of the information I get online help (note: I search for credible sources and crosscheck whatever information I get), it does not always meet my needs because most of the sites are foreign. I find myself wishing there could be Nigerian versions of the websites prescribing authentic local solutions to our problems. Just like there are not enough textbooks at the tertiary level written by Nigerians, we do not have enough content covering all areas of endeavours in our country online. Many times, sadly, the sources of what should be local information are foreign. It seems the only area that Nigerians are active online is on the social media.

While many Nigerian websites exist, they are either shallow or never up to date – except for few corporate websites. You visit some sites and still find news that was relevant two to three years ago.

Recently, I sought information about a particular local government online. I found the web page of the local government and got a phone number I could call for further enquiries. When I called, the lady on the other end of the line said she had left the local government for over a year. But her phone number is still online.

I get seriously irked by downloads reproduced by our national dailies, particularly when they deal with health and nutrition or recipes. When I read recipes that list such ingredients as broccoli, kale, and others that the average Nigerian cannot get in the market, or when a writer advises that some not readily available fruits like strawberries are rich in some nutrients, I wonder why we have to be such copycats.

In academic circles, the issue of foreign/local content imbalance is also a big problem. Many of our tertiary institutions have websites with outdated news or links that lead nowhere. How else do they want to progress on the ranking table of the best universities in the world when they cannot maintain up-to-date websites? Part of the criterion used to rank institutions is web visibility. The amount of research work placed online, published in reputable journals and cited by others give institutions visibility. If the research works are not available online, how would they be visible? It is so bad that when conducting academic research, many times students do not find very good local researchers to cite in their research work because our academics do not post their research work online. This lack of local content affects us much more than we can comprehend.

It is not very good that many of the good textbooks used to teach are by foreign authors. No matter how good they may be, they lack the local perspective, which is what we need to understand topics clearly.

I am looking forward to when the Nigerian versions of useful websites such as babycenter.com; when books by Nigerian authors, robust websites maintained by federal government agencies that provide rich and timely information, and all kinds of authentic local content on our culture, heritage, languages, technology, food, clothes, whatever, would be common place so that Nigerians can access genuine and timely information to meet various needs. More importantly, we would be contributing to world knowledge and move from being an information-consumer nation to information creators.

‘It is not very good that many of the good textbooks used to teach are by foreign authors. No matter how good they may be, they lack the local perspective, which is what we need to understand topics clearly. I am looking forward to when the Nigerian versions of useful websites such as babycenter.com; when books by Nigerian authors, robust websites maintained by federal government agencies...can access genuine and timely information to meet various needs’

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

51

SHOWBIZ

Group honours Ngozi Ezeonu with traditional title

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N spite of the dearth of Igbo language films, the leadership of the Igbo Film Forum (IFF) has continued to celebrate Nigerian movie stars of Igbo extraction.

Founder of the group, Harris Chuma, said, in a statement, that his organisation had named notable Nollywood actress Ngozi Ezeonu as recipient of the chieftaincy title of Ezenwanyi Ndigbo Na Nollywood (Queen mother of practitioners of Igbo stock in Nollywood).

Chuma noted that the choice of Ezeonu, who trained as a journalist at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), was informed by her immense contributions in the propagation, promotion and projection of Igbo culture as well as her dedication to duty,” adding that this will be the second time the actress would be so honoured, the first being in 2011, when she was conferred withthe title of ‘Igbo Cultural Ambassador’ by the ‘Igbo Bu Igbo Cultural Movement World Wide’. ‘‘It took us four years of critical search and short-listing before the leadership of IFF and ONN (Ohanaeze Ndigbo Nollywood)

By Emmanuel Udodinma

settled for the delectable screen goddess and veteran actress Ngozi Ezeonu,’’ Chuma said.

He also disclosed that the actress would be presented with her staff of office at the forthcoming Igbo Film Festival scheduled for August 27, at Nelrose Hotel, Asaba, Delta State.

He said his group celebrates Igbo men and women who have been proactive in the promotion of their culture and language, using Nollywood as a veritable medium.

It will be recalled that foremost filmmaker, Amaka Igwe, died shooting an Igbo TV drama. The project was one of the proactive measures imployed by the late Igwe to resuscitate entertainment through Igbo language.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has projected that the Igbo language will become extinct by 2025, if nothing is done urgently to arrest the language attrition.

Feyikemi Niyi Olayinka plans Yoruba lessons for kids

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N her bid to support the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) endangered languages programme, actress and broadcaster, Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka, has announced a Yoruba summer programme for children.

UNESCO had estimated that, if nothing is done, half of 6000 plus languages spoken today will disappear by the end of this century.

Feyikemi’s effort follows a similar bid by ace cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, whose film, Arugba, among others, is used as advocacy tool of safeguarding the Yoruba language and culture.

By Dupe Ayinla

According to NiyiOlayinka, who is targeting children between ages three and 11 for the summer programme, the w e e k - l o n g programme will commence on Monday, August 25 and end on Friday, August 29, at Agidingbi Primary School, Agidingbi, I k e j a , Lagos, f r o m 10am to 1 p m daily.

“There are lots of ‘edutainment’ activities awaiting your children. Parents, please encourage your children to speak in their mother tongue,” the actress posted on her Facebook page.

She disclosed that the Yoruba language class is one of the activities of her not-for-profit organisation called Awa Egbe Akomolede (Mothers Support M o t h e r Tongue), which was inaugurated in May. First

Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, was among the guests present at the inauguration.

“I thank God for my father and mother. You don’t know what motherhood entails until you become a mother. I remember how my mother used to speak to me in idioms and proverbs. That is how we learnt much of the wisdom and native intelligence that keep us going now. But nowadays, many mothers no more speak Yoruba to their children, let alone use proverbs to help sharpen their intelligence. However, we shall be focusing on this during the programme,” she said.

D’banj meets Bobby Shiver to ‘fight’ for Africa

N

IGERIAN pop star, D’banj, who was recently at the African Leaders Summit in Washington DC, has reportedly journeyed to California to meet with one of his mentors, Bobby Shiver.

It is, thus, becoming clearer by the day that the sensational recording artiste is not only re-inventing his music but also making a strong impact in Africa and the world in general, as he is vigorously pursuing the One Campaign, a ‘fight’ for Africa.

Bobby Shriver, an activist, attorney, journalist and a member of the Kennedy Family who lives in Santa Monica California, is one of the eminent personalities around the world that D’banj has met with since his involvement in the struggle.

D’banj’s preference for Shiver as a mentor is premised on his sterling achievements. Shiver once served as Mayor in the Santa Monica City Council; an investor of the professional basket ball team, The Baltimore Orioles, and expresident of RSS (his initials), a Beverly Hills California Music, Film & Philanthropic Company.

Shiver also produced the

Del-York wraps up Train-The-Trainer programme

DAWN signs MOU with Yoruba Movie Academy Awards

T

HE Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the organiser and executive producer of Yoruba Movie Academy Awards (YMAA), Mr. Tunde Oshinibosi, aka Laface.

The agreement, according to Laface, “is geared towards the actualisation and continued development of the Yoruba Movie Academy Awards and the Yoruba movie industry in general.”

The historic event took place at the corporate office of the DAWN Commission at Cocoa House, Dugbe, Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday, July 31.

Laface described the Awards scheme as a viable socio-economic and regional integration project with strong emotional connect to the development of the Yoruba race.

The maiden edition of the awards took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State in 2010 ,while the 2013 edition held in Ibadan, Oyo State, amidst glamour, style and panache.

“YMAA has further enhanced its popularity with the overwhelming support and endorsements from the Yoruba movie industry’s practitioners, distinguished Yoruba sons and daughters and stakeholders across board,” said

Laface.

He said the vision of YMAA is far-reaching and will become the biggest and most glamorous in Africa and the Diaspora in the next three years. “This is in furtherance of the efforts to creating an all-encompassing Yoruba film festival, the first of its kind in the world,” he revealed.

In his remark on the occasion, Laface expressed gratitude to the Director- General, DAWN Commission, Mr. Dipo Famakinwa, and his team for their tremendous endeavours in the socio-economic development and regional integration of Western Nigeria. He also thanked movie enthusiasts, practitioners, stakeholders and the general public for their overwhelming support for Yoruba Movie Academy Awards and the Yoruba movie industry.

All set for Mega 3 Expo

E

Exhibition Gurus are set to hit the city of Lagos with a three-in-one exhibition tagged Mega 3 Expo between October 10 and 12 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island.

The Mega 3 Expo, according to the wedding exhibition organisers, is a combination of beauty, wedding and wine exhibitions.

According to the organisers, the event is geared towards bringing the best in the three segments together to interact, connect, sell and provide more business opportunities.

Akin Eso, CEO, Exhibition Guru,

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasukanmi

said: “The Mega 3 Expo is our own way of creating more opportunities for people in wedding, beauty and wine industries. The exhibition is for them to take their businesses beyond where they are now and sell to a crowd of over 200, 000 people at TBS.” Exhibition Guru, he said, is the brain behind Wed Expo that has come to stake a place in fashion, wedding and event industry. “Wed Expo, over the years, has provided a veritable platform for business people in the wedding-related business. The

exhibition has attracted over 30,000 crowd,” Eso added.

Last year, Wed Expo took things a notch higher by organising a wedding reality show, My Big Nigerian Wedding (MBNW), where intending couples can participate and win a dream N15 million wedding.

The winner of the last edition, Yemisi Aiyedun, who is a popular blogger, is currently on MBNW sponsoredhoneymoon in Dubai.

It is also another way of giving back to lucky customers who attend the Lagos and Abuja editions.

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasukanmi

prime-time TV feature about Special Olympics for physically-challenged young people founded by his mother in 1968, which went on to raise USD 55 million for the programme.

He produced several films, including “True Lies” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (Arnold was once married to Bobby’s sister) and founded DATA (Debt, AIDS,Trade in Africa) alongside U2 lead singer, Bono.

Interestingly, as the CEO, DATA, in 2004, became one of the founding organisation of the One Campaign in which D’banj is heavily involved.

In 2006, Bobby and Bono also co-founded product RED, a brand licensing company that raises money for the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

By Ovwe Medeme

F

OLLOWING four weeks of intensive film-making workshop held at the Digital Bridge Institute, Oshodi, Lagos, Del-York Creative Academy recently graduated another set of aspiring actors, filmmakers and movie industry practitioners.

According to the management of the Academy, a total of 75 participants benefited from the annual film and television workshop organised by Linus Idahosa and his wife, actress Stephanie Okereke.

The Filmmaking class reportedly had 25 students, while the Production Design class had 14 students.

Two students registered for Screen Writing, while the Cinematography and Editing classes attracted 18 students respectively. “ The workshop is tar-

geted at those whose creative products we are already familiar with,” Idahosa said.

He added that the faculty from New York included Wendelyn Slipakoff (Costume and set design); Jamal S p e a k e s (Cinematography); Sara (Make up); Grant Housley (Filmmaking); Ryan Gibson (Screen Writing) and Evon Barros (Editing, Graphics and Special Effects).

Called Train-the-trainer, 12 outstanding students from the first and second editions of the Del-York Creative Academy Workshop in 2010 and 2012 were also selected to function as teachers’ assistants with two attached to each lecturer.

The Head of Students’Affairs, Del-York Creative Academy, Jide Johnson, said: “The ability to adapt to an environment and use that environment to design is paramount.”

He added that production techniques in filmmaking were taught through wellstructured courses, which include producing, directing, acting, digital filmmaking, broadcast journalism, set designs, costume design and make-up, 3D animation, graphics and special effects.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

D

O you know that you can improve on your sight by taking colourful fruits?

An iridologist, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, said fruits such as cashew nut, avocado fruit and pepper fruit (mmimi in Igbo), as well as guava, carrot and honey are very appropriate for eye health.

According to him, problems can be kept at bay eating guava because it contains vitamin A. Similarly, vitamins found in the vegetable can help promote overall eye health.

He said food rich in carotenoids can likewise help to improve people’s sight.

Moreover, carotenoids are the colourful plants that produce vitamin A, adding that they are powerful antioxidants, which are beneficial to the eyes.

Ezebgige said herbal and nutritional therapies can provide support treatment for the management of eye disorders, adding: “Vitamins, such as, vitamins A, B complex, B2, C and E play different important but important roles in addressing various eye problems.

“People can use a balanced multimineral supplementation to go with eye treatment,” he said, stressing that “additional zinc supplementation, in some cases, might be necessary sometime”.

Naturopaths, he said, have been using Aloe vera gel for ages to ease eye pressure, adding: “When the gel is applied to eyes it stops irritations and ensures bright eyes”.

He said traditional eye doctors have used extract of bitter kola seed as eye drops to reduce intraocular pressure in patient living with glaucoma.

“Moringa oleifera leaf tea also nourishes the eyes and the brain, Euphrasia officinalis (eyebright) herbal tea which can be taken internally as well as utilised in preparing various eye wash, Bilberry herb and so

Eat colourful fruits, get good sight

•Carrot

•Avocado

•Guava Stories by Wale Adepoju

many others,” Ezengige said.

He said the eye was a special organ of vision which every individual should protect.

Ezengige said poor eating habits,

•Cashew nuts

aside from congenital defects, is a major cause of bad or poor vision.

He advised expectant mothers to eat colourful fruits always because it will impart positively on their babies.

The iridologist urged parents to

‘Evidence-based traditional medicine‘ll cure hepatitis’

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ANY people are dying from hepatitis B and C without knowing what to do.

But, Chairman, Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (RITAM), Otunba Olajuwon Okubena, said there is no cause for alarm as hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver, can be treated with traditional medicine.

According to him, “Many of the deadly diseases which have defied orthodox solutions can be taken care of using traditional medicine.”

Hepatitis problem, he said, has assumed a big dimension, which is why the World Health Organisation (WHO) has set aside a day every year to commemorate it.

“The condition can be self-limiting or can progress to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer,” he said.

Quoting Wikipedia, he said, the World Hepatitis Day (WHD) aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. The day, he said, is to encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Hepatitis, he said, affects many people across the world, causing acute and chronic disease and killing close to 1.4 million people every year.

He said about 500 million people worldwide are living with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C. “If left untreated and unmanaged, hepatitis B or C can lead to advanced

liver scarring (cirrhosis) and other complications, including liver cancer or liver failure,” he said.

Okubena said people should worry about hepatitis than contracting AIDS, saying 1.5 million people across the world die from either hepatitis B or C faster than they would from HIV and AIDS. He said many research works have been done on the disease, especially to determine its epidemiology, transmission and diagnostic investigations, as well as complications and control.

He said it is clear that there is no known cure for the disease, adding that traditional medicine can come to the rescue of people troubled by hepatitis.

“Although, still going through verification, a herbal drug known as Hepacare has been found to be helpful,” he said.

He said formal clinical trials is being considered in collaboration with secondary health facility in Minna, Niger State, adding that the cost of investigation is stumbling block because it is high and the trials have to be suspended.

He said the product is already gaining acceptance, adding that a professor of virology at the Lagos State University (LASUTH) did some sort of investigation with a team of scientists.

He said the scientist’s conclusion on

caution their children from spending longer hours watching television, especially at a very close range because it can damage their eyes.

This, he said, was why some children often require corrective or contact eye glasses as a result of shortsightedness

they are experiencing.

He recommended eye rolling as a form of exercise to ease pressure to the eyes, stressing that many people do not know that exercise can actually be carried out on the eyes.

Natural immune boosters

E

•Okubena

the preparation is a source of encouragement as he described the product as very efficacious, adding that the results have since been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

The product, he said, was beneficial in the prevention of CCl4-induced hepatocellular injury, possibly by scavenging reactive free radicals, and boosting endogenous antioxidant systems.

He urged the Federal Government to do more about traditional medicine in line with the directives of the WHO and the African Union (AU).

Many countries, Okubena said, have implemented the directives but unfortunately, the National Assembly has not even passed the law that would establish the legal framework.

ATING a variety of colourful vegetables is just one easy (and delicious!) way to naturally strengthen your immune system. Infections are as inevitable as death and taxes. You spend your first years catching colds, influenza and strep throat. You sniffle, scratch, cough, vomit, ache, sweat and shiver.

Your immune system remembers the microbes it has encountered and protects you the next go around. At the other end of life, your immune system wearies from years of fighting. In that great expanse of active, productive life in between, you still get colds and flus and “stomach bugs.”

You may wonder why you are sick more or less often than your partner, co-workers and neighbours. You may wonder why one person hacking on the airplane successfully sickens the passenger to his right but not the one to his left. The answer is that not all immune systems function alike. A number of factors affect immune system health. Some you can’t control: The very young and the very old are vulnerable. Surgery and wounds give microbes a chance to sneak into the inner sanctum.

Other risks include chronic disease, poverty, stress, living with lots of other people (dormitories, low-income housing), and drinking tap water (with its local microbes) in many foreign countries. Fortunately, there are ways you can strengthen your immune system.

Malnutrition impairs immune function. French fries, soft drinks and bourbon don’t build strong white blood cells either. No, it’s those virtuous, self-righteous diets high in fruits, vegetables and nuts that promote immune health, presumably because they’re rich in nutrients the immune system requires. Adequate protein intake is also important; the source can be plant or animal.

One substance to avoid is simple sugar. Brigitte Mars, herbalist and author of The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicines, notes that sugary foods and juices impair immune function; research bears her out.

If you’re a new mother, breast milk provides essential nutrients and immune system components to your developing child. Compared with formula-fed babies, those nourished at the breast have fewer serious infections.

Stress Less: When you’re stressed, your adrenal glands churn out epinephrine (aka, adrenaline) and cortisol. While acute stress pumps up the immune system, grinding long-term duress taxes it. For instance, psychological stress raises the risk for the common cold and other viruses. Less often, chronic stress can promote a hyper-reactive immune system and aggravate conditions such as allergies, asthma and autoimmune disease.

•Culled from: www.motherearthnews.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

54

NATURAL HEALTH

Some natural ammunition against Ebola Virus fever (3)

T

HE fear of Ebola Virus is still sweeping through Nigeria, and in the drive to contain the virus, the unimaginable may happen. A vaccine untested on animals and, after, small group of humans, may be exploded on an entire population.

Let’s not forget that the vaccine will be nothing but weak Ebola Viruses.

The parents of my generation enthusiastically surrendered us their children to smallpox vaccination. And, now, about 60 years after, we are being told by authorities no less than medical doctors that this could be the cause of the explosion of cancer of all sorts worldwide. Today, I wish to present an alternative view to the one-way medical traffic about how we can get out of the Ebola rot. It is a material opinion, not a spiritual beacon, which will follow.

As this column explained in the last two series, this question is all about the IMMUNE SYSTEM and the RIGHT DIET and HERBS to maintain it.

The alternative view to the groundswell today comes from Dr. Robert O. Young, author of THE pH MIRACLE, which I was privileged to review in THE COMET newspaper for several weeks a few years ago. He shows that the body should be alkaline at 7.4pH on a 0-14 pH scale, where anything below 7 is acidic and above 7 alkaline. Over to Dr. Robert Young.

Ebola – Another Round For The Propaganda Matrix Don’t Be fooled Yet Again.

Every few years, just like clockwork, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and The World Health Organisation (WHO) conspire on a new global threat to scare the living daylights out of people. Both organisations will spread lies of unfathomable magnitude in an attempt to disrupt and instill fear to ultimately exert control and obtain compliance on populations. They’ve done it before with the flu and they’re doing it again with Ebola.

Look no further back than 2009 during the flu pandemic hype, and we have the perfect example of a fabricated international orchestration of deception designed to get billions hooked on the fear bandwagon so that Big Pharma could sell millions of antivirals and vaccines for a flu that was no more dangerous than the common cold.

Manipulating data, promoting falsehoods, continually misinforming the public and using all forms of media to publicise “a deceptive plan”, are all effective strategies currently deployed to extend a massive psychological operation to world populations.

The orchestrators of pandemics have historically used the same tactics to achieve their goals. Incrementalism plays a large part in priming the populace for vaccination programmes so that administering them becomes a voluntary process rather than forced. The incremental approach gradually integrates all demographic and psychographic factors such as age, set, family, size, language, culture, education, job responsibilities, geography, religion, and how every company, product and service could affect response. It is inclusive of all scenarios that could detrimentally affect the operation. By experimenting through the decades, the orchestrators have learned the best psychological tactics through trial and error.

Using junk science to promote fear

Both of WHO and CDC claim that by employing their monitoring standards on outbreaks from different parts of the world, they are able to obtain sufficient information to make tentative conclusions about how the epidemics may evolve in the coming months.

Much of their clever phrasing is convincing enough to conceal the fact that all their disease policies on response and preparation recommendations are based on pure speculation and junk science.

The reporting that Ebola is spreading faster in Africa than efforts to control it is based on substantial misinformation. In particular, late last week it was announced that two Americans who had been infected with Ebola were going to be flown back to the US, specifically to Emory University, for treatment, a development that ramped up the fear engine within the media (and the alternative media) about the Ebola virus to even greater heights. One of the problems is that officials will not collect data on the spread of Ebola based on accurate systematic lab confirmation since they will use unreliable methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The end point results of conventional PCR are not very precise and end point detection has a very short dynamic range with little chance of detecting the differences between dead or live microorganisms.

The CDC is testing all suspected Ebola patients through this method.

The PCR method WILL NOT identify if a person is infected with Ebola at contagious levels. Finding trace amounts of Ebola through this method usually means little yet this is how they identify and report to the media that a person is infected.

They will only refer to “confirmed cases” and do not distinguish between confirmed and non-confirmed case. It would appear that the “non-confirmed” cases are categorised as confirmed cases and the numbers are then used by the CDC to prove that the disease is spreading when it isn’t.

Also, suggesting that the human immune system is incapable of addressing Ebola without chemical assistance is also a complete lie. During the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918, more than 80 percent of the people treated with allopathic drugs died. Yet, 80 percent of the people who took natural remedies survived. For example, the seeds of the African bitter kola tree have properties that can kill the Ebola virus. Also coffee, fermented soy, homeopathic spider venom and Vitamin C, may all hold promise as antiEbola virus therapies, despite the common belief that nothing can stop this lethal virus from spreading uncontrollably worldwide.

Squashing the innate abilities of human immune system to heal and promoting chemicals is simply another attempt to propagate the need for vaccines. A Canadian pharmaceutical company called Tekmira has been at work for the past few years on an Ebola treatment called TKM-Ebola. Disease like Ebola often have difficulty attracting investment, as pharmaceutical companies rarely see a large payday in tackling a disease that has rare outbreaks and affects a low-income area of the world.

But TKM-Ebola has attracted the interest of the government. The Defense Department awarded it a contract for $140 million in 2010, after the vaccine proved completely effective in treating non-human primates in chimps. The government’s interest in vaccinating against Ebola is largely rooted in preventing bioterrorism attacks, where the disease could be used a weapon.

How does Ebola become a deadly infection and why vaccines are not the answer?

There can be no doubt that Ebola is a dangerous and frightening disease and even though it can kill about 90 percent of its victims, it would not in the developed world, largely because of two factors.

The first is the person’s health in general - his or her immune system and ability to bounce back from a viral infection. The second is the type of exposure he or she got. Recovery may be more likely if it wasn’t a severe exposure – meaning, perhaps they were exposed to someone who was early on in the illness, and the amount of virus in the bodily fluids was not yet that high. A 90 percent kill rate would be near impossible in any developed nation.

Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, M.D., the associate hospital epidemiologist at Bostom Medical Centre and director of Infection Control at Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Disease Laboratories says that in addition to what is known about Ebola, it requires a known marker on the surface of human cells themselves, which it uses to gain entry into the cell. Researchers have found in a laboratory setting that some people’s cell lines actually lack this marker, or it may be mutated somehow, so that the Ebola can’t get into the cells.

However, Ebola research is still very much in its infancy, and knowledge about how the virus behaves is still evolving, preventing and curing it. The most important consideration is that no infection including highly lethal one like Ebola occurs in a vacuum. Psychological, biological, environmental and sociopolitical factors all determine the incidence, spread and virulence of viral infections.

In a widely shared onion article from a few days ago, scientists “announced” that an Ebola vaccine was still 50 white people away.

This was a job at pharmaceutical companies, who, cynics think, will only set their R&D wheels in motion if there’s money on the horizon.

There are several strains of Ebola. The current strain is ZEBOV, or Zaire virus, but there are also Sudan and Cote d’lvoire versions. It would be impossible to design a vaccine that would work against all of them. Vaccines have an established record of failure in fastmoving epidemics. Donald Allegra, chair of infection control at Newton Medical Center in New Jersey, remembers trying to halt the advance of measles in a Cambodian refugee camp in the 1970s.

“We vaccinated 10,000 kids, but didn’t have an effect on the outbreak, “he said. “Vaccines and acute outbreaks don’t work very well together”.

Unlike cells, the Ebola virus cannot use its genetic material by itself. Living matter reproduces and passes on genetic material as a blueprint for growth and subsequent reproduction. However, the Ebola virus like other viruses needs a living cell in order to function and reproduce; otherwise it’s just playing dead. It can’t divide by binary fission like bacteria. A vaccine facilitates the virus and provides an optimal environment to host cells where it is then forced to expend all of its energy and resources to help the virus replicate and make hundreds of more viruses. It does this through unchecked immune suppression which affects T-cells. Vaccination provides the gateway to allow natural immunity to fail and allow this process to a greater extent by suppressing cellular.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of Ebola is to help the body’s immune system create an effective response to the virus.

Ebola does appear to be a uniquely pathogenic virus to which the human body has yet adequate time to properly adapt, and therefore it is instructive to point other potential natural therapies that have been studied in the past: •Garcinia Kola: (Bitter Kola) As reported in 1999, extracts from the seeds of this traditional African medicinal herb were found to”….inhibit this virus (Ebola) in cell culture at non-toxic concentrations.”

•Vitamin C: According to the late Dr. Robert Cathcart, MD, who had extensive experience treating deadly infections with high dose vitamin C, “the Ebola virus kills by way of free radicals which can be neutralised by massive doses of sodium ascorbate intravenously.

“Indeed, Ebola virus disease – as is the case with viral hemorrhagic disease in general – resembles features of acute scurvy, and vitamin C is well known to have a broad range of benefits, including immune-boosting and antiviral properties, with an incredibly high safety margin.

•Homeopathic interventions: A study published in 1999 explored the therapeutic potential of a homeopathic preparation of the sixeyed spider venom (Sicarius) at treating symptoms associated with Ebola virus infection.

•Estradiol: A 2013 analysis, titled “ A systematic screen of FDAapproved drugs for inhibitors of biological treat agents, “ found that estradiol exhibited anti-Ebola virus activity in vitro, indicating the relevance of hormonal factors and perhaps gender in susceptibility to the disease – as well as a possible therapeutic role for estradiol if future clinical research confirms bears these findings out.

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

There are a wide range of natural compounds that have yet to be evaluated for their direct anti-Ebola activity and/or immune boosting properties, and that may be highly relevant to the goal of immunity. The poor, weak cell usually bursts like an overinflated balloon from all the viruses and is destroyed in the process. Then, the replicated virus attached itself to a new, unaffected host cell, and the viral infection continues. Vaccination will never solve the Ebola puzzle.

Adenovirus vaccines, which have been used in Liberia, Guinea can have serious adverse reaction. Should any population confide in vaccination for the Ebola virus, they would cause an untold number of deaths.

Why Ebola and why now? And why all the drama?

An African nurse vaccinated a child against a fungus called pneumococcus. Pneumococcus fungus is a biological transformation of what used to be a healthy plant, animal or human cell. This fungus is said to be responsible for over 60 percent of all childhood deaths in Africa. I would suggest that the increase in this fungal condition is directly related to the water, food, sanitation and hygiene of the child.

Bacteria, yeast, fungi, mold and their waste products - viruses, are born in us and from us as a consequence of an acidic lifestyle and diet.

All infectious disease at home or in Africa is born within the body from the acidic waste products of diet, metabolism, respiration and the environment which are NOT properly eliminated through the four channels of elimination. When acidic waste products are NOT circulated and eliminated through urination, defecation, perspiration or respiration they are distributed out to the connective and fatty tissues. When this happens you set the stage for ALL sickness and disease.

All viruses are non-living entities and because they are liquid or gas they can penetrate the cell membrane damaging and destroying the DNA. These non-living entities are ALL the acidic waste products from diet, metabolism, respiration, environment and the biological transformations or evolutions of healthy cells into bacteria, yeast and mold that produce acidic waste products. These acidic waste products are called exotoxins, endotoxins, and mycotoxins.

The creation of pneumococcus or fungi is the result of acidic build build-up in the tissues, organs or glands and the biological transformation of once healthy body cells into bacteria, fungi and then mold. Just like food in your refrigerator goes from healthy to moldy.

Don’t you know you don’t get old, you mold. So should we vaccinate our food or the human body so it won’t go moldy? O-wait they are already doing this to our food and children!

The germs of the air can only contribute to a sickness or disease but it cannot cause a sickness or disease. Seeds grow perfectly well in soil but throw them on concrete and they will not grow. It is all about the environment - the internal environment. And there is only one sickness and one disease! That one sickness and one disease is the overacidification of the blood and then tissues due to an inverted or acidic way of living, eating and thinking. One last example, I call this example the ‘Love Boat’ metaphor. So what happens on a cruise ship like the ‘Love Boat’ – Over-eating acidic food, over-drinking acidic drinks, lack of restful sleep, lack of exercise, over exposure to chemicals in the food, drinking water, shower water and swimming pool water. People get constipated. They become dehydrated. They stop eliminating their waste products. So, people get sick on the ‘Love Boat’ because of their lifestyle and dietary choices and NOT because of some phantom virus like Ebola or fungi like pneumococcus. And the interesting thing is NOT everyone gets sick. Only those who stop eliminating their acidic waste products get sick. This condition of sickness is NOT caused by some phantom virus that selectively picked on YOU! IT is ALL about circulation, elimination and maintaining the delicate alkaline pH of the body fluids.

Germs and viruses are symptoms of acidic living, eating and thinking. They do NOT cause disease they are the result of acidic build-up in the tissues, organs and glands because of poor circulation and elimination. Sickness and disease is the body in preservation mode trying to rid itself of toxic acidic waste products and restore its natural healthy alkaline state before it quickly dies. As Claude Bernard, a 20th century medical doctor and research scientist, stated, “the germ is NOTHING the TERRIAN is everything.

The healthy and natural approach to preventing and/or reversing any sickness or disease condition is to maintain the alkaline design of the body with an alkaline lifestyle and diet. True immunity is then achieved by maintaining the delicate alkaline pH of the blood, tissues, organs and glands through good hygiene, clean alkaline water, green alkaline fruit, vegetables, and sprouts, cold-pressed polyunsaturated oils, daily exercise, low stress, and restful sleep.

So, why Ebola and why Now? That is a question for each of us to answer. I know the answer! What do you say?

And what about giving vaccines for a phantom virus?

What about the use of antibiotics used by conventional medicine for killing bacteria NOT fungi or mold or virus/acid?

And, finally what are the ingredients of these vaccines?

Are they safe?

What is their long term effect of the vaccine?

Is Africa the testing ground for drugs/vaccines?

To learn more about pH Miracle Living pHorever read the pH Miracle, revised and updatedwww.phmiracle.com or www.phmiraclebooks.com I would also suggest reading ‘Sick and Tired’ and ‘A Second thought about Viruses, Vaccines and the HIV/AIDS Hypothesis’. Finally, pick up Professor Peter Duesberg’s book on ‘Inventing the AIDS Virus’. He also talks about the inventing of Ebola, Hep C, SARS, West Nile Virus and other phantom viruses..

PS – The picture below of the so-called Ebola is Not a Ebola Virus, it is a parasite. NO ONE has ever isolated the Ebola Virus – NO ONE!!!!!! Ebola is a phantom virus. This scientific fraud started in 1983 with the invention of the AIDS Virus. PLEASE read Dr. Duesberg’s book inventing the AIDS Virus’ and NOW the EBOLA Virus!!!

Education NOT Medication!

Education NOT Vaccination!

Education NOT Radiation!

Prevention NOT Intervention!

Health Care NOT Sick Care!

YoungaCare NOT ObamaCare!

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

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THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

NATIONAL CONFERENCE The National Conference has ended its deliberation and adopted its resolutions. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the implications of the resolutions on the democratic process.

Controversy over conference resolutions A

FTER the brouhaha over a proposed draft constitution, the National Conference, which kicked off on March 17, 2014, ended last week on a conciliatory note. Delegates adopted the conference recommendations , in spite of the initial disagreement between the northern and southern delegates.

The Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd), managed to diffuse the crisis by mobilising zonal conference leaders to take a position on the controversial draft constitution.

To calm frayed nerves, a minor amendment was effected on the third volume of the conference report. The word “draft constitution” was replaced with “resolutions of the conference as draft amendments to 1999 Constitution.” The two sides actually reached a compromise.

Northern delegates had threatened to withdraw from the conference, if their southern counterparts insisted on the alleged draft constitution. They said it was a ploy to legitimise the alleged third term agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan. The North also back pedalled on its demand that the resolutions should be reversed. Delegates from the North had argued that all decisions taken, if not reversed, would worsen the plight of the region.

The conference approved 19 out of 20 committee reports. The Committee on Derivation and Resource Control could not agree on the way forward, as members held divergent views on the matter. The report was the only one stepped down, because the controversy could not be resolved. The conferees advised President Jonathan to set up a technical committee to handle the issue.

A political scientist, Dr. Friday Ibok, expressed disappointment over the failure of the conferees to address derivation and resource control. He noted that the contentious issue had been settled by the 1960 Independence and 1963 Republican constitutions. He said the two constitutions specifically provided that the federating units should control their economic activities and finances, keep 50 per cent of all revenues and contribute 50 per cent to the Federation Account. They stated that 30 per cent should be shared among the regions, leaving 20 per cent to the Federal Government.

Ibok said the law was changed in 1969 by the military administration when the crude oil from the Niger Delta became the mainstay of the economy. The change was effected by military fiat. According to him, the Southsouth has called for a return to true fiscal federalism, as was the case when cocoa, rubber, groundnut and cotton were the mainstay of the economy.

“Their demand was based on principle of equity, justice and fairness,” he added.

A member of the Devolution of Power and Resource Control Committee, Senator Anthony Adefuye, disagreed with Ibok’s position. He said the committee’s recommendation that the status quo be maintained on the 13 per cent derivation was because the affected states would be involved in the development of their mineral deposits.

Adefuye said: “If we are to take a critical look at the figure, the Southsouth is benefitting enough, even at the 13 per cent derivation. Doing otherwise will be detrimental to some of the non-oil producing states, which will be getting less.”

Reflecting on the logjam another delegate, Professor Auwalu Yadudu from Kano State, argued that the North was opposed to an upward review of derivation from 13 to 18 per cent because it is not in the interest of the country.

Yadudu, a Professor of Law, said: “When you are negotiating, you must negotiate in good faith; you must carry everybody along in the whole process of negotiating, not only on derivation, but also on many other issues. The negotiation on derivation was not done in good faith because, if you are building a consensus on issues, you must be sure that you have carried everybody along. What we thought was a consensus was what Professor Gambari read,

pave the way for the establishment of state police. He noted that the two sections give exclusive control of the police to the Federal Government. Ekweremadu said the police should be transferred from Item 45 of Part 1 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution to the Concurrent List to allow states to operate a policing system under approved guidelines.

• Prof. Akinyemi and Justice Kutigi at the conference.

‘The two sides actually reached a compromise. Northern delegates had threatened to withdraw from the conference, if their southern counterparts insisted on the alleged draft constitution. They said it was a ploy to legitimise the alleged third term agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’ which others faulted. If they could find fault with what was read -- and I have a draft of it, which was the basis of what he read - if they bring something else, the groups are entitled to say this is not what was agreed on.

“The lack of good faith was evident in the sense that you re-wrote an agreement in the absence of other members of the committee and then, you went about getting signatures of people you are working with; everybody has signed except you. You do not do negotiations that way.”

But, the conference made some far-reaching recommendations in the following areas: local government reform, creation of new states, state police, government sponsorship of pilgrims, rotational presidency/governorship, independent candidate and revenue sharing formula.

Local government The conference resolved that functions of the local governments as contained in Schedule 4 of the 1999 Constitution should be transferred to the states, subject to the power of the Houses of Assembly to add or reduce their functions. Nevertheless, Northern delegates are uncomfortable with this resolution that the local government administration should be transferred from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List. A lawyer, Mr. Ike Onyeama, said the conference decision was in line with true federalism.

Onyeama explained that it is absurd that local governments are viewed as part of the federating units in the 1999 Constitution. He said it is against the spirit of true federalism.

The conference recommended that state governments should decide on what type of local government it wants for the people under its jurisdiction. In fact, it also recommended that states have the right to create local governments.

The lawyer said the contradiction within the system is a legacy of the military rule. It was the practice of the military to create local governments and even states. The military went on a frenzy of proliferating the local governments, and even took on itself the burden of its funding, just as it was funding the states from the Federation Account.

The military passed on this legacy in 1999, to

the civilian government.

Creation of new states The conference approved the creation of 19 additional states, with the Southeast getting four more states. Three states each were recommended for the five geo-political zones. The conference predicated its decision on the assumption that it would bring government nearer to the people and accelerate development. But, Ibok disagreed with the logic. He said what they could have done was to recommend the merger of some states because many of them are not viable. His words: “What most of the states do is to collect monthly revenue allocation from the Federation Account to pay salaries of workers. Some have backlog of salaries to clear. How do you expect such states to carry out developmental projects? The best thing is to return to the 12-state structure introduced by the Gowon Administration. Proliferation of states is counter-productive. It is ridiculous to hear that the delegates have settled themselves by creating as many as 19 states in a fell swoop.”

But, Onyeama viewed it from a different perspective. He said people have the right to demand for new states. The lawyer said: “In democracy, you can’t stop people from asking for creation of new states. He said the 36-state structure is lopsided. The North has 19 and the South 17. Each zone has six states, except the Southeast, which has only five states. The National Conference proposal to create additional 19 states has addressed the imbalance”.

State police The conference resolved that states, which can afford it, should establish their police. This was the practice before the advent of the military in 1966. Local police existed side by side with the federal police. A retired Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, said that local police would perform better than the current centralised police structure. He noted that security cannot be considered in isolation, adding that it should be viewed as part of the overall framework of governance. The ex-police chief said the ball is in the court of the National Assembly to provide the framework for the establishment of state police.

Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu shared this view. He called for the amendment of Sections 214 and 215 of the constitution to

Sponsorship of pilgrims It was resolved that the Federal Government should no longer sponsor pilgrims and that pilgrims’ welfare board should only be allowed in states that want it. The conference decision was underscored by the secularity of the state. A traditionalist, Chief Fatunde Fayemi, queried the recognition of two religions when the constitution says there is no official religion. He said all tiers of government are guilty of discrimination against adherents of traditional religion. “The decision to stop government from sponsoring pilgrims should not be restricted to the Federal Government. It should be extended to the state and local governments as well, he added.

An Islamic scholar Sheikh Mustapha Daud, is in support of the resolution. He noted that, in the First Republic, regional governments were responsible for pilgrimage. He recalled that the first Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board was established by, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo when he was the Premier of Western later, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, set up Pilgrims Board for the North.

Rotational presidency/governorship The conference also recommended the rotation of the presidency between the North and the South and among the six geo-political zones. Similarly, it endorsed the rotation of the governorship among the senatorial districts. Ibok said the rotation of public offices should not be a constitutional matter. Already, it has become a norm in politics, although it was not written in the constitution of political parties in the country. The political scientist said making it a constitutional issue will create the impression that the country is sacrificing merit and competence for trivialities.

Onyeama agreed. He said the rotation of public offices should not be with the submission entrenched in the constitution. According to the lawyer, Nigerians should stop seeing themselves as northerners or southerners, Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa or Kanuri. “In electing people into public office, we should consider competence and the antecedents of the aspirants,” he argued, adding that it was the zoning of political offices that has brought NIgeria to where it is today. “I don’t care if the President and the Vice President come from the North or South, so far they can deliver the goods,” he added.

But, Ibok said the conference decision may have been informed by the monopolisation of the highest office by a section of the country. He noted that the North had ruled for almost 40 years, compared to the South’s 15 years. The rotation, he said, will ensure equity and fairness among Nigerians.

Independent candidate The conference equally made a case for independent candidates to stand for elective offices. Analysts say the proposal, if accepted, would deepen democracy. They said allowing independent candidates to contest election will broaden the choice option and enable more politicians to participate in the electoral process.

Onyeama observed that there are many Nigerians who have better ideas on how to govern the country, but cannot come out because they do not belong to any political party. If the constitution permits independent candidates, people may consider the ability to perform, rather than voting on party basis, he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2014

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POLITICS Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe is a former deputy governor of Abia State. He will complete his second term in the Senate next year. The governorship aspirant spoke with reporters in Lagos on his ambition, zoning, the challenges that will face Governor Theodore Orji’s successor and other partisan issues. EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

My plan for Abia, by Abaribe W

HAT are the problems the next governor of Abia State will inherit from the out-going governor?

Let me say that the challenges of development is the same in every state.

In Abia, you will have to confront underdevelopment, massive unemployment, infrastructure that is not up at par with what you need for a 21st century economy, and of course, the education, health, environment and agriculture.

Basically, the biggest challenge has to do with the young men and women, who are coming out of schools without job. First, we will need to deal with how to produce people that are functional. Abia can provide the manpower in the iger Delta. We think that as a matter of policy, you must be able to move people away from the grammar school literary type education to the technical based education.

Secondly, you will also have to be able to retrain those who are already in different sectors in Abia, who cannot fit into the new ICT economy. That is part of the PDP manifesto. There are jobs, but you do not have the requisite trained people for those jobs and when you don’t have it, what the oil and gas people do is to import from outside.

So, that’s why you find that, if you go to most of the industries in the Niger Delta region, you see a whole of Chinese, Koreans, Indian.

What about infrastructural development?

The other challenge is infrastructural challenge. Because the amount of money that comes to the state is very low, compared to surrounding states, the governor will have to do two things: prudence, which means that whatever money that you get, you are going to get the optimal use of that money.

Secondly, you must also start to seek newer ways of funding things and you must have to get better ways of doing

both internally generated revenue and what comes from the federal purse.

You must have to go to the place where there is industries and where there people doing business that can pay their taxes. To do that, you have to also show them that what you are doing is in their own interest and for their own benefit. Therefore, you are able to provide for them physical evidence of what you are doing and get them to buy into it. That was how former Imo State Governor Sam Mbakwe was developing Aba because the money came from Aba. Arising from the infrastructure, of course, you will have to deal with all the other areas that are lacking. The governor is doing certain things that we have tagged the legacy project.

What we are going to do is to sustain what he has done. One of the biggest problems in our governance structures in Nigeria has always been that a new government would always want to do something different from what the previous government has done. I don’t have that kind of ego problem. By my background as a university lecturer, when you are doing a paper, you will acknowledge the person who you are taking from his work so that you avoid the charge of plagiarism. There is no lecturer that doesn’t know you have to acknowledge other people and when you bring that to public service, what happens really is that, if another person has done something and he hasn’t finished it, then, you complete it, call the person and actually give him credit for it.

We need to develop our state and we are really in a big hurry to catch up. So, a state where you get N4 billion and you have to compare it with a state where you get N16 billion or N25 billion or N23 billion per month, it means that, when you have to do something, you do it in a way that you will get the best value for your

• Abaribe

money. Of course, you will also have to cut your clothe according to your size As a governorship aspirant, what are the challenges facing you?

For every politician, whenever you put yourself forward to the people, you will always have challenges. The challenges are two-fold. First of all, you have challenges from those who also are having the same ambitions like you. Secondly, you have the challenge of fitting within the dictates of your party, since we are running a democracy that does not allow any independent candidate. First of all, you have to look at yourself and be sure that you meet the criteria that is set up by your party. Once you meet that, you put forward your credentials and your criteria for running; other people are also putting up their own and what you want is a level playing ground. I have been in the field. I have done consultations at all levels. I’ve done consultations with stakeholders in Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South. I come from Abia South and I have also done consultations with people at the state party level. I can tell you that I had a lot of enthusiasm from people when I went. No other aspirant in Abia has been able to traverse the Ssate in the way that I am

doing.

So, it gives you an idea of what goes on in every local government and you know how the problems of the local governments.

Can it be said that you have adequately represented your district in the Senate in the last eight years?

What I bring to the table is not theoretical; it is something that has already been done. Aba is the key to the industrial sector in the Southeast. In Nigeria, things made in Aba used to enjoy wide patronage until we started having the twin problem of lack of ph wild patronage, until we started having the twin problem of lack of physical infrastructure and power. We think that, if these two things are dealt with, Aba will rise again to continue to fulfill her potential.

But, we did something that was unique. We did a made-in-Aba trade fair in Abuja. We brought the different groups and people who manufacture petrol pump, shoes and bags, belts and so forth. We brought all of them to Abuja and we did an exhibition and brought key people in government.

We brought the Minister of Trade and Industry. We also brought different heads of the military -the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff, the head of the police, the head of the Civil Defence. We just wanted to expose to them that most of the things that they import and give to their people, we could make them in Aba. My view was to do a sort of backward integration.

In other words, if we make it in Aba and you buy from us, the economy will grow and there will be no crime.

Can you be trusted with power in Abia?

Of all the people who have been in the Senate from Abia, I think I have done more than anybody. If what you have done for your people is the criteria, then, I deserve to be the governor based on that and the evidence is clear.

This is not evidence that is coming just out of my mouth, but the evidence is pictorial and people can verify.

Are you contesting because the slot has been zoned to your area?

As I said, I started my consultations in April. Between April and May, we went all over the state and concluded it with our consultation with the party in the state. Ultimately, we completed the consultation in May. It was in July

that the party took the decision to zone the governorship to my zone – Abia South. So, I could not have come because of the zoning. Actually, I would want to think it was because we had sufficiently told the party the reasons why they needed to take the best decision. That also may be part of what made the party to zone it to Abia South.

What are you bringing into this race that will distinguish you from your competitors?

Three things: character, competence and integrity. I can say without any fear of contradiction that anybody in Abia knows that, if it is in terms of character, uptightness and being able to be your own person and actually work for the people of Abia, they will not find me wanting. If it is in terms of being competent enough to do the job of Governor, they will also not find me wanting because I have been at various levels and demonstrated at various times that I have the ability to run a state. For everybody who is a Governor, your word is your bond. We have also had the unfortunate situation of having had a Governor in Abia who will say one thing today and tomorrow will do exactly the opposite. That will never be me and that is why when I meet with Abians, they agree that this is the sort of person that is needed at this time of our national development.

There is the insinuation that the governor will anoint a successor...

I contacted the governor. I called a meeting of Abia South Senatorial Zone, being a political leader of the area. The governor told me that I should tell the people when I meet with them that he has never anointed anybody and that he didn’t have any intention of anointing anybody. Subsequently, the government of Abia also went on air and disowned the statement. The governor said he was not going to influence anybody and that everybody will have an equal chance at the primaries. When the party made the decision for zoning to Abia South, there was a meeting.

When the stakeholders met, I couldn’t go. I had to send the governor a text and he responded and told me that we should continue to sing the song of equity and fairness in Abia and that it is only fair that somebody from the senatorial zone that has not produced the governor should be given the opportunity.

The President-General of Ikwerre/Etche People’s Forum, Rivers State, Emmanuel Amadi, spoke with PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA in Port-Harcourt on the agitation of the Ogonis for power shift in next year’s governorship election.

‘Ogoni should produce next Rivers governor’

• Amadi

W

HY is your group not in support of the agitation for a ‘riverine governor?

The Ikwerre/Etche People’s Forum is made up of people from Ikwerre Local Government, Emohua, Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Etche and Omuma local councils. In 2015, the forum will not support any ‘riverine governor.’ The former governor, Dr. Peter Odili, is from Rivers West Senatorial District. Governor Rotimi Amaechi is from Rivers East.

Okrika has produced Chief Rufus Ada-George. We are expecting the Southeast Senatorial District to produce the next governor. But, when you look at this senatorial district,

Opobo/Nkoro, which is under the South East District, has produced the deputy governor. Adoni has also produced the deputy governor. But, Ogoni has produced none. The forum is totally in support of the Ogoni project in 2015. They have suffered a lot. Their kinsmen were murdered by the Federal Government. Their environment has been sentenced to death due to oil exploration and production in the area. Ogoni has lost its natural resources. The Federal Government has refused to implement the UNEP report, which would have been leverage for them. It will amount to injustice, if we refuse to give them a chance in 2015. Even, the Kalabari has also shown sympathy for Ogoni people. No Ogoni in 2015, no governorship in Rivers State.

It apppear some of your members are divided over the decision to support the Amaechi Administration...

That is incorrect. That is propaganda. Because of the visionary leadership in the state, we have decided that there is no other person we could give support than Amaechi.

We have not seen what the PDP has offered. All what they have offered is violence, which cannot attract our

support. Those who are supporting the PDP in Rivers State, especially in Ikwerre and Etche, are not supporting them with sincerity. They are following them because of what they will gain from them. Some of the chiefs and elders who claim that they are supporting the PDP are being deceived. If you want to know where the major chiefs and elders of the area belong, then, you go to the Ogbakor Ikwerri, which is the highest consultative assembly in Ikwerre. They are in support Amaechi. We have passed a vote of confidence on Amaechi after assessing his developmental strides.

The opposition has said that the governor is not working. What is your assessment?

One of the goals of Ikwerre/Etche People’s Forum is to support good governance and sustainability. We believe that a good and hardworking leader sgould be supported. In Rivers State, we have seen the developmental strides of Amaechi. All of us cannot claim ignorant of the development. He has shown that democracy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. He has touched the lives of the people. We

are not talking about giving people cash. We are talking about projects that have touched the lives of the people and communities.

There are accessible roads. That means the poor are beneficiaries of the massive development. The same thing also happens in the education sector, where those who cannot send their children to private schools now enjoy the same facilities in government schools. What the rich man’s children benefit, in times of teaching aids, are now available in our model schools. The government of Rivers State has also gone further by providing free school bags, uniforms, and sandals to the pupils. In our health sector,the government has made health accessible to the poor, especially the primary healthcare.

If you talk about scholarship, thousands of youths are studying in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. In the area of employment, Amaechi has become a reference point. Apart from the employment of thousands of teachers, he has also employed graduates and non-graduates in other sectors. More than 35 doctors were given scholarship. That is what we call democracy. That is what a vision-

ary leader should do. During the dark days in Port Harcourt, when cult groups were ruling the state, the governor descended on them. Today, that issue is a thing of the past. Today, if not that some desperate politicians have begun create tension in the state, Port Harcourt could be regarded as the most peaceful city.

If Wike becomes the PDP governorship candidate, can the APC candidate defeat him?

Look, we don’t need to struggle to defeat the PDP. How many people are members of the PDP? To me, I see no battle because of what the government has done at the grassroots level. During the last party registration, my community, Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area, registered over 4000 APC members. So, how many PDP members are left in that ward? PDP members are just making noise in the state. They love propaganda. The PDP once put the photograph of Lamido as the presidential aspirant and that of Amaechi as his running mate. Today, Lamido is in the PDP while Amaechi is in the APC. Look at what is happening in the Rivers State PDP. Supporters are busy destroying APC flags and banners. As far as I am concerned, the PDP will not win this state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS e-Business

e-mail: e-business@thenationonlineng.net

The liberalisation of the telecoms sector over 10 years ago made access to phone easy. Today, Nigerians use their phones for various things, especially business. The revolution is also opening a new vista for poor rural and urban dwellers to access health care services. How far can this go? LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

F

ORTY-THREE-year-old Blessing Adewumi lives in Egbeda, a Lagos suburb. A petty trader and mother of four, she lost her husband about four years ago.

Since then, life has been difficult for her, because she sponsors the education of her children.

Recently, she took ill. Instead of going to the hospital, she asked Tina, her eldest daughter, 18, to call Mama Kazeem, a popular drug hawker in the neighbourhood.

She said: “I don’t have money to go to the hospital. Iya Kazeem will ‘count’ malaria drugs for me and I will be well. She is our family doctor. By the time I give her N200, she will ‘select’ drugs for me and in no time, I will be back on my feet. Going to the hospital is expensive. I have to pay house rent, school fees and feed my four children without any support. Aside God, there is no supporter, so I always pray to God not to allow my children to fall sick.”

Another housewife, who simply identified herself as Mama Glory, also has a sad tale to tell. She was not feeling fine, so she visited one of the private hospitals where tests were run on her. When the result came out, it showed that she had typhoid fever. She was billed N10,000 and was told she would be on admisison for three days.

She never went back. Reason: She does not have enough money. “If I have N10,000, I will start a ‘pure’ water business immediately. Instead, I will go to the market and get Iya alagbo (herbs seller) to arrange agbo for me. It will flush it out of my body system,” she said.

Mrs Adewumi and Mama Glory are few of the many poor Nigerians not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) because they are not engaged in the formal sectors of the economy.

Their stories are common, especially among rural dwellers. They cannot pay for their treatment. Many of them toil all day long, trying to eke out a living.

Minister of Communications Technology Dr Omobola Johnson lamented that the ability of many sub-Saharan African countries to improve their rating and ranking on the Human Development Index (HDI), especially those that relate to health, is constrained by several socio-economic and infrastructural factors.

She said: “For example, Nigeria’s per capita spending on health is $161, comparing unfavorably with the $ 948 calculated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the recommended total global spending on health per person per year.

Inherent in this low per capita spend on health is an acute shortage of healthcare workers.

“Africa faces a severe shortage of trained medical personnel–we have approximately three per cent of the world’s health workers despite having 11 per cent of the world’s population, a statistic that is indeed worsened by the fact that many healthcare professionals opt to work abroad after their training because of better remuneration, better facilities and better opportunities for career growth and aspirations.”

It is in view of this grim picture that the partnership among NHIS and information communication technology (ICT) firm, MTN and Salt & Einstein MTS, to launch a health insurance programme, which will afford its customers who cannot access quality health care, the opportunity to do so through MTN Y’ello Health Cover is instructive.

Airtel Nigeria also launched an initiative in this direction to deepen health insurance scheme and bring health at af-

•Mrs Johnson

•Ndukwe

•Ikpoki

Mobile health delivery blues fordable costs to its subscribers.

The MTN Y’ello Health Cover is an allinclusive mobile health insurance programme, which will afford Nigerians the opportunity to access good, affordable and quality healthcare service wherever, whenever the need arises.

Through the programme, the NHIS is working with all the leading Health Management Organisations (HMOs) to enabled mobile subscribers to opt into a micro healthcare insurance cover where, they can access a range of pre-defined medical treatments for which affordable premium can also be remitted through the subscribers’ mobile phone.

According to the telco, this will enable subscribers under this programme have access to unlimited number of visits to the hospital with as low as a daily or weekly airtime deduction of N35 and N250 to access effective health care as many times as treatment is needed annually. It also gives access to a combination of over 7000 hospitals and primary healthcare providers nationwide currently registered under the NHIS scheme from which subscribers can choose.

The main objective of the programme is to ensure the removal of financial barriers, which means, poor people can have unfettered access to good and effective healthcare without the usual “out-ofpocket expenses”. It is not always that one has substantial amount of money in the pocket, particularly when one is facing health challenges.

Health insurance is a type of coverage that ensures the cost of an insured individual’s medical and surgical expenses are paid by the scheme on the behalf of the insured. It is being provided through this programme to save the masses from self medication, or from shying away from receiving treatment because of cost or

other competing needs or considerations.

Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, NHIS, Dr. Femi Thomas, said MTN will leverage on its huge subscribers to take healthcare to the nooks and crannies of the country. He said: “MTN is a big player in the Nigerian economy, having a good number of registered Nigerians on its database. To be able to reach out to Nigerians, we at NHIS decided to partner with Salt & Einstein MTS and MTN Nigeria on this new initiative to achieve “Universal Health Coverage” for Nigerians nationwide.

“The time has come for us to extend health insurance to Nigerians from all walks of life. With Nigeria’s population in mind, NHIS in partnership with MTN Nigeria and Salt & Einstein MTS is bent on providing more efficient health care services to those who indeed cannot afford them. This will help pool risk and share healthcare costs equitably across the population.”

Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki, said the focus market for the Y’ello health insurance cover are Nigerians who have no health insurance cover principally because they cannot afford the regular health insurance services in the market.

“These individuals like everyone else, need medical care. However, without access to insurance, they probably would be having occasional challenges paying for medical treatment, because such expenses would usually be without or at short notice. It is to take away this burden of impromptu medical expenses that we are partnering to introduce this product,” he said.

He added that the importance of education and sensitisation of the populace about healthcare and commended the NHIS for its drive to provide universal

‘Nigeria’s per capita spending on health is $161, comparing unfavourably with the $948 calculated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the recommended total global spending on health per person per year. Inherent in this low per capita spend on health is an acute shortage of healthcare workers.

Africa in general faces a severe shortage of trained medical personnel’

healthcare to Nigerians.

The Executive Chairman, Salt & Einstein MTS, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said bringing his vast experience in mobile technology and telecommunication industry in Nigeria to the table, identified the need to leverage the market penetration and unmatched reach of mobile telecoms in Nigeria. The former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said statistics reveal that mobile telecoms subscription in Nigeria is over 129 million. This creates adequate grounds for direct health insurance provision to Nigerians who, without this, would have no access to the NHIS. Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Salt & Einstein MTS, the 0obile insurance services aggregator, said findings have shown that Nigeria still has less than four per cent of its population covered by basic health care services at this time in our nation’s history. “There is no disputing the fact that, one of the best things to do at this time is to come together, working with NHIS and of course, starting off with Nigeria’s leading telecommunications operator, MTN, to bring this health insurance cover to Nigerians who, hitherto, have been excluded from access to good health care service. MTN has demonstrated that they are interested in the social good and welfare of Nigerians. We hope to create more products that benefit Nigerians across the country,” he said.

The MTN Y’ello insurance cover is one of the many ways Africa’s leading telecommunications network is adding value to the lives of it subscribers. The next leg of the launch will take place in Abuja at a yet-to-be-announced date.

To make health care accessible and affordable to all, the WHO, the World Bank and other experts recommend among other things: mandatory and publicly subsidised health insurance scheme.

Experts say while the initiative is commendable, more will still need to be done in the area of enlightenment.

The partners in the project would need to do plenty of work in getting the message about the product across to the rural poor that are largely illiterate. This, they said, could be achieved by running the messages in the major indigenous languages on the operators’ network as well as in both print and electronic media.

1, 2014

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THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

e-Business

Etisalat: Nigeria mustn’t miss digital switch E over deadline

TISALAT Nigeria has warned against missing the digital switch over (DSO) date set by the International Tele-communications Union (ITU). The firm said it would not be in Nigeria’s interest.

The ITU has set next year for all member-countries to switch off all analogue transmission infrastructure and move over to the digital mode.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is on the vanguard of complying with the directive. It said it would achieve DSO before the year ends to enable it tighten loose ends ahead of the deadline.

Etisalat’s Director, Network En-

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

gineering Temi Ogunbanbi said if the country fails to achieve DSO, it will not only become a dumping ground for analogue transmitters, it will also make the country uncompetitive internationaly.

Speaking during an interactive session with ICT editors in Lagos, he said the spectrum that would be freed by the NBC to the Nigerian Comunication Commission NCC) will be of great value to the

telecoms sector, lamenting that the dearth of spectrum has not allowed the telco to deploy more advanced technology.

He said the telco has invested enormously to grow the network to achieve the excellent services it is rendering to the customers despite the challenges in the sector, where power supply is erratic and vandalism of telecoms infrastructure rampart.

He said IHS, which bought its “passive towers”, has promised to deploy alternative energy sources

to low operating cost, especially the cost of fuelling generators at base transmission stations (BTS).

Speaking on the achievements of the telco, its Chief Executive Officer, Mathew Willsher, said it has grown its subscribers’ strength, adding that the future is bright for the telco as the NCC intensifies efforts at ensuring a level playing field for all players.

“We have acquired 20 per cent more customers. We are just 19.5million customers, which up from 15.3 million same time last year; that’s very good growth our proportion of the market is now 15 per cent , so over the last six years, we have grown our business and establish as a major

player in the market. We are very encouraged by the growth.

“Of course, it is a company that was built on great customer experience, we are leaders in customer satisfaction, but it is very important that we continue to do so though with new customers, there will be increasing demand and increasing pressure on the network.

“We are not standing still; we are investing and of course expanding capacity so that we can remain leader in their minds for their experience and remain leader indeed in the industry’s mind as we already are for network quality recognised by the NCC.”

Knowledge vital to competitiveness, says NCS

F

OR Nigeria to remain competitive in the global economic space, knowledge, driven by muti-stakeholders collaboration, is required, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has said.

According to a communiqué at the end of its 25th Annual National Conference in Enugu, stakeholders and attendees agreed that ICT is an enabler for growth and national development, capable of being the highest employer.

It was also agreed that competitive advantage in business has always been driven by knowledge adding that multiple stakeholders need to collaborate to build strong partnerships in the transformation of Nigeria from information soci-

By Tayo Ayetoto

ety to knowledge-based economy.

The experts also averred that a knowledge-based economy is predicated on the production and dissemination of ideas and that there is the urgent need to recognise knowledge as a resource that can be codified, registered and made tradeable.

In view of this, it was agreed that there was the need for a well-concerted investment in knowledge production through ICT and to achieve this requires immediate domestication and localisation of Nigeria ICT policy through the various tiers of government and laterally across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the government.

‘ICT bridges digital divide between young, old’

A

NEW study from Ericsson ConsumerLab carried out in the United States (U.S.) has shown that seniors who use communications technology feel more enriched, informed, younger and more in touch with others and society. This is the first generation of seniors who are able to utilise a wider range of communication technology in older age.

Commenting on the result, Senior Advisor, Consumer Insights at Ericsson ConsumerLab, Ann-Charlotte Kornblad, said: “They see it as a perfect tool, with its easy handling enabling them to have conversations

with close friends and family. It also allows for the details and circumstances of life to be shared.” The results of the “Connecting the Senior Generation” report can be read in full here. Ericsson ConsumerLab conducted 30 interviews with seniors between the ages of 65 and 75 in the San Francisco area, with an additional eight in-home interviews also carried out.

In a statement, those who have adopted the technology feel more enriched, informed, young, and in touch with others as well as what is happening in society. In short, they feel they have an improved quality of life.

N159b e-frauds: ISSAN urges passage of cybercrime bills

T

HE Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN) and major stakeholders in the banking industry have urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the cybercrime bills pending before it to curb the raft of electronic frauds.

The group lamented that between 2000 and last year, a whopping N159billion was stolen from banks, arguing that if there is a law that deals with e-fraudsters, the situation may have been different.

Its President, David Isiavwe, said the proliferation of e-payment channels, which has brought banking closer to customers has further increased the challenge of cyber crime.

He urged firms to explore a more comprehensive approach to protecting their customers, core networks and information technology (IT) infrastructure.

Rising from a stakeholders meeting organised by the group in collaboration with Digital Encode Limited for Chief Internal Auditors (CIAs) and Chief Information Officers (CIOs) of lenders, participants blamed the non-passage of the bills into law for the inability of law enforcement agencies to curtail cybercrimes in the country.

To push for its passage, ISSAN has

set up a committee to act as industry’s pressure group to liaise with the National Assembly to ensure its quick passage into law.

Members of the committee include the managing directors of Interswitch, and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS); representatives from the Bankers Committee; the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Other members include the president, ISSAN and the Chairman, Committee of Chief Internal Auditors of Banks in Nigeria (CCIABN) ISSAN urged the Committee of Internal Auditors of Banks (CIABs) to liaise with the Committee of EBanking Industry Heads (CeBIH) and engage Mastercard & Visa card on EMV cards frauds.

The meeting, which had in attendance key industry players from Interswitch, NIBBS, the CBN, and a wide variety of Information Technology (IT) professionals, including the CIAs and CIOs of several banks also discussed incessant attacks by cybercriminals on banks, action plan for the protection of payment systems and the banking industry as a whole, the CBNs biometric project and its impact on banks and consumers alike, from a security perspective.

• From left: Director, e-Governance, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, Mr. Tope Fashedeni; Chief Corporate Services Officer, Smile Communications Nigeria Limited, Ms. Lee-Ann Cassie, and Country Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Kamar Abass, at a forum in Lagos.

Experts seek cloud technology’s adoption

I

NFORMATION communication technology (ICT) experts have warned big and small scale enterprises (SMEs) that they risk closing shop if they fail to embrace cloud technology, which has the capacity to substantially cut operating costs.

They argue that any business unit, regardless of its size, that fails to build finance for cloud technology adoption in its annual budget beginning from next will certainly “miss the boat”.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kitskoo Cloud Services, Tunde Fafunwa, said the two major problems confronting businesses are generating revenue and reducing cost of operation, warning that any business that fails to adopt either the private, public or hybrid cloud technology runs the risk of going into extinction.

He said the threats were real and urged business organisations that want to move forward by leveraging on the technology to increase the bottom line and save cost to do so before the year runs out.

An Executive Director with the firm Monu Ogbe, said the adoption of cloud technology, with its various innovative ways of saving cost will lift businesses out of the woods.

According to him, firms that fail to take the innovative approach to cost reduction face the greatest risk of going into extinction.

Monu said the firm is not only a technology provider but also a business builder. He said: “Private cloud provides the platform for the delivery of new services. The customers buy/lease equipment while in the public cloud, the cus-

tomer pays for the rent. There may slow start but the momentum no sooner than later gets accelerated.”

He said the advantages of private cloud include but not limited to its being insulated from hacking, data loss and obsolescence that will arise from not taking advantage of innovative technologies.

According to him, organisations that embrace cloud technology stand to reduce cost on infrastructure of between 35 per cent and 40 per cent, adding that the platforms run on the capacity provided by indigenous submarine cable, MainOne and allows organisations to deploy software as service. It also gives opportunity for firms to deploy new services adding that it has technical partners in EMC Corporation, Microsoft and Cisco.

Proliferation of fake phones worries Samsung

S

AMSUNG Electronics West Africa has expressed dismay at the rate which mobile phones are being counterfeited in the country, lamenting that it has robbed many of their money and caused them trauma.

Its Director, Information Technology & Mobile Division, Emmanouil Revmatas, said the firm is taking a multi-pronged approach to address the problem.

Revmatas, who spoke on the sideline during the launch of Samsung biometric scanner enabled Galaxy Tab S in Lagos, said the firm was working with trade associations to find ways to protect the customers by way of “legitimising the business

on the one hand and also working with the dealers to buy legitimate products.”

He said: “We will also intensify our campaigns to get the customers educated that there are ways of checking their mobile phones before paying for them through checking the IMEI number. We are also working with the various agencies of government. It is a multi-faceted approach. The people engaged in this illicit business continue to be relentless.”

He said the new flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S, is available in the country, adding that the Galaxy Tab S combines an advanced high definition display technology with a full

range of premium content, aimed at providing consumers with an unrivalled entertainment experience.

He explained that the Galaxy Tab S is Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet which features a 10.5-inch screen alongside the most advanced super-AMOLED display with a resolution that is twice the high-definition standard associated with other devices in its category. It is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a beautifully crafted premium design.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Brovo Kim, said the device will redefine how technology innovation enhances the quality of life.

60

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

61

MONEYLINK

CBN unveils portal for signature verification

T

•Apex Bank defends N65 ATM fee

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has developed an online signature portal for

banks.

The process and upload of the authorised signatories to the portal should be completed on or before August 29.

CBN Director, Banking & Payments System Department, ‘Dipo Fatoku, said the policy is in furtherance of its effort in the development of safe, reliable and efficient payments and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, developed an industry portal for the verification of authorised signatories in the banking system.

He said in a circular to banks and other stakeholders that the portal is expected to replace the printed signature booklets that banks distrib-

Stories by Collins Nweze

ute such that instructions/documents received from other banks can be verified electronically (online).

The portal will be used by banks, registrars, insurance firms, embassies and any other user of the printed signature booklets, to avoid fabrication of letters as coming from the banks.

The portal is meant to digitise the booklet and also ensure that updates can be made quickly, as staff change functions or move to other institutions.

Fatokun said banks are to contact Nigeria Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) for the needed training and access rights to the portal, amongst others.

Also, the CBN said cash withdrawal at the ATMs of a customer’s bank is free. It said a ‘’Remote-onus’’ transaction is when a card holder goes to the ATM machine of another bank other than his or her bank to make a withdrawal.

It explained that in 2012, the CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, transferred the payment of N100 fee on ‘’Remote-on-us’’ ATM cash withdrawal transactions to issuing banks adding that N100 was never removed.

The fee, it said, was only transferred to customer’s bank to pay, and this was intended to encourage/promote the use of ATMs nationwide.

However, having sufficiently

Union Bank retains Agric Bank Award

U

NION Bank of Nigeria Plc has again been awarded the Best Support Bank in the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (ACGSF) for the eighth consecutive year by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The award is presented to a bank which has demonstrated the highest level of support for the scheme.

Similarly, three customers of Union Bank won the apex bank’s National Awards in three categories namely: Sion Economic Allianz, Asaba won the Best Arable Farmer; Prof Vincent Iyawe from Benin won the award for Best Tree Crop award; while Arac Group Farmers’ Co-operative, Port Harcourt won the award in Fishery.

Union Bank’s Group Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Emuwa, received the award from President Goodluck Jonathan at Abuja.

He said: “Union Bank remains committed to agriculture financing to drive growth and development in the sector, and to also facilitate economic empowerment for small scale farmers.”

Union Bank has been involved in ACGSF since 1977 and has disbursed more than N4.2 billion in loans to more than 14,700 beneficiaries.

This represents 77.62 per cent and 74.65 per cent of the total amount and number of loans granted by all commercial banks under the scheme as at December, last year.

“Equally significant is the highly impressive loan recovery rate during the year, a record that is attributed to their formidable loan recovery strategies and professional support given to farmers. The bank, no doubt, has made enormous strides in its bid to transform the agricultural sector

through adequate credit purveyance under the ACGSF as well as the rendition of technical support to the farming community”, the CBN said in the citation on Union Bank.

Last year, Union Bank set N10 billion as the new yearly disbursement limit. It is expected to run through each year and would cover different crops, ecology and farming seasons.

The ceremony was the highlight of the Eighth Annual Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Finance Conference and Entrepreneurship Awards held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

The event also witnessed the kick off of the disbursement of N220 billion Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development Fund and award prizes to state governments and banks by President Goodluck Jonathan.

raised customers awareness, the first three ‘’Remote-on-us’’ transactions in a month are free for the card holder but paid for by the issuing bank.

“The N65 charge only applies when a customer withdraws cash from another bank’s ATM other than that of his/her bank. The N65 starts to apply from the fourth transaction at another banks’ ATM in a month. The charge is not intended to discourage financial inclusion as the apex bank will not endorse any anti-customer policy,” it said. The CBN said charging of fees on interbank networks is a widely acceptable practice globally.

The CBN said the new fee will ensure customers get better services, increase healthy competition among

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 HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

168.45 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.39 1,676.09 1,118.84 121.30 121.16 1,117.51 1.2689 1.2656 0.9183 1.0705

A

CCESS Bank Plc and Visa have announced a partnership with an online shipping company, shoptomydoor.com to give the lender’s for Visa cardholders to shop online at retailers in the United States, United Kingdom and China. The cardholders also by this partnership enjoy exclusive shipping discounts.

Also, cardholders will have the opportunity to shop from the world’s major international retailers with more flexibility and convenience. They can make purchases online in these countries as if they are local residents and also have them shipped in a few business days.

The bank said the deal shows its commitment to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) cash-less banking and enhancing electronic payments, e-commerce and ease of

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

SYMBOL

RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 30/07/2014 23/07/2014 21/07/2014 ECONOMIC INDICATORS

8.2%

Monetary Policy Rate

12.0%

CHANGE

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

AIRSERVICE

2.06

2.16

0.10

PREMBREW

1.32

1.38

0.06

CORNERST

0.53

0.55

0.02

COSTAIN

1.14

1.18

STERLNBANK

2.17

ETERNA

3.71

GUARANTY

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$39.4b

US Dollar

154.73

155.73

$110.44

Pounds Sterling

259.5441

261.2215

206.4717

207.8061

170.033

171.1319

Yen

1.5127

1.5224

CFA

0.2968

0.3168

236.1742

237.7006

Yuan/Renminbi

25.1237

25.287

N15.9 trillion.

Euro

0.04

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N16.76 trillion

Swiss Franc

2.22

0.05

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

3.79

0.08

29.19

29.50

0.31

VITAFOAM

4.06

4.10

0.04

UBA

7.20

7.27

0.07

AFRIPRUD

3.22

3.25

0.03

LOSERS AS AT 20-08-14

SYMBOL ROYALEX

O/PRICE 0.60

C/PRICE 0.57

CHANGE -0.03

CAVERTON

5.88

5.59

-0.29

RTBRISCOE

0.88

0.84

-0.04

EVANSMED

2.15

2.06

-0.09

LIVESTOCK

3.28

3.15

Amount Sold in ($) 381.27m 272.9m 399.01m

Currency

Money Supply (M2)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

Amount Offered in ($) 400m 300m 400m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES August 14, 2014

Inflation: June

GAINERS AS AT 20-08-14

transactions.

The bank’s Executive Director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu, said the introduction of Shoptomydoor.com platform was a deliberate attempt by the lender to make financial services easy and accessible to its customers.

Its Head, Card Products, Justin Ijeh, expressed the lender’s commitment to provide innovative products is not just aimed at aligning with the CBN’s cash-less policy, but also designed to make life easier for its customers”.

“While the surge in e-commerce has given rise to concerns about online security, the bank has allayed the fears of its customers by confirming that its cards are protected with top-notch security tools. In addition to the in-built security mechanism, Access Bank’s Visa Cards are protected and verified by VISA features,” he said.

DATA BANK

Bid Price 167.01 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.69 1.33 1,676.09 1,118.03 120.45 120.30 1,116.70 1.2600 1.2656 0.9003 1.0705

the banks even as transaction volumes at other banks’ ATM have increased astronomically due to the free Cash withdrawal at other banks’ ATM. The wear and tear as well as the frequency of servicing the ATMs has increased significantly.

Access Bank, Visa partner Shoptomydoor.com on e-procurement

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

WAUA

Rate (%)

Rate (%)

Overnight (O/N)

10.500

10.500

Riyal

41.2558

41.5225

1M

12.175

12.101

SDR

236.938

238.4693

3M

13.328

13.225

6M

14.296

14.-85

FOREX RATES

-0.13

UBN

8.49

8.26

-0.23

R-DAS ($/N)

157.29

157.29

WAPIC

0.77

0.75

-0.02

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

162.75

SEPLAT

695.00

680.00

-15.00

CUTIX

1.89

1.85

-0.04

Parallel ($/N)

167.50

167.50

HONYFLOUR

4.09

4.01

-0.08

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Rates

T-bills - 91

10.00

T-bills - 182

10.07

T-bills - 364

10.22

Bond - 3yrs

11.37

Bond - 5yrs

11.41

Bond - 7yrs

11.86

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-08-14

25-07-14 DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-08-14

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

63

EQUITIES

TrustBond Mortgage Bank lists shares on NASD

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RUSTBOND Mortgage Bank Plc yesterday listed its entire issued share capital on the NASD Plc, paving the way for investors to trade on the shares of the mortgage bank on the over-thecounter (OTC) platform.

The Nation’s check yesterday indicated that about 10.95 billion ordinary shares of TrustBond Mortgage Bank was listed on the NASD at N1.20 per share, implying a starting market capitalisation of N13.13 billion for the mortgage company.

The NASD was formally launched on July 1 and opened for trading on July 2. Formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an over-the-counter

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

(OTC) trading platform for unquoted securities; including equities and bonds.

TrustBond Mortgage Bank metamorphosed from the acquisition of Intercontinental Bank Plc by Access Bank and subsequent investment by a core investor group, Interrec into Intercontinental Homes Savings & Loan (IHSL).

TrustBond Mortgage Bank recently raised N500 million in new equity funds through a special placement, pushing the mortgage bank’s capital base to N5.2 billion, a notch above the N5 billion capital base for national mortgage banking operation. The new eq-

uity fund was raised from a core investor.

Chairman, TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc, Mr. Etigwe Uwa, noted that the bank was the most capitalized mortgage bank in the country at N4.7 billion capital base but then needed to go for private placement to exceed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requirements adding that this will put it in vantage position to run its business and increase shareholders’ profitability.

He said they decided on a core investor to provide fund urgently to meet the regulatory requirements of CBN. On the future of mortgage banks in the country, Uwa predicted that there may be mergers and acquisitions to make the banks stronger.

Julius Berger MD promises continuous growth

T

HE new managing director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc,

Mr. Detlev Lubasch, has assured that he would sustain the construction company’ s growth.

Lubasch succeeded Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch on July 1, 2014.

Lubasch, who has 27 years of experience within Julius Berger in both Nigeria and Germany; said he would dedicate his tenure to continuing the success of Julius Berger.

He said he would implement initiatives that would ensure a strong continuity in the management as well as ensuring that the company’ corporate values including quality, reliability, sustainability and integrity remain at the heart of Julius Berger’s corporate culture.

Goetsch had focused his tenure on strengthening Julius Berger’s organizational structures and de-

veloping the Julius Berger Group of companies. Goetsch remains an integral part of the company as he will join the executive management of Julius Berger International and continue to serve within the board of directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc as a non-executive director.

Audited report and accounts of Julius Berger for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that turnover rose marginally from N201.57 billion to N212.74 billion. Profit before tax rose by 31 per cent from N12.34 billion to N16.22 billion. Profit after tax however dropped slightly from N8.19 billion to N8.06 billion.

Earnings per share thus stood at N6.72 in 2013 as against N6.83 in 2012.

The construction company distributed N3.24 billion in cash dividends and 120 million ordi-

nary shares of 50 kobo each as bonus shares as returns for the 2013 business year. A breakdown of the dividend indicated that shareholders received a dividend per share of N2.70 and a bonus share of one share for every 10 shares held as at the closure date.

The company recently added 120 million shares to its outstanding shares following the listing of the bonus shares declared by the board of the company. The listing of the bonus shares increased Julius Berger Nigeria’s total issued shares to 1.32 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each.

As part of its strategic positioning, Julius Berger has said it would focus on further diversification of its clients and business segments, improve on business development efforts, sustain due diligence and explore opportunities in alternative financing models to improve on its performance.

Global stocks ease over rate scare

G

LOBAL equity markets eased on Wednesday on a few poor corporate results and the release of Bank of England minutes that hinted at an early interest rate hike, but minutes from the Federal Reserve showed no desire to bring forward plans to raise rates.

The Fed said it has been surprised by how quickly the United States (US) labour market is healing yet the recovery has to be more convincing to change its view on when to increase rates.

Stocks on Wall Street rebounded after the release of the Fed minutes, suggesting investors believe there will be no change in monetary policy, while US Treasuries prices fell.

“The Fed remains dovish. However, one eye is looking towards improvements in labor markets. Potentially a rate increase might come slightly sooner or the increases might come faster than expected,” said Putri Pascualy, credit strategist For Pacific Alternative Asset Management Company, In Irving, Cali-

fornia.

Wall Street pushed higher, but MSCI’s all-country equity index was 0.04 percent lower. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 68.78 points, or 0.41 percent, to 16,988.37. The S&P 500 gained 5.71 points, or 0.29 percent, to 1,987.31 and the Nasdaq Composite added 3.167 points, or 0.07 percent, to 4,530.681.

Earlier in Europe, the FTSEurofirst 300 index of leading European shares closed down 0.07 percent at 1,346.02.

A warning from brewer Carlsberg that profits would fall this year due to deteriorating conditions in Russia rattled European investors.

A cut in its full-year sales forecast

by Lowe’s Companies also unnerved investors, though the world’s No. 2 home improvement products retailer also posted betterthan-expected second-quarter results.

Reuters reported that Sterling and UK bond yields rose after the sur-

prise tilt toward higher British rates, while the U.S. dollar advanced to its highest against the euro since last September.

The Fed minutes come ahead of Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s widely anticipated address to the annual gathering of central bankers in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, on Friday.

With US and global stock indexes trading close to all-time highs, investors await a reaffirmation of the accommodative monetary policies that have helped spur a global rally.

“The next leg up is going to come from what we hear on Friday from Yellen,” said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist at Federated Investors in New York. “The market has been a little bit on tenterhooks,” he said.

The dollar broke through resistance at $1.3300 and last November’s high of $1.3295 per euro to trade as high as $1.3275. It also climbed to a 4-1/2month high against the yen. It was last up 0.4 percent versus the euro at $1.3266.

He commended the current CBN regulations on mortgage banks noting that the policy will strengthen mortgage banks to give mortgages to prospective home owners as they will have more funds to lend to the public.

He however regretted that so much money is tied down in real estate and advised that capital should be channeled into more productive use as done in developed economies such as mortgage re-financing especially with the over 17 million housing deficit.

According to him, the low capital base of mortgage banks before had hampered the lending abilities of such banks to the public but now most banks that have met the capital target will be better posi-

tioned to give loans to prospective home owners.

Managing Director, TrustBond Mortgage Bank, Mr. Adeniyi Akinlusi said with the private placement of over N500 million the bank is positioned in playing in the big league to offer mortgages to Nigerians and be part of institutions that will bridge the housing gap in the country.

“In the light of our enlightened position and strength we have built 174 houses in Agege, undertaking construction and mortgage financing, provided mortgages for low income earners, adapt the newest technology in housing construction, work closely with developers and the Federal Housing Authority,” Akinlusi said.

Forte Oil outlines growth plan, eyes oil assets

F

ORTE Oil Plc would combine investments in its downstream and energy businesses with prospecting for productive upstream oil assets to ensure it achieves its main goal of becoming the foremost integrated energy solution provider in Nigeria.

Chief executive officer, Forte Oil, Mr. Akin Akinfemiwa, outlined the company’s growth plan yesterday at the presentation of the company’s underlying fundamentals at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos.

Akinfemiwa said the group would diligently implement the strategic initiatives under its growth plan to enhance profitability and increase shareholders value.

He said the group was considering two options of acquiring moribund fields and bring back them to production or buy existing international oil companies (IOCs)’s assets in its plan to diversify into the upstream market adding that the group would exercise great caution by identifying the risk and getting parties to share and manage the risks.

He pointed out that the group’s immediate strategic initiatives included strengthening its corporate governance structure, achieving market dominance through the expansion of retail infrastructure, commercial business and diversification into the upstream space through profitable acquisition of upstream assets.

“Upstream diversification is to be managed properly, considering the level of investment required. We are into petroleum retailing and marketing but if we are going into the upstream, we would form strategic alliances so that we can share the risk together because there is no technical expertise for it now. We have identified potential partners that will go into it with us and we are going into it as producing assets not

as a prospecting one,” Akinfemiwa said.

He said the company is committed to becoming the investment of choice through positive actions that would boost investor confidence at all times.

He outlined that the company has embarked on aggressive and strategic acquisition programme noting that it has concluded plan to site its branch network in such a way that the distance between two branches would be at the region of three kilometers with a view to expanding its retail network.

According to him, the group’s business transformation programme was aimed at repositioning the business on the bedrock of strong corporate governance and business ethics, enhanced safety health and environment practices, effective business control across the company as well as superior customer delivery.

“We would acquire market where we can drive up volume across Nigeria but it has to be strategic. It has to be three kilometers along densely populated areas where the market is booming. The exercise would be continuous without any time frame and we would continue to consolidate on it,” Akinfemiwa said.

He said the company has also invested in the acquisition of 100 trucks and tankers in order to give transporters the confidence to invest in the business.

He hinted on the prospects of further capital raising by the group noting that the company’s balance sheet for the expansion exercise would be funded through the combination of equity and debt issues.

“Through our focused commitment to remain open, responsive, continually engaging our customers and maximizing our resources, we are confident that Forte Oil Plc will attain its vision of being the foremost integrated solutions provider in Nigeria,” Akinfemiwa assured.

THE NATION THURSDAY AUGUST 21, 2014

64

NEWS Obi, Usman, Yuguda win awards at summit

T

HE two-day Presidential Summit at the Transcorps Nicon Hotel, Abuja, on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), ended yesterday with former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi winning the star prize tagged: “The Award for Mainstreaming the MDGs into Anambra State Development Agenda, 2006-2014”.

Others who won awards are the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Usman Dakingari and that of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda, for Outstanding Performance on the Implementation of the MDGs. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on the MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, said the winners were chosen by an independent panel, which looked at the performance of the states in all the indices for measurement.

He urged other states and governors to emulate the award-winning ones in their commitment to the MDGs, their states and their people.

On the award to Obi, Geneol said although he is no longer the governor, his

Obi ( left) being congratulated

by Dr Gbeneol after receiving the award from Gombe State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo… yesterday.

Four feared dead as MASSOB commanders battle Uwazuruike •Anti-Uwazuruike group takes over headquarters

F

OUR people were feared dead yesterday and scores injured when the commanders of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) ‘toppled’ the embattled leader of the group, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike and took over the national headquarters of the movement at Okwe in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State.

A source said the fight started on the premises, which served as the administrative headquarters of MASSOB about 7:30am when over 5,000 suspected thugs invaded the place to dislodge the commanders, who had taken over on the alleged order of the MASSOB leader.

Speaking with The Nation, MASSOB’S National Secretary,

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, confirmed that they were attacked by thugs allegedly recruited by Uwazuruike, who stormed the headquarters with sophisticated weapons, but were resisted by MASSOB commanders, who took over the secretariat.

He said: “Many people were injured in the early morning attack. Those people were not MASSOB members, they were hired by Uwazuruike from Onitsha to kill us because we challenged his style of leadership. We overpowered them and have taken over the MASSOB headquarters.

Uwazuruike has turned the struggle to a personal property.

“Our crime is that we told

him to reduce the dues collected from poor members, who toil monthly to pay money into his account. Over N20million is remitted into his account monthly, while those who died in the struggle are abandoned in the mortuaries.

“What we are saying is that we can no longer be used by Uwazuruike to enrich himself.

While we are dying, he is buying houses and posh cars. We cannot continue like this. We urge Igbo leaders to intervene because Uwazuruike has used the blood of innocent Igbo youths killed daily while obeying his orders to make money.”

The Leader of the Biafra Defence Mission, Comrade Ndubuisi Igwekani, said: “If actions are not taken to call Uwazuruike to order, the security situation in Igboland

will be affected.

“We have advised Igbo leaders, especially Ohaneze Ndigbo, to call Uwazuruike to order because his kind of Biafra was not the one the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu fought for. He has abandoned the struggle. He uses MASSOB to extort Ndigbo. We are out to stop him, no matter what he does.”

Uwazuruike said he was not aware of the incident.

Said he: “I got information that there was a crisis at Okwe a few minutes ago. I will contact my administrators to know what happened. There was no problem, except that some of the security men at the headquarters were transferred.

But they are yet to relocate.

This may have been misconstrued as disobedience to my instructions.”

Why I can’t return to Nigeria, by fleeing soldier

A

S the Nigerian military continued to wage war against the Boko Haram insurgents, an ex soldier, Gani Ibrahim who fled the country in the wake of the bloody communal clashes in Jos, Plateau State, is resisting pressure to come back to Nigeria.

Ibrahim, who was a trooper in the Army, with service number 79 NA 31688 said he fled Nigeria in 2003 when some of his relations and family members were killed in Jos and their property burnt during the clashes.

In an e-mail correspondence with our correspondent, Ibrahim expressed fears that with the ongoing insurgent attacks in the northern parts of the country, it would be suicidal for him to return home.

The ex-soldier who is currently sojourning in Germany, said he served with the 3rd Army Division of the Nigerian Army in Jos, and that he was waylaid on his way from his duty post by heavily armed persons who chased after him with intent to kill.

“I have not been able to get

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

the trauma of that horrible experience off my mind because a number of my relations and family members got killed by the armed men.

“I am told that the crisis has since assumed the dimension of insurgency with soldiers and other security people becoming the targets of the

insurgents on a daily basis”, Ibrahim stated.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah had, during the 3rd Chief of Army Staff Conference, stated that the Army has continued to record cases of desertion as a result of incessant insurgent attacks.

Gen. Minimah stated that there was nothing the Army authorities could do about the trend, saying that

desertion in the military occurs everywhere.

“Some people join the Army because they want to serve their country while other join as a means of getting employment. Those who joined the Army as a means of employment usually drop their weapons and run away when they face the threats associated with the military profession”, Gen. Minimah said.

Aspirant seeks job creation, others

P

OLITICAL leaders have been urged to develop a strategy that will tackle infrastructural deficit and provide employment for the populace.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ibukun Anthony Ashamu, spoke in an interview with reporters after a meeting in Oyo town.

Ashamu, an aspirant for Oyo Central, said the “concept of stomach infrastructure is a wake-up call for government at all levels to take job creation serious.”

He canvassed the need to embark on massive projects capable of generating employment and developing the country.

The aspirant said governments should know the need of the people and the developmental projects to be executed for job creation.

Ashamu said: “The issue of clamour for stomach infrastructure is something to be worried about. But at the same time, it presents an opportunity for those who are ready

to excel.

“But I want to put my bet on my people; they have gone beyond stomach infrastructure. Besides that, I also believe that there must be a balance between physical infrastructure and what people term ‘stomach infrastructure.’

“You can construct the best roads in the world, but if the people cannot eat, there is a problem.

This is why I keep emphasising on full employment and free education. If there is full employment, people will look beyond what they are going to eat today.

“Because they say a hungry man is an angry man, there is need for public office holders to ensure that the people are not hungry, so that they can easily buy into the policies and programmes of the government; see government’s projects as the ones that will add value to the society and not as a disservice.”

Ashamu praised the government for its performance.

He said the government had executed developmental projects, fixing the roads and creating jobs.

commitment to the MDGs was unparalleled and complete.

She said under him, Anambra State partnered development partners, such as UNICEF, the World Bank, UNDP, the European Union much as it did with her office to achieve a lot for the state.

Obi hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for his commitment to the MDGs and Dr. Gbeneol for seeing that the vision of Mr. President on MDGs was pursued with vigour and commitment.

The Minister of Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to projects and partnerships that would contribute to the success of the Transformation Agenda.

Cleric wants govts to immortalise Akunyili •Funeral holds next week

F

EDERAL, state and local governments have been urged to immortalise the late former Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, spoke yesterday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Awka.

Mrs. Akunyili, the former Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) died on June 7. She will be buried at Agulu in Anambra State on August 28.

The deceased’s husband, Dr.

R

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Chike Akunyili, said his wife did not die of cervical cancer, but endometrial carcinoma.

He described her as an achiever, a principled person, a lover of education, a nationalist, a sincere individual and a devout Christian.

Said he: “She was a renowned pharmacist, a pharmacologist, an elder statesperson, an erudite scholar, a seasoned administrator and a visionary leader, who championed the national re-branding campaign titled: ‘Nigeria Good People, Great Nation’.

Night of Praise Proofs

ENOWNED gospel musician and cleric, Pastor Philip Adika and his wife, Lola, will perform at this year’s Night of Praise Proofs tomorrow, at First Baptist Church, 2, Agunbiade Street, Somolu, Lagos.

The clergyman said: “Praise still works wonders in people’s lives. The easiest way to move God to perform signs and wonders is to praise him. I want to minister to people through praise songs. At the event, which will start at 9pm, there will be deliverance, salvation, breakthrough, miracle and signs & wonders.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

65

NEWS

Minister, Rivers commissioner trade allegations of corruption

R

IVERS State Commissioner for Health Sampson Parker has accused Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike of having ill-gotten wealth.

Parker made the allegation yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He was reacting to Wike’s allegation that Governor Rotimi Amaechi mismanaged the N7.5 billion allocated for the construction of the Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, N3 billion meant for the fumigation of Port Harcourt and N3 billion voted for the city’s landscaping.

The commissioner said the governor had provided affordable and quality health care for the people and accused Wike, who is believed to be interested in the governorship seat, of fabricating stories to tarnish Amaechi’s image.

Parker said the minister, who used to be the governor’s chief of staff, lacked the moral right to accuse anyone of corruption.

He accused Wike of owning property, adding that his earnings do not match his assets.

The commissioner said: “Those who aspire to lead should be mindful of their utterances and actions, especially in this season. If by the time this election cycle is over, our people and institutions have been destroyed, who will they govern? I am ready to stake my character, reputation and integrity against Wike’s. Let Rivers people and Nigerians judge. Daily, I remind myself of what the good book says: ‘Power belongs to God’.

“I know Wike well. We are both products of the Amaechi political family.

Wike may be described as a son of perdition, but he was loved by his family. We have entered another political season, but this should not deter us from speaking the truth. The reality is that power belongs to God and He gives it to who He

‘Project fund mismanaged’

T

HE President-General of the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Bright Amaewhule, has condemned allegations of corruption made against Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike by Rivers State Commissioner for Health Sampson Parker.

GDI was founded by Wike.

Amaewhule said the allegations were Parker’s way of “saving his face”.

He said: “Parker is only trying to save his face. Where is the Karibi-Whyte hospital? The structure does not exist and the money for it has been released.

“Some time ago, the governor complained about the standard of Braith-Waite Memorial Hospital (BMH), saying he was disappointed in Parker as regards the money released for the reconstruction and maintenance of the hospital. At that time, Rivers people were calling for Parkers resignation.

“Wike is a qualified lawyer, he successfully passed through the university and Nigeria Law School and later served under Emmanuel Okala (now a Senior Advocate of Nigeria) in his Chambers before he was elected chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.

“As chairman of the council, he was paid salaries and allowances while he maintained his legal practice. He must not be going to court to practise law. Remember that Wike’s wife is also a lawyer and they practised together, through which they made their money.

“Parker was begging for money from Wike when he was a council chairman. Parker was nobody then and had nothing. He was a mere laboratory assistant at the Psychiatric Hospital in Rumuigbo.

“At the Rumuigbo Hospital, Parker did not work as a Psychiatric doctor, but as an auxiliary doctor. He had nothFrom Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

pleases.

“If in the quest for power, we destroy institutions, malign people and fabricate stories, just to score cheap political points, we fool nobody but ourselves. It is like building a structure on quick sand.”

Parker described himself as “a man of simple taste, with a manageable family size”.

He said he had been practising medicine before he ventured into politics, adding that God has blessed him.

The commissioner said: “I know my history. I have no desire for the primitive acquisition of obscene wealth, as I do not indulge in expensive habits, such as the consumption of drinks that cost hundreds of thousands of naira per bottle. When I travel within and outside Nigeria, I am content to do so

in commercial airliners. Yet, I feel no envy or jealousy towards those who, even as serving public officers, travel in private jets at least twice a week. I challenge Wike to make same claims.

“Wike has been in public service all of his adult life.

There is no record that he has worked anywhere, either as a lawyer or a businessman. I shall give 50 per cent of my August salary to Wike or anybody who can prove that the minister has travelled to Port Harcourt on a commercial flight more than two times since being sworn in as the minister of state for Education. At least, two stubs of flight tickets or manifest that prove that Wike was a passenger on any commercial airline.

Who pays for the chartered flights Wike comes to Port Harcourt on, at least two times a week?”

Parker accused Wike of living in an expensive home

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

ing until he began to build the so-called health centres. I know he used his cronies to award some of those projects to himself, for example, the Rumuigbo and Emuoha Health Centres, among others.

“He has amassed much wealth as commissioner for Health that, at a point, he was almost sacked, but the governor left him because he did not want to embarrass his administration.

“On the allegation that Wike doles out cars to people at random, we should understand that Wike is a cheerful giver by nature. He loves his state and human beings and I do not see anything wrong in supporting a fellow human being in difficulty.

“Wike does not have any car manufacturing company; neither does he dole out cars as claimed by Parker. He does not consume any drink worth N1,400,000. As a matter of fact, how did Parker know the price of such a drink, if he does not take it?

“Wike cannot be said to be more fraudulent than Parker.

Rivers people are asking questions. In March, N3 billion was released for the reconstruction of traffic lights in Port Harcourt. Till today, there is no traffic light anywhere.

“Severally, they have told us they are going to inaugurate the mono-rail, but there is nothing there. What about the International Motor Park built at Omagwa and Eleme by a foreign company from South Africa? That project was abandoned even though money was released in full for it.

“They are merely giving Wike a bad name. Wike is a man with a great reputation and outstanding character. Today, he is adjudged the most performing Minister of Education.”

in Abuja and drinking exotic wines that cost a fortune.

The commissioner said it was sad that the minister, “who claims to be a lawyer”, could not show one brief written by him.

He said Wike’s familiarity with court rooms was “as a result of being a plaintiff or defendant” in law suits.

Parker said he was proud to be part of the Amaechi administration since its inception on October 26, 2007, adding: “Karibi-Whyte Hospital is an on-going project with a target completion date. The first contractor was disengaged based on spurious allegations and campaigns of calumny orchestrated by Wike, then the chief of staff, and his cohorts.

“The governor set up an independent panel of enquiry. The panel exonerated me of any wrongdoing and said the state had lost no money on the project. Not

satisfied and blinded by his desire to implicate me in some crime, he pressured the security services and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to arrest and indict me.

“The 1,000-bed mega hospital is not an abandoned project and would be inaugurated before long.

“On the Malaria Elimination Programme, Rivers was the first state to embark on malaria elimination. The governor, after consultations with experts in Nigeria, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) decided that malaria elimination was achievable. Malaria has killed more Africans, especially children, than all the World Wars and inter-tribal wars combined. This noble vision was supported by ECOWAS and some foreign

•Wike

governments.

“We commenced the first trial phase of this programme, which involved the spraying of biolarvicide in select local government areas and towns. This was done in conjunction with the Cuban government. The analysis and the effects of the spraying are known to the people, as the findings were made public. Malaria incident reduced by 63 per cent in the areas we sprayed. In fact, it is the effectiveness and efficacy of our trial that led to the National Council on Health adopting malaria elimination as a national health policy for Nigeria.

“Due to the success of this first phase and the high cost of transporting the biolarvicides, the government, to reduce cost, set up a factory to manufacture this essential substance in our Malaria Elimination Programme. The foundation stone for this factory was laid by ECOWAS President Kadre Desire Quedraogo and President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister for Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, at the proposed site in Rumuosi, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, which is Wike’s local government.

ECOWAS is a partner in this project.”

On completion, Parker said the factory would supply biolarvicides to the country and beyond, adding: “Can Wike claim ignorance of these facts?”

Ofili’s loss is painful, says Uduaghan

D

ELTA State Governor E m m a n u e l Uduaghan has described the death of his Special Adviser on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Sunny Ofili, as “a loss too painful to bear”.

Uduaghan, accompanied by his deputy, Prof. Amos Utuama, and top government officials, visited the late Ofili’s family yesterday in Asaba.

Ofili and the traditional ruler of Issele-Uku, Obi Henry Ezeagwuna, died in a car crash.

The governor said: “He was a young man, who was active and dedicated to his duties. Sunny’s death is a personal loss to me. I know it is painful to the family. For us in the government, it is also painful. It is difficult to express one’s feelings because his death is a great loss to the state.”

He said the government would give the late Ofili a be-

•The late Ofili

fitting burial.

Speaking for the family, Mr. Patrick Isichei thanked Uduaghan for his concern.

Isichei said the family had set up a planning committee and August 28 and 29 had been fixed for the funeral ceremony.

Utuama prayed for the family, the government and people of the state.

Colleagues, friends and relations have been signing the condolence register opened in honour of the late Ofili.

Mr Peter Mobuogwu wrote: “May the Lord give you a place of rest and peace in His kingdom. Rest in peace, gentleman.”

•Uduaghan (second right); his deputy Prof. Amos Utuama (left), Secretary to the State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay, (right) and Commissioner for Information Chike Ogeah, (second left) during a condolence visit to the family of the late Mr. Ofili...yesterday.

66

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

NEWS Ebola: Five new cases in Lagos as doctor gets kudos Continued from page 4

country, he said, would soon be deployed in major entry points across the country.

“As at today, Nigeria has had a total number of 12 cases of ebola, which include the index case, the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, 11 Nigerians who were primary contacts with the one index case. Of this 12, the total number of successful cases who have been discharged stands at five but the total number of deaths, including the index case, stands at five dead. Currently, the total number of cases in Nigeria are two, made up of one doctor, one nurse who had managed the index case and they are presently on treatment at the isolation centres.”

“The latest death occurred Tuesday evening and that is the death of the most senior doctor, senior consultant/physician/ endrocologist at First Consultant Hospital, Lagos, Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh.”

“Regrettably, she lost her life to Ebola virus. Of course, she contacted the disease from the Liberian-American who exported the disease to Nigeria in the cause of treating that patient.”

“Indeed she had to physically restrain this infected person from escaping from hospital when the latter attempted to do so having been communicated that he was Ebola positive.”

He went on: “Indeed if that index case had escaped hospital at that stage, it would have spelt disaster for Nigeria, as many more persons, many of them who would have been very difficult to track, could have become primary contacts.”

“There is no doubt that Dr. Adadevoh is not only dedicated, committed and competent doctor, but she showed rare courage, rare sense of duty, service and patriotism to her country.”

“The Minister of Health met with the family of the Late Dr. Adadevoh last Saturday in Lagos. The meeting was cordial and fruitful in the sense that misconceptions and wrong information were thoroughly addressed, leading to better understanding and appreciation by the family of the efforts being made by the government to save the lives of all affected persons. And they did commend the Federal Government.”

Noting that there were rumours of the infection in some parts of the country, Chukwu said that they all turned out to be negative after tests were carried out.

On the discharged Ebola patients, he said: “We also want to

say what we have gone through in discharging the Ebola patients who are now free of the virus; they do not pose any danger to the society.

“Anybody could suffer from any disease that person does not deserve to be stigmatise.”

According to Chukwu, the American Ambassador had explained that the trial drug, ZMapp, had not been sent to Nigeria because it is out of stock.

He added: “Presently, we have not stopped requesting for drug, the company in Canada and a lot of Nigerians, including the High Commissioner of Nigeria to Canada, are making that request to see whether the other drug being manufactured in Canada called TKM Ebola would also be extended to Nigeria. It is an experimental drug.”

“For whatever drug and if the patient gives us the consent, I want to stress this point that Nigeria, as an organised country, the drug will have to pass through our health ethics committee to have approval.”

On requests to carry out festivals in Osun and Ebonyi states, Chukwu said: “A letter from Osun State seeking to continue with Osun Festival is still being considered. The National Arts and Culture Festival in Ebonyi has been postponed.”

He said Atedo Peterside donated N100,000 through his foundation per bed per day to affected private hospitals. The first beneficiary is First Consultant Hospital, Lagos where the index case was managed.

He said: “The hospital has 40 beds and so will receive N4 million from that foundation. This is to aid the hospital to continue to pay its staff who have all been asked to stay at home and the hospital closed as a result of the confirmed case of Ebola virus.

“The hospital will have to be decontaminated. All the staff in the hospital who were around during the first index case are all under survillence and so are not working,” the minister said Frontline businessman Tony Elumelu has pledged N50 million towards eradicating the disease in Nigeria, he said, adding that Shell had allocated an ambulance to convey Ebola patients.

On the strike by doctors, Chukwu said: “They were not sacked; it is a matter of interpretation. For example, can someone while still working actively dies, or whether that person resigned or was dismissed or retired or terminated, all mean different things in the public service. But the end point is that the person is no longer working.

“I want us to put things in per-

spective. Government did not sack anybody. It is true that they themselves have not been working for almost two months, except those in private hospitals.

Resident doctors in both federal and state hospitals have not been working for almost two months now and they have not participated in the control of this Ebola virus disease; they have not played any role.”

“So, even if government had not taken any decision, they are not there, they are not working and I don’t know why suddenly the media starts taking interest in them. They are not part of this success story. But what happened is like in the aviation industry where when you buy a ticket and you fail to show up, they say ‘no show’ and they even penalise you. So there is no show of the resident doctors and even government is still paying them.”

He added: “People who are unemployed even some doctors will be asking government a question, ‘is it because we did not have an appointment letter?’

What is the difference; you are paying people who are not working, we too are not working, why are you not paying us.

Sometimes we need to think deeply about what we do to ourselves.

“Government says why can’t we use this period to appraise properly the residency programme and come up with something that can help the country. Training of a doctor must be done properly. They have an allotted time to acquire skills. Anybody can pass the theoretical exams, but has he acquired the skills? We need to be honest with ourselves.”

“If you suspend any course, do you keep students redundant? You give them opportunity. If they feel you are wasting their time, they can apply for other courses.”

“This is only in federal hospitals; the federal government is not deciding for the states or private hospitals. It is not a permanent thing. I believe we will quickly appraise this situation and hopefully government will resume residency programme because honestly we need to train doctors in the specialist areas.”

The FEC yesterday also received update from the Health Ministry on efforts to kick out polio virus from Nigeria.

The Minister of State for Health, Khaliru Al-Hassan, said while 43 cases were recorded in Nigeria last year, only three cases have so far been recorded this year.

Adadevoh: In the eyes of her people, others Continued from page 4

patriot for that the late Sawyer did not escape from quarantine.

A family member, who does not want to be named, said the Consultant Endocrinologist at First Consultant Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, acted wisely to stop the index EVD patient from infecting others.

The source said the family was hopeful that she would recover from the disease like other doctors that were discharged but her condition worsened and she passed on. “We were shocked. Right now I don’t even know where I am. Our sister was merciful and always looking for the interest of others,” she said.

“Although she was born to Ghanaian parents, her life has been all about Nigeria. She was born and raised in this country.

Her grandmother was a Yoruba woman.

“She like her father served Nigeria with all their might.

They gave their all to ensure the country gets better. All her family had at one point or another

served the country.”

She said the late physician put the interest of the country before herself. “Not many professionals can do that.”

The source said her mother, Madam Deborah Adadevoh, is devastated; so was her son.

“Her death affected us so much that we cannot stop crying. It came so sudden,” she said.

Describing late Adadevoh, the source said, she was very warm, accommodating and well-mannered, adding that the deceased brought joy to people’s lives. “She lived what she preached as a doctor because doctors always play with people before treating them,” she said.

Secretary, Lagos State council of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Babajide Saheed, said the deceased was a woman of substance.

“Before her death, she was the consultant in-charge of cases relating to endocrinology. She was called to the hospital that fateful day to review the late Sawyer’s case,” he said.

Vice Chairman, Lagos State

Medical Guild, Dr Oseni Salau. said an embassy called the hospital to discharge the LiberianAmerican but Ms Adadevoh kicked against it to save the country from a scourge because “Sawyer was enraged and wanted to infect as many people as possible. Thank God she didn’t allow him to escape.”

Her action, he said showed that she was a professional and a true one at that because she helped to contain the disease.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of First Consultant Hospital, Dr Wale Balogun said yesterday that the family of the deceased will be meeting both State and Federal Ministries of Health today, to discuss the logistics of her burial.

“But I cannot preempt the family on the decisions of her burial.”

Chairman, Joint Task Force on the EVD outbreak in the country, Professor Abdulsalami Nasidi, said, “There will be a meeting with the relatives of the deceased today. The final decisions on best ways to adopt in handling the body.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

67

FOREIGN NEWS

Obama outraged over American journalist’s beheading U

NITED State President Barack Obama has said the beheading of US journalist James Foley is “an act of violence that shocks the conscience of the entire world”.

Mr Obama said the ideology of Islamic State (IS), the group which made a video of Mr Foley’s killing, was “bankrupt” and would ultimately fail.

The group said Mr Foley’s killing was revenge for US air strikes on its fighters in Iraq.

The US, the UN and other nations have expressed abhorrence at the video.

Mr Foley’s mother Diane said his son “gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people”.

The killer speaks with a British accent, as the BBC’s Frank Gardner reports. Some listeners may find parts of this audio disturbing.

Mr Foley, 40, had reported extensively across the Middle East, working for US publication GlobalPost and other media outlets including French news agency AFP. In the video, titled A Message to America, a man identified as James Foley is dressed in an orange jumpsuit, kneeling in desertlike terrain beside an armed man dressed in black.

He gives a message to his family and links his imminent death to the US government’s bombing campaign of IS targets in Iraq.

Clearly under duress, he says: “I call on my friends, family and loved ones to rise up against my real killers, the US government, for what will happen to me is only a result of their complacency and criminality.”

Then the masked militant, who speaks with a British accent, delivers a warning to the US government: “You are no longer fighting an insurgency. We are an Islamic army and a state that has been accepted by a large number of Muslims worldwide.

“So any attempt by you Obama to deny the Muslims their rights of living in safety under the Islamic caliphate will result in the bloodshed of your people.”

After he speaks, the mili-

Gaza : Hamas leader Deif’ escapes assassination

H

•Other world leaders react, another hostage held

tant appears to start cutting at his captive’s neck before the video fades to black.

His body is then seen on the ground.

Another captive, identified as American journalist Steven Sotloff, is shown at the end, with the warning that his fate depends on President Obama’s next move.

Mr Sotloff was abducted in northern Syria a year ago.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned the killing as “deeply shocking” but said it was “not a time for a knee-jerk reaction”.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called it “an abominable crime that underscores the campaign of terror”.

Earlier, French President Francois Hollande told Le Monde: “I think we are in the most serious international situation since 2001” - the year of the 11 September attacks in the US. In the undated video of James Foley, the masked militant accuses the US of at-

‘Foley’s mother Diane said his son “gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people’ tacking IS daily in Iraq Shocking as it is, the video of James Foley being beheaded by a masked jihadist is not without precedent.

In 2004 al-Qaeda’s offshoot in Iraq, led by Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the forerunners of Islamic State (IS), did the same thing to Nick Berg, a hapless American telecoms engineer who fell into their clutches.

The group went on to murder Briton Ken Bigley in the same way, after first getting him to plead on camera with the then Prime Minister Tony Blair to change

Britain’s course in Iraq.

These grisly murder videos are abhorrent to most Muslims and non-Muslims alike and they’ve even been discouraged by Osama Bin Laden’s successor as a “vote loser”.

But for the hard-core jihadists of IS they serve a number of purposes: to horrify and scare their enemies, to boost the morale of their own by showing the impotence of the West to prevent it, and thereby to embarrass the US and Britain, with the hope of making them temper their military actions in Iraq.

Mr Foley had spent many years reporting from the world’s trouble spots.

He covered the war in Libya and was detained there for more than 40 days.

“I’m drawn to the drama of the conflict and trying to expose untold stories,” he told the BBC in 2012.

In 2012 James Foley told the BBC about the importance of journalists at the

•Obama...yesterday

frontline “There’s extreme violence, but there’s a will to find who these people really are. And I think that’s what’s really inspiring about it.”

Mr Foley’s mother Diane, writing on Facebook, urged the militants to free any other hostages.

“Like Jim, they are innocents. They have no control over American government policy in Iraq, Syria or anywhere in the world,” she wrote.

The US launched air strikes almost a fortnight ago, in an attempt to help Kurdish forces curb the advance of Islamic State militants in northern Iraq and recapture the Mosul dam, the biggest in Iraq.

IS has been accused of massacring hundreds of people in areas under its control in Iraq and also in eastern Syria.

T least 32 people have been killed in landslides that struck Japan’s Hiroshima prefecture, officials say.

The landslides happened in a residential area near a mountain in the Hiroshima city outskirts.

They were triggered after the equivalent of a month’s rain fell in the 24 hours up to Wednesday morning, Japan’s weather agency said.

Images from the scene showed houses buried in mud and rocks, as rescue teams worked their way towards homes.

Another nine people are still missing, said authorities.

Another local government official said some people were swept away and it was “hard to know exactly how many are unaccounted for”, AP reported.

The BBC’s Rupert WingfieldHayes says that several of those killed were children.

One of the youngest victims was a two-year-old boy, Kyodo news agency reported.

A

Fierce fighting rages in Ukraine KRAINIAN government and rebel forces are both claiming control of the small town of Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region after fierce fighting.

Security forces said the town was under government control but the rebels said they had repulsed an attack.

Eight Ukrainian soldiers died overnight, an official said, including an American with Ukrainian citizenship.

Fighting across the Donetsk region left 34 civilians dead and 29 injured on Tuesday alone, local officials say.

Civilians in the region are also facing mounting problems with supplies of essential goods.

Pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev and proclaimed their own people’s republics after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.

More than 2,000 civilians and combatants have been killed since mid-April, when Ukraine’s government sent troops to put down the rebel uprising.

Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending Russian soldiers into eastern Ukraine - a claim denied by the Kremlin.

In another development, several people scaled one of Moscow’s “Stalin skyscrapers” to place a Ukrainian flag on top of its star, which they painted yellow and blue, the colours of the Ukrainian flag; police later made several arrests.

U

•The late James Foley reported from Libya in 2011, where he was held for six weeks

Landslides kill 32 in Japan

AMAS says the wife and a child of its mili tary commander, Mohammed Deif, have been killed in an Israeli air strike on the Gaza Strip.

At least 19 Palestinians have died since hostilities resumed on Tuesday, with both sides blaming each other for the collapse of the Cairo peace talks.

The Israeli military said it had carried out 92 air strikes in response to 137 rockets fired at its territory.

Six weeks of fierce fighting have left at least 2,103 people dead.

Egypt has expressed “profound regret” at the end of the 10-day period of calm and said it will continue trying to secure a lasting truce.

It is believed the air strike on a house in Gaza City late on Tuesday that killed Mohammed Deif’s wife and their young son was intended to kill the militant himself.

Ebola crisis: Liberian troops impose slum quarantine

S

ECURITY forces in Liberia’s capital have deployed to enforce a quarantine in a large slum area in Monrovia in order to contain the spread of Ebola.

The isolation of West Point and a countrywide night-time curfew are the latest anti-Ebola measures to be ordered by the president.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 1,200 people have died of the virus in four West African countries.

In Nigeria, a top Lagos

doctor has just died of the virus.

We have been unable to control the spread due to continued denials... disregard for the advice of health workers and disrespect for the warnings by the government” That brings the number of people who have died of Ebola in Nigeria to five, the health ministry said.

Colleagues said consultant Stella Ameyo Adadevo was the first medic to order that a sick patient from

Liberia be tested for Ebola when he was admitted in July.

“We owe her a lot; she managed the situation like a thorough professional that she was. She had helped Nigeria to contain the epidemic in her own way,” Akin Osibogun, the chief medical director at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, told Nigeria’s Premium Times newspaper.

Officials says five people have recovered from the vi-

rus in Nigeria and have been discharged from hospital in Lagos. Two are still being treated.

Since the outbreak spread to Nigeria in July, several airlines have stopped flights to the region. Liberia is already under a state of emergency Kenyan travel restrictions have now taken effect, blocking travellers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea the three countries most affected by the outbreak.

UK mayor wants Nigeria to adopt part-time legislature

T

HE Mayor of Lambeth, United Kingdom, Mr. Adedamola Aminu, has urged Nigeria to adopt part time legislature to reduce the cost of governance.

The mayor said countries that run part-time legislature, forge ahead better than those

By Musa Odoshimokhe with full time legislature.

He spoke during at the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission, IkejaLagos.

He said the system would encourage professionalism,

noting that part-time legislature would enable Nigeria tape the skills and experiences of professionals.

Aminu said: “There is nothing stopping accountants, lecturers, teachers or bankers from engaging in partisan politics while keeping their jobs.”

He urged the Federal Government to embrace the global trend of part-time legislature.

“Nigeria is very generous with allowance, unlike the UK where legislators get nothing beyond what you get for charity.”

“In the UK, even if you are doing it on part-time, you can

comfortably live on the allowances, so you don’t need full time legislature,” he said.

Responding, the chairman of the commission, Chief Wale Mogaji said the issue should be embraced by government, stressing that full time legislature is adversely affecting the economy.

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SPORT EXTRA KOREA 2-6 NIGERIA

2015 NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER

Four-goal Oshoala shoots Nigeria into final

F

OUR goals from Asisat Oshoala helped Nigeria to a comprehensive 6-2 win over Korea DPR last night as they booked a place in the final of the ongoing Under 20 Women’s World Cup. Courtney Dike, the younger sister of Super Eagles player Bright Dike, put the Falconets in front with just 64 seconds on the clock as Nigeria raced to an early lead and - before the Koreans could recover - the tallest player on the pitch Asisat Oshoala stole the ball from midfield before rounding the goalkeeper to score the second for Nigeria.

The Koreans did not go down without a fight as - determined to deny the Falconets passage to their second U-20 Women’s World Cup final - a beautiful lob from number 10 shirt R. UN

From Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, Moncton, Canada SIM sailed past Chichi in goal for Nigeria to make it 2-1 in the 24th minute.

The Koreans made an early change in the second half as J. Ryon Hwa replaced K.So Hyang but it was Nigeria that nearly extended their led as Dike flashed a powerful left foot shot that was equally met by a strong save from the Korean goalkeeper.

The Falconets extended their lead in the 55th minute with a simple finish from Sunday Uchechi while star of the match Oshoala rifled in her second of the night and her fifth goal of the tournament to give the Falconets a 4-1 lead.

However, the referee pointed to the penalty spot in

the 62nd minute as Nigerian defender Ugo Njoku was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the penalty box. J. SO YON stepped up to finish coolly from 12yards for the Asians.

Soon afterwards, however, the irrepressible Oshoala again showed up to complete her hattrick by muscling her way past the Korean defense to lob the ball above the goalie.

Uchechi was denied her second of the night as the Korean keeper tipped her effort away for a corner and minutes later Oshoala gave the Nigerian bench a scare as she went of injured. She however returned to the pitch as good as new and added a fourth goal to her tally by intercepting a poor back pass from a Korean defender. She jabbed it into the net before the goalkeeper could reach it.

At 6-2, Falconets manager Peter Dedevbo substituted Oshoala fondly called ‘Seedorf’ by her teammates to a rousing applause from fans inside the Moncton Stadium as Nigeria qualified for her second U-20 final after achieving same feat in 2010.

At the final whistle however, the referee bizarrely denied four-goal hero Oshoala the match ball, as is the customary honour accorded the scorer of three goals and above in a football match. The Nigerian hero stood in front of the referee with smiles of joy and bewilderment.

Nigeria, who topped Group C with seven points ahead of the likes of Korea Republic, England, and Mexico, will meet either Germany or France in the final.

S

TEPHEN Keshi has told AfricanFootball.com he left out Victor Moses from Nigeria's AFCON 2015 qualifiers against Congo and South Africa because the forward has lost form.

Victor Moses, who has joined English Premier League (EPL) side Stoke City, was conspicuously missing from Keshi's 23-man squad released on Tuesday for next month's AFCON qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

"I watched Victor Moses at Chelsea's pre-season and he seemed to be struggling as he had limited play time with the club," Keshi told only AfricanFootball.com "Now that he has joined Stoke

City, I think he needs time to get back to the player we know him to be.

“I think it’s time he made up his mind what he wants, if he wants to play football or not."

After emerging as one of Nigeria’s top stars at last year’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa, Victor Moses missed the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil on account of injury, before he struggled to make an impact at the recent World Cup. Last season, he endured a torrid time at Liverpool after he was shipped out on loan by Chelsea and this season, he has again been released on loan to Stoke City as he does not figure in Jose Mourinho’s plans.

‘Fire at NFF secretariat is sabotage’

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•Asisat Oshoala (L) of Nigeria celebrates her team's fourth goal with team mates during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 Semi Final match between Korea DPR and Nigeria at Moncton Stadium yesterday in Moncton, Canada (Photo: FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

I dropped Moses because he’s off form —Keshi

HE vice president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mike Umeh, has described yesterday’s fire that razed the federation’s ‘Glass House’ secretariat in Abuja as act of sabotage.

Umeh, who was acting president until Aminu Maigari was a few days ago reinstated as NFF president by the world’s football-governing body, FIFA, felt the inferno was a deliberate act.

He said: “A lot of corruption is going on in the Nigeria Football Federation. The thing (fire incident) is an act of sabotage.

“The meeting held here (at the NFF Secretariat) yesterday, we were not part of it and we did not agree with it (the outcome of the meeting). Nobody can perpetuate himself in power. It is not done,” Umeh said, probably referring to his rival, Maigari’s return to the NFF presidency post.

“They are just buying time.

•There’s something fishy, says Baribote From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja We have to hold our elections on the 26th of this month. If they like let them burn the whole of Abuja, we must hold our election. Of course, it could be an act of sabotage if not what kind of fire (outbreak) is this?” he wondered out loud. “This happened during work hours. It did not happen during the night when we can say it was as a result of power surge during the night.”

Umeh then made this allegation: “I understand one of our big men was here watching the fire burning. The information I got was that the general secretary was here watching the fire burning.”

The proprietor of Glo Premier League club, Nembe City FC, Victor Rumson Baribote, said there was a need for the secu-

rity agencies to conduct a thorough investigation.

Baribote, who is former board member of the NFF, said those in the building when the fire started had a lot of explanation to give, because they ought to have noticed the fire on time and put it off before it got out of hand.

“The truth is that both the security agencies and the staff on duty have a lot of things to tell Nigerians because this is not a restaurant where this type of fire can just rage without anybody doing something to contain it.

“Although I don’t want to apportion blame on anybody yet, for this fire to occur at a time people were calling for a probe and people needed documents, it needs to be investigated because it suggests that there is something fishy”, Baribote said.

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TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 21, 2014

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 8, NO. 2,931

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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T was a moving – and rare - spectacle.

Doctors in their white house coats, carrying placards and marching in some cities. Thousands of them have just been “fired” in one moment of presidential fury for going on strike.

Poor guys. Their tough visage betrayed a deep anger against a negligent system in which professionals and their children stand a little chance of living well, even as their trade has become so risky. One of them, Dr Stella Shade Aneyo Adadevoh, has just died after contracting the Ebola virus while trying to save the Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer, who imported the lethal disease to Nigeria.

But not all professionals are that unlucky.

Some are just lucky; they work hard and it pays. All is smooth. Others are not just lucky, they are endowed with good luck. From the obscurity and humility of a village life, they get catapulted onto the apogee of their career.

Super Eagles coach – should I say former?

– and his would - be employers have been haggling as if the subject at issue is a real estate deal involving a huge Banana Island property. First, he was said to be the target of some countries seeking a good coach to drive their soccer dream. That was just after the World Cup. Then, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) asked him to return. Keshi was offered N5m monthly, which he dismissed as “slavery pay”. Then N8m. No deal. As the officials racked their heads to resolve the matter before a fast approaching Nations Cup qualifier match, the Big Boss announced through his agent – nobody negotiates such a job all by himself; there are agents who are well paid to do so – that he wanted N15 monthly.

Now, we hear the NFF needs the President’s assistance to pay such a gargantuan salary. The Keshi contract haggling has opened a huge debate on professionalism, risks and rewards.

Being a Super Eagles coach is, in fact, no joke. He is expected to develop the game at the grassroots so that the national team will have at any time a pool of stars to draw from.

Besides, he must be able to win trophies.

Consider the tension on the bench during critical matches, the gesticulations, the sweating, the hollering and, of course, the chewing gum that seems to keep the emotion and the tension in check.

Bagging the job is like hitting the jackpot.

A $20,000 match bonus. If the match is drawn, the coach gets $10,000 and World Cup appearance fee of $300,000. Free accommodation, business class travel and a fleet of vehicles, including the exotic Sport Range. The coach was also given $20,000 by one of the biggest supporters of the game, Globacom, for guiding the Eagles to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

And an unfettered access to the President.

Even bank and oil company chiefs must be envious.

Almost two years after he was accused of stealing N21b pension fund – he denied any wrongdoing – Pension Reform Task Force

‘If it is impossible to have a common vision of society with those at different levels of cultural development, it is a challenge of present privileged Yoruba political leaders to combine the lesson of our past with their today’s activities to fashion out a vision of tomorrow for our JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN people’

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (NMMA)

Of jobs, risks and rewards

•Abba

•Keshi

•Maina

•Mrs Madueke

Alison-

chief Abdulrasheed Maina is back in the news.

Maina’s task force, you may wish to recall, was drafted in to clean up the mess in the system. But it ended up muddling up everything. As soon as Maina was accused of having his hand in the till, he announced the discovery of more stolen pension cash, usually in billions. And the game went on and on until we all lost focus of the issue – that pensioners were dying and some villainous civil servants were living like kings and movie stars after stealing much of the cash.

So bad was the situation that the Senate issued an arrest warrant against Maina, but the then Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar claimed Maina’s whereabouts was unknown. Maina had an army of police guards.

He rode in long convoys of exotic vehicles and had an air of invincibility around him. But the IG said when his men went to arrest him, he bolted through the back door, never to be seen again. The Senate lashed out at the Presidency for allegedly shielding Maina. In fact, Senate President David Mark asked the executive to choose between the Senate and Maina. At a point, people were hired to protest in his support as he claimed to be suffering from persecution.

The missing billions are yet to be found and the Senate warrant is yet to be discharged. The

hell raising is all over. Now there are calls for Maina’s return. Lucky guy. He can even sue for defamation or be magnanimous to just let go, saying: “I’ve forgiven all.” Will Maina be reinstated?

A new helmsman has taken charge at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). I watched the other day as former Group Managing Director Andrew Yakubu handed over to the new man, Joseph Dawha, who was all smiles.

As he took the reins, observers were wondering how long Dawha, who looks so simple and naïve, would last on the job. As of the last count, the corporation has had five managing directors in less than five years. It was not clear why Yakubu had to go. Sources said he was fired for irreconcilable differences - whatever that means - with the minister, Mrs Diezani Alison- Madueke, who is yet to clear herself of the allegation that she spent N10b on chartered flights. Instead of laying the facts bare, the woman rushed to the court to stop a plan to probe her. The NNPC is also accused of holding back some $10b oil revenue from the federation account, an allegation many seem to have forgotten after its champion, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, mounted the throne as Emir of Kano – against all odds.

Many have called for Mrs Alison-

BAD SIGN FROM THE MILITARY

A

RE we still fighting Boko Haram? A soldier has just told the BBC that, at least, 40 of his colleagues would refuse order to deploy. “Soldiers are dying like fowls,” he said, adding that “the army is not ready to fight Boko Haram”. The anonymous soldier complained about not having enough weapons and ammunition. Armoured cars are old, he alleged. Defence spokesman Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade believes the soldier must be a deserter.

The other day, there was mutiny in Borno State. The soldiers involved were courtmartialled. Women have been reported to have cried out that their men were being sent to battle with obsolete equipment. And now this. The Chief of Army Staff has, however, warned against murmuring, reminding all that the penalty for mutiny - the refusal to obey orders by a superior or someone in authority - is death.

Nobody knew that Boko Haram would last this long. In many states, the military are pursuing armed robbers. President Goodluck Jonathan insists, against counsel of elders and experts, on drafting soldiers for elections. Many believe this is to give his party, PDP, the cover to overwhelm its opponents and manipulate the process.

Fatigue seems to be setting in. When the military are overstretched, ill-equipped, illmotivated and demystified, they may some day refuse to fight. Let’s pray it doesn’t get to that level. If it does –God forbid – we all know where to lay the blame. Don’t we?

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

HARDBALL

U

NSURPRISINGLY, the alarming female suicide bombings that shook Kano State in a chain of violence generated by the Islamist guerilla force Boko Haram prompted a response from the police.

However, beyond a physical operational reaction, it was interesting that Frank Mba, an assistant commissioner of police and the force public relations officer, considered the incidents grave enough to reflect on the phenomenon of female suicide bombers in a seemingly intellectual way.

He resorted to an essayistic medium in exploring the development, with a view to selling his wisdom on a possible solution to the apparently novel approach to terrorism in the country.

Mba’s article, publicised by newspapers, was titled “Female suicide bombers: Dealing with the emerging trend”; it included two important subtitles, specifically, “Why terrorist groups use female suicide

Gender-unfriendly thinking bombers” and “Preventing female suicide bombers from carrying out attack”. It is instructive that he provided a background to his focus on the issue.

He said: “This new trend in Nigeria started in Gombe State where a yet-to-be-identified middle-aged woman wrapped an explosive round her body and headed towards the Quarter Guard of the 301 Nigerian Army base in Gombe.

While she was being stopped for a search, the bomb suddenly went off.”

Mba continued: “In a similar vein, four unidentified female suicide attackers heavily strapped with EIDs have, at different locations, different days but almost same week of the month of July, 2014, blown themselves up while the security personnel on duty were trying to stop them from accessing their target areas in Kano State.”

In trying to identify the reasons for the

Madueke’s sack, but the more they cry the stronger she gets. Researchers may be lucky one day to stumble on her staying power so that top managers will learn a lesson or two on how to remain unfazed, unruffled in a most hostile situation as she has been in.

The police chief’s job is as risky as it is exciting. How does he convince the average policeman that corruption should not be a way of life? Doesn’t the policeman on the street think that the boss is even more corrupt? How should the police react to the strange crimes that are fast becoming part of our lives. A man was arrested last week in Edo for sleeping with a dog. With what offence will he be charged? Assault?

Indecency? Will witnesses come up to testify against the suspect? The owner of the dog has disowned the animal. If he had not, wouldn’t the police have charged him with negligence? Or for being an accessory to indecent conduct?

Inspector-General Suleiman Abba was laughing hysterically as he visited the Villa after his appointment, just like Adamawa Acting Governor Umar Fintiri, who showed up at the PDP secretariat in Abuja after former Governor Murtala Nyako’s impeachment to announce: “I have delivered!”.

Abba spoke about his men’s preparation for the Osun election, saying: “ In fact, my advice is this, if you don’t have any business with Osun elections, just don’t go there because the law will catch up with you.” Was the IG preparing the ground for the massive rights abuses that characterised that exercise that was no election but a war against the peaceful but definitely not timid people of Osun?

Abba promised to roll out in one week a strategy against Boko Haram and other violent crimes. We are still waiting?

When will professionals begin to get their dues? Teachers. Doctors. Engineers.

Reporters. Lawyers. Drivers. Printers. When will they have that satisfaction that will keep them at work without thinking of dumping their careers for politics?

terrorists’ employment of females for suicide bombing missions, Mba made what should pass for a narrow-minded analysis, not to say chauvinistic comments. It is possible that he was not aware of the implications of his view, but that is no excuse. He said: “In addition, it is also easier for women to be indoctrinated, especially when they are intellectually immature, uneducated and perhaps from very poor and deprived backgrounds.”

The questions for Mba: What about men who are “intellectually immature, uneducated and perhaps from very poor and deprived backgrounds?” Or are there no such men? The point is that it would also be “easier” for such men, if they exist, and they do, to be “indoctrinated”.

Indeed, it amounted to a curious understanding of human capacity to be so

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above limiting on the basis of gender. It would be interesting to know more about Mba’s attitude towards women, in the light of his obviously skewed presentation. Intriguingly, one of his solutions was: “Conscious of the fact that ignorance and poverty provide fertile grounds for radicalisation, it is important that governments at all levels should develop and implement holistic measures aimed at preventing the radicalisation of our young girls through massive education and empowerment programmes.”

There was a significant omission in his recommendation that cannot be excused. If “ignorance and poverty provide fertile grounds for radicalisation”, then it cannot be a female affair only.

Men are equally vulnerable in the face of ignorance and poverty; and any enduring answer to the terror problem ought to address these identified enabling factors beyond the restricting context of gender. Is Mba guilty of “intellectual laziness”?

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Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO