The Nation August 25, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Protest at National Assembly over Salami

•NLC faults NJC, President

NEWS – Pages 4 & 8

Okah ‘planned to harm Jonathan’ NEWS

– Page 8

•New charge in South Africa http://www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 1863 THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

A MARCH FOR DEMOCRACY AND RULE OF LAW

‘

But beyond the present is the almost irreplaceable damage the conduct of the NJC, apparently goaded to do the outgoing CJN’s bidding, has caused the Judiciary. In the eyes of the right-thinking public, Justice Katsina-Alu is all crude power, without any judicial grace.

’

•Editorial - PAGE 15

•The National Frontiers Group and others protesting the suspension of Justice Ayo Salami at the National Assembly’s gate in Abuja ... yesterday. See also pages 4, 5 and 8.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

£1m prize on Gaddafi Libyan strongman wanted ‘dead or alive’ L

IBYA’s new masters yesterday offered a million-pound bounty for the fugitive Muammar Gaddafi. But the fleeing strongman urged his men to carry on a battle that kept Tripoli, the beleaguered capital, in a state of fear.

A day after rebel forces overran his headquarters and trashed the symbols of his 41year dictatorship, rocket and machine gun fire from pockets of loyalists kept the irregular fighters at bay as they tried to hunt down Gaddafi and his sons.

Western leaders, who backed the revolt with Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) air power, remained wary of declaring outright victory while the 69-yearold Gaddafi is at large. He issued a rambling but defiant audio message to remaining bastions of his supporters, some of whom may be tempted to mount an Iraqstyle insurgency.

But the international powers and the rebel government-in-waiting in the eastern city of Benghazi, lost no time in making arrangements for a handover of Libya’s substantial foreign assets. Funds will be required to bring relief to war-battered towns and to develop oil reserves that can make Libya rich.

France was working with Britain and other allies to draft a new United Nations resolution intended to ease sanctions and asset freezes imposed Libya when Gaddafi SEE ALSO on was in charge. Rebels PAGES 2&3 also spoke of restarting oil export facilities soon.

Washington was last night trying to submit a United Nations resolution to release an immediate $1.5 billion for humanitarian Continued on page 4

•A Libyan rebel burns a poster of Muammar Gaddafi at the Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli ... yesterday.

PHOTO: AFP

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P47

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

2

NEWS ENDGAME IN LIBYA

After the euphoria, battle for Tripoli rages on A FTER the euphoria of capturing Muammar Gaddafi’s compound, Libyans came round to the realisation yesterday that the battle for Tripoli had still to be fought to the end.

Though rebel fighters broke into the Bab al-Aziziya compound from where Gaddafi taunted Western powers at the onset of the Non-Allied Treaty Organisation (NATO) bombing campaign in March, the Libyan strongmen was not to be found and his remaining loyal troops refused to simply give up.

“There are some fights going but hopefully today (yesterday) everything will be over,” one rebel fighter said.

Rebel fighters manned

checkpoints across the city as the crack of automatic weapon fire and the thud of antiaircraft guns rang out, but gone were the scenes of wild jubilation and civilians prudently chose to stay at home.

Rebels began expunging the symbols of Gaddafi rule -ripping down the larger-than-life billboard posters of the man who ran the oil-producing nation for 42-years and painting over street names and re-naming them in honor of rebels who fell as “martyrs” in the fight against Gaddafi.

For most of the population, security was still far too

patchy for life to even start getting back to normal. Shops remained firmly shuttered and rubbish piled up uncollected in the streets.

While handfuls of rebels came to pick over the shattered concrete and twisted steel remnants Bab al-Aziziya complex for valuables or mementos, the focus of fighting shifted to the area around the Rixos Hotel, where some 35 foreign journalists were trapped by the fighting and under armed guard by Gaddafi loyalists.

They were escorted out yesterday by the Internation-

al Committee of the Red Cross.

Inside the five-star showpiece hotel, food and water were running low, a Reuters reporter said.

Supplies were also running short at hospitals and most doctors had not returned to work, a rebel spokesman said.

The spokesman said: “There is a real catastrophe here. All hospitals and other health centers in Tripoli are suffering from a lack of medical staff, medicine and medical equipment.

“Appeals were made yesterday in the streets and mosques for urgent help.

There is also a dangerous shortage of blood at hospitals for the wounded.”

Rebels advance on Gaddafi’s home town

S

PECUALTIONS were rife yesterday that ‘wanted’ Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has fled to Sirte, as sporadic shooting continues in Tripoli, the capital city.

Rebels were advancing from the East and West on Muammar Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte, with some units within 35 miles of the city, the last major stronghold of loyalist forces.

The Misrata military council reported only sporadic resistance as rebel units push down the main coastal highway towards the desert city.

Gaddafi has not been seen in public in Tripoli for weeks, and speculation continued to grow that he may have fled to his birthplace. But rebel forces were unlikely to attempt to fight their way into Sirte and are expected to surround the city.

Meanwhile, sporadic shooting has continued in Tripoli, a day after opposition fighters stormed Gaddafi’s fortified compound in Tripoli following hours of heavy fighting. Loyalist forces briefly opened fire on rebels inside the Bab al-Aziziya compound, and also bombarded other areas in the city includ-

•Gaddafi

ing al-Mansoura and the area around the nearby Rixos Hotel.

A commander from Misrata said his forces hoped to meet the advancing rebels South of Sirte, after reports that opposition forces have overrun the strategic oil towns of Brega and Ras Lanuf.

“We can unite with the other forces (from the Eastern front),” said Anwar Sarwan, a Misrata rebel logistics officer, adding; “we are making good progress.”

Sirte has benefited from years of Gaddafi’s patronage – at one point he proposed making the city the capital of a United States of Africa.

But the symbolic value of taking the city has been outweighed by the rebels’ need to overrun loyalist bases from where Scud missiles are still being launched against Misrata.

These Soviet-era rockets are the heaviest weapons so far deployed by pro-Gaddafi forces. At least four have been aimed at the city, the latest exploding amid a flash of orange in a thunderous detonation in the early hours of yesterday, causing

momentary panic among hundreds of people gathered to greet relatives fleeing from Tripoli.

The missiles’ failure to reach their target appears to be because of the United States (U.S.) navy, with reports that a cruiser operating in the Mediterranean has been using Aegis missiles to intercept the Scuds each time one is detected.

So far, the U.S. navy has hit four out of four, but no one is sure how many Scuds government forces still possess, or whether Gaddafi has the capability to mount chemical warheads, as was the case

with Iraqi Scuds fired at Israel in the 1991 Gulf War. The rebels of Misrata were, however, pushing columns of men, artillery and ammunition up the road to Tripoli, with more than 2,000 fighters now taking control of Eastern parts of the Libyan capital.

Coming the other way were prisoners as a pickup truck was seen entering Misrata Tuesday night with what appeared to be black African mercenaries in uniforms huddled together on the flatbed of the truck receiving occasional kicks from their guards.

•Rebels at the Bab al-Aziziya compound in Tripoli... yesterday

Rebels, world leaders meet in Qat EPRESENTATIVES of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) yesterday sat down with officials from around the world in Doha, the Qatari capital, in a meeting expected to arrange $2.5 billion in emergency financing for an interim Libyan government and to shape the international role in moving the troubled North African nation forward.

R

Rebellion against Muammar Qaddafi’s 42-year rule is not yet complete. But the collapse of Qaddafi’s defences in Tripoli now has transition plans shifting into high gear.

Mahmoud Jibril, who is formally the NTC’s No. 2 leader behind Mustafa Abdel Jalil, said in a press conference Tuesday night that the rebel government-in-waiting will soon move to Tripoli.

•Hannibal

•Mohammad

•Presidential, parliamentary elec “It (interim government) is eager for emergency funding before the Eid-el-Fitr celebration that marks the end of Ramadan in a few days, which is the biggest Muslim holiday of the year.” Jibril said.

Many government salaries have gone unpaid and Jibril said the NTC wants foreign

financing to reassure police and other officials that Libya’s new order will look after them, and the country.

He said: “We have to be transparent in front of the whole world,” he said at the Doha press conference, adding: “Now we have to concentrate on building and healing

•al Moatassem

•Aisha

•Khamis

•al Saadi

•al Arab

•Saif

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

3

NEWS ENDGAME IN LIBYA Fear of uncertainly in the revolutionary movement

T

HERE are deep and potentially dangerous divisions in the revolutionary movement as it stands on the brink of power.

The rebels fighting in Tripoli now are a mosaic of different militias as much as a single army.

The immediate challenge facing the political leadership in Benghazi is to prevent revenge killings targeting those loyal to Col Gaddafi.

That would risk losing the support of the NATO countries which brought victory within the rebels grasp. It would also undermine the legitimacy of

any new government.

Jalil said he would resign if commanders did not respect the rule of law - an extraordinary admission that parts of the military may be outside political control.

No single charismatic, political personality has emerged yet on the rebel side, the kind of figure who could force dissident elements of the rebel forces into line and heal the divisions in the country.

But, after more than four decade of Col Gaddafi’s rule, Libyans may feel that another strongman is exactly what they do not want.

Who leads Libya?

A

yesterday

PHOTO: AFP

in Qatar to decide Libya’s future

entary elections likely next April our wounds.”

Mr. Abdel Jalil was quoted as saying in Italy’s Repubblica newspaper yesterday that presidential and parliamentary elections might hold in Libya by next April.

“We want a democratic government and a just constitution,” he said.

Jibril was less specific, saying the next political step would be to hold a national congress to set a constitutional drafting process in motion.

He said a referendum would be held on a new constitution, and that elections would soon follow,

but he didn’t give a time frame.

Jibril was expected to be in Paris, France, today to meet with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the earliest and most ardent backers of the Non-Allie Treaty Organisation (NATO) intervention in Libya.

Mr. Sarkozy also has a plan to convene a large international meeting in Paris sometime

in the next two weeks to coordinate international aid.

In theory, the actual cost to international powers should be low.

Jibril said yesterday that more than $150 billion in Libyan assets are abroad, currently frozen by the sanctions placed on Gaddafi in response to his crackdown on democracy protesters that sparked Libya’s civil war.

FTER the initial jubilation in Benghazi, there was a more anxious mood yesterday, with the people recognising that the battle is not yet won and that there is more fighting ahead in Tripoli.

And there is the risk of chaos if a new government does not take charge quickly.

The expectation has been that a new administration would be based on the National Transitional Council (NTC), formed by the rebels in Benghazi in the early days of the revolution.

The question is who would be Libya’s new leader after nearly 42 years of Col Gaddafi’s rule?

The frontrunner is the NTC’s chairman, Mustafa Abdul Jalil.

A former Justice Minister, Jalil is popular in the East and has a reputation for integrity.

“He was the only one who would stand up to Gaddafi, who would tell him ‘No’,” said one Benghazi resident.

But Jalil has threatened to resign several times and it is not clear how much he really wants the job.

Mahmoud Jibril, the head of the NTC’s cabinet, the Executive Board, could step in.

He has the reputation of being a capable technocrat and is said to make many of the day-to-day decisions involved in running the NTC. Jibril, the chair of the Libyan Interim National Transitional (INT) is responsible for many of the daily decisions about the running of the NTC. Ali Tarhouni, Jibril’s colleague, also has a very high profile, having returned from exile abroad to take charge of the vital issue of finance for the rebels.

Another name sometimes mentioned is Shokri Ghanem, a former prime minister who helped liberalise the economy, though he is outside Libya now and did not become part of the NTC. If, or when, Col Muammar Gaddafi is finally pushed aside, the difficulties could really begin for a new government.

Widespread looting, revenge attacks against Col Gaddafi’s loyalists or internecine fighting are all potential threats to order and stability as the new regime attempts to come into being.

The NTC itself is a loose collection of different factions Islamist and secular, former members of the regime and longstanding exiles - some with little more in common than their desire to get rid of Col Gaddafi.

The Gaddafis: like father, like children

D

URING his 42-year reign, Moammar Gadhafi sired eight children by two wives, and not many of them seem to like each other. Were they not fighting for their lives, they’d be fighting each other for the right to succeed their dad. The following is a guide to the almost-ex dictator’s many offspring.

by WikiLeaks describes Saif as the “heir apparent,” and says he is “arrayed against” his siblings “Muatassim, Aisha, Hannibal, Saadi and perhaps even his own mother.” It also calls him a hard-partying womaniser.

Saif al-Islam has been charged by the International Criminal Court with crimes against humanity.

known for tawdry scrapes with the law in Europe.

In 2005, he received a suspended sentence in France for beating up his pregnant girlfriend. He was arrested in Switzerland in 2008 along with his European-born wife Aline on charges of bodily harm against hotel staffers, but the charges were dropped.

Muhammad Gadhafi The eldest of Gadhafi’s seven sons, born in 1970, Muhammad was not considered a likely successor to his father. One of his most public roles was heading the Libyan Olympic Committee. On Sunday, August 21, Libyan rebels captured him in Tripoli. He confirmed his surrender in an emotional interview with the Arab news service al Jazeera. The next day, August 22, he was freed by forces loyal to his father.

Ali Suleiman Aujali, ambassador to the U.S. for the Libyan rebels, confirmed to ABC News that Muhammad Gadhafi had escaped.

Al Saadi Gadhafii Saadi, 38, is one of the three Gadhafi sons, along with Saif al-Arab and Hannibal, described as “ne’er-do-wells” in a 2009 U.S. State Department cable released by WikiLeaks.

“Hannibal and Saadi both have checkered histories of unseemly behaviour and public scuffles with authorities in Europe and elsewhere.”

As his soccer career evaporated, Saadi tried, and failed, to create a free-trade high-tech city near Zuwara, between Tripoli and the Tunisian border.

Saif Gadhafi Gadhafi’s second-oldest son, who turned 39 in June, was a very public figure in Libya prior to the revolution. He has engineering degrees from Libyan and European universities, as well as a Ph.D from the London School of Economics. He also considers himself an artist; the national art gallery displays many of his works.

A 2009 U.S. State Department cable released

Hannibal Gadhafi The ancient general Hannibal, who led the North African empire of Carthage to multiple victories over the Roman army in Italy, is widely considered one of the greatest military commanders of all time. Hannibal Gadhafi has failed to live up to his namesake. A “ne’er-dowell” with a “checkered history,” the sometime maritime shipping executive is best

al-Arab Gadhafi The Libyan regime says that Saif al-Arab, the sixth son of Moamar Gadhafi, is dead, killed in an April NATO airstrike. Libyan rebels, and some Western observers, are not so sure, even though the Gadhafi government staged a grand public funeral for him.

They believe he’s hiding in a third country, perhaps Germany, where he had lived a sometimes violent party boy lifestyle for the previous five years.

Saif al-Arab, born in 1982, survived the first attempt on his life when he was just four years old. A massive U.S. airstrike in April 1986, a retaliation for Libyan complicity in acts of terror against U.S. citizens, allegedly wounded Saif al-Arab and his brother Khamis and killed their adoptive sister Hana, along with 36 others.

Aisha Gadhafi Called the “Claudia Schiffer of North Afri-

ca” in the Arab media for her blonde locks and curvy figure, Aisha Gadhafi, the Libyan president’s only daughter is, according to insiders, one of the hard-liners of the Gadhafi clan.

Described as Gadhafi’s favorite child, she vehemently defended his refusal to leave Libya despite the bloodshed, telling French television last June, “There is something you do not understand and you will not understand. My father is a symbol, a guide and a leader.”

Khamis Gadhafi Khamis Gadhafi was the one Gadhafi son that, to U.S. officials, appeared to be key to the future of the regime. Head of the elite military unit the Khamis Brigade, Khamis was a wellrespected soldier and his unit was charged with protecting the regime at all costs.

Mutassim Gadhafi Mutassim Gadhafi, the country’s national security advisor, came to the attention of Western audiences most recently when State Department cables posted on WikiLeaks revealed he had thrown lavish parties in 2009 and 2010 on a Caribbean island featuring performances by stars like Mariah Carey and Beyonce.

“His carousing and extravagance angered some [Libyan] locals, who viewed his activities as impious and embarrassing to the nation,” the cable said.

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

NEWS NLC flays NJC action on Salami

T

•From left: Reginald Ihejiahi, Managing Director & CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Peter Knodt, Managing Director & Global Head of Trade Finance, Deutsche Bank, Germany and Mrs. Adeola Azeez, Deputy Representative of Deutsche Bank, Nigeria during a courtesy visit on Fidelity bank in Lagos ... yesterday

HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday rebuked Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) for its roles in the feud between suspended President of Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. Besides, the union urged President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse his action on the matter in the interest of Nigerian judicial system.

President Comrade Abdulwahed Omar in a statement in Abuja yesterday said the manner the President and the NJC treated the issue was capable of eroding people’s confidence in the Judiciary.

The NLC described the NJC

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

position on the matter as questionable saying it left much to be desired.

He said: “We are of the view that steps taken by the NJC in the storm between the Chief Justice and the President of the Court of Appeal leaves much to be desired. Its activities have not only been questionable, but have impertinently brought the Judiciary to ridicule, and being the bastion of justice in the land, let the nation down.

“We strongly call on the Federal Government to take a second look at its decision on the recommendations of the NJC, with a view to retracing its steps and allowing due process of law to run its full course in the cita-

del of justice, let justice prevail!”

The statement added: “We are surprised that rather than seek an agreeable solution to the crisis, a venerable judicial institution as the NJC has become the problem. It did not only attempt to evade being served court papers, but in the face of a court process by Justice Salami challenging its actions, still submitted its recommendations of suspension and retirement of the President of the Court of Appeal to the President.

“More astounding has been the speed at accepting the suspension of Mr. Salami by President Jonathan and appointing an Acting President of the Appeal Court despite the case being in court.”

£1m prize placed on Libyan strongman Gaddafi ‘dead or alive’ Continued from page 1

needs.

In Benghazi, the chairman of the National Council gave a sense of urgency to finding Gaddafi, who the rebels believe may still be in or around Tripoli, having left his Bab alAziziya compound in the capital before it fell on Tuesday.

Mustafa Abdel Jalil, who was himself one of Gaddafi’s ministers before defecting in February, said the incoming administration would offer amnesty to any remaining member of Gaddafi’s entourage who killed or captured him.

A local businessman, he added, was offering two million dinars — or about •1.3 million (about N - to anyone who caught him.

“To any of his inner circle who kill Gaddafi or capture him, society will give amnesty or pardon for any crime he has committed,” Abdel Jalil told a news conference in Benghazi.

Abdel Salam Jalloud, a close ally of Gaddafi who switched sides last week, told Al Jazeera that the veteran leader had had a plan to drop out of sight before launching a guerrilla campaign once

NATO air forces had been called off.

“I believe he is in Tripoli,” Jalloud said. “The rebels must open the roads, after they open the roads, he may dress in women’s clothes and leave Tripoli to Algeria’s borders or Chad.

“He is sick with power,” he added. “He believes he can gather his supporters and carry out attacks ... He is delusional. He thinks he can return to power.”

U.S. officials also believe Gaddafi is still in Libya.

The rebels, conscious of divisions among the disparate anti-Gaddafi movements which pose a threat to hopes of a stable democracy, have stressed the wish to work with former Gaddafi loyalists and to avoid the purges of the ousted ruling elite which marked Iraq’s descent into sectarian anarchy after 2003.

To promote unity, however, removing Gaddafi and his immediate family from any remaining influence is a priority.

One rebel commander in Tripoli said Gaddafi might be in an area in the south of the city where clashes were going on.

Rebels in the centre of the capital said they had come under rocket and mortar fire from Gaddafi supporters to the

south.

Gaddafi’s home town of Sirte, on the Mediterranean coast between Tripoli and Benghazi, was still not in the hands of the new leadership.

Nor was the southern desert city of Sabha, where the rebels reported fighting. A rebel military spokesman estimated that “95 per cent of Libya is under rebel control.”

Colonel Abdallah Abu Afra told Al Jazeera: “He who governs Libya is he who controls Bab al-Aziziya and that is the reality of the matter. For us, Gaddafi is over.”

In a poor-quality audio broadcast on a satellite channel, Gaddafi said the withdrawal from his headquarters in the heart of the capital was a tactical move after it had been hit by 64 NATO air strikes and he vowed “martyrdom” or victory.”

Urging Libyans to cleanse the streets of traitorous “rats,” he said he had secretly toured Tripoli: “I have been out a bit in Tripoli discreetly, without being seen by people, and ... I did not feel that Tripoli was in danger,” he said.

Residents remained fearful, with empty streets, shuttered shops and piles of garbage testifying that life is still far from normal in the city of two mil-

lion.

Rebels manned checkpoints along the main thoroughfare into the city from the west.

Food, water and medical supplies were running short in places.

On the streets of Tripoli, people were defacing or erasing Gaddafi portraits and other symbols in a city where they were once ubiquitous.

They painted over street names and renamed them for rebel fighters who had become “martyrs.”

One standoff was resolved when guards allowed some three dozen foreign journalists to leave a government-run hotel in Tripoli. They had been prevented from leaving for several days.

The continued shooting suggested the six-month popular insurgency against Gaddafi has not completely triumphed yet.

A spokesman for Gaddafi said the Libyan leader was ready to resist the rebels for months, or even years.

“We will turn Libya into a volcano of lava and fire under the feet of the invaders and their treacherous agents,” Moussa Ibrahim said, speaking by telephone to proGaddafi channels.

Rebel leaders would not en-

joy peace if they carried out their plans to move to Tripoli from Benghazi, he said.

Gaddafi’s family and a small circle of others accumulated great wealth and have most to lose. A woman saying she was his daughter Aisha urged Libyans to fight on in a phone call broadcast on a small satellite channel: “I tell the Libyan people to stand hand-in-hand against NATO,” she said.

But Gaddafi was already history in the eyes of the rebels and their political leaders who have planned high-level talks in Qatar last night with envoys of the United States, Britain, France, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates on the way ahead.

Another meeting is scheduled for today in Istanbul.

China urged a “stable transition of power” in Libya and said yesterday it was in contact with the rebel council, the clearest sign yet that Beijing has effectively shifted recognition to forces poised to defeat Gaddafi.

China “respects the choice of the Libyan people,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said in a statement.

A senior representative for reconstruction in the rebel movement said a new government would honour all the oil

contracts granted during the Gaddafi era, including those of Chinese companies.

“The contracts in the oil fields are absolutely sacrosanct,” Ahmed Jehani told Reuters Insider TV. “All lawful contracts will be honoured whether they are in the oil and gas complex or in the contracting... We have contracts that were negotiated ...

They were auctioned openly ...

There’s no question of revoking any contract.”

A spokesman for rebel-run oil firm AGOCO warned on Monday Chinese and Russian firms could lose out on oil contracts for failing to back the rebellion.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev urged Gaddafi and his foes to stop fighting and talk. “We want the Libyans to come to an agreement among themselves,” he said, suggesting that Moscow could recognize the rebel government if it unites the country.

China and Russia, usually opposed to foreign intervention in sovereign states, did not veto a U.N. Security Council resolution in March that authorized NATO to use air power to protect Libyan civilians. But they criticised the scale of the air campaign and called for a negotiated solution.

Civil society groups protest at National Assembly

H

UNDREDS of demonstrators bearing placards marched yesterday in Abuja against the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Justice Salami and President Goodluck Jonathan named Justice Dalhatu Adamu Acting President of the court.

The protesters, who came under the aegis of The National Frontiers (TNF), a civil society group, condemned the “haste” with which President Jonathan appointed an acting PCA when the suit filed by Justice Salami, challenging his purported suspension is still pending before a competent court of law.

The protest was peaceful, but the police arrested 10 protesters and whisked them off to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.

TNF said that its members were at the National Assembly specifically to hand over a protest letter to the Senate President David Mark, to ex-

Police relocate detained Abuja protesters to SARS

T

HERE was anxiety last night in Abuja following the relocation of eight detained pro-Justice Isa Ayo Salami’s protesters in Abuja from the FCT Police Command to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Unit.

The detained members of The National Frontiers (TNF) are Tijani Usman, Jude Ehime and six others whose names could not be obtained at last night.

Also, the police have launched a manhunt for a former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Comrade Wole Badmus who coordinated the demonstration in Abuja But some pro-democracy groups were last night planning to initiate court action to secure the release of those arrested.

Investigation by our correspondent showed that after initial interrogation From Onyedi Ojiabor, Sanni Onogu and Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

press their displeasure over the poor handling of the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) Justice Aloysius

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

of the eight activists at the FCT Command, the Police, based on alleged orders from above, transferred them to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad Unit.

Although a lawyer was on hand to secure bail for the suspects, the police remained adamant.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “We were all surprised by the arrest of the eight members of TNF because during the short protest, the police were civil and they even provided adequate coverage for the protesters to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“But immediately after the protest march and as the TNF members were dispersing, the police arrested eight of their members for what they called a ‘fact-finding’ interaction.

“Those arrested were initially taken to the FCT Police Command but at about

Katsina-Alu, Justice Salami affair.

The four-page letter, which was obtained by our correspondents, is entitled “Violation of the Constitution by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal

7pm, the activists were taken to SARS. “We are surprised that innocent demonstrators will now have to answer armed robbery allegations. That is why we are crying out to Nigerians.

“They decided to relocate them to SARS because they refused to say the whereabouts of their leader Wole Badmus.”

Badmus, who had gone underground, also switched off his telephone to evade arrest.

But FCT Police spokesman Jimoh Moshood denied the transfer of the demonstrators to SARS. He said: “As I am talking to you, all those interacted with have been released. Nobody is either being detained or transferred to SARS. “The FCT Commissioner of Police took time to address the media. He made it clear that none of the demonstrators is being detained.”

Republic of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council”. It is signed by TNF National President Eze Nwagwu and National Secretary Wole Badmus.

It drew the attention of the National Assembly to “the

gross violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the desecration of the judicial system by the NJC, in conjunction with President Jonathan, as manifested in the illegal and unconstitutional replacement of Justice

•Justice Salami

Isa Ayo Salami, President of the Court of Appeal, with Justice Dalhatu Adamu as Acting President of the Court of Appeal while Justice Salami’s case is still pending in court”.

It said only the immediate intervention of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a view to reversing the purported suspension and replacement of Justice Salami, would prevent the country’s nascent democracy from being truncated.

Continued on page 8

ADVERT HOTLINES: 01-280668, 08070591302, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

5

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SALAMI’S SUSPENSION

NJC’s recommendation is judicial terrorism, say lawyers

A

CTIVIST-LAWYER, Mr. Bamidele Aturu and a human rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ) yesterday described the appointment of an acting President of the Court of Appeal as ominous.

Aturu said he was lost for words to describe President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to ratify the recommendation of some members of the National Judicial Council (NJC) that the President of the Court of Appeal be retired or suspended.

The said decision, he said, was not in the best interest of the country and would strengthen the enemies of the rule of law.

His words:“It is unclear to me why the President chose to side with the judicial anarchists and terrorists who made the recommendation in the first place.

“What is clear is that many people who had assumed that the President is a gentleman who will not do anything to confer undue advantage on himself and his political party would be forgiven if they think that he was part of the gameplan right from the beginning and that it is all about getting Salami out of the Presidential election Tribunal hearing the CPC case against the President’s election.

He went on:“The President ought to know that Justice Salami had submitted the case before a court of competent jurisdiction. He should have been advised by his Attorney General not to foist on the court a situation of complete helplessness.

“If the Attorney General did not give the proper advice, that is quite regrettable. For me I think that the

‘

It is unclear to me why the President chose to side with the judicial anarchists and terrorists who made the recommendation in the first place

‘

By Joseph Jibueze

President should start to look for another Attorney General of the Federation. The quality of advice the President is getting is quite doubtful.”

He urged the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to ask the President in clear terms and reverse “the erroneous and ominous retirement of Justice Salami.”

In a separate statement AJ, through its Director, Mr. Joseph Otteh said President Jonathan was wrong to follow what it called the obnoxious example set by NJC. It said the appointment of Acting PCA contradicts his rule of law policy.

“At the time President Jonathan made this appointment, Hon. Justice Salami, the ‘suspended’ President of the Court of Appeal had filed

a lawsuit challenging his purported suspension by the NJC as well as another suit against the President seeking an injunction restraining him (the President) from giving effect to the letter emanating from the NJC. “By ignoring the duty placed on him to await the determination of the application for an injunction against him, President Jonathan has followed the obnoxious and widelydenounced example set by the NJC, and in doing so, has circumvented his administration’s flagship policy of abiding by the rule of law and respecting the adjudicational authority of the courts.

“This will have a hugely negative effect on the public perception of the bonafides of his rule-of-law policy and will shake the confidence people have in his government.

“He risks losing international respect his administration has struggled to win in this area and should remember that the strength and stability of the country’s judiciary, as well as the government’s respect for the rule of law are key benchmarks for attracting or retaining foreign investment.

“His decision will undermine global perceptions that Nigeria is slowly making progress after many years of misgovernace, misrule and disrespect for human rights.

“Furthermore, the appointment of an acting PCA is being seen in many quarters as a strategic decision to stave off a looming adverse decision on his electoral mandate.

“We are saddened by the fact that President Jonathan took that deci-

Oyo ACN kicks From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

•Acting PCA Adamu Dalhatu

sion when the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice ought to have advised him to the contrary, in view of the litigations being pressed in court on the matter.

“We urge President Jonathan to show greater consistency, statesmanship and forthrightness in his avowed respect for the rule of law and demonstrate his administration’s unfledging adherence to that policy irrespective of whatever short-term benefits might accrue from departing from it in any instance.

Four arrested at Abuja Federal Secretariat

F

OUR men were arrested by the police at the end of a peaceful protest held in Abuja by The National Frontiers (TNF) yesterday.

The men wearing the TNF vest were taken away to an unknown destination in an unmarked police vehicle.

They were picked up while departing the gate of the National Assembly where the protest took place.

But Assistant Commissioner of

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

Police in charge of Operations, Wilson Inalegwu played down the arrest.

Inalegwu said the men were not arrested even when they were forced into a police Peugeot 406.

Explaining the police presence, he said: “We wanted to ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their lawful duties. Even though there was a large procession no arrest

was made.

“As you can see we have been even-handed in handling the situation. We are professionals; we know our job. When people come to express themselves we have to be around because you can find a reckless driver ram into them.

“So, what we have done is to ensure that the highways are not blocked and those going about their normal business are not impeded. If we wanted to make arrest, we could have done that at the National Assembly gate but

you can see we have been talking with their leadership.’’

Asked why the men were taken away forcibly in a police car if they were not arrested, Inalegwu insisted: “We have not made any arrest and nobody has been taken anywhere. If we are going to make arrest it is nothing to run or shy away from, but nobody has been arrested. That inference is not correct”.

At the time of filing this report, the fate of those held by the police was unknown.

• Chairman, Oriade Local Government, Taiwo Fatiregun (left); Chairman, Ila Local Government, Segun Awotunde; their Ife-South Local Government counterpart, Fayemi Timothy and others, at the swearing-in of the chairmen, local government caretaker committee, at the Local Government Service Commission, Osogbo.. yesterday

THE Oyo State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the suspension of Justice Ayo Salami as the President, Court of Appeal (PCA) by the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

The party, in a statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Mr Mathew Oyedokun, described the suspension as “ height of judicial recklessness capable of defiling democratic aspirations in the country.”

The statement explained that the party’s chairman in the state, Chief Akin Oke , also described the suspension as “an affront against judicial credibility” while addressing party loyalists in his Ibadan office yesterday.

“It is better described as judicial genocide that is intended to cause hiccups in the judicial process in the country.

It is a judicial recklessness that exposes the low level of patriotism of some high profiled Nigerians”, the statement noted.

NANS to President: prove your commitment to rule of law From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

T

HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday asked President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw the suspension of the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami as recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

In a statement in Kaduna through its President-elect, Dauda Mohammed, the association challenged the President to use this opportunity to prove to the nation his commitment to the rule of law, justice and fight against corruption.

The body noted that rather than allow the suspension of Justice Salami to stand, the President should allow the court to decide on the matter since it is already a subject of litigation.

The statement reads: “We have been watching with keen interest the ongoing assaults on our judiciary by forces inimical to the sustenance of the rule of law and justice in our country, which has culminated in the suspension of President of the Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Ayo Salami, by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

“In view of this, we unequivocally call on President Goodluck Jonathan to reverse the so called “suspension” of the PCA, as it is unconditional, anti-rule of law and destructive to our nation.

We cannot phantom why the NJC could go ahead to take a decision on a matter that is before a competent court of law. This is obviously subjudice.

“It is unfortunate that the NJC which is supposed to be the major defender of the rule of law and justice is using its hands to machete the sanctity and integrity of the judiciary and bringing it to disrepute.

“We advise Mr. President to use this opportunity to prove to Nigerians his commitment to the rule of law, justice and fight against corruption by reversing the suspension of the PCA and to allow the court of law to deal with the matter as it deems fit”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

6

NEWS 56 pass out of Army school

NABTEB releases May/ June results

From Hamed Shobiye, Assistant Editor, Online

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

THE National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) yesterday released its May/June 2011 examinations.

It said it was the first time it was releasing results 45 days after the conduct of the examinations.

NABTEB’s Registrar/ Chief Executive, Dr. Olatunde Aworanti spoke with reporters in Benin. He said 58,658 of 109,416 candidates that sat for the examination representing 53.61 per cent, failed English language and mathematics.

Aworanti said 35, 953 candidates representing 32.86 per cent, obtained credit passes in English language and mathematics.

The NABTEB chief said the results of 4, 343 candidates were cancelled over examination malpractices.

Aworanti attributed the low enrolment of craftsmen in the examination to the “negative attitude towards Technical and Vocational Education.”

He noted that whereas other examination bodies had over one million candidates, NABTEB managed to enrol above 100,000 candidates.

He said NABTEB was partnering the Amnesty Office to encourage exmilitants currently undergoing training programmes to focus on vocational education.

Nigeria, South Africa to streamline visa issuance THE Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission is exploring the possibility of making issuance of visas to citizens of both countries easier.

President Goodluck Jonathan made this known while speaking to Charles Nqakula, Special Adviser on International Relations to South African President Jacob Zuma, who visited yesterday.

He said: “I have told my Vice-President, to quickly commence meetings of the Nigeria – South Africa BiNational Commission, to look at issues, such as issuance of visas for our citizens who need to transact business in our two countries.”

Jonathan hailed the government and people of South Africa for the warm and cordial hospitality being enjoyed by members of the Nigerian community in that country.

He said Nigeria would continue to make efforts to strengthen the cordial relations between the two countries, and thanked Nqakula for the message from President Zuma.

Nqakula expressed his country’s appreciation of President Jonathan’s contributions to the development of Africa, and in strengthening the Commission.

F

• Babangida and Rebecca... yesterday.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

I’ll embrace Obasanjo, says IBB

F

FORMER military President Ibrahim Babangida yesterday said he would embrace former President Olusegun Obasanjo, if they meet.

Babangida, who spoke while leaving for Minna from the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, had earlier refused to comment on his feud with Obasanjo.

Babangida, flew into Lagos to commiserate with the family of his former deputy, late Augustus Aikhomu.

Babangida, accompanied by members of his immediate family declined comments when asked on his feud with Obasanjo.

Babangida just looked at

•Says Aikhomu should be immortalised

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor, Abolaji Adebayo and Mfon Paul Bassey

the reporters intently , smiled and raised his hand as if to dismiss the Obasanjo diatribe as irrelevant.

As reporters prodded further, the former military president kept quiet for a few seconds, held his hands together, and smiled again.

When a reporter interjected that most times “silence is not golden”, he just smiled.

Babangida, however, spoke about Aikhomu.

He said: “I think Nigeria

has lost one of its finest patriots and I’ve lost a good friend for that matter and Aikhomu truly represented a person that can be described as a Nigerian. I pray that God will give members of his family the courage to bear the loss.

Nigeria has really lost one of his finest men. He remained very, very committed, he has been a good friend and he was a pillar in the administration and normally, when we are deliberating, he usually talked last as the vice president. We allowed the hot and the cool heads, but later on, when he spoke, you would hear the voice of wisdom.”

He added: Aikhomu and I were both service chiefs – I was the head of the Armed Forces while he headed the navy and I got to know him very well and he knew me too so well. It was easy working with him because I trusted him. So, I dedicated a lot of state matters to him because he can do it. If Aikhomu is there, I can always go to sleep or play golf.”

He was received at the late Aikhomu’s house by his former second-in-command’s son, Ehime, and brother, Joe. He later met with the widow, Rebecca.

Babangida told reporters that his former secondin-command was trustworthy.

IFTY-six students, on Tuesday, graduated from the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI).

The graduating students, comprising 50 Army personnel and six Air Force officers, underwent nine weeks of training in Basic Military Public Relations and Basic Video Course.

Some of the graduating students were rewarded for their impressive performance and exemplary conduct during the training.

For the basic military public relations programme, Lance Corporal Victor Jacob of the Nigerian Army received the best student prize, while Lance Corporals Kingsley Obanogo and Lillian Obasi, of the Nigerian Army, came second and third.

In the basic video course, Limam James of the Air Force received the best student award. The two other prizes went to Roseline Oboh and Private Oduyemi Olusegun of the Army.

Lance Corporal Lucas Ishaya of the Air Force received the best behaved student award.

The Commandant of the school, Col. Rabi Abubakar, congratulated the graduating students on the successful completion of their training.

He urged them to continue with the same spirit they exhibited during their stay in NASPRI. “I say a big congratulation to you students on the successful completion of your programmes in NASPRI.”

Fani-Kayode apologises to ex-President

E

X-Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday apologised to former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the attack on his ex-principal.

He said his statement on Sunday was misunderstood because he only went on historical excursion in his comments.

But he continued his plea that Obasanjo and ex-military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida to reconcile their differences amicably.

The ex-minister, who apologised to Obasanjo in a statement in Abuja, said he did not at any time describe the former President as an in-

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

grate.

Fani-Kayode, on Sunday, took a swipe at Obasanjo over his vitriolic attacks that Babangida was a fool at 70.

He had said Obasanjo made a grave mistake and inflicted a deep spiritual wound on himself by insulting Babangida.

But Fani-Kayode yesterday recanted his verbal attacks on Obasanjo.

He said: “It is with the utmost urgency and sadness that I have to point out the fact that the press statement

that I issued on August 22, 2011, concerning the face-off between President Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Babangida, has been completely misconstrued and misunderstood by virtually all and sundry.

“I do not blame anyone for this but my own good self given that my choice of words was clearly ambivalent.

“For the purposes of clarification, permit me to point out the following. At no point in time did I say that President Obasanjo was “ungrateful” or that he was “an ingrate” and neither did I ever “slam” or “attack” or seek to “insult” or “demean” him in

anyway.

“This was never my intention and given the strong relationship that I have with him, I would be the last person on earth to do such a thing.

“In the press statement, I pointed out the fact that I proudly served in his administration and that his government had records of performance between 1999 and 2007 was not only “first class” but also “second to none”.

“I also said that I remain eternally grateful to him for giving me the opportunity to serve my country and that I had

•Obasanjo

deep affection and tremendous respect for him just as I do for General Babangida.

At the end of the statement I concluded by expressing the hope that they settle the said rift as quickly as possible.”

Woman sues EFCC over alleged illegal detention

A

BUSINESSWOMAN, Mrs Abiodun Ibitola, has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over her alleged illegal arrest and detention. She is seeking N10 million as compensation.

In the suit, she claimed that she was arrested and detained on July 13 by some EFCC operatives over a simple contract issue between Remdel Optimum Communication Limited and Alhaji Tajudeen Bioku.

Mrs Ibitola, who is the managing director of Remdel , also petitioned EFCC Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri and Attorney- General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, over the matter.

She is praying the court to restrain the EFCC and Bioku from further harassing, arresting and detaining her.

Mrs Ibitola is also praying the court to prevent the EFCC from forcefully demanding, seizing and keep-

ing the master tape of “Angeli Mi”.

The plaintiff filed the suit following her detention by the EFCC over Remdel’s alleged irregularities in the sale of “Angeli Mi,” an album

by Tope Alabi. She said her company has the right to sell the album under the Master Licence Agreement with Bioku.

According to her, Bioku alleged that the company sold 20 million copies of the album but investigations by EFCC

showed that the album sold only about 600,000 copies in the three years of the contract between Remdel and Bioku.

Acting on Bioku’s petition, the EFCC swooped on the Akure home of Mrs. Ibitola. The agency arrested and took her to Lagos, detained her for hours before she was granted bail.

The plaintiff claimed that EFCC is planning to retrieve the master tape of the album in violation of the

agreement between Remdel and Bioku.

She said the court should: declare her July 13 arrest and detention illegal, null and void.

Mrs. Ibitola also wants the court to declare EFCC’s demand for Angeli Mi’s master tape as a violation of her right to property.

She also seeks an order restraining the respondents from further harassing, arresting and detaining her.

The respondents are EFCC and Bioku.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

7

NEWS

ACN: Nigeria is sliding towards anarchy

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has warned that the country is tottering on the brink of anarchy and imperial presidency, as the action taken by President Goodluck Jonathan on the judicial crisis has exposed his true colour.

In a statement in Lagos on yesterday its National Publicity Secretary of the Alhaji Lai Mohammed, called on “all lovers of democracy and the rule of law to come together to say NO to the emerging Emperor Jonathan”. ‘’While a nation may survive the antics of an incompetent President - and indeed Nigeria has survived a series of such Presidents under the PDP since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999 - having an incompetent and dictatorial President can only precipitate

By Nneka Nwaneri

calamity for any nation. ‘’A President who can so wilfully trample on the Constitution and thumb his nose at the rule of law, as President Jonathan has done in filling a non-existent vacancy in the Presidency of the Court of Appeal, even within the first 100 days of his administration, must be checked within the provisions of the Constitution before he brings down the house on himself and everyone,’’ ACN warned, pointing out that an even closer reading of the Constitution has shown that the President, ‘’perhaps is standing on a sandy pedestal by acting on the recommendation of a lawless National Judicial Commission (NJC). ‘’Nowhere in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria is the NJC imbued with the power to suspend or recommend the removal of the President of the Appeal Court, as the NJC did in the case of Justice Ayo Salami. ‘’Also, as many have pointed out, it is trite law that all concerned cannot act on a matter over which the court has been seized. But on the issue at hand, it was a case of double whammy: NJC ignored this long standing judicial tenet and the President joined in trampling it, for whatever reason. ‘’Not only that, a democratically-elected President went ahead to show total disregard for the opinion of the people and even of a relevant professional body like the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which had promptly advised him not to act on the self-serving recommendation of the

NJC. This is the beginning of what can only prove to be a ruinous dictatorship and it must be checked by all lawful means,’’ the party said.

It hailed the actions so far taken by the NBA, especially the decision to ‘’pull its members out of the imprudent NJC, as well as the threat by the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives to boycott the sitting of the House to protest against the unconstitutional acts of the NJC and the President’’.

ACN also commended the civil society organisations which had come together to protest the brazen illegality committed by the NJC, the very body set up to help promote judicial integrity, as well as a President who swore to protect the Constitution and uphold the rule of law.

Reporters barred from covering General’s trial From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

T

HE court martial constituted by the General Officer Commanding 3 Armored Division, Maxwel Khobe Cantonment, Rukuba Barracks, Jos, Plateau State, has barred journalists from covering the ongoing trial of Brig.Gen. Muraina Raji.

When the trial began on Monday, reporters trooped to the venue of the sittings at the Octopus Mess of the commanded only to be chased out of the hall with the Army saying they had to be accredited to cover the trial.

The reporters were asked to write a letter requesting to cover the trial on the letter-head of their organisations and submit same to the committee and wait for approval.

This discouraged the reporters from covering the proceedings, which entered the third day yesterday.

An insider told The Nation that the court yesterday took evidence from some witnesses against the general.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Sunday Idoko, inaugurated the special martial to try Raji for his alleged role in the escape of two detainees from 33 Brigade’s detention in Bauchi last year.

Idoko urged the President and members of the court to ensure fairness and impartiality in the proceedings and in the dispensation of justice.

Agric has more economic potential than oil, says Nyako

Military task force to probe Mikel’s father’s kidnap

T

HE Special military task force constituted by the Defence headquarters, Abuja, is in Jos, the Plateau State capital, to investigate the alleged involvement of two soldiers in the kidnapping of Pa Micheal Obi, father of soccer star John Obi Mikel.

Pa Obi was declared missing about two weeks ago and later discovered to have been kidnapped by unknown persons.

He was rescued by the police in Kano after 12 days in captivity. Some officers of the task force were seen at the home of Pa Obi in Rayfield at 1.30pm.

They spent an hour discussing with the old man.

The task force also visited some other places and personalities to obtain relevant information to enrich their investigations.

Pa Obi alleged that he was kidnapped by five people in

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

By Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

A

DAMAWA State Governor Murtala Nyako has said the agricultural sector has more potential to generate funds into the Federation Accounts than crude oil.

The governor noted that unless state governments invest in the sector, the crisis arising from crude oil funds would persist with oil price fluctuation.

Nyako, who addressed reporters at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, said: “…Don’t forget that some people are making money from agriculture. However, I have a literature to indicate that when you look at the United States of America, you will discover that they are helping farmers in every state to make not less than N14billion annually from the sales of their agricultural produce. That is the equivalent of the Federal Government budget.

army uniform who later handed over him to some unknown civilians.

Speaking with The Nation yesterday Pa Obi said: “Those who picked me from Jos came in army uniform and took me in a vehicle painted in the light green colour of the Special Task Force (STF) on Jos crises.

“While I was with the kidnappers, the soldiers, who handed me over to them, kept calling the kidnappers to ask for their own share of the ransom, believing that I must have made payment to secure my release.

“The kidnappers kept telling me the soldiers were disturbing them and that if I failed to make money available, they would return me to the soldiers and that doing so would be risky for me.”

Police arrest teenage robbers, car snatchers in Oyo

By Titilayo Banjoko

Fayemi warns against corruption

T

HREE-man car-snatching robbery gang and another seven-man gang with –15-year-old boys were yesterday paraded at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

Addressing reporters, police spokesman Femi Okanlawon, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said four stolen cars, including two snatched at gun point on Tuesday night, were recovered from the suspects.

He said the suspects stole two vehicles - a Honda Civic saloon car with registration (Lagos) PZ 680 KJA and a Toyota Sienna with registration number (Lagos) DA 235 FST and escaped police chase.

Okalawon said three other suspects were caught with the other two vehicles, including a Toyota Camry with registration number (Lagos) LB 572 AAA and a Honda Accord with registration number (Lagos) MX 97 JJJ. The suspects are: Musiliu Balogun, 40; Abatan Olugbenga, 33; and Balogun Abiola, 30.

Their leader was identified as Ganiyu Aliu, who is said to be on the run.

Items recovered from Ganiyu include 12 master keys, four vehicles spanners, a set of screw driver, four ignition keys, a University of Ibadan driver’s toll pass and charms.

One of the suspects, Balogun Abiola, denied involvement in the crime, saying it was his friend, Ganiyu Aliu, who gave him the vehicle to ride.

Balogun linked Aliu to the theft of the Toyota Camry car belonging to The Punch Correspondent, Akin Aboluwade.

The car was reportedly stolen on Tuesday where it was parked at the state secretariat, Ibadan.

Okanlawon linked the activities of the teenage robbery suspects to several quarters in Ibadan and its environs, especially in Challenge, Ojoo, Apete, Molete, Mokola.

He said the teenagers used to operate on motorcycles.

Items recovered from them included a locally short gun, fake iron gun, two cutlasses, eight mobile phones and charms.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti •Fashola signing the laws...yesterday

Fashola signs tenancy, parks and garden laws AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday signed the Tenancy Bill into law.

The law prescribes a three-month jail term against any landlord that collects rent in excess of six months from a sitting tenant and one year from a new tenant.

Such a landlord would, on conviction, pay N100,000 as an option fine.

The governor also assented to the Lagos Parks and Garden Bill.

He said the tenancy law would regulate the relationship between landlords and their tenants.

Fashola said in the case of forceful ejection of a tenant, which involves the landlord going to remove the roof or door(s) to the apartment, the landlord would be jailed for six months or pay an option fine of N250,000.

The governor said his administration would soon embark on mass housing programme to bridge the housing deficit in the state.

He noted that the present situation re-

L

By Miriam Ndikanwu

quires a few privileged landlords to make some sacrifices to help the poor and less privileged members of the society.

Fashola said: “The issues at stake in the new laws are serious moral issues that require voluntary compliance rather than strict enforcement from government. The problem of corruption cannot be fought in the country with this kind of situation that requires a tenant to pay two or more years of rent in advance. How many employees get two years’ salaries in advance to make such payments? Does the landlord lose money if he collects his money as at when due?”

The governor said the law protects tenants and landlords, adding that there is no need for landlords and tenants to panic over the law.

He also said there are provisions in the law that make it impossible for tenants to be elusive and shy away from their obligations to landlords.

According to him, the Lagos Parks and Garden law shows government determination to deal with the challenge of climate change.

E

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday warned electoral officers with the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to avoid corruption in the coming local election.

The governor spoke at the opening of a two-day induction course for electoral officers in local governments by the SIEC. Fayemi, who observed that the immediate past council election in the state was marred by manipulations urged electoral officers to ensure that significant and useful improvement is made in the coming exercise.

He noted that his administration was determined to conduct credible council election in the state because “bad things will no longer continue as we are determined to correct the wrongs”.

8

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

NEWS OUTRAGE OVER SALAMI’S SUSPENSION

CJN insists on SAN awards From: Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

D

ESPITE the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), call on lawyers to boycott the event, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu will swear in new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Friday.

The rank gives a lawyer the privilege to sit in the first row in courts and to wear a silk gown. The lawyer’s case will also be called first in courts except when there is a judgment or ruling.

A statement by the Deputy Director Press & Information, Festus Akande stated that the event will hold as scheduled.

“The newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria will be sworn-in, as earlier announced, on Friday 26 August, 2011 at 10:am at a special Court Session of the Supreme Court of Nigeria by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice A.I. KatsinaAlu, GCON”.

“All the information earlier disseminated to our esteemed invited guests and the general public remains valid”, the statement added.

The National Executive Council of the NBA had at the Annual General Conference holding in Port-Harcourt, Rivers state directed lawyers to stay away from the ceremony.

South African court slams Okah with attempt to harm Jonathan

S

OUTH Africa yesterday slammed on Henry Okah, a fresh charge of trying to cause harm to president Goodluck Jonathan.

The case is related to the October 1, 2010 Independence Day bombings at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Jonathan was attending the 50th independence anniversary when explosives went off in two cars parked nearby.

State counsel Shaun Abrahams, unveiled the charge as part of a five-count charge Okah is to face as he confirmed the case would move from the Magistrate’s Court to South Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg for trial on January 30, next year.

Abrahams, who is expected to continue the prosecution at the High Court, served Magistrate Hein Louw a letter informing him of the notice of trial as well as the charges against Okah.

He also presented the proof of indictment and list of witnesses and urged Louw to inform Okah of the date of trial.

Abrahams submitted a list of 55 witnesses, adding that the number could increase once he received additional information from Nigeria.

Mr Rudi Krause, Okah’s counsel, said he had nothing against the transfer of the case to the High Court primarily to streamline the list of witnesses filed by the state with Okah’s.

Civil society groups protest at National Assembly Continued from page 4

It said that the alleged illegal appointment of Justice Adamu as Acting President of the Court of Appeal without recourse to the Senate as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was a gross violation of the Constitution and an impeachable offence.

It urged the lawmakers to demand the immediate reversal of the alleged illegality perpetuated by President Jonathan – in the interest of justice and the rule of law.

“Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which deals with the removal of top officers of the judiciary, including the President of the Court of Appeal, states clearly the procedure for removing a top officer in the judiciary.

“In accordance with the provision of this section, the President can only remove any top judicial officer, acting upon an address supported by two-third majority of the Senate.

“In other words, it is not even the President, but the Senate that can effect the removal of top judicial officers, including the President of the Court of Appeal.

“The President’s action is a clear violation of this provision of the Constitution and a clear usurpation of the powers of the Senate and should not be allowed to stand,” the letter said.

It said that the hurried and brazen manner Jonathan approved the alleged illegal suspension of Justice Salami left no one in doubt that the NJC was acting the script of President Jonathan “who is bent on getting rid of Justice Isa Ayo Salami in order to influence the outcome of the

•CJN Katsina-Alu

•Justice Salami

petition filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) against his (Jonathan’s) election as President of Nigeria in the April 2011 Presidential election.”

TNF urged the Senate to reverse the purported suspension and reinstate Justice Salami, pending the final determination of the case in court.

It also demanded that President Jonathan be directed to rescind the appointment of an Acting President of the Court of Appeal since there is no vacancy at the Court of Appeal presidency, failure which the National Assembly should commence impeachment proceedings against him.

It demanded that Justice Katsina-Alu be dismissed and prosecuted for alleged gross misconduct and perjury.

Besides, TNF called for the dissolution of the NJC and retirement of all justices who participated in the illegal suspension of Justice Salami.

This, it said, will sanitise the

NJC, which it said should be restructed through an amendment of the Constitution.

Some of the placards carried by the group read: “Say no to injustice in the judiciary”; “Salami is a victim of the shenanigans in the NJC”; “Out of a 24-member National Judicial Council, only eight sat and just five took the decision to suspend the Justice of the people”; “President Jonathan lacks the power to sack the President of the Court of Appeal without recourse to the Senate”; and “the National Assembly should commence impeachment process against Jonathan, if he refuses to rescind the ignoble decision.”

Others read: “Rule of law Jonathan, OBJ in the making”; “Say no to banana Republic”; “Judiciary last hope of the common man”; and “Reinstate Salami now, Stop Jonathan, NJC unholy alliance.”

Besides Nawgwu and

Badmus, other leaders of the group include former Senate President of NANS Tijani Usman, President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Bassey Etuk, former NANS President Yinka Dada and Comrade Shima.

Badmus warned that men of good faith must act fast to prevent the kind of unhealthy situation in Libya from being enacted in Nigeria.

The former NANS President said it was curious that the purported suspension of Justice Salami took place on Thursday and

by Sunday, which was not a working day, President Jonathan had already rubber stamped the action.

He described the President’s action as not only absurd but criminal, which should be visited with an impeachment process.

He said: “Boko Haram has been bombing, killing and maiming Nigerians, Jonathan has not said anything; armed robbers are robbing and killing innocent Nigerians, Jonathan has not said anything; there are communal clashes virtually in all parts of Nigeria, Jonathan has not said anything; workers are hungry, Jonathan has refused to act, but Jonathan has decided to dabble in a case that is purely constitutional and judicial. Jonathan should declare his interest in the Salami removal.”

The protesters were stopped before they could enter the National Assembly complex by a detachment of riot policemen, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Operations in the FCT, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu.

State Security Service (SSS)

operatives monitored the protesters.

A copy of the protest letter by the group was received by Inalegwu, who promised to send it to the appropriate authorities.

Before the protesters got to the NASS gate, Inalegwu had ordered his men to cordon off the area, with several police patrol vans and other security cars placed in a single file to block the gate.

Inalegwu told the protesters that the National Assembly was not in session, hence they would not be allowed into the complex.

Other riot policemen with shields and batons were brought in to reinforce the barricade set up by patrol vans.

Other senior police officers who assisted Inalegwu at the NASS gate include CSP Ali Gwambal, CSP J.O. Eribo and the Area Commander, Metro, FCT Police Command, Odukoya Sunday.

The group explained that its demands are not in defence of Justice Salami, but “it is about democratic principles and respect for the rule of law”.

It warned that “should the National Assembly and indeed the Senate allow the illegality perpetrated by the NJC and President Jonathan to stand, democracy will be endangered”.

“For it is Justice Salami today, it could be Senator David Mark or Hon Aminu Tambuwal tomorrow. Be that as it may, we of the National Frontiers are prepared to make this country ungovernable, if our demands are not met,” the protesters said.

One of those arrested is former NANS Senate President comrade Tijjani Usman.

He is the Co-ordinator of the Belt Frontiers.

Court to hear Salami’s suit September 7 •To apply for substituted service as NJC frustrates suit •Judge to hands-off matter

A

N Abuja Federal High Court vacation judge, Justice Donatus Okorowo, yesterday indicated that he may opt out of the suit filed by the suspended Court of Appeal President, Justice Isa Ayo Salami.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), also yesterday, refused to accept service of the court’s processes for its members joined as defendants in the suit.

Justice Okorowo said his vacation will begin next month. He will not be around at the next adjourned date on September 7 when the case is fixed for mention.

He gave the indication yesterday at the beginning of the suit filed by Justice Salami last week against the National Judicial Council (NJC), Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and nine others.

Other defendants are Deputy Chairman of NJC Justice Dahiru Musdapher; members of the NJC’s Fact-Finding Committee-. Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Justice Emmanuel Ayoola; Justice Dominic Edozie; Justice Michael Akpiroroh

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja and Mrs. Rakia Sarki Ibrahim.

Also sued are members of the NJC Review Committee - Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Justice Kate Abiri; and Justice Peter Umeadi.

In the writs filed by his counsel, Chief Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Justice Salami is asking for 15 reliefs, including a perpetual injunction restraining the NJC from acting on the reports of the Justice Umaru Abdullahi FactFinding Committee and the Justice Ibrahim Auta Review Panel.

Besides, Justice Salami is pleading with the court to determine whether Justice Katsina-Alu has the power to ask him to stop the Sokoto governorship dispute’s verdict.

According to Justice Salami, the two panels have no right to declare him guilty of perjury.

He is contending that Abdullahi and Auta committees are administrative panels that could not assume the sta-

‘Also sued are members of the NJC Review Committee Justice Ibrahim Ndahi Auta; Justice Kate Abir’ tus of a court.

Besides, he alleges that the Auta Panel never gave him a right to fair hearing before making a pronouncement of guilt on him.

While the case was pending in the court, the NJC last Thursday at its 7th emergency meeting attended by eight of the 24 members suspended Justice Salami, following his refusal to apologise in writing to it and the CJN. Acting on the recommendation, Dr Jonathan on Sunday appointed Justice Dalhatu Adamu Acting President for the court “pending when all issues relating to the re-

cent suspension of Justice Isa Ayo Salami are resolved”.

At the hearing of the case yesterday, Olujimi, who led Mr. Rickey Tarfa (SAN), attempted to move a motion filed on Monday by Justice Salami who is asking the court to nullify his suspension and subsequent appointment of Justice Adamu in acting capacity.

The motion was brought under Order 56 Rule 1 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009 and the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

The Plaintiff wants the court to nullify or set aside any action or steps taken or being taken in implementation or further implementation of the said decision.

He is also pleading with the court to restore the status quo ante as at the date the said decision was taken by the NJC. Olujimi, a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), told the court that the decision of the NJC to suspend Justice Salami has grossly violated his rights, having filed a suit against the

council which was duly acknowledged.

But NJC counsel Mr. Aliyu Saiki, who said he was holding the brief of Mr. Lawal Rabana (SAN) pleaded for time to respond to the processes filed.

Praying for a short adjournment, he also pointed out that there was no evidence that other defendants had been served as they were not in court.

Olujimi, who faulted his assertion, told the court that the NJC refused to accept service for its members who played various roles in the actions in contention.

Justice Okorowo held that the motion was not ripe for hearing as the fifth to 11th defendants were yet to be served. He ordered the Plaintiff to serve the defendants personally.

On request for an order for substituted service, Justice Okorowo directed the Plaintiff to apply to the court formally, adding that the motion could be argued before the next adjourned date, once filed. He adjourned the matter till September 7.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

9

NEWS Students appeal to striking Osun workers HE National Associa-

T

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) receiving the National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Mr. Segun Arinze (middle) and the National Secretary Mr. Emeka Rollas at his office in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital...on Tuesday.

Vote ACN in 2013, group urges Ondo indigenes O NDO State indigenes have been urged to take steps that would enthrone good governance.

They were advised yesterday to shine their eyes and ensure that Ondo joins the league of progressive states like Oyo, Edo, Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ekiti in 2013.

Delivering a lecture in Akure, the state capital, a former Commissioner for Information during the administration of the late Adebayo Adefarati, Banji Ayiloge said the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is the only party that can trace its roots back to mainstream Yoruba politics.

The lecture, entitled: “Productive Ondo State: The vision of our founding fathers,” was organised by the Ondo State Mandate Group (OSMG) led by Mr. Olatunbosun Awe. Ayiloge said the founding fathers of the Awolowo Movement brought a purposeful government to the old Western Region.

He said: “It is not farfetched to conclude that those cardinal programmes brought integrated development to the land.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

“Free education increased human resources, while free health programme took care of the health of the citizenry.

Educated healthy citizens became productive in agriculture and industry; productivity was high. We were, at the time of the founding fathers, looking forward to catching up with most countries in Europe.”

The ACN chieftain said if the late Obafemi Awolowo had continued to lead the Yoruba nation as he did during that period, the people regarded as the “Golden Nation” would have equaled, if not surpassed, most European nations in terms of development.

“But having identified those brave men who had the vision to ensure that the state continued on a productive path, we must contrast that era with the current state of affairs in the state to appreciate how far things have degenerated since the period of the founding fathers,” he added.

The former commissioner

described the late Adefarati as the last of the titans after Awolowo and Adekunle Ajasin, stressing that he was battered by “youths” eager to wrest power from old guards.

Ayiloge said: “Former Governor Olusegun Agagu won the 2003 election through the rigging machinery of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. I urged the late Adefarati to challenge the validity of Agagu’s election at the tribunal, but he preferred to leave the matter in the hands of God.” The ex-commissioner alleged that Governor Olusegun Mimiko, on assumption of office, froze the account of the state and local governments for eight months on the pretence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had written cheques out to some phantom people.

He said: “During those agonizing months, only civil servants’ salaries were paid.

Ondo State suffered, but endured the hardship. For a state that is one of the richest in the country, its

economy is largely agrarian, with the government being the biggest employer and spender.”

Ajiloge lamented that the state’s Olympian height has turned into an abyss today, saying: “if we were the truest adherents to the legacies of Awolowo and Ajasin, then I think we are in this mess because we have left the path of honour and service threaded by our founding fathers.”

He noted that the state had allowed the love of money to dictate politics, leaving principles behind.

The ACN chief urged indigenes to go back to the principles of the founding fathers. “We were pace setters and there is no reason not to resume our pride of place,” he said.

OSMG Coordinator Olatunbosun Awe said the aim of the group was to establishing good governance and progress in the state.

Awe said the Mimiko-led government was not operating in consonance with the dream of the founding fathers and urged indigenes to ensure that there is a change in governance in 2013.

Ekiti bans hawking during school hours

H

AWKING by children during school time is now illegal in Ekiti State.

Governor Kayode Fayemi warned of dire consequences for defaulters.

Fayemi gave the warning yesterday at the Apostolic Nursery/Primary School, Ijero Ekiti, while flagging off the registration of school age children into primary one for the 2011/2012 academic session.

Restating his administration’s commitment to a sound educational foundation for children, the governor said his declaration of free and compulsory education up to Senior Secondary School was part of his 8point agenda to meet the year 2015 time line on the “Education For All (EFA)” projection.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado Ekiti

He explained that the emphasis on education was to enable the state “regain and retain its leading position as a reservoir, where knowledge will be a major exportable product to other countries of the world.”

Fayemi said his administration had set targets in providing adequate infrastructure in schools, pro-active man-power development and aggressive monitoring of schools to ensure quality education.

On his desire to put children on the fast track of information technology, he said computer education had been introduced into the primary school curriculum.

Fayemi said the government would provide a com-

puter for every pupil before year 2014.

Noting his satisfaction with the improvement in the sector, he said his administration has succeeded in enhancing the standard of primary education and making public schools attractive to parents and their children.

Fayemi said his administration has built fifty-one new primary schools to bring education to the doorstep of every child.

“Apart from on-going physical development of the infrastructure of these schools, the government is investing substantially on capacity building programmes for teachers through periodic training and retraining to improve their productivity and job performance,” he said.

The governor urged parents and guardians to enroll all school age children in any public primary school nearest to them without delay.

Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Modupe Adelabu solicited the support of all stakeholders in the state towards achieving Education for All by year 2015.

She said: “It may be very difficult for government to achieve Education for All without the sincere support of other stakeholders. Basic education is free in Ekiti State, therefore, every parent must ensure that his/ her ward attends and completes primary and junior secondary school. Any parent who contravenes this commits an offence and is liable.”

tion of Osun State Students (NAOSS), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) chapter, has appealed to striking workers in Osun State to resume work.

In a statement, its President Babatunde Olanrewaju appealed to labour leaders to reach an agreement with the state government.

It reads: “At this point in time, we cannot remain watching with grave concern the indefinite strike embarked upon by workers.

“We cannot afford to fold our hands and watch this mindless destruction of the future of our brothers and sisters in affected institutions across the state.

“We are aware of the implications which the N18, 000 minimum wage demanded by workers across board will have on Osun State students; the public, who are waiting for the dividends of democracy, and the economy of the

state.

“Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the monthly federal allocation to the state is in the range of N1.8 to N2.1 billion.

He explained that implementing the new wage across board will gulp N1.9 billion and the state will be left with just N200 million, which he said is not enough to run the state. “Workers should please be considerate. The government has agreed to pay the new wage from levels 1 to 7 and promised to apply it to levels 8 to 17 when the state’s finance improves.

“The authorities concerned should please discuss and negotiate with the labour leaders with honesty. We urge well meaning Nigerians, religious leaders and opinion leaders to join in appealing to workers to resolve their differences with the government.

“Aregbesola should please be given a breathing space to move our enviable state forward.”

World Bank hails Mimiko’s safe motherhood programme

T

HE World Bank yesterday praised the Abiye (Safe motherhood) programme of the Ondo State Government, saying it shows that Africans can achieve success in the health sector if given the needed support.

The World Bank team, led by Dr. Dinesh Nair, gave this commendation while visiting Governor Olusegun Mimiko at his office in Akure, the state capital.

Nair said the state has attained a leadership position in maternal and child health not only in Nigeria, but has become a benchmark and a reference point in Africa.

He said the “Mother and Child Hospital” built by the Mimiko-led administration was one of the most pro-active health facilities in the country.

Mimiko thanked the bank for its partnership.

He praised the out-going Country Director, Mr. Onno Rhul, for having special interest in the state’s development.

In the United States (US) last June, the World Bank described the state’s Maternal and Child Hospital and Abiye programme as a benchmark for Africa as a whole and invited Mimiko to Washington to deliver a lecture on how they were achieved.

Last week, the chairman of a US based organisation, African Business Owners’ Forum Inc. (ABOFI), Mr. Franklin Akinkoye, and some members of his team came to offer free healthcare services to the people of the state in recognition of the health sector reforms of the state government.

All set for Osun-Osogbo festival

A

LL is set for the grandfinale of the annual Osun-Osogbo festival coming up on Friday.

The state government has given the Osun grove a facelift, making it more attractive to tourists.

The government has rehabilitated roads leading to the grove, created a new entry to ensure easy movement of people and constructed a walk way to the shrine.

Inspecting the work done at the grove yesterday, Commissioner for Tourism and

Home Affairs Sikiru Ayedun said the government was interested in making tourism a source of revenue and would partner the private sector to develop it.

Ayedun said with the measures put in place by the government, there would be no stampede during the festival.

He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Ajibola Basiru, and his counterpart in Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega.

Ebenezer Obey’s wife dies at 66

•The late Mrs. Fabiyi

W

IFE of former Juju music maestro, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, Lady Evangelist Juliana, is dead.

The deceased, who recently returned from a medical trip to India, was re-admitted to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), where

she died last Tuesday.

Aged 66, Mrs. Fabiyi is survived by her husband and many children. She was born to the Olufade family on March 23, 1945 and married Evangelist Obey in 1963.

Reacting to the death of his wife of 48 years, Evangelist Obey referred to Psalm 48:14 of the scriptures, which reads: “For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death.”

PUBLIC NOTICE DEBEKEME

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Debekeme Mercy EbikunboEre Irene now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Timinimi Mercy Ebikunbo-Ere Irene. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

10

NEWS Tension in Cross River communities From Kunle Johnson, Calabar

THERE is tension in Ito and Idere in Odukpani Local Government of Cross River State over the discovery of limestone in the area.

The two communities are claiming ownership of the area, where the limestone was found.

A company from Abia State was said to have started negotiating with Idere chiefs toward exploitation of the raw material.

The Clan Head of Idere, Etinyin Okon Ekpenyong Ntung, called on the state and local governments for assistance, following the discovery.

Worried by the steps taken by the Idere community , the people of Ito have warned their neighbour to desist from such claim.

A statement by the Ito Combined Traditional Rulers Council said: “Laying a verbal claim to a land that is not theirs is injurious and capable of provoking a possible breach of peace between the two communities.”

The statement by its Chairman, Chief Asuquo N. Nya and Secretary, Elder Okon O. Ubah, said: “As peace loving and law abiding people, we abhor any form of skirmishes with our tenant (Idere) as the experience in Boje and Nsadop communities of Boki Local Government is still fresh in our memory.”

The council called on the Idere people to always seek and obtain approval from the government and the landlord before embarking on any investment on the land as they have no right to allocate any parcel of land to anybody or group.

Jonathan appoints Perm Secs

Imitate Amaechi, Yuguda advises governors B AUCHI State Governor Isa Yuguda has called on his colleagues to emulate Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in transforming their states.

Yuguda spoke yesterday at the Model Secondary School in Eleme, when Amaechi took lawyers attending the Annual General Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) round the projects.

Some lawyers, who spoke with The Nation, also lauded the governor for his developmental initiatives.

At the Open Cycle Power Project, Afam, Amaechi said the power at the state’s power stations (Omoku, TransAmadi, Eleme and Afam), could not be distributed because of the Federal Government’s policy.

He said the state’s power plants had been generating

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

560 megawatts of electricity, above the 400 megawatts needed, but the power could not be distributed.

The governor reiterated that his government formally sought the Federal Government‘s approval to distribute the generated power, but was turned down.

Amaechi called for true federalism, which he said would allow states to develop as they want, stressing that electric power distribution should be moved to the concurrent list, from the exclusive list, during the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

Yuguda said: “If every governor emulates what Governor Amaechi is doing,

we will get to the promised land.

“This is what we need and this is what we should keep doing. I congratulate him (Amaechi) and I congratulate Rivers State.”

The Bauchi governor also stated that funds are important for development, but that the utilisation is important.

He called for increased funding for governors to perform optimally.

A lawyer, Eric Nwabuzor, of NBA Minna, Niger State, said: “Governor Amaechi should be celebrated, to encourage other governors to perform. He has done so well.”

Another lawyer, Mrs. Olivia Nwachukwu, said: “Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is working in Lagos, but

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

P

•Yuguda

people should come to Rivers and see Governor Amaechi’s wonders, in terms of development and transformation.

"The model secondary schools in Rivers are better than many universities.

“I am so happy with Governor Amaechi's projects. In fact, I am overwhelmed. I never thought I could see these people-oriented and capital-intensive projects in the state.”

Workers shut down Akwa Ibom over minimum wage

W

ORKERS in Akwa Ibom State yesterday began a three-day warning strike, following the non-payment of the minimum wage .The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) prevented workers from entering the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat in Uyo, the state capital.

The workers also defied a circular by the Head of Service, Mrs. Cecillia

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

Udossen, directing all permanent secretaries and heads of inter ministerial departments to report to work and take a roll call of workers in their ministries and departments.

State NLC Chairman Uyinme Usoro said the strike would affect all public institutions, including hospitals and health centres.

Usoro lamented that the government was insensi-

tive to the plight of the workers.

The government had approved the payment of the minimum wage to workers from levels 1-6.

Senior workers from levels 7-17 were not included.

Usoro said the unions suspended the earlier planned strike, pending the return of Governor Godswill Akpabio, who was away.

The NLC chair reasoned that the union had waited

patiently for the government to do something but all to no avail.

He added that the government should be more concerned about the welfare of the workers.

Activities were grounded at the state secretariat as workers were seen in group discussing.

The Special Adviser on Labour and Productivity to the governor, Ime Umoh, said government is negotiating with the unions.

Probe public officers’ abuse of power, says Oshiomhole

E

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has said public office holders who abuse their powers should be probed and punished when they leave office.

Speaking as a guest lecturer at the annual General Conference of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt yesterday,

the governor said: “Part of the nation’s problem is that people in authority abuse their powers.

“For as long as people put their office before national interest and confuse national interest for the interest of the commanderin-chief, we then we will continue to run into problems.”

Speaking on the topic “Stemming Electoral Violence in Nigeria: A focus on the Adequacy of the Law and its Enforcement”, Oshiomhole posited that although the nation recorded some improvements in the last elections, there is nothing to suggest that our electoral process has been cured of violence.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of Olisaeloke Emordi, Mrs. Folasade Anjoni and Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia as permanent secretaries in the Federal Civil Service.

In a statement by the Deputy Director Public Relations, Tope Ajakaiye, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, has announced the approval.

The appointment of Emordi and Mrs. Anjoni takes effect from August 24; that of Mrs. DanielNwaobia takes effect from December 22.

He praised President Goodluck Jonathan for providing the right leadership which ensured the marked improvement in the last elections.

Oshiomhole said as a panacea to political violence, a culture of political protests through peaceful constitutional means should be encouraged.

Rivers ACN mourns Amakiri From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State has described as devastating the death of renowned journalist Minere Amakiri.

ACN, in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, said Amakiri died when his contributions were needed most, especially to the nation’s democratic process.

The party said: “Amakiri was an icon of Nigerian journalism, having begun his journalism career as a reporter with the Nigerian Observer and by dint of hard work and perseverance, got to the pinnacle of the profession, by establishing Beacon in Port Harcourt.

“Amakiri’s death is not only a loss to his family, but the journalism profession and the nation, as he placed emphasis on good governance and the rule of law.”

T

11

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Naira firms against dollar on new forex rule

T

HE naira strengthened against the United States dollar on the interbank market yesterday following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) decision to sell the greenback to Bureaux De Change (BDC) to curb speculative bids.

The apex bank told lenders it would sell $10 million each to all banks operating a BDC, a move which reduced demand on the interbank market and caused the local currency to appreciate.

The regulator according to Reuters, last Friday lifted a ceiling on dollar purchases

by BDCs from banks, prompting a rush of demand for dollars on the interbank market and weakened the local currency to its lowest in two months on Monday.

The naira closed at N154.30 to the dollar on the interbank market, tightening up from N156 on Tuesday as some energy firms sold dollars to selected banks.

Fed Govt to sell N79b treasury bills

T

HE Federal Govern ment plans to sell N79 billion ($506 million)in 91-day and 182day treasury bills at its regular bi-monthly auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said.

The regulator according to Reuters, said it would auction N29 billion in 91-day bills and N50billion in the 182-day papers.

The result is expected to be announced today.

“Each bid must be in multiples of N1,000 subject to a minimum of 10,000,” the banking watchdog said in a public notice.

Sub-Saharan Africa’s secondbiggest economy issues treasury bills regularly as part of monetary control measures to help lenders manage liquidity.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$109.7/barrel Cocoa - $2,856/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢78.07.pound Gold -$1,161/troy ounce Rubber - ¢146.37/pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N7.3 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -10.2% Treasury Bills -2.64% Normal lending -24% Prime lending -18% Savings rate -3% 91-day NTB -6.99% Time Deposit - 6% MPR -8% Foreign Reserve -$34.7bn FOREX CFA 0.281 • 213 £ 241.00 $ 150.7 ¥ 1.5652 SDR 240.3 RIYAL 39.3

If it is clear that a bank cannot recapitalise on its own, then all options will have to be explored by the regulators. We will not allow depositors, employees or the financial system to suffer.

-Mustapha Chike-Obi, MD of AMCON

Okonjo-Iweala frets over rising domestic liabilities • Plans spending cuts as total debt hits $39.7b • Says no timescale for ending fuel subsidies

N

IGERIA’s $5.2trillion domestic debt, which accounts for 17.5 per cent of her Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is not healthy for the economy, Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi OkonjoIweala, said yesterday.

She also said the Federal Government will cut recurrent spending, such as wages, and keep the budget deficit at three per cent of output while boosting infrastructure investment to create jobs.

The minister, who disclosed this at her maiden address to journalists in Abuja, lamented that of the 20 per cent of GDP debt stock, 17.5 per cent of it is domestic debt.

She said Nigeria would have to watch her domestic borrowing. “Nigeria has to reduce borrowing but cannot stop borrowing immediately because it will be a shock to the system. The government will put the trend on a down ward part on domestic debts because whether government likes it

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

or not, it is bound to respect the terms of the bonds it is holding and other financial commitments,” she said.

The minster, however, said with a total debt profile of $39.7 billion, which is 20 per cent of GDP, Nigeria is in very good shape. The debt is extremely low and all are concessional with reasonable interest rate,” she said.

Domestic debt accounts for N5.2 trillion while external debt is $5.3 billion.

Giving an insight into what the 2012 budget would look like, the Finance minister said Nigerians have to make tough choices. “No single person can solve the economic problems of Nigeria. We are not good at implementing policies in Nigeria, but will pay very close attention to the budget,” she assured.

She also said there was broad agreement on ending fuel subsidies but no timeframe has been set for this

yet.

“There has been a lot of debate on fuel subsidies and we have all resolved that (removing it) is a good direction to go on. You have to leave it to us to decide when it is prudent to do so,” she said.

Speaking on the activities of the economic team in the near future, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala stated that it was the desire of the government to reduce fiscal deficit to three per cent of GDP. She, however, said both monetary and fiscal arms of government must work together to curtail inflation and other economic problems.

The Federal Government had increased spending and raised wages this year as it held elections.Recurrent spending accounts for 74 per cent of Nigeria’s N4.5 trillion ($29 billion) budget. OkonjoIweala said she plans to trim spending to “a more reasonable figure” of 70 per cent within four years.

She said all arms of government are liable for the “unacceptably high recurrent ex-

• Dr Okonjo-Iweala

penditure.”

The current administration, she said, plans to invest more money in infrastructure including power, road and rail. The government will focus on investment-climate changes and complete overhauls in other industries including the removal of a subsidy on refined fuel, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said.

On job creation, the minister said the government will have a register of unemployed persons so that employers can source for hands from it.

BPE releases power industry pacts From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

I

N line with the revised transaction timeline for the privatisation of the successor companies created from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the Bureau of Public Enterprises yesterday released the industry agreements.

They pacts are the draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and the draft Vesting Contract.

The PPA is executed between power generators and the power off-taker. For now, the off-taker is the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NEBT) Plc. NEBT is also known as the Bulk Trader.

BPE spokesman, Mr Chukwuma Nwokoh, disclosed these in a statement.

The Vesting Contract is executed between the Bulk Trader and the Power Distribution Companies. It is a mechanism that is used during the transition period in the electricity industry reform to ensure that the available power is shared equitably among the Distribution Companies.

On August 16, this year, President Goodluck Jonathan approved the pioneer Board of the Bulk Trader and also named Mr Rumundaka Wonodi, as its pioneer Chief Executive Officer.

The Minister of Finance is the Chairman of the Board of NEBT. The Board of NEBT was inaugurated last Tuesday, by the President.

AfDB earmarks $700m for real sector From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

T • From left: Niger State Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Hassana Adamu, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Alhaji Idris Kuta and Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr Thabo Mabe, at the Unilever Women Empowerment launch in Abuja

Stanbic IBTC targets acquisition for growth

S

TANBIC IBTC Bank Plc may consider acquiring another bank with strong retail franchise to grow its emerging retail brand and complement its dominant corporate and investment banking brand.

Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking (PBB), Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr Jacques Troost,told The Nation that the bank would consider any opportunity to grow its retail banking franchise through the inorganic way in addition to on-going aggressive branch expansion drive.

According to him, there will be mergers and acquisitions in the banking industry over the next few years

By Taofik Salako

and Stanbic IBTC would always consider good opportunities to acquire another bank as part of its cost optimisation strategy.

“Opportunities arise all the time. I think in this market, over the next few years, there will be mergers and acquisitions. We will always be looking for opportunities.

However, we will do something while we look, which is to grow organically and we know that we can grow 100 branches a year and we will continue to grow organically. We have proved to ourselves that we can do it.

We will continue doing that and if an opportunity to ac-

quire another bank arises, we will look at it,” Troost said.

He said the bank would consider the competitive advantages of the potential acquisition to ensure that it derives the maximum cost benefits from any deal.

According to him, any acquisition will depend on the price that is paid for it and the number of customers as well as the quality of the network to be taken over. You may also have to consider how much has been invested and what will be got from the investment.

He pointed out that the bank’s aggressive drive into retail banking was due to a new holistic philosophy as a

universal bank that sees Stanbic IBTC Bank as a bank for all segments of the economy rather than the top end alone.

“The starting point is that we see ourselves as a universal bank. A universal bank wants to bank all segments, not only the top end but the total market. This is a process because there is still a lot of work to be done in the upper segments. For us at this stage, we are playing in the profitable top segments while also doing some learning in the lower segments, so that one day when we need to start playing there, we would have attained the learning to help us find our feet quickly in the market,” Troost said.

HE African Develop ment Bank (AfDB) will vote $700 million for the development of the Nigeria’s real sector.

AfDB new Country Resident Representative Mr Ousmane Dore disclosed this yesterday in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists.

He said $500 million would be given to the Bank of Industry (BoI) for on-lending to small and medium scale enterprises while the Nigeria Export Import Bank (NEXIM) will receive the balance of $200 million for regional trade.

Currently, the AfDB’s total investment portfolio in Nigeria stands at $1.5 billion.

Of this amount, $750 million was given to the private sector and the balance for execution of public projects.

On the disbursement of the funds, the AfDB chief said it was in keeping with the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan to help create jobs and stimulate the economy. To position the bank’s strategy with the government’s transformation agenda, Dore said the AfDB undertook several studies in key sectors of the economy.

12

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

BUSINESS NEWS Firm to create 5,000 jobs

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

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

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1.

2.

3.

4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

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

2.

3.

4.

5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 16.30 Arik

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1.

2.

3.

4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Dana 08.10 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 09.40 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

LAGOS – UYO 10.35

11.35

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik 1. Dana

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

08.00 18.00

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

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

T

• From right: Regional Director, FCT/North Central, Skye Bank Plc, Mr Gbayi Adewuyi handing over keys of the Toyota Corolla star prize to the winner of the bank’s savers promo, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, in Abuja ... yesterday.

‘N800b lost to smuggling yearly’

N

IGERIA is losing about N800 billion yearly to smuggling as a result illegal importation of textile materials, rice and furniture amongst others, The Nation has laernt.

A source at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) told The Nation that anything government takes out of its import list is inadvertently slipped into smugglers’ list with the attendant loss of revenue to the government.

“Whenever tariff duties’ differentials exist between two neighbouring countries, the tariff wedge provides opportunities for customs officials to extract rents from importers and smugglers,” who resort to using the borders, apparently to circumvent government’s intention in placing certain goods on the prohibition list.

It was revealed that though Nigeria’s trade policy is based on

T

By Toba Agboola

tariff protection to stimulate production diversification and encourage increase of non-oil added-value, this protection has not worked in some sectors, especially textile, due to smuggling and other extraneous factors.

The source revealed that apart from corruption, which the long list of banned goods engenders, the current trade regime also undermines Customs officials’willingness to tackle reforms in the Service. This has resulted in increasing costs to Customs in carrying out its operations to check smuggling activities, especially at the border with Benin Republic.

Director-General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturers Association, Jayeola Olarewaju, described the situation as worrisome.

He said, despite the Federal Government’s textile revival fund to the sectors, things have not im-

proved, adding that about 80 per cent of textile products are currently smuggled into the country. “ There is massive smuggling of textile materials into the country at the moment and this is not good for the economy. In fact, records on our hand reveal that about 80 per cent of the textile material in the country are smuggled. Unfortunately, the textile revival fund has not made any impact in the sector,” Olarewaju said, adding that the loan beneficiaries are being exposed to unfair competition through unbridled importation of textile materials.

“The N100 billion revival fund from which textile manufacturers borrowed to revitalise their operations, may be difficult to repay,” he said.

General Secretary, National Union of Textile and Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, (NUTGTWN), Comrade Issa Aremu, said Nigeria is already a dumping ground for imported goods.

New trade policy out January, says Aganga

O create a friendly environ ment for business and invest ment, the Federal Government has started the review of Nigeria’s trade policy, which is expected to be completed in January.

A 23-man technical review committee, which was inaugurated yesterday, has been given three months to submit its report.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said that the country required a sound trade policy that would be business and investment-friendly to attract substantial local and foreign investment and increase its share of the global trade in the next four years.

Noting that some of the existing trade rules, regulations and practices are outdated, he said this of-

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

ten resulted in the ad-hoc and sometimes conflicting approach to implementation.

He said: “Currently, Nigeria does not have a comprehensive and coherent trade policy framework to adequately govern and guide the nation on domestic and international trade in view of the dynamism of the global market environment.

“Some of the existing trade rules, regulations and practices are outdated and applied haphazardly, thus resulting in the ad-hoc and sometimes conflicting approach to implementation.”

The minister said the new trade policy would address the shortcomings, map out the strategies for ad-

dressing the various trade imbalances; and guide the monitoring and evaluation of the various trade agreements and initiatives the government is involved in.”

He said the members of the review committee were carefully chosen bearing in mind the important roles their organisations could play in steering the review exercise. There is a balanced and broad representation from the public and private sector, academia and civil society organisations, among others.

The committee has been charged to analyse past and current trade and industrial reforms, identify specific gaps that must be addressed, including why previous review exercises had not achieved the desired results and identify sectors where the country has the potential and strength to excel in export trade.

Shareholders’ groups back merger of rescued ing problems for the industry, we group, Shareholders’ Coali banks have decided to give full support to tion, has lent its support to the

A

on-going merger plans between the remaining five rescued banks and their suitors.

The banks are Intercontinental Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank International Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Equatorial Trust Bank and Finbank Plc. Already, they have signed transaction implementation agreements, and are harmonising some salient issues to acqualise their plans.

According to the Co-ordinator of the group, Mr Olufemi Timothy, 20 out of the 24 incorporated shareholders’associations in the country have agreed to support the merger and acquisition plans of the rescued banks to facilitate their growth.

Timothy, in a statement yesterday, said plans are underway to organise a stakeholders forum through which the group would declare its support

By Akinola Ajibade

for the mergers and acquisitions initiated by the banks.

He said the development became necessary to protect the investments of the shareholders, adding that failure to take the steps would jeopardise their interests.

He said: “Our agenda is to support the Transaction Implementation Agreements(TIAs) relating to the rescued banks, and prepare ourselves for the Extra-ordinary General Meetings. Shareholders have lost heavily in the past and we do not want to experience such developments again.

“These banks have been passing through trials since 1999 as far we are concerned. The Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) has been magnanimous enough on the issue affecting the banks. To create another unend-

the banks. By this, we want the banks to consummate relationship with banks that are interested in them so that our own stakes would be guaranteed”.

He said the coalition is made up of Renaissance Shareholders Association, Ibadan Zone Shareholders Association, Nigerian Solidarity Shareholders Association, Fortune Shareholders Association, Consolidated Shareholders Association, Prestige Shareholders Association, Triumph Shareholders Association, Grassroots Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Pace Setters Shareholders Association, Pragmatic Shareholders Association, Shareholders United Front, Shareholders United Professional Shareholders Association, Esteem Shareholders Association, Pace Setter Shareholders Association, among several others.

HE Pipe mill to be set up by Jiangsu Yulong Steel Pipe Company of China in the country will employ at least 5,000 people when it begins production, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Ernest Nwapa said on Tuesday in Lagos.

Speaking during the presentation of the project to officials of international operating oil and gas companies, Nwapa described the pipe mill as a corner stone facility, which will attract cluster of industries and employ thousands of Nigerians.

Public Affairs Officer of the Board, Mr Obinna Ezeobi, disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

The engagement with supply chain managers and major project promoters was part of the highlights of the seven-day visit by a four-man Yulong delegation that included the Chief Marketing Officer, Mr Abass Mohammed, member of the Board of Directors, Mr Liu Yan, Chief Technical Officer, Mr Yao Guarijli and company’s Nigerian representative, Mr Festus Olaoye.

The Yulong/NCDMB team also presented the project to the top management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) in Abuja and got assurances that the government will provide it with generous incentives and patronage.

There were also inspection visits to the proposed site in Polaku which is close to the shore line of River Nun in Bayelsa State and other adjacent industrial complexes, such as the National Integrated Power Project, Gbarain and Shell Gas Plant in Gbarain Ubei.

The visits by the Yulong management served to progress their collaboration with NCDMB in setting up the pipe mill and secure the support of government and industry stakeholders.

Giving reasons why for the project, the Executive Secretary said it is in compliance with the Nigerian Content Act which provides that all steel pipes be sourced locally.

He emphasised that when the mill becomes operational, operators of the industry would not be allowed to buy pipes abroad until they exhaust Yulong’s capacity.

Statistician-General promises improved data services

By Okwy Iroegbu Asst. Editor

T

HE new Statistician-General of the Federation/Chief Ex ecutive Officer, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Dr Oyeyemi Kale has promised to improve the quality of data gathering and coordination to ensure proper service delivery.

In an inaugural address to NBS staff, Kale pledged to focus more on turning the bureau into a revenue generating institution. This, he said, would reduce the financial burden on the government and its development partners by innovatively generating the revenue needed to run a more flexible, nimble and responsive institution.

He promised a transformation in the method of communicating data to the public to boost NBS’ relevance and visibility in social and economic planning.

“To increase relevance, develop visibility and improve our advocacy functions, we will more effectively engage the public on updates of indicators and forecasts by way of press statements, dialogue fora and official communiqué. We have to take charge of this process to the point where we have dates we expect certain data to be released and these dates are known by the public.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

13

14

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

15

INDUSTRY

Fed Govt to review free trade zone policy T

HE Federal Government is contemplating tinkering with the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to make them more effective and result-oriented, Minister of Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga has said.

Aganga spoke when he visited the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, in Calabar.

The visit, he said, was to see the Calabar Free Trade Zone and Tinapa Business Resort.

He said the concept of FTZs would be revisited to achieve the

Stories by Toba Agboola

desired goals of job creation and poverty reduction in line with the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Aganga said he was in Calabar to assess how the FTZ policy was working.

He added that it was an opportunity for him to ensure that free trade zones contribute to the economic growth of the nation through wealth creation and job opportunities.

“We have to remain focused to attract foreign investment into the country and also to assist our local businesses to expand their businesses in the country.

“We will continue to focus on trade, export, helping our businesses to increase their productivity and promoting our local

producers as well as development of small enterprises,” he said.

Aganga said two investors have indicated interest in setting up business palm oil produce firm and a specialist hospital on heart and cancer in the state.

“There will be more opportu-

‘We have to remain focused to attract foreign investments into the country and also to assist our local businesses to expand their businesses in the country’

nities to work with Cross River State.This is a very long and symbiotic relationship that will enable the Ministry to assist the state to become one of the economic states in the country,” he added.

Imoke praised the management of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) for revitalising the free trade zone in Calabar.

He urged the ministry to include the state in its agenda and avail it of opportunities to realise its dream.

Sorghum production to rise 22%

T

HE Federal Government has pledged to raise the yearly production of sorghum from 9.32 million tonnes to 11.370 million tonnes by 2013, representing a 22 per cent increase.

Chairman, Presidential Committee on Sorghum Transformation Value Chain in Nigeria, Prof.

Abraham Obilana, made this known at a stakeholders’meeting in Abuja.

Obilana said aside from the United States and India, which commit their sorghum production to forage use, Nigeria has remained a major producer of the food crop.

“There is no shortage of indigenous varieties of sorghum in Nigeria. In fact, the country produces 9.32 million tonnes of sorghum yearly, which makes us the number one producer of food

grain sorghum globally,” he said.

“As a result of the Sorghum Transformation Value Chain Project, there will be an expected 22 per cent increase in commercial sorghum production, processing and utilisation (for both consumption within the country and export) to 11.37milion tonnes by 2013,” he added.

He added: “The main constraint to industrial seed production is the absence of sorghum hybrids and lack of high productivity in available improved varieties. ‘’Hopefully, two Sorghum hybrids will be released next year and seeds available for farmers’ production from 2013, the situation has been changing there is now gradual and systematic industrial use of sorghum in producing malt drinks and foods.”

How to boost local industry, by Jonathan

T

HE Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) has urged the Federal Government to focus more on attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Its Chairman, Folorunsho Williams, said the group would liaise with the government on how to achieve the objective to attain it.

He said: “This new economic intervention policy is directed at promoting sustainable economic development in Nigeria and also meant to give fresh impetus geared at persuading the government to implement what NESG said were the recommendations already made to the relevant agencies of government on how to grow the economy.”

Williams added that the place of public-private partnership (PPP), which is part of the several recommendations already forwarded to the government, should not be overlooked, but instead, be more critically looked into.

Former Head Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, who chaired the occasion, said NESG’s role in national economic development could not be over emphasised.

He said the government should embrace the concept of private partnerships towards achieving all its economic development objectives.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is to formulate a policy that will make it mandatory for certain categories of imports to be produced locally. The idea behind the plan is to boost employment.

President Goodluck Jonathan said this while receiving the outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Toshitsugu Uesawa, who

visited him at the State House, Abuja.

A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, quoted Jonathan as explaining that the policy is one of the steps for developing the economy.

“We are considering such a policy to develop the economy, generate more employment and thereby improve the purchasing power of Nigerians. This will result in even higher production by the affected manufacturers,” he said.

Earlier, Uesawa said he enjoyed the co-operation and friendship of the government and people of Nigeria during his stay in the country.

He said he was privileged and proud to witness the country’s successful elections, as well as many other developments during his tenure.

‘We are considering such a policy to develop the economy, generate more employment and thereby improve the purchasing power of Nigerians. This will result in even higher production by the affected manufacturers’

From left: Marketing Director,Cadbury West Africa, Mr Dele Anifowoshe;Managing Director,Cadbury Nigeria Plc Mr Alan Palmer and Marketing Manager, Food Drink & Chocolates Mrs Bukky Bandele, at the unvieling of the new Bournvita, at the company’s corporate head office, in Ikeja Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM.

•From left: Chairman, Sinai Collaterals Mr Peter Ojiaka; Group Chairman, Chisco Transport Ltd Chief Chidi Anyaeabu; Managing Director, Sinai Collateral Limited, Mrs Charity Ojiaka and representative of JKpeez Group Mr Park Shin Wod, during the presentation of Orion Choco Pie in Lagos.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAM

BoI lists benefits of intervention funds

M

ANUFACTURING firms and power plants have been utilising the intervention funds meant for their development, the Bank of Industry (BoI) has said.

General Manager BoI Risk Management Division, said the fund was provided at single digit interest rate with long tenor.

He spoke during the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the BoI joint monitoring visit to some companies in Lagos.

According to him, the joint monitoring team is happy with the power plant by Western Metal, which can power all their factories in 24 hours.

Ofu said the team was expecting

Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods as they could compete favourably with those in international standard.

He said he was overwhelmed with the power plant at Western Metal and the four manufacturing product lines that it had helped to maintain production.

Managing Director of Western Metal Company, Mr Tung Robert, said the power had been constant since last year and that it generates 52 mega watts to power the factory.

Also speaking during the tour, the Director, Development Finance of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Paul Eluhaiwe, said the intervention fund for real and power sectors to the Bank of Industry (BOI) is being well-utilised

by the companies.

He noted that the visit to the factory had given them insight into how the fund has been utilised and its benefit to the company.

According to him, about 1,000 Nigerians are employed at Western Metal whose products include tile rod steel, flat sheets, nails and ceramic tiles.

“The CBN-BOI intervention has helped in the employment of about 1,000 Nigerians in this place alone. The fund is to help in the industrialisation of Nigeria and if we can have three or four of this kind of projects we could be producing automobiles in the country as the flat sheets produced here can be used to manufacture cars and some of the components,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

16

INDUSTRY

SMEDAN, CAC to simplify business registration

T

HE Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) have resolved to enter into a partnership to simplify and fasttrack business registration processes for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the deal, SMEDAN would deploy desk officers to CAC’s Head Office and state offices to handle registration procedures for small business operators.

The implication is that small business operators would no longer need to engage lawyers to register their companies with CAC, a practice that had, hitherto, increased the cost of registration.

CAC, on the other hand, would

Stories by Toba Agboola

be expected to send its staff to serve as resource persons during SMEDAN’s Entrepreneurship Training Programmes (ETPs) to educate prospective and existing entrepreneurs on business registration issues.

The partnerhip would, therefore, reduce the cost of business registration and make the process faster.

Director-General of SMEDAN, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar, disclosed this while receiving a team from the CAC at the SMEDAN headquarters in Abuja.

He said everything relating to the development of SMEs in the country needed to be fast-tracked

to create the right environment for more Nigerians to be self-reliant, especially the restive youths, who take to various vices as a result of poverty and unemployment.

Describing the visit as crucial, Umar said like India, Nigeria needed innovation and different incentives for MSMEs to grow and boost the economy, noting that in addition to education, skill acquisition is an important factor to any sustainable enterprise. He called on the CAC to assist in advocacy and capacity building.

Registrar-General of CAC, Alhaji Bello Mahmud, called on SMEDAN to sensitise MSMEs on the need to register their businesses as, by so doing, such businesses can operate legally and also

enjoy positive responses on applications submitted to public and private sector organisations for business transactions.

While stressing the need for mutual relationship between the two organisations owing to the vital role both play in the economy, Mahmud added that already, the Commission has commenced enforcement/compliance drive to campaign against unregistered businesses, and sensitise banks on the registration of unsecured loan facilities granted by the banks to corporate entities.

Head, Customer Services, CAC, Mrs Azuka Azinge, noted that most small business owners fail to register their businesses because they feel they need so much

money to do so.

“This is not the case,” she said, adding that “already, a special arrangement is in place to speed up the registration process in even less time than before. ‘’The process can be completed within a day at no additional cost besides the usual registration fee.”

She said CAC was ready to partner with SMEDAN to sensitise small business owners on the registration process and on the need to comply with statutory requirements for CAMA including the filing of yearly returns during their cluster training and fund some workshops for SMEs as part of its social corporate responsibilities.

ECOWAS urges commission to tackle piracy

T

HE Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS Council of Ministers has directed the ECOWAS Commission to address piracy in member-states.

The directive was given at the just-concluded 66th session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.

It urged the commission to convene an urgent meeting of the regional Chiefs of Defence Staff to tackle the problem.

This followed complaints by some member-states that the problem has adverse effects on their economy.

The council endorsed a proposal by the ministers responsible for security to address security challenges in the region.

The proposal focused on the creation of a committee of chiefs of security services to address the challenges of cross-border security, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and terrorism.

The council agreed that such would strengthen the work of the Interpol and facilitate capacity building for the services.

It also approved the proposal by the ministers of security for the institution of a code of conduct for the armed forces and security services to promote best practices and respect for human rights of citizens.

In addition, the council confirmed the retention of the regional Interpol bureau in Abidjan.

The ministers recommended that the obstacles in the implementation of the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons, Right of Residence and Establishment should be addressed through a specific programme to be led by a Head of State.

The council appealed to member-states to pay their outstanding community levies before the next summit. The levy is used by the organisation to fund the activities of the ECOWAS Commission, community institutions and programmes.

Other reports were endorsed by the council, including the report of the ministers of agriculture, which contained the work plan for the sector for this year.

This includes the implementation of the Regional Agricultural Investment Programme, the establishment of a financial and institutional mechanism for the effective take-off of the Regional Agricultural Fund; The report of the meeting of sectorial ministers approved the creation of the Regional Animal Health Centre as a specialised ECOWAS centre for animal health, and a strategic plan for the transformation of the cattle, meat and dairy sectors.

The policy seeks to ensure that the region’s vast mineral resources are harnessed to promote sustainable economic growth and integrated development.

It focused on the creation of a committee of chiefs of security services to address the challenges of cross-border security, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and terrorism’

•From left: Director, Food Exhibitions and Festivals Ltd, Mrs Florence Olumodimu; Chairman, Specialised Exhibitions and Marketing Committee, Mr Michael Kehinde Amao and CEO, Proximity Communications Nigeria Ltd, Mr Rotimi Olaniyan, during the presentation of the plans for the Lagos International Trade Fair, in Lagos.

•Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu (right ) and Director-General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), at the inauguration of the first SON/Consumer Desk in Alaba International Market, Alaba, Lagos.

MAN seeks new policy for growth of real sector

T

HE Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State branch, has called for the enthronement of a new industrial policy regime that would facilitate the growth of the real sector.

Besides, the manufacturers want the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to co-ordinate and implement its protocols, to advance the fortunes of industrial outfits within the sub-region.

The Chairman of the association’s Ogun State branch, Dr. Dolapo Ogutuga, said the realities on the ground have shown that there was the need for government to review the implementation of the country’s industrial policies, to open up investment opportunities in the manufac-

turing sector.

Ogutuga, who spoke at the association’s business luncheon, at SangoOtta, Ogun State, said ECOWAS should look into the region’s industrial policies, which to him, were not well co-ordinated and implemented.

He said it was imperative for the government and ECOWAS to formulate policies that would encourage,

promote and fast-track trade facilitation in Nigeria and the Sub-Sahara region.

The state’s MAN boss, however, lamented the high cost of doing business in the country, adding that the government still needed to pay greater attention to ways of solving inherent problems facing the manufacturing sector.

‘There is the imperative of acquainting key government officials with the plight of manufacturers for better understanding of their constraints and fashioning ways of instigating them and creating the muchneeded business friendly environment’

He said:“There is the imperative of acquainting key government officials with the plight of manufacturers for better understanding of their constraints and fashioning ways of instigating them and creating the muchneeded business friendly environment.”

“The investment climate in Ogun State and, indeed Nigeria, as a whole, is characterised by acute infrastructural deficiency, as well as, high cost of funds. These attributes, no doubt, cannot bring development, because of their tendency to propel high cost environment, which usually leads to uncompetitiveness, as beingwitnessed in the manufacturing sector today.”

While speaking on the theme, ‘Fi-

nance: Catalyst for promotion and sustaining the manufacturing sector, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc, Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti, said the theme of the event was timely, considering the ongoing reforms in the financial services sector, especially the push by operators and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to significantly increase the contribution of banks to the productive sector of the economy.

“Although regulators and operators agreed on a number of practical solutions in the funding area, it was obvious that the support of the Federal Government in certain critical areas, such as infrastucture, power and favourable fiscal policies are critical to attain meaningful progress,” he said.

17

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

How many Vice-Presidents should Nigeria have? Both the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions provide for one. But, the 1996 Constitutional Conference, at the instance of a group led by former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme, recommended six, one from each of the six geo-political zones. In this interview with Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU, former Anambra State governor Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju said there should be two, one from the President’s zone. He also said that security votes of governors should be abolished

Amend constitution to accommodate multiple Vice-Presidents, says Mbadinuju W

HAT is your view concerning government’s proposed single-term presidential tenure?

It is necessary that all right thinking Nigerians, home and abroad should rally round the government of President Goodluck Jonathan not only to support his Transformation agenda but in particular, to support his proposal for constitutional amendment, particularly the six years, one term plan. I read in some newspapers the proposal that is being made to allow first term governors stay in office for 10 years, that is, to have their normal four years plus the proposed six years, one term.

This arrangement does not sound right as it raises the question of why some governors should stay in office for 10 years when the President voluntarily chose to stay for 4 years (or 5 years if one counts the former late President Yar’Adua’s one year left. This 10-year thing,, if not properly managed may defeat the whole constitutional amendment as the third term one led to the defeat of the whole exercise, a few years back. When a situation like this develops, everyone affected must act in the nation’s interest. It is the national interest that made President Jonathan decide not to benefit from the 6 year ,1 term arrangement, even when the constitution guarantees him a second term in office. That is the type of sacrifice Nigerians should learn to make in the interest of national unity.

What then do you suggest as alternative?

It is either the affected first term governors do not benefit from the new six years, one term plan like the President, or the amended constitution should grant them additional two years to make their tenure six years. After the governors’ additional two years, INEC should organise an election in the affected states and under the amended constitution

•Mbadinuju

on 6 years, one term basis. This discretion to the first term governors, it seems to me, lacks in equity. If the 4-year first term governors are allowed to have another 6 years to make 10 years, then some former governors who

did only 4 years first term but did not contest for second term of four years should also have the discretion to contest on the new six years of one term because as they say what is good for the geese is good also for the gander. Even at that, such an arrangement still sounds odd for governors to be in office more years than the President of the country. This should be looked into very carefully as it is not yet well thought out.

Do you have other contributions to make towards what some people have described as the people’s constitution?

Yes, I have a few suggestions to make. One, impeachment clause should be retained in the amended constitution and should apply strictly to the President, Governors and Local Government Chairmen to prevent any form of abuse of office.

Two, security votes or funds which, hitherto, have been alleged to be avenue for siphoning government funds should be pegged nationally and constitutionally. Or in the extreme, it should be abolished. So, I commend the six years, one term proposal as good for Nigeria and implore the NASS to act with dispatch in enacting the new constitution. The LGA autonomy should be enshrined and guaranteed in the new amended constitution.

The Southeast remains adamant that at least one new state should be created in the zone.

But there are other people who insist that even the existing states are not viable? What is your view?

Equality of states should also be enshrined and guaranteed in the new constitution. In this respect, it is either we create one additional State in the South East to bring it at par, (that is, six states) with South West, South South, North Central and North East or we create two additional states from South East and one additional State from Southwest, Southsouth, North Central, for all the six

zones to have seven states each. This is what I call equality of states as far as the numbers go.

There should be new zonal arrangement to make provision for two Vice Presidents, one from the incumbent President’s zone and the other from any other zone as may be provided in parties zoning arrangements. This is necessary should anything happen as in the case of Yar’Adua where the Vice President from the late President’s zone would have taken over. The state structure we have now should be preserved but I strongly recommend the institution of State Police with defined roles and lines of responsibilities.

There are also concerns over funding of the local government councils. What is your view?

The autonomy of LGAs should be guaranteed and the number of LGAs to be created is to be determined by each state according to their financial ability and local needs. Federal Revenue Allocation will no longer be based on number of LGAs per State but rather on equality of states. Furthermore, Federal Revenue Allocations should go straight to the LGAs without the usual detour of the allocation going through any gtate government authority.

What about fiscal federalism as it is being canvassed by some activists?

Derivation Principles shall be enshrined in the new amended constitution such that states can retain 30 per cent of what they produce and 70 per cent accruing to the Federal Government. Similarly, I suggest a new Revenue Allocation Formula: Federal Government 55 per cent, States 20 per cent, LGAs 10 per cent, Miscellaneous 15 per cent. This breakdown is fair and equitable because the states are already benefiting from their 30 per cent derivation formula.

‘1999 Constitution is overdue for review’

A

CONSTITUTION is the body of rules and laws according to which a state or country is governed. When the constitution is faulty, the socio-political order is endangered. Many believe that this the case with Nigeria’s democracy, which is writhing under the pain of a military-imposed document.

It is not debatable that the constitution needs amendment. Who should handle the operation is a bone of contention. Many think that a peoples’ conference should be convened to drive the process. However, the National Assembly also appears to be taking the bull by the horn.

Last week, news filtered that a committee on constitutional amendment has been proposed by the House of Representatives. The committee is made of one representative each from the 36 states of the federation. Its terms include a total overhaul of the each of 1999 Constitution in tune with popular yearnings.

A member of the House, Muniru Abiodun Hakeem, who represents Oshodi/Isolo Constituency, said that the amendment has open a

By Emmanuel Oladesu

floodgate of opportunities to redesign Nigeria and redirect it to the pursuit of nationhood.

In his reckoning, the review would douse the mounting tension in the country over its collapsing federalism and raise the hope of devolution of powers in a secular state, where religious sentiments and ethnic feelings are fueled by repeated demands for self-determination.

Hakeem told reporters in Lagos that the agitation for a special status for Lagos would now be treated as a constitutional matter, stressing that, a time would come when the denial of that status, which is long overdue, would be treated as injustice against the Centre of Excellence.

He said: “We need special funding to tackle infrastructure decay and shortage of amenities in Lagos because of pressure mounted on the state by continued inflow of people from across the country. We need to remind all that former capital towns and cities across the globe are not neglected like Lagos”.

The legislator expressed happiness that his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would be willing

to champion the cause of the neglected former federal capital territory, adding that no Nigerian would be opposed to the idea because Lagos State is a mini Nigeria.

He said: “ACN is an advocate of true federalism and justice. We are fighting for special status. Every country that has moved its federal capital often develop the old capital towns simultaneously. The federal infrastructure in Lagos is in decay. as individuals, groups and party, we are championing it. Lagos is part of the agenda of the House. We must make the agitation for special status a constitutional matter”.

Hakeem emphasised the importance of a new constitution, saying that it would unite the diverse components, if it ushers in true federalism and decentralisation of powers”.

The lawmaker also spoke on the Legislative Compliance Committee, which he said, would fashion out rules that would enforce compliance with motions and resolutions by the executive, agencies, parastatals, and other stakeholders in the country.

He said that motions and resolutions are in vain, if there is no compliance, adding that the legislature would be a toothless bulldog, if its

motions and resolutions are worthless.

Hakeem assured that he would not relent in articulating the problems of his constituency on the floor. He stressed: “There is infrastructural decay in my constituency. NNPC has abandoned the road project there.

The contractor handling the construction has absconded. We are protesting to FERMA and Minister of Petroleum. Between Oke Afa bridge and Jakande Estate, there is a terrible traffic snarl. It is stressful and painful.

“Then, I want to bring a bill on youth development before the House. This will facilitate an access to aids and grants. I am not relenting in attracting the MDDG projects, especially water and electricity. Our Town Hall meetings would kick off soon and the topic on the agenda is the single term tenure proposed by the President. There, I will collate views and opinions”.

Hakeem painted a picture of the House, saying it is a house of principle and candour. He added: “ It is not a dull and docile parliament. It is a House that is justifying itself. In the chamber are men of sound mind, integrity and uncommon

•Hakeem

knowledge, who are determined to do their best for Nigeria in terms of legislating for good governance.

“The seventh Assembly is a model.

It is not easy learning the ropes., the constitution, House rules and politics of the house. You have to build networks, even across the parties. You also need interpersonal skills. You need to be sound, methodical and logical in your presentation”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

18

POLITICS

‘Buhari will soon prove critics wrong’

L

• Lagos House of Assembly.

The 40-member Lagos State House of Assembly parades 18 fresh ones. OZIEGBE OKOEKI captures the experiences of the freshers so far and their relationship with their experienced colleagues.

New Lagos lawmakers learning the ropes T

HE 7th Assembly of Lagos State comprises 40 members, all of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Of the number, 22 are returnees while 18 are new. For the new members, it is a learning process. And the process according to them, has been very tasking, especially for those who had a different impression of the Lagos State House of Assembly before coming in. They have come to realise that the House that has come to be reputed for its vibrancy and strict adherence to high standards in legislative business leaves the uninitiated gasping for breath.

However, the task of settling down and adjusting to the new experience was made easier for the new members by the leadership of the 6th Assembly and the current leadership.

Before the expiration of the 6th Assembly, an orientation/induction course was organised to acquaint in-coming lawmakers with their new roles and give tutorials on lawmaking, committee duties and oversight functions. When the 7th Assembly was inaugurated, some training programmes, both locally and internationally, were organised for both the new and old members to prepare them for their new assignment.

Besides, the old members have been giving them necessary assistance. All these, they confessed, had assisted them in no small measure in adjusting to their new legislative tasks.

Hon. Bisi Yusuf, former chairman of Ipaja-Ayobo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), who now represents Alimosho 1 constituency in the House, said: “There are a lot of things to learn in the House and because of my past experience as a grassroots man who have passed through the local government system, catching up is not a problem.” Yusuf, who has already moved a motion on the floor of the House, also said: “As somebody who wants to widen his mental horizon, new assignment is not a strange thing to me. I knew what the House was going to look like and I prepared myself fully for it; that is why I am catching up seriously.”

Ibeju-Lekki 11 Constituency’s Hon. Kazeem Raheem Adewale who had been a Supervisor in his

•Ikuforiji

local government before coming to the House, however, said he has seen a lot of difference from what he thought the House was. “I thought it is the same thing, just come into the House and say okay I have an idea and I want to move a motion that will benefit my people. But I discovered it is another thing entirely it is a place where you have to know the rules before you can operate”, he said.

However, Hon. Segun Olulade representing Epe 11 Constituency said it had been a great experience.

“I am enjoying everything; it is where you learn a lot of things,” he said. The youthful lawmaker confessed that he met a House that beat his imagination. “I see a House that is beyond the plenary; all I thought was that they do plenary just a few times and that is all, even the oversight functions; I didn’t see them as detailed as they are now. I never imagined the level of research, training, debates and deliberations going on in the House.” he said.

While expressing happiness at being part of the Assembly, Hon. Yishau Gbolahan from Eti Osa 11 Constituency said it is very interesting and challenging. “The impression I had was that it is a very vibrant House and I have come to meet it that way”. Hon. Hakeem Masha representing Lagos Island 11 Constituency said though he was settling down thanked the House leadership for exposing them to a lot of training “to make sure that

we have the required knowledge to legislate in the House”.

They also commended the old members for making the job easier for them. Masha is particularly satisfied with the Speaker, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji: “The way the Speaker relates with us is quite commendable. Anytime you meet him or call him even for any matter, he is always ready to assist”.

“The old members”, Yusuf further said, “especially the Speaker and principal officers have been very accommodating and ready to share with us their experience.” It was a position echoed by Honourables Adewale and Olulade.

For Olulade added: “It has been great working with the ranking members. They don’t try to bring you down, they don’t look down on you, they try to encourage you, and they try to lead you for you to be part of what is going on in the House. That has really helped and you can see that a lot of us are coming up and catching up. The leadership of the House is giving us good direction.”

However, one thing that has shocked Adewale about the House is its internal politics. “It is because it is different from the politics we play outside there,” he said.

Now, the House leadership has asked that they indicate their preferred committees. Adewale hinted that he would want to serve in the lands committee. His reason: “It is because it is the major problem we are facing in my area.

Therefore, I can express the feelings of my people about land issue.”

Besides, Gbolahan, an engineer, added: “Wherever I find myself, I will perform and there is no committee you are put that is not relevant to the state. For different reasons, Masha would prefer the following committees; Transportation, Public Account, Local Government, Education, Lands, Housing and House services. Olulade said he was interested in all the committees because he can perform in any. The most important thing, he said, “is for us to be able to deliver in any committee.” The lawmakers would also want to use their membership of the House to lobby for infrastructural development of their various constituencies.

OCAL and international observ ers who adjudged the April 2011 elections as the most transparent in Nigeria will be proved wrong when the suit against President Goodluck Jonathan is determined, spokesman of General Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) in the April elections, Mr Yinka Odumakin, has said.

Odumakin told The Nation that it was wrong to conclude that President Jonathan won the election because CPC has ample evidence that the election was a monumental fraud.

He said: “You heard the Chief Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akwa Ibom State, saying that the greatest regret of his life was being part of that shameful April elections. You would have heard of Professor Itse Sagay’s position on the elections, a man that you cannot fault his character.”

He noted that in Rivers State, with such a difficult terrain, it was not quite plausible that it could have mustered such a speed to collate the results. It was one of the earliest in Abuja, when others that have accessible roads were still struggling to put their figures together.

“In Imo State, for instance, they said about 90 percent of the voters turned out to vote for the PDP in the presidential election and, the following week when the governorship election which was keenly contested was held, the pendulum swung. At the end of the day, Rochas Okorocha won with that over 300,000 votes and it was said over a million voted for President Jonathan earlier, so where was the PDP previous overwhelming result? Cases like that abound,” the spokesman averred.

Odumakin further said: “Part of the reasons General Buhari could not go to court was that he had gone twice but did not get justice. But this time around, the CPC said it would not let go the fraud it observed and that is why it is in court to contest the April

• Odumakin

By Musa Odoshimokhe

elections.”

He refuted the claims that the CPC presidential flag-bearer was too rigid for the country. Maintaining that what Nigerians termed as rigidity was just sheer principle, this he likened to the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

“That is why I said General Buhari and Chief Awolowo are birds of the same feather. That was how people said Awolowo was rigid, just because he was principled. I remember when he was campaigning in 1983; Awo said, ‘people say I’m too rigid, I will continue to be rigid all my life, if standing on the path of truth means rigidity.”

Odumakin explained that Awolowo was a great politician who could not be compromised; he could not be blown by any wind and stood for the people he wanted to serve. He was loved and hated for this position, which is the same way General Buhari is being seen because he loves the country and wants to serve.

“They are principled leaders but flexible in terms of tactics. Those who say Buhari is rigid know where he stands, that there will be discipline under him. It could not have been business as usual as people who thrive in corruption would flee and his administration would have brought equity before the law.”

‘Keep faith with ACN’

S

YLVESTER Abiodun, who sought to represent Ijebu North 1 constituency (Ijebu-Igbo) in the April 26, 2011 House of Assembly election in Ogun State has urged the electorate to keep faith with his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He specifically urged everyone in all the states being controlled by the party to give their administrations maximum support, saying that it is a party to beat in terms of providing the people with ideal governance.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abeokuta, the state capital, has wound up hearing on his petition challenging the victory of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Bowale Solaja Olayinka over alleged false age declaration.

The ACN candidate had approached the tribunal, challenging the age status of the PDP candidate which he alleged falls below the mandatory 30 years stipulated by the 2010 Electoral Act. The three-man tribunal headed by Hon. Justice (Mrs) Elizabeth KaratuAbebe, last Monday, reserved verdict, pending when the two parties file their final written addresses.

While the respondent is expected to comply with the submission of its final written addresses within ten days, the petitioner was asked to respond to the respondent’s within seven days.

Abiodun claimed Bowale Solaja

By Dada Aladelokun

was born on April 19, 1982, contrary to the latter’s purported declaration in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form that he was born on April 19, 1980 .

Lead counsel to the first respondent, Ajibola Oloyede and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) counsel, Justin Ilo had initially objected to the tendering of seven documents as exhibits by the petitioner’s counsel, Razak Okesiji who led six others, but the objections were over-ruled and the documents admitted by the tribunal.

The documents tendered and admitted as exhibits by the tribunal, the petitioner’s counsel letter to the registrar, birth and death registry, Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State, a copy of completed INEC nomination form by the first respondent, petitioner’s counsel’s letter to Command Secondary School, Apata, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, petitioner’s counsels letter to Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), AgoIwoye, Ogun State, among others.

Six witnesses, including members of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) testified against the victory of the PDP legislator.

Now, as the outcome of the petition is being awaited, Sylvester has pleaded with supporters of his party in his constituency to remain calm and support the ACN administration in the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

19

EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Judiciary on the cross •Nigerians with conscience must wrest our courts from malcontents and anarchists

T

HE National Judicial Council (NJC) took a decision that rippled through and through with procedural blunders, and outright illegality. Yet, the President of the Federal Republic, post-haste, rushed to endorse a part of that decision. Might the President be a poor reader of events, or might the Presidency be complicit in the conspiracy to humiliate Justice Isa Ayo Salami, President of the Court of Appeal?

Whatever is the correct situation, there seems something of the déjà vu in this current high-voltage power drama to nail Justice Salami; but has instead put the whole of the Judiciary on the cross.

On February 2, 2011, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, raised the subject of “promotion” of Justice Salami to the Supreme Court, at a meeting of the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

The matter was not on the agenda paper.

Neither was the principal “beneficiary” at the meeting: he was away at the eighth day fidau prayers of a departed aunt. The plot was to get the FJSC’s consent to pass the proposal to the National Judicial Council (NJC), which in turn would pass the recommendation to the President who would, perhaps post-haste, endorse; and Justice Salami would have been “elevated” to “strengthen” the Supreme Court!

It took a well publicised letter

by Justice Salami to foil that plot and lay the promotion plan to rest. Justice Salami and the media saw through it all: the socalled promotion was to rid the Court of Appeal of Salami, under whose presidency it had voided three gubernatorial elections of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and slam that court with a more pliant judge as president.

On August 20, 2011, eight members of the 24-member NJC, voting 5-3, decided to “suspend” Justice Salami for “gross misconduct”. They also recommended his retirement from office to the President. His offence? He allegedly used the mass media to “ventilate his differences with the CJN”. This ludicrous charge was raised by the Justice Auta panel set up by the NJC to review the report of the Justice Abdullahi panel that probed allegations of misconduct against Justice Salami and other Justices of the Court of Appeal who kicked former governors Segun Oni (Ekiti) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun) out of office.

Again, as it was on February 2 FJSC meeting, the subject was not on the agenda; and was only discussed under AOB (any other business). Eight out of 24 members were present – would that be a quorum for such a grave decision? And five out of the eight found Justice Salami culpable - can only five out of a possible 24 validly take such a decision?

Neither the NJC chairman, Justice Katsina-

Alu, nor his deputy, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the CJN-designate, was present at that meeting. Both were joined in a suit Justice Salami had instituted against the NJC, which service NJC had earlier attempted to evade, but which it later announced it had received. Despite this notorious fact, the NJC still went ahead to purportedly suspend Justice Salami and recommend his compulsory retirement to the President. But despite the pendency of the suit, and the polluted legal atmosphere, the President still approved the swearing in of an acting President of the Court of Appeal, though he conceded no final action would be taken on Justice Salami’s recommended retirement, until all the cases involved are disposed of.

Now, if the earlier attempt was to remove Justice Salami from the Court of Appeal by illicit promotion, this latest attempt could quite legitimately be interpreted as an attempt to remove the jurist from election cases against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), one of which is a Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) case challenging the April election of President Goodluck

Jonathan. So, apart from the glaring bad faith by an outgoing CJN that seems to bear a bitter grudge over Justice Salami’s allegations against him over the Sokoto panel affair, could the Salami roasting also be the agenda of a nervy ruling party, scared to hell over the jurist’s famed uncompromising stance when the subject is judicial integrity?

Still pushing the partisan theory, let no one forget that the crisis started with the Iyiola Omisore scurrilous and bad-tempered advertorial, which tried to ridicule the judicial dismissal of the illegal government of Governor Oyinlola of Osun State, alleging that the panel of justices was bribed without providing any iota of proof; but

‘Still, people of goodwill should never lose their heads over this crisis. The only people enjoying this national disgrace are those who feel they can only thrive when the Judiciary is humbled; and they can rig elections, write any outrageous results and get away with it. But they forget that a pacified Judiciary is no boost to anyone. Indeed, it is assured anarchy to everyone. That means a lose-lose situation. Anarchy recognises no courts, no media, no civil society – not even does it recognise any government. If you doubt, check out the situation in Somalia. That is why all people of goodwill must unite to soundly defeat these malcontents and anarchists’

threatening that the justices on the panel as well as Justice Salami that empanelled them would be dealt with.

It would then appear the “dealing with” Justice Salami has come to pass. But it is such a mess that it is almost akin to dealing the Judiciary – and a democratic polity guided by law and due process – a fatal blow.

The Omisore advertorial also would appear a natural follow-up from a well coordinated plot at the highest of quarters, dating back to December 16, 2010, barely two weeks after the voiding of the Oyinlola election, when a chain of secret meetings decided to discredit the Osun gubernatorial verdict, demonise Justice Salami and his Court of Appeal, get him out of the way, and scare off any future justices that might want to stand by sound judicial principles, particularly in matters of election dispute.

These, we must warn, are very dangerous paths to tread for a democracy hardly out of its cradle and facing teething problems.

To start with, the CPC is up in arms, alleging that the purported suspension of Salami was aimed at thwacking the ears of the Presidential Election Tribunal panel, by removing with impunity, the chairman of that panel. Whatever the validity of this claim, there is no doubt that the presidential election petition faces a terrible moral burden. That is no good news, considering the mayhem that greeted the declaration of the results of that election in certain parts of the country.

But beyond the present is the almost irreparable damage the conduct of the NJC, apparently goaded to do the outgoing CJN’s bidding, has caused the Judiciary.

In the eyes of the right-thinking public, Justice Katsina-Alu is all crude power, without any judicial grace. CJN – designate Musdapher is also caught in the judicial morass inheriting a position that has been morally if not fatally wounded.

Even Justice Dalhatu Adamu, the so-called acting President of the Court of Appeal – so-called because he got sworn in under a haze of illegality and impunity – becomes a moral Lilliputian, under the shadow of the substantive PCA, who a concert of partisan and judicial forces are in a hurry to get rid of. The Judiciary is set for a testy time, at least in the next 11 months, when the CJN-designate would retire.

As if that were not enough, there is a Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for once questioning the judicial integrity of the Bench, and sounding very credible to a pained public. The NBA angst is not unfounded. When the highest judicial organ in the land embraces unapologetic impunity just to get rid of one individual, then it is time for a judicial emergency.

Still, people of goodwill should never lose their heads over this crisis. The only people enjoying this national disgrace are those who feel they can only thrive when the Judiciary is humbled; and they can rig elections, write any outrageous results and get away with it. But they forget that a pacified Judiciary is no boost to anyone.

Indeed, it is assured anarchy to everyone.

That means a lose-lose situation. Anarchy recognises no courts, no media, no civil society – not even does it recognise any government. If you doubt, check out the situation in Somalia.

That is why all people of goodwill must unite to soundly defeat these malcontents and anarchists. Justice Salami’s lawyers must forge ahead to get justice for him and restore the dignity and honour of the judiciary. The alternative is just too grim to contemplate.

Qaddafi’s final hours

F

OR more than 40 years, Col. Muammar elQaddafi has dominated and terrorized Libya — his image plastered on what seemed like every wall and his goons posted on every corner. Late Monday, with rebel fighters in substantial control of Tripoli, he was nowhere to be found, and his regime seemed to be collapsing.

After seven months of war, are the rebels ready to rule and what should the West do to help?

There may be more dark moments to come. We are in awe of the courageous Libyans who pressed their fight. The rebels, a ragtag band that overcame incredible odds, battlefield defeats and bitter internal divisions have showed extraordinary commitment and resilience.

We urge them to now show restraint in these final hours and respect for all Libyans in the days and months to come. They have promised to build a democratic Libya. They must keep that promise.

There is little doubt that the rebels would not have gotten this far without NATO’s air campaign and political support from President Obama, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain. When critics in Washington and elsewhere declared Libya a quagmire, these leaders refused to back away.

The rebel army improved with advice from British, French and Italian Special Forces and arms from France and Qatar. NATO strikes on Libyan forces and military command centres did real damage. A naval blockade and international sanctions also squeezed the government.

There were times when the United States and Europe should have committed more assets. But Mr. Obama made the right decision to let Europe take the lead.

Libya will need even more support — as well as vigilant monitoring and likely frequent goading — in the months ahead. The challenges of building a stable and representative new country cannot be overstated.

The main rebel leadership group has struggled to secure areas under its control. It must make clear those reprisals against surrendering Qaddafi loyalists that will not be tolerated.

When Colonel Qaddafi is found, he should be sent to the International Criminal Court to face justice.

A few of the rebel leaders are known, but it is unclear if any of them has the standing or the skill to unite the country. The rebels’ Transitional National Council and the military are both hampered by ethnic and tribal divisions.

The council must reach out quickly to all groups and ensure that it represents all Libyans.

It will also need to move quickly to put together a plan to restore public order as well as electricity and other basic services. It must outline a reasonable timetable for democratic elections.

As we learned at a very high cost in Iraq, all parties must have a role in building a new political order or those excluded will turn to violence. Decision-making — including how to restart damaged oil wells and share oil revenues — must be transparent.

World leaders can reinforce these messages by speaking out. President Obama on Monday rightly warned the rebels that “true justice will not come from reprisals and violence.” The release of frozen Libyan assets and the lifting of sanctions must be carefully managed.

It will be up to the Libyans to build their own future. The rebels’ victory — if followed by the democracy they promise — should inspire others to believe that the battle is worth fighting. And no autocrat, no matter how brutal, is invincible.

– The New York Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Group Political Editor Bolade Omonijo •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Abuja Bureau Chief Yomi Odunuga

•Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu • Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •Chief Internal Auditor Toke Folorunsho •Senior Manager (sales) Akeem Shoge •Advert Manager Robinson Osirike •IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness •Pre-Press Manager Chuks Bardi •Press Manager Udensi Chikaodi

•Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere

•Manager, Corporate Marketing Hameed Odejayi

•Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

• Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

20

EDITORIAL/OPINION

S

IR: Recently, it was reported in the various national dallies that General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida during an interview stated that General Obasanjo was a failure.

General Babangida does not have the moral obligation or locus standi to call General Obasanjo a failure. This is because just like President Obasanjo, GeneralBabangida is a failure. This is a man that presided over the affairs of Nigeria for eight years without the masses of the country having anything to show for it.

Moreover, IBB institutionalized corruption, took Nigeria more than a decade back in her drive towards the enthronement and consolidation of democratic principles with the annulment of June 12 1993 Presidential elections and; the brutal murder of Nigeria’s finest soldiers while the assassination of Dele Giwa is still something that most Nigerians have not forgiven him for. Thesquandering of 12.3 billion dollars 1991 gulf oil windfall and other form of maladministration and bad governance were all things that made Nigerians not to forgive IBB. General Obasanjo squandered a golden opportunity to write his name on the sands of time during his time as a civilian president. He performed so poorly that after his wasteful eight years as a president, it has been one form of negative revelation of large scale corruption or the other by different probe panels. Itwas reported

by Elumelu panel that President

S

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

IBB’s diatribe against OBJ Obasanjo government squandered 16billion dollars on virtually non –existent power projects, and the privatization probe by the senate has opened a Pandora box of corruption that took place during the Obasanjo regime from 1999 to 2007.

It is the opinion of this writer that both Generals Obasanjo and Babangida are failures. General Babangida’s comment on

former President Obasanjo is a clear case of the kettle calling the pot black. As I was putting this piece together, I saw flashes of newspaper headlines on the television about the two Generals dancing naked in the public, calling themselves fools, greater fool and witless comedian.

These are men that did this potentially great country great disser-

vice. These Generals are supposed to be highly esteemed elder statesmen by now, just likeDesmond Tutu and the globally revered Nelson Mandela of South Africa, that the country can run to for advice in times of crisis, but they blew their chances.

Our leaders both in and out of government willnot stop amazing me, look at the way the National Judi-

cial Council (NJC) has been intimidating the highly venerated and nononsense President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami and now they have moved a step further by trying to humiliate him with their unholy suspension simply because the man is seeking redress and also trying to expose corruption in the high echelon of Nigeria’s judiciary. What an inglorious pact by the National JudicialCouncil (NJC)? Well, that is a topic for another day. Finally, I think these generals should be in a political purgatory rather than being allowed to be disturbing our political system with their show of shame.

• William Kayode Akure, Ondo State.

The profligacy of the past IR: The revelation coming out from the Senate Public Hearing room on privatization and commercialization of government properties should not come to ordinary Nigerians as a surprise, considering the type of government we had at that time.

The rule of law was strange to those who govern us at that particular time.

The so-called selling of government assets and liability of Nigeria through the dubious means showed how our leaders did not have the interest of the people and

the country in particular at heart.

In other clime where privatization takes place, it is an opportunity for the government to generate revenue and create employment for the generality of the teeming unemployed citizens. But in Nigeria, the selfish interest of our leaders is to sell the country to their cronies who they use as fronts in order to corner our properties for their children. This is what happened with the Ajaokuta Steel, Delta steel, many of our petrol chemical industries that would have solved most of Nigeria’s problems and launch her into greatness.

journalism in Rivers State. We will do our best to ensure that his dream and vision lives on through the paper.

As I join others to mourn this great gem and gift to journalism in Nigeria; I must state that I am more saddened about his demise considering the fact that I just hosted him with other journalists recently in Port Harcourt where we

exchanged ideas on how to collectively move our state forward.

May the almighty God grant his soul eternal rest and the immediate family and the entire Rivers State people the fortitude to bear the loss of this colossus of a man whose space in our lives and profession will be very difficult to fill.

I pray that his newspaper,

S

The startling revelations from the Senate have further rekindled Nigerians’ hope in it. The 8th Senate appears to be ready to ensure this country move forward by checking the excesses of the executive arm of government. Before now, Nigeria has become a laughing stock in the comity of civilised countries due to the kind of leaders who claim to be ruling the country well.

The privatization of most companies in the world is associated with capitalist tendencies. This is viewed as strange by underdeveloped countries like Nigeria where things

Tribute to Minere Amakiri

IR: The death of Mr. Minwew Amakiri, publisher of Beacon newspaper is a loss that has no replacement. I ask; when next is the nation going to raise such a courageous and bold fellow as the fearless Amakiri? Death, you have done your worst but sadly for you, Amakiri lives in us and most importantly in his newspaper ‘Beacon,’ that has been the hope of

‘Beacon’ be assisted to live his ideals and vision for our State.

Adieu the hero of our profession as those of us you left behind will do our best to emulate your boldness, steadfastness and vision of a greater Rivers State.

• Chief Eze C Eze, a Media Consultant is based in Port Harcourt.

are being done to satisfy few people who have cornered the vast resources of the country to themselves and their children while the generality of the people wallow in object poverty.

The government of Goodluck Jonathan should allow the Senate conclude its investigation in order to show Nigerians those behind the illegal sale of the country’s properties to themselves. Those who are involved in any shady deals in the sales of all the privatized companies of government should be made to face the full wrath of the law, for these properties belong to all Nigerians.

We do hope this probe Committee will not go the way of other probes of the Senate that went into oblivion. We will take the Committee chairman by his words; after all, he has promised that, all thing been equal, thorough job would be done to safeguard the report of the Committee and to the admiration of all Nigerians.

• Bala Nayashi, Kaduna state.

????????

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

21

EDITORIAL/OPINION

Obafemi Awolowo and the Making of Remo: A review- 3

A

AWOLOWO was one of the driving forces behind this Majeobaje movement and many of these town council were able to send representatives to Remo native administrative council. Awolowo was able to set himself up as the leading Remo politician when he persuaded the Remo council to repudiate the annual 400 pounds sterling contribution

by Remo to the salary of the Awujale of Ijebu-Ode which had been a condition of the 1938 administrative separation confirming the separation of Ijebu and Remo, this process set in motion the locally very popular elevation of Remo to a divisional status in 1951.

The story of Awolowo as a nationalist is very well known.

His commitment to federalism as the strategy for administering Nigeria is also very well known. His formation of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa while studying law in England and his views of what Nigeria should be as a confederation of several self governing ethnic groups has received treatment exhaustively by many scholars. What is lacking in our knowledge of Obafemi Awolowo is the fact that many of his beliefs and operating philosophy are rooted in his experience at the local Remo level.

The writer suggests that Awolowo saw in practical terms the working of a confederal structure of government in Remo and was able to elevate this to Nigerian country wide political system. I however believe that any serious thinker including Awolowo could have arrived at a federalist solution to Nigerian governance without having been born in Remoland to see Federalism in practice. His education in England from 1943 to 1946 brought him in contact with fabian socialist ideas of the state as a positive force in social engineering. His later welfarist policies were no doubt influenced by some of the ideas of the British labour movement.

His power at the local level was greatly influenced by his marriage to Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana who was powerfully connected with royalty both in Ikenne and Sagamu.

It is safe to say that in terms of the then existing social and political order of the time, his wife was higher than himself.

One of the interesting things about this book at least to a wider audience is the fact that Awolowo did not have it easy in Ikenne.

Gabriel Onafowokan who was from one of the royal lineages in Ikenne and who at one time rejected the Ikenne throne before realising that he needed it when it was no longer available gave Awolowo strong challenge for the political leadership of Ikenne. The struggle for leadership of Ikenne has been given considerable detail in this book even to the extent that we are told that Gabriel Onafowokan had refused one of his daughters marrying Awolowo before he met Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana in 1937 whom he later described as his “jewel of inestimable value.” Awolowo before party politics came into being in 1951 had succeeded in uniting the Remo people and by

B

Y Sunday, August 28, the tenure of Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu will end as Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

But not so the controversy accompanying his exit. Long after he is gone, the controversy will continue to rock the judiciary. It is a needless controversy, which Katsina-Alu is deliberately bequeathing to the nation. It all has to do with ego.

As CJN, it is indisputable that he is the head of the judiciary. In that capacity, he is supposed to protect the bench. But what did we see? We saw a CJN that was beholden to those in power. Our judiciary had always been known to be unassertive long before Katsina-Alu became CJN in December 2009.

So, it will not be fair to blame him for the age-long problems of the judiciary. But what did he do as CJN to address these problems? From available evidence, he did little or nothing. Rather than work for the greater good of the judiciary and leave his mark after leaving office, he was more concerned with issues that ordinarily should not occupy his time. An occupier of the high office of CJN is supposed to be above board like Caeser’s wife.

The hallmark of a CJN is his integrity. If he loses it, he loses everything. Painfully, our judiciary cannot boast of many of such men. The few who guard their integrity jealously are hounded out of the system. Like what happened to Justice Yaya Jinadu and

1951 when the action group was born; he had almost total control over Remo land. His effort to bring unity into Remo was further accentuated by the recruitment of Remo people into the action group even though this was not always easy because Sagamu for example always found it convenient to support the rival NCNC because one of the leaders of the party was Adeleke Adedoyin who was the scion of the Akarigbo Adedoyin dynasty. The author spent considerable time on what one can call the Northern Nigeria factor in the history of Remoland particularly in the history of Sagamu where a large number of Hausa and Ilorin people had settled since the 19th century and had prospered from the cow, kolanuts and the cassava trade.

This group sometimes became indigestible in spite of the effort to absorb them unto wider Remo politics. Because of the religious differences between this group and the Remo of Sagamu conflict rather than rapport dominated the relationship.

Unfortunately in the struggle for the throne particularly by the descendants of Akarigbo Adedoyin, this native stranger elements in Sabo have been used to the detriment of Remo unity. The story of this group is still evolving but it is safe to say that in spite of the difficult situation between them and their host, they have managed to establish a Modus Vivendi which has helped to establish some kind of peace in the wider Remo area.

One of the strategies of Chief Obafemi’s Action Group was to use traditional institutions such as the Obas and associated institutions to cement the unity of Remo and the wider Yorubaland.

Awolowo himself and his wife in 1955 became chiefs in Ikenne and subsequently in many parts of Yorubaland. As a Chief, it was easier for him to influence who became rulers of many of the Remo towns. This certainly was so in Ikenne and later in Sagamu when Akarigbo Christopher William Adedoyin died in 1952. The son of late Akarigbo, Prince Adeleke Adedoyin had unsuccessfully tried to seize the throne with the support of the Northern settlers in Sabo. With the support of and his wife, Awolowo, Akarigbo Moses Awolesi was able to come to the throne and to consolidate powers into his hands. From 1951 onwards, the unity of Remo was underscored by Remo’s support for the Action Group which was the ruling party in Western Nigeria when Chief Awolowo by 1954 became premier, Remoland celebrated the rise of Chief Awolowo to the highest position in Yorubaland and when the crisis of 1961 to 1962 led to the destruction of the Action Group and the incarceration of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Remo stood with him, through thick and thin. When the UPN was formed after the civil war, Awolowo’s stature in Remoland and in the whole of Nigeria rose even beyond what it was during the first republic and he always had the support of the Remo people. When as a result of

• Book Review, Author: Insa Nolte; Obafemi Awolowo and the Making of Remo: The Local Politics of a Nigerian Nationalist: Book Builders Limited, Ibadan 2010. 421 pp.

‘His power at the local level was greatly influenced by his marriage to Hannah Idowu Dideolu Adelana who was powerfully connected with royalty both in Ikenne and Sagamu’

Katsina-Alu’s swan song now Justice Ayo Isa Salami. This is where the similarity in their cases end.

The circumstances are different.

One was a victim of executive lawlessness and the other, a victim of judicial rascality.Jinadu was a victim of executive lawlessness. He was determined to make the executive to uphold the rule of law and resisted all moves by those in power to undermine the judiciary. The judiciary rallied round him during his travail.

Salami was done by those who should shield him from harm.

Instead of protecting him, Katsina-Alu threw him to the wolves because of filthy lucre. The Katsina-Alu/ Salami saga will haunt the judiciary for a long time to come. It will be a mistake for those who masterminded Salami’s suspension to think that the matter will die a natural death with KatsinaAlu’s retirement on Sunday when he turns 70.

Katsina-Alu and the National Judicial Council (NJC) may have achieved their aim with the suspension of Salami, but it will be wrong of them to think that it is an open and close case. They have done their worse by pushing him out of office for no just reason. Their victory is temporal because as the scripture says: ‘’Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, when I fall, I will arise.’’ Salami

‘Katsina-Alu and the National Judicial Council (NJC) may have achieved their aim with the suspension of Salami, but it will be wrong of them to think that it is an open and close case. They have done their worse by pushing him out of office for no just reason. Their victory is temporal... Salami will surely arise whether Katsina-Alu or NJC likes it or not’

?????????????????????

manipulation of votes against him in 1979 and 1983 and his hopes of becoming President of Nigeria were dashed. Remo stood steadfast with him and when he eventually left politics for good in 1984 to return to Ikenne his home town where he operated under the auspices of Ikenne Jide d e v e l o p m e n t Association to help in Osuntokun the development of his native town particularly in building schools and places of worship such as the St. Saviour Anglican Church, he could count on the support of his people. He had the support and gratitude of his people even after his death in 1987. His stature rose to that of almost a deity in Remoland and the influence of his wife and his family has remained considerable to the extent that every political leader in Yorubaland has tried very hard to dress itself in Awolowo garb.

This book is a must read by everybody who knows a lot about Awolowo already but knows very little about his local politics. In spite of the few errors in the book, this is probably one of the most detailed works on any aspect of Nigerian modern politics and I sincerely hope that every Remo patriot and every Ijebu person would read this book and my prayer is that all of us should let sleeping dogs lie and put an end to personal acrimony and enmity transcending us to our descendants. It is in time for Remo to bury the hatchet. This is the significance of this occasion.(Concluded)

will surely arise whether Katsina-Alu or the NJC likes it or not. Can a man be punished for standing by the truth? Can he be punished for refusing to be compromised? Can he be punished for refusing to pervert justice?

Can he be punished for upholding his oath of office? That society is sick which wishes its judges to be men without conscience who could be easily bought over by litigants.

In the past, we thought that corruption begins and ends at the lowest rung of the bench - the Magistrate’s Courts. Then, we usually dismissed claims of corruption at the the higher bench the superior courts of record comprising the High Courts, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. We now know better that corruption also walks on all fours at these courts.

Painfully, the Supreme Court, the apex court in the land which should be a shining example, has lost the moral authority to so lead. Instances abound of litigants accusing the Supreme Court of demanding gratification from them through their lawyers.

About 20 years ago, Justice Moronkeji Onalaja, then of the Ikeja High Court, openly warned lawyers against asking their clients for money with which to bribe him.

HE warning, he said, be came imperative because of the stories getting to him that some lawyers have been usng his name to collect bribe from their clients. It takes only a man of courage and a judge with conscience to do what Justice Onalaja did. How many of such judges do we have on the bench today? They are few and far be-

T

tween. Today, some of our judges believe that it is a sin to live within their means. So, they breach their oath of office to make ends meet. Justice is now for sale to the highest bidder. Any judge who does not play along incurs the wrath of his colleagues. He is ostracised and called names.

The Salamis of the judiciary are now endangered species. They perform their job at a risk to their lives. See what has happened to Salami. If the President of the Court of Appeal could be so treated only God can save other judges from the hands of the cabal Katsina-Alu is leaving behind in the judiciary.

Katsina-Alu assumed office in a cloud of controversy in 2009 and he is leaving also in a whiff of controversy. It has been 20 months of an uneventful tenure which in the past six months was marked by his feud with Salami.

Their rift has become so well known now that there is no need recounting it here.

In one of his last acts in office, he got the NJC to suspend Salami not for professional misconduct, but allegedly for ‘’a breach of the code of conduct for judicial officers.’’ His offence, they claimed, was that he took his quarrel with the CJN to the media. But there is no record whatsoever anywhere that he addressed the press on the matter.Where is the evidence that

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

he took his case to the media?

Neither the CJN nor the NJC can produce such evidence.

All they did was just to give Salami a bad name in order to hang him. But why will judges who pride themselves in drawing conclusions on matters, based on evidence before them, ’convict’ Salami without the benefit of any proof or allow him to defend himself in respect of the allegation of going to the media?

Is this the way our judges now work? If it is, it shows the sad state of our judiciary and to what level it sunk under Katsina-Alu’s watch. As he retires on Sunday, the prayer of many is that may his likes never be our CJN again. Only time will tell if Dahiru Musdapher, a key actor in the Katsina-Alu/Salami tango, will make a difference as CJN.

‘Katsina-Alu assumed office in a cloud of controversy in 2009 and he is leaving also in a whiff of controversy. ..As he retires on Sunday, the prayer of many is that may his likes never be our CJN again. Only time will tell if Dahiru Musdapher, a key actor in the KatsinaAlu/Salami tango, will make a difference as CJN’ SMS ONLY: 08056504763

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

22

EDITORIAL/OPINION

O

UR two warring Generals, adept at quoting The Bible and The Quran to justify acts of mischief have now publicly admitted in their own words, who they truly are- deceitfully devious scheming political fraudsters. And since they know each other perfectly more than the rest of us, I think their characterisation of themselves as trickster at seventy or fraudster of indeterminate age was quite apt. Both of them started devious scheming as young military officers and today, they are still engaged in fraudulent game of deceit in and out of power.

The only point of disagreement between the duo, it will appear, was who is more decent or honourable. And the answer to that will depend on the yardstick we use. After all, as they say, there is honour even among thieves.

Both have furtively strived to portray themselves as Nigerian patriots, heroes of war and peace, selfless leaders who fought a civil war to keep Nigeria one. Little did we realise it was more for their gains rather than their patriotism. As their trophy, they jointly held our nation to ransom for about twenty years of our fifty years of independence. Like the crafty men they claimed they are, they talk too much like tricksters and quick to anger like conmen. They both took calculated risks and were Machiavellian in their strategies for managing state affairs, often eliminating not just their enemies but also those who crown them. Banbangida is flustered that Obasanjo whom he moved from prison to palace paid him back in bad coin. It is as if we have forgotten the fate that befell General Mamman Vatsa and MKO Abiola.

General Babangida is far from being idiotic.

All available evidence supports his charcaterisation as clever, cunning and crafty.

A man who described himself as ‘an evil genius’ and has like his hero, Chaka the Zulu who killed for fun, demonstrated high degree of courage when faced with threat of survival even from bosom friends. He can at best be described as a slippery customer. A man described by, MKO Abiola as; “with Banbangida as a friend, one doesn’t need an enemy.’ Babangida is only a shade different from Obasanjo’s characterisation of him as a crafty snake. Idiots don’t plan successful coup except you are a drunken Dimka. But Babangida is a veteran of many coup d etats capping them with the annulment of the presidential mandate of MKO Abiola, his bosom friend and business partner. It is only a corn artist that can topple a regime on the basis of government bad policies only to use

The true colours of Obasanjo and Babangida the same awful policies to govern for eight years.

On the economic front, Babangida has taken credit for reengineering Nigeria through his Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). He introduced National Directorate of employment, NERFUND, Peoples Bank DIFFRI, Etc, ostensibly to ameliorate the pains of SAP. But it is on record that the efforts made many of his friends’ bank owners and many Generals, multi millionaires.

On the political front, Banbangida embarked on an ambitious N40 billion political transition programme with two ‘decreed’ political parties, building of political party head quarters across the nation and grooming and indoctrination of his ‘new breed’ politicians with the cliché of not having any link with the past. He successfully hoodwinked the political elite. He banned, unbanned and finally banned them from contesting election to leave the political space for his new breed politicians that have been pillaging our nation since 1999. He duped the intellectual elites of their only priced possession, their integrity. Many became “Aso Rock ‘professors, shamelessly among others authoring his autobiography ‘The Prince of the Niger.’

Of course, Babangida’s characterization of his former commander is equally fitting except for his reference to Obasanjo as ‘wittiness comedian’. Obasnajo like Babangida may be very deceitful, but he is not without wits. Indeed, he is a journalist and any

cartoonist’s favourite on account of his special gift as a stand-up comedian. General Obasanjo voluntarily relinquished power in 1979. He was begged and cajoled by self proclaiming patriots like Babangda to come and clear the mess he and Abacha left behind, even while protesting he had not forgotten anything in Aso rock presidential lodge. But since he ended up rooting for a third term agenda after eight years in power, Obasanjo is closer to the picture of a crafty fraudster that Babangida painted.

But the more I search the less difference I see between Generals Obasanjo and Babangida. The only thing that separates them is their ambition of a life presidency. IBB calls himself the evil genius, those who know OBJ say he, like Babangida swims in alleged iniquity. Both leaders suffer from selective perception. Most of their actions stem from the blurred pictures in their heads. Both have never been humble or charitable enough to accept others also have some of the virtues they think they and they alone have in abundance. Both had their roots questioned by political adversaries. For instance, Obasanjo’s political enemies claim he is not Yoruba. Much as he insists, his political foes maintain he has his roots in Onitsha. As for the other, his political enemies also insist he had his roots in Ogbomosho. They insisted he was called Gbadamosi by NTA shortly after his palace coup in 1985.

They both claimed to know what is best for Nigeria without asking Nigerians. In this regard, one insisted there was no alternative

to SAP, the other insisted there was no alternative to privatization. Both programmes merely transferred our national patrimony to a few of their cronies and family members Both often display public piety. One insisted on listening to God’s voice instead of advisers before taking decisions despite God’s admonition that the ‘voice of man is the voice of God’. The other publicly displays the tesbhr (the Muslim rosary) for everyone to see how pious he is. On the night he was to defend the annulment of the most credible election in the nation’s history, conspicuously displayed in his hand was the rosary while every statement was laden with ‘Isha Allah’. What is also not lost on Nigerians, was the parallel between the self perpetuation motivated annulment and a failed third term agenda scheming which motivated the massive rigging of the 2007 presidential election that installed a terminally sick president who was magnanimous enough to admit his election was ‘defective’ Both relish the company of a cult of palace jesters massaging their ego .Military officers including Generals openly pledged loyalty to Babangida rather than to the nation. Some shamelessly told bemused Nigerians that they were ready to die for Babangida. Within Babangida’s ‘army of anything is possible’, there were Babangida Boys’. There were even his “new breed politicians’ that breed nothing but corruption. Obadsanjo had his own court jesters who daily proclaimed, without him, there will be no Nigeria.

Above all, both are favourites of the West .They are of the same hue of African leaders the West installed and sustained in power to guarantee a life of leisure for their people. It was in the interest of the West that Babangida adopted IMF policy that only impoverished Nigerians. It was in the interest of the West that Obasanjo literarily carried cash to settle our unverified indebtedness to the Paris Club, a novel strategy they are yet to try in Italy, Spain and even America, the world’s greatest debtor. It is in the interest of the West that we in the name of globalization embark on liberalization that has made importation of fish, meat and grains cheaper instead of subsidizing local production.

The two devious leaders instead of throwing brickbats, or engaging in odious public bludgeoning of each other, should apologise to Nigerians for the woes of our nation in the last forty years.

VIEW FROM THE FOREIGN PRESS

P

EOPLE do echo the common slogan at every turn in the metropolis: Fashola is working; Lagos is working.

It’s, indeed, gratifying to note that most achievements being recorded by the Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF), SAN, administration in Lagos State, are attracting the attention of well-meaning Nigerians and foreigners alike in recent times.

True to his declaration on his Facebook page, Governor Fashola, the Eko O Ni Baje (meaning Lagos will not spoil) advocate has said: “Trust us, believe us, we will continue to show good leadership by going the extra mile by providing a sustainable brighter rewarding future for the good people of Lagos and Lagosians.”

The Governor also once said, that Lagosians are detribalised people and wouldn’t care to which side of political divide you belong. “What matters to them is whether or not you could make democracy meaningful to them; whether you could make life better for them.

Whether they voted for you or did not vote at all, the truth is that you collect their taxes irrespective of party lines. So, it is our responsibility to provide service,” he disclosed.

Since his inauguration in 2007, during the first term in office as the Executive Governor of the state, Fashola has left no

Thus, a very useful lesson for the Presidency and other state governors in all this is that Governor Fashola has been able to impress it on all that “there is no magic wand” in the revenue profile of the Lagos after all.

Making Lagos a pacesetter in Nigeria

By Gbenga Kayode one in doubt that he truly means business, and that he is much prepared to actualise his vision of the Megacity project, through which he advocates massive investment in infrastructure to boost Lagos Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aside from creating jobs for the unemployed in the society.

Other consequential areas of development on which his administration has focused its attention include Bills signing, health with particular emphasis on maternal and childcare, power generating system, the programme under its Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, through which Lagos State government, in a strategic move, repositions to develop capacity to fully attend to the power needs of residents and explore the hydrocarbon, oil and gas potential of the state.

Creating sustainable enabling environment for small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) for them, to jobs creation, housing programme, and education are other segments of priority for his administration. Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, the erstwhile Deputy Governor of Lagos State to Fashola, boldly praised the achievements of her master in major areas of development across the state in the twilight of the first four-year term in May 2011.

Still on Fashola’s transformational achievements across Lagos, President Goodluck Jonathan was so impressed by what he has seen in Lagos State that he

instructed his newly inaugurated Cabinet ministers to go, understudy and learn the art of good leadership and governance from Governor Fashola of Lagos.

Interestingly, without wasting time, following the directive, Senator Bala Mohammed, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and his team, recently, visited Lagos to understudy Fashola administration’s transformational achievements in critical sectors of the nation’s economy.

Since “seeing is believing”, as people say, the FCT Minister unequivocally told Fashola and his team: “We have come to Lagos to learn what you have done to generate this kind of revenue, whether in transport, land programmes, environmental sanitation or even in other sources, we will like to learn. It is simply a miracle.”

Like a proverbial saying that a golden fish has no hiding place, Senator Mohammed just could not hide the fact that Lagos is working, he added: “I know since you are our own, our consultant, our big brother and, of course, with the assemblage of experts that you have, we want to learn from you so that we can see how we can generate that kind of revenue internally.”

During the visit, BRF had equally canvassed improved investment in infrastructure across the country. Senator Mohammed was also reported to have replied that such massive investment would accelerate development by attracting foreign direct investment which

would further boost more employment and income generation.

In addition to massive infrastructural upgrade efforts being witnessed across the state, the FCT Minister, in his remarks, actually acknowledged the fact that the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile of Lagos remains “the highest” in Nigeria.

He informed Fashola that he and his team would like to “understudy the revenue collection strategy and other key initiatives of the administration for use in the FCT.” Thus, a very useful lesson for the Presidency and other state governors in all this is that Governor Fashola has been able to impress it on all that “there is no magic wand” in the revenue profile of the Lagos after all. In other words, it is the people who have been empowered through his administration’s infrastructural renewal programme that pay income tax from which the revenue is generated -it is only people who have jobs and income that can pay tax.

Government at all levels must invest in social infrastructure that will attract businesses and prosperity to thrive in the country. With strategic partnerships between the Government and professionals in the private sector, there are opportunities to create jobs for the people who have Information Technology and knowledge-based economy to sell their skills.

And, for Lagos State Government to do more in creating benefits and dividends for Nigerians resident in the state, the challenges posed by the Federal Government properties and its dilapidated roads in Lagos make it imperative that the Federal Government supports Lagos by way of according it special status to be able to maintain these sprawling infrastructural facilities.

• Gbenga Kayode is CEO, Wordkraft Communications Limited, Lagos.

2012 LONDON OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS

Siasia names 25 for Falcons’foreign players Madagascar, Argentina impress in training Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation PAGE 23

Thursday, August 25, 2011 •Super Eagles in training

FIFA COCA-COLA WORLD RANKING

Nigeria moves up 5 places Now ranked 38th in the world; Africa’s 4th best As Netherlands dethrones Spain

N

IGERIA has found its way back to the 38th spot on the log of the FIFA world ranking released yesterday.

With an appreciable improvement from the 43rd position in the last ranking, Nigeria looks good to further clinch a better rating subsequently.

With Ivory Coast, Egypt and Ghana still ahead of Nigeria on the table, the Super

By Innocent Amomoh Eagles is left to retain the 4th spot in Africa despite shifting five places up the ladder. As Nigeria prepares ahead of the international friendly against Argentina, pundits expects that a win for Nigeria will change her fate on the table in the next ranking.

Meanwhile, there has been a change in the

leadership of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, with the Netherlands ending Spain’s reign of more than a year at the summit to claim top spot for the first time ever.

The Oranje thus profited from Spain’s defeat by Italy – in a friendly that cost the world and European champions valuable points – to become only the seventh team

(after Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) to sit atop the global ladder.

There has also been a dramatic change in South America, with fifth-placed Uruguay becoming the top-ranked South American team following Brazil’s (6th, down 2) loss to Germany (3rd, unchanged). England also reaped the rewards of A Seleção’s defeat to move up two places to fourth.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

24

41

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

NFF unveils plans Sports Minister for Dream Team V condoles Brilafm T M INISTER of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission, Yusuf Suleiman has said that it is painful and regrettable for Nigerian Sports and the Journalism profession to lose the services of Mr. Jibola Oni of Brila FM radio who died on Monday, August 22nd 2011 after a brief illness.

In a letter of condolence the Minister sent to the Brila FM management and the Nigerian Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Abuja chapter, he described late Mr. Oni as a very intelligent and independent minded sports journalist who contributed a lot to the development of sports during the short time he spent in sports journalism.

He prayed God to grant late Jibola’s family, the Government and people

•Yusuf Suleiman of Ekiti State and the Nigerian sporting community the will to bear the loss.

FINAL OLYMPIC QUALIFYING ROUND

Ikpeba rues hosting right loss to Egypt E

X-INTERNATIONAL, Victor Ikpeba has described as painful the loss of the right to host other African countries in the final round of the Olympic qualifiers.

Bearing his mind on the development on Tuesday at the Federal Palace Hotel venue of the formal presentation of the England Premier League (EPL) trophy, Ikpeba said though the Nigerian team would

•Says Eaglets’ coach‘ll be unveiled soon

By Innocent Amomoh have had it better if Nigeria hosted, the team is up to the task.

“The Austin Eguavoen tutored Dream Team is a good side. Forget that they lost the All African Games spot to Ghana, we have a team that can clinch the ticket to the Olympics and also do well at the Games,” he said.

On the Golden Eaglets’ job, Ikpeba said that the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation will be meeting soon to finalize on the who the best man for the job will be.

He said: “Yes very soon the new Eaglets’ coach will be unveiled to Nigerians. But we need time to scrutinize the candidates. They are people you know, and we want to make sure that the best is selected.”

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has assured the technical crew of the National U- 23 side, otherwise called the Olympic Eagles, of quality friendly matches as part of preparations for the eight nations 2012 Olympic game qualifier billed for Cairo, Egypt from November 26 to 10th December.

NFF General Secretary, Barr. Musa Amadu who gave the assurance in Abuja stated that the Glass house will leave nothing to chance in ensuring that the Dream Team V gets adequate preparations for the Olympic Games elimination championship.

“Coach Austin Eguavoen has said he needs at least five weeks of camping and we have resolved to give him everything to ensure he puts forward a good squad for the country”.

He added that “outside ensuring that he gets all he needs for adequate preparations, the Federation has plans to ensure that we get two quality international friendly games for the team in the next two FIFA free windows. We understand that the bulk of his squad are presently plying their trade in Europe and as such we intend to begin from now to talk with countries to have possible grade A friendlies for the Dream Team V, but I cannot tell right now which countries we intend to play” He clarified.

The NFF scribe however expressed confidence that the Coach Austin Eguavoen tutored side would pick one of the three available tickets for the Olympic Games. “I have always had confidence in the Dream Team, I have no doubt what so ever that we would pick one of the three available tickets in Egypt.

Chief Coach of the National U-23 side, Augustine Eguavoen had earlier disclosed that he would review his already submitted programme for the Eight Nations Olympic games qualifier billed to hold in Egypt to

allow him ample time for camping.

The Confederation of Africa Football, CAF will next month conduct the draws for the championship, which is in its inaugural stage, during it executive committee meeting in Cairo.

Eight countries, host Egypt, Algeria, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa will be divided into two groups of four.

The top three-placed teams automatically qualify for London while the fourth best team will engage a team from Asia in a playoff next April in London.

The London Olympics will take place from 27 July to 12 August 2012.

Chukwu tasks Nigeria Police Siasia picks 25 for “T on kidnapping Madagascar, Argentina E

AGLES coach Samson Siasia yesterday named 25 players that will prosecute the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar in Antenarivo on September 4. Brown Ideye and Dele Adeleye are making return to the Nigeria squad for the two games.

The players will be expected as well to clash against Argentina in an international friendly that will be taking place in Bangladesh.

Also making return to the squad

Falcons urged to score goals against Lionesses • Coach Siasia watches team train

S

UPER Eagles Coach, Samson Siasia has praised players of Nigeria’s Women’s football team, the

Falcons as they intensify preparations for this weekend’s Olympic football qualifier against Cameroun.

Siasia was at the Abuja National Stadium on Tuesday evening to watch the training session of the team and expressed happiness at the standard displayed by the players.

“I am impressed by what I saw this evening but you must score up to five goals (against Cameroun) to be in a comfortable position,” he said.

Siasia was accompanied to the session by his wife.

Chairman of the NFF’s technical committee, Chris Green who also monitored Tuesday evening’s session stressed the need for the Falcons to score lots of goals against the Central Africans.

“You girls know what I want. I want

goals. We have to beat Cameroun very well,” he said.

The game is billed to kickoff by 4pm at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday.

“You girls know what I want. I need goals. We have to beat Cameroon very well,” he said.

is Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi, who has not played for Nigeria in nearly a year due to injury.

The players are part of a 25-man squad named by Nigeria coach Samson Siasia on Wednesday to play Madagascar in an African Nations Cup qualifier on September 4, and Argentina two days later.

Siasia since submitted the list for vetting at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and having scrutinized the list of players invited for the crucial matches, the Technical Committee gave the garffer the green to make it public.

The Squad: Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Chigozie Agbim Defenders: Chibuzor Okonkwo, Elderson Echiejile, Joseph Yobo, Yusuf Ayila, Efe Ambrose, Dele Adeleye, Danny Shittu Midfielders: Joel Obi, John Mikel Obi, Fengor Ogude, Kalu Uche, Nosa Igiebor, Solomon Okoronkwo, Ahmed Musa Forwards: Obinna Nsofor, Victor Anichebe, Ike Uche, Osaze Odemwingie, Emmanuel Emenike, Peter Utaka, Chinedu Obasi, Brown Ideye

Golden Eaglets’ new coach Arsenal tracking Crown youngster to resume work immediately • Ikpeba

B

ARCLAYS English Premier League side, Arsenal is understood to be surprisingly keeping tabs on Crown FC striker, Morenikeji Taofeek Akanbi.

SuperSport has been informed that Arsenal have detailed one of their scouts to continue to watch the development of Akanbi with Crown FC. Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, took interest in Akanbi, 17, after watching a video of his game for Nigeria's Under-17 national team against DR Congo on September 12, 2010.

But our correspondent was told that no deal can be reached for Akanbi

just yet, as his development is considered vital.

"He's highly regarded by the Arsenal manager. So that's why he's one of the numerous youngsters being watched

by Arsenal across the world.

"Akanbi is very talented and has a lot of prospect to be a very good striker in future. But we have been told not to rush him so we will be watching," SuperSport.com was told by a source close to the English side.

There are a host of unnamed English clubs also interested in the 17-yearold.

Akanbi has scored seven goals for Crown FC in this term's Nigeria Premier League (NPL)

T

HE would-be chief coach of the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will resume work immediately and will be charged to evoke the good memories witnessed in the past back as against the recent nosedive being experienced in the country’s cadet team.

A member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and former Green Eagles’ skipper, Christian Chukwu made this known to SportingLife at the backdrop of the appointment of a substantive head coach for the country’s Under-17 side by the Committee which he affirmed would take place any moment from

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS QUALIFIERS

Cameroon has no hiding place—Oghiabeva boasts

W

ITH barely 48 hours to the crunch London 2012 Olympics Qualifying 1st leg tie, Russian based Super Falcons striker, Emeuje Oghiabeva has stated that the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroun would have no hiding place on Saturday when they square up with their Nigerian female counterparts at the Abuja National Stadium.

Speaking in a telephone interview with NationSport the Energy FC of Russian leading scorer told our correspondent that the Falcons were battle ready to put Cameroon where they actually belong at the end of 90 minutes on Saturday stating that there was no any form of distraction with few days to the match.

She opined that in spite the inability

•Prefers Central Africans to ‘physical’ E/Guineans From Tunde Liadi, Owerri of the foreign based players to team up at the initial August 18 day deadline owing to clubs’ commitments, the senior female national team would hover pass the Cameroonian at the end of hostility on Saturday.

“I am assuring Nigerians that though the match against Cameroon will be a tough game the Super Falcons will win that game on Saturday.

“Our failure to arrive camp on August 18 will not affect us in any way because even FIFA rules only gives professional players about five days before the match but we have arrived camp for about six , seven days before the tie, I don’t think

it will affect us.”

The player however confessed that she preferred the choice of Cameroon to dreaded Equatorial Guinea which could have emerged as their Saturday’s foes until FIFA disqualified the 2008 African Champions for undisclosed reasons.

“I don’t care as regard the choice of our opponent on Saturday, winning well is what is paramount to me though I will say I have soft spot for Cameroon than for Equatorial Guinea. The Guineans are stronger than Cameroon and I think at African Women Championship (AWC) we beat Cameroon 5-1 in the semi final and for me I will prefer Cameroon.”

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri now.

He stated that there was no longer time to waste on the team and that the mandate that would be put before the new helmsman would be robust to the extent that any laxity on the coach’s part may jeopardize it from becoming fruition and an imminent sack for such person.

He expressed optimism that the next set of the cadet Eaglets’ team would strive harder to re-assert the country’s name and bring it back on the world map after the recent topsyturvy results had in recent times by the team.

“We are still finalizing the list of coaches put before us and very soon a conclusion would be made on who assumes the headship position of the Under 17 team and whoever emerges will resume work immediately in order for him to deliver the directives given to him and save our country’s image in the cadet championship.

“We want a complete reversal of fortune back to the Golden Eaglets that we used to know. Nigeria is a brand and internationally recognized in the Under 17 competition. We couldn’t qualify for the recently held U-17 World Cup in Mexico and we only got a berth at the 2009 because we were given the hosting rights after Benin Republic had initially eliminated us.

All these unpalatable results must stop.”

Coaches Henry Nwosu and Monday Odigie oversaw the Golden Eaglets class of 2011 but both got the boot after the country’s inability to cross the hurdle called Republic of Congo in the qualifiers.

• Ebere Orji

he Nigeria Police Force (NPF) should try to be more proactive with kidnap cases so as to nip it in the bud. It is fast becoming embarassing and it is giving Nigeria a negative image in the international community. We are thankful to the law enforcement agents for the swift response to the case involving MIkel Obi’s father but what is the fate of common people on the streets if they are to be in the same shoe.

Pa Michael Obi case was maybe expedited owing to the issues it has

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

generated across the world and the involvement of football icon, MIkel.”

The former Green Eagles’ defender and a member of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Christian Chukwu made this admonition in a

2012 LONDON OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS

Falcons’ foreign players impress in training •Nkwocha, Ukaonu hit camp •Team to feel Abuja Stadium turf today

E • Siasia

XCITEMENT and determination pervades the camp of the Super Falcons as they draw the curtain on preparations ahead of the crucial 2012 London Olympic qualification clash against the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon this Saturday.

The Cameroonian ladies will storm the Abuja National Stadium, to context for the sole ticket for Africa in the female football event of the quadrennial games.

Sources close to the team told

By Innocent Amomoh NationSport that the spirit in camp is high, especially with the arrival of all the foreign based invited, adding that the team trained at the Abuja National Stadium yesterday and will also have a feel of the main turf today.

When contacted, team coordinator, Erieta Okaigwe said the players have resolved to put behind the loss of the All African Games (AAG) ticket to Ghana to ensure that the Olympic ticket does not elude them.

"All the professionals have arrived. The girls are ready to do battle and all hands are on deck. The coaches are also perfecting strategies ahead of the crucial encounter and i can assure you that everything needed to win well is in place," she explained.

With a total of 28 players in camp, including six foreign based, the Falcons are ready to take solace in the Olympic Games ticket as they lost out to the Black Queens of Ghana for a place in the AAG slated to kick start in Maputo, Mozambique next month.

Meanwhile, Assistant Coach of the team, Bala Nikyu says the foreign base players who joined the team over the weekend have so far impressed in training.

He also believes that Falcons will pick the Olympics ticket.

“As far as I am concern, they are in good shape. They have been observed in a whole day training and this morning too. We are happy with what we are seeing. This is not like the last time when we were trying to make them meet up in fitness. “ I am so happy for their state of fitness. I do not have any fear about them whatsoever because I know that with this shape they are in victory against the Lionesses of Cameroon is sure” an excited Bala said.

Meanwhile, Media officer of the team Gracious Akujobi can confirm that the two remaining foreign base players have arrived camp this morning.

Perpetual Nkwocha and Helen Ukaonu arrived at the training pitch this morning but they were not part of training. Both players will join the team in this evenings training.

telephone interview on the heels of the release of Pa Michael Obi by his abductors recently after spending almost two weeks in the hands of his kidnappers.

Chukwu enjoined the NPF to make the safety of every Nigerian a priority while charging that the law enforcement agents should ensure more modalities were put in place to checkmate the excesses of kidnapping.

It would be recalled that besides the latest abduction saga in the past years the younger brother of Super Eagles’ captain, Joseph Yobo, Nornum, and Chairman of Enyimba International of Aba Felix Anyansi Agwu were both kidnapped in Port Harcourt and Aba respectively.

NFF rules out jamboree for officials •As Beach Eagles arrive Faro, Portugal

By Stella Bamawo HE Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has stated that none of its board members were included in the Beach Eagles training tour to Faro, Portugal ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Competition slated for Italy from September 1-11.

NationSport gathered that members of the board agreed that it would only represent the country at competitions proper in order to spend the tax payers money judiciously.

Before the departure of the Beach Eagles on Tuesday morning, to Portugal, NationSport had gathered that members of the team had felt neglected as there was no NFF official to accompany them for the training tour.

First Vice-President of the NFF, Mike Umeh had however dismissed the cry from the Beach Eagles camp as he said:" There is no preferential treatment for any of our national teams again. Dr. Ikpeme is the deputy secretary in charge of the beach soccer and they have their coach and official with them. Are they saying that board member shuold and come be with them or what in Portugal. They are going to faro to train more to get themselves prepared. It is only when they go for the tournament proper we can accompany them. NFF does not have idle money to spend for board members to go on training tour, it is not possible. There are supporting staff from the NFF. If they feel we are not treating them well we not approve funds for them to go to Faro for training tour. The same thing we did for Flying Eagles, Super Falcons.”

Super Sand Eagles will be in Faro, Portugal for a week before leaving for Ravenna, Italy for the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

T

Eguavoen to review Olympic programme

C

OACH of Nigeria’s under 23 football side, Augustine ‘Cerezo’ Eguavoen will review his programme for the eight nation 2012 Olympic qualifying tournament which will hold in November.

Eguavoen said the review is required following the change in date for the qualifying championship.

The competition was supposed to begin in the first week of the year but will now commence on November 6.

“Oh yes. I would have to review my programme because it’s no longer the first week of December but the last week of November. “So with this

change my whole programme will change now,” Eguavoen said.

The former Super Eagles captain however revealed that he would not be able to divulge information about the exact date in which preparations for the mini tournament will commence but noted that it would be done in early October.

“I cannot give you a specific date right now but preparations will begin in earnest in the first week of October.

“Whatever the case, I want to have at least five weeks of intense camping with a lot of friendly matches,” he explained.

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

After 50 years of independence, the North-South education imbalance remains obvious, according to a survey by the National Population Commission and the Federal Ministry of Education. TONY AKOWE reports

North still backward in education •Survey shows low school attendance in Borno, Zamfara •Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe households spend least on school fees

S

HORTLY before her retention as Education Minister by President Goodluck Jonathan following the April elections, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, working in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), published a document on education data and statistics in Nigeria.

Until then, non-availability of reliable statistics had constituted a major challenge to policy makers as they could not plan effectively.

To resolve the problem, the NPC, in collaboration with development partners in the sector and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), undertook a data survey.

In its report on the survey, entitled:Nigeria DHS EdData Survey 2010: Education Data for Decision Making, the NPC painted a gloomy picture of education, particularly in the Northwest and Northeast parts of the country. According to the report, 72 per cent of children in Borno State are not in primary school, while in Zamfara the percentage of out-of-school children is 68. The two states have the highest numbers of out-of-school children. In the Southeast, Ebonyi has the highest record of 10 per cent while Oyo State comes last in the Southwest with eight per cent of its children out of school.

The survey, according to the report released in May, was to provide data on the schooling status of children of basic education age, including why children don’t enrol in school and why they drop out; measure parents’ attitude to schooling, including the quality of schooling and provide an understanding; of attitudes that shape parents’ willingness to send their children to school, among others.

The survey, which covered almost 30,000 households across the 36 states and the FCT, reveals that Anambra State has the highest rate of school attendance by children, while Zamfara State has the lowest rate of attendance. Of every 120 children in Anambra State, the survey revealed that 117 boys and 116 girls are in school, while in Zamfara State, 35 boys and 21 girls attend school.

However, Ondo State has the highest rate of school attendance by children with an overall average of 119 of every 120 in school,

closely followed by Anambra with 117, Ekiti, 117, Cross River (114) while Delta and Abia follow with 113 children.

Also, Zamfara has an average of 28 children in school of every 120, followed by Borno with 29 children, Kebbi (34) while Sokoto and Yobe are tied with 42 children of every 120 as the states with the least number of children in school.

Plateau State has the highest number of children in school in the North with 113 of every 120 children in school while Oyo has the lowest number of children in school in the Southwest with 95.

The rate of children who have never been to school is also alarming in the North. The report reveals that 72 per cent of children in Borno State have never been to school.

With four per cent, the FCT has the least number of children that have never been to school in the North.

Kogi has six per cent and Plateau, nine. In the Southeast, Ebonyi has the highest number of children who have never been to school with 10 per cent of children out of school while the figure ranges between one and two per cent in other southern states, except Ogun and Oyo states with six and eight per cent.

In terms of the number of children who transit from primary to secondary school, the report also paints a gloomy picture in the North with Kogi having the highest number of children transiting from primary to secondary school put at 91 per cent while Jigawa State has the least with 18 per cent.

In the South, Lagos has the highest rate of transition with 102 of every 120 children making it to secondary level while Ebonyi is at the bottom of the table with 67 per cent.

However, Ebonyi ties with Kaduna which has the highest number of pupils transiting from primary to secondary school in the Northwest.

Though the government is the statutory provider of education in accordance with the laws of the land, especially at the primary school level, the study reveals that about 28 per cent of children in the country attend private schools, while over 70 per cent attend public schools. But in Lagos and Abia, 60 per cent of pupils attend private schools, while the report indicates

•Pupils learning outdoors in the North

EDUCATION SURVEY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ACROSS STATES Highest number in school Ondo- 119 out of every 120 Anambra-117 out of every 120 Cross River 114 “ “ “ Delta, Abia 113 “ “ “ Plateau 113 “ “ “ that there are no private primary schools in Jigawa State. However, Bayelsa has the least number of private schools in the South with about 15 per cent followed by Ebonyi with 18 per cent while Benue with 39 per cent has the highest number of pupils attending private schools in the north. With about an average of N25,185 spending on primary education, families in Lagos top households spending on education, while house holds in the FCT with N18,004 are the highest

Lowest number in school Zamfara- 28 out of every 120 Borno - 29 “ “ “ Kebbi - 34 “ “ “ Sokoto, Yobe 42 “ “ “

spenders on education in the North.

Households in Bauchi, Jigawa and Gombe are the least spenders on education with less than N2,000 per term on education.

Testing parental understanding of education, the survey shows that Abia has the least number of parents who cannot read and write with 10 per cent while Ebonyi has the highest with 57 per cent in the Southeast.

Plateau and Zamfara with 27 percent and 80 per cent represent the

least and highest percentage of those who cannot read in the North. On regional representation, Plateau has the least with 27 per cent while Niger with 63 per cent has the highest rate in the Northcentral.

Lagos with 15 per cent and Ogun, 35, are the least and highest in the Southwest; Akwa Ibom has 12 per cent of parents who cannot read while Cross River leads with 38 per •Continued on Page 26

•UNILAG BATTLES IMPERSONATORS - Page 27 • WHY ABUAD LAW PROGRAMME IS UNIQUE, BY PROVOST - Page 38

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

26

EDUCATION Minister of State for Education Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a lawyer and the immediate past Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He speaks with BISI OLANIYI on President Goodluck Jonathan’s plan for education and other issues. Excerpts:

‘We have a President that is very sincere in achieving what he has promised and the Minister of Education is very experienced and committed to achieving his agenda and, of course, I am there, along with other stakeholders in the ministry and our affiliates, we will remain patriotic and committed to transforming the education sector in Nigeria’

‘Govt will help educationally-deficient zones’ H OW will you describe Nigeria’s education sector?

The situation was very bad, even President Goodluck Jonathan declared so. Which was why in the first place, he organised the Presidential Stakeholders’ Summit, leading to the Presidential Task Force on Education, but things are continually improving. What is important is the President’s openness in admitting that there were problems, instead of shying away from them because of image protection.

Researches have been made and will continue to be made, to get the statistics regarding our education levels, so that we can know which part of the country needs what measures.

What kind of statistics are you talking about?

For instance, I am aware that a survey on our education data was conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) and some findings were made public by Chief Samu’ila Makama, the Chairman of the NPC and the findings showed the level

of education in the six geo-political zones and there were statistics on illiteracy levels, showing the presumed figures of children who attend school or not.

What were the specific findings?

I do not want to be too specific in identifying states, because it is of no use now. The findings showed that two geo-political zones have the lowest literacy rate in Nigeria, where 72 per cent of children do not attend basic schools. What is important is for us, as a ministry, to take measures, in collaboration with respective states in the zones and other parts of the country to change the trend by enhancing education through increasing access to school, mass mobilisation, public enlightenment, making schools more attractive and affordable and making them better learning environments.

Local government councils are responsible for primary education in the country. How can primary education be improved?

The local governments need to become independent. They should have autonomy in terms of funding and they should equally have improved funding. The truth is that there are some local governments that have so many primary schools, as many as over 100 to cater for, with their meagre resources and then provide primary health care and infrastructure. At the same time, the meagre resources are sometimes not under the control of the councils, because they are not autonomous. So, no matter how good the agenda of any chairman is, unless he or she has a good governor, such agenda is bound to suffer when funds are interfered with.

This is the long and short of it, but I am sure the governors want better education in their states.

You are a former local government chairman, ALGON President, and Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and now a minister. Can you tell us the differences?

There is a common similarity with all. That is, I have been serving with the executive, as chairman and as

•Children in a school in the north

North still backward in education •Continued from Page 25

cent in the Southsouth; Kaduna with 42 per cent and Zamfara, 80, in the Northwest and Adamawa with 47 per cent and Yobe with 78 per cent represent the percentage of illiterate parents in the six geo-political zones.

Reacting to the claim that over 70 per cent of children in Borno State are not in school, the Commissioner for Information,Inuwa Bwala said it was all a figment of the imagination of officials of the NPC. He said the analysis by the commission was “far from the truth and I have challenged the National Population Commission to prove that through statistical data.”

He continued: “Some of you have been to Borno State. Do you see 70 per cent of children in the state out on the street? That is alarming.

Those children, who are supposed to be out on the street, have this tsangaya arrangement and our children do not go to school at the same time. Some go in the morning and others in the evening for lack of space. Seeing some children at home in the morning or evening does not mean that they are out of school. I have asked around for anybody or community to tell me that the National Population Com-

SPENDING ON EDUCATION Lagos Abuja Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe mission came to ask questions about how many children are in school or out of school and I got none. So, they are just in a rush to gain credibility for their exercise.

“For example, the Borno population is still being disputed, especially in my area. In 1991, we were 120,000 and today, we are 80,000. It is only in the National Population Commission that your population comes down instead of going up.

The number of voters is more than the total population of the local government. So, there is a very serious problem and that means that some people have been working hard to suppress our potentials by downplaying our actual number so that people will not know how many we are.

Speaking at this year’s Global Action Week with the theme: Women and girl-child education, the Programme Of-

25,185 (average) 18,004 N2,000

ficer of the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All (CSACEFA) Abuma Ibrahim said for Nigeria to meet the requirements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, state governments needed to overhaul the education sector, employ effective teachers, embark on massive campaigns to sensitise communities on the significance of allowing girls to attend school, and adequately review strategies and operational plans, among others.

Stakeholders want the government to engage communities in the North to contribute to the development of education in the region. Many have described the statistics as shocking and quite revealing and agree that if the North is to make a headway, northerners needed to go back and contribute to the development of their alma maters.

•Chief Wike

chief of staff in Rivers State and now as a minister and, of course, all are public service.

As minister of state for education, my focus is large. I am concerned about the educational sector, as it affects the 36 states of the federation and the FCT. I should be worried about the standard of education across the 774 local government areas and the area councils in the FCT. This is a big task, but by the grace of God, I will do my best in trying to achieve the agenda of our dear President, which is to transform education in Nigeria. My specific task concerns basic education. That is, the UBE and unity colleges.

What have you seen so far?

I am still acquainting myself with the activities of the ministry. I have been receiving briefs, assessing situations in schools and studying reports, but what I know for sure is that the President is laying a good foundation by resorting to assessment, planning, strategies and implementation, instead of jumping the gun.

If you recall, last October, I remember watching a live transmission, where Mr President chaired a Presidential Stakeholders’ Summit on Education, which came up with some resolutions that led to the formation of a Presidential Task Force on Education and inaugurated by the President, which had about 30 seasoned academics under the leadership of Prof Pai Obanya and their mandate was specific. That is to propose the best arrangement for the management, regulation and co-ordination of education at all levels; examine all laws militating against the delivery of qualitative

education and propose necessary changes and amendments; propose a sustainable funding arrangement and transparent management of resources for education; examine the ethical issues in education and steps necessary to restore ethics and values in education at all levels, develop programmes and projects that will attract good brains to the teaching profession and at the same time, retaining and, motivating existing teachers; propose ways necessary for the improvement of the teaching and learning environment, to create greater access to education and enhance intellectual achievement across the board and propose any other relevant step that will reposition the education sector in Nigeria.

The task was huge, but the committee has submitted its report and the Federal Government will critically study and implement the best and like my sister, the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof.

Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, said over that report, our problem in this country has always been implementation of strategies developed in reports, but I can assure Nigerians that Mr President is very determined to ensure the implementation of whatever the government adopts in the report.

That is why President Jonathan is currently running a target-based Federal Executive Council, where there will be assessment of what any of us has been able to achieve over a period and I am sure in our case in the Federal Ministry of Education, implementation of the action plan derived from that report will be the yardstick to assess us, since the education reform.

“The best thing for this OBJ test is the IBB solution … step aside for frustrating questions until No. 70, then answer all!”

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

EDUCATION 2011 POST-UTME STORIES

UNILAG battles impersonators

A

S if screening of more than 60,000 candidates is not challenging enough, impersonators are giving members of the Central Admissions Board of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) more work to do in the on-going post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) screening for the 2011/2012 academic session.

However, the board has risen up to the occasion with the adoption of the Computer-Based Tests (CBTs) to check impersonation Since the two-week exercise began last Monday, the university has arrested an average of 10 people daily for impersonation. It is likely that more will be apprehended before the end of exercise on the August 29t.

The CBTs are deployed by the electronic Test Company (eTC) Those caught for impersonation and other forms of examination malpractice are estimated to be aged between 17 and 27.

Reporters of The Nation witnessed the arrest of 13impostors on Wednesday and Friday One of the arrested suspects said: “I have been seeking admission since 1999. This was my last try. I applied for Creative Arts to escape Mathematics. I later realised that they asked us to write Maths during the post-UME. I had no other choice, but to ask my cousin to help me. He is younger than I am and he is applying for the same course. He is younger than I am so if I fail for him, he can apply again. I wrote my UME myself and got over 260 ...”

In another case, two candidates, Tosin Onimole and Toyin Onimole were discovered to have exchanged registration numbers. However, both claimed not to be related or known to each other prior to that day.

Toyin insisted that she logged in her number, while Tosin, claimed not have known how Toyin’s number appeared on his computer.

According to the Chairperson of

UNILAG

By Mfon Bassey and Kemi Runsewe

the Admissions Board, Prof Chioma Agomo, the suspects were questioned and paraded before they were taken to Sabo Police Station, Yaba pending a final decision by the school management.

Prof Agomo said the fraudsters and their partners in crime escaped impersonation while writing the UTME thinking they would also have their way at the post-UME screening.

“The reason they come here and try to impersonate is because they were not properly checked by JAMB so they feel they can get away with it here. How they do it is that two people will register to write UTME. One is paid to write, while the other pays to have it written. Unfortunately for them, they plan to enter the exam hall and input the registration number of the person that is paying. They didn’t know we would check the numbers on their registration slips to see if they tallied with the one on the screen when they were done with the exam. When we do this and see the numbers are not the same, we know they are impostors.We organise these exams before admitting students to expose the fake ones among them,” she said.

She blamed parents for the trend.

“Some parents pay these people to write exams for their children. In such cases, what do the children do?“ To prevent these anomalies in the exam hall, the former Dean, Faculty of Law, counselled parents to stop forcing their children to get into the university too early. She said though 16 is the minimum stipulated by JAMB, teenagers could wait at home for at least a year to become more matured and acquire some knowledge and survival skills. She said all these would prepare them for the university environment.

FUTA VC seeks changes

S

TAKEHOLDERS in the education sector have been enjoined to rise to the fall in the country’s education system.

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Adebisi Balogun, who made the call while monitoring the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) screening of the institution, expressed concern at the way education is handled in the country.

He described the smooth conduct of the computer-based screening as an improvement on previous exams.

Balogun, who recalled that the candidates for the exercise were over 17,000 as against the 10,500 last year, added that the university is currently building a digital centre that will make future exercises better organised.

Also speaking, the University Admissions Committee Chairman and Deputy ViceChancellor (Academic), Prof Debo Adeyewa, said the exercise was a success despite some challenges faced in controlling the crowd.

Adeyewa, who said efforts were geared towards ensuring an improved screening, said the ex-

•Prof Balogun

FUTA ercise was divided into seven stages: screening of candidates, checking of slips, stamping of UTME forms, orientation, biometrics, demonstration and electronic screening which is the point of examination.

According to him, the computer system is programmed with different questions for each candidate in a way that will make cheating impossible for them.

Candidates at the exercise conducted themselves very well and expressed satisfaction at the quality of facilities, the arrangement and the supervision.

•Tosin Onimole and Toyin Onimole, two of the alleged impostors.

Managing Director of Electronic Test Company (eTC), Mr Wale Oladipo, who also spoke to our reporters, said the CBT has helped to tackle exams fraud because it is computer-based.

He stated that one of the major causes of examination fraud is that secondary schools produce underqualified students and these are the students who end up indulging in various acts of malpractice and paying people to write their exams

for them.

He said “… the products of our universities are not high quality because there is failure in the quality of teaching, learning and assessment even from the secondary school level. A person fails promotional exams from JSS2 to JSS3 but instead of repeating the class, he/she is allowed to continue. How is that student, who could not do well at the junior level expected to excel at the senior level or even at the univer-

PHOTO: BASSEYSAX

sity?”

He also said: “This year the examinations have been smooth thus far because we got the cooperation of everybody from the Vice-Chancellor, and the Registrar to the other staff. Because of this, if a student is to write computer science, he doesn’t have a time period within the day now, he can come between 8 in the morning to 5 in the evening; he only gets late when it is after five.

Lateness is therefore not an issue as far as he can join one of the batches.”

UNAAB releases post-UTME results

H

OURS after the conduct of the post-UTME test of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), the authorities of the institution released the results of the Computer-Based Tests on its website.

Chairman, of the post-UTME Committee, Prof Chryss Onwuka, said the results could be assessed using candidates’ PINS. “Candidates can now go online with their PINS, which they purchased earlier to access their results,” he said.

Onwuka, who is the Deputy ViceChancellor, Academics, said the post-UTME Committee did not relent after the completion of the examinations on Friday and ensured that by the following day, the results were posted online.

Expatiating on the conduct of the examination, Onwuka revealed that 21,713 candidates sat for it, out of “the 22,000 that uploaded their

UNAAB results and bio-data on the net, for registration”.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, who described the examination as “hitch-free and successful” said a “mercenary” who impersonated a candidate with the intention of assisting him in writing the exam was exposed by the Biometric Data Verification System and was immediately arrested, adding humorously that “he’s now writing his papers in police custody” Onwuka added that this year’s post-UTME was unique as the university screened more than 7,000 candidates for its newly introduced Faculty of Management Sciences.

Besides, unlike last year where 8,301 candidates wrote the exam, the number of applicants increased astronomically to about 22,000 this year.

On the mode of conduct of the examination, the DVC said the candidates were divided into 16 batches while eight holding areas were created for verification and clearance.

Meanwhile, many parents and candidates alike commended the organisation of the examinaiton.

The Oganla of Owu Kingdom, Chief B.A. Akande, said: ‘’You (VC) have added another mark to your wisdom. I wish Nigerians could come and watch the orderly manner by which the multitude of aspiring students went about their exams without any hitch.’’

A parent, Dr. Peter Olonade, also lauded the counselling programme which the university organised for parents of candidates during the examination.

He called on the management to sustain the good work and to transform the counselling programme to “Parents and Guardians forum.”

UDUS records geometric rise in applicants

O

VER 15,000 candidates sat for the post-UTME and Direct Entry pre-admissions entrance examination at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) last week to fill the 5,403 quota allocated it by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

Successful candidates in the exam hall will be admitted into the 10 faculties of the university in tune with the quota allocated to the institution.

This year, the number of applicants is more than thrice the 4, 111 that applied last year.

The second generation university has a students’population of about 16,000 spread across its two campuses with 10 faculties including Colleges in its Teaching Hos-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

UDUS pital.

Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Riskuwa Arabo Shehu, told reporters that the candidates wrote in batches with the Schools of Medical, Veterinary as well as Laboratory Sciences scheduled to have theirs first followed by Agriculture and Education, Social Sciences, Management and Education Science in the third and those for Law, Arts, Art and Islamic Studies.

He said the institution had to stagger the examination for convenience of candidates and the university.

He said: “We have to arrange the exams in batches due to the Ramadan and the bad condition of our road not to subject candidates to risks because the bridge is still not in order to accommodate the influx of candidates at a time. We also wanted to control and avoid unwarranted crowd so as not to over stretch our invigilators which gives us a better arrangement for the effective utilisation of our venues and minimise malpractice and cheating among candidates.’’

Prof Shehu, who also gave reasons for the inclusion of candidates for DE in the entrance examination, explained that over the years, such candidates had never satisfied the level of academic excellence required of them for admission by the university.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

EDUCATION AAUA FILE Ex-VC speaks on quality THE immediate past ViceChancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, Prof Michael Faborode, has identified quality assurance as a key strategy for fostering excellence in teaching, learning, research and services.

Faborode spoke while delivering the Keynote Address at a two-day retreat organised for principal officers, professors, deans of faculty, directors of institute and Heads of Department and units of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State last week.

Speaking on “Institutional Vision, Progress and Relevance”, Faborode said; “Quality Assurance is a key strategy for fostering excellence in university teaching, learning, research and services. Accordingly, a university should strive to ensure that its provisions, processes, products and services always meet the purposes for which they are intended and also help to foster national goals and objectives.”

The former OAU VC, encouraged universities to spell out the principles, guidelines and procedures for internal quality assurance system development and implementation, and provide a framework for response to the demands from external quality assurance bodies.

In his opening address, the AAUA Vice-Chancellor Prof Femi Mimiko urged workers to ensure quality assurance.

Linguistics workshop ends THE Department of Linguistics and Languages of AAUA, will end a workshop on Grant Writing and Review of PM12 Connect Collaborative programme, which started on Tuesday last week at the Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall of the university The workshop is sponsored by the British Council, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London; University of Uyo and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko.

It featured issues aimed at encouraging and strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions in the United Kingdom and other nations.

Resource persons included Prof O. Awobuluyi, Dr. Sophie Salffner and Dr Imelda Udoh from the collaborating institutions.

‘Elizade Varsity will reverse brain drain’ •NUC inspects facilities

F

OUNDER, Elizade University, located at Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo has assured that once the institution opens in November, parents would no longer send their wards to universities abroad.

Ade-Ojo, who chairs Toyota Nigeria and Elizade Nigeria Ltd, spoke when officials from the National Universities Commission (NUC) visited the university for an assessment of its facilities.

The NUC team, led by the Chairman, Standing Committee on Private Universities, Prof Adio Ogunboro, inspected various facilities and structures that have been put in place in anticipation of its sttake-off in November.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the tour, Chief Ade-Ojo, said he had spent over N7billion on the project that is still on-going.

He said the level of work at the university has almost reached the final stage of phase one. He added that the university was established to reform and restore faith in the education system and reverse the trend of sending Nigerians to study abroad. “ I am not establishing a university to promote our education. I want to create a change. I am reforming because I am not satisfied with what is happening to our education system. If you lose your culture, you lose your identity. Most of our students we send abroad for studies usually engage in labour to survive. I am saving the ordeal of struggling for visas. If such facilities are provided in our environment, there is no need

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

of going abroad.”

Ade-Ojo said with the university in place, it would prove to the world that Nigeria can produce graduates that can raise their heads high among others across the world.

The business mogul said he was taking many steps to ensure that the university was different from others, adding: “We will use Elizade way of doing things to administer the institution.”

Though he affirmed that the university would not be for everybody, he said lucky graduates who gained admission into the institution would benefit from scholarships and other benefits, especially in taking active participation in the running the institution.

The Secretary, Implementation Committee of the university, Chief Omololu Adegbenro, told journalists that necessary facilities for immediate take-off of the institution have been provided including furniture, electricity, water and equipped libraries, laboratories and information technology centre.

Adegbenro said the university would run five faculties comprising the Basic and Applied Sciences, Humanities and Management Studies, Agricultural Technology, Environmental Studies and Engineering.

He said the institution would take-off with two facilities – Basic and Applied Sciences, Humanities and Management Sciences with 13 programmes in November.

He said the university is beaming its searchlight

PLASU VC pushes for early release of funds

T

HE Vice-Chancellor of the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos Prof Nenfort Gomwalk, has appealed to the state House of Assembly to ensure funds budgeted for the university is released early enough to facilitate the smooth take-off of the institution.

Gomwalk made the appeal in his office when he hosted the lawmakers by the Speaker, Rt. Hon John Clark Dabwan.

“The management of the university is glad that a reasonable amount of N1.9 billion is approved for the running of the university for this year, but the purpose for which the fund is meant can

From Yusufu Idegu, Jos

only be realised if the funds is release early enough when it is needed.

“I made this appeal because our desire to fully establish the young institution will be defeated if our funds is not released when we need it, hence I decided to use the opportunity of your visit to make this appeal so that we can do the right thing at the right time.”

Academic activities at the university were suspended in 2007 when Jonah Jang came in as governor because he said the institution did not start on the right foundation – especially as there were claims that it borrowed lecturers from the University of Jos. It was reopened last year when the state government provided N450million to facilitate resumption.

In his remarks, Hon Dabwan said the purpose of the visit was for the lawmakers to familiarise themselves with various academic and non-academic institutions in the state “We just came in and we feel that before we settle down for our legislative duties we should visit the various sectors of the state ,” he said.

•The Faculty of Science building. Inset: Chief Ade-Ojo

outside Nigeria for personnel, but would wait till the university gets its operating licence from the NUC. Adegbenro said: “We want to wait until we are fully licensed, but we have spread our tentacles beyond Nigeria because we are looking for academic leaders. It is not only the structures that make up a university. It is the quality of the academic leaders and administrators running it. So, we have spread our tentacles overseas.Once the NUC’s licence is issued to the university, advertisements will

be placed in newspapers.”

He said the university is ICTcompliant as students and members of staff can have access to the Internet from every part of the school.

Already, hostel accommodation has been provided for over 300 students with two of them to share a spacious room where all necessary facilities, such as bed, reading tables, electricity, fans, have been provided. The hostels also have conveniences and common rooms, butteries, and a laundry room.

Duplexes have been pro-

vided for principal officers while 40 four-bedroom tastefully furnished apartments are also in place for the senior members of staff.

No fewer than 12 transformers had been procured to guarantee stable power supply to the school, especially the five laboratories in the physics, chemistry, biology, bio-technology, and microbiology departments.

Also, 5,000 volumes of books including journals and periodicals have been procured for the university’s library.

29

Group celebrates Youth Day

*CAMPUSES

Campus journalists hold seminar

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS

Page 32

Page 31

*GRANTS

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE

0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerian Law students conquer Africa Three Law students of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) beat other contestants to come first in an Arbitration Moot Competition in Kenya.

SURAJUDEEN ALABEDE (200-Level GEOGRAPHY) and MURITALA HAMEED (200-Level MASS COMMUNICATION, UNILORIN) report.

I

N faraway Nairobi, Kenya, they showed the stuff they are made of. They beat others from various parts of West Africa to win the First Arbitration moot competition for university students.

The Nigerian representatives from the University of Ilorin(UNILORIN) and Delta State University (DELSU) shone like stars the way they tackled questions.

They were well prepared for the contest.Last April, they were to go to Vienna, Austria, for the Vis International Arbitration moot contest. They could not make the trip, even though they had been groomed by the Centre for International Arbitration. Reason: they were denied visa by the Australian Embassy, which said it was not convinced they would return home after the contest.

The students took the disappointment in their stride and waited for their time, which came when they participated in the Kenya contest.

Reliving their experience with the Austrians, one of the students said the embassy officials even claimed that "our parents were not financially capable to send us on such trip.” After the disappointment, the students approached the Regional Arbitration Centre to participate in the competition for African universities in Kenya organised by the body.

The event took place from August 8 to 11 at the Laico Regency Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

The Nigerian contested against students from the University of Nairobi, Kenya; University of Uganda, University of Pretoria, South Africa, and Burkina Faso University.

The contestants were expected to submit memorials for the claimant and respondent for a hypothetical case set by the centre. Schools were graded on the memorials before oral argument by representatives of participating universities.

The final round was witnessed by personalities from Africa and

beyond, including the father of Arbitration Law in Africa, Norman Mururu; another diplomat of Arbitration in Africa, Kariuki Muigua; Justice Kantai of the Kenyan Federal High Court; Hon Amos Wako, Attorney-General of Kenya; Wanjuki Muchemi, Solicitor-General of Kenya and Dr Chijioke Wigwe, Nigerian High Commissioner to Kenya.

The panel of judges comprised Dr. Onyema Emilia, a Law lecturer in the School of African and Oriental Studies, University of London; Mr. Anire Kanyi, a Nigerian lawyer and solicitor in England and Wales and Mr Tim Anago, a lawyer with Abuja Multidoor Court House, who is also affiliated to the United States Department of Justice.

Journalists and students from various universities also witnessed the final round of the competition.

In her speech, the Director of the centre, Mrs Eunice Odiri, said the body is an international arbitration organisation established in Nigeria by Asian-Africa Legal Consultative Organisation to acquaint students with the practice of arbitration and to sharpen the advocacy prowess of participants.

According to her, international commercial arbitration is an essential skill required by modern global economy to attract foreign investments, boost commercial transactions and generally promote trade and investment in the economic life of a country.

“Equipping students with the necessary skills required in arbitration right from university would put the students in a helpful position to face the challenges of the competitive global market; whether in their professional calling or in commercial and investment transactions,” she said.

The UNILORIN contingent was led by CAMPUSLIFE correspondent Habeeb Whyte. Kehinde Atoyebi and Medinat Razak were with him; Dr. M. M. Akanbi, head of Business Law Department, was their coach.

•UNILORIN students and their coach Dr Akanbi in Kenya

Whyte handled the preliminary argument of claimant issues; his colleagues handled the substantive argument. The DELSU team included Eddyson Ujeh, Sylvia Osiogbo and Solomon. Mrs. Okenedo Ulisan, a lecturer in DELSU Law Department, guided the students.

The skills of the participants were assessed in advocacy, knowledge of fact and law, fluency in English Lan-

guage and presentation techniques.

The UNILORIN students were declared winners after scoring more points than their opponents. The students were presented with Hewlett Packard laptops, certificates and conference bags, with materials on arbitration. A cocktail was organised for them after the event.

Whyte told CAMPUSLIFE that the competition was a launch pad for

him. “I am very happy because we put much effort in this competition and God has seen us through. I thank God and my coach, my parents, the entire members of the Moot and Debate Society of my faculty and everyone, especially the dean of UNILORIN Law Faculty", he said.

He expressed appreciation to CAMPUSLIFE Editor Mrs Ngozi •Continued on page 33

•Don receives Icon Award - Pg33 • Soccer at its best - 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

30

CAMPUS LIFE

Succeeding Pushing against Out odds with

D

IFFERENT issues competed for my attention for this week's column; but I was reluctant to dwell on them. There was the fact that an entire year dedicated to youth development by the United Nations elapsed, on August 12, without the Nigerian government doing anything tangible for its youths. There was the naked dance of two old men, who make up the trio that has ruled Nigeria the longest without anything good to show, coming to further insult our sensibilities with a silly diatribe on who was best. This came at the same time with the sacking of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, by President Goodluck Jonathan, ostensibly on the advice of the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The last two may not directly concern me and my students, but they do, at the end of the day. For one, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, in my view, are two people in whose times (in the late 70s and between 1985 - 1993 as well as 1999 - 2007) the education sector and students' movements suffered the most neglect and government crackdown. Other sectors also have their tales of woe. It was therefore adding salt to injury, as we would say here, that rather than leave us to nurse our wounds, they decided to dance naked in the market square.

The latest shaking in the judiciary, as Simon Kolawole pointed out in his col-

Ngozi Agbo 08054503104 (SMS only)

•campuslife@thenationonlineng.net •ladycampus@yahoo.com umn on the back page of ThisDay last Sunday, is really an extension of the battle for the Southwest between the PDP and the ACN. By popular will, and thanks to the Appeal Court under Salami, the ACN is in charge of the zone today. But the PDP, whose rejection by the people of the zone was made more poignant in the April elections, would get its pound of flesh some way. An unbending Salami became the fall guy.

My concern here is that, again, from the most hallowed office of the land, we are leaving the young with nothing to hold on to. We are telling them that it hurts to stand by the truth; that the way to success is to eschew integrity.

And that is a very dangerous path to tread. Already, we are suffering the consequences of decades of an erosion of values from people in important leadership positions. How much longer before this house of cards collapses on us?

Those were the brooding thoughts I dwelt on before I stumbled on an inspiring story of an ordinary guy, Philip Abel. Of course people struggle to make ends meet even in the best of devel-

oped nations; but we all know that Nigeria has no business remaining in its current economic state. It is painful that there are many Philips out there who are forced to take up less-than dignifying options because of the rot left by people like Obasanjo and Babangida, and not being made better

today by the choices of dear President Jonathan.

But before I run ahead of myself, let me introduce you to 18-year-old Philip.

He recently won a U.S. $150,000 scholarship to read a course of his choice at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT. I came across him on the AllAfrica Education website. It was an interview he granted the news site's Kylé Pienaar.

Born on October 10, 1992, Philip was one of the many Nigerian children forced to drop out of primary school to work as a vendor on the streets. But then his fortune turned, thanks to his doggedness and the opportunity made by those who think ahead - the United States Student Achievers' Programme.

Here's an edited version of his story, as he told it: "I was born in Kano. I am the eldest of five children. My parents are from Kogi State; I am Igala by tribe. We were comfortable. We could afford to eat. We were all in school. I was at the top of my class. I was a big dreamer. I had been a dreamer since I was small.

My father's death on April 24, 2003, was the beginning of my problems. I felt as if my world had collapsed. I became the head of the family. I was in (Primary Five). I had to fend for my younger ones.

I dropped out of school. I started selling sachet water on the streets. I sold kerosene. I sold groundnuts. Some days we went without food. We had to rely on relatives for clothes. Every day when I sold things on the street I would see children in uniform going to school with their parents. I cried: "God, why is my story different?"

But then the proprietor of my primary school discovered I dropped out of school. He got very angry. He came to my house. He told me I had to go back to school. My mom told him the kind of conditions we were facing. He decided to take up some of the burden by paying half of my school fees.

And that was how I was able to complete my primary education.

When I graduated from primary school I applied and was admitted to the Rochas Foundation, which provides free education to students from the poorest homes. That's how I got through secondary school. It is not impossible to get a good education in Nigeria but it is tough. For example, I did my homework with a kerosene lamp since there wasn't always electricity. I'm surprised my eyesight is still okay. One time I hit my hand on the kerosene lamp. I got burned.

My favourite subjects were Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. As a child, I had an interest in how objects like fighter jets and rockets move in the air. I will study Aeronautic Engineering.

The United States Student Achievers programme helped me with the process of applying to institutions in

the United States. I also took the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the West African Examinations Council examinations. But because I didn't have the right connections, even though I did well, I couldn't get into any of the top universities in Nigeria. So you can imagine how delighted my mother is: I couldn't get into a university in Nigeria but now I'm headed to MIT. I live in a remote area, far from an Internet cafe, so I had to travel from Kano to Abuja where the U.S. Embassy checked the decision online.

When I saw the computer screen I started screaming. I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe that I got into a school like MIT. I still can't find an adjective to describe how I felt that day.

When I got back to Kano and I told my mom, she started screaming. We were both screaming. We were at my mom's store and a crowd gathered. It was just awesome. I went out on the streets and everyone was looking at me. I come from a kind of rural area so people didn't really have any idea what MIT meant. I had to explain to them that I'd just been accepted to one of the best universities in the world".

Philip arrived at the MIT campus last Sunday, August 21. I thank God for his life. It is also thanks to his doggedness, as I wrote earlier; thanks to the proprietor of his primary school; thanks equally to Owelle Rochas Okorocha, current governor of Imo State. Today, Philip's life has taken on a new, promising meaning. And I am very happy for him. Let us hope that many more Philips out there get lucky breaks like this, before it gets too late.

Ciao

Paul Okungbowa is the National Co-ordinator of the League of Nigerian Graduates (LNG), a body dedicated to helping unemployed graduates chart a new course. He spoke with GILBERT ALASA (200-Level FOREIGN LANGUAGES) on the association, among other issues.

‘It seems a curse to be a graduate’

W

HAT is LNG all about?

It is an association that helps to project the interest of graduates. It was formed last year. As a social interest group, we are concerned about the welfare of these people. For many years, their plight has not been taken seriously. Successive governments have failed to fulfil their promises. And the circle keeps growing. It seems like a curse to be graduate. Hence, we want to help them take charge of their career lives. We want to give them a sense of direction and a voice.

How will you describe the level of response of graduates?

Since inception, I will say that we have received positive response from them. At a conference held recently at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre, BeninCity, the turn-out was massive.

But that is not to say we have the sort of membership base we had envisaged. A possible explanation for this is that we just rebranded which saw our name change from Nigeria League of Unemployed Graduates (NLUG) to League of Nigerian Graduates (LNG). This is because many people expressed concern over the negative tag “unemployed”.

For this reason, they refused to join the group. And so, we saw the need for re-branding. As a

•Paul

free house, everyone is welcome into the fold. That is why we are calling every graduate to join the train, especially those that are yet to be gainfully employed.

What plans do you have to realise your goals as a group?

One major concern of most employers of labour today is the poor quality of graduates produced by our institutions of higher learning. At LNG, we organise programmes and workshops to help groom members for the labour market. We also try to align their talents with what the society needs. Again, considering the alarming level of job cuts, government reforms leading to downsizing and an increasingly competitive labour market, there is the need for private enterprise.

With this in mind, we give training in entrepreneurship to those who intend to own their busi-

‘I think this issue of “half-baked” Nigerian graduates has been over-flogged.

Over the years, I have realised there is a difference between being “half-baked” on one hand, and being creative and not being able to express what you know on the other hand’ nesses. We are equally exploring alternative measures to solving our national problems like power. Recently, a member of this group made a generator that uses water. That gives us a heady feeling.

What are the challenges the group faces in its drive to actualise set goals?

The challenges are enormous.

However, we can do a lot, especially when the political will is there. At present, there is a limit to what we can do. We need support from governments and the private sector. We need finances to organise more life-changing programmes. In fact, this has been the major obstacle. But, for now, the organisation is run through selfless efforts and contributions. We are yet to see individuals or organisations sensitive enough to throw their weight

behind what we do. By supporting our outreach, we at LNG believe there is return on capital.

The nation stands to have an economy where graduates are trained to contribute their quota to development. This will reduce crime and unrest. If Nigeria must join the league of developed nations in 2020, the citizenry must be educated to contribute to national development. And LNG offers such a powerful platform to get on with the needed changes.

What are your expectations from President Goodluck Jonathan and his new cabinet?

Firstly, Nigerian youths are all singing the same song: we need change. We need a break from the old system and tradition of governance. Many of us with a knack for business are hindered from realising our dreams because of the epileptic power system, bad road networks, lack of financing and an unfriendly business climate. Nigeria needs practical micro-economic programmes that would help stem the tide of unemployment.

There is nothing wrong with creating a system where unemployed graduates will work in specific establishments and earn a stipend until they are fully employed. This will keep them away from crime and unrest. The Niger Delta crises, Boko Haram, bombings, kidnapping, arm-robbery are all pointers to a society of idle

and restless youths. An idle mind, indeed, is the devil’s workshop.

With your experience with these graduates, do you agree that they are unemployable and halfbaked? If so, what do you think is the source of the problem?

I think this issue of “half-baked” Nigerian graduates has been overflogged. Over the years, I have realised there is a difference between being “half-baked” on one hand, and being creative and not being able to express what you know on the other hand. There is a difference between intelligence and brilliance. All of us are not gifted the same way or in equal measure. There are quite a number of highly talented and dynamic people who cannot express themselves properly. These people are also useful. For example, cello tape was formed by mistake.

The reason is that many students do not have the opportunity to read a course they liked to study.

A student applies to read Law and later finds he is studying Geography. At the end, you have a mismatch. We have people that are naturally gifted in craft and engineering-related fields but they often do not have the chance to study their dream course. Again, in our universities, there is no conducive environment and facilities are in a shambles. As such, its garbage in, garbage out. I think it’s more of the system, and not the graduates.

Nigerian students conquer •Continued from page 29

Agbo for her message on the morning of the final round.

Akanbi gave thanks to God and the UNILORIN management for the support they received during the competition.

He said: "This is the first international competition I coordi-

nated since my career as a lecturer in UNILORIN. I am proud to be the coach of the champions of Africa."

The participants were also taken on a tour to Kenya National Park, the Tourist Park, the Central Market and the popular Kenyan restaurant, Carnivore, where the students tasted the meat of 10 animals.

31

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE

• Cross section of the students at the event

Lessons in life after school

T

HE Community Development Leadership Forum (CODELF) has trained 600 undergraudates at the 2-in-1 Hall, FMS, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, in preparation for life after school.

The event tagged “Beyond the four walls of the campus”, was to commemorate the 25th United Nations International Youth Day with the theme “Charting a new course for national development”. Team Leader Mr Asaba Adeyemi Stephen said the programme was organised to prepare students for future role.

"This programme is aimed at inspiring, influencing, challenging and pre-

•Some of the students in a pose with Jonah Obajeun

By Adenike Ashogbon LASPOTECH

paring Nigerian youth to chart a new course for national development", he

said.

Speaking on "Maximising internship potential", publisher of Posterity Media, Mr O' Femi Kolawole explained that in-

ternship is the period students improve their worth in their area of expertise.

He urged students to be conscious about their lifestyle and disposition to any work assigned to them.

The event, which highlights the need for endurance, patience, excellence and service also featured the likes of SeyiLaw and Koffi who doubled as comedian and motivational speakers.

During his “My Story” session, SeyiLaw dwelt on “passion and packaging.” He said determination, hard work, humility and God make a complete achiever.

“Humility has helped me to learn from those below me. Success is like a ladder, determination helps one to walk through that ladder and when determination is failing hard work makes you walk to the top while the supreme being help you to remain on the ladder of success with your attitude and character,” he said.

Koffi, a Chemistry graduate of the University of Lagos, said he never used his certificate to work under anyone, rather he decided to follow his passion and has never regretted his decision.

The Federal College of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, has got its first Students Union president from degree programme. OGECHI AJAH, CHIDIEBERE UMEORIZU and HASSAN HASSAN (300-Level EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND PLANNING) capture the intrigues.

College gets first degree student president

S

TUDENTS of the Federal College of Education (FCE), Pankshin, have elected officials for the vacant posts of Students Union Government (SUG).

Emmanuel Diykuk made history as the first degree programme student to be elected SUG president. Traditionally, the position is taken by NCE students.

The election was preceded by a colourful rally, during which aspirants distributed souvenirs to persuade their collegues to vote for them.

Some of the items shared were maggi seasoning cubes and packets of matches.

However, many of the students wondered why aspirants distributed food items if they were popular.

“It tells you that when they get to the positions, they would first recoup the money spent on campaign before looking into the welfare of the students”, said a 200-Level student who refused to give her name.

Victor Haruna, a 300-Level student, said: “This is the reason I will not vote for anybody. I could have given anyone

of them my vote without inducement but what do they take us for? Do they think we are all hungry lions looking for political bread?”

Nevertheless, the election was hitchfree. The students turned out enmasse to exercise their franchise. The election, which began in the morning, ended by 4pm and some students stayed behind to witness the counting of votes. The chairman of the Campus Electoral Commission (CECO), Joshua Yakubu, 400Level student of Social Studies, announced the results after the counting.

Diykuk was returned as president having polled 1,016 votes, while Blessing Gabriel was declared the vice president.

Others are Ayuba Lohjul (Secretary-General), Joy Danjuma (Assistant SecretaryGeneral), Solomon Domshak (Accountant General), Patience Yohanna (Treasurer), Nantok Sangden (Welfare Secretary), John Kyesdom (Information Director), Felix Azi (Director of Socials) and Micheal Gontur (Sport Secretary).

•Students in a queue during the voting exercise

The swearing-in will take place at a date to be announced by the school.

Diykuk, a 300-Level English student, made history as the first SUG president to be elected from degree programme being run by the college. He thanked the students for giving him their mandate and promised to justify the trust bestowed in him. He also promised the students that he would lead them to the

promise land. He reiterated his campaign promise to install more boreholes for students off campus and complete the SUG hostels.

Yakubu attributed the success of the election to the cooperation and tolerance of the aspirants, despite their differences in social, religious and political background.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

32

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus journalists hold seminar

M

EMBERS of the Nigeria Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), Cross River State College of Education (CRSCE) chapter, have participated in a seminar organised by their counterparts from the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

The programme’s theme was: “How to practice campus journalism”.

The former president of UNICAL campus journalists, Emmanuel Umoh, in his presentation, described journalism as the investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience.

From Stanley Uchegbu and Anthony Afufu UNICAL

He said the duties of a campus journalist include seeking the truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.

Umoh said: “As a campus journalist, your emphasis should be to serve as a middleman between the institution’s management and the students. You must equally ensure that the Student Union Government (SUG) is responsible and account-

able to the students”.

Emmanuel Ogar, the chairman of the UNICAL campus writers, spoke on administration and dress code.

A participant Catherine Ogar, told CAMPUSLIFE: “The seminar taught me how to conduct an interview, meet people, address the public and the terms involved in being a member of NUCJ”.

The CRSCE president of campus journalists, Nester Bassey, expressed gratitude to the UNICAL students for the seminar.

Fellowship gets new executives

T

HE Scripture Union Campus Fellowship (SUCF), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) chapter, has inaugurated a new set of executives for the 2011/2012 academic session.

The event was witnessed by the Registrar of the university, Mr C.O. Omeire and Mr Cliff Ndupuh, the Staff Adviser of the fellowship.

Praying for the new leaders, Ndupuh sought God’s guidance and direction, urging the students to allow the spirit of God to dictate their direction.

He said: “God, who calls people to His vineyard, will always equip

From Victor Nwokedi FUTO

them with all the necessary grace needed to serve”.

The new executives are Ugochukwu Onuoha, 200-L Mechanical Engineering (President), Chiemeriwo Okereke, 200Level Biomedical Technology (Vice President), Vincent Nnamoko, 200-Level Mechanical Engineering (General Secretary) and Victor Nwokedi 100Level Polymer and Textile Engineering (Public Relations Officer).

HOD advises students

F

•The campus journalists after the seminar

S

Ex-lover attacks student with acid

TUDENTS of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria were busy preparing for their second semester examination when the bad news came.

A female student was bathed with acid by her ex-boyfriend.

The incident sent shivers down the spine of students and members of staff, who described the act as callous.

The victim, simply identified as Gladys, is a 400-Level student of Mass Communication. A source said Gladys was returning from church when she received a call from James Bako Alaci, who is a graduate of the school and her exlover.

“The guy accosted Gladys and told her to walk him down a dark path in the school. She refused and insisted they stayed at the front of Suleiman Hostel, a residential hall in ABU. The guy pestered her and she finally obliged,” said a source.

As they were walking away, James was said to have opened a bottle he was holding and poured the content on Gladys face. He took to his heels immediately.

As eyewitness said a knife fell from James’ trouser as he was running, indicating that he may have planned to kill her. The eyewitness said: “Immediately this happened, the lady screamed, at-

T

•Prof Frank-Peterside From Chris Okafor UNIPORT

biology, said: “She teaches passionately and professorially. I don’t just know of a suitable word to describe her life. She is exceptional and our prayer is for God to bless her beyond human imagination”.

Igbo students get new leaders

T •The assailant James Bako From Dayo Ibitoye ABU

tracting people to the scene. Bags of sachet water were immediately poured on her.

Gladys friend, who identified herself as Peace, said the victim opted out of the relationship with James shortly after his graduation. The development, according to Peace, did not go down well with James and resulted in the acid attack.

The development threw the campus into confusion, as female students were furious and hurled mud at any male student seen around after the incident.

Christian Idoga, 500-Level

•Gladys before the incident

Chemical Engineering and friend to the victim, said: “I have known Gladys for a long time now and we are family friends. The news really surprised me as I know Gladys to be a very quiet lady and easygoing. She cannot even hurt a fly. I still wonder how this dastardly act could happen to her”.

Peace said: “Gladys is a very reserved and quiet lady. I am really sad that this could happen to her”.

Meanwhile, the victim is said to be at the intensive care unit of the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. Her attacker was still at large as at press time.

Hostel checkmates abuse HE management of the Clinical Hostel at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) has introduced new measures to curtail activities of miscreants and students who have turned the halls to avenues for carrying out their nefarious activities.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, a key official of the hall, who did not want to be named, described the situation as “unbecoming” of medical students. She, however, said measures had been adopted to address the situation.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that street urchins popularly called area boys invaded the hostels in recent times. They found their way

INAL year students of the Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), were excited as they listened to their Head of Department (HOD), Prof Nnenna FrankPeterside.

After two hours of lecture, “mother”, as Prof Frank-Peterside is fondly called, took the students for another two hours, advising them on academic issues.

“You are our children and whatever affects you, invariably affects us too. So, why should any of us derive pleasure in failing you?” she asked passionately.

“No matter what you encounter, whatever the problem you are facing, you can still be the best”, she advised.

The students said it was the first time any HoD would sit down with students to discuss school policies that affect their welfare.

Zainab Alabi, a student of Micro-

From Gilbert Alasa UNIBEN

to common rooms, parading themselves as students of the university.

Students, who spoke with our correspondent, said phones, laptops and money have been stolen by the rogues in common rooms. A 200-Level Dentistry student, who resides in the hostel, said: “I was charging my phone and somehow I slept off. A few minutes later, I woke up only to discover that someone had made away with my phone. I called the line and, of course, the rest is history.”

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the

miscreants had taken their trade to lecture theatres where students read at night. A student was said to have brought his laptop to Pharmacy Hall to get his assignments done. He was said to be half-asleep and a man who had been keeping tabs on him immediately made away with the laptop. The thief was later caught by officials of the school security unit.

“You cannot imagine what we see everyday at the Faculty of Arts. A lot of students who troop in there every night are out for something different. Management needs to beam its searchlight to minimise this incidence”, said a final year student of Political Science.

HE Federation of Igbo Students (FIS), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has elected the new leadership to oversee its affairs in next academic session. The election was keenly contested by the students, who were tested on fluency in Igbo language.

In his speech, the president-elect, Prince Joe, said his administration

From Chinenye Okonkwo UNICAL

would reposition and strengthens the corporate existence of the association.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, the immediate past president of FIS, Uchenna Okoro, noted that the election was free and fair.

SUG seeks God’s guidance

E

XECUTIVE members of the Student Union Government (SUG) of Imo State University (IMSU) have sought divine guidance on the discharge of their duty.

Led by their president, Samuel Okpara, the students danced and sang praises to God at a thanksgiving held at the St. Joseph Catholic Chaplaincy, IMSU. They said they sought the guidance of God in order to fulfil their promises to the students.

Thaddeus Arinze, SUG Director of Finance, said: “The thanksgiving is a way of inviting God

From Ugochukwu Egwumba IMSU

to come and pilot the affairs of the SUG, because of the challenges ahead of us”.

The students met with the SUG executives after the mass. The SUG Vice President, Chisom Onyenze, reiterated her commitment to her campaign promises.

Chioma Ezerioha, a student of Nursing Science, told CAMPUSLIFE that she would like the SUG executives to remain united.

33

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

CAMPUS LIFE Southeast holds language debate

T

•Dr Jigam receiving the award from Temple Ozim

Don receives Icon Award

H

EAD of Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA), Dr A.A. Jigam, has been honoured by students. He got the Icon Award on leadership from the Overt Democratic Students of Nigeria, a student pressure group on the campus.

Presenting the award, the chairman of the group, Temple Ozim, described the award as a token of appreciation for Jigam’s contributions to students’ welfare.

Responding, Jigam thanked the students for the honour, adding

From Faith Olaniran FUT, MINNA

that the award was a call to higher duty. He pledged to do more for the students.

Also, a leadership conference was organised by the association to lecture students on investment, leadership and politics.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Deji Alonge, a banker, advised students to be creative to get good jobs.

Of the benefits of the programme, Daniel Omaga, a 500-Level Biochemistry student, said FUT, MINNA is known to breed leaders,

businessmen and women, who can compete anywhere.

“Programmes like this help us put a check and balance on our career when we go into the labour world”, he said.

Another student, Moshood Alao, added: “We all know that there are no white-collar jobs out there. We all need to equip ourselves for a better and brighter tomorrow. The topics of the speakers have really enlightened me on issues of business and leadership even though I have served as president of the National Association of Science Students in this institution.”

HE grand finale of an Igbo Language debate organised by the National Association of Southeast Nigerian Students (NASENS) will hold at the Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri on Saturday.

The best five students from tertiary institutions in the five Southeast states will compete to determine the best.

The competition is being sponsored by the Managing Director of Peace Mass Transit, Chief Samuel Maduka Onyishi, and Yordel Africa-Youth Development, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Its aim is to inculcate in Igbo youths, especially undergraduates, the habit of speaking the language with pride anywhere. The topic they debated on was: “Iweghachita ugwu asusu Igbo n’ala anyi” (Restoring the glory of Igbo Language).

The Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri hosted the preliminaries to select representatives of the state among tertiary institutions penultimate week.

Other preliminaries held at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, and the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.

At the competition held at IMSU, the panel of judges, mostly made up of IMSU lecturers and at least one representative from other campuses, read out the guidelines.

Its Chairman, Mr Ben Igbokwe, said the students would be judged on their passion for the language, boldness, fluency, ability to communicate freely with the language, and comportment. He said marks would be given to individuals and not the school.

When the debate began, Adike Richmond Chinazom, a student representing Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, said if Igbo Language must thrive among youths, it must be used to train children even if they are resident abroad. He also said playing Igbo music can enhance the use of the language.

Another contestant, Nwakpa Mary Jane from IMSU, said Igbo Language speaking is traditional and an encouragement to the culture. She said

From Gerald Nwokocha FUTO

speaking and writing the language well would help. She cited some Igbo books and authors like Sorom chia, Ukabuilu.

She, however, said she would contribute by teaching her friends and colleagues how to cook some Igbo dishes and tell stories in Igbo. She added that she would encourage the formation of Igbo Development Group.

Aralu Onyekachi from the Federal University of Technology, FUTO stressed on the need to implement dress code of Igbo regalia in offices at least once in a week and invite traditional rulers of Igbo extraction to teach the language and culture to people at fora. He cited some Igbo personalities like Mbonu Ojike who went to the United States but the white man culture could not influence him. He also stressed that reviving Igbo culture and festivals will help greatly to make the language enviable.

At the end of the debate, Mary Jane was declared winner and will represent Imo State with four runners-up at the grand-finale on Saturday.

Dr. Mike Okoro, a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy, IMSU, thanked NASENS and the sponsors of the event for bracing up to revive Igbo language, culture and tradition.

Also speaking, the President of the association, Comrade Kingsley Chidozie Okoronkwo, expressed optimism that, with te move by his association, Igbo Language will be restored to its pride of place. He, however, condemned a situation among students whereby Pidgin English has been exalted over the language on campuses in the Southeast.

Director of Publicity of the group, Comrade Michael Okoro, said the grand finale is expected to hold on the 27th.

All activities during the event were done in Igbo Language.

Miss Amarachi Okafor (Student Union Vice President, Abia State University, Uturu) moderated the programme which was also attended by the Student Union officials in the Southeast. A cultural dance troupe from IMSU also entertained the audience.

ITF advises students on industrial training

S

•Cross section of new members

Rotaract inducts new members

T

HE Rotaract Club of Nigeria, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) chapter, has sent off outgoing executive members and inaugurated the new leaders.

James Nwosu was sworn in as the 27th president of club at the event held at Bestways Hotels, Owerri.

Dignitaries at the ceremony included District Rotaract Representative (DRR) Waite Obarijima; Zonal Rotaract Representative (ZRR) Oscar Akparanta; Richard Chiedozie, immediate past president, Victor Ogazi and officials of FUTO Student Union Government (SUG) led by their presi-

From Francis Egwuatu FUTO

dent, Obinna Anyanwu.

After the outgoing president’s speech, the new president was sworn in.

In his speech, Nwosu listed some projects his administration would embark upon. They include donation of bedsheets to the FUTO health centre, distribution of insecticide-treated nets, and donation of text books to FUTO International Secondary School.

During the ceremony, some members of the university staff were given awards for their service to humanity.

They are Prof Magnus Ofoh, Dean of School of Agricultural

Technology; Ramanus Amaechi, Director of Works Department; Mr Ogbonnaya Okere, a lecturer in the Department of Agriculture Extension and Prof. Onyewuchi Oguoma, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), among others.

Also, about 150 new members were inducted during the ceremony.

After taking the oath, Samuel Aduah, 200-Level Mechanical Engineering, told CAMPUSLIFE that he would not put his personal interest above service to humanity.

Highlight of the event included a beauty pageant to crown the club king and queen.

Chibueze Obiegbu and Stella Ifunanya won.

CIENCE-oriented and technical students in tertiary institutions have been urged to always use the Students Industrial Working Experience Scheme (SIWES) to gain practical knowledge that will help them in their various fields after graduation.

The advice came from the Area Manager, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), for Kano and Jigawa states, Mallam Jibrin Panshekara. He spoke at the orientation organised for students of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), participating in the SIWES internship.

The event took place at the Twin Theatre, New Campus, BUK. Panshekara, who was represented

by ITF Director of Training, Mrs Christian Abidoye, said the aim of the programme was to equip the

From Abdulateef Usman BUK

students with necessary knowledge and to also help them in matching theory with practical.

“The Federal Government gives a lot of priority to the development of science and technology in the country. So, it is important to utilise the period of your SIWES to get prepared for future challenges”, he said.

Speaking during the programme, the BUK SIWES Coordinator, Mallam Hassan Danmari, said 1,200 students would participate in the six-month SIWES internship which will begin after the semester exams.

He emphasised that every student must participate in the training.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

34

CAMPUS LIFE Students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), were at their best during the Vice-Chancellor's Cup competition. VICTOR NWOKEDI (100-Level POLYMER AND TEXTILE ENGINEERING) captured the excitement.

•The captain of the Mechanical Enginering team recieving the cup amidst cheers

I

•Deputy VC Academic(middle) during the presentation of the cup to the winner

Soccer at its best

T is not only academics that keep students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) busy. They also take part in sports and other extra-curricula activities to unwind after their academic engagements.

After all, all work and no play, as a popular saying goes, makes Jack a dull boy. Perhaps, in agreement with this age-long dictum, FUTO students trooped to the university stadium to exercise their muscles during the annual football tournament hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, called the VC Cup. This year's tournament started about a month ago, with departments slugging it out at the preliminary stages. The departments were grouped into eight, with each group having four teams. After a series of matches, only 16 of the 32 teams advanced to the knockout stage. The knock-out stage turned out to be the most entertaining in the tournament, as each of the teams battled for a chance in the final round. The players entertained spectators with marvelous display of their soccer skills

and talents.

Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, one of the spectators, Ebuka Ezenwanne, a 100-Level Computer Science, said he was thrilled with the performance of the players.

He said: "With their level of experience, I can say that the students have what it takes to play for any professional football club in the world".

Other respondents agreed, saying the players' performance was breath-taking.

The departments of Computer Science (CSC), Mechanical Engineering (MEE), Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (MME) and Environmental Technology (EVT) made it to the quarter finals.

A 200-Level Civil Engineering student, Daniel Eze, was not happy when his department was sent home at the quarter final stage. He, however, admitted that the four outstanding departments were the best teams in the tournament.

At the semi final stage, the Computer Science team defeated Me-

chanical Engineering by two goals to one, while Materials and Metallurgical Engineering team was trounced by Environmental Technology team.

The final match between Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Technology teams was witnessed by students, members of staff and people from neighbouring communities.

The Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Remy Uche, and officials of the Student Union Government (SUG) were present.

As the players jogged into the pitch, there were loud cheers from the spectators.

As predicted by some students, the match ended goalless, even after the extra time given to the sides.

The FUTO Deputy Vice-Chancellor arrived just as the penalty shootout was about to take place.

The penalty ended in favour of Mechanical Engineering which scored four goals to defeat Environmental Technology team, winners of the last edition of the competition. The Computer Science

•Mechanical Enginering team

team came third.

The DVC presented the cup and cash to the wining team. Awards were also presented to students who performed exceptionally well during the tournament. The skipper of Computer Science team, who identified himself as Soonest, won the Most Valuable Player Award while Ikwu Williams, 300-Level Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, was declared the Best Striker, and Osinachi Ekeji, 100-Level Computer Science, received the award

for the Best Defender.

The captain of the Mechanical Engineering team thanked God for their victory. He also appreciated the efforts of his team mates, head of department and the students.

In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, the SUG Director of Sports, Anthony Nnaa, described the tournament as "superb." He congratulated the Mechanical Engineering team and also thanked students for the success of the event. He will be even better.

Since his appointment Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in July, last year, Prof Joseph Ajienka, has embarked on some projects. CHRIS OKAFOR (400-Level MICROBIOLOGY) highlights some of his achievements.

A VC at work

T

HE journey began July 14, last year, when Prof Joseph Ajienka was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). When the announcement was made, the university community went into spontaneous jubilation. Students, lecturers, non-academic members of staff and the larger community welcomed the development cheerfully and embraced his administration.

Two days after his appointment, he presented his inaugural speech entitled "The new engineering building of the University of Port Harcourt" ostensibly referring to his engineering background. (He studied Petroleum Engineering at the institution). He enumerated the need for creativity to catapult UNIPORT to its pride of place among its peers.

Immediately, the machinery was set in motion to achieve his vision. An Arts Village and Technology Park were built.

"This is to tap into the potential that abound in research and development collaborations with industry players", he explained.

Ajienka has revitalised collaborations with the Federal Government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to monitor marine pollution and sea food safety in Nigeria's waste water. This was seen as a time-wasting enterprise prior to

•UBA hostel built in collaboration with the UNIPORT management

Aijenka's appointment. His determination has helped to ensure the project is sustained effectively.

As part of his transformational efforts, the leadership of UNIPORT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the president of African Business Roundtable (ARB), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who accepted the proposal to establish an International Trade and Development Study Centre in the institution.

Ajienka said when the centre starts operation it would explore trade as a tool for the

integration of African countries and global economies. It would also run Master's and Doctorate degree programmes in International Trade in addition to building capacity and skills of industry players through continuing education programmes.

Efforts of the UNIPORT management in campus sports have equally yielded the desired result. The Wednesday free-lecture hours dedicated to sporting activities and provision of state-of-the-art facilities are clear examples of the VC's resolve to carry along the students in the transformation pro-

cess of UNIPORT. This perhaps explains the reason UNIPORT students outshone opponents from other universities to clinch 46 gold medals at the Nigeria Universities Games Association (NUGA) hosted by University of Benin (UNIBEN) in March.

Academic competition is also not left out in the transformation agenda, a fact that reflected in the high Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of students that graduated in June.

Also, the university has completed construction work on new academic and office blocks for some faculties, a project sponsored by the Education Trust Fund (ETF). By this development, the students of the faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Laboratory Science Technology, Agriculture and Department of Music will soon move to permanent blocks.

This stride made the students to praise the VC for his forthrightness.

"He is a student-friendly man, who feels concerned about our welfare. He gives us a listening ear whenever we complain about some policies that affect us as students", said Desmond Nyenwe, a 300-Level student of Petrochemical Technology.

A member of staff, Prof G.C. Okpowasili, told CAMPUSLIFE that Ajienka came with good intentions rather than personal interest.

He said: "He has very bright ideas for the university and I believe in his ability to turn things around. In fact his presence is a huge blessing to the university".

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

35

CAMPUS LIFE

I

T is no news that any technological device that finds

its way into Nigeria is usually accepted to the extreme. The advent of Global Service of Mobile communication (GSM) attracted users in no small number, to the extent that it was regarded as “General Street Madness” in some parts of the country.

Also, social network like Facebook, Twitter, 2go etc came along; trust Nigerians, they joined the trend as if Nigeria invented those social websites.

But the problem is that Nigerian users lack appropriate decorum for utilising any technology that comes into the country. Talking of the latest craze in town - Blackberry – youths and adults have joined the mad rush to acquire the device.

Blackberry is a device that has inbuilt social network applications that link people from different geographical areas in a jiffy. You can use it to access the

Craze for Blackberry Internet at any point in time.

These services are not free. Users subscribe for Blackberry Internet Service (BIS) to make use of the device. Its functions as a personal digital assistant (PDA)and portable media player. It is primarily known for its ability to send and receive instant messages via WiFi connectivity. It is the latest swag in town now, especially among girls in universities.

Everybody wants to own a BB phone. In universities and other institutions, if a girl doesn’t belong to the “Blackberry clique,” she is no way a big babe. In the classroom, market, hospital etc, you either ping or get pinged. It has got to the extent that many girls become desperate and are ready to go to any length to attain to the Blackberry clique. To such people, using a Blackberry is a

do-or-die affair, to the extent that friends abandon friends who don’t have Blackberry!

Because of the desperate rush, the phone has become pure water because many people now own . A day can’t goby without you hearing someone asking for your Blackberry pin.

Even in classrooms, the attention of Blackberry users is the usually diverted from lectures because of BB chats.

Last Monday, I was in the class receiving a lecture when suddenly we heard a sarcastic laughter from the back. It was two friends sitting beside each other pinging themselves about the faded attire worn by their lecturer. The laughter caught the attention of the class and it almost got them in trouble. The same thing happened in my hostel two weeks ago as two friends argued over the device.

In a nutshell, the coming of this device has exposed the other side of Nigerians and perhaps, humanity. It now looks as if GSM has just came to Nigeria. The cost of BIS subscription would not even deter the youths from using the device that is gradually derailing them from achieving their dreams. Instead of wasting time and money on mundane activities such as BB chats and pinging, why not focus on research and invention of new things that will be useful in our nation?

Our youths are always on the lookout for exotic things; only God knows the next invention that would manipulate the cognitive behaviour of the Nigerian youths and derail them from attaining their educational aspirations.

Zeenat, 400-Level Mass Comm., BUK

Way out of unemployment

By Nurudeen Yusuf nytemilolaesqdcox@gmail.com

I

FEEL sad that our schools are turning out graduates and the graduates who cannot be employed. Our leaders seem not to be bothered by the rising unemployment. The only thing they are busy

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan declared that he would ensure 35 per cent representation of women is his cabinet. As ordinary as the statement may be, it tells more about the question of gender equality.

From time immemorial, women have been seen as the weaker sex.

Becasue of this belief they were denied them certain rights. Men generally are seen as the stronger sex even in the holy books Quran and Bible.

In the history of western civilisation, cultural beliefs allowed women limited roles in the society. Being in the kitchen cook-

doing, I dare say, is holding a “stakeholders’ meeting” on how to distribute our collective wealth among themselves. Yet the country is tottering.

Youth unemployment for a long time has been a Gone are days when graduates were employed before leaving school or during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

The case is different now. School leavers are left to their fate. The frustrated among them resort to criminal acts to make ends meet.

With a population of over 140 million and youths of about 80 million, over 64 million young people are unemployed and of the 16 million who are said to be employed, 1.6 million are actually under employed.

In addition, there is an estimated graduate turnover of over 600,000

yearly; only 10 per cent of these graduates are able to get paid employment. Recently, in a report by the Federal Ministry of Education, it was estimated that only four million youths were on paid job, while over 60 per cent of them are underemployed.

Nigeria’s high population rate has resulted in rapid expansion of labour supply without proportionate increase in employment generation. The youths who fall victim of unemployment can never quantify the effect it has on their psyche. It brings psychological distress, increases dependency on parents and family. In an attempt to get out of the ugly situation, there is the need for the government to consider of social security for employed youths.

An idle mind is the devil’s work-

shop. Idle youths find solace in activities that threaten the peace of the society. many jobless youths resort to robbery, car snatching, kidnapping, oil bunkering, and prostitution that is for the girls. The rural and urban menace is caused by unemployment, a problem that increases crime rate and spread of dreadful diseases.

According to experts, unemployment fuels the ethnic and religious crisis that the nation is experiencing. The problem has cost Nigeria a fortune. For instance, the petroleum sector that contributes about 90 per cent to our foreign exchange has suffered setback in oil exploration through the Niger Delta militancy. The image of the nation is also being dented by the nefarious activities of unemployed youths.

Although, it is obvious that lead-

Question of equality ing for the men was and is still believed to be women’s role. The widespread belief that women were born intellectually inferior to men has led to low number of educated women in many societies. Rather than being in the fore of public life, politics and business, the women were reduced to child-bearing machines.

Looking at a country like Nigeria, where polygamy is allowed by both traditional beliefs and

By Aisha Mustapha rebelous4real@yahoo.com

other religions, women are mostly married to bear children.

These women are denied the right to formal life. A lot of them do petty businesses inside their homes with their children as the couriers. Philosophers such as Jean Jacque Rousseau support this point when he stated that “women are sentimental and frivolous and are normally

suited to be subordinate companions of men”.

Despite the struggle for women’s right which began in the 18th century, during the period of immense intellectual activities, equality between both sexes in terms of same social, economic and political status has not been achieved. Even laws in countries which are supposed to combat sexual discrimination often encourage discriminatory practices.

By Zeenat Ibrahim blackqueen0110n@yahoo.com

ers are helpless in the face of this intimidating challenge, it is evident that the government does not care about the welfare of the masses. In this case, what should youths do?

Should we sit and blame the government while we perish in hunger?

Youths should seek entrepreneurial that would see them out of poverty.

We should discard our “dependency mentality” on government and white-collar jobs.

Let the government include entrepreneurship in the school curriculum to enhance small and medium scale entrepreneurship and provide start-up capital through microfinance institutions. The private sector and Non governmental organisations (NGOs) should also help in this direction. This way, Nigerian youths would see benefit in their skill rather than engage in criminal ventures.

Nurudeen, 100-Level Islamic Law, LASU

I believe women should be treated equally as men and not looked down upon as weaklings.

Even political philosophers and theorists have asserted that men and women were created equal, therefore, are entitled to equal treatment under natural law.

Even though some people think women cannot achieve complete political, economic and social equality with men, yet it is believed that equality is achievable if the men are ready to grant the women equal rights.

Aisha, 400-Level Mass Comm., BUK

Case for skills acquisition education

E

DUCATION is of paramount importance. The importance of education to human beings cannot be over emphasised. Education is a right that should be accorded to all human beings solely by reason of being human and its development in this century has altered the face of the globe. Through it, various difficulties across the world had been solved.

The relationship between education and development is well established such that education is a key index of growth and development. It has been documented that education improves productivity, health and reduces negative vices inherent in human nature. It also brings about youth empowerment.

Over the years, Nigeria has ex-

pressed a commitment in education, in the belief that overcoming illiteracy and ignorance will form the basis for accelerate national development. However, despite the evidence that education is crucial to development of any society, there remains impedance to quality education.

Despite its potential for equality, education in many countries is used to perpetrate inequalities.

Millions of poor people and their children are excluded from education.

Literacy level in the country is steadily and gradually becoming worse, especially among the teenagers. There is a crucial need for us to look at the inadequate funding of education by all levels of government, the result of which is now staring at the na-

tion in the face. The cost of schooling, which includes the costs of books, stationery and basic equipment, admission fees and registration majorly contributed to the inability of the poor parent to give their wards proper education.

In tertiary institutions, mismanagement and corruption on the part of authorities have made it difficult for poor students to learn in an enabling environment. All these make education to be unattractive in the minds of parents and students. And the resultant effect of which increases the rate at which students drop out of schools nowadays.

Governments at all levels must arrest this situation in order to bring back the lost youths

from the street. Non-governmental organisations and individuals must also help in this direction and double their efforts in the areas of bringing back the deprived youths back to the classroom. Orientations, seminars, talks and debates should be organised on the importance of education in Nigeria and the way forward on its improving national growth and development. Students should be encouraged by awarding them scholarships, create conducive learning environment, provide needed materials and intimate them on their educational right.

Through these, social menaces such as cultism, prostitution, rape, thuggery, theft, indecent dressing and even, bribery and

By Akinola Oluyi akinolajohn25@yahoo.com

corruption would be totally eradicated.

Akinola, ND 1 Mass Comm., OFFA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

36

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus depression

By Uche Ogbonna uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com 08055061278

T

RUTH be told, Campus life is hard.

As much as we want to believe the experience to be the stereotypical wild, freewheeling, independent time of our lives, the reality is that it is a lot of work-hard work.

Our goal today is to see how you can navigate through this challenge and succeed at your assignment which is to acquire an excellent education that will position you for future success and financial liberty.

This has become important especially with the increased rate of suicidal tendencies among campus students generally. The high rates of manic violent anger, relationship break ups and even students abandoning their Educational programs generally point to the fact that depression in students must not be overlooked.

Signs of depression include loss of interest in otherwise and hitherto interesting activities, and fear of classes. It also includes bouts of spontaneous anger over seemingly trivial matters, social isolation where the student wants to be left alone at all times, loss of sleep, rapid heartbeats, irritability, headaches, strong feelings of worthlessness, increased anxiety, increased fatigue, loss of appetite or over eating, sustained feelings of sadness, guilt, concentration difficulties and in extreme cases thoughts of death and suicide.

If you notice that you have any of these then you must read through our recommended solutions outlined below and do well to seek better and professional help.

The first thing that we must note is that depression affects our feelings and isolates us.

It is the isolating nature of depression that makes it all the more deadly. It can hurt us and also hurt those around us.

The pressure to fit into a society so fast paced, the pressure to compete socially and academically in an environment that will not spare you if you do not meet up with expectations, the challenges of male/female relationships and the hurts and stresses associated with it, the need to maintain good grades, the unavailability of basic infrastructure needed to harness the good grades and even the financial wherewithal to live comfortably all lend to our stress.

So how then can I manage all of this?

The first and generally accepted way to deal with depression especially mild depression

On and Off Campus

is to talk with someone. Many would recommend speaking to a psychologist but we would simply advise that you speak with a trusted friend or family member. This presupposes that you have made the right and good choice of a faithful friend who is objective and positive about life.

Talking is so helpful and therapeutic and every one of us must open up and speak from time to time. Many of the causes of deep depression are things that we are scared to talk about or too ashamed to share. We must trust someone to be able to open up to them and this support will help ease the pressure.

Where the pressure is work load related you must ensure that you engage in breathing exercises which is very relaxing. All you need to do is sit back and breathe deep and in, hold it for a few seconds and breathe out Drinking good amounts of water also is helpful in dealing with work load related stress. There seems to be a relationship between obesity and stress maybe because people overweight are usually self conscious, so losing weight gradually and engaging in healthy exercises and eating habits will build positive energy and help reduce stress.

Another thing that helps is engaging is social activity. Group activities are so much fun and this social bonding is very helpful in dealing with stress. You must ensure that when you begin to feel the depression build, you must get into a fun group activity. Do not forget that the goal of depression is to isolate you and shut you down.

When depressed avoid taking alcohol. The general trend to 'drown the sorrow' does not work and simply will drag one deeper into more depression. If you find yourself alone, engage in listening to upbeat and lively music or watch something funny that will help you laugh. Avoid sad and soulful music or heartbreak songs as this may simply make you feel worse.

Finally reconnect your Faith. Religion usually feeds hope to its practitioners and I do not know any fatalistic religion. Most are pro life and pro success, hence growing and having Spiritual support can be very key in navigating your way from depression to happiness. Believing in someone higher than yourself helps to increase hope and also helps in transferring the stressor to that Being.

Please do not take it for granted. You can save someone's life if you notice symptoms of Depression around you. You must rely on right relationships to tide you through your down moments.

Depression can be cured. Please seek medical attention if you feel you are suffering from depression and do so urgently.

Marketing.communication@fidelitybankplc.com Uche.ogbonna@fidelitybankplc.com

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Members of the new executive

Fellowship holds thanksgiving

T

HE Apostolic Church Students Fellowship of Nigeria (TACSFON), Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) chapter, celebrated its 10th anniversary and thanksgiving recently.

The event, which was graced by prominent Christian leaders of the institution, took place at School of Engineering.

During the programme, outgoing executives handed over to newly appointed executive members.

Speaking on “Social vices among the students”, Deacon Femi Victor described social vices act as act of un-

From ‘Tosin Ajuwon AUCHIPOLY

godliness, which is against the preaching of the holy bible. He appealed to the in-coming executives not to be found wanting in behaviour such cultism, prostitution and examination malpractices.

While delivering his speech, the out-going president of TACSFON, Joshua Igbadunlayo, thanked God for giving him the opportunity to serve the fellowship, saying lot of positive changes happened during his tenure, which included the acquisition of a plot of land located at South Ebie area of the town.

Highlight of the occasion included prayers for the in-coming executive members.

Semester exams disrupted by protests

T

From Olajide Adedamola HE second semester examination of 100 and 200-Level part-time EKSU students of the Ekiti State University (formerly University of involved in the protest were very violent.

Ado-Ekiti) has been called off.

“Even the advice given by a member of the The exam that commenced on the 4th Governing Council, Mr. W.O Adebayo that the has been suspended due to the non- students should select representatives to payment of school fees. discuss with the school management fell on The development reportedly got the deaf ears. Instead the man was hit on the head students angry and led to a protest that with a stick,” he said. lasted for hours.

The students blamed the school authority and The institution security officials were Ekiti State Government for their inability to said to have detained one of the pay the school fee. Adeolu Falola, a 200-Level, protesting students, who was severely said: “When the administration of Governor beaten. The protest became violent Kayode Fayemi came on board, he reduced from that point and the students locked the school fees to N50,000 and that is what most some members of staff in their offices. of us took to banks and they rejected the “The protest was intended to be amount, saying we were supposed to pay the peaceful but it turned otherwise when old fee. Some of us who could not afford to a student was maltreated by security pay the school fees in full and pleaded that operatives. This led to closure of offices half payment should be received but they of the directorate of part-time turned deaf ears to our cries. Our director and programmes by students,” said Seun union have always acted as if they are not Adeleke, a student of the part-time human.” programme.

However, the Director, Directorate of the An official from security unit, Mr. B.C. part-time programme, Dr. Ogunleye, said: “We Ogunleye, denied allegation that a have discussed this several times and I was student was beaten, saying: “No form surprised when I heard of the protests by of infrastructural damage was recorded students. It is true the Governor reduced school but the protesting students injured fees but that was in respect of regular students three security operatives. They were and not part-time students”. injured when they were trying to drive Meanwhile, the authority has passed a circular the protesting students away from the which informed that the examination has been Omolayo administrative building. Two suspended. The circular stated in part that only of the three injured operatives needed students who have paid their school fees are quick medical attention and were taken expected to partake in a screening exercise that to the hospital.” would make them eligible to write exams at a According to Mr. Ogunleye, students yet to be announced date.

•L-R: Mr Fatai Olukoga Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Education; Prof Olumide Ajose, Chairman, LASPOTECH Governing Council; Barr. O. Longe, Deputy Rector, and Dr A. A. Lawal, Rector during Olukoga’s visit to the Ikorodu campus of the Polytechnic, last week Wednesday.

PHOTO: NIKE ASHOGBON

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

EDUCATION EKSU FILE

US varsity to award doctorates

100 Law books from Chicago THE number of books in Ekiti State University (EKSU) Law Library has increased with the donation of more than 100 volumes of Law books by the Loyola University Chicago, United States.

The donation was facilitated by a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Dr Foluke Dada.

The books cover such areas as health, environmental, and company, law of property.

Director, Beazley Institute Health Law, Prof. John Blum and Policy and Prof Sasha Coupet, both fof the School of Law, Loyola University, assisted in getting the books to EKSU. The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dada Adelowo, thanked the donor and commended Dr Dada for her assistance in getting the books. He urged Nigerians to contribute positively to the development of state university.

T

O encourage excellence in Africa, the University of Berkley, Michigan, United States has nominated some eminent Nigerians for its honorary doctorates (Honoris Causa).

The event comes up tomorrow at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Conference Centre, Akoka,Yaba, Lagos.

Among those to be conferred with the honorary degrees are Bishop Friday Samuel Akpan, Deputy Chairman, People Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State and Justice Mudashiru Nasiru Oniyangi of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.

The Director, International Affairs of the university, Dr. Donald Lynch said“the honour is to recognise extraordinary intellectuals, outstanding achievers in national building, educational and professional advancement in Africa.

The special guest of honour at the convocation is the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Govt urged to support entrepreneurship

•Prof Olatunji- Bello (middle) with Ogunkoya (left) and Chinwe

545 LASU students get scholarship

O

F the 545 undergraduates of the Lagos State University (LASU) who benefitted from the fifth scholarship awards last Friday, Emmanuel Ogunkoya and Chinwe Onyechiri stood out.

For making a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.78 and 4.76 respectively Emmanuel, of the Department of Chemical and Polymer Engineering, and Chinwe of Microbiology got special recognition – and hugs from the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello.

‘These two scholars have made this university proud, especially Chinwe who represented this university in a competition and won awards in two different categories.

I will enjoin every one of you to emulate the seriousness and commitment of these students,” she said.

Applause intermittently enveloped the MBA Hall used for the occasion as the duo speaking on behalf of all the beneficiaries, expressed appreciation for the schol-

By Adegunle Olugbamila

arship.

Ogunkoya thanked the school, his department lecturers and friends whose collaboration had helped him win.

Chinwe charged her peers not to see themselves as outcasts, but hold their heads high and be ready to make their university proud.

“Everywhere you go, carry the name and banner of LASU proudly.

Do not allow anybody to intimidate you. Be proud to say you are from this university. Do your best not to let the university’s down,” she said.

Prof Olatunji-Bello spoke of the essence of the awards, which started five years ago under former Vice-Chancellor, Prof Lateef Akani Hussain, to assist mostly indigent but intelligent students.

She said: “The purpose (of the award) is to encourage and motivate our children/students in the university to face their studies and create room for healthy rivalry among brilliant students. It will be an understatement to say that a reasonable number of previous and present recipients

were born without silver spoon.

Some of them have managed to secure admission into the system after labouring so hard and have also been sponsoring their studies from the meagre income they make from petty traders and works.”

She said 545 benefitted in the year.

Giving a breakdown, she said 24 were receiving the awards fourth time, 48 for the third time, 61, second, while 296 were benefitting for the first time.

She urged the beneficiaries not to see the offer as peanuts, but an inspiration to work harder to achieve more in future.

“What you are collecting today may be meagre, but believe me, you are writing your names in gold for history to always remember you.

You also need to know that history is very elastic but no matter what, history remains a reference point. If the university has decided to give you N25, 000 and requested you not to pay for tuition fee for each session, you win this award, believe me, this is still little compared to what your diligence and hard work

will give you in future.”

She said the university has risen from the ashes and its students now re-orientated towards scholarship and good character.

“Gone are the days when Lagos State University students were noted for strikes and violence. Today, our noble students are recommended for their diligence, hard work and impeccable character. It may interest you to know that one of our graduates was among the few corps members honoured by the Federal Government for his contributions to community development in his primary assignment during the 2010 National Youth Service Corps year.

This earned him a job and scholarship to study in the United Kingdom.”

Other principal officers of the university in attendance were: Mrs A.S Bello, who represented the Librarian; Mr A. Lasisi, who also stood in for the university’s bursar. Others are Dr M. Akinpelu of the Faculty of Education as well as the Acting Dean of Students Affairs Dr B.B. Idowu.

Sandwich students matriculate

‘History should be compulsory in schools’ ICE-CHANCELLOR, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos State Prof Ayodeji Olukoju, has called on the Federal Government to restore history as a compulsory subject from primary to tertiary level.

The professor of history was one of the five professors inaugurated as fellows of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) during the 13th Convocation and Investiture at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos.

Olukoju said restoration of the subject as part of the curriculum would make Nigerians, especially the younger ones, more appreciative of their national heritage and identity.

“We have recommended many times that history should be made compulsory because it builds national identity. We cannot do without history. First, the government should restore history to the junior secondary curriculum/ syllabus. It was at this level that I encountered and fell in love with History, with results that we are seeing today. You cannot appreciate the subject without JSS-level

V

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

grounding. Second, Nigerian history should be made compulsory for all Nigerian undergraduates irrespective of the course of study. This is the practice in the United States of America and it is critical to creating an informed and patriotic citizenry,” he said.

However, beyond re-introducing the subject, Olukoju said more has to be done to ensure that the subject is taught in such a way to stimulate the interest of students.

He said: “We are making a case that history should be re-introduced to our curriculum but again that those who teach history should teach it differently and cheerfully; they should teach with passion and we should make it accessible to people; we should develop new curriculum, new textbooks and make the textbooks reader friendly.”

Speaking on his investiture as a fellow of the academy,a position only extended to professors in the Humanities who have made their mark in their various fields both locally and internationally, Olukoju said he was happy to be associated with out-

standing scholars belonging to the group.

“To the extent that every member of the Academy would feel highly honoured to be elected a Fellow, I can admit that this is an honour that I personally cherish.

This is the highest Academy-based award in the Humanities, second only to the Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), which is conferred by the President of Nigeria on the most outstanding scholars.

What is striking in my case is that I am the first member of my generation of Humanities scholars to be elected a Fellow. That sort of recognition does not come cheap, especially when it is realised that at least four of the older Fellows, including Nigeria’s only Nobel Laureate, also won the NNOM. I feel elated to be associated with the best minds in the Academy, who will further mentor me,” he said.

Other Fellows are: Prof Bamidele Rotimi Badejo, Prof Conrad Brann, Prof Agwonoroba Eruvbetine, and Prof Abiola Odejide, while two others, Alagba Adebayo Faleti and Dr Rueben Abati, were inaugurated as Honorary Fellows.

ACTINGVice-Chancellor of EKSU, Prof Dada Adelowo, has urged the Federal Government to adequately fund the entrepreneurship schemes in universities to enable the institutions produce job and wealth creators.

He said graduates of the universities should be able to develop the nation in line with the Vision 20: 2020.

Adelowo spoke in his office while welcoming officials of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in charge of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). They were led by Mr F. Faboyo.

He said Nigeria was in need of graduates who would reshape the nation in industrial and economic development.

He urged that the SIWES training be thorough as the country could no longer continue to train graduates who will not be useful to themselves and the nation.

Faboyo said his team was in EKSU to ensure that adequate orientation was given to students who would participate in the programme.

THE 2011 contact session matriculation for fresh students of the sandwich programme will hold tomorrow at the Main Auditorium of the university.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dada Adelowo will preside on the occasion.

Corps members urged to be patriotic

•Prof Olukoju

In his speech, NAL President, Prof Ben Elugbe said the investiture of fellows is done to reward excellence.

“The election and investiture of Academic and Honorary Fellows is part of that ideal because it enables us to, in our own small way, reward and recognize excellence in academics as well as in service to Nigeria,” he said.

NATIONAL Service Youth Corps (NYSC) members have been told to serve the country with dedication and selflessness.

Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dada Adelowo, gave the advice during an interaction with Batch B corps members posted to the institution at the Senate Chamber of the university . He stressed the need for them to be good ambassadors in their places of assignment.

He warned them against engaging in anti-social behaviours and illegal sexual relationships.

Adelowo promised that the university might retain those who perform excellently.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

38

EDUCATION ACE FILE

SCHOLARSHIP

Post-UTME test holds tomorrow ADEYEMI College of Education, Ondo will, tomorrow, screen candidates for undergraduate and NCE 2011/2012 admissions.

The screening exercise will take place at various centres in Ondo town from 9am.

The college authorities said candidates who sat for the 2011/ 2012 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and chose ACE as their first/second choice, or intend to change their first choice to the College with minimum UTME score of 180 for degree or 160 for NCE, are required to purchase screening forms to participate in the mandatory screening.

Society elects new leaders ADEYEMI Staff Co-operative Multipurpose Society Limited, the second Cooperative Society in the College, has inaugurated its executive officers for the next year.

The Society, at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Auditorium in the College also declared a surplus of N8, 057, 245.22.

In his speech, the outgoing President, Mr Rogers Akinsokeji, said in the year under review his team had rebranded the society’s accounting system and procedures, reorganised the system with a competent manager and organised a free and fair election.

APPROACHING DEADLINES Call for proposals Grant scheme in Clinical Trials/Capacity Building/Networking in EDCTP-EEIG Member- State August 19, 2011 Research job for the applicants of EDCTP-EEIG Member States and sub-Saharan African countries funded by EDCTP in Clinical Trials of Disease HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in EDCTP- EEIG Member State.

Study Subject(s): Clinical Trials/Capacity Building/Networking Course Level: Research Scholarship Provider: EDCTP Scholarship can be taken at: EDCTP- EEIG Member State Eligibility:1. Proposals must be submitted before the deadline in pdf-format 2. Applications must be in English 3. Evidence of scientific review and where applicable, ethical review and approval by a competent authority from one of the participating EDCTP-EEIG Member States must be provided together with the application. This applies to both the proposed MSI Project(s) as well as the projects they will be coordinating 4. Participants in a proposal must be from at least two publicly funded institutions from separate EDCTP-EEIG Member States; and at least one publicly funded institution from sub-Saharan Africa 5. While participation from the private sector is encouraged, the project coordinator must be employed by a public institution and must be a resident of either an EDCTP-EEIG Member State or a sub- Saharan African country. Preference will be given to proposals where the project coordinator is a sub-Saharan African national based in Africa 6. Cofunding should be secured from at least two legal funding authorities of EDCTP-EEIG Member States 7. MSI Projects should be completed before December 31, 2013.

Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Open for Students of Following Countries: List of the EDCTP-EEIG Member States Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

List of sub-Saharan African countries Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Scholarship Description: The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for networking and cooperation between two or more projects/ programmes within the scope of EDCTP that have been independently initiated and/or are funded separately by Member States. These proposed MSI projects must clearly demonstrate the added value and expected outcome of the networking and cooperation of the existing projects or programmes.

How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline December 15, 2011

Why ABUAD Law programme is unique, by provost With preliminary accreditation from the Council of Legal Education, and a clean bill from the National Universities Commission, the College of Law of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) is set to dazzle contemporaries, reports SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN

T

HE College of Law, Afe Babalola University, AdoEkiti (ABUAD), is one of the four pioneer colleges of the institution established in 2009.

It, like other colleges, enjoys robust support of the founder/financier, Are Afe Babalola, a foremost legal icon and philanthropist.

Its Provost, Prof Allswell Osini Muzan, said the College of Law is unique.

He said: “We are the youngest College of Law in Nigeria. We are also unique in the sense that the structure of the college cannot be seen anywhere replicated in Nigeria. The college has two schools.

The first is the School of Law which caters for the LLB programme in which we train future legal practitioners and the second is the School of Social Justice.

“The School of Law consists of those who, at the end of five years of training here, are sent to the Law school. The School of Social Justice offers a Bachelor of Arts in Social Justice covering those areas of law for people who work in the Prison, Customs, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and so on and so forth, who through their works are seen as administering law measures, either at the end of legal processes, such as judicial processes, that is prison for example, or at the beginning of the legal processes that is from investigation, monitoring, arrest, processing of offenders and so forth.

“All these, including Immigration, administer legal

programmes, but they are not necessarily lawyers. The School of Social Justice caters for this calibre of people. The effort is to train a number of professionals to allow them the competence to handle that important typical function for the nation in such a way that they know at least something beyond the rudiment of law,”Muzan said.

Despite the newness of the programme (the oldest students are in 300-Level), an accreditation team from the Council of Legal Education, which visited the institution, gave it a passmark after an assessment of the course content, infrastructure and personnel, including the lecturers.They met with the authorities of the university.

“They came, and after the assessment, they sat down with us, including the Vice-Chancellor, myself and the founder and told us we have done well. But the procedure is that they would now go back and write their formal report and present same to larger authorities in the Council. What they told us is what we call a preliminary assessment. The time they would give the full accreditation is about the fourth year when we are about to graduate.

“What they have given us now is what you call a preliminary accreditation, meaning we have been authorised to undertake Law programmes based, according to them, on the adequacy of manpower, library, facilities and structures in the college”, he said.

Muzan said the National Universities Commission (NUC) also visited ABUAD two years ago and gave it a clean bill of health. They adjudged facilities and manpower as

•The College of Law building

not just adequate but fantastic.

Speaking on manpower, Muzan explained that, aside the founder being a legal expert, the college started with a professor of Law as head, unlike others which, even after 15 years of existence, don’t have a single professor.

“The person I succeeded was the foundation provost of the college and he is Prof Oluyede who is now a traditional ruler in Ondo State.

He is an accomplished school administrator who had held several notable appointments.

“Apart from me, the college boasts of Readers, Senior Lecturers, Lecturers, in short, the full range of personnel and that is consequent upon the vision of the founder which is that anything to be done must be done well and world-class”, he said.

The method of teaching is still the traditional classroom setting for normal teacher-student interaction, but lecturers must adopt the Socratic method which allows the teacher to talk for a while and get

•Prof Muzan

immediate feedback from the students through questions and other means.

The lecturer-student ratio for Law is 1:25 universally, but at the ABUAD Law College, it is 1:15. The

classes are equipped with electronic smart boards.

Given that the owner is a legal institution on his own, it is not surprising that the Law programme is over-subscribed yearly. Muzan said it is common for parents and intending candidates to visit the institution trying to book a space. But, the reality remains that not every intending student can be admitted to study Law in ABUAD. The vision of the university reads: “To be a world-class educational centre of excellence in academics, character, sport and vocational development; while its mission is: “To be a result-oriented institution for producing highly-skilled and socially relevant graduates capable of applying scientific knowledge for the resolution of social problems.”

The philosophy of the founder is the production of a crop of graduates who appreciate the dignity of labour, are problem solvers, selfreliant, highly productive and globally relevant in every sphere of human endeavour.

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

EDUCATION

New poly to take off next year YNAMIC Landmark Polytechnic, Ado Odo, near Ota, Ogun State is set for take off in the first quarter of next year.

Proprietor, Landmark Group of Schools, Lagos, Chief Oladiji Olamide, who disclosed this at the end of year party of the schools, said that final approval of the institution is being awaited from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

He said the proposed polytechnic will signal an epoch for Landmark Schools after witnessing a phenomenal growth with its primary and secondary schools within its six-years of operation.

On the level of preparedness for the polytechnic, Olamide revealed that a team from the NBTE visited the permanent site on inspection several times final approval is being expected in January.

Olamide said: “We will take off from temporarily from our annex at Ayetoro, Ayobo area of Iyana Ipaja. We are completing work on our permanent site at Ado-Odo and we hope to move there as soon as work is completed. The authorities have visited the permanent site and they have approved it.”

He added: “We shall be running several courses, some of which includes management and engineering. Dynamic Landmark Polytechnic is set to raise the standard of polytechnic education in the country. We have done it before on a small scale and we shall repeat the feat on the tertiary education scale.”

D

•A cultural presentation by the pupils of Fehintola Olu Nursery and Primary School, Palm Avenue, Mushin Lagos, during the school’s graduation

Educationist seeks more investment in sector S TAKEHOLDERS have been urged to invest in the education of youths in the Niger Delta region.

Director,EduCreek Foundation, Mr Eyinnimi Omorozi, made the call on the occassion of the first Niger Delta Secondary Schools Environmental Essay Competition in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

He said: “If we fail to invest in the education of our youths, all our problems in the region will remain. We should make conscious efforts to invest in the education of our children and youths so as to produce a new generation of leaders”.

The winners of the competition

From Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa

individual: Miss Constance Ebiefa of Ayakpo Comprehensive College, Biogbolo, who got the first prize of N30,000 in the Senior Secondary School category tagged Isaac Boro prize. Mary Canaan of Redeemers International School, Amarata won the Ken Saro Wiwa prize for overall best essay in the Junior Secondary School category and went home with N25, 000.

First, second and third runnersup were also presented with various prizes.

Omorozi said the programme was one of the educational initia-

tives of EduCreek Foundation to promote capacity building for youths of the region.

He said the initiative, supported by the authorities of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)is aimed at encouraging research, among pupils.

The event, which was chaired by Chief Bob Nabena, Chairman, Oil and Gas Producing Host Communities in Bayelsa State, had the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, who was represented by Mrs Bridget UmukoroPenawei, as guest of honour.

Highlights of the end of year party were rendition of special songs by the Landmark School Choir, cultural dance performance and presentation awards to granduands and members of staff.

Commending the school administration, Chief Gbadamosi Olugbemiga Mudashiru, Bobaselu of Egbeland, noted that Nigeria can boast of competing anywhere in the world. He said: “For instance, my kids schooled abroad before they were brought to Landmark and they are doing very fine.

The school is doing fine in terms of their standard of education and my advice is that they should keep it up.

They should take it to the next level.”

•Chief Olamide

Expert advocates maths labs for schools

W

ORRIED by the mass failure in Mathematics and other science subjects in the Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO), the Director- General, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Prof Sam Ale, has urged governors to establish mathematics laboratories in some select schools to address the trend.

Ale made the call in Abakaliki during the closing of the of the Education Trust Fund (ETF) and NMC 2010/2011 special intervention workshop for retraining of selected secondary school Mathematics teachers and the distribution of Mathematics books to selected schools.

He said:“The ETF/NMC capacity building project for mathematics teacher’s project has become imperative because of the worrisome performance and lack of interest by students to take hard core science and technology subjects, especially mathematics. There is the need for the governors to embrace the establishment of the mathematics laboratories in some pilot centres,” he said.

According to Prof Ale, research conducted by the centre shared that of poor performance of students in mathematics and other science subjects in examinations was mainly by shortage of qualified mathematics teachers in secondary schools in the country.

He said most mathematics in the primary and secondary schools are either chemistry or biology teachers. He added that the way they handle the subject also affects its

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

understanding by students.

Prof Ale stated that the centre has designed a one-month training programme on the introduction of strategies for effective teaching and learning of mathematics in state schools, stressing that the training would expose the teachers to the modern instructional methods, skills and competence.

He regretted that the Federal Government’s Vision 20:2020 cannot be realised without proactive actions on human capital development by interventionist agencies, pointing out that mathematics science education today appears the most vulnerable especially at the secondary school level.

Also speaking, the ETF Executive Secretary, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, said in its effort to enhance mathematics education, the fund distributed mathematics books to selected schools in Ebonyi and Anambra state in the Southeast region.

Yakubu, who was represented by the Director, Research and Statistics, Mrs. Dorothy Okere, pledged that the agency would continue to encourage the learning of mathematics and other core subjects in the country.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the five-day training, participants recommended that the government should employ more mathematics teachers to reduce the workload on the few available teachers.

They also urged state governments to organise similar seminars in the different states using the participants as resource persons.

•Some of the girls in the computer lab

Girls trained on ICT at summer camp

I

T was just for nine days, but the period was enough for 16 secondary school students to impress facilitators of the W.TEC (Women’s Technology Centre) Girls’ Technology Camp concluded penultimate Saturday with the level of Information Communication Technology (ICT) knowledge and skills they gained during the programme.

The participants, about half of who won partial or full sponsorship to attend the session, were camped at Laureates College, Mafoluku, Lagos.

They were introduced to how to navigate the computer, use word processor, power point and other software applications to prepare

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

documents, edit photographs and other tasks, as well as browse the internet, use Skype to chat and make internet calls, and send emails.

During the closing they demonstrated some of the skills they gained at the camp to family members.

Executive Director of W.TEC, Ms Oreoluwa Somolu, said the aim of the camp was to empower girls with ICT skills to narrow the gender gap in the use of technology and encourage the girls to take on ICT-related careers.

She said: “This annual residential camp which is now in its fourth year, – employs a mix of classes, laboratory sessions, workshops, presentations, leadership exercises and excursions. It is

aimed at helping secondary school girls (ages 11 -17) develop an early interest in computers and other information and communication technology (ICT), as well as enabling them develop positive images of technology-related careers.

The long-term goal is increased numbers of women working with and using information technology productively for professional and leadership activities.”

This year, Ms Somolu said the curriculum for the camp was very rigorous and the participants tested daily to assess how well they were learning.

Ms Kasia Skolik, an intern from Holland, who helped design the practical tests, said despite having so much to learn, the girls were excited about learning and gained a lot in the short time they spent at the camp.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Students and visa palaver OME Law students from the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) qualified to Kofoworola participate in a competition in Austria but were denied visas Belo-Osagie because the embassy claimed that they could not prove they Kofosagie@yahoo.com were not affluent enough not to 08054503077 (SMS only) defect after the programme.

It is not limited to Austria.

Nearly all consulates of European countries and the United States, and even South Africa do the same.

I know of another international competition where the local organising firm could not get visas for participants to travel for the international edition twice in a row – first to Canada and then to the United States. The chief executive of the firm got tired of disappointing the winners, their schools and families after they get such high hopes so she gave up. Now, rather than present winners for the international leg, she ends the programme with the local edition.

It is amazing that foreign missions have not learnt from the Abdul Mutallab case. He was granted leave of entry into the U.S, UK and other countries because he could boast of family wealth yet he attempted to blow up a plane. Everyday public servants who rob our country blind and unscrupulous business men who know how to hide the truth about their wealth jet out of our country. When unnecessarily large contingents of politicians go out on state assignments, the embassies don’t question the purpose of their travels. On the contrary, innocent people, students, and other professionals with genuine intentions to visit these countries for scholarly purposes are denied entry visas because they cannot boast of fat bank accounts and other kinds of assets.

I should not even talk about the stressful procedure for applying for visas to these countries. You find people have to wake before dawn to queue outside the gates of visa application centres, regardless of the weather, so they get in at the earliest opportunity. Some countries place a cap on the number of applications they accept in a day so the process to submit application makes people desperate. When you get in, you waste valuable hours just trying to submit. This has no bearing on whether you will get the visa or not. To collect can be that tedious for some embassies. And at the end of the day, someone will just disregard all the documents you submitted and tell you that because you do not have enough money, they are not convinced you would return to the country.

I think it is time for Nigeria to step in and put an end to this irreverent treatment of her citizens. I doubt whether the many expatriates we see in our country everyday are put through the same treatment when they want to visit Nigeria. Is it not possible for our government through the Ministry of External Affairs to do something to reduce this disgrace? I hope we get an answer.

S •From left: Deputy Director, Curriculum Services Department, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Eunice Omotayo Aniyeloye; Operations Manager, Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited Mr. Lawrence Adeyinka and Chairman, Otunba Yinka Lawal-Solarin at Lantern book draw/briefing on Lantern Verbal and Quantitative Education Bonanza, at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

UNILAG students get industrial training

T

WENTY-ONE female students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) spent last Monday at the Multichoice Nigeria headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos, learning about the work place.

They were sponsored by the South African High Commission as part of their Take a girl child to school initiative to encourage young females to pursue careers in the corporate sector after their education.

Multichoice Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Segun Fayose, said the firm aligns with the goal of the initiative, hoping that the students would get inspiration from their interactions with top managers to become the best they can be.

He added that the programme was designed to expose them to practical details about serving customers as well as learning how to relate with colleagues in the work envi-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ronment.

Beyond the event, Fayose said the doors of the organisation remains open to the girls to get support and counselling. He said some previous participants of the initiative have been employed by Multichoice.

He said: “The programme is not a classroom experience but designed to be practical. They meet with professionals who share their experience with them. They go to our departments and call centres, pick calls and know how to serve customers.

Four from the last batch are working with us now.

They took the programme a step further they had practical experience, they performed better during the recruitment exercise and were employed.”

Some of the executives the girls,

all final year students, met included Colette Osibo, a representative of MNET, Deputy Head of Human Resources, Ayo Ajala and Mrs Kemi Shaba, Head, Risk Management and Internal Audit Unit.

Ajala spoke on, Managing Generational Differences and counselled them to work on their attitudes and learn to relate with various generation of workers.

“Aside your talents, you must have the right attitude to work.

Your generation must also see life differently because how you relate with people will also go long way,” he said.

During their session with Mrs Shaba, the girls learnt how Multichoice manages risks that may adversely affect the value of the company. They were also counselled to pursue career out of genuine interest in a job rather than because it pays well.

Lagos lawmaker sponsors summer classes

A

MEMBER of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Lagos Island 1 Constituency Hon. Wahab AlawiyeKing is sponsoring an intensive free holiday coaching for students of all classes on the Island.

The programme, which is designed to last four weeks, started on August 9. The coaching, which is free, will brush them up in English Language, Mathematics and Social Studies.

It is part of his education support for youths. It includes scholarship, training and other incentives.

According to Alawiye-King, the programme is to encourage the youths and build a reading culture in them and to get them engaged positively during the holidays.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

“It is also meant to beef them up in Mathematics and English Language where there appear to be an apparent deficiency as has been revealed these past years in the WAEC and NECO examinations,” King said.

At present, the lawmaker said 1,000 students are taking part in the exercise and classes are held at two venues: St. David’s Primary School, Okesuna and St. Peters Primary School, Broad Street.

“In as much as you are interested you come, it is free,” he said. Teachers are volunteers from Education District 3 Falomo.

He also said at the end of the

programme, a test will be organised for the participants “where we will chose the best 20 to be supported with some form of back-to-school scholarship,” he said.

The response, he added, has been encouraging making him to resolve to enlarge the scope of the programme next year.

“The response has been overwhelming and that is why the next one will be a larger one. I am surprised that they have shown so much interest in the exercise. I wanted to use it as a pilot programme but I am surprised and impressed by the response, that is the reason I have to enlarge the next one,” Alawiye-King said.

UDUS gets $4.2m renewable energy grant

T

HE World Bank has given $4.2 million dollar grant to Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) to establish a Centre of Excellence on Renewable Energy.

Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Riskuwa Shehu said in Sokoto the centre would be domiciled at the university’s Centre for Energy Research.

He said: “The centre will coordinate the activities of the project and the gesture will add value to the ongoing research efforts of the university.

Shehu said the university had in-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

vited investors into its internally generated revenue (IGR) potential with a view to investing in it.

“I don’t believe we can charge exorbitant fees as that will not be in the best interest of the parents and students.”

Meanwhile, the European Business Assembly- Decision (EBA), of the Europe International Corporation of Social Partnership has nominated Prof Riskuwa Arabo Shehu, Vice-Chancellor, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto

(UDUS) for the European Quality award.

The Vice-Chancellor was recognised by the EBA-Decision for his continuous efforts to achieve high quality in accordance with the European standards.

The nomination committee of EBA in a correspondence said it highly appreciated the work of the team headed by Shehu and nominated the university for international award that would give it the right to place and use the award attributes on the official forms and in any advertising purposes.

‘Everyday public servants who rob our country blind and unscrupulous business men who know how to hide the truth about their wealth jet out of our country. On the contrary, innocent people, students, and other professionals with genuine intentions to visit these countries for scholarly purposes are denied entry visas because they cannot boast of fat bank accounts and other kinds of asset’

Education data survey: Matters arising

T

HE Education data survey by the National Population Commission (NPC) and the Federal Ministry of Education (FME) is very revealing. Any state education ministry that does not have a copy should go and get one. If they dispute the findings that some states have up to 70 per cent of children out of school, then they should conduct their own survey. I am sure such an exercise would be very revealing. It should not be done just for the sole purpose of disproving the survey but to find out the true state of affairs of education.

If indeed it is true that some states have up to 70 per cent of pupils out of school in Borno State and that only 18 per cent of children transit from primary to secondary schools in Jigawa State, then we should declare a state of emergency in education.

Education is key to national development, and this is a fact that we accept. We must not treat these findings with levity.

SLIDING TACKLE

42

Thursday, August 25, 2011

“I think by choosing to play in Russia, Eto’o is signing the death warrant of his football career. I sincerely feel those around him didn’t help him do much profound reflection. I don’t care what people are saying about the Russian league. All I feel is that Eto’o no longer has anything else to prove to the world as a professional footballer.”

Former Cameroon international, Joseph-Antoine Bell, warning Samuel Eto'o to be wary of signing for Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala as the highest paid footballer in the world.

Adebayor set for medical at Tottenham M

Ferguson rates Chelsea, Man City as nearest challengers ANCHESTER United boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes the season will be a three-horse race.

Ferguson identified neighbours Manchester City and Chelsea as the chief rivals to United's hopes of a claiming a 20th league title this season.

"I think Manchester City

E

M M A N U E L Adebayor is in London to complete his move from Manchester City to Tottenham.

The former Arsenal striker could undergo a medical as early as Wednesday afternoon and is expected to complete a season-long loan deal with Spurs despite reports that Italian giants Inter had attempted to borrow the player from City.

Adebayor was given the green light to head to White Hart Lane after Spurs agreed to pay a larger proportion of the £170,000-per-week salary he has been paid at City, where he has been deemed surplus to requirements by manager Roberto Mancini.

Adebayor will have to bide his time as he attempts to invigorate a career that has stalled after a bright start at City because Spurs host Mancini’s side this Sunday in the Premier League but rules prevent loaned players from facing their parent clubs.

"Tottenham fans embraced another former Arsenal player; William Gallas - so we can accept Emmanuel Adebayor, particularly if he bangs in the goals we desperately need."

People called me Drogba-CRAZY—Lukaku

R

OMELU Lukaku admits it's a dream come true to be playing alongside new Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.

Decking his room out in Chelsea memorabilia, the £20million signing from Anderlecht always knew his destiny would take him to the club he supports.

"Three or four years ago I had two jerseys of Didier Drogba, one to sleep in and one to wear in the street when I was playing with my friends," he said. "I had a poster above my bed of Didier and a poster on my

•Adebayor

A

desperately looks for a solution to his midfield crisis.

Wenger needs new personnel before the transfer window closes next Wednesday and hopes the extra cash will tempt Rennes

OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...OTHER SPORTS...

Ohuruogu wary of London 2012 poster girl tag BRITAIN's 400m World and Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu admits she hasn't had the best preparation heading into this month's World Championships, and insists she is not in the sport to be in the spotlight.

The 27-year-old finished last at the recent London Diamond League meeting, while she missed 10 weeks of training this year because of the quadriceps injury which ruled her out for much of last season.

Ohuruogu won gold at the Beijing Olympics three years ago but says being the poster girl for next year's London

right side of Nicolas Anelka.

"I always wore the same boots as Didier. They were Nike, but when I signed my contract with Adidas I changed! I'd watch Chelsea train on Chelsea TV. No-one else would do that. People called me crazy, my mum called me crazy.

"I said it was normal, I want to know what it's like there so that I'm ready when I go there.

I was a true crazy. When you are a true fan of a team and you can play for them, it's the best thing in the world.

"But you must also be focused - I'm not a fan anymore, I'm a player."

Eto’o 'signing death warrant' — Antoine Bell

Arsenal to offer £22m for M’Vila's Rennes RSENAL intend to make an improved offer for Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

The Daily Mail says Arsenal are ready to make an improved bid of £22million for M'Vila as Arsene Wenger

and Chelsea are two of the most prominent teams at the moment, there's no question about that," said Ferguson.

"City have won their opening two games, they won 4-0 and then an away victory 3-2. Chelsea are obviously a very experienced team and so you'd expect them to be there or thereabouts at the end of the day."

Games is something with which she is uncomfortable.

into doing business after their director of football, Pierre Dreossi, ruled out a sale amid reports of a £15m offer from the Gunners earlier in the summer.

M'Vila, a 21-year-old holding player, has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea and is under contract with Rennes until 2015.

Barry hails imminent Nasri arrival

M

ANCHESTER City midfielder Gareth Barry has praised the imminent arrival of Samir Nasri and is hoping his signing is followed by more silverware.

Nasri had a medical on Tuesday ahead of his £23 million move from Arsenal, which is set to be completed on Wednesday, and Barry has tipped the 24-year-old to bring more quality to the team.

He told The Sun: "Anyone of that quality who comes into our squad is going to help us.

"It's great. If you are going to win trophies you need fantastic players and he is another of them.”

The Frenchman follows former team-mate Gael Clichy to the Etihad

Stadium after he joined from Arsenal in a £7m deal earlier this summer.

Barry admits that he may have to remain patient for a regular starting spot as boss Roberto Mancini continues to add to the City squad.

He continued: “We might have to be patient sometimes if you're asked to miss out on certain games. We all realise we're not going to be able to play every game.

"It's going to be one of those seasons at club level now.

“We just hope we can go far in all competitions.

"I've not known anything like it before - maybe you could talk about the England squad, where it's full of great players and you find it tough to get your place.”

S

AMUEL Eto’o’s purported move to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in a recordbreaking deal seems not to be generating unanimous excitement back home.

Former Cameroon international and one of the best African goalkeepers of all time, Joseph-Antoine Bell, told French radio RFI on Tuesday that he believes Eto’o was given the wrong advice to ever consider going to play in Russia.

The 56-year-old former Saint Etienne goalie wants to see the Cameroon captain continue his still-bright career in top clubs rather than joining a 'bizarre club and league'.

“I think by choosing to play in Russia, Eto’o is signing the

death warrant of his football career. I sincerely feel those around him didn’t help him do much profound reflection,” Bell said.

Eto’o is on the verge of becoming the highest-paid footballer in the world and some Cameroonians are proud of this.

“I don’t care what people are saying about the Russian league. All I feel is that Eto’o no longer has anything else to prove to the world as a professional footballer,” Ahmed Inza, a Cameroonian sports analyst based in Douala, told Goal.com.

“Eto’o is preparing for his retirement and what he’s about to do is what a number of European top leagues’ players go to do in the Gulf states,” he added.

•Eto’o

43

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

e-Business Wanted! Law for tackling cybercrime Cybercrime, known in local parlance as Yahoo Yahoo, has assumed a frightening dimension among the youth, thereby tarnishing the nation's image. To restore the country's image, stakeholders are seeking the passage of the cybercrime bill before the National Assembly into law, to deal with the menace, ADLINE ATILI reports

T

HE advent of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) brought with it positive transformation in other aspects of life.

It is a major factor on which the world depends to support economic growth, innovation and social development. Worldwide, people utilise electronic communications in their interactions.

The flip side, however, is that since the advent of the Internet, cybercrime has become a recurrring decimal in Nigeria.

Cybercrime is the newest and, possibly, the most complicated trouble in the cyber world. This is because a cyber criminal can remain 'faceless' for long.

Individuals with warped minds have not ceased to exploit the innovations of ICT for selfish and harmful purposes to the detriment of others, organisations and the state.

Perpetrators of this illegal act have even upgraded their nefarious activities from the physical to the mystical, in what an analyst described as “Yahoo Yahoo+”.

According to him, this involves using occult powers to target individuals for their scams.

This, undoubtedly, has increased Nigeria's notoriety in the world rating on cyber-related offences.

Our economic and bilateral relationships with nations whose citizens are victims have been ruined in the process.

Experts confirm that more and more Websites, especially e-payment ones, are taking out 'Nigeria' from their list of countries as more people become wary of doing business with Nigerians.

They urged the Federal Government to take the cybercrime threat seriously since it is not only destroying the youths who are the future, but also threatening the Information Technology industry, the domain of cybercrime.

They noted that if we continue to tread this path, many IT businesses and careers will go under in about 10 years, overshadowing Nigeria's modest gains in ICT. Chief among industry stakeholders' worry is that there is no specific law to combat cybercrime and stem the ugly trend.

To address this, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) and Microsoft Corporation, with the support of the World Bank, have vowed to take the fight to the doorstep of lawmakers at the National Assembly.

As part of the initiative, PIN, a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youths with ICT-enabled opportunities, has launched an Internet campaign at: www.ipetitions.com/petition/cln/, to ob-

tain signatures for an online petition that will be forwarded to legislators for the required cybercrime legislation that Nigeria needs.

According to PIN’s Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Sesan, Nigeria's image has been so battered that any good thing written about it is always despoiled by a bad comment, most times, bordering on its cybercrime status.

He noted that the Internet Crime Complaint Centre's popular 2010 Internet Crime Report had Nigeria retaining its number three position (after only the US and the UK) again.

He said this scenario should bother any one who means well for the country.

"Any good thing written or said about Nigeria is always punctuated by our cybercrime status.

"The recent ranking of Nigeria as fifth in CNN's World's Sexiest Accent rating was marred by '…kinda makes the occasional phone scam worth the swindle.' We need legislation to address this; to punish cyber crime perpetrators. We could retrain these criminals.

"This is why we have set up a site where

a minimum of 10,000 Nigerians will sign a petition that the National Assembly pass the cybercrime bill into law.

"Signing of the petition will be done until October 1, after which we'll go to the National Assembly in November. If we have to diversify the economy, technology will play a crucial role and we cannot achieve this in an atmosphere of insecurity.”

He went on: "At Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, we have answered tons of questions about why we should bother about Nigeria's position on the list since the nations that should know better are even ahead of us in this crime. Here's some data to support our fears: Nigeria has 44 million Internet users compared to the UK's 51.4 million and the US' 245 million.

"If we look at the global picture, 2.1 per cent of global Internet users reside in Nigeria, compared to 2.5 per cent in the UK and 11.69 per cent in the US. "Throw in the bandwidth, power, customer service and socioeconomic limitations that Nigerian Internet users face and you would expect Nigeria to be very far away from that unexalted position on the

‘It is a shame that Nigeria does not have any legislation that addresses the issue of cybercrime head-on...The demand is very clear: Dear honourable and distinguished members of the National Assembly, please give Nigeria cybercrime legislation now’

list.

"That gives everyone a reason to worry and that includes those who are acting to curb the problem and those who have become experts at playing the blame game. It is a shame that Nigeria does not have any legislation that addresses the issue of cybercrime head-on.”

Sesan said further: "We have followed ongoing discussions since the establishment of the Nigerian Cybercrime Working Group and got a little excited when stakeholders gathered to discuss one of the bills at the National Assembly in 2009. But discussions don't empower any institution to tackle challenges properly.

"The Cyber Security and Data Protection Agency (Establishment) Bill, sponsored by Hon. Etim Bassey, and listed as HB. 154 in the House of Assembly, and the Electronic Fraud Prohibition Bill, 2008 sponsored by Senator Ayo Arise in the Senate (which missed a third reading opportunity, just after committee report) already provide a foundation for what we will need.

"More than any other time in the history of Nigeria, now is the time for stakeholders to ask for accelerated passage of an acceptable piece of legislation.

"We hope to get at least 10,000 signatures that will then be delivered to the relevant institutions in November.

"The demand is very clear: Dear honourable and distinguished members of the National Assembly, please give Nigeria cybercrime legislation now," he added Speaking in the same vein, Partners in Learning Project Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Ugochukwu Nwosu, said: "Internet fraud in Nigeria is a problem that continues to victimise people around the world, and has a significant impact on the country's ability to do business globally.

"We believe the public and private sector must work together to eliminate it and foster legitimate economic opportunity for Nigerians, and we're pleased to support PIN through MISSPIN in partnership with the World Bank on an initiative we hope will result in cybercrime legislation."

Senior Social Development Specialist and CSF Coordinator, World Bank, Caroline Sage, noted: "The World Bank Civil Society Fund is glad to support this youth-led intervention in cybercrime legislation led

by PIN because we believe it will help lay the foundation towards solving a problem that needs urgent attention."

Development and Platform Evangelism Lead, Microsoft, Shina Oyetosho, said cultism in higher institutions of learning has been replaced with cybercrime.

He added that it makes the youth unproductive, causes problems for organisations, individuals and governments in lost revenue, time and reputation.

Oyetosho said this portends great danger for the nation's future, calling on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the cybercrime bill into law.

He said the team was confident that the ugly trend can be reversed for the nation's benefit through appropriate legislation and chanelling youths' energy towards more rewarding and legitimate ventures.

He said Microsoft has put in place a number of initiatives to provide profitable employment to engage the youths' minds constructively.

"We can convert this huge potential to the nation's benefit. If you can hack into other companies' Websites, you can set up a legal one for yourself to make money. It's a way of making our youths more productive in the right way.

"Microsoft has a lot of projects for use, where they register and get enterprise software for free," he said.

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

e-Business

GADGET TREND Stakeholders advocate national Samsung Smart TV arrives Nigeria confab on m-payment S

C

ONCERNED stakeholders in the country have called for an all-inclusive national conference to discuss all aspects critical to the success of the proposed mobile payment (m-payment) scheme due to kick off soon.

Coming on the heels of the licence granted Friday, by the Central Bank of Nigeria to 11 mobile payment companies, the stakeholders said such conference would help in taking a holistic view from various participants in the scheme on potential challenges and how these challenges can be tackled for a successful m-payment scheme, that would be model for other African countries.

Speaking at a one-day mobile payment forum organised by ITWorld magazine, in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), former President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem said there is

need for a national stakeholders’ conference that will include all participants in the sector including regulators, industry associations, prospective and present licensees, banks, Telcos, software developers as well as vendors and prospective consumers of the service.

He said: “It is important we get it right, do it right because without an all-inclusive forum where critical issues relating to commercial and technological sides can be discussed, we may be sitting on a time-bomb.

Everyone is watching out for us to get the scheme right; we cannot afford to fail.”

Speaking in the same vein, President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr Chris Uwaje, who noted that mPayment would depend expediently on mobile contents to be created by software developers, said: “ISPON and other stakeholders need to be carried along by the CBN to come up with tailor-made indigenous software solutions that can address the peculiarity of the Nigerian economic culture, especially among

rural dwellers.”

Meanwhile, Executive ViceChairman of the NCC, Dr Eugene Juwah, represented at the forum by the commission’s Director of Policy and Competition, Mrs Lolia Emakpore, disclosed that the CBN and NCC were already planning a similar forum, but promised that with the call for a national conference, the forum would be made bigger to incorporate all necessary stakeholders to attend and discuss salient issues for the success of the scheme.

Also speaking, Director-General, Kofi Annan ICT Centre for Excellence, Mrs Dorothy Gordon said effective collaboration of all industry players is crucial to the success of mobile payment. She noted that collaboration even across borders can make seamless mPayment possible across the African sub-region.

According to her, the scheme may be unsuccessful if players fail to understand the market and strategise on how to reach this market; innovation, she noted, is key to achieving this.

AMSUNG continues to blend technology and art to take TV design one step further. At the weekend in Lagos, the company launched the Smart TV range, offering exciting home entertainment experience to viewers.

The LED TVs come with smart new features and applications based on the company’s ‘Smarter Life’ concept and combined those with innovative design. Samsung’s Smart TVs offer the ultimate viewing experience and are set to redefine the way users experience home entertainment.

Samsung Smart TV at a glance ‘Amazing’ is the right word to describe the Samsung Smart TV lineup. The TVs offer an enhanced experience in home entertainment and multimedia.

According to the Managing Director, Samsung Nigeria, Idorenyen Enang, “As our world continues to evolve, so does our desire for a smarter way to enjoy entertainment through our TVs. At Samsung, the advances we’ve made have given birth to our new line of Smart TVs, which will totally transform television experience into a major event. So now, every time you turn on your Samsung Smart TV, expect your viewing experience to change from ordinary to extraordinary.”

The Internet-enabled Smart TV, which is Skype-ready, can connect to other devices and the Internet through built-in Wi-Fi or wireless.

The TVs, with personal video recorder, have been fitted with state of the art technology with advanced computing capability and superior connectivity to revolutionise the conventional television set.

Enang said: “Samsung Smart TV owners can now enjoy access to a wide range of Samsung applications (Apps) that provide a variety of information and entertainment options. Some of the Apps available are N e t f l i x , YouTube, Skype and Ins t a n t weather.”

With an attractive and ultra-slim bezel design and employing the new QWERTY keyboard remote control, users of the Smart TV can not only surf the Internet but enjoy extraordinary 3D cinematic experience at home, with the Smart TV’s 3D technology powered by Samsung’s ‘HyperReal Engine.’

Additional features such as Smart Hub, Social TV, Search All, and Your Video, allow users to easily search for movies, TV shows, browse the Web, explore Samsung Apps, chat with friends and much more.

Enang noted that with the emergence of social media, consumers will also expect similar services to be available on TV just as mobile phones are used at present for the same purpose. Therefore the Smart TV incorporates the services customers need such as Facebook, Twitter, with the many features

Airtel wins customer service award

A

•Marketing Manager, HP, Adim Isiakpona and Retail Account Manager, Olabanji Womiloju at the HP Summer Splash raffle draw in Lagos.

Obasanjo, Babangida others honoured at ICT Awards

F

ORMER Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida and Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State were among prominent Nigerians who received awards for their contributions to the development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria by the ICT Publishers’Alliance.

Others included former Minister of Communications, Olawale Ige; Chairman, Nigerian Com-

munications Commission (NCC), Ahmed Joda and Chairman of Zinox Technology, Leo Stan-Ekeh.

Obasanjo received the Life Time Achievement Evergreen Award for his insight in appointing competent persons to head the NCC and for giving the telecom regulatory body independence to run its affairs.

Presenting the awards at A Decade of ICT’ forum in Lagos, Chairman, ICT Publishers’ Al-

liance, Mr Aaron Ukodie, noted that Babangida was honoured with Pioneer Evergreen Award for ICT Insights for his role in enacting the liberalisation policy that led to the setting up of the NCC in 1992.

Companies that were also awarded included: NCC, MTN, Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency, Zinox Technology, Computer Warehouse Group, Ericsson and Etisalat.

Globacom boosts Egelege festival

T

HE annual Egelege Festival, a celebration of the cultural heritage of the Rebisi kingdom in Rivers State, got a boost when telecom giant, Globacom, gave full support to this year’s edition of the feast in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The Egelege festival is a rite of passage where young men come out to announce their readiness for marriage through wrestling matches and masquerade parades.

This year, the festival was filled

with pomp and pageantry as Globacom gave its full support to the community to make the occasion a memorable one.

Highlight of the festival was the local wrestling competition amongst the community representatives which was rich in drama and intrigues. Winners were given prizes, certificates of participation and Glo branded items.

Speaking on the occasion, Festival Chairman and Mayor of Port

Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo, said: “This year’s sponsorship, which is the first by a reputable corporate organisation such as Globacom, marks the beginning of a mutual relationship between the people of Rebisi kingdom and Glo.” Globacom’s Head of Territory (South), Mr Charles Odiase, restated the company support for the people’s tradition through sponsorship of festivals and other celebrations.

IRTEL Nigeria has been named Customer Service Operator of the Year at the 2011 Telecom Awards held in Lagos.

A statement by the company said this is the sixth time the company is being honoured for excellence in customer service.

According to the organisers, Logica Communications Limited, Airtel has sustained the culture of customer service excellence for which previous operators of the company were known.

The citation for the company read: “Indeed, this is the second time the company is coming tops in the customer service category in the history of Telecom Awards. This clearly demonstrates the

commitment of the company to the well-being of its customers.”

Chief Operating Officer of Airtel, Mr Deepak Srivastava said: “This is the beginning of major acknowledgments for us as we pursue our transformation agenda in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

“Even as we invest massively in the expansion of coverage, enhancement of capacity and improvement of quality, we are very mindful of the importance of excellence in service delivery and customer care. Customer service is perhaps, the most significant differentiator in any market and we are delighted that our modest efforts in this regard are being recognised.”

Resourcery clinches Cisco award

R

ESOURCERY Plc, an Information Communications Technology solutions provider, has won the Cisco Partner Summit Award for Collaboration/TVSS. Cisco Partner Summit global awards are designed to recognise exemplary channel partners who demonstrate best-in-class business practices and serve as model to the industry, says a statement by Resourcery.

Areas of consideration include innovative practices, applications successes, unique programmes, problem-solving and sales approach. All winners are se-

lected by a group of Cisco Worldwide Channels and regional theatre executives.

Solution Manager, Business, Voice and Video Solutions of the company, Mr Olugbenga Adanlawo said: “Our most important asset is our customers, our partners and our people. We have a culture of establishing the most professional business relationships, which in turn, creates an avenue to deliver the best services to our customers. We are proud to be associated with Cisco in driving Cisco solutions in the African technology marketplace.”

Dimension Data wins Microsoft award

D

IMENSION Data, an ICT solutions provider, has won the 2011 Microsoft Voice Partner award for Unified Communications in the Middle East and Africa region.

The company’s General Manager for Microsoft Solutions, Mr Jide Agabje said: “The voice category is an important one for us because voice communications is an integral part of business communications.

“In the wake of the global recession, organisations consistently seek to reduce capital and operational expenditure, while still retaining their

competitive edge. Unified Communications (UC) ensures that staff output at these organisations is optimised at the lowest cost.

“UC combines instant messaging, audio, video conferencing, Web conferencing, enhanced presence, voicemail, email, telephony, into one product that offers an integrated user experience.

“What the UC award says about us is that we have been able to positively impact the way in which our clients in Nigeria and West Africa communicate and that makes us proud.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

45

e-Business Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

T

HE Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) quarterly summary of telecommunications subscribers from June 2010 to March 2011 shows that Nigeria has a teledensity of 64.70 per cent and total connected lines (GSM and CDMA only) of 115,140,681 (and still counting). However, network congestion has continually been the bane of Quality of Service (QoS) levels in mobile telecommunications services in Nigeria , Africa ’s largest telecommunications market. This article seeks to propose an innovative way of applying the Infrastructure Fund created by the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Authority Act 2011 to fund projects expanding mobile network capacity by building additional base stations. This investment decision would not only be consistent with the statutory objective of assisting the development of critical infrastructure in Nigeria that will attract and support foreign investment, economic diversification and growth, but would have the resultant effect of improving the QoS levels currently experienced in mobile telecommunications service in Nigeria.

On May, 27, 2011 , the President signed into law, the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority Bill. The Act establishes the Nigerian Investment Authority which is statutorily charged inter alia, with the mandate to enhance the development of Nigerian infrastructure by establishing the Nigerian In-

By Chukwuyere Izuogu, LL.M. (Hannover) frastructure Fund. The Nigerian Infrastructure Fund is part of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Investment Fund and is primarily set up to support through investment predicated upon financial returns, the development of basic, essential and efficient critical infrastructure in Nigeria (such as mobile telecommunications networks) in order to stimulate the growth and diversification of the Nigerian economy and create jobs for Nigerians.

This article proposes that part of the Infrastructure Fund should be applied to funding projects expanding mobile networks by building additional base stations only in geographic areas where QoS parameters such as network coverage, service accessibility and service retainability are perceived by mobile telecommunications users to be low. The proposed structure would involve the grant of long term (say 25 years) soft loan to cover at least 70 per cent of the cost of building these base stations to the project company or the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by mobile telecommunications service providers in Nigeria . The sole purpose of the SPV would be to Build-Own-Operate (BOO) these additional base stations throughout its lifecycle. In line with this arrangement, the SPV would also be required to enter into a long term infrastructure service agreement with the existing mobile telecommunications service providers (both GSM and CDMA service providers). This

How to improve telecom service

contractual arrangement is similar to an Offtake Contract or Power Purchase Agreement (used for a project producing electricity) which assures; on one hand, the GSM and CDMA service providers (the purchasers) that these mobile networks will always be available and on the other hand, that the SPV will have a ready market to lease out the base stations on a long term basis at a pre-agreed price.

As this is a type of public sector funding, arguments against this approach would contend that it lacks the strict discipline of due diligence inherent in private sector financing. Typical due diligence undertaken where a private sector lender is involved usually entails the careful evaluation of all the risks involved in the project and their proper allocation to parties other than the SPV. This practice is derived from the principle that risks should be allocated to the party best able to manage it; however, the argument supporting this investment approach contends that the Infrastructure Fund would provide a form of low-cost public sector finance for mobile net-

work expansion that retains the benefit of private sector management and control (since the SPV is constituted by both the GSM and CDMA service providers), this is besides the fact that long term investment like this would also improve upon the return for the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (as the major investor), taking advantage of the fact that debt is actually cheaper than equity. The major point argued is that why not have the project benefit from the best of both worlds by having the public sector provide the project with debt, in partnership with equity stakes to be held by the private sector investors in the SPV? Improving the QoS of mobile telecommunications services by investing in the construction of additional base stations is likely to have an effect on deciding potential locations of foreign direct investments as the nature of an economy’s overall infrastructure plays a key role in its ability to respond to changes in demand and prices or to take advantage of other resources. In terms of economic growth, additional investment in telecommunications infrastructure would see an improvement in our gross national product and the

‘The major point argued is that why not have the project benefit from the best of both worlds by having the public sector provide the project with debt, in partnership with equity stakes to be held by the private sector investors in the SPV?’

production of higher value added services and products driven by the secondary or tertiary telecommunications market. As the economy grows and telecommunications services improves, there is likely to be a correlating increase in investments by foreign companies (such as Alcatel-Lucent, Nokia, Siemens, Ericsson, etc) dealing in modern communications technologies.

No doubt, it goes without saying that telecommunications services drive the development of new businesses, as evidenced by the enormous growth throughout the world in recent years of mobile and Internetbased business models. In return, the growth of these business activities would drive demand for telecommunications services, thus forming a virtuous circle. Increasingly as businesses, especially private businesses develop in Nigeria , the need to address and develop the market for advanced telecommunications services will also arise. One consequence is a strong support to the development and transition of the economy as a whole which is given impetus by the rationale for investing with the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Izuogu is an attorney with Streamsowers & Köhn. He can be contacted through: chukwuyere@sskohn.com and chux2day@yahoo.com.

NCC warns operators, subscribers on pre-registered SIM cards

T

HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned telecom operators, SIM card vendors, retailers and the general public on the sale or use of preregistered SIM cards on telecom networks.

In a statement, NCC’s Head, Media and Public Relations, Reuben Muoka, said the act of selling pre-registered SIM cards to members of the public, by vendors or retailers, and use of such by anybody, contravenes the regulations on registration of phone subscribers laid down by the commission.

He said such person or persons shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine, or imprisonment, or both, in line with the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

He said the commission will also hold network service providers liable when such cards

Stories by Adline Atili

are found to be in use as they are expected to ensure that new SIM cards are not pre-registered before they are sold to members of the public through their various channels.

Muoka reiterated that, in the ongoing SIM registration, all newly purchased SIM cards can only receive calls while buyers are expected to go to the service provider of that SIM card to register it.

He warned members of the public to desist from buying preregistered SIM cards. According to him, they will be liable if such lines are in any way connected to criminal activities or misuse.

“Members of the public are advised to go to their operators to register their new SIM cards. Do not be tempted to buy pre-registered SIM cards when registration is free,” he said.

•From left: Chief Operating Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava; a guest, Commodore Olugbenga Shobajo (rtd) and Managing Director, AS+A Communications, Mrs Adenike Shobajo at an event in Lagos.

FCT, Intel deploy ICT to boost health care delivery

I

NTEL Corporation, in partnership with the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has introduced the Mailafiya Health Programme, an ICT-aided health care delivery initiative, conceived to address the needs of remote, poor communities and to fast-track progress on the Millennium Development Goals.

By increasing health delivery by 270 per cent to underserved communities, the Mailafiya Health Programme is showcasing the positive impact that ICT can make in improving health care de-

livery.

The programme, in its pilot phase, has reached over 300 communities in the FCT. Speaking at the Pan-African Health Summit in Abuja, Director of Health care, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Intel Corporation, David McCarron, said the technological giant was working in partnership with the FCT administration to boost rural health care services within the territory and across Nigeria.

To address the challenges facing the FCT health care sector, McCarron said Intel Corporation,

as part of its corporate social responsibility, decided to take health care to the communities through mobile health (mhealth) and telemedicine, which gave birth to the Mailafiya Health Programme.

He noted that within the FCT, residents of over 800 villages had little or no access to primary health care, stressing that health officials struggled to measure the impact of programmes and to optimise the severely constrained health care worker resources available.

Speaking earlier, Minister of

State, FCT, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide, reiterated the determination of the administration to ensure adequate health care delivery to rural communities in the territory through ICT. She said the dearth of primary health care resources in rural communities of the FCT made the ministry to partner with the private sector in the delivery of sound health care services to the communities.

She noted that the Mailafiya Health Programme is a complete health care services delivery project which can reach the under-

privileged effectively due to the integration of Information and Communications Technology.

She decried the sorry state, and sometimes non-existence of health care facilities in rural areas and vowed that the administration will pursue the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals four (reduce child mortality), five (improve maternal health) and six (combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases), in add ition to the free antenatal treatment for pregnant women currently in place.

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

47

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

Understanding how sex promotes good lifestyle Is there close relationship among love, sex and food in enhancing good lifestyle? The Joint Chief Medical Director (CMD), EKOCORP Plc, Dr Sonny Folorunsho Kuku, provides OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA with the answers.

S

EXUALITY is part of being human. Love and sexual intimacy contribute to healthy relationships, and to man’s happiness. Indeed, if there are problems or they are persistent, or cause distress for you or your partner, it’s time to see your caregiver for evaluation and treatment.

Research has shown that sex is more important to happiness than money. After analysing data from 16,000 people, English researchers estimated that happiness gained from increasing intercourse from once a month to once a week is equivalent to the happiness generated by getting a $50,000 raise.

According to the trio valiant of EKOCorp Plc, an hospital he co-founded since 1978, Dr Sonny F. Kuku in a chat with The Nation at City Club, Surulere, Lagos, shared this opinion, that depending on age and other factors like general well-being of an individual, sex can indeed boost good lifestyle and guarantee robust healthy life.

Experts agreed that there is an important relationship between overall health, overall lifestyle, and sexual satisfaction, “As research also suggests that certain physical conditions that go along with obesity also affect sex drive, further dampening the desires of those who are overweight. How our sexuality adds to our life and enhances our life and our health, both physical and psychological, is eye-opening for many people,” said the 67-year-old Dr Kuku.

To a question on how many rounds of sex is healthy, Chairman, Senior Citizens Care Foundation (SCCF), Dr Kuku, said moderation is the rule, “As some senior citizens have complained that they have dropped from high libido to low, not bearing in mind that age is really a factor to consider. Yet, some youths can deplore their energies into more productive ventures. The overall is that if there is a complaint of low or high drive, an individual can make some lifestyle changes to enhance or reduce his or her libido.”

For instance, “If you’re overweight, lose a little weight (even 10 pounds) to stimulate sex hormones. Eat more nutritious foods, which control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Choose heart healthy foods, such as grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and lean sources of dairy and protein. Exercise regularly. To strengthen your heart and help build endurance, add a few high intensity bouts to your fitness routine. Strength training is also a good idea, to build shapely muscle and to keep your body strong enough to handle all your day to day activities including sex. It is advisable to get enough rest. It’s hard to be in the mood for love when you are exhausted. Keep a positive attitude. Accept your body, whatever its size, and believe in your sensuality.

“If there is a health concern, get help from experts. Although small changes in lifestyle, along with some healthy ‘self-talk’ with your caregiver can go a long way toward improving both drive and desire. If you are still experiencing sexual problems, professional help may be in order. If

T

HESE foods all help to reduce some aspect of inflammation: Omega-3 fatty acids The healthiest of fats for people with arthritis or other inflammatory disorders are omega-3 fatty acids, one of the polyunsaturated fats. While other foods increase levels of inflammation in the body, omega-3s actually work to decrease inflammation by suppressing the production of cytokines and enzymes that erode cartilage. More than a dozen studies have demonstrated that omega-3 fish oils can reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Study participants reported greater strength, less fatigue, reduced joint swelling and tenderness, less joint stiffness and less pain.

Although the evidence is less clear about how fish oil affects osteoarthritis, the antiinflammatory effects of omega-3s are so potent that I recommend an omega-3-rich diet (and, in some instances, fish-oil supplements) to all my clients with arthritis. I’ve seen some amazing success stories. The best foods for

there is an issue with your sexuality lifestyle, it’s not as simple as getting a prescription like Viagra; sexual problems may be physical or psychological in nature, and can affect both men and women, so it is sound advice to book and keep an appointment with your caregiver,” said the holder of the hereditary traditional title, Olor’ogun Kuku I of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Providing answers to questions on specific benefits of sex, the recipient of the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) in 2003, said health benefits of sex is backed by scientific scrutiny which include: “Sex relieves stress as those who had intercourse had better responses to stress than those who engaged in other sexual behaviours or abstained. A study published in the journal, Biological Psychology, found that frequent intercourse was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure in cohabiting participants. Yet, other research found a link between partner hugs and lower blood pressure in women.

“Sex boosts immunity. Good sexual health may mean better physical health. Having sex once or twice a week has been linked with higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A or IgA, which can protect you from getting colds and other infections. Those in the “frequent” group, once or twice a week, had higher levels of IgA than those in the other three groups, who reported being abstinent, having sex less than once a week, or having it very often, three or more times weekly. Sex burns calories. Sex is said to be a great mode of exercise.

“Sex improves cardiovascular health. While

•Dr Kuku

some older folks may worry that the efforts expended during sex could cause a stroke, that’s not so, according to researchers from England. In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, scientists found frequency of sex was not associated with stroke in the 914 men they followed for 20 years. And the heart health benefits of sex don’t end there. Researchers also found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half for the men, compared with those who had sex less than once a month”, said Dr Kuku.

Other benefits of sex, according to www.webmd.com, are that sex boosts self-esteem, improves intimacy, and reduces pain and pros-

Facts for fighting arthritis omega-3 fatty acids: salmon (wild, fresh or canned), herring, mackerel (not king), sardines, anchovies, rainbow trout, Pacific oysters, omega-3-fortified eggs, flaxseed (ground and oil), and walnuts.

Extra-virgin olive oil Olive oil contains the “good” monounsaturated fat, which protects the body against inflammation because it contains antioxidants called polyphenols. In animal studies, rats with arthritis were fed diets high in various kinds of oils. The researchers found that both fish oil and olive oil prevented (or helped reduce) arthritis-related inflammation. I recommend using olive oil when cooking, instead of vegetable oil or butter. Don’t load it on — just substitute one for the other in equal or lesser amounts.

Antioxidants—vitamin C, selenium, carotenes, bioflavonoids Inflammation produces free radicals, those cell-damaging molecules that are formed in response to toxins or natural body processes.

The synovium is just as prone to this kind of damage as the skin, eyes, or any other body tissue. Antioxidants protect the body from the effects of free radicals, and are a critical part of an anti-inflammation diet. Research has demonstrated that certain antioxidants may help prevent arthritis, slow its progression and relieve pain.

Spices—ginger and turmeric Most people don’t realise that spices are a part of nutrition. Like fruits and vegetables, spices come from plant sources, and they can have powerful effects on health. Certain spices seem to have anti-inflammatory effects, and there-

tate cancer risk. It said frequent ejaculations, especially in 20-something men, may reduce the risk of prostate cancer later in life, Australian researchers reported in the British Journal of Urology International. When they followed men diagnosed with prostate cancer and those without, they found no association of prostate cancer with the number of sexual partners as the men reached their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

But they found men who had five or more ejaculations weekly while in their 20s reduced their risk of getting prostate cancer later by a third. Another study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that frequent ejaculations, 21 or more a month, were linked to lower prostate cancer risk in older men, as well, compared with less frequent ejaculations of four to seven monthly.

Sex strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles. For women, doing a few pelvic floor muscle exercises known as Kegels during sex offers a couple of benefits. You will enjoy more pleasure, and you’ll also strengthen the area and help to minimise the risk of incontinence later in life.

To do a basic Kegel exercise, tighten the muscles of your pelvic floor, as if you’re trying to stop the flow of urine. Count to three, then release. Sex helps you sleep better.

The oxytocin released during orgasm also promotes sleep, according to research. And getting enough sleep has been linked with a host of other good things, such as maintaining a healthy weight and blood pressure. Something to think about, especially if you’ve been wondering why your guy can be active one minute and snoring the next. fore should be considered for arthritis treatment. Among the most promising are ginger and turmeric. Ginger contains chemicals that work similarly to some anti-inflammatory medications, so its effects on arthritis pain are not surprising. However, ginger can also act as a blood thinner, so anyone taking a bloodthinning medication should collaborate with their personal physician when adding foods and beverages seasoned with ginger. To incorporate more ginger into your diet, grate fresh ginger into stir-fries, enjoy ginger tea and bake low-fat ginger muffins.

Turmeric, sometimes called curcumin, is a mustard-yellow spice from Asia. It is the main ingredient in yellow curry. Scientific studies have shown that turmeric may help arthritis by suppressing inflammatory body chemicals. Enjoy chicken curry and healthy recipes that call for this anti-inflammatory seasoning.

•Culled from today.msnbc.msn.com

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

NATURAL HEALTH

Dr Clark offers electrocution cure for disease (2) Welcome to a second session with Dr Hilda Regelir Clark, Ph.D., N.D., the physician who invented a radio machine for electrocuting disease- causing parasites and restoring health balance in a matter of minutes. Last week, I didn’t have the time to amplify her thoughts that worms in the brain cause depression and autism. I became interested in her approach to the healing of these two conditions especially because, lately, I have encountered many of such cases. I found one autistic girl aged about 14 intriguing. She has all the features of an autistic person, and has been so diagnosed by her doctors.But her cognitive expression sometimes belie her condition. She literally absorbs her environment, and, unlike most autistic persons, can regurgitate it with high fidelity. But, often, it appears she is inhibited by something blocking her will to do so I promised her parents the key to the door of her brain block would be found someday. Is this what Dr Clark has brought in her book, THE CURE FOR ALL DISEASES?

I

WILL detour a little now, but will surely return to depression and autism. There are too many enquiries about cancer, breast or prostate or ovarian, and kindred benign tumours such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis to ignore. Last week, this column reported Dr Clark’s “crazy” views about prostate cancer. She said it is caused by nickel metal poisoning. Nickel is the essential food of bacteria. It is plentiful in the soil where bacteria live, to detoxify the soil.

When through cutlery, jewelry and coking utensils nickel leaches into the skin or food and the body cannot eliminate it, accumulations in any organ, the prostate in this case, attract bacteria there, and bacterial activities and poisoning ultimately cause cancer! What about…

Breast pain, cancer

D

R Clark says that, because nickel dissolves easily in fat, and the breast is largely fat, nickel accumulates easily in this organ and poisons it. The first signs of breast poisoning by nickel or other metal pollutants are twinges from the armpit or elsewhere which are soon forgotten. Next come the breast lump(s). Doctors remove them, but they soon return because the feed mill is not dismantled. “If you feel one”, Dr Clark advises, “don’t wait to be more certain, don’t wait for a doctor’s diagnosis or a mammogramme” Rather, she suggests that a frequency generator be obtained (please see last week’s column) “and zap yourself immediately. Also do the herbal parasites programme immediately.” Of more importance, in my view, she says: “Your body often turns the breast into a collecting station for toxic wastes that have been drawn downward from the top of your body. Form your head where shampoo and hair spray and cosmetic leave their daily deposits, from your dentalware with its constant supply of heavy metals, from neck and armpit where cologne, deodorant and soap leave toxic residues .The lymph nodes under the armpit and breast, collect it all and let it slip into the breast where it is bundled up in a cyst. Perhaps the kidneys are clogged so toxins are forced to go to a designated dumpsite instead of out through the bladder. Do kidneys cleanse. Don’t wait until all your breast lumps are gone. They will begin to shrink in three weeks if you are removing the correct toxins. Even radon and asbestos go to the breast, so be meticulous with your clean up. Breast lumps definitely invite breast cancer.”

Fluke disease

F

LUKES are flat worms in man, pig, cattle and snail .Dr Clark says she finds flukes in the livers of all her cancer patients. Many butchers who sell whole cattle livers sometimes find flukes in some liver with the burrows they have made in this organ. If the damage isn’t extensive, they cut off the diseased parts, but this doesn’t clean off the poisons the flukes have deposited there. Flukes have many developmental cycles, many of which take place outside the human body. Where all the stages take place there or the flukes can migrate from one organ to the other, fluke disease is established. The migrating flukes are “intestinal flukes, sheep liver flukes, pancreatic fluke and human liver fluke, “says Dr Clark. “ Flukes don’t have eyes to see or legs to walk with, so how can they find and travel to the organ they want in the middle of your body?, “ she asks, and adds: “ Its concluded from many scientific studies that the liver flukes, fascia, for example, has no trouble seeking out and colonising the liver.“ If flukes find their way to the uterine wall, they cause cramping and bleeding “when it is not menstrual period time “And when an adult fluke “crosses the wall to the inside and then manages to get out through the fallopian tubes to the abdominal cavity,it drags some endometrial cells along with it.This,in my view, better explains the cause of endometriosis. Endometriosis is the growth of endometrial cells outside the womb or uterus.The endometrium is the inner lining of the womb which is shed every month in what is called menstruation when the egg is not fertilised.Endometrosis is a painful disease which can cause up to 10 times more blood loss everyday than in menstruation.

Dr Clark fills her book with many case histories. One in respect of female infertility problems is that of Rosemary Peterson , aged 33, who , for 14 years, had tried in vain to get

pregnant.

Says Dr Clark: “She had seven laparoscopies for endoinctiosis and very hard cramps with her period. She had intestinal flukes and sheep liver flukes in her uterus.

There were sheep liver flukes and human liver flukes in her liver. There were intestinal fluke redial and caracara in her saliva. The solvents in her uterus were methyl butyl ketenes, acetone, carbon tetrachloride (from drinking store bought water), styrene (from drinking out of Styrofoam cups), xylem (from carbonated beverages) and decanal (from cholesterol- reducing foods).She also had a chronic yeast infection, treating it constantly with Nystatin. She killed the flukes and yeast infections electronically before leaving the office and started herself on parasite programme and diet restriction .She got pregnant immediately and did not return.”

Elizabeth Tran, 37, tried to get pregnant for five years, but didn’t until she had surgerys.Her ovaries and uterus were filled with mercury and thallium from “ polluted dental alloy” and barium and titanium “ probably from lipstick.”

It took Christopher Gravely about eight months to get over his low sperm count and sluggish motility .His chronic lower back pain turned out to be “a clue to swarms of bacteria in the lower abdomen. His testicles and prostate were heavily polluted with “iridium, platinum and yttrium”, possibly from tooth metal .His nutritional therapy included a kidney cleanse and 60mg Zinc taken two times a day and Thioctic. His wife, Frederica had toxic elements in her ovaries and breast. “These included indium and gallium, dental alloys. About 12 minutes after, her painful periods and sore breasts long gone, they became proud parents”.

What Dr Clark is telling all of us is that our world is polluted, that wherever we turn, whatever we do, we are loading our bodies with poisons, and making them inefficient, disease prone or riddled. Think about it …pollutant chemicals are in the liquid kitchen dish soap, in the liquid soap we wash hands with in the restaurant, in the detergent soap we use for laundry,which is why we often feel a reaction in the fingers; they are in “pure” water and bottled water, in leaking refrigerator gas, plentiful in foam mattresses and rugs, in the automobile and electricity generator (I - better- passmy neighbour) smoke we freely inhale, in food additives , sweeteners colourings, in the dyes in clothes we wear, in our roof-top ,plastic water tank! Where are they not present?

In energy – saving bulbs (electro pollution )?In hair shampoos, sprays, fingernail polish, lipstick, even honey and grains, which are notorious for their moulds and mycotoxins, for which reason they are better consumed with 500mg to 1000mg of Alkaline Vitamin C? In petroleum products?

Dr Clark believes it is the solvents which poison the body, which invite flukes (flat worms)to it .Flukes in the uterine wall would cause non-menstrual cramping and bleeding .

She explains endometriosis as being caused when a flukes on the external uterine wall crosses inside and leaves again some day through the fallopian tube taking some endometrial cells along.

In the kidneys, these flukes may cause lupus or Hodgkin’s disease Adult flukes in the brain may be cause of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, a degenerative nerve disease. Adult flukes in the liver cause all kinds of cancer, in the pancreas, diabetes and, in the thymus, immune deficiency. Dr Clark says that when adult flukes exist in the intestines, the dreaded HIV is released there, later to invade other tissues including the penis and vagina.

She advises that adult “flukes can easily lay waste a human’s organs, and says “intelligent approach” can discover “what enables these monsters’ to do their reproduction in our bodies instead of the pond with its snail/ minnow secondary hosts” Dr Clark studied more than 500 cases of adult –stage human intestinal flukes in many cancerous organs and found that the “presence of Isopropyl alcohol is associated in 100percent of cancer cases. Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent .So is benzene which she found “associated in 100percent ” of more than 100 HIV cases , “ with reproduction of intestinal flukes stages in the thymus ,” an im-

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

mune boosting organ behind the rib cage. More than 50 cases of the presence of wood alcohol are 100percent associated with diabetes in these studies.

Similarly, the presence of xylem and toluene triggered Alhemiemer’s Some of the benzene polluted products she listed ,and which should be of interest to HIV-challenged people , are flavored foods, cooking oil, bottled fruit juice and water, chewing gum , hand cleaners, Vaseline products, and rice calices among others.

Benzene in little amounts in the liver would appear less harmful than Benzopyrenes.These dangerous chemicals are formed “right in your food,” says Dr Clark, “ by direct flame heat.” Suya (roast beef) lovers should avoid” Grilled food, smoked food, hot dogs and lunch meat with smoke flavour, all have benzopyrenes – even toast has it …As the thymus deteriorates from its benzene burden so does your immunity” Often, this column advises against the consumption of burnt food such as roasted corn, plantain, beef and even fish, suggesting the burn is tar and carcinogenic. Corn is better roasted with the three 100mg tablets of Vitamin B2 taken three times daily for nine days. After electronically killing the flukes may be killed on a frequency of 4z4 KH to 421 KH3 for three minutes a day. Her parasite therapy involves wormwood, black wall nut hull tincture and cloves. Luckily, there are many parasites formulae on the Nigerian Alternative Medline Market today, including, at little cost, pawpaw seeds!

Depression, Autism

T

IME is running out again. Yet a promise is a debt. I have alerted some of my friends who have autistic children about Dr Clark’s perspectives of the condition .So, within the constraints of space and time again today, some other subjects should yield way. So, here we are says Dr Clark: On depression, Dr Clark begins: “All persons I have seen with clinical depression had small ringworms in the brain.

Is it any wonder the brain can’t make enough neurotransmitters or get them out of balance? The usual worms are hookworms (Ancylostoma), ascaris of cats and dogs, Trichinellas and strongyloides. While many people believe these four worms are picked up by walking barefoot on earth, Dr Clark believes they are transmitted more by pets and by inhaling infested dust.

Infected babies also do infect adults, especially during diapering or cleaning of a baby’s poop “In the infected person, the microscopic parasites travel immediately to the brain”, says Dr Clark, “ or they may simply reside in the intestines or lungs or liver , or other organ” Thus, “ pathways (routes)to the brain have already been established for the depressed person… and these must be healed before there is any tolerance to re infection” She warns that solvents complicate matters, especially as Shigella bacteria are also found in depressed people. Dr Clark suggests the Four Clean-ups – liver cleanse, kidney cleanse, bowel cleanse and blood cleanse.

For Bowel cleanse, she recommends: •Two capsules of Turmeric three times a day •1 capsule of Fennel three times a day •Digestive enzymes with meals •Two teaspoonfuls of Extra strength Black Walnut Hull in half glass of water sipped over 15 minutes while seated.

I would suggest adding three products from Bell Lifestyle Products Inc, namely: 1. Cur cumin 2000X, cur cumin being the active ingredient (a mere two percent) in Turmeric, but upgraded to 75 percent in this product and , with the addition of cayenne, made 2,000 times more absorbable than 2. Intestinal cleansing and weight control, a combination of pancreatic enzymes and 12 power-house detox herbs.

3. Colon care and cleanse of no less credential.

Manic depression

A

LSO called Bipolar Mood disorder, this condition may lead to overwhelming mania for elation, de spair and misery, demotivation, loss of self esteem social withdrawal , hostility. Dr Clark blames it all principally on the parasite strongyloides, although chlorine, bromine and fluorine are culprits as well. Surely, they cause repeated headaches, singly or together migraine, she says, and “ may cross from the placenta to the unborn foetus”, thereby explaining how children may become depressed or austistic.For this reason, Dr Clark suggests that women who suspect they have these parasites and pollutants do not get pregnant until they have ridden themselves of them.

The way out of course, is electrocution of parasites, with the frequency generating machine and the Four Clean-ups.

Autism

I

N Autistic children, Dr Clark finds parasites and pol lutants which crossed over from the placenta to fetal brain. Typical are lead and mercury. She suspects children also pick such parasites as ascaris, hookworm, strongyloides and trichinella from dirt, as many of her case studies will show.

•The report on this book continues.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

49

50

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

51

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

52

RAMADAN NEWS

Sustain free meals, Kano govt urged

•Kwankwaso

B

ENEFICIARIES of the Ramadan Free Feeding Programme in Kano State have implored the State government and wealthy individuals to sustain the programme.

Malam Habu Sa’idu, a beneficiary at ‘Yan lemo in

Tarauni Local Government Area of the State, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that only a sizeable number of destitutes could benefit from the programme.

He lauded the manner in which food items were distributed to the needy but appealed to wealthy individuals to complement government’s efforts.

Idris Bala, a teenager, who said he depended solely on the free feeding to break his fast, noted that if the government withdrew the programme, people like

him would starve.

Bala stressed the need for wealthy persons to share their wealth during the Ramadan period as their reward would come from God. Sanusi Auta, another beneficiary, commended the quality of meals served, pleading with wealthy individuals to support the scheme.

The Kwankwaso Administration has sustained the free Ramadan Feeding Programme, initiated by its predecessor, to help poor people during the fasting season.

•Prince Daramola (left) and his Ikoyi-Obalende counterpart, Alhaji Rasak Adeniji at the event

‘Leaders should be God-fearing’

T

OTAL dependence on Allah has been identified as the only way Nigerian leaders and the masses could have a tranquil life.

The Chief Missioner of Nadwat-ul-Ahli Society of Nigeria, Dr AbdRahman Lawal speaking at the Ramadan Tafsir at Oniru Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos. Admitted that though dependence on Allah might not be an easy task, it has to be preceded by the fear of the Creator, which he said is lacking in most Nigerian lead-

By Risikat Ramoni

ers.

The cleric stressed that, whoever depends on Allah, He will be sufficient for such individual, group or nation.

The Chairman of IruVictoria Island Local Council Development Area, Prince Muideen Daramola implored Lagosians to follow the five pillars of Islam as that is the only means of experiencing God’s blessings in life and paradise.

Daramola who hosted the lecture urged leaders at all levels of government to be God-conscious in discharging their duties.

The Agbesinga Adinni of NADWAT also enjoined Lagosians to ensure they keep to the norms of the society, religion and the regulations of God. The Chairman of NASFAT in Eti-Osa, Alhaji Sesan Gbadamosi called on Muslims to fear their Lord both in public and private to live a peaceful life.

Council sets up 122 centres for free feeding

T

HE Ikara Local Government of Kaduna State has established 122 centres for free Ramadan feeding across the 11 wards of the council.

The Sole Administrator, Alhaji Alhassan Muhammed-Ikara, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Ikara, headquarters of the council, that a committee has been set up in each ward to handle the feeding arrangement.

He added that the committees had been mandated to ensure the success of the exercise.

The council chief said about nine to 15 feeding centres were set up in each ward, depending on demand.

Mohammed-Ikara added that the feeding programme followed a directive from the state government that each local government should feed its people during the fasting period.

“The Ramadan feeding programme was initiated by Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa with a view

to assisting people, especially the less privileged during the Holy month.

“We are happy that the exercise is going on smoothly and people are appreciating the new development,” Muhammed-Ikara said.

A cross section of beneficiaries interviewed by NAN expressed satisfaction with the feeding programme and appealed to government to sustain the programme.

Mallam Ahmed AdamuIkara said the gesture had brought succour to the less privileged, saying “we really appreciate the efforts of government in that direction.”

Malam Aminu Mai-komi said there was no word that would explain their gratitude.

“However, we pray that God will reward the present administration and guide them aright.”

Group holds Laylatul Qadr tomorrow

A

FOREMOST Islamic organisation, The Muslim Congress (TMC) will tomorrow night hold Laylatul Qadr at more than 20 locations in Lagos.

The night event is meant to seek the blessings of Allah as the 29/30 days fasting winds up.

A statement released by TMC Chairman Ramadan Planning Committee, Mushin Local Government chapter, Mallam Daud AbdurRaheem, said Laylatul Qadr is the night in which inherent reward from Allah is far better to worship of 1,000 months.

AbdurRaheem popularly called Abu Lubaba said residents of Mushin are expected to converge on Mushin Sports Centre formerly Arch-Bishop Aggey Memorial Secondary School, Ilasamaja, Mushin for the event.

He urged Muslims across the state not to miss the golden opportunity the once a year night offers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

53

NEWS NNPC urged to reopen Osisioma depot From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

A

BIA State stakeholders have called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reopen the Osisioma depot.

The stakeholders in petroleum industry and products marketingmet in Umuahia to find a lasting solution to the continued closure of the NNPC depot.

The depot was shut in 2008 following complaints of pipeline vandalism by youths in the area, leading to leakages of petroleum products.

Moves to reopen the depot were truncated by the state government, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)in Osisioma and youths on whose land the pipeline passes.

The Nation gathered that all the stakeholders have agreed to allow peace to reign.

Orji advises youths From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

OVERNOR Theodore Orji of Abia State has advised youths in the state to be patient with his administration as regards appointments and employment.

Orji said those who are not favoured with appointments would have other dividends of democracy at their beck and call.

The governor may have been reacting to agitations by those claiming to have contributed to his electoral victory on April 26.

He spoke through his Adviser on Special Duties, Ukpai Agwu Ukpai, in Umuahia when Nnaji Youths Forum from Ibeku, Ohafia, Umuchieze, Ihechiowa, Ututu and Olokorovisited visited him.

G

Fashola, others extol Cleric’s virtues

G

OVERNOR Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Senator Remi Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians have extolled the virtues of the newly consecrated Archbishop of the First World Goodnews Mission International, Dr George Irivbeme Amu. Fashola and others spoke during Amu’s consecration as an Archbishop and the celebration of his 70th birthday and 43rd marriage anniversary in Lagos on Tuesday.

Fashola, who was represented by Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire congratulated Amu on his elevation as an Archbishop and prayed God to enable him to contribute to the development of Lagos State.

Senator Tinubu praised Amu’s commitment to friendship as he has been a long time friend to her husband, former Governor Ahmed Tinubu.

She said Amu has been a family prayer partner and counsellor, who was always with them at all times.

Amu who is also the Lagos State Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said he was grateful to God for His mercies and kindness, adding that he attained the age of 70 by God’s grace.

Enugu police detain MASSOB leader, 200 others T

HE Enugu State Police Command yesterday detained the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike.

The command had earlier detained over 200 MASSOB members for undisclosed reasons.

Uwazurike was in the police headquarters with the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, to seek their release.

It was learnt that the MASSOB members were travelling to Enugu to attend the 12th anniversary of the Igbo Youth Movement ( IYM) and the conferment of the title of of “Ojukwu, Igbo Icon of All Times’’ on the former Biafran Leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, at the Hotel Presidential, Enugu.

Shortly after the ceremony yesterday, Uwazurike and Umeh drove to the Police Commissioner’s office to find out why they were arrested.

However, the police detained Uwazurike for reasons they did not also disclose.

Umeh and other Igbo leaders left the police headquarters without Uwazurike.

Efforts to speak with po-

•23 arrested in Onitsha •Igbo youths honour Ojukwu

From Chris Oji and Adimike George, Onitsha

lice spokesman Ebere Amaraizu on the development were unsuccessful.

THE MASSOB National Director of Information Comrade Uchenna Madu and about 22 other members were also arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State.

According to sources, the MASSOB members, who were traveling in a Mitsubishi bus, were arrested by soldiers on the OnitshaEnugu Express Road on their way to Enugu.

A police source told The Nation that the MASSOB members had been handed over to the police for breach of public peace, adding that the leader of the group, Madu, was beaten up by the soldiers.

Police spokesman Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the arrest.

He said it was the soldiers that intercepted them before handing them over to the police with their vehicle.

Tension in community over missing monarch

T

HERE is tension in Ihembosi, Ekwusigo Local Government of Anambra State, over the whereabouts of the traditional ruler, Igwe Okoli, three months after he was abducted by gunmen.

The women’s wing of Ihembosi Progress Assembly (IPA) yesterday held a special prayer session at the market square in the community to seek divine intervention and remind the government that nothing has been heard abouts the whereabouts of the kidnapped monarch.

The women, who held a candle light procession, round St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, prayed that God might forgive the sins of their Igwe and his subjects and touch the hearts of Igwe’s abductors to release him.

They said it was an abomi-

From Adimike George, Onitsha

nation for a traditional ruler to be missing.

Leader of the women, Mrs. Pauline Mbanusi, who addressed reporters, said they decided to seek the face of God on the Igwe’s captivity.

She regretted that Ihembosi people in the diaspora no longer visit home for fear of being kidnapped and appealed to government to find a lasting solution to kidnapping in the state.

An executive member of the group, Lady Blessing Igbobuluchukwu, said the women abandoned all their businesses and farming activities to seek the face of God. The wife of the missing monarch, Amaka, thanked the women for their concern and urged his abductors to release him.

Ebonyi NLC prepares for ARETAKER Commitshowdown tee Chairman of the

C

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Ebonyi State, Comrade Ike Abugu, yesterday said workers in the state would embark on a three-day warning strike next week, if the state government fails to commence the full implementation of the new minimum wage this month.

The warning is coming on the heels of speculation that the state government has commenced the payment of workers’August salary with the old salary structure.

Addressing reporters in Abakaliki, Comrade Abugu said no worker in the state would be paid with the old salary structure this month, and

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakiliki

urged government to ensure that the payment of this month’s salary is done with the new chart by the Wages Commission.

He said: “I am just being informed that workers in the state have started receiving alert from banks of the payment of their August salaries.

Well, we are just hearing that now. But we don’t want to believe that. But by next week, if the state government does not pay what is acceptable to Labour, we will have no other option than to embark on a three- day warning strike.

He also confirmed that they had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka.

The arrest was made a few days after the movement held a thanksgiving service for the recovery of Ojukwu in Onitsha, where they distributed motor bikes to members as part of an empowerment programme.

The honour given to Ojukwu by the IYM was received by Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca, at a ceremony in Enugu.

It was witnessed by a large audience and members MASSOB, led by Uwazurike.

Members of APGA, led by its Umeh and representatives of Anambra State government were also present.

The MASSOB leader said the dream of an Igbo Presidency in 2015 is a mirage.

He said the people lack the proper agenda to enable them actualise such ambition.

“Ndigbo can never produce a President in Nigeria in 2015 or even in future as far as the present structure of the nation exists. Let me tell you, the Igbo should

stop deceiving themselves about producing a President for the nation,” Uwazurike told the gathering .

“We have been hearing of such talks and empty promises that after President Goodluck Jonathan, the next people to produce the President are Ndigbo.

But I am standing here before you today; mark my words, Ndigbo will never produce president for this country because they don’t have any agenda.”

Umeh, who also addressed the gathering, said President Goodluck Jonathan should drop his six-year single term proposal and face the nation’s multiple problems seriously. He advised Jonathan to sponsor an executive bill to the National Assembly for the creation of an additional state in the southeast.

“That is one great thing he can do for the Igbo to address the injustice the southeast has suffered in the hands of the military created created more states in other zones but left southeast with only five states, and we need 40 more local governments in the zone,” he said.

NITAD holds trainers’ conference NIGERIA Institute for Training and Development (NITAD) will hold its 19th Annual Trainers’ Conference from September 6 to 8 in Abuja.

According to the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mrs Jumoke Lambert, the theme of the conference is, ’Manpower Development: The Making of a Professional Trainer.’

Idowu Oladipupo, National Publicity Secretary, said: “The conference is for manpower development directors, advisers, training managers, management consultants, policy makers, academics, researchers, scholars, training professionals, communication consultants and human relations practitioners.

Fidau for ex-Edo Speaker’s dad THE seventh day fidau of Alhaji Garuba Aleru, father of the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba, was held last weekend at his residence, Iyofa quarters, Auchi, Edo State.

Yisa Braimoh, Tunde Akogun, Kassimu Ozeto, Yesufu Duru and Garuba Mallam of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attended the ceremony.

54

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

55

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

56

MONEY LINK

CBN intervanes, pumps $50m

T

By Collins Nweze

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has further increased foreign exchange supply into the economy with a $50 million dollars special intervention foreign exchange sale to bureaux de change (BDCs), The Nation has leant.

The increased supply which is aimed at narrowing the gap between the official and parallel market exchange rate has been offered through five banks at stipulated exchange rate.

It was gathered that the $50 million is different from the usual autonomous foreign exchange which banks sell to BDCs, and it is also different from the $100,000 weekly official sale to BDCs. President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Emmanuel Balogun, who confirmed the development in a statement, said the increased supply would help address the demand gap in the retail-end of the foreign exchange market and also enhance the value of the naira in the economy.

He called on all BDCs to take advantage of this increase to make foreign exchange more available to end-users and that BDCs should visit the banks involved in the special foreign exchange sale to partake in the offer.

Balogun, emphasised the importance of ensuring proper documentation of the purchase and sale of the currency as well as other foreign exchange transactions, and to ensure that regular and prompt returns of all foreign exchange transactions are rendered as required by the CBN. As the umbrella body of BDCs, "ABCON believes this development would stimulate a further decline in the parallel market exchange rate", he said.

Bloomberg reported that the apex

bank sold dollars after the naira fell to the lowest level in more than four weeks. However, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos-based Lovonus Trust and Investment Limited, Usman Onoja, said the CBN sold an unspecified amount of dollars. Also, Bloomerg quoted another trader who asked not to be named, confirming that the apex bank sold unspecified currency.

The CBN last Friday, lifted limits

Consequently, he said authorised dealers are now allowed to increase sale of forex from autonomous funds to BDCs, subject to compliance with the Know Your Customer (KYC) principles.

But the apex bank will continue to sell $100,000 to licenced BDCs peer week until further notice.

Ahuchuogu enjoined authorised dealers and BDCs to ensure compliance and render appropriate returns as any contravention would attract appropriate sanctions.

placed on forex transactions, saying management has approved the removal of the limit of $1 million as maximum amount that can be sold to Bureau De Change (BDC) operators from autonomous funds, weekly.

In a circular signed by O.L Ahuchuogu, on behalf of the Director, Trade & Exchange Department at the CBN, he said the developments in the foreign exchange market and the need to stabilise the exchange rate prompted its action.

MFB operators to access operational fund in September

A

SPECIAL vehicle known as NAMBLAG TRUST FUND, designed to enable the over 150 microfinance banks in Lagos State access fund for their operations is billed to take off in September. .NAMBLAG, an acronym for National Association of Microfinance Banks in Lagos State, is responsible for supervising the activities of all legally run microfinance banks in the state, as well as handling issues pertaining to the growth of its members.

The Association’s Chairman, Olufemi Babajide, said the fund

By Akinola Ajibade

Trust Fund Custodian have been directed to manage the fund.

Babajide, said the maximum amount to be accessed by a microfinance bank for now is N20 million, adding that Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Treasury Bills, Fixed Term Deposit, Real Estate, personal Guarantee, Institutional Guarantee, Cross Guarantee, Corporate Guarantee, and Equities of quoted companies are the acceptable collateral for accessing the fund.

He said: “Microfinance banks are to contribute N500,000 each into the fund. The contributed fund will

would help the banks to meet their shortterm liquidity needs, as well as enable the banks finance and refinance their operations.

He said in a statement, yesterday, that a tenor of a minimum of 30 days and maximum of 60days has been set for the fund, adding that the interest rate charged for the fund will range between 18 per cent and 26 per cent per annum, adding that the interest rate would be lowered as soon as members start contributing to the fund.

He said Trust Fund Manager and

F

IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has groomed 28 staff as ‘Action Learning Coaches’ to pioneer the development of innovation and solution based knowledge. The bank said the act is in line with current global focus on improving productivity via effective talent management initiatives.

Working in conjunction with a UKbased Corporate Learning Consultant and the World Institute of Action Learning, the bank said, it is

sations is to a large extent determined by the quality of its workforce.

Stressing the bank’s unwavering stand on ensuring best practices in Human Capital development, Mrs. Ayodele Jaiyesimi, Head, Human Capital Management and Development, said the ultimate aim of the workshop is to “have a pool of certified Action Learning professionals who will organise and drive problem solving sessions in the bid to

committed to building a knowledge based institution and empowering its staff for sustained optimal performance.

The faculty team, led by Dr. Bea Carson of the World Institute of Action Learning, USA, also includes Dr. Eric Sandelands of the Corporate Learning Consultants, UK accompanied by his wife, Claire. Carson commended FirstBank for its people transformation initiatives, adding that the performance of organi-

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

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

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

GAINERS AS AT 25-8-11 SYMBOL NASCON FIDSON DIAMONDBNK PRESTIGE NCR IBTC JAPAULOIL ACCESS NEM STERLNBANK

O/PRICE 4.20 1.60 4.01 1.63 3.75 9.41 0.96 5.85 0.50 1.33

C/PRICE 4.41 1.68 4.21 1.71 3.93 9.84 1.00 6.09 0.52 1.38

CHANGE 0.21 0.08 0.20 0.08 0.18 0.43 0.04 0.24 0.02 0.05

LOSER AS AT 25-8-11 SYMBOL UNITYBNK HONYFLOUR DANGFLOUR ETERNAOIL WAPCO ECOBANK FCMB BAGCO CUSTODYINS NB

O/PRICE 0.60 4.63 12.39 4.94 44.00 2.89 5.95 2.00 2.65 85.00

continually improve on FirstBank’s Service delivery and surpass our set goals for Operational Excellence.”

“We are positioning ourselves as an Employer of Choice and a great place to work. To achieve this, the learning experience in FirstBank is fast translating into a corporate university. We have just graduated the foundation school following a fourmonth period of intensive practical and academic activities, Jaiyesimi, said.

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

be matched by the deposit money bank and Trust Fund Custodian.

When this is accomplished, the weighted average cost of fund will be reduced. Therefore, interest rate outlook will be about 12 per cent per annum to our members under this regime.”

He said as the fund grows in size and number, government agencies, donor agencies and institutions would be made to invest in the fund, stressing that the longterm objective of the fund is to help improve the activities of the MFB operators.

FirstBank empowers staff

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

•CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido

C/PRICE 0.57 4.40 11.78 4.70 42.00 2.76 5.70 1.94 2.58 83.00

CHANGE 0.03 0.23 0.61 0.24 2.00 0.13 0.25 0.06 0.07 2.00

Amount Sold ($)

Exchange Rate (N)

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m

313.5m

250m

150.8

03-8-11

400m

443m

400m

150.7

01-8-11

EXHANGE RATE 30-05-11 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N) Parallel Market

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

23-08-11 N7.137tr 22,313.23

24-08-11 N7.135tr 22,308.22

% Change -0.03% -0.03%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

(S/N)

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW January ’11

February ’11

July ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 10.2%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 117.62 112.11 0.78 0.01 0.97 1,620.90 9.61 1.39 1.87 8,827.74 193.00

9.08 1.00 117.16 111.16 0.81 0.01 0.97 1,618.90 9.14 1.33 1.80 8,557.73 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 04 MAR, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 24, MAY, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 MAR, 2011

07, MAR, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

57

EQUITIES

Banks’ rally mitigates decline

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-08-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 1,000.00 2,000 1,000.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 10 12

Quotation(N) 0.50 7.48

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 300 150.00 42,600 321,603.00 42,900 321,753.00

Quotation(N) 2.23 6.70

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100 212.00 99,871 686,355.86 99,971 686,567.86

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,000 5,000.00 119,872 156,115.86 129,872 161,115.86

Quotation(N) 6.09 4.21 2.76 5.70 2.05 10.98 0.50 12.70 9.84 0.70 1.15 5.71 1.38 4.17 2.09 0.57 0.80 12.40

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,735,180 45,606,795.39 11,807,182 48,582,794.33 95,192 263,142.56 697,615 3,991,582.42 3,773,558 7,660,066.56 10,867,895 118,664,847.50 40,114,220 20,057,110.00 16,502,548 208,418,163.76 2,329,015 22,408,476.09 114,180 79,926.00 84,186 96,813.90 3,281,764 18,733,672.56 3,553,529 4,713,444.62 15,840,106 66,287,454.32 276,212 577,283.08 466,795 268,207.65 2,100,200 1,641,161.48 5,951,521 73,353,240.86 125,590,898 641,404,183.08

Quotation(N) 4.46 215.00 6.15 83.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 297 1,386.99 273,629 58,855,042.16 2,000 11,700.00 999,762 83,141,270.76 1,275,688 142,009,399.91

Quotation(N) 19.58 7.50 116.94 42.00

Quantity Traded Value 197,322 77,154 99,760 1,614,156 1,988,392

Quotation(N) 9.90 26.51 1.38 10.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 763,714 7,424,657.34 46,481 1,254,185.27 300 396.00 694 6,946.94 811,189 8,686,185.55

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 25 26

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 15 16 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 189 109 13 26 64 555 5 684 71 9 7 75 27 327 11 12 174 266 2,624 BREWERIES

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 85 1 109 196 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 38 9 25 116 188

of Shares (N) 3,872,962.05 574,126.74 11,327,674.42 67,797,869.18 83,572,632.39

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 16 17 2 1 36

T

No of Deals 1 1 3 5

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.88 2.80

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 250.00 3,000 2,520.00 7,494 19,934.04 10,994 22,704.04

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 3.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 50,650 199,054.50 50,650 199,054.50

CONGLOMERATES Company Name JOHN HOLT PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC SCOA NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 67 1 60 52 61 242

Quotation(N) 6.85 30.00 6.11 0.92 39.30 28.00

Quantity Traded Value 1,730 1,029,956 1,250 4,916,579 603,503 681,501 7,234,519

of Shares (N) 11,262.30 30,462,101.00 7,262.50 4,318,128.31 23,583,401.73 18,765,192.56 77,147,348.40

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 9 67 77

Quotation(N) 2.66 55.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 2,660.00 55,969 3,106,629.50 4,700,000 2,350,000.00 4,756,969 5,459,289.50

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 2.08

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 30,000 61,640.00 30,000 61,640.00

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 59 18 64 60 13 17 16 35 3 1 293

Quotation(N) 45.00 16.89 11.78 11.00 83.00 4.40 4.41 41.00 400.00 22.61 0.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 12,387 542,374.20 643,692 10,854,054.03 218,215 2,570,572.70 666,873 7,323,936.40 1,061,472 88,022,651.64 117,445 516,758.00 589,295 2,592,688.50 50,289 2,064,384.05 45,268 18,181,275.10 1,750 37,590.00 40,000 22,800.00 3,446,686 132,729,084.62

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 10 6 24

Quotation(N) 1.68 27.00 4.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 126,532 208,041.84 13,058 358,829.50 30,600 116,280.00 170,190 683,151.34

Quotation(N) 7.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 20,500 156,200.00 20,500 156,200.00

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 22 22

Quotation(N) 5.91

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 557,836 3,346,331.40 557,836 3,346,331.40

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 12 13

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 300,000 150,000.00 1,000,245 500,122.50 1,300,245 650,122.50

INSURANCE Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC.

No of Deals 39 14 1 4 3 13 1 1 3 8 6 14

Quotation(N) 0.68 1.01 0.50 2.58 0.50 1.09 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.52

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,645,200 1,051,234.40 1,180,000 1,197,002.00 500,000 250,000.00 75,750 195,927.50 2,000,000 1,000,000.00 527,600 567,084.00 201,725 100,862.50 8,166 4,083.00 88,200 44,100.00 120,257 60,128.50 87,450 43,725.00 2,113,787 1,062,083.80

talised stocks, took cue from the banking rally to close at 989.60 points as against 988.64 points.

All other three sectoral indices trended further downward with the NSE Food and Beverages Index dropping to 764.02 points as against 769.55 points. The NSE Insurance Index dropped from 148.42 points to 147.77 points, while NSE Oil and Gas slipped from 258.93 points to 257.61 points.

Stanbic IBTC Bank led the bullish banking stocks with a gain of 43 kobo to close at N9.84. Guaranty Trust Bank followed with a gain of 40 kobo to close at N12.70. Access Bank gathered 24 kobo to close at N6.09. Diamond Bank added 20 kobo to close at N4.21. Zenith Bank gained 18 kobo to close at N12.40.

First Bank of Nigeria chalked up 8.0 kobo to close at N10.98, while Sterling Bank added 5.0 kobo to close at N1.38 per share.

Other top gainers were UAC of Nigeria which gained 29 kobo to close at N39.30, PZ Cussons with a gain of 25 kobo to close at N30, National Salt Company of Nigeria (NASCON) rallied 21 kobo to close at N4.41, while NCR gained 18 kobo to close at N3.93 per share.

Meanwhile, four banks suf-

fered price depreciation with First City Monument Bank losing 25 kobo to close at N5.70. Ecobank Nigeria lost 13 kobo to close at N2.76, while Unity Bank and United Bank for Africa dropped 3.0 kobo to close at 57 kobo and N4.17 respectively.

Other top losers included Nigerian Breweries and Lafarge Cement Wapco, which lost N2 each to close at N83 and N42 respectively.

Flour Mills of Nigeria lost N1 to close at N83, while Dangote Flour Mills dropped 61 kobo to close at N11.78 per share.

Meanwhile, turnover dropped to 165.14 million valued at N1.17 billion in 4,356 deals as against 258.8 million shares worth N3.02 billion exchanged in 4,679 deals in previous trading session. Banking sub sector remained the most active stock with 125 million shares worth N641 million in 2,624 deals. Insurance sub-sector followed with 9.3 million units valued at N6.4 million in 123 deals.

The conglomerates subgroup ranked third with 7.2 million units worth N77 million in 242 deals.

On stock by stock basis, FinBank remained the most active with 40 million shares worth N20 million in five deals while Guaranty Trust Bank recorded 16.5 million units valued at N208 million in 684 million.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC Secure Electronic Technology PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

HE Nigerian stock market yesterday showed more resistance to the steep decline in recent period as upsurge in demand for banking stocks mitigated the negative overall market situation and set the market up for possible return to the positive in the next trading sessions.

Nevertheless, the stock market dipped by 0.02 per cent with the All Share Index (ASI) closing at 22,308.22 points as against 22,313.23 points recorded as opening index, while aggregate market capitalisation dropped from N7.137 trillion to N7.136 trillion.

The decline was however comparatively better compared with a drop of 1.04 per cent recorded in the previous trading session.

The tight market situation between the downers and advancers kept the year-todate return almost unchanged at 9.94 per cent, with market pundits expressing optimism that the market may resist crossing the double digit line.

With banking stocks accounting for almost 37 per cent of advancing stocks, the NSE Banking Index was the only resistant index yesterday rising from 308.09 points to 313.23 points. The NSE 30 Index, which measures the pricing trend of 30 most capi-

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 24-08-11 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC STACO INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

3 8 4 1 1 124

0.50 1.71 0.50 0.50 0.50

34,000 388,538 400,200 500 3,000 9,374,373

17,000.00 651,266.66 200,100.00 250.00 1,500.00 6,446,347.36

Quotation(N) 0.94

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 152,320 137,092.80 152,320 137,092.80

Quotation(N) 1.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,114,839 5,050,059.10 5,114,839 5,050,059.10

Quotation(N) 0.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 49,089 25,035.39 49,089 25,035.39

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 8 MARITIME

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 91 91 MEDIA

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 4

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ABBEY BUILDING SOCIETY PLC ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 2 1 4

Quotation(N) 1.44 0.50 0.52

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 8,360 11,453.20 94,910 47,455.00 100 52.00 103,370 58,960.20

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 3 5

Quotation(N) 0.50 1.13 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 28,383 14,191.50 500 540.00 23,588 11,794.00 52,471 26,525.50

Quotation(N) 1.94 1.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 889,859 1,724,088.82 100 105.00 889,959 1,724,193.82

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC POLY PRODUCTS (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 44 1 45

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 17 23 4 5 11 158 18 237

Quotation(N) 0.50 63.86 34.36 4.70 17.41 148.00 28.50 203.32

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,400 1,200.00 17,477 1,061,332.09 77,020 2,583,992.76 57,826 271,782.20 9,579 158,436.66 29,368 4,340,749.28 1,145,210 33,038,547.95 76,957 15,323,982.71 1,415,837 56,780,023.65

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 8 9

Quotation(N) 3.17 4.09

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,200 3,624.00 47,770 191,249.88 48,970 194,873.88

Quotation(N) 19.75

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 124,800 2,372,907.00 124,800 2,372,907.00

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 17 17

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 80,000 40,000.00 80,000 40,000.00

Quotation(N) 0.58

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,000 560.00 1,000 560.00

TEXTILES Company Name UNITED NIGERIAN TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 22 22

Quotation(N) 12.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 200,585 2,609,457.44 200,585 2,609,457.44

4,353

165,127,112

1,172,763,800.09

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

58

NEWS

How NJC laid foundation for Salami’s fate •Continued from yesterday

not be accepted but could be made as a general remark.

Another remarked that the issue of paragraph ‘D’ of Hon. Justice Auta Sub-Committee’s Report did not come before the National Judicial Council Fact-Finding Committee hence, Council should be slow in accepting it.

Another Member suggested that paragraph ‘D’ of Hon. Justice Auta’s Report should be deleted.

The suggestion was supported by yet another member.

On the same issue, a member suggested that as in paragraph ‘C’ wherein the Sub-Committee made a pronouncement, it should likewise make a pronouncement on paragraph ‘D’, noting that the Sub-Committee wanted the paragraph to be of general application. He recommended that paragraph ‘D’ of the Report should be left as it were and make another paragraph enjoining other Judges to ensure in future that they do not fall into the same pit.

Another member joined others to suggest that paragraph ‘D’ should be deleted. In his view, it was a matter that should be established by evidence, pointing out that anybody who felt aggrieved over an issue, should bring it before the Council for deliberation.

Hon Justice Auta explained that his Sub-Committee felt like making its feeling known to Judicial Officers, noting that when the Sub-Committee was inaugurated, it was not given a term of reference.

Another Member frowned at the ugly trend whereby views expressed by members during the proceedings of an Investigation Committee had become public knowledge and cautioned members about divulging issues raised during sittings of Investigation Committees.

Still another Member while acknowledging that the Report of the Main Panel exonerated the Chief Justice of Nigeria of any wrong doing in the Sokoto State matter while the issue of perjury against the President of the Court of Appeal could not be proved, wondered if the President of the Court of Appeal should not be sanctioned by lying against the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Another Member held the view that given the fact that issue of perjury was a matter for prosecution which had not been proved, the President of the Court of Appeal, should be asked to apologise to the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The suggestion that the President of the Court of Appeal should apologise to the Chief Justice of Nigeria was not supported by another Member. In his considered opinion, if a high ranking Judicial Official wrongly went to the Press, he should be reprimanded for misconduct.

Another Member however aligned himself with the proposal that the President, Court of Appeal should apologise to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for misunderstanding his directive so that the matter should be put to rest.

In his contribution to the deliberation, another member held the view that it would be a bad precedent if Council failed to take action on a case of a lie by a Judicial Officer.

Another member stated that even if what the Council had established was a misconduct, it will not be the end of the process but the beginning of process. Hence in his opinion, if Council had agreed that lying had been established, it could go ahead and arraign the liar and begin the process ascertaining the lie. He, how-

•Justice Katsina-Alu ever, cautioned that it will be the beginning of process.

Another member urged council to be factual, noting that it had taken the reports and findings seriatim except paragraph ‘D’ of the Report of the Sub-Committee and suggested that may be, there could be a warning to other Judicial Officers to take a cue from the unfolding development. He, therefore, appealed to Council not to play to the gallery by manufacturing an earth-shaking news where none existed.

In reaction, another Member disagreed with the expressed opinion that Council was manufacturing an earth-shaking news, stressing the need for it to be dispassionate and take a definite decision on the matter.

A member commented that having established what the President of the Court of Appeal said about the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Council should explore ways of handling the delicate situation.

Another Member suggested that Council should state that it found that the Chief Justice of Nigeria was not culpable in the Sokoto State Appeal matter and leave it at that rather than making a pronouncement with the attendant Court action that will ensue.

Another member noted that there was an affidavit which was part of proceedings in Court and another one which was part of the proceedings before the Council.

He argued that the cases of Judges who were dismissed by Council were on specific issues like bribery and fighting in public but not on incidental issues like perjury which should not be tried by the Council. While not condoning perjury, he advised that the matter should follow due process.

A member reminded Council that the issue of perjury was neither before the Main NJC Panel nor Hon. Justice Auta’s Sub-Committee.

Another Member pointed out that lying was equally not canvassed before the Main Panel or the Sub-Committee.

At this juncture, the Acting Chairman read out Rule (1) and Rule 2(9) of the Code of Conduct for Judical Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

A member drew the attention of Council to page 19 of the Main Report which is the reply of the President, Court of Appeal dated 22nd February, 2011 to the Chief Jus-

•Justice Salami tice of Nigeria letter dated 18 th February , 2011 which reads as follows:“I have read the two petitions carefully but I cannot, regrettably, find any serious allegations contained therein. I am also unable to see the urgency in the matter to warrant Your Lordship intervening in a Court proceedings, which interference respectfully is contemptuous of the Court sitting in Sokoto. Yours appears to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate the hearing. It is the practice of the National Judicial Council on whose behalf your Lordship is purportedly acting, not to interfere in matters that are subjudice.

He further read out the CJN’s affidavit at pages 27-31 of the Main Report as follows:i) That I did not at any time whatsoever interfere in any form or manner with the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal. ii ) That at some stage, while the appeal was pending at the Court of Appeal, in my capacity as the Chairman of the national Judicial Council, I received written Petitions addressed to me pertaining to the said appeal. iii) That one of the complaints in the petitions was that the judgment about to be delivered by the Court of Appeal in respect of the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal had leaked. iv) That I called Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher, the next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court and Deputy Chairman, National Judicial Council to my Chambers and showed him the petitions and sought for his advice on how the matter could be handled.

V) That Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher suggested that we call the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal, Hon Justice Ayo Isa Salami to inform him of the petitions.

Vi) That I therefore, called the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal by telephone to come to my Chambers.

Vii) That when the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal came to my Chambers, in the presence of Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher, I told him I had received a complaint that the judgment to be delivered in respect of the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Electoral Petition Appeal had leaked.

Viii) That the Hon. President of the Court of Appeal, Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, admitted that the judgment had leaked.

Ix) That I showed him the petitions I had received in respect of the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal and told him that the only way to maintain the integrity of the Court was to reconstitute the panel, as that was the proper cause of action to take.

X) That I even reminded him that his predecessor in office, Honourable Justice, Umaru Abdullahi, CON, had a similar problem in the Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division and had to disband and reconstitute another panel which was presided over by Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami, OFR, himself.

Xi ) That after our advice to Hon. Justice Salami, he left us with the impression that he would disband the Panel, having admitted that the judgment had leaked.

Xii) That when Hon. Justice Salami did not revert to me on the matter, I decided to forward the petitions to him and other members of the Panel for their reaction.

Xiii) That I had at no time whatsoever met with the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Ayo Isa Salami alone, privately or officially to discuss the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Petition Appeal.

Xiv) That I was at all material times in the company of Hon. Justice Dahiri Musdapher.

Xv) That at no time whatsoever did I request the President of the Court of Appeal to instruct the Sokoto Gubernatorial Petition Appeal Panel to ‘dismiss’ the appeal.

Xvi) That as a Judicial Officer of many years standing, I know as a fact and as a matter of law that any such instruction was not within the purview of my Constitutional powers.

Xvii) That the only steps I took in my capacity as the Chairman, National Judicial Council, was to direct, vide letter No.NJC/CA/ DM/IV/48 of 19th February, 2010, that the judgment that was to be delivered in the Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal ‘be put on hold’ pending the investigation of the petitions I had received. That I did not, in the letter under reference, direct the Panel on the Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal not

to deliver judgment.

Xviii ) That as regards to the Sokoto Gubernatorial Election Petition Appeal that was before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, I was neither on the Panel nor did I direct the Panel on the judgment to give.

That when Hon. Justice I.A. Salami sent his response to the Petitions and the allegations against him, the National Judicial Council could not deliberate on same because the matter was sub-judice.”

He further read out the response by the President, Court of Appeal at pages 32-35 which is a further affidavit as follows: “4 That with reference to paragraph 7i—xix of the said affidavit I state as follows: 1) That it is true that Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher was present when the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria called me to his office on the 8th day of February, 2010 in respect of Sokoto State Gubernatorial Election petition Appeal; ii) That I was not a member of the panel of Honourable Justices of the Court of Appeal that heard the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Appeal; iii) That to my knowledge, there was no allegation of judgment leakage and no judgment, whether actual or leaked was shown to me by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria; iv) That with particular reference to the deposition in paragraph 7 (viii) of the aforesaid affidavit of Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, I did not admit (to the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria) that the judgment in the Sokoto State Gubernatorial appeal had leaked; v) The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria actually instructed me to direct the panel of justices hearing the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Appeal panel to dismiss the Appeal which I told him I could not do; vi) That there was no advice given to me by Honourable Justice Dahiru Musdapher although instruction was given to me by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria to disband the Sokoto State Gubernatorial appeal panel after the situation mentioned in paragraph 4(v) above; vii) The Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria instructed the justices of the Court of Appeal in the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Appeal panel not to deliver judgment which had been reserved; 5) That still on the issue of leakage of judgment, I further state as follows: i) That it was on the 8 th day of February, 2010 that the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria invited me to his office; ii) That Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, wrote me a query on the 18th day of February, 2010 in which he said that two people had complained to him in writing against me; iii) That the two people mentioned by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria are: a) Yahaya Mahmood Esq; and b) B) Alfred N. Agu, Esq. v) That paragraph 2 in annexure 1 is an admission of act of interference by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria. vi) That each of the petitions Annexures 2 and 3 is dated 15th day of February, 2010, seven (7) days after the Hon. Chief Justice called me to his office in the presence of Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher; vii) That as at 8th day of February, 2010 there was no petition against me on any issue.”

Another member stated that in •Continued on page 59

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

59

NEWS

How NJC laid foundation for Salami’s fate •Continued from page 58

his opinion, the action of the President, Court of Appeal, offended the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers which was a misconduct.

Another Member reminded Council that the primary issue before it was the allegation by the President, Court of Appeal that the Chief Justice of Nigeria asked him to dismiss the Sokoto State Gubernatorial appeal which had been found as a fact to be a lie. He however pointed out that if someone was accused of murder and was charged to Court, it would not be proper to call who gave evidence in the matter as liars.

Having established what was in the records of the Main Panel’s Report, the Acting Chairman drew the attention of Council to the findings of the Panel in pages 95-96, paragraphs ‘r – w’:r) The Panel believe that somewhere along the line there is a clear break down of communication and trust between the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal. s) There is evidence to show that an advice was given to the PCA to disband the Panel and constitute another one based on the belief that the judgment was leaked.

However, as shown earlier, the PCA was not willing to carry out this advise, no matter what impression he gave the CJN and Hon. Justice Musdapher. t) From all the circumstances there is available evidence that the CJN did not give instructions to the PCA to direct the Panel to dismiss the appeal. u) The Panel is of the view that the issue of leakage of the judgment for now remains like an early morning fog that never endured after the rising of the sun. v) The Panel finds no evidence that the CJN wittingly or unwittingly brought the Judiciary into disrepute. w) The Panel finds the allegation that the CJN had taken over the running of the Court of Appeal in an unprecedented manner as unfounded.

In the light of the records and the findings in the Main Panel’s Report, the Acting Chairman asked members to confirm if there was misconduct on the part of the President of the Court of Appeal.

A member suggested that if misconduct had been established against the President of the Court of Appeal, he should be asked to comment on the allegation of misconduct.

Council agreed that the allegation made by the President, Court of Appeal against the Chief Justice of Nigeria that he directed him to dismiss the Sokoto State Gubernatorial Appeal was false which was a misconduct in contravention of Rule 1 (1) and Rule 2 (9) for the Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the President, Court of Appeal should be requested to comment on the issue of misconduct established against him.

The Secretary was directed to issue a Press Release accordingly on the matter.

At the resumption of Council after a short break, the Acting Chairman directed the Secretary to read out the letter written to the President, Court of Appeal, conveying the decision of Council which the Secretary complied.

The Acting Chairman asked for comments.

A member stated that he had observed that since Council had been discussing the subject matter at hand, members have been unease. He noted that this was not the first time a case involving Judicial Officers was coming before

•Dr. Jonathan the Council and wondered if it was because of the caliber of the Judicial Officers involved that had made them to be at edge.

Council he stressed, owes it a duty to the Judiciary and the entire Nation to be dispassionate and take a decision so that the conscience of members would vindicate them that they did the right thing.

He pointed out that Council had gone through the Record of Proceedings and had seen the response of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and that of the President, Court of Appeal. In his view, Council should not strive to please anybody but rather be dispassionate and take the correct decision.

Having read in detail the allegation made against the Chief Justice of Nigeria and his response, there was no doubt of a conflict which had been resolved with the evidence of Hon. Justice Dahiru Musdapher, CFR. Accordingly, what was left was to confirm that one of the two parties involved did the wrong thing and ponder on the next step.

Having established that one of them did the wrong thing, did it constitute a misconduct and what punishment does it attract? He reminded all that the matter at hand had generated a lot of national interest hence what was left, was for Council to take a decision it could defend. He therefore urged that a definite decision should be taken promptly.

Another member agreed that Council owed the Nation a duty to take a decision and suggested that the President, Court of Appeal should be given two weeks instead of one week to respond to the letter read out by the Secretary.

At this point, the Secretary explained that in the past right from the case involving Hon. Justice Matilda M. Adamu, C.P.N. Senlong, D.T. Ahura and A.M. Elelegwu, the allegation was that they received bribe and a fact finding Committee was constituted, headed by late Kehinde Sofola,

‘

I have read the two petitions carefully but I cannot, regrettably, find any serious allegations contained therein. I am also unable to see the urgency in the matter to warrant Your Lordship intervening in a Court proceedings, which interference respectfully is contemptuous of the Court sitting in Sokoto

’

SAN. The Chairman of the Council then was Hon. Justice M.L. Uwais, GCCN, and Council accepted the recommendation of the Committee and they were dismissed from service except the case of a Chief Magistrate from Delta State, Mr. O.J. Isede who also served in the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal.

Regarding the criminal aspect of the matter, Council agreed that it did not have powers to prosecute Judicial Officer and it was referred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for criminal prosecution.

He confirmed that the former Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State was taken to the ICPC alongside Hon. Justices Matilda M. Adamu and C.P.N. Senlong.

The Secretary further explained that in the case of Hon. Justice Opene, JCA, he was dismissed from service based on the recommendation of the Committee that investigated the allegation against him and in each case, Council did not refer the matter to the Judge involved for another comment once it had accepted the recommen-

dation of its Investigation Committee.

He also mentioned the case of Hon. Justice Idris Shall of Bauchi State High Court, who was removed from office by the Bauchi State Governor based on the recommendation of the Council sequel to the recommendation of its Investigation Committee and while the criminal aspect of his trying to abduct a person is still pending, he was removed from office.

The Secretary stated that recently, Hon. Justice Anka of Zamfara State High Court was removed from office for taking bribe based on the recommendation of the Council sequel to the findings of its Investigation Committee.

The Judge was removed from office without asking him to comment again on the issues established against him.

A member stated that in the light of the clarification, there was no need to ask the President, Court of Appeal to comment on the case of misconduct established against him but for Council to mete out appropriate punishment to him for a misconduct.

Another member however argued that the misconduct should be of varying degrees, pointing out that a misconduct that will lead to removal from office, must be of grave dimension.

In the view of another member, a misconduct that should lead to removal from office must be issues related to corruption etc and not in the circumstances where there was a friction between two top Judicial Officers and a fact finding Committee was constituted. He, therefore recommended that the President, Court of Appeal should be requested to tender an apology to the Chief Justice of Nigeria instead of removing him from office.

Another member agreed that most of the Judicial Officers that were removed from office were in cases involving corruption and not a case of insubordination as in the instant case. He urged Council to look at the matter from its peculiar circumstance while agreeing that serious cases of insubordination, could lead to dismissal or retirement of the Judicial Officer involved. Hence, Council in his opinion, should consider other aspects of punishment and leave the issue of retirement or dismissal as a last option.

Another member was of the view that the reply of the President, Court of Appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria was a clear case of insubordination which was an affront. She therefore agreed that he should be asked to apologise to him and the Judiciary, failing which he should severely sanctioned. In her view, retirement or dismissal should indeed be the last option.

Commenting further, another member stated that the fact that the Chief Justice of Nigeria did not instruct the President, Court of Appeal to ask the Panel in Sokoto to dismiss the appeal meant that what the President, Court of Appeal said was not true. He agreed that the President, Court of Appeal had taken a beating but that he firmly believed that the circumstances of the case should not warrant removing him from office. He noted that the Panel did not mention anything about Yahaya Mahmood, Esq or Alfred Agu, Esq because Council had no suzerainty over them. He observed that the Panel had described their petitions as a morning fog that fades away and this in his view, was what piffed the President, Court of Appeal against the Chief Justice of Nigeria. He therefore recommended that the President, Court of Appeal should be reprimanded for lying and not be removed or sus-

pended from office.

Another member suggested that a warning should do without asking any party to tender apology to the other. In his view, if the member was looked at critically, the Chief Justice of Nigerian went into the matter on the premise that there was a serious allegation against the President, Court of Appeal and he asked rhetorically if there was indeed a serious allegation.

Another member held a contrary view, stating that the issue of apology was very critical because the allegation by the President, Court of Appeal against the Chief Justice of Nigeria was very fundamental.

At the end of long deliberation, Council agreed as follows:i) That the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, should be warned; ii) That the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, should write a letter of apology to the Chief Justice of Nigeria; and iii) That the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, should write a letter of apology to the National Judicial Council.

Council further agreed that if the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, fails to comply with paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, the Council should revisit the matter.

It was further agreed by Council that the President of the Court of Appeal Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR, should write the letters of apology within one week with effect from 10th August, 2011.

The Acting Chairman, Hon. Justice M.A. Bello, OFR, was mandated to convey Council’s decision to the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice I.A. Salami, OFR. 7. Any other business 7.1 Retirement of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria A member observed that from all available records, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice A.I. Katsina-Alu, GCON, will retire from service on 28th August, 2011 and yet, there had not been any representation regarding who will succeed him which will take some due process. He expressed concern that there will likely be a Constitutional crisis after 28 th August, 2011 and wondered if the Council should not draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the impending crisis.

A member recalled that even amongst the Chief Justice, the vogue was for the retiring ones not to give notice of their retirement. He therefore advised that Council should do a memorandum, requesting retiring Chief Judges to give due notices of their retirements promptly.

The Secretary clarified that three months retirement notice was required by the Public Service Rules for a retiring Judicial Officer.

7.2 Goodwill message from the acting chairman: The Acting Chairman, Hon. Justice M.A. Bello, OFR, thanked members for their support during the meeting which enabled Council to come to a successful conclusion on the thorny issue agitating the minds of the generality of the citizenry.

8. Motion for adjournment The motion for adjournment of the Emergency Meeting was moved by Hon. Justice M.E. Akpiroroh, JCA, and seconded by Hon. Justice Kulu Aliyu.

Closing prayer The closing prayer was said by Hon. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, CON, at 5.20p.m.

•Concluded

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

60

NEWS

Residents flee over fear of attack

R

ESIDENTS of communities recently attacked in the night in Riyom Local Government of Plateau State have fled their homes following the discovery of a bag containing 414 rounds of live ammunition and a rifle in the area.

About150 people have relocated since the discovery was made.

But the council Chairman, Wycliffe Watson, has appealed to the residents to return to their homes, assuring that they would be protected from harm.

The residents said they

PUBLIC NOTICE AKINSOLA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinsola Suliyat Oluwadamilara now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adeagbo Suliyat Oluwadamilara.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

were fleeing their homes following attacks, which had led to six deaths, destruction of homes and the looting of their granaries.

Besides, they said fresh farm produce, such as rice, maize and a local stable, acha, have been destroyed prematurely, just as cattle were released into their farms to destroy the produce.

Watson noted that though the residents had reasons to seek safety elsewhere, he assured that the council would protect them.

EMPTY LAND FOR LEASE Empty land measuring 2032sq meters located at prime area of Victoria Island behind Shoprite shopping Mall and good for car park and equipment storage e.t.c.

Rent very attractive and reasonable.

OKONKWO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Okonkwo Obiamaka Joy now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okoye Obiamaka Joy. All former documents remain valid IMT, NYSC and the general public take note.

‘Deregulated power sector will drive industrialisation’

Please contact: BARRISTER CHIBUZOR: 08023223109, 07042277717, 07042493826, 08035781763.

PUBLIC NOTICE On the instruction of Ikeja Local Government underlisted abandoned vehicles are for clearance within 21 days for the owners.

After 21 days which will be auctioned. Effective date 25th August – 19 Sept, 2011 by the auctioneer.

1. Renault Bus, XJ 542GGE, 2. Renault Bus, BM 5231 KJ 3. Lancer Nissan, LA8778 TA 4. Volkswagen Bus XA 207 CRS 5. Honda Car – XJ 57AAA 6. Chevrolet Jeep – AE 120 KSF For Information contact GSM - 08033466559

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

•Aliyu

N

IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday said the deregulation of the power sector would enhance rapid industrial development.

He noted that this would

guarantee uninterrupted economic activities and the industrialisation of the country.

Addressing reporters in Minna, the state capital, before leaving for Umrah (the lesser Hajj) in Saudi Arabia, the governor said economic growth cannot be attained without efficient power generation and supply.

He expressed support for the deregulation of the power sector.

Aliyu said: “It is necessary to have a deregulated power sector that will provide efficient electricity, sufficient

enough to meet at least domestic needs, particularly in feeding the country’s industrial wheels.”

The governor noted that for the economy to have a breakthrough, “the powersector must be deregulated and decentralised, by removing all regulatory bottlenecks that currently hinder independent power producers from generating and supplying sufficient electricity.”

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to open the country’s power sector for investors.

Aliyu sought Federal Government’s support and patronage for states that have begun independent power

projects (IPP).

The governor noted that the call became necessary so that the investments and efforts of states with IPPs are not wasted.

He said: “States such as Rivers, Akwa Ibom and others that have put in place power generating stations and are already in the business, should be supported so that the current capacity of our national grid is further enhanced to meet our local needs.”

The governor said wasting the efforts of states with IPPs would be counter-productive to Nigeria’s quest for industrialisation and economic development.

Benue police chief warns politicians

B

ENUE State Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Obiako yesterday warned politicians with pending cases at the Election Petition Tribunal to refrain from inflammatory utterances that could breach the peace.

He praised the residents for responding to the call by the police that residents

without cases at the tribunal should stay away from the premises.

The police chief, who spoke in Makurdi, the state capital, urged criminals to stop their nefarious activities or face the consequences.

Obiako said: “I will deploy my men to all nooks and crannies of the state.

They will be at night clubs too. Do not be surprised to see me and my deputy monitoring security in Makurdi. People should be free to go about at any time, assured of their safety.”

The police chief, spoke on the recent crisis at the Benue Cement Company (BCC), where over 111 vehicles were burnt and property

Plateau ACN urges credible council poll

T

HE Plateau State Chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has urged the State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) to put in place processes that would lead to a credible local government election next month The party urged the commission to avoid a repeat of what happened in 2008, when the shoddy arrangement caused a breach of the peace.

In a statement by its Chairman, Chief Amos Gizo, the party said PLASIEC should publish a timetable that would enable parties conduct their primaries and begin campaigns soon.

The statement reads: “A few months ago, the Plateau State Government made a pronouncement on the subject-matter. September is

From Marie-Therese Peter, Jos

just a few days away; we are worried that up to this moment, PLASIEC has not made any pronouncement in this regard.

“We are concerned that PLASIEC should not make any mistake, as witnessed in 2008. We expect that this time, PLASIEC should review the previous elections and make amends, a process we believe is already delayed since the tenure of the present councils, elected in 2008, is about to lapse, except in a few local councils.”

ACN said it would not associate with any “undemocratic phenomenon as caretaker committee”.

The party urged the government to keep to its promise of allowing council chairmen, like that of Wase Local Government,

Mohammed Zakari of ACN, who was sworn in last month after a prolonged legal to tussle, to fully serve their tenure.

It restated its stance as a disciplined party, which has been patient for about three years to allow justice take its course, that it should not be denied its right.

ACN said: “We will not spare anything but go to the highest place to ensure that the promise made by the government that the chairmen, who were not sworn in with their colleagues, be alliowed to spend their mandatory three years.”

In the case of Langtang South Local Government, where the chairman, an ACN member, was suspended, the party said: “It is illegal for anybody to suspend the chairman without any substantial evidence of corruption. The issue is in court.”

worth millions of naira destroyed.

He described the incident as “unfortunate”, noting that what led to the crisis was a minor disagreement.

Obiako promised that a big police station would be built at the company to provide security for the factory and the community.

Comptroller advises importers NIGERIAN importers, clearing agents and other stakeholders in the Maritime sector have been advised to always comply with the Federal Government policy on importation and clearance of goods.

This advice was given by the new Comptroller, Federal Operation Unit Zone C of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC), Mr. Victor Gbemudu, at a meeting with the Southeast and Southsouth Amalgamated Market Trades Association (SEAMATA) in Owerri.

According to Gbemudu, the meeting was called to identify any bottlenecks that will hinder trade facilitation and service delivery and to proffer solution accordingly.

Bauchi NDLEA seeks passage of hard drug bill

T

HE Bauchi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday urged the House of Assembly to pass the bill that would prohibit the sale and consumption of illicit drugs in the state.

It impounded 407.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) packed in 24 bags from a suspected drug dealer, Baron Haladu, at Tiriwum village, on the outskirts of Bauchi, the state capital.

Two other suspects MaiKano Yunusa and Shehu Musa - were arrested at Dass Motor Park in Bauchi for allegedly selling weeds said to be Indian hemp.

The agency also said it has arrested 11 minors allegedly used as peddlers.

•Seizes 407.5kg of cannabis From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

State Commandant Sule Momoudu told reporters that the suspects were arrested at the popular Muda Lawal Market in Bauchi.

The suspects are: Sadiq Bello, Khalid Mohammad Lawal and Samaila Ibrahim.

Momoudu said they would soon be arraigned at the Federal High Court, Bauchi, when it resumes sitting next week.

The NDLEA chief said Haladu, who is on the run and has been declared wanted, is a local drug baron.

Haladu reportedly concealed the drug in a six-feet bunk dug in one of his sixroom bungalow in Tirwum

village and others kept on special rafts in the ceilings of his home.

Momoudu declined to give the street value of the weeds.

He said: “When we went to his house, he was not there. We seized his property, in compliance with the NDLEA Act, and we will file an interim forfeiture of the property at the court.

“Haladu’s bank account will be frozen, also in compliance with the law that set up NDLEA, to serve as a warning that anyone caught on the wrong side of this law would not be spared.”

He warned those in the illicit business that “Bauchi State is a no-go area because we have zero tolerance for

illicit drugs”.

Momoudu added: “Haladu is a drug baron who has been concealing his identity. He dug a pit in his bedroom; did a fabrication in his ceiling where he keeps cannabis. To go to this extent means he is deep into the business.”

The 11 minors, he said, would be rehabilitated at the command’s expense in its rehabilitation centre.

The NDLEA chief said Ogechi Aboye, an exconvict, who was jailed two and a half years by a Federal High Court in 2003, has again been arrested for planting cannabis in his home in Wunti Dada, a suburb of Bauchi.

The command has assured its informants that they would be protected and rewarded.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

61

FOREIGN NEWS

Russian Progress space freighter lost A

N unmanned freighter launched to the International Space Station (ISS) has been lost.

The Russian space agency said the Progress M-12M cargo ship was not placed in the correct orbit by its rocket and fell back to Earth.

The vessel was carrying three tonnes of supplies for the ISS astronauts.

With the retirement of the US space shuttle, there is now a critical reliance on robotic freighters to keep the station supplied.

But with ample stores currently onboard, the more pressing concern will be the status of the Progress freighter’s launch vehicle - the SoyuzU. This is very similar to the Soyuz-FG rocket that is used to lift manned capsules to the station.

Until the cause of yesterday’s failure is firmly established, it is unlikely the next astronaut flight to the ISS, due on 22 September, will be allowed to proceed.

In that case, the crew already

on the station and preparing to come home would be asked to stay up longer.

“The anomaly has only just occurred; there’s quite a bit of work to do to sort through where we’re at,” said Mike Suffredini, the US space agency’s (Nasa) ISS manager. “If things work out and it looks like the Soyuz will be able to fly then we’ll let the crew on orbit stay until we do a normal rotation.”

The Progress mission was the 44th such cargo delivery flight to the space station.

It lifted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 13:00 GMT (17:00 Moscow time).

It appears the Soyuz rocket’s third and final propulsion stage shut down early.

As a result, the Russian federal space agency (Roskosmos) said, the Progress vessel “was not placed in the correct orbit”.

The failure occurred some 320 seconds into the flight.

Telemetry to both the rocket and the freighter were lost.

It was the first Progress anomaly in the history of the ISS programme.

Officials reported the ship coming down in Russia’s Altai province, some 1,500km northeast of the launch site. A loud explosion was heard in the region and there were reports of windows being blown out, but it is not thought there were any injuries on the ground as a result of wreckage coming out of the sky.

The space station is currently manned by the Expedition 28 crew. This is commanded by Russian Andrey Borisenko. His flight engineers are Satoshi Furukawa (Japan), Mike Fossum (US), Ron Garan (US), Alexander Samokutyaev (Russia), and Sergei Volkov (Russia).

They were informed of the situation by mission control in Moscow shortly after the failure.

Zimbabwe’s VP calls for probe of husband’s death

Z

IMBABWE’S VicePresident Joice Mujuru has called for an investigation into the death of her husband Solomon last week in a fire on their farm.

An ex-military chief, Gen Mujuru was a highly influential figure in President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party.

A BBC reporter says his death has fuelled speculation that he may have been killed, causing a party rift and turmoil over Mr Mugabe’s succession.

Mrs Mujuru said the farmhouse’s many exits meant it was easy to escape fire.

Mrs Mujuru was not at the farm in Beatrice, about 80km (50 miles) south of the capital, Harare, when the fire broke out in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.

In the immediate aftermath of the discovery of her husband’s charred remains, she had urged the public to exercise great caution in commenting on the death.

But the BBC’s Brian Hungwe in Harare says Mrs Mujuru laid bare her feelings for the first time on national state television on Tuesday evening.

Addressing the national women’s football team which had gone to pay their condolences, she looked distraught, he says.

She said she had not been told what happened to her husband between 20:00 when he got home on Monday 15 August until the time the fire allegedly broke out around midnight.

Mrs Mujuru indicated that a military man of her husband’s stature could have easily escaped the fire through the many exits, especially those in the bedroom.

“There are two long windows, from my side and from his side, that if you want to go out for an emergency - you don’t have to jump out, you just lift your leg,” she said.

“Our little grandchildren, we used to joke with them that instead of coming through the normal door they would jump into our bedroom using those windows.”

Under his nom de guerre, Rex Nhongo, Gen Mujuru

was the director of Mr Mugabe’s forces during the 1970s war of independence.

Our reporter says at the time of his death, he was believed to have been pushing for leadership renewal within Zanu-PF. There has been fierce rivalry between the Mujurus and Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa for control of the party.

He was the only person believed to have had the stature to challenge the 87-yearold Zanu-PF leader during crucial party meetings, our correspondent says.

His wife’s remarks come amidst talk of widening rifts within Zanu-PF, which is facing crucial elections next year, he says.

ICC accused Kenyan minister sacked

K

ENYA’S Higher Education Minister William Ruto, accused by the ICC of leading the 2007-2008post election violence, has been sacked.

He is one of six top officials accused of links to the violence in which some 1,300 people were killed.

He was already suspended after being accused of corruption, although he was acquitted in April.

He had also fallen out with Prime Minister Raila Odinga after the pair had been allies in the 2007 poll.

Mr Ruto is deputy leader of Mr Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement but has declared his intention to stand in the 2012 presidential elections.

Mr Odinga is also expected to contest the poll.

He says he was cheated of victory by President Mwai Kibaki and his supporters in 2007, speaking nationwide cashes.

The violence ended after Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga agreed to share power.

Some of the worst clashes were seen in the Rift Valley, where Mr Ruto has his constituency.

He denies any links to the violence.

US-bound Hurricane Irene swells

H

URRICANE Irene has grown to category three force as it barrels towards the east coast of the United States.

Irene is now packing winds of 120 mph (193km/h) near the Bahamas, and the storm could reach the US mainland by the end of the week.

Tourists are being evacu-

ated from an island off North Carolina and people are already stocking up on supplies in coastal areas of the US state.

The huge storm has brought flooding and power cuts across the Caribbean.

Federal officials have warned it could do the same along the US east coast as

far north as Maine, even if it stays offshore.

Yesterday afternoon, Irene was about 250 miles southeast of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, and crawling north-east at about 12mph.

Forecasters say the hurricane - which spans more than 400 miles - could strengthen to a category four storm by Thursday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

62

NATION SPORT London 2012 - Chambers could get Olympic lifeline

D

•Froch (left) Arthur Abraham on his way to the final

Froch confident he’s class above Ward

C

ARL Froch believes Andre Ward will be out of his depth when they meet in the Super Six super-middleweight final in Atlantic City on 29 October.

The bout will bring an end to the two-year tournament which has seen Froch beat Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham and Glen Johnson.

And Nottingham's WBC

title-holder believes he has the upper hand over WBA king Ward.

'I have not been impressed with Andre and his level of opposition,' said the 34year-old Froch.

Injury led Nadal to consider golf

D

EVASTATED and "without appetite for life," Rafael Nadal contemplated a move into professional golf after a careerthreatening injury sidelined him.

The 10-time grand slam champion writes in his autobiography, "Rafa", that doctors discovered a rare foot injury in 2005 that had the potential to sideline him for good, prompting thoughts of a future in golf. But his off-court problems play a large part in

the former top-ranked player's career. The mental toll of his parents' separation hindered his recovery from injuries in 2009, when pride led him to try to defend his French Open title despite his physical problems. still, his lowest point seems to have been when doctors discovered a congenital bone problem in the bridge of his left foot soon after a five-set victory over Ivan Ljubicic in Madrid on his toughest indoor surface.

Nadal said that joy was soon replaced by "a state of deepest

•Nadal

gloom." "(The) diagnosis had initially been like a shot to the head," the 25-year-old Spaniard writes.

"The bone still hurts me. It remains under control, just, but we can never drop our guard."

Nadal wept then just as he did after losing the 2007 Wimbledon final to Federer.

But he did not cry on the flight from Melbourne in 2009 when his father Sebastian revealed to the recently crowned Australian Open champion that his parents had separated.

"My attitude was bad. I was depressed, lacking in enthusiasm. (My team) knew something had to give," writes Nadal, with the weight of those problems leading to his only defeat in seven appearances at Roland Garros and his subsequent withdrawal from Wimbledon. "My knees were the immediate reason, but I knew the root cause was my state of mind."

Mental toughness, instilled by coach and uncle Toni, is a key theme, especially in his ability to bounce back, including trying for his first victory in three Wimbledon finals against Federer.

Nadal was "gripped with fear," the warrior figure he'd cultivated had "lost his courage" after failing to clinch victory on several match point opportunities against Federer.

Nadal credits moments like these for improving his mental stamina, with one chapter even titled "Fear of Winning."

'He’s fought good fighters but not at the level where we are now.

'He has no power whatsoever,” said Froch, who has been defeated only once in 29 fights, by Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler last year.

'Sure, his hand-speed is fast but even he’ll tell you he’s not as fast as Andre Dirrell and I handled Dirrell quite easily.“'The final is what top sport is all about we have the two best fighters facing off for it all.'

It is Froch’s split decision victory over Dirrell in 2009 a fight some observers thought Froch should have lost - that has convinced some the Englishman may come up short against Ward, 27.

The former Olympic champion responded: 'I’ve been in boxing a long time, over 15 years. I know what he’s doing, he has to minimise me, my accomplishments and achievements. And that’s OK, I understand.

'When I started in this tournament everyone had questions about me, everyone had doubts. Now there are people who say I’m the favourite, but I don’t feel that way - I still have that chip on my shoulder.'

Ward, who is unbeaten in 24 professional fights, has indeed been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite, but Froch said his rival did not have the power to trouble him in their unification bout.

The Super Six tournament is the brainchild of American broadcaster Showtime and began in 2009.

WAIN Chambers is facing a big month.

First there's the small matter of the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, then there's potentially a career defining decision from the Court of Arbitration in Sport.

The United States Olympic Committee are currently challenging a revised ruling in the Olympic Charter, introduced by the IOC after Beijing, that prevents athletes who have served a doping ban of longer than six months from competing at the Games following their suspension.

If overturned it would allow Olympic 400m champion Lashawn Merritt, back in the sport after a two-year ban that started in 2009, to defend his title at London 2012.

If sport's highest legal authority rules the charter is unnecessarily restrictive it means the British Olympic Association's current more hardline position, which prevents drug cheats from ever competing at the Games, looks increasingly vulnerable to challenge.

Chambers tried, without success, to overturn the BOA's unique bylaw in a 2008 High Court case but the precedent of a CAS ruling could embolden him - or others, such as cyclist David Millar - to try again, bypassing British law to go straight to Lausanne.

"Between my team and I we obviously discuss things but beyond that we just focus on what is present," Chambers said as he prepared for his 100m campaign at the World Athletics Championships in Daegu this weekend.

"Today is today and we just get through today, you never know what happens tomorrow.

"Obviously I am aware of these

things and when they pop up, I look at them, and then I get switched back on to what I have got to do.

"I've been selected to come here and compete for my country and that's what I need to concentrate on.

"I look at the future but I can only look so far because I don't know what's around tomorrow's doors."

Track and field's world governing body have introduced their most stringent ever testing procedures in Daegu, which Chambers - who served a two-year doping ban between 2003 and 2005 - has welcomed.

As for his own hopes, Chambers, who at 33 admits this could be his last major global event, is keeping his counsel and moderating his predictions, as befits an athlete about to compete at his fourth World Championships. He won 100m bronze on his debut 12 years ago.

Reigning champion and world record holder Usain Bolt is beatable, he claims, but he stops short of saying he's the man for the job.

Perhaps such reticence is prompted by a dawning reality that he is outgunned. Some 20 athletes have dipped below the ten second mark this season and Chambers is not one of them.

His season's best of 10.01 seconds means he shouldn't even be considered as a frontrunner for the final - but a sixth place in the world final in 2009, followed by a 60m gold at the world indoors, underline that he remains a class and capable athlete on his day.

"I'm in better shape mentally and physically this year. I have made a lot of little changes about how I approach my summer and winter," he added.

•Dwain

Ferrari motivated after break says Domenicali

F

ERRARI team boss Stefano Domenicali says the team is focused on winning as many of the remaining races as possible...

Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali says that he and the rest of the team are fully motivated after the summer break, but concedes that the chances of fighting for the title are slim, and thus race wins are the target.

“Everyone seems to be like me: Very motivated with batteries fully charged for the rest of the season,” he said on the Ferrari website. “We share the same state of mind, ready to return to the race tracks.

“Our realistic goal for the remaining eight Grands Prix is to win races, to score as many points as possible. I am sure we can achieve good results, but we should avoid looking at the classification, because we know the championship will be very difficult given the current gap,

but let’s see where it is in a few races.

“We have the potential to do well and we have to believe in ourselves. In terms of the development of the 150 Italia, we are almost at the end of the road but this does not mean that work on this year’s car has come to a complete halt. But as of now, we are working full throttle on the 2012 car.”

Domenicali has reiterated that next year’s car will be more innovative than other recent Ferraris as the team wants to set the pace from the start.

“As far as next year’s regulations are concerned, apart from rules regarding the exhaust system, there are not many changes," he said.

"Therefore, the new cars can be described as a development of the 2011 car.

“However, what I can say, having seen the model in the wind tunnel and the work going on in the drawing office, is that it will be a very innovative machine.

THE NATION THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

NFF appoints Garba Manu as Under-17 coach

T

HE Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation rose from an Emergency Meeting at the NFF Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday, 24th August, 2011 to discuss some important issues in Nigerian football and resolved as follows: That it endorsed the recommendation, following a thorough interview process, of its Technical Committee for the re-constitution of the technical crew of the U-17 National Team (Boys) as follows: Manu Garba - Head Coach; Emmanuel Amuneke – Assistant Coach 1; Nduka Ugbade – Assistant Coach 2 and; Emeka Amadi – Goalkeepers’ Trainer.

That it mandates the Imo State Football Association to investigate, with painstaking approach, the recent allegations of fraud and match-fixing levelled against a Nigeria Amateur

• Amuneke, Ugbade as assistants • Amadi as goalkeeper trainer League club in the State, Imo United FC. The Imo State FA is to report back to the NFF Executive Committee within 14 days.

That the Nigeria Premier League must conduct fresh elections into the offices of Chairman of NPL and Chairman of Chairmen on or before Monday, 5th September, 2011, failing which the NFF will activate its own machinery to conduct the elections latest Thursday, 15th September, 2011, in line with the order of court that elections must be held within 45 days.

Executive Committee congratulated the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari on his election as second Vice President of West Africa Zone B, at elections which took place in Accra

AFN: IAAF wrong to reject our entries for Daegu • IAAF Insists:Asumnu,Mayungbe Remain Ineligible

A

THLETIC Federation of Nigeria (AFN) president,Evangelist Solomon Ogba has insisted that the world governing body for athletics,the International Association of Athletics Federations was wrong to claim that the duo of sprinters,Gloria Asumnu and quatermiler,Mayungbe Ibukun Blessing are not eligible to compete for Nigeria.

Ogba revealed that the AFN is aware of the IAAF rules on eligibility of athletes after a transfer of allegiance and said the AFN met whatever requirements that was necessary necessary.

'The IAAF got it all wrong.The AFN knows about the eligibility rules and didn't run foul of any,Gloria (Asumnu) holds dual citizenship which means she is free to compete for either of the two countries she can legally claim by law. She was born in the USA to Nigerian parents which makes her citizens of both countries.Since she has never competed for the USA at any level,the eligibility rule does not apply to her',revealed Ogba who is already in Daegu,South Korea for the 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics which starts on Saturday.

on Saturday, 13th August, 2011 and at which Nigeria was represented by NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh.

The Committee decided to extend the tenure of NFF Management Staff to an indefinite period.

Similarly, the nomenclature of some Management Staff has changed: Deputy General Secretary (Technical) becomes Director(Technical); Assistant General Secretary (Competitions) now Director (Competitions); Assistant General Secretary (Finance & Admin) now Director (Finance & Admin) and; Assistant General Secretary (Marketing) now Director (Marketing).

The Executive Committee commended the Nigeria Police and other security agencies who worked assiduously to find the kidnapped father of Nigeria international midfielder John Mikel Obi, and also commended the generality of Nigerians for standing by the footballer and his family while the ordeal lasted.

In attendance were Mike Umeh (1st Vice President); Shehu Adamu (Member); Christopher Green (Member); Olaleye Adepoju (Member); Effiong Johnson (Member); Muazu Suleyman (Member); Ahmed Yusuf (Member); (Member); Musa Amadu (Secretary). Absent With Apology: Aminu Maigari (President); Felix AnyansiAgwu; Ayodeji Tinubu.

2012 OLYMPICS QUALIFICATION

D’Tigers aim for semis against CAR

D

’Tigers of Nigeria take to the court on Thursday in search of a semifinal berth at the ongoing FIBA Africa Championship for Men against Central Africa Republic .

It is going to be show time on the World of Champions as the basketball match takes place at the University of Antananarivo live on SuperSport Six from 10.20am Nigerian time (12.20pm East African time).

The D’Tigers have maintained a 100 percent run at the Afrobasket championship for men after seeing off Mali , Mozambique , Madagascar and Chad .

Now, the World of Champions will give viewers the chance to see the Central Africa Republic team that defeated Egypt in

the eight finals.

Michael Mokongo is undoubtedly the biggest star of the Central Africa Republic at the tournament and is ranked among players with the highest number of steals and assists.

Nigeria’s D’Tigers will also come up against the likes of Antoine Kouloumba-Foro, Yannick Zachee, William Kossangue, Lionel Bomayako, Max Kouguere and Regis Koundjia.

In small forward Ime Udoka and centre Olumide Oyedeji, the Central Africans will meet two men who have led the floor for D’Tigers in rebounds and steals.

Oyedeji is the stat leader in rebounds at the Afrobasket Championships with 10 points, while Udoka has 5.7 assist points.

NTF counsels coaches on grassroots development • As Gadafi shines at Ekiti State tennis tourney

T

ENNIS coaches across Nigeria have been urged to make grassroots development a priority as part of ways in ensuring the game attains a greater height in the near future.

Yemi Owoseni, the 1st Vice President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) stated this at the ongoing National Junior Tennis Championship in Ado-Ekiti.

Owoseni implored coaches on the need to take the aspect of grassroots development seriously stressing it would bring out the best not only in the players, but also the coaches who he pointed overtime have always depended on ready-made materials.

He stated that the federation is ready to assist states

By Stella Bamawo and coaches to develop tennis from the cradle as all necessary machinery will be put in place to support and make sure that their aims and objectives are met in due course.

Meanwhile, Action continues in the National Junior Tennis Championship holding at Ekiti State Tennis Complex, Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday as Yakubu Gadafi of Taraba State recorded two straight sets of 60, 6-2 victory over Musa Kabiru of Oyo State in the Boys’ U-14 category.

The 13-year-old is unarguably one of the most popular player in the week-long championship billed to end this weekend.

WOMEN OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

Glo backs Falcons to shine

T

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giants, Globacom, has declared support for the Super Falcons ahead of the crucial Olympics 2012 qualifier with the Lionesses of Cameroun at the Abuja National Stadium on August 28.

Globacom is a major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of Nigerian national teams. The company recently launched Glo-branded kits for the National teams.

According to Globacom, the Falcons deserve maximum

support from Nigerians in their quest to win the Women Olympic ticket.

“It was unfortunate that the Falcons failed to qualify for the All Africa Games and we believe they need all the support to beat Cameroun comprehensively so that the second leg will be a mere formality,” Globacom said.

The Company added, “On our part, we will mobilize Nigerians to turn out en masse at the Abuja National Stadium to give the Falcons a rousing support”

TOMORROW

IN THE NATION

‘Both IBB and OBJ are two of a kind. In some other places, they should have been kept away in lonely, secluded places so they can sober up.

But we are very magnanimous here. Yet these default leaders will not let us be. They better go enjoy their loot quietly. We don’t need them to tell us about them’ STEVE OSUJI

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 7, NO. 1,863

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

T

HERE has been a deluge of comments over the bitter recriminations between erstwhile leaders General Olusegun Obasanjo and General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Some said they opened their mouths too wide; others said they were merely expressing their freedom of speech and should not be restrained. Yet, others felt they had abused old age, turning its corollary of wisdom and maturity into foolishness. Follies of old age?

In the latter category are those who romanticise old age as an intangible fountain of knowledge from which society draws to resolve knotty issues and a symbol of sobriety that evinces deep introspection, which is a vital ingredient of wise decisions. Don’t the Yoruba say the elder’s mouth sure knows the mature kola nut?

Besides, is it not said that a baby’s head shouldn’t bend where elders are present?

Reverence.

Who calls the elders to order when they err?

Consider the acidic exchanges between Obasanjo and Babangida. I will, dear reader, spare you the details, this being a family newspaper that gives no space to obscenity and abuses, but holds dear all those golden values that our society treasures. There have been suggestions that President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan should have quickly convened a peace meeting between the two, instead of dabbling in the mess at the Judiciary, knowing that their brickbats, if not quickly checked, could be inimical to national security.

Here are two restless men with cash – tons and tons of it – ex-soldiers, ex-Commanders-inChief and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with a crowd of infantrymen who minister to their large egos, telling them that the past does not really matter.

What happens should the President call a meeting to resolve this civil war? Let us indulge in some conjecturable scenario at the Villa. Here we go: Obasanjo strolls in briskly, carrying a lean file, barely acknowledging greetings from the horde of aides flashing smiles at him as he is ushered into a private sitting room. The President walks in, stretching out his hands. A brief hug and mumbling of some sweet good-to-see-you words. They take their seats.

President: Baba, you’re looking young o! I’m sure ladies are blowing kisses, but I trust you don’t have the time for that.

Obasanjo: Thank you, my dear. I give God glory. You know He says in the book of 1Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 18 that in all things we should thank Him. I thank Him o.

Just then, Babangida walks in, smiling broadly.

Obasanjo’s face changes suddenly, wearing a big frown. He begins to shift in his seat. The President gets up to shake Babangida’s hand and points to a seat a bit far from Obasanjo’s. Babangida says “good afternoon” without facing Obasanjo, who continues to rock his seat.

Obasanjo: Mr President, you didn’t tell me this appointment was a public forum. I had visitors from overseas in respect of a rice project somewhere in the North and I had to tell them to reschedule a meeting.

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

OBJ vs IBB: GEJ steps in

•Obasanjo

•Babangida

President: I’m sorry Baba. We need to discuss this matter. People have called me. They say by virtue of my position, I should be the one to invite both of you and settle this matter once and for all. We need peace, especially now, not verbal grenades from our dear elders. Besides, the NSA has briefed me; the security report doesn’t favour this kind of wahala. So, sirs, all I want is a ceasefire. Nigerians are worried; members of our great party are troubled and our children are watching. Please, do me this honour, embrace and declare peace. I’m too small to start asking you to state your cases. My interest is peace.

Obasanjo: Thank you, my President. I have… hunnnn! … hunhunnnn (He clears his throat) vowed not to speak again on this matter, but if I don’t, it will seem disrespectful to your office.

You see, this is a boy that I know very well.

Imagine. Just imagine. He says he’s 70; yeees!

He is celebrating and he then decides to abuse me; for nothing o! People telephoned me. I said “this can’t be true; Ibrahim doesn’t speak like this”. Then, they brought me newspapers that carried the report. At first, I decided to keep quiet, going by what the Bible says in Proverbs, chapter 26,verse 4. ‘ Don’t answer a fool because’…(the President tries to intervene, but Obasanjo resists him ,raising his hand). Please, Jonah; my President, let me face this issue once and for all. Let me talk.

President: But sir, this is no court. I plead with you to let us settle this matter amicably, a matter between brothers. You people have a lot in common to protect and be proud of.

Obasanjo: Is that why he should abuse me and I should keep quiet? Please, let us understand this game. A man abuses me on his

RIPPLES Katsina-Alu to acting PCA: YOU MUST ALWAYS LISTEN TO WISE COUNSEL

from CJN?

birthday and I should keep quiet? No. I’m not afraid of fighting o. And he is not repentant about it. As I was saying, when I now replied, he fired back in a worse language that is as rude as it is annoying. He said my son accused me of cest abi incest or whatever he called it. And I said, “yes; if my son Gbenga accuses me of anything or whatever, is that your business?

How has that become your toro?

Babangida (raising his hand and starting out in a soft, shaky voice, looking serious and contrite): Thank you Mr President for this great opportunity. When I read what the boys wrote…because I have managed to stay out of this fight… I was shocked. I asked them, they said it was a court paper. And I said, we shouldn’t go that way. If we’re talking about the $16b power projects, people will understand, but this… (Obasanjo cuts in sharply, facing Babangida).

Obasanjo: You see, there you go again. If you don’t understand something, you ask, not to go to town, crying like a vendor. Who built Jebba dam? Who built Shiroro? What of Egbin: didn’t I lay the foundation ? If I decided to do more and somebody else got there and felt we didn’t need all the power projects and he began a probe that killed everything, how has that become my headache? Please, don’t annoy me o!

Babangida: Sir, you see, this matter started a long time ago. Remember, when I was here at

The judicial mess

T

HE judiciary is on trial. Not necessarily because Appeal Court President Isa Ayo Salami is on suspension for being one of the few upright men struggling to survive the stifling situation on the Bench. No. It is on trial because the very people who should protect its integrity are the ones firing hot darts at its heart.

The Salami suspension has unearthed the rot in the judiciary. First, they said he committed perjury. Knowing that they couldn’t sustain the charge, they cooked up another: misconduct.

They said Justice Salami took his case to the media. How? Did Salami grant an interview? Did he write an article? Did he write an editorial?

Poor President Goodluck Jonathan. He has allowed himself to be dragged into this mess. He could just have said the matter was in court and would not dabble in it. Did the Attorney-General read the Auta Panel report, which found that “the CJN had directed PCA to disband the panel and constitute another one?” Is it not clear who is guilty in this matter? Whoever misled President Jonathan is surely an enemy in the house. He should be fired now.

The ultimate loser is the judiciary, bloodied and bludgeoned by outgoing Chief Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. But, it is not yet finished for the Bench. The courts should rise and retrieve its dignity by doing justice in this matter.

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

HARDBALL

A

MONG the many reasons for the quick and dramatic collapse of Gaddafi’s forces must be the fact that the fleeing dictator did not command as much charismatic following as he thought. Napoleon Bonaparte and Adolf Hitler commanded fanatical following for the simple reason that both regimes directed their propaganda at making their leadership inseparable from and coterminous with the fortunes of their countries – and their selflessness underscored that point.

Gaddafi, on the other hand, lived like a hedonist and megalomaniac. There are many lessons Nigeria can learn from all the things happening around her. One important lesson is that the country’s survival and stability depend on, among other factors, the methods and effectiveness of its security agencies.

But this is precisely where Nigeria is in awkward position. Both the government and security agencies have, particularly in the past two or three decades, not understood the enormity of their responsibilities to the

the Villa, our programme, which was hailed all over the world, the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP); you dismissed it and…(Obasanjo cuts in again, his voice low. He gesticulates with his hands, opening them in a manner that portrays perplexity).

Obasanjo: What did I say then? Simple. I said SAP should have a human face. What wrong did I do by saying that? Were people not crying?

There was hunger in the land. As an elder, I said, ‘ha! Let me tell these boys the truth; mend your ways; people are hungry’. So, where did I go wrong?

The other time when you cancelled the June 12 election, did I not support it? I remember saying Abiola was not the messiah we needed.

Now, you’re talking jagbajantics about my son saying something in one yeye court, my age and all that, thinking that you can embarrass me. No. I have said it several times, nobody can embarrass me.

They also said you told the press that I was angry because you didn’t support third term.

You’re wrong, again. What is third term or whatever you call it? If I had wanted to stay on, I would have prayed about it and God would have answered my prayer. He says in the book of Psalms 84,verse 11 that no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Yes. Third term my foot!

President: Baba, it’s you that I need to beg.

Let this matter die. I don’t want trouble at all.

Babangida: People say you’re angry because I complained that you didn’t support my plan to return to power. I, here and now, place it on record that I remain a loyal officer, who is committed to the best traditions and ideals of the military: respect for seniors, truth and patriotism. I’m for peace. If I’m attacked, again, I won’t fire back, insha Allahu.

Obasanjo: As for your failed attempts to return to power, I won’t talk about that. Na your toro be dat. If you did well, why fight to return?

As you have said, I leave Nigerians to judge this matter. Good day, Mr President (he stands up to leave).

President: Thank you sirs. I take it that this matter is settled. Please, I’ll keep in touch.

Papering over security cracks country. Deficient in the kind of training and doctrine that imbues them with a deeper and more patriotic appreciation of their country’s manifest destiny, and behaving more like neocolonial and occupation forces, Nigeria’s armed forces and security agencies have become increasingly disconnected from the people. Jos and Maiduguri are recent examples.

The investigation of two soldiers allegedly involved in Mikel Obi’s father’s kidnapping, the court martial of a brigadier-general over the escape from military detention of religious extremists and suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Plateau State indigenes’ allegation of bias against security agents deployed to keep the peace in Jos and environs, and the incessant extrajudicial killings of Nigerians either at

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above police checkpoints or even at police stations all indicate that there are some fundamental problems with our federation. More worrisome is the fact that other than the dismissal and occasionally trial of those implicated in wrongdoings little is being done to curb the malaise. Indeed, most errant security agents are not even exposed.

It must not be forgotten that the immediate cause of the Arab Spring that has led to the downfall of three governments in the Maghreb and the death of thousands of people was the slapping, not killing, of a Tunisian citizen by a policewoman. By consciously undermining our own judiciary very brazenly, condoning excesses of security agencies, doing little in terms of the indoctrination of our defence forces in patriotism, and making very slow progress, if any, in social and economic transformation, we are irresponsibly and inescapably predisposing our country to upheavals. How many tragedies will it take for us to recognise the danger we are in?

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor Daily:01-8962807, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302.

E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO

final ok