December 04, 2014 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

Ekiti lawmakers allege crackdown

•Police disown invitation

NEWS

Page 7

News NLC to Jonathan: address nation P8 Sports Martins retires from Super Eagles P70 Business Firm buys NITEL, MTEL for $252m P11

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 9, NO. 3052 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

•INSIDE: TI RANKS NIGERIA 39TH MOST-CORRUPT P5 GOVT TO BORROW $500M FOR ROADS P5

2015: Buhari, Okorocha, Atiku, others sign pact Kwankwaso, Nda-Isaiah also okay APC’s agreement 8,000 to elect presidential candidate in Lagos Dec. 11

IGERIANS got yesterday a piece of advice from the All Progressives Congress (APC) – they should get set to make a choice. The party is holding a convention to pick its presidential candidate in Lagos between December 10 and 11. All the aspirants have signed an agreement not to leave the party after the primary and to support whoever gots the ticket. The winner is to face President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February election. Presenting clearance certificates to aspirants who were screened on Tuesday, Committee Chair Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said the time had come when Nigerians must decide whether to continue with the state of affairs in the country or effect a change for the better. He said: “There is a choice before us. Are we going to continue the way we have been going in the past 16 years when our security forces are used to intimidate and harass the very citizens who pay for their maintenance? “Are we going to contin-

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15 EVER RETURN?

ue a situation where we are the sixth largest exporters of crude oil and yet we import virtually all the petroleum products that we use and, as we do this, we are exporting jobs and rendering our people unemployed. Is this what Nigerians would want to do? “Are we going to allow a situation where the rule of law is violated and there is no orderliness whatsoever? This is a choice for Nigerians. The ruling party has had 16 years and so, it is not a question of making promises. We are judging them on their records because they told us that within two years, there will be regular and reliable supply of power 24 hours a day and seven days a week. This is the 16th year and that promise has not been fulfilled. “So, Nigerians have a choice to make because when you have two things, you can never know until you try them. So, Nigerians ought to try the APC and give us a chance to show that the problems in the country can be solved.” Onu went on: “Today marks the beginning of the important journey the APC is taking to form government at the centre. The APC came into existence on the 31 of July 2013. On that day, a giant was Continued on page 8

WHO IS WHO IN THE GOVERNORSHIP RACE

Lagos APC governorship primary today •9am at Onikan

L •Tambuwal

•Amosun

•Ajimobi

AGOS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary holds at the Onikan Stadium, today at 9.am. The delegates are about 6,196, comprising over 4,000 elected and over 2,000 statGUIDELINES ON PAGES 4&69

•Ambode

•Hamzat

•El-Rufai

utory delegates. The delegates include local government officials, party executives, local government executives and elected officials of the state government. In all, 4000 emerged from the congress at the ward and local government levels.

Impeachmeant: Presidency seeks truce From Gbade Ogunwale, •Ganduje

•Peterside

•Ahmed

•Umana

•Waku

•Jime

•Who emerges Lagos APC candidate? •Ajimobi gets it MORE •Ayin vs Ikeocha in Abia•Tambuwal’s moment •AND ON PAGES •Walk-over for Amosun •Stiff contest in Benue 15,16,57,58

Abuja

HE Presidency yesterday showed signs of anxiety over the reported threat by some senators to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. The Presidency’s anxiety is coming amid frightening state of insecurity in the country, particularly the sustained bloody attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeastern part of the country. Rattled by the widely Continued on page 8

Air Force jets pound Boko Haram to save state capital

STORY ON

STOR ORY OR Y ON PAGE 8 Mass exodus from Damaturu Troops intercept explosives ST

•POLITICS P15 •SPORTS P24 •EDUCATION P25 •N/HEALTH P53 •E-BUSINESS P60 •FOREIGN P63

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS

‘We thought we were facing firing squad’ •From left; NATCOM Consortium Investor, Captain Hosa Okunbo, Chairman of the Consortium, Mr Olatunde Ayeni, Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Mr Benjamin Dikki, Minister of Telecommunications, Ms. Mobola Johnson, Nigerian Telecommunications Plc Liguidator, Otunba Olutola Senbore, Vice Chairman, National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Alhaji Haruna Sambo and Executive Commissioner, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Okey Itanyi at the submission of $251.252m Bid by NATCOM Consortium for NITEL/MTEL sales by NCP in Abuja.

• From left: Product Development Manager, Lafarge Cement WAPCO, Mr. Femi Yusuff; Manager, Ready Mix, Lafarge Nigeria, Mr. Chris Lobel; Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Witswatersrand, South Africa, Prof. Herbert Uzoegbo and Managing Director, Lafarge Ready Mix, Lafarge Nigeria, Mr. Loren Zanin, at the Totally Concrete West Africa conference in Lagos... yesterday. PHOTO:ADEOLA SOLOMON

•Interior Minister, Comrade Abba Moro (second left), at the inauguartion of the ultra modern convenience facility built by UBA Plc at the Ikoyi Passport Office of the Nigerian Immigration Services(NIS), Lagos...Tuesday. With him are: Deputy Comptroller of Immigration and Passport Control Officer, Ikoyi Passport Office, Mrs Modupe Anyalechi (left); Managing director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), UBA Foundation, Ijeoma Aso (second right) and Divisional Head, Marketing and Corporate Relations, UBA Plc, Charles Aigbe,

•From left: Controls Compliance & Ethics Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Debola Falade; Director, Risk Management, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Folake Fatogbe and Head, Enterprise Risk Management, NAHCO Aviance, Ona Peters, at the 2014 Nigeria Risk Award at the Civic Centre, Lagos

All Progressives Congress (APC) Data Centre workers recount ordeal in the hands of Directorate of State Security (DSS) officials who smashed their way into the facility and bundled them into detention without a charge. The spoke with BUNMI OGUNMODEDE and SALAWUDEEN SULEIMAN

HEIR plan was to reunite with members of their families after their night shift duty in the early hours of November 22 but the invasion of their office by some armed operatives of the Directorate of the State Security (DSS) nullified that. They never returned home until 10 days when a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the DSS to let go of Mr. Olaposi Fayemi, Mr. Chinedu Atuche, Mr. Onuchukwu Chika, Mrs. Esther Enemuwe and Mrs Ebun Ilori. But it will take a longer time to get them on the telephone as their handsets are still being held by the Directorate pending the conclusion of investigations. For them, it was a tale of somebody who had gone through the valley of the shadow of the death as they felt they were facing the firing squad. All five were among the 26 workers whisked away from the No 10, Bola Ajibola Street, Data Centre of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the wee hours of November 2 over an unproven allegation that they hacked into the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to clone voter cards. Twenty-one others, who work as agents, were allowed to go home after preliminary investigations by interrogators at the Shangisha, Magodo headquarters of the Service in Lagos. The trio of Fayemi, Atuche and Mrs. Ilori work as Data Entry Supervisors at the APC Office while Mr. Chika and Mrs. Enemuwe are Information Technology (IT) Support Officer and Systems Administrator. They were rounding off their shift duty on the fateful day when the armed DSS personnel - armed with a Search Warrant - stormed the premises on allegation that unwholesome activity was on-going in the building to compromise the 2015 general elections. Though DSS spokesperson Marylin Ogar said there was nothing suggestive that the office belonged to the APC but the traumatised guests insisted that the party hung conspicuously a banner, bearing its name and logo on the facility. The security personnel, who carted away 31 bags containing APC membership cards, server, hard discs, personal computers and external drives of personal computers on their first raid on November 22, returned to the centre on Monday (December 1) and made away with additional 30 bags, all filled with the party’s membership cards. It is believed that the raids had successfully aborted the attempt by the APC to get an accurate data base for its members across the country. The party started the process in February. The APC, through its spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has challenged the Directorate to state what it found in the centre after the raid. During interrogations, the Directorate sort to know if the ‘suspects’ are on the payroll of money bags and if political bigwigs and expatriates ever visited their office to confirm if their operation was designed to undermine the electoral umpire’s preparation for free, fair and credible polls next February.

They told their interrogators, who engaged them, at least, twice on daily, for the 10 days their detention at the Lagos and Abuja offices of the Service lasted. Going by their tales, what they went through between Saturday, November 22 and Monday, November 24 was a child play when considered to the horror they experienced in Abuja where they spent seven days. They told The Nation yesterday that the echoes of those seven days will remain painful for the rest of their lives. After their interrogators told them in Lagos that were changing location, they were driven straight to the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos from where they boarded military plane marked NAF 918. On arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, they were asked to mask their faces with their singlets. “They (security operatives) put handcuffs on our hands and chained our legs after hounding us into a Coaster bus with tinted glass,” the ‘suspects recalled. Scared with the reckless way the driver drove and the way the operatives that received them spoke in coded language, they felt the end had come. Fayemi said: “We thought we were going to face the firing squad. The driver drove the bus with neck-breaking speed. They made a mockery of us and called us unprintable names, such as ‘monkeys’, ‘hackers’ and ‘presidential suspects’ among others.” The Data Entry Supervisor said neither he, nor any of his colleagues knew the location in which they spent a week in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). According to him, they were allowed to remove their veils only when they entered the bathroom or in the cells. Their interrogations, he said, were either in oral or written format, depending on the mood of the interrogators. They alleged that their interrogators tried all they could to work toward a prepared answer just to justify the invasion. They recalled how their interrogators asked them if cases of multiple and under-aged registration were ever reported to security agencies. According to Fayemi, a document tagged: Ojo Local Government, Araromi Ward, was thrown at him by an officer to peruse. The document, he alleged, had columns for the names and telephone lines of voters from the ward. He told the officer that such document has no correlation with their operation at the APC Data Centre. Alleging that the interrogation was to justify their arrest and detention, Fayemi said: “In the room where they gave me the document to browse, I saw a file to which all our written statements are attached. It is marked C.F. 1811. They wrote Case File of the Investigation of the APC/INEC Cloning Centre. “So, they have concluded our matter even before the conclusion of the investigation. They asked us to come back today (yesterday) but our lawyer is handling that.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS

•Atuche

• Mrs. Ilori

• Fayemi Olaposi

• Esther Enemuine

‘The operatives thought my wife took the hard disc home and had password to the serve and they compelled me to take them home to fetch her.’

‘He then countered that I was lying and insisted that there was more to what we do in our office. I then asked if he wanted me to lie’

‘They (security operatives) put handcuffs on our hands and chained our legs after hounding us into a Coaster bus with tinted glass’

‘He asked if I knew that the project we were doing was perceived to be an enemy or threat to the people. I asked how since I was sure I was not involved in any dubious activity’

Fayemi, who led others to recount their ordeal, said there was no civility in the way they were arrested.

torture. They asked so many questions about our operations; about our bosses and where they live and we were answering them. “One of the hefty men who came to raid our office came in. He was not a Yoruba man. He started to calm us down in tones of regrets. He said; ‘sorry you people. We got an information that you were doing something unwholesome but we discovered that to be untrue. I perceived regrets in the way he spoke. “We thought at that point, that the matter had become simple. That perhaps they had realized what was on ground. But it turned out not to be so. I became weak and dehydrated. I needed rest. They knew it and gave me water. As we did all these, guns were being pointed at us. “They didn’t anything carrying INEC label as they expected and that disappointed them. “As I was answering one question, they asked another just to intimidate me,” Fayemi recounted. On whether the operatives ‘ raid has affected their operation, Fayemi said: “It would be difficult for just one person to account for the havoc they wreaked because so many things happened simultaneously.

“When they drove past the Customs Office, I knew we were going towards the airport. I whispered to my colleague that perhaps they were taking us out of Lagos. They did not tell us anything. They soon moved us to the airport. They held talks and the assistant director told us we were being moved to Abuja and that we would be back the same day. They filed us into a military aircraft marked NAF 918. “At their Abuja office, they started barking at us. As one told us to ‘move here, move like this, go like that, another officer asked ‘where are these monkeys coming from? We had hardly left the airport when they started speaking in coded language. “One of them whispered into my ears if I was wearing any underwear. I told him yes. I was asked to remove my shirt and I did. Before we knew it, we were already blindfolded and marched into a Coaster bus. “They took our hands and handcuffed us. They also chained our legs. Legs chained, hands cuffed and blindfolded! It was a terrible experience for us all. We were treated like criminals for offences we never committed. At this point, we started thinking they were taking us to the firing squad. The vehicle moved at a horrible speed as though they wanted to drive us to death. At one point it appeared we were climbing a hill, at another, negotiating a sharp bend and again descending a slope. “An officer we suspected was a director started to bowl, howl and bark orders. It was in his office that they asked me my username and password which I dictated to them. They asked what they will see if they logged into my system and I told them that they would see an array of data arranged to show the form number, name of the member, age, sex, phone, state, the local government, the ward, and the name of the data agent who entered the data. “They later moved me to another investigator who ordered me to do so many things at the same time. He shouted ‘Stand up, move, turn left, turn right. Move! Move!! As I tried to tell him that I was at the wall, he cut me short with another shout move. I started moving and I was actually knocking my head and body

against the wall. When satisfied, he said I should continue to write my report. They took us through various indignities and made us to think we were going to be klilled,’ recounted. Fayemi also recalled how one of their cell pitied them. He said: “Our cell mates told us later that we were innocent. Even our interrogators confided informally in us that they were only doing their work and that we were innocent. They said on the eve of Sunday that they never had rest since our arrest and that the whole thing was politically motivated. “These people are just fighting themselves but we just have to do our work,” Fayemi reported the interrogators as saying. He went on: “In the morning of Sunday, they said they were moving us to the other side. We were left guessing as we did not know what that meant.” In her own account, Mrs. Ilori said the assailants made eye contacts to express regrets over their action. She said: “And we could see they were disappointed for not having found something incriminating. It was like they told themselves ‘what we are looking for we did not get.’ As they were harassing the data entry people, one of them came to me and asked what exactly my job was. I told him that as a data entry supervisor, I monitor data that enters the system. That I try to correct any error that I notice, I bring the agent’s attention to forestall a reoccurrence. After, I had written a statement on what transpired in the morning, he asked if that was all and I said yes. “He then countered that I was lying and insisted that there was more to what we do in our office. I then asked if he wanted me to lie,” Mrs. Ilori said. She recounted how the atmosphere became charged when the news on the raid and the arrests were aired on Television Continental (TVC). Her words: “They actually wanted to do everything secretly and left us. Upon that development, the guy now called me and said, ‘madam, we have to video you. I asked him why. He said that was the only option for him then.

Dawn invasion His story: “I work at the place as a data entry supervisor. We were on night shift. This fateful day we resumed as usual at the normal time on the November 21 and worked as usual till the early hours of November 22. Just as we were about rounding off our work, we noticed some people were banging at the gate and our colleagues were trooping in and we sought to know the cause. “We were making the final cleaning of our work when we saw these very hefty, fully armed men ordering us out. ‘Go outside, go, go’. On getting down, we saw our subordinates - the agents. They had already been lined up, sitting on the floor. They asked us where we kept the tool box. “They came with their own box containing assorted tools. In fact, they were fully armed with all manners of tools. They brought the tools out and asked me to bring out the server. Before I did that, they were hurrying me and video recording me. They were also taking my photograhs. “As I was removing the devices of the systems, they were putting them in a sack which they sealed and labeled as exhibit bag. Asking us, ‘do you see it now?’ They later took us to their headquarters at Magodo and kept us in three different rooms. I was in one of the rooms with three interrogators. I never knew them before but got to know all of them in the course of the interrogation. They were very secretive people. “I told the lead interrogator that if I were to be a politician, I would have gone to jail to let him know that I was not afraid of being jailed. He later left me with his two colleagues. “They were threatening me with jail as I spoke. They wanted me to say things that I didn’t see or do. They would ask me questions and wanted me to answer same in their own way. “They said my grammar was too much and that I should make my answers brief. It was all a systematic way of putting us in psychological

Different accounts “What my colleagues saw was different from what I saw but I was at the store when they broke into it. I did not see what happened inside the project manager’s office and the coordinator’s office. Mrs. Ilori, who witnessed that didn’t see the destruction of the facilities store. They forcefully broke into the store and carted away APC membership forms in 31 bags of Ghana-must-go bags. “I also saw the computer they took away from the project manager’s office. It is whitish in colour. They tried to break into the coordinator’s office but they were unsuccessful. They also broke the door to the server’s room and went away with the server. “I also heard when they asked my colleague to destroy the agent’s system. They took us from their Magodo Office on November 24 in a vehicle with tinted glasses and as we crossed to the Oregun-Opebi Link Bridge at about 1.45pm, I thought perhaps they were going to our own office.

• Chika Onuchukwu PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

‘We were like asking ourselves at a point if we would be allowed to go. We also asked them to know if they were going to let us go. They said we should just hold on’ “He said they would have to record everything they did in their office as the APC has alleged that they vandalised their office. I told them that I was there the office of my project manager’s office was vandalised.

Data process aborted He exclaimed, ‘did we destroy your server?’ and I told him I was not there. And cannot account for what I don’t know.” Atuche recalled the assailants took away the server, the hard drives, the two personal laptops, personal external hard drives, and a total of 61 Ghana-must-go bags containing APC membership registration forms He said: “We were like asking ourselves at a point if we would be allowed to go. We also asked them to know if they were going to let us go. They said we should just hold on. They kept communicating with each other. But the way they were doing showed they were expecting an order from above. Mrs. Enemuwe, whose arrest was effected when her spouse (Onuchukwu) led detectives to her home, corroborated the invasion allegations. She was off duty when the operatives stormed the office. Her words: “We kept on calling all their numbers, all switched off. After like three four hours, he (the husband) and like five of the DSS officers came to the house and they told me I was the one they were looking for and I asked why anybody should be looking for me. “They said I would know why when I got to their office and that I should come along to make a statement and that they didn’t come to arrest me. “On our way, one of them was interrogating me. He asked if I knew that the project we were doing was perceived to be an enemy or threat to the people. I asked how since I was sure I was not involved in any dubious activity.” Onuchukwu said: The operatives thought my wife took the hard disc home and had password to the serve and they compelled me to take them home to fetch her." He believed one of the agents disclosed his identity as the spouse of Mrs. Enemuwe.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS

FEC approves N432.8b for road contracts •Nigeria to borrow $500m for roads T HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved roads contracts worth N432.8 billion. Supervising Minister of Information Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed said this yesterday at the end of the FEC’s meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan. Mohammed was accompanied to the weekly briefing by Minister of Works Mike Onolememen; Federal Capital Territory Minister Bala Mohammed and Minister of Niger Delta Steve Oru. He said the council approved the memorandum presented by Minister of Works for the award of contract for the construction and rehabilitation of 17 strategic roads and bridges (categories A and B) in the 1st batch of projects for roads and bridges.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

When they are awarded, Onolememen said the projects would generate employment for Nigerian engineers, technicians, artisans and unskilled labour. The minister said they would also improve the socio-economic activities within the affected communities, reduce operating costs, travel time and accidents on the roads. The minister revealed that a Federal Government’s delegation would soon visit China for talks on a $500 million loan for road projects. The 17 roads, he said, included projects in Borno, Yobe, Gombe, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Nassarawa, Abia, Niger, Kogi, Cross River, Lagos and Kaduna states.

He added that there were budgetary provisions of N11 billion in the ministry’s 2014 Appropriation Act and N10 billion from SURE-P for the projects, while the balance would be provided for in subsequent budgets. The projects, according to him, included the Bodo-Bonny road in Rivers State with three major bridges across Afa Creek, Opobo Channel and Nanabie Creek, the new Ikom Bridge, the AgaeKatchia-Baro road in Niger State, reconstruction and dualisation of Aba-Port Harcourt and EnuguLokpanta sections of the EnuguPort Harcourt expressway. Also included in the 17 projects were the rehabilitation of Damaturu-Biu road, and GombeKaltungo Section of Gombe-Nu-

man-Yola road. Onolememen added that over 13,500 jobs would be created through the projects. On the allegation that the ministry owed N150 billion for past road contracts, he said: “The Federal Ministry of Works is not owing contractors to the tune of N150 billion; that is not correct. But having said that; it is also not possible to take money from one project to the other. So, if the National Assembly approves budgetary proposal of the executive, you are duty bound to implement them.” He noted that the new projects approved by the council were included in the 2014 Appropriation Act of the National Assembly. On the likely adverse effects

Ruling in Igbo ‘deportees’ case for tomorrow

of falling oil prices on the projects, Onolememen said: “In terms of falling oil prices like you said, that is a global phenomenon and Nigeria is not broke. The fact that the oil prices are falling, we have not reached a stage that Nigeria cannot continue to fund infrastructural projects. On the $500 million loan from China, Onolememen said: “It will interest you to know that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy within the next 10 days will be leading a delegation to China to finalise the EXIM loan for that particular project, among others. By the grace of God, I will be on the team and I am very hopeful that will signal the beginning of that project.”

By Joseph Jibueze

FEDERAL High Court in Lagos will deliver judgment tomorrow in a fundamental rights enforcement suit file by 83 Igbo, who were allegedly deported by force to Anambra State in 2012. The applicants – Rosemary Nathaniel, Friday Ndukwe, Grace Igbochi, Ugulori Tutua, Chinyere Nicholas, Osondu Mbuto and 77 others – are in the suit seeking a declaration that their arrest, remand and alleged forceful transportation from Lagos to Onitsha on the ground that they were non-indigenes of Lagos and against their consent, was a violation of their fundamental rights to personal liberty, freedom of movement and freedom from discrimination. The applicants want the court to declare that the state’s action was a violation of Sections 35, 41(1) and 42 of the Constitution, and Articles 6,12, 2 and 28 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap., A9 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. They want Justice Musa Kurya to award damages of N2 billion against Lagos State and its agents in their own favour. Joined with the state as respondents, were its Attorney General and the state’s Commissioner of Police. But it was the argument of Lagos State that the applicants’ deportation to Onitsha was not done out of malice, but with the genuine intention of re-uniting them with their families.

DIASPORA Media Ltd has praised erudite writer and Professor of English at the University of New Orleans, United States, Prof. Niyi Osundare, for winning the Nigeria National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award for 2014. Its Chief Executive Officer, Dele Morakinyo, in a statement yesterday, said: “The award, which is truly merit-based, is bestowed on any Nigerian whose intellectual stature is indisputable, and in the case of Osundare, his acceptability extends to the global literary scene, where he is firmly established as a multiple laureate, and this latest honour at home is no doubt a worthy addition.” The firm, which organised the Niyi Osundare International Poetry Festival, added: “We congratulate this wordsmith, whose craftsmanship in poetry is in a class of its own, rich in lyrics, fecund in content and masterly in presentation. “Osundare’s works remain African in spite of his versatility in the English medium, and his theme ever so earthy, sincere and always in rhyme with nature and humanity. “It does not escape our observation that in this award, Osundare is confirmed worthy of honour at home.”

‘Nigeria’s history in danger’ From Tayo Johnson and Bisola Oloyede, Ibadan

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (middle); his Wife, Sherifat; Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (third left); Akirun of Ikirun Oba Rauf Adedeji (second right); Aragbiji of Iragbiji Oba Rasheed Olabomi (left); Oru of Imoru-Ijebu Oba Munirudeen Bashorun (right) and Asiwaju Adeen of Yorubaland Chief Tunde Badmus, when the Alaafin visited the governor at Government House, Osogbo...yesterday.

Nigeria among world’s most corrupt, says TI NIGERIA has again ranked as one of the most corrupt countries of the world, according to a report by the Transparency International (TI) yesterday. Based on expert opinion from around the world, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide, and it painted an alarming picture. Not one single country got a perfect score and more than two-thirds scored below 50, on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). Nigeria ranked 27 along with countries such as Iran, Cameroun and Lebanon. North Korea and Somalia

By Joseph Jibuze

ranked lowest with eight each in the highly corrupt category. Denmark is the highest ranked country in the very clean category with 92, while New Zealand (91), Finland (89), Sweden (87), Norway and Switzerland (86) are among the “very clean” countries. The United States of America was ranked 74, below the United Kingdom (78). Ghana (48) and South Africa (44) ranked higher than Nigeria in the index. Regionally, the Americas was ranked 45; Middle East and North Africa, 38; Asia Pacific, 43; Sub-Saharan Africa, 33; European Union, 66; and Eastern Eu-

rope and Central Asia, 33. Regarding countries such as Nigeria where corruption is high, TI said: “Poorly equipped schools, counterfeit medicine and elections decided by money are just some of the consequences of public sector corruption. “Bribes and backroom deals don’t just steal resources from the most vulnerable – they undermine justice and economic development, and destroy public trust in government and leaders. “Countries at the bottom need to adopt radical anti-corruption measures in favour of their people. Countries at the top of the index should make sure they don’t export corrupt

Unlawful deportation: Nigerian petitions Chinese embassy N aggrieved Nigerian businessman, PraiseJah Enemuoh, has petitioned the Chinese Embassy over his alleged unlawful deportation by the Chinese government. Enemuoh, who alleged that he was inhumanly treated during a business trip to the Asian country, said he was humiliated by the Chinese government for no reason. In the petition dated November 13, a copy of which was sent to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), he stated that despite being issued visa by the Chinese Embassy

Merit award: Firm praises Osundare

By Precious Igbonwelundu

in Nigeria, he was denied entry into China on October 31. He added that he was refused food and water, adding that when he opted to buy some snacks with his money, they declined to serve him. The petitioner urged the Chinese embassy to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and determine whether his entry into China was illegal or irregular. The petition reads: “I travelled to China aboard an Ethiopia Airline on October 31, with my return ticket, with a view to expand my business. “Upon arrival at the Guangzhou Airport in China, I presented my travel docu-

ments to Immigration officials for clearance into the country. “My visa was stamped by a female officer who thereafter requested me to follow another male officer to his office and I complied. “This male official, in turn, collected my travel documents and he did not return same to me for over an hour. “Consequently, I demanded to know if anything was amidst, otherwise I should be cleared to enter the country. “Rather than accede to my lawful demand, the official ordered me to sit and be quiet. About an hour later, I demanded to know what was happening, but I was informed that they

(Immigration) were investigating me. “I demanded to know what I was being investigated for. But the official demanded to know if I had a return ticket and if I had any money with me to which I responded affirmatively and said I had at least $21,300USD. “After many hours, I was forced to sign some documents I could not (or even allowed to) read, finger printed and my photograph taken before I was deported aboard an Ethiopian airline to Nigeria on November 2. “I was sent back without any explanation whatsoever as to the reason for this untoward embarrassment and grievous maltreatment,” he stated.

practices to underdeveloped countries.” Chair, Transparency International, José Ugaz, said: “Corruption is a problem for all countries. A poor score is likely a sign of widespread bribery, lack of punishment for corruption and public institutions that don’t respond to citizens’ needs. “Countries at the top of index also need to act. Leading financial centres in the EU and U.S. need to join with fast-growing economies to stop the corrupt from getting away with it. The G20 needs to prove its global leadership role and prevent money laundering and stop secret companies from masking corruption.”

IGERIA’s history is in danger of falling into extinction, an historian, Prof. Obaro Ikime, said yesterday. He said this at the 60th year anniversary of the National Archives of Nigeria at the University of Ibadan’s (UI’s) Trenchard, Hall. Ikime said “ The archives of this country has a culture and the country is losing it. “Our archives are in danger of perishing. Unless the government makes a conscious effort to keep them, the next generation will not meet any history.” He advised the government to help in sustaining the nation’s history. “Proper funding is necessary as a national archive is very expensive to run and adequate management is necessary to ensure the preservation of our history,” the don said. The Director, National Archives of Nigeria, Mr. Umar Abdulyekin, called on Nigerians to deposit their individual and family records with the agency.

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS

My life under threat, says APC spokesman

LL Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Comrade Timi Frank was detained yesterday by men of the Directorate of State Security at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on arrival from France. Following his experience with the DSS agents, he said: “As I speak, this is a very serious issue. My life is under threat and it is very important to let you know that if anything happens to me from today, the Nigerian security agencies must be held responsible.” Frank told reporters that he was detained for over one hour

•Frank speaks on experience with airport’s DSS agents From Tony Akowe, Abuja

by the security agents at the airport’s Immigration point and later released without anybody saying anything to him. The APC chieftain said he decided to share his experience with Nigerians, since as the nation gets closer to next year’s elections, “there is a form of crackdown on some opposition leaders by the security agencies, including the DSS, who are now being used to harass and intimidate opposition leaders.” He explained that his detention was another strategy the

agency had adopted to intimidate opposition leaders. But he assured that no amount of intimidation from the DSS or any other security agency will stop him from speaking out. His words: “I arrived at the airport at about 5pm on Tuesday on my way from Paris, France. At the Immigration point where they normally stamp the passport, I was stopped by a lady who walked to me with three others in mufti. As soon as I dropped my passport, she ceased the passport and asked me to move

aside. I asked why and she said it was an instruction which I must obey. “As a law abiding citizen, I obeyed and moved aside. Without telling me anything, she took me to where other security agents were sitting and said that I should sit there, and asked the other SSS people there to keep me in their custody until she gets further clearance. “I asked the man sitting beside me shy I was being treated like a member of Boko Haram? “So, I have decided to let Nigerians know that as we get

closer to the 2015 elections, there is a form of crackdown on some opposition leaders by the security agencies, including the DSS, which is now being used to harass and intimidate opposition leaders in Nigeria. “This maybe the first step. For me, it may be a small one, but I can assure you that this is another strategy they have adopted to intimidate opposition leaders. Let me also assure you that no amount of intimidation from security agents will stop me. “Despite being the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of

the APC, I am also an activist. I have been talking and fighting for the right of Nigerians. I have been fighting against corruption in this country. “No amount of intimidation from the DSS or any other security agency will stop me from speaking and not even the Presidency. “As I speak, this is a very serious issue. My life is under threat and it is very important to let you know that if anything happens to me from today, the Nigerian security agencies must be held responsible. The job of the SSS is to protect Nigerians and not to harass Nigerians or the opposition.

Poor leadership worries Babalakin From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

•Some persons living with disabilities at the 2014 International Day of Persons With Disabilities in Abuja...yesterday.

Nigeria lacks focus on disability, says minister

NADEQUATE focus on disability issues and its attendant consequences has remained a major challenge for the nation’s development, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, has said. She made this known in Abuja yesterday, in an address as part of activities marking the celebration of the International Day of Person With Disabilities with the theme: “Sustainable Development: The Prom-

From Bukola Amusan and Kehinde Ore, Abuja

ise of Technology.” The minister said the situation had led to the renewed efforts globally to draw attention of everyone towards matters affecting persons with disabilities, most especially through the United Nations Declarations, treaties, instruments, conventions and their optional protocols. Hajiya Maina, who was represented by the Permanent Sec-

retary of the Ministry, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, said: “Unfortunately, in spite of the glorious picture painted and the beauty of technology, not all people benefit from advances of technology and the attendant higher standard of living. “This is mainly because not everyone has access to the new technologies and not all can afford them.” According to her, over one billion people were living with disability around the world majority in developing coun-

tries. “Persons With Disabilities not only face physical barriers, but also social, economic and attitudinal barriers. Furthermore, disability is associated with 20 per cent of global poverty, of which the majority live in developing countries. “In spite of being the world largest minority group, persons with disabilities and the issues of disability have remained largely invisible in the mainstream development framework and its protocols.”

CJN: Era of judicial secrecy gone

HIEF Justice Mahmud Mohammed said yesterday that the era when judicial activities were conducted in secrecy had seized. He said the judiciary, being a component part of the government, could no longer operate “in its cocoon” without the scrutiny of the society, represented by the media. The CJN said there was need for mutual understanding between the judiciary and the media to ensure they both operate effectively in the interest of the larger society. Justice Mohammed spoke in a keynote address titled: “Promoting understanding between the judiciary and the press,” delivered in Abuja at the first training workshop organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJC) for judiciary correspondents in Abuja. He noted that the acrimonious relationship that existed between the judiciary and the reporters in the past could no longer be sustained in view of today’s realities.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

He said both institutions needed each other to allow for the promotion of societal peace, justice and democracy. According to him, “The role the press has played and is still playing in enthroning integrity, probity and transparency in the judiciary can neither be underestimated nor overemphasised. “Gone are the days of acrimonious relationship between the judiciary and the press. The relationship between the judiciary and the press was not clearly delineated. What the judiciary had on the ground were only restrictive prescriptions for giving out information from the judiciary or the courts. “This made the activities of the judiciary shrouded in secrecy and the public were not properly informed or educated about the nature and activities of the judiciary. “Since the judiciary, as an arm of government, is a sub-

system within the state, it cannot therefore, be insulated from the stimuli (both external and internal) which impact upon and influence the state as a system. “In that wise, it is imperative that the conduct of the affairs of the judiciary should be brought to the full knowledge of the environment, which it serves through informed formal media participation as is the case with other organs of the governmental framework. “The participation of the press in the affairs of the judiciary creates a healthy environment for the human elements in the judiciary to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinion and to receive and impart ideas and information without let or hindrance as guaranteed by section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.” He added: “The role of the press in dissemination of information relating to the judi-

IGERIA keeps having problems because it had abandoned merit, a Senior Advocate, Dr. Wale Babalakin, has said. Warning that a system that abandoned merit could not rule, he explained that mediocres are in charge of the country. Babalakin spoke at a seminar marking the 60th Anniversary of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ibadan Chapter with the theme: “Nigeria: At Tipping or Turning Point.” The event was held at the Aare Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan. “Nigeria is currently faced with economic issues among other problems. But I hope what this will do to us, will create a thinking nation. “We keep having problems because we have abandoned merit and a system that abandons merit cannot rule,” he said. The Bi-Courtney boss urged lawyers to develop themselves, adding that the greatest asset of a lawyer “is thinking”. He said: “Let us create what Ibadan represents. Appointment of the bench must be for those who want to be on the bench.” Mr. Asue Ighodalo, who chaired the event, said with the gloomy nature of things in the country, it “takes only the tough and good strategic planners to survive.” Ighodalo, who is the chairman of the NBA Section on Business Law, praised the Ibadan NBA chapter, saying history would always remember its contribution to the legal practice. He admonished lawyers to stop thinking of traditional times, urging them to think outside the box to find solutions to problems facing the profession. “There is no aspect of human endeavour the law doesn’t cover. Law is life; it is the bedrock of the society. It protects the society and as human activities expand, there’s need to expand our services too. “You need to be dynamic, efficient, flexible, skillful and a problem solver. The world has become more global and it demands for specialised legal services. Anyone, who wants to survive, must develop expertise in other emerging sectors,” he said Urging the legal practitioners to embrace continuous legal education, he called on successful legal practitioners to mentor the upcoming generation to return the shine to the city.

Mark seeks divine intervention From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ENATE President David Mark has urged Nigerians to turn to God for solutions to the nation’s security, political and economic problems. Mark was optimistic that God would heal the land “only if we turn to Him to salvage the myriads of crisis facing the nation. The Senate President, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, spoke while addressing members of the Youth Prayer Network of Nigeria (YPNN) at the flag off of national prayers to heal the nation in his Apo, Abuja official residence. Mark said: “What the country is passing through at the moment is a test of our faith.

“We must be steadfast in our prayers that God will save Nigeria. What we need now as a nation is sincerity of purpose. Sincerity on the part of everybody; the government and the people.”

CAN to pray for Boko Haram victims December 7 •Mohammed

ciary, therefore, is a service not only to the judiciary, but to the entire citizens of Nigeria. “This is because public perception of the judiciary as a service component of the state system depends largely on the media presentation. Informed, formal active participation in the affairs of the Judiciary becomes imperative in any given society.” Justice Mohammed hailed the NJI and members of NAJUC for the initiative, which he said was needed to aid judiciary correspondents in understanding the judiciary and function better.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

HRISTIAN Association of Nigeria (CAN) has declared December 7 as a day of special prayers and offering for victims of insurgency. The association said this in a statement in Abuja by its National General Secretary, Dr. Musa Asake. The statement reads: “Nigerians are still inundated with pictures and reports on the ceaseless mayhem in parts of Northeast and this has prompted CAN to appeal to all churches in Nigeria to set aside December 7, as a day of special prayers for the victims of the insurgency and to collect special offering to assist them. “We are expected to offer special prayers, not just for our slain Christian brethren, but for all those who lost their lives in the attacks, that the Almighty God will grant them eternal rest and through these prayers, intervene in the challenges that the insurgency has brought to the countless number of families that have been directly or indirectly affected by the crisis.” “Pray that God will give us all the wisdom and strength to execute this task with minimal difficulty to the glory of God the father, Amen.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS APC lawmakers face ‘police crackdown’

12 lawmakers lose bid to return to T Lagos Assembly T

WELVE members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, lost their reelection bid. Abdulrazaq Balogun (Chief Whip, Surulere 2); Ajibayo Adeyeye (Majority Leader); Mufutau Egberongbe (Apapa 1); Hodewu Suru Avoseh (Badagry 2); Wahab Alawiye-King (Lagos Island 2) and Masha Hakeem Agboola (Lagos Island 1). Others are: Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet (OshodiIsolo 2); Ramota AkinolaHassan, (Amuwo Odofin 2); Bashiru Oloto (Lagos Mainland 2); Kabir Lawal (Surulere 1); Ahmed Ipoola Omisore(Ifako Ijaiye 2); Adebimpe Akinsola (Ikorodu 2) all lost out to “new comers”. Olatunji-Edet was defeated by Ladi Ajomale, son of the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Henry Oladele Ajomale. It was a landslide victory as Ajomale’s son polled 250 votes; Moroof

•Majority leader, chief whip out By Oziegbe Okoeki

Ojoola polled 58 votes. Olatunji-Edet could only muster 37 votes. The story was more pathetic for Omisore. He could only muster four delegate votes. The Ifako-Ijaye Constituency 2 ticket was won by “newcomer” Rasheed Makinde, who polled 103 votes to push former chairman of Ojokoro Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Benjamin Olabinjo, to second place with 93 votes. In Amuwo Odofin Constituency 2, incumbent Ramota Akinola-Hassan was defeated by another “newcomer”, Wale Raufu. In Lagos Mainland Constituency 1, former local government chairman Oladele Adekanye, a.k.a. Lado, defeated incumbent Bashiru Oloto.

Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot beat incumbent Kabir Lawal in Surulere Constituency 1. Twenty-four lawmakers defeated their opponents. They include Deputy Speaker Kolawole Musbau Taiwo (Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 1); his counterpart in Constituency 2, Abdul Baq Ladi Balogun; Mudasiru Obasa (Agege Constituency 1); his counterpart in Constituency 2, Yinka Ogundimu; Bisi Yusuf (Alimoso Constituency 1); Sikiru Osinowo (Kosofe Constituency 1); Princess Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (Mushin Constituency 1); Dayo Saka Fafunmi (Ifako-Ijaye Constituency 1); Lanre Ogunyemi (Ojo Constituency 2); his counterpart in Constituency 1, Muhibat Rufai-Adeyemi and

Moshood Lanre Oshun (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2). Others are: Olanrewaju Layode (Badagry 1); Olumuyiwa Jimoh (Apapa 2); Sanai Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1); Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 2) and his counterpart in Eti-Osa 1, Alimi Ademola; Segun Olulade (Epe 2) and his counterpart in Epe 1, Abiodun Tobun; Deputy Chief Whip Rotimi Abiru (Somolu 2) and his counterpart in Somolu 1, Rotimi Olowo; Omotayo Oduntan (Alimosho 2); Sultan Adeniji-Adele (Amuwo Odofin 1); Mojeed Fatai Adebola (Ibeju-Lekki 1) and his counterpart in IbejuLekki 2, Kazeem Raheem Adewale. There was a stalemate in Kosofe 2 Constituency and in the rerun which took place yesterday, Majority Leader Ajibayo Adeyeye lost to Tunde Buraimoh. Adeyeye scored 173, Buraimoh scored 230, Olojo Kosoko one and Oluwole Ogunleye three.

Omisore’s expert goes beyond client’s mandate

IUS Bakare, the expert witness of the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, admitted yesterday before the Osun State Election Petition Tribunal that he went beyond the mandate given to him by his client. Led in evidence by the respondent’s counsel, the witness said he analysed 1,842 polling units instead of only 912 units in the 17 local government being challenged by the petitioner. Omisore and the PDP are challenging the August 9 re-election of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is joined as a party in the matter. At the resumed hearing, Bakare, who claimed to be an Information Technology expert, digital forensic expert and document forensic expert, was cross-examined by Aregbesola’s counsel Akin Olujinmi; APC’s counsel Prof Yemi Osinbajo and INEC’s counsel Ayotunde Ogunleye. The witness, who had stated in his deposition that his analysis covered only the polling units being challenged, said: “I read the petition and the reply and ascertain that the petitioners are challenging only 912 polling units, but I based my inspection and analysis on 1,842 units. “I agree that I have gone beyond the mandate given to me by the petitioners who gave me this job to do. The extension cannot affect my report.” When he was being cross-examined by Osinbajo, the witness, who recorded 222 as total votes cast for Ward 2, Unit 5 Atakumosa East Local Government in his report, was confronted with the

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Certified True Copies (CTC) of the result form for the unit and he confirmed that the votes cast there were 223, admitting that his record was false. For Ward 2, Unit 4 of Ilesa East Local Government, the witness was also confronted with the result form for the unit and he confirmed that the votes were 202, as against the 200 he recorded in his report. He, again, admitted that his entry was wrong. He was also confronted with the result form for Ward 10, Unit 6 of Ilesa East and he confirmed that the total votes were 257, as against the 256 in his report. Bakare conceded again that his entries were faulty. Confirming that at table two of his report, the spaces for total votes cast for units 21, 22 and 23 of Ward 11, Irewole Local Government were blank, he admitted that his conclusion that that there were differences in the votes recorded would not be correct. He told the tribunal that there was nowhere in his reports where the serial numbers of the ballot papers he inspected were listed. Osinbajo who hinted that there were over 200 false entries in the report of the “expert”, said the discrepancies would be taken up at the final address stage. Also being cross-examined by INEC’s counsel, the witness testified that he did not carry out any fingerprint inspection on the ballot papers to determine multiple voting, neither did he make any report on it. He said there was no reflection of the total used ballot papers in his report. Asked to confirm that a source of data must be the same with the data being processed to get accurate result, the witness answered in the

affirmative. He was then confronted with the CTC of the result form for Ward 5, Unit 9 of Olorunda Local Government which has 409 votes cast, as against the entry in his report that the votes cast were 407, admitting again that his entry was faulty. The INEC counsel then noted that there were over 400 false entries in the report and they would be taken up at the final address stage. Also, Omisore’s counsel Nathaniel Oke admitted that he misinformed the tribunal on the inspection of some election materials. Oke said the respondents’ team could not complete the inspection because there was power failure. But Olujinmi queried Oke for misinforming the tribunal, saying the inspection was concluded. He said: “My lord, I am taken aback by the false information my learned friend is giving to the court. “I gave my words that we would complete the inspection, and when the light was off, we had to use the phone torchlights to complete the work. “He should have confided in me to know the true position, rather than giving wrong information. We stayed behind to ensure that the inspection was concluded.” The petitioners’ counsel, who admitted giving wrong information to the tribunal, apologised for the act, saying he was misinformed by his team. He thanked the respondents’ legal team for their cooperation in the inspection of the documents. The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Elizabeth Ikpejime, who also praised the respond-

ents’ counsel for their cooperation and proactiveness, conceded that Omisore’s counsel should have confirmed the true position before giving wrong information.

HE crisis in Ekiti State has taken another dimension as the police search for the 19 All Progressives Congress (APC) for “interaction”. Before the current move, the members had intelligence report that Governor Ayodele Fayose had enlisted police’s support in the crackdown on opposition politicians, including lawmakers. The police had dropped “invitation letters” in the homes of Folorunso Ogundele from Efon-Alaye and Tope Peter Agidi from Ilawe-Ekiti. But the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, denied knowledge of the invitation, saying there was no basis for such invitation, as there were no complaints against the lawmakers. He advised the Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, to ignore such invitation. The APC had earlier raised the alarm that Governor Fayose had recruited back to Ekiti State some of the policemen he used to unleash terror on the opposition during his first term. It said the “special squad” was being raised as an “alternative police force” to attack APC members as he did between 2003 and 2006. With Lakanu’s denial, Omirin said the coast seemed set for the next phase of crackdown on the opponents.

Alaafin: traditional values gone From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, has attributed the decline in the assimilation of customs by the youth to the dangerous trends in the society. Alaafin spoke when traditional rulers from Oke-Ogun area visited his palace for the naming ceremony of his baby. The monarch noted that things have gone from bad to worse so much that teenagers engage in certificate rackets, drug abuse, alcoholism and all forms of social vices. “These evils are perpetrated under the nose of the so-called academicians, who loathe their fore-fathers’ cultures and customs. ‘’These are the privileged few who have lost contact with their villages because they live in the Ivory Towers. “I believe that if our youths imbibe our customs we would not witness sudden and tragic deaths. “This means that our customary life imposes discipline. But youths want to live their lives in unfettered freedom, which often ends in tragedy. “We have succeeded in removing God from the minds of our children. The very fabric of our various societies has been thrown to the dogs. We are really at crossroads. “Unless we make our children learn our tradition through which they can imbibe our customs, coupled with the knowledge of God, the future may be bleak. It is our turn to guard our heritage before we become engulfed in a limitless foreign sea.’’

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS Military jet bombard insurgents as they re-group

•CLEARED: From left: Nda-Isaiah, Okorocha, Atiku, Gen. Buhari and Kwankwaso with their clearance...yesterday

Why we chose Lagos for presidential primary, by Fayemi

HE Chairman of the National Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, said the choice of Lagos as the convention venue was not meant to coronate any of the five presidential aspirants. He said the committee will not work towards a preconceived answer of the National Chairman of APC or any party leader. He said he had come into the assignment with nothing

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

but his integrity and the committee would be fair to all. Fayemi said: “Indeed some aspirants wrote to us wanting the convention committee to still stick to Abuja but since everything we are doing is open and transparent, in fact all aspirants have representatives in the committee and they were part of all the discussions that transpired before we arrived at Lagos, so we were able to convince them.

“I then chose to meet with all the presidential aspirants because I felt it was important for me to explain to them as the chairman of the convention committee on why we arrived at Lagos. By the time I finished with the explanation they could see that the choice of Lagos was not an arbitrary decisionÿ or accidental choice. “We looked at other option. We looked at Port Harcourtÿ Benin and Lagos. We felt that all of the factors that

are considered to be critical to success of our convention only Lagos has successful met those criteria. “The criteria like comprehensive security measuresÿ like full coverage by the media and the capacity to accommodate 10, 000 delegates. There is no other city that can do that outside Abuja and Lagos. Benin that was also a very high ranking choice also did not succeed on that point because the accommodation Continued on page 68

Mass exodus hits Yobe capital Damaturu

EAR-GRIPPED residents were yesterday leaving Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, following Monday’s attack on the town by Boko Haram insurgents. Normalcy is, however, gradually returning to the town after the 24-hour curfew was relaxed to 12 hours by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam. Many residents are also leaving town with their families either to their villages or other safe cities amid rumours of an impending attack. Some travellers were sighted on the Potiskum-Kano road. Other routes, apart from Gujba road, which leads to the stronghold of the insurgents, have been busy with vehicular and human movement. The three major motor parks in Damaturu are full of wouldbe passengers with travellers heading in various direction. Residents who were almost

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

running out of foodstuff in their homes trooped out to the markets to make purchases before the 6pm curfew. Some of the residents expressed shock over the level of attack on the town. They, however, praised the brave soldiers for repelling the insurgents. Shaibu Musa, a civil servant, said that he was pleased that the soldiers fought in, unlike other towns where soldiers reportedly ran away. “ Contrary to what we have been hearing from other places, that soldiers usually run away from this kind of attacks, the soldiers here were brave. They stood their ground and fought very well to repel the insurgents. The jet that came to help them did a very nice job. We salute the soldiers for keeping Damaturu for us,” Musa said excited-

ly. Abdulhameed, who sells used clothes near Forte Oil filling station on Gujba road lost everything as the insurgents burnt his shop which, according to him, was stocked a day before they struck the town. He estimated his loss at over N3 million. “I just came back from market on Sunday, a day before these useless boys’ attack. Look at what they have done to me. I lost over N3 million in this shop. Where will I start from now, for Allah’s sake?” Abdulhameed asked, throwing his hands in the air. Banks in Damaturu have remained closed to customers. Our correspondent saw customers at ATM paying points. Thousands of university students were trapped in their school on Gujba road. Reports indicated that the insurgents came and camped at the ad-

ministrative block of the institution at about 3.30am before lunching the first onslaught on the police mobile base in Damaturu at 5.30 spreading to other security formation, including the Government House. Some of the residents are stranded, having no money to travel or buy foodstuff. Halima Jatau, a housewife called on the banks to load their ATM even if they cannot open for customers. “We are in dire need of cash. Some people here want to travel but they don’t have cash on them. Some of us need cash for food but we can’t get because the ATMs are empty. We are pleading with them to please put money for us so that we can withdraw to buy food for our families,” She said. At the popular Abacha market, most traders have opened their shops, waiting eagerly for customers.

IR Force jets yesterday pounded Boko Haram insurgents as they regrouped to launch another attack on Damaturu the Yobe State capital. Reports filtered into the town that the insurgents were regrouping at Garin Itace(firewood town) about 20km on the outskirts of Damaturu, to re-launch an attack on the town. The jet bombarded them. Security sources said some local residents sighted the boys and alerted security agents who took proactive steps to attack the boys before their plans were hatched. The sound of bombardment by the jet fighter coupled with a pocket of gunshots during the operations sent most resi-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

dents back to their homes before the 6pm that the curfew took effect. Some of the residents were even compelled to leave the town. It was gathered that Governor Gaidam who was returning to Damaturu was turned back to Kano by security agents. The source said “the governor’s convoy was almost at Bulkachuwa in Dambam Local government of Bauchi state when security advised him to turn back for fear of mistaken airstrike on his convoy”. Troops yesterday in Konduga intercepted a vehicle laden with Improvised ExploContinued on page 68

NLC tells govt to address insurgency

ORKERS challenged President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday to speak on the Boko Haram insurgency, which has claimed thousands of lives. The President should borrow a leaf from his Kenyan counterparts, Uhuru Kenyatta, address Nigerians on the state of the nation and take concrete step towards ending the insurgency, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said. There should be a change of strategy, with well over 5,000 killed in serial attacks, the congress said.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

NLC Vice President Comrade Isa Aremu announced the congress’ posiition at a news conference in Kaduna, following the Kano bombing in which over 100 residents died. Nigeria parades possibly the highest number of past Heads of State, according to Aremu, who said they should join forces with the Federal Government and patriotic citizens to terminate insurgency and senseless killings. Aremu, who is also the SecContinued on page 68

Presidency seeks truce Continued from page 1

reported threat, the Presidency, through the President’s Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has pleaded with the upper legislative chamber for a political solution to the matter. In a statement yesterday, Okupe said: “The Senate in the last four years has conducted its legislative functions and responded to issues that are of great national importance with commendable political sagacity. “In this same period, the senate has functioned as a stabilizing force within the polity employing much po-

litical maturity that is required to guide and protect our nascent democracy. “However, confrontation and strong disagreements are not uncommon phenomenon in Executive-Legislative relationship worldwide. “The recent purported attempt by some Senators to prepare impeachable offences against the President, as reported in some section of the Media, is seen by us in this light. “We strongly trust and believe in the leadership of the present Senate and the unwavering patriotism and Continued on page 68

2015: Buhari, Atiku, Okorocha, Kwankwaso, Nda-Isaiah sign pact Continued from page 1

born and the reason for the formation of the APC was to stop the drift which the nation has been passing through in the last 16 years. “Yesterday (Tuesday), for several hours, the Presidential Screening Committee met with five very distinguished Nigerians and members of the APC seeking the nomination of the party to contest for the position of President of Nigeria. During that exercise, we found that these men are so distinguished that there is not one of them that will not make a great difference to our nation. “The goal of the party is to control, government at the national level so that the problems of our country, those problems that people thought cannot be solved, the APC will show that they can be solved.” He desribed the screening as “rigorous”. “I want to also tell you that the scores were very narrow and very high, with the least scoring 62 per cent. The high-

est scored 78 per cent. The second person scored 77 per cent and the third scored 75 per cent. So, you can see how close it was. I really thank you and congratulate you our aspirants for the quality that is in you. “We told you before the screening that we want the aspirants to sign a letter of commitment for the party. “I am happy to inform you that all the five aspirants were very happy to sign the letters of commitment and that commitment is principally to assure the party that there is none of them that is running for himself. “They are running to offer service and improve on the well-being of our people and being happiness to Nigerians, foster unity and bring peace and secure our country because we cannot be the pride of Africa and be losing our territory to insurgents. “If the aim is really service, it means that they understand that only one of them will fly our flag. They have all agreed

THE AGREEMENT I (name of aspirant) hereby undertake to abide by the rules and regulations contained in the All Progressives Congress APC nomination guideline, APC constitution, the Electoral Act and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; “I, on behalf of myself and my primary campaign organisation undertake to accept the outcome of the primaries and actively support whoever emerges as the winner and shall not decamp to any other political party or in anyway obstruct the smooth execution of the presidential campaign; “I further affirm that during the campaigns and later in government, I shall be guided strictly by the party manifesto; and in the event of my nomination, my campaign team will immediately be collapsed into the party campaign structure for a properly united and focused presidential campaign”.

that whoever flies our flag, the other four will support him. They have also agreed to collapse their structures into the party so that the party will move to this election united because this will offer the party the best chance to win the election”. The signed commitment was read out to the hearing of all the aspirants by the Secretary of the Committee, Ambassador Fatima Balla. Responding on behalf of the other aspirants, former Head of state, General Muham-

madu Buhari expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party for putting together a quality team to carry out the screening. Gen. Buhari said: “I am honoured to speak on behalf of the aspirants. We are grateful to our great party for Organising such a competent team to come and interview us. We went through the process yesterday, discussing foreign affairs, security, economy and what our personal decisions are to the polity. “It is a very trying time for

the five of us, but we are grateful that they have been very generous in their award of marks and that we all made it. The rest of the decision now goes to the public and the delegates. “In a week time, we will come together and whoever gets the ticket to run on behalf of the party will emerge. The secretary has read the letter, which we were made to sign yesterday so that the loyalty to the party will be supreme.” No fewer than 8,000 delegates will next week in Lagos elect the candidate. The National Convention Committee fixed the special event for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere in the country’s commercial capital between December 10 and 11. Committee Chairman and former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who announced the programme in Abuja, said though some of the aspirants expressed concern about traveling such a long distance for the convention, the committee convinced

them on the choice of Lagos. The Presidential Screening Committee cleared all the five aspirants to bid for the ticket. They are: Gen. Buhari , Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah. The aspirants signed an undertaking not to defect from the party after the convention and to support whoever gets the ticket. Fayemi said:”This is a very unique committee that has representations not just the people chosen by the leadership of the party, but also representations from the five aspirants that are running for the presidential ticket of our party. This is something that is being done transparently, with the input of their advice and their concerns being Continued on page 68

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS ‘Pay us our pension’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ETIRED primary school teachers in Ogun State have called on the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to order Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers to pay them their

pension. The retired teachers, who were employed by the State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), said they were retrenched in 2012. Others were disengaged last year and some others this year. The retirees, who addressed reporters in Abeokuta, said their counterparts from other local governments and whose pensions are managed by other companies have started collecting their entitlements. Rev. Joseph Sanyaolu, who spoke for the group, said they submitted all required documents but lamented that each time they visit their pension manager, the response is: “We have not got the approval from PENCOM to pay.” But the spokesman for the pension manager, Azeez Balogun, said: “I’m sorry I can’t say anything in respect of their complaint. I have explained the situation to them. I gave them a number to call at the PENCOM office for clarification on the matter.”

Akeredolu for doctorate degree From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan ORMER Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) will receive a honourary doctorate degree from Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, on December 12. The legal icon, who is a Life Bencher, was NBA President from 2008 to 2010. He also served as the Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice from 1997 to 1999. Akeredolu was called to the Bar in 1978 and took silk in 1998.

Four inmates in Govt House, says Ekiti APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has alleged that four of the inmates who escaped from the Federal Prisons, Ado-Ekiti, during Sunday’s jail break have taken residence in the Government House. The party alleged yesterday that four of the escapees, including a “notorious criminal and serial rapist”, are being lodged in chalets behind the Presidential Lodge in the Government House, Ado-Ekiti. But Governor Ayodele Fayose denied harbouring the inmates in the Government House. He accused the APC of “fabricating lies”. The APC in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, accused Fayose of complicity in the incident, following conflict-

•Fayose: allegation funny From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

ing statements between him and his aide, Lere Olayinka. The party said while the governor blamed prison officials for complicity, Olayinka accused APC of masterminding the jailbreak to free Niyi Adedipe, who was in jail for alleged complicity in the murder of drivers’ union boss, Omolafe Aderiye. The APC said the alleged sighting of four of the escaped inmates in the Government House confirmed the suspicion that the Sunday incident was an “orchestrated plan to free criminals friendly with the government”. The APC urged security agencies to comb the Presidential Lodge in the Govern-

ment House “to re-arrest the escapees quartered there”. The party said: “If the jail break was an attempt by APC to free Adedipe, why did Adedipe report himself to the police and subsequently surrendered himself to the prisons authorities without being declared wanted? “If the jail break was to kill Niyi Adedipe as alleged by Lere Olayinka why was he not killed? “Today, Ekiti people have information that four of the escapees, including a notorious criminal and serial rapist who attacked Fayose’s opponents during his first stint, are being lodged in the chalets behind the Presidential

Lodge in the Government House. “We have raised issues on the reasons why Fayose demanded the police authorities in Abuja to post back to Ekiti State some of the police officers who worked with him during his first stint. “We are calling the attention of Nigerians and lovers of peace and security around the world that merchants of death are back in Ekiti State to terrorise the people of Ekiti State.” But Fayose said: “Their allegation that some of the inmates are in the Government House is so funny to us, rather, some of the escapees are in the APC custody. “The APC know where the criminals are, it wants to divert attention.”

FUTA DVC re-appointed

HE Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, has confirmed the reappointment of Prof Tolulope Lawrence Akinbogun as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development) for another two years. In the letter conveying the reappointment, the Registrar, Dr Modupe Ajayi, said Prof Akinbogun will be responsible for staff development and infrastructural support for academic programmes, linkages and exchange programmes, alumni related matters, functions relating to need-driven research and supervision of the physical planning unit. Akinbogun, 51, brings a rich experience in academic and administration. He attended the University of Benin, where he graduated with BA in Ceramic Design with Second Class Upper Division. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Industrial Design from the Ahmadu Bello University and Ph.D from the Federal University of Technology, Akure. He started his academic career in Federal University of Technology, Akure as an Assistant Lecturer in 1992 before rising to the position of Professor of Industrial Design in October 2009.

Onabanjo’s daughter resigns From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

HE daughter of the first civilian governor of Ogun State, Chief Bisi Onabanjo and Chairman, State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Ms Bukunola Onabanjo, has resigned her appointment. She cited the need to sustain family relationship with former Governor Olusegun Osoba. Ms Onabanjo said she can’t sacrifice the long-standing relationship between the Onabanjos and Osoba, which spanned over 40 years as to politically please Governor Ibikunle Amosun. In her November 18 resignation letter, the former TESCOM Chairperson said:”I wish to put the following on record for posterity. Despite your Excellency’s accusation that I have a soft spot for Chief Olusegun Osoba, I wish to state that I have never undermined your office or the government of Ogun State. “I enjoy a warm, cordial and healthy relationship as every member of my family does with Chief Olusegun Osoba. Your Excellency will recall that I explained to you that the relationship between the Onabanjos and Osobas dated back to over 40 years. “I make no apology for this relationship. I am well heeled in my family’s tradition that politics is about progressives, egalitarian ideology.”

Don appointed school board chair

RETIRED university don and education consultant, Prof. Adedeji Awoniyi, has been appointed the chairman, Board of Governors, GOF International Schools (Nigeria and Coteý d’Ivoire.) At his inaugural meeting with other members on the board, including Prof. Soji Aremu, Dr. Willy Olujimi, Dr. Kola Olowe, Dr. Daniel Kehinde and the secretary, Dr. Sunday Adeyemi, the first Nigerian Professor of Mother Tongue and Early Child Educationý affirmed confidence in the integrity of the school management.

Kwankwaso woos Southwest APC

N All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential aspirant , Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has sought the support of party members in the Southwest. Kwankwaso, who is Kano State Governor, tried to convince party members across Southwest, who gathered in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, that he was the best aspirant to lead the country. Urging party members to support his ambition, the presidential aspirant said his experience as a civil servant, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, governor and minister makes him the best person to lead the country. The senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Ajayi Boroffice, who addressed the gathering, said Kwankwaso was a consummate leader who can “stir the ship of Nigeria”

•Chijioke flanked by Nwogu (right) and Nwangwa leading the procession...yesterday

The Nation man Isiguzo’s funeral for Dec 22 •NUJ holds candle light procession • Obi, colleagues eulogise reporter

HE funeral of the late Jude Isiguzo, The Nation Senior Crime Correspondent and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) The Nation Chapel, will hold on December 22 at Umuokegbu Village, Omoba in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State. The late Isiguzo’s brother, Chijioke, announced this yesterday at the deceased’s Festac Town, Lagos, home. The younger Isiguzo said the wake will hold on December 11 in Festac, Lagos. He, Iheanyi Nwogu (uncle) and Sunday Nwangwa (relative) later joined the management and staff of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation for a candle light procession. The 30 minutes’ walk took off from Fatai Atere to Palm Avenue.

Residents came out, passersby and some commuters stopped to catch a glimpse. Many took time to read the message on the huge banner bearing his picture. Songs were rendered by the Head of Health Desk, Mrs. Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha. The crowd sang along with her. At some point, emotion betrayed some of the staff. Those who could not control theirs wept. They were consoled by others. On returning to the office, prayers were offered for the deceased. There were short speeches by the News Editor, Adeniyi Adesina and Online Editor, Lekan Otufodunrin. The younger Isiguzo while delivering vote of thanks, broke into tears. The speech was concluded by his elder brother, who thanked the staff for honour-

ing their departed brother. Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi condoled with the family and the paper. In a condolence letter, Obi described the late Isiguzo as a through-bred professional, who discharged his duties seriously and represented his organisation well. More colleagues have continued to pay tributes to the deceased. Many of them recalled his banter and the way he lit up the newsroom. The Head of the Shopping Desk, Mrs Tonia Diyan, said: “I cannot say everything about Jude. “He was admirable. Jude was good and this is stating it too simply. He was generous, accommodating, dependable, and trustworthy. Tajudeeen Adebanjo of the Society Desk said: “Isiguzo was the NUJ Chair-

man and I the treasurer. We were so close being signatories to the Union’s account. “People always wanted to cash in on Jude’s generosity. He would approve every proposal brought to him. “He had so many lofty programmes in line for NUJ members . But God had another plan for him. All glory to God.” From the Politics Desk, Musa Odoshimokhe said: “He was a brother, more than a colleague. “He would always put you in the know of everything. He earned my respect and support over the years. He called me Odosha.” Seun Akioye of the Investigations’ Desk said: “Jude was one of the most unassuming persons I have ever met. He was loved by all because he always showed he meant well for all.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Sovereign Wealth Funds are managed conservatively. They don’t borrow money the way banks do, so you can’t compare this business to banking business. This business does not expose itself to that kind of risk. It is not the same thing as private equity •Managing Director/CEO, NSI A, Uche Orji

Odu’a Group repositions

Airtel boosts entrepreneurs with ‘Catapult-a-Startup’

HE Odu’a Investment Company Limited, has held a retreat as part of the strategies to reposition the conglomerate. It was held for the company’s directors, the Management Team and Chief Executive Officers of its subsidiary companies at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Moniya, Ibadan. Prominent speakers at the retreat facilitated by KPMG Advisory Services included Mr. Joseph Makoju, former Chief Executive Officer of Lafarge-Wapco and former Managing Director of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) and Prof. Ademola Ariyo, former Commissioner for Finance, old Oyo State and Chairman, University of Ibadan School of Business (UISB). The retreat is part of the strategies of the company to work at achieving a five-Year plan to grow its revenue by 250 per cent between 2015 and 2019 with a baseline 15 per cent profit before tax. The Group resolved on an actionable investment theme that supports the new Vision and Mission aimed at Re-vitalizing and Re-positioning the company for future challenges. Chairman of Odu’a Group, Chief Isaac Akintade described the retreat as a ‘new dawn.’ Group Managing Director Adewale Raji described it as a worth-while effort on a common focus in moving the company forward and achieving a quantum leap with emphasis on growth, profitability and sustainability.

N5b debt: NAMA set to ground domestic airlines By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

HE Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA ) is set to ground all indebted domestic airlines in the country. A source said the planned action is aimed at recovering a N5 billion debt. It was learnt that entreaties to the debtor-airlines to pay up were rebuffed. Letters of invitation sent to them for the debt reconciliation were ignored. Only a few of them reportedly turning up for the meeting. The airlines’ indebtedness according to investigation, has started taking its toll on the agency which now struggles to carry out its functions, such as upgrade of facilities, training of staff and payment of allowances. The decision to ground the debtor-airlines is said to have received the support of the aviation minister following a meeting he held with the NAMA management on Tuesday in Lagos.

• From left: Managing Director, Seven Colours Digital Ltd, Shelley Chaudhary; Head, HNI & High Value Acquisition Strategy, Airtel, Zainab Baruwa-Abiola; Vice President, Data & Innovation, Airtel, Nitin Anand and Managing Director, Intel, Olubunmi PHOTO: LUCAS AJANAKU Ekundare, at the launch in Lagos…yesterday.

Firm buys NITEL, Mtel for A $252.251m

TELECOMS firm, NATCOM Consor tium emerged yesterday the preferred bidder for the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) and Mobile Telecommunications (Mtel) with $252,251,000. It offered to acquire the entities for $221million, which, Chairman of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Mr. Atedo Peterside, said was a far cry from the reserve price. The firm eventually won when it, offered $252.25million in a second bid. Peterside said: “I am happy to announce that the resize bid has met the reserve price. We are not the final authority. We will take it to NCP for final approval.” Represented by the NCP Technical Committee Vice Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Sambo, who presided over the transaction in Abuja, Peterside said: “Unfortunately, one of the two prequalified bidders, NATTAG Consortium, was disqualified for failure to enclose a $10million bid bond as clearly stipulated in the Request for Proposals (RfP).” He explained that Section

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

10.3.1 of the RFP requires that “each bidder shall furnish, as part of its proposal a bid bond in the form of a Bank Guarantee or a Letter of Credit in the sum of $10million . The bid bond must be enclosed with the Technical Proposal. “The Bank Guarantee or Letter of Credit shall be from a reputable bank acceptable to BPE and the Liquidator and be valid for 120 days from the deadline for submission of proposals. Provision must be made for extension of the term of the bid bond if the validity period is extended.” He maintained that following the disqualification of NETTANG Consortium as a result of its failure to submit a bid bond together with its technical proposal, only the financial bid of NATCOM Consortium qualified for opening having scored an average of 92

per cent in its technical proposal which was above the minimum pass mark of 75 per cent , and satisfied the requirement of a valid bid bond. Peterside said as stipulated in the the RFP, 30 per cent of bid price is to be made within 15 days of notification and the balance will be paid within 90 days . He recalled that as part of the reform of the Nigerian telecoms sector, a new National Telecommunications Policy was adopted in August 2000 and a new Nigerian Communications Act was passed into law in 2003. According to him, the new legal framework provided the basis upon which the process for privatising NITELcommenced in 2001, noting that since then, there have been four different unsuccessful attempts to privatise the firm to private operators and one failed management contract.

He said all was aimed at repositioning the company to play a significant role in the economy. Peterside said the previous unsuccessful privatisation transaction of NITEL includes the strategic core investor sale of 51 per cent shareholding of NITEL to investors International London Limited (IILL) in 2001. It also includes the failed management contract by Pentascope in 2005; and the aborted Orascom Telecoms bid in 2005, the strategic core investor sale through negotiated sale strategy to Transcorp cancelled in 2009 and the strategic core investor sale in 2011, where New Generation Communications Limited and Omen International emerged as preferred and reserved bidders respectively. Speaking on the guided liquidation of the two entities, he said: “After a review of the chequered history of the privatisation transactions of NITEL the NCP at its meeting of February 27, 2012 approved the privatisation of Nitel and Mtel through guided liquidation.”

Insurgency is killing businesses, says Nestle

ILITANT insurgen cies in West Africa are affecting Nestle’s business in the region, the conglomerate has said. The insurgencies have added to the pressures of currency depreciation, high inflation and the Ebola outbreak, the firm’s regional head for Asia, Africa and Oceania, Nandu Nandkishore said. He said Islamist rebellions in some countries were undermining consumer confidence. He spoke at the Swiss firm’s factory in Agbara, Ogun State, he said: “The climate

of fear immediately affects trade, which then slows down or tends to de-stock significantly and then affects consumers going out to shop. It does affect business. In West Africa, currency weakness and high inflation will probably persist into next year, Nandkishore said. The currencies of Nigeria and Ghana, the two largest economies in the region, have both weakened more than 10 per cent this year against the dollar, while Ghana’s inflation rate accelerated to 16.9 per cent

in October. “The inflation is because of currency devaluation and particularly when you have oil prices dropping,” he said. Nestle Nigeria Plc shares listed on the local bourse in Lagos have dropped 33 per cent this year, compared with the parent company’s 11 per cent rise in Zurich. Nine-month profit fell 1.4 per cent to N16.9 billion ($92 million), even as revenue grew 7.6 per cent percent to N102.7 billion. In Nigeria, “we expect a subdued business environ-

ment for most consumer goods companies going into 2015,” Uwadiae Osadiaye, a Lagos-based analyst at FBN Capital Ltd., wrote in an e-mailed note yesterday. “While Nestle is likely to outperform competition in 2015, we expect a relatively weak earnings growth,”he added. While the worst Ebola outbreak on record has affected Nestle’s business in West Africa, recent statistics suggest some “progress being made,” Nandkishore said.

IRTEL Nigeria has launched an entre preneurial initiative tagged ‘Catapult-aStartup,’ a platform which aims to inspire innovation and assist start up mobile app developers towards actualising their business goals and dreams. With this, Airtel is offering a platform for budding mobile app developers to receive advanced mentoring from industry veterans, funding, marketing, and also improve their skills to become successful using their creativity. To participate in the programme, interested startups are to submit their ideas and presentations to the ‘Catapult-a-Startup’ website www.cas.ng, for evaluation. After the initial evaluation, selected start-ups will be invited to pitch their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges who will evaluate and select the best proposals. The promoters of the selected start up proposals will be supported with a cash prize of N1 million, mentoring, funding, marketing and a chance to integrate their developed apps and services on the Airtel platform gaining direct access to the Telco’s large customer base. During the launch in Lagos, Airtel’s Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Segun Ogunsanya, explained that the telco initiated the programme in line with its vision to encourage innovation and empower young Nigerians by creating opportunities for them to bring their business ideas to fruition. He said: “At Airtel, we are passionate about building a community for young talented Nigerians. We are aware of the abundance of young people who are blessed with the skills to develop relevant apps with most of them not having the opportunity to showcase or develop their skills. Through the Catapult-a-Startup programme, we aim not only to identify talent, but also to encourage local content. ‘’The apps and services developed by these startups will ride on Airtel’s superior 3.75G network in Nigeria and the large customer base. Airtel will continue to go the extra mile at empowering them to succeed in their respective endeavours.” The Catapult-a-Startup is geared towards empowering Nigerians, especially those with superior business acumen and it is open to all tech-savvy apps developers across Nigeria which ties well with Airtel Nigeria’s vision of being the most loved brand in the daily lives of Nigerians.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

INDUSTRY

Oil price fall: LCCI backs govt’s policies T

HE Lagos chamber of Com merce and Industry (LCCI) has thrown its weight behind the fiscal and monetary policy responses by the government to keep the economy afloat in the face of falling oil prices. In a statement, LCCI DirectorGeneral Mr. Muda Yusuf said the fiscal and monetary policy responses by the government and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) were inevitable, stressing that some of the policies were long overdue. He said: “The economic situation has again underlined the critical imperative of economic diversification. An economy that is diversified has a better capacity to withstand shocks. At every turn in our advocacies, we have canvassed the need for the creation of an enabling environment to enhance the productivity of enterprises and consequently ensure economic diversification.” On the measures, he said they included fiscal and monetary policies taken to stabilise the macro-economic conditions to minimise dislocations. These, he said, include reduction in international travels and trainings by Federal Government officials, tax

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

on luxury items, and review of oil price benchmark to $73 from $78 in the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Others are renewed commitment to fiscal prudence, upward revision of revenue target for Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service. Yusuf said on the monetary policy front, some items, such as electronics, finished goods, information technology, generators, telecommunications equipment, and invisible transactions, were excluded from the official foreign exchange window. The LCCI said the implication is that transactions involving the enumerated items would be funded at a higher exchange rate from either the interbank foreign exchange market or parallel market. He recommended that several budget heads needed to be further scrutinised to ensure cost effectiveness and better transparency in the management of public finance. According to him, they include the: consolidated revenue fund charges, service wide votes, presidential amnesty programmes, capital

supplementation and debt services. Others are refreshments and meals, foodstuffs and catering, honorarium and sitting allowance, welfare packages, repairs and maintenance. All these budget heads have substantial amounts voted for them in the budget annually. Some of the provisions do not reflect the desired prudence in the management of public funds. Huge savings will be made if a proper scrutiny of the budget heads is made, he warned. Yusuf regretted that the biggest platform for corruption in the economy today is the management of subsidy on petroleum products. The pressure it exerts on the government treasury is enormous, he warned. He called for an accelerated reform of the oil and gas sector and the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which he said will mitigate the challenge the subsidy management poses for government finance. Furthermore, he cautioned that the tax yield in the economy is not commensurate to the magnitude of activities taking place in the economy.

$9b Dangote refinery hikes property prices in Lekki By Chikodi Okereocha

•Dangote

HE property market in the Lekki area of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, is experiencing an unprecedented boom, with rising demand pushing up property prices, The Nation has learnt. The development is said to be in anticipation of the coming on stream of the proposed $9 billion Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Company in the area, as well as other petrochemical companies

Mitel, Elpazio partner on services

LPAZIO Limited, a technol ogy solutions provider and the hospitality industry, is riding on the back of the recent rebranding of Mitel Networks Limited, a global industry leader in communication and collaboration, to strengthen its services. Its General Manager, Mr. Emeonye Nwazota, said the new Mitel harnesses the original and proud Mitel heritage plus that of Astra,Telepo and Oasiys, to forge a strong business with one mission and one vision. Elpazio is the authorised Mitel Networks partners in Nigeria. Nwazota said: “The introduction of the new Mitel brand follows some strategic mergers and acquisitions, including the integration of four companies in just over a year. The new Mitel also comes with a new logo and other redefined brand elements, encapsulating a re-energized brand identity.”

HE Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector has the capacity to transform Nigeria into a globally-competitive economy in the mould of China and other Asian Tigers if operators could come up with viable and robust business development plans, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Business Development (IBD), Mr. Paul Ikele, has said. According to him, most SME operators in Nigeria have no direction because of lack of business development plan. In an exclusive interview with The Nation, Ikele said: “SMEs need to come up with business development plans. Before a company is incorporated, that company should come out with a business development plan. Before you open an account for a limited liability company, you should submit a business development plan so that government will key into it and follow it up. If at any point that business does not achieve its objective, it is quietly withdrawn. By so doing government will be able to identify those people that are performing and those that are not performing.” Ikele, former managing director/ chief executive officer, Noble Path

By Chikodi Okereocha

Finance and Securities Limited and General Manager, Business Development, Olympia Insurance Limited, regretted that most people go into the SME sector because they don’t have an alternative. “I can assure you that if you are in SME and you know exactly what you are producing, you already have grown a market share in that particular business; you will be able to identify your key customers and focus on servicing them,” he said. He noted that this has not been the case with SME operators in Nigeria where “most SME operators are incompetent personalities, who just want to use it and do other things, and because they know how to get to the sources of that fund they get the money and before you know it they channel it to other areas.” He pointed out that most people, who are interested in SMEs are either incompetent or don’t have real intentions in that business. Rather, their intention, he said, is to use that money for other objectives. “This is why the Institute is insisting that every organisation should come out with a business development plan

so that it will encourage them to submit at the end of the year the result of the evaluation of their operations,” he said. He said before setting up an SME, there was need to engage professionals to draw up the business plan. Also, there is need for an environmental scanning to determine whether that business would survive in that particular area. “Businesses that thrive in the south may not thrive in the north, but most SME operators will just go and copy a business plan thinking if you are selling pure water in Lagos, for instance, you can sell it in the north, after all north has a hot weather, he said, insisting that “before you do a business plans, you must do an environmental scanning.” The Registrar noted that in countries, such as China, where SMEs were properly directed, with good business development plans, they helped such economies to survive. He said Nigeria should borrow a leaf from China, which managed to grow her SME sector first by closing its wall to determine whether they want to survive or not.

Nwazota said Elpazio, which also got restructured, transformed and rebranded recently from EIL Telecom Limited, is re-positioned for new and emerging opportunities in the industry and determined to push the new Mitel brand in the region. “In this digital world, the success or failure of any company depends on one thing – the voice of the customer,” he said. Mitel’s Chief Marketing Officer, Martyn Etherington, explained that the development of the renewed brand began with an extensive and research driven brand and market assessment, working with the company’s customers and partners. “They, our customers and partners communicated, loud and clear, that their success depends on making connections. And they demand choice and flexibility to take advantage of constantly evolving technology,” Etherington said.

NGO hails UK Govt on adoption of EU accounting standards

•From left: National Treasurer, Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Mrs. Ifeoma Adeniyi; President/Chairman of Council Mr Victor Famuyibo and Vice President Mr Anthony Arabome at the institute’s 18th induction in Lagos.

‘Lack of plans bane of SMEs’ growth’

scrambling to buy land in the area. Since Dangote Group awarded the project management consultancy, engineering and construction management of its 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) (20 million tonnes) oil refinery and 600,000 tonnes polypropylene plant, the Lekki corridor of Lagos and its environs have not been the same again. The area, which used to have a narrow single-lane road and notorious traffic congestion, is fast becoming a global business haven with a new dual carriageway with three lanes on both sides. On account of these, the multi-billion naira investment and the economic activities it is expected to spur in and around the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) was one of the issues that came up at this year’sTokyo Annual Conference of International Bar Association in Tokyo, Japan in October. The plant, which would be one of the biggest in Africa after completion, generated so much interest among foreign investors at the conference. The consensus was that it would be a big investor attraction to Nigeria and Africa.

NONE Governmental Organisation (NGO), Pub lish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria has commended the UK Government on its adoption of the new European Union (EU) Accounting Directive and the full implementation of the beneficial ownership regime under the Extractive industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The UK is the first country to adopt the new directive through ‘The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014’, which came into force on December 1, 2014. It is also the first to fully implement beneficial ownership, which undeniably establishes the country as a global leader in the extractive industry scene. With these two policy initiatives the UK government has demonstrated a high level of commitment towards the issue of transparency and accountability in the extractive sector. The London Stock Exchange covers 14 per cent of the world’s extractive capital in terms of the companies involved in the extractive sector. The UK is also home to many of the world’s large extractive companies such as BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Rio Tinto and Anglo American,

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie with agency reports

some of which are major players in Nigeria’s extractive sector. By adopting the new EU directive, the UK government has now made it mandatory for extractive and logging companies registered in the UK or listed in the London Stock Exchange to publish a project-byproject report of payments of more than £85,000 made to the government of the countries where they operate, including taxes, royalties, and licence fees. Also, by committing to fully implement the beneficial ownership requirement under the new EITI standards, the UK government will now publicize the beneficial owners of companies which bid for, operate and/or invest in the extractive industries. Civil Society activists in Nigeria have applauded this development. Ledum Mitee, Chairman of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and former President of Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) said: “This is a step in the right direction as Nigeria will rely on the data supplied through project-by-project reporting for proper accountability and transparency in the extractive industry”.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

• Ambode

• Pitan

• Solomon

• Hamzat

• Ikuforiji

• Kasali

• Ayinde

• Agbesanwa

• Wahab

• Shasore

Delegates will elect the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate today at the primaries. Eleven aspirants are in the race. Who wins the ticket? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the epic succession battle.

Who emerges as Lagos APC governorship candidate?

ODAY is a special day in the life of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC). Over 6,000 delegates from 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) will elect its governorship candidate at the primaries. They comprise over 4,000 elected delegates and 2,000 statutory delegates, including ward, local government and state officers of the party, and appointees.The flag bearer will face the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s elections. The winner will succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola, who will bow out from office after completing his two terms of eight years. The succession battle is gaining momentum in the economic hub and commercial capital of Nigeria. It has provoked interest beyond the political parties. Even, other states are monitoring unfolding events. APC governorship aspirants are intensifying their consultations and mobilisation. The outcome of the House of Assembly primaries held on Tuesday may predict the result of the primaries. No doubt, contenders are locked in a fierce battle. There are allegations of gang-ups by some aspirants against a particular aspirant. Strategic defections by impatient politicians seeking the golden fleece outside their political family are being contemplated. Reality has dawn on some paper-weight aspirants that they cannot go far. Yesterday, some of them canvassed the review of procedures for the primaries. They said that direct primaries are better than indirect primaries. Lagos APC aspirants parade intimidating credentials. But, not all of them are blessed with solid structures. No fewer than 11 chieftains are vying for the governorship. The aspirants include Senator Ganiyu Solomon, House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, Mrs. Tokunbo Agbesanwa, the only woman in the race, former Health Commissioner Dr. Tola kasali, and former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode. Others are Commissioner for Works Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, former Health Commissioner Dr. Leke Pitan, former AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice Supo Shasore (SAN), Tokunbo Wahab, and Mr. Tayo Ayinde. Many of them are disciples and beneficiaries of Tinubu’s political philanthropy.

Division in governor camp

Many issues will shape the shadow poll. The first is the incumbency factor. In 2007, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former governor, was in charge. Today, Fashola is the governor, but he is not in control of the political machinery. Sources said that Fashola is rooting for Shasore, his friend and learned colleague. But, it is an uphill task. For seven and half years, the governor has not acquired political skills like his predecessor, although he is the controller of financial resources. Since the shadow poll is the internal affair of the ruling party, it may be difficult for the governor to achieve a breakthrough in his agenda to install a successor. Despite being in the saddle for two terms, he is not perceived as the party leader by the majority of party members. Thus, the power of incumbency may crumble at the primaries. A source said that the governor’s camp is thinking beyond the primaries. Reminiscent of the 2011 episode, the relics of the Labour Party (LP) are being exhumed. “If Shasore fails to get the APC ticket, the governor will fight. The ‘Plan B’, as it is being called, is to arrange for him to contest on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).” added the source. The governor’s camp is also divided, ahead of the primaries. Few months ago, the camp was rooting for Hamzat, a star commissioner and member of the kitchen cabinet. The projection of Shasore by the camp has led to a division, with ardent supporters of Hamzat protesting that he has been dumped by the chief executive.

LCDA argument

Two days ago, eight out of 11 aspirants protested against the procedure for the primaries. In their view, delegates to the primaries cannot be based on the 57 councils, 37 of which have not been listed in the constitution, because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a federal body that does not recognise the 37 LCDAs, will conduct the governorship polls. The additional councils are being sacrificed on the altar of the bitter struggle for power. Lagosians were taken aback when aspirants who were at the forefront of the creation of the additional 37 councils inadvertently re-echoed the Federal Government’s sentiment that they have not been listed in the constitution. The additional councils are legal entities validly created by the House of Assembly. The aspirants have in the past defended the creation of the additional councils, based on the legitimate aspiration of Lagosians for deeper grass-

roots governance and development. According to observers, the aspirants have forgotten that the governor has funded the councils for seven and half years through the State/Local Government Joint Accounts Committee. Their chairmen were inaugurated by the governor. Reflecting on the rejection of the 57 council structure, a party elder said: “Politics is funny. These people (aspirants) have fought for the creation of the councils. They have also defended their creation when the Federal Government decided not to recognise them. But, they are now saying that delegates cannot come from the councils. It is strange.” Party insiders disclosed that plans are underway to discredit today’s primaries, if the party leadership insists on the distribution of delegates across 57 councils. A source said that the protest against the procedure for the shadow poll is the prelude to a showdown. To an extent, indigeneship may be a factor in the contest. When the Olowo-Eko of Lagos said that “we will not allow the son of the Ewekoro monarch to rule us in Lagos,” the message was internalised by party chieftains and prospective delegates. However, the party has not disqualified any aspirant, based on this factor. The Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, said that the APC will abide by the 1999 Constitutions, which guarantees a level-playing field for contestants.

Zoning

According to the APC leadership, zoning is a factor. In fact, the party has earlier announced that it has zoned the slot to Lagos East Senatorial District. However, politics are smart. Indeed, aspirants not initially favoured by the zoning have traced their ancestral roots to the district. For example, Solomon has claimed that his illustrious father and strongman of Mushin, Lagos West politics, the late Chief Rafiu Solomon, left Ipakodo, Ikorodu Division, for Mushin in 1949. Also, Hamzat has claimed that he is a descendant ofthe Ajiborisa family of Epe. Last week, Shasore also said that he has deep seated historical links with the East District. Therefore, zoning is a weak factor.

Religion

In Lagos, there is the clamour by Christians for a “Christian governor.” But, religion is a weak factor. There are Christians and •Continued on page 16

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

‘

RACE TO 2015

Politics is funny. These people (aspirants) have fought for the creation of the councils. They have also defended their creation when the Federal Government decided not to recognise them. But, they are now saying that delegates cannot come from the councils. It is strange

‘

Battle for APC governorship tickets •Continued from page 15

Muslims in the race. The Christians are Ambode, Shasore, and Pitan. The Muslims are Ikuforiji, Hamzat, Kasali, and Wahab. In fact, many have described religion as a non-issue in Lagos politics. An aspirant, Shasore said stakeholders should avoid the danger of erecting religious platforms for politicking in a polity still battling with the ethnic divide. Another chieftain, Hon. Lateef Raji, a House of Representatives aspirant in Osodi/ Isolo Constituency, said Lagos cannot afford religious tension. He stressed: “ Christians and Muslims in Lagos State have co-existed harmoniously without friction. We have had more Muslims governors than Christian governors, but it is mere coincidence. In the Southwest, religion has never shaped our politics. Another chieftain, Alhaji Kola Oseni, warned against setting a dangerous precedence. “Merit should be the watchword, not religion,” he said.

Mystery of Lagos politics

The lessons of Lagos politics are also instructive. But, aspirants often refuse to learn from history. The political field is slippery. Historically, aspirants who were not in the reckoning have always become the candidates. Eyes were not on Tinubu in 1998/99 and Fashola in 2007. But, they were thrown up by some circumstances and they won the governorship polls. In 1999, Tinubu was warming up for the Senate, until the Afenifere leaders of Ijebu origin advised him to signify interest in the governorship. The only dissenting voice was Dawodu, who, had favoured Funso Williams for the seat. In 2007, the defunct Action Congress (AC) had 14 aspirants. They included Jimi Agbaje, Abiodun Ogunleye, Solomon, Oyinlomo Danmole, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and Femi Pedro. Others are Tunde Fanimokun, Bayo Ajisebutu, Kaoli Olusanya, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Remi Adikwu-Bakare, and Fashola, the dark horse. At the primaries, Fashola, the former Chief of Staff secured the ticket.

Consensus and primaries

Times are changing. Miffed by the culture of imposition, some forces have pressed vigorously for internal democracy. Ironically, the beneficiaries of imposition have turned around to discredit the process that threw them up as party candidates, elected representatives and political appointees. The APC is set for primaries today. But, some aspirants are still kicking against its elements. The party settled for primaries, following the stiff opposition to consensus. Two weeks ago, the aspirants attended a crucial meeting in Ikeja to brainstorm on consensus candidacy. A source said that it was deadlock. How to conduct a successful primaries is the challenge. Igbokwe said it is possible, recalling that the House of Assembly primaries were largely successful across the constituencies.

Aspirants Solomon The politician from Mushin will test his popularity today. His campaign structure, ‘Ideal Club’, is not relenting. From 1998 to date, Solomon has been relevant. He has served as the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area and a member of the House of Representatives. In 2007, he became a senator. He was re-elected in 2011. Solomon is the first aspirant to declare his ambition. Solomon is also the first contender to set up his campaign office at Ikeja. The event was witnessed by his supporters. He has been canvassing for democratic primaries. Among the party leaders backing him is Alhaji Kola Oseni.

Pitan

The successful medical doctor from Agbowa, Epe Division, is perceived as the candidate of the Mandate Group. A prominent member of this group is the former Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, a beneficiary of imposition-turned anti-imposition crusader. In postFashola era, the group wants to bounce back as an influential power bloc in the Centre of Excellence. Pitan served as Commissioner for Health and Education for eight years in Tinubu Administration. In recent times, he has set up a medical mission. Any where he goes, he is accompanied by health workers who screen people for ail-

• Asiwaju Tinubu

ments. Many believe that he is fit to rule the state. Few weeks ago, his supporters started the agitation for primaries. He is intelligent and hardworking. Last week, his campaign office said that he has been endorsed by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). The body has dismissed the media report as a tissue of lies.

Ikuforiji

Ikuforiji is from Epe. He is a loyal politician. He became a member of the House of Assembly in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. He is the longest serving Speaker of the House. The Speaker enjoys the support of legislators as the head of the legislative arm. Under his leadership, the House has been stable. Ikuforiji has expanded the House of Assembly complex. He has had the privilege of representing two constituencies-Epe and Ikeja, which are in two separate senatorial districts in the House of Assembly.

Ambode

Ambode is a technocrat from Epe. Three months ago, he set up his campaign office at Gbagada, Lagos East. Today may mark the beginning of his journey to the State House. At his prime, he showed the prospect of a promising person. At 21, Ambode obtained a degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, Akoka. At 24, he earned a Masters Degree and qualified as a chartered accountant. He has worked in many councils as a treasurer before he was transferred to the state civil service. He was the Auditor-General for Local Government. In 2012, the Fullbright scholar retired voluntary as the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at the age of 49 years. He was the first Permanent Secretary to have done so in the history of Lagos Civil Service. When the Federal Government withheld allocations to Lagos councils, he designed the blueprint for the financial survival of the councils. His colleagues in the civil service describe him as a man of character, capability and competence. Ambode’s head is full of figures. He is a financial strategist. His partisan moves in recent times suggest that he is learning at the feet of experienced leaders. No fewer than 60 traditional rulers from the five divisions of Epe, Ikorodu, Ikeja, Badagry and Lagos witnessed his declaration ceremony at Onikan Stadium, Onikan. The crowd was huge. brooms filled the air. Also present were Christian and Muslim clerics, wives of the Oba of Lagos, Lagos white cap chiefs, top party leaders, members of the National Assembly, party officers from ward, local government and state levels. At the ceremony, he was endorsed by ‘Conference 57’, which comprise of former local government chairmen. After the declaration, he embarked on the tour of the local governments to market himself to stakeholders. When he visited Lagos East AOC elders at IbejuLekki, the elders were unanimous that he is a bumble and pleasant person bubbling with ideas.

• Fashola

At Onikan Stadium, where he declared his ambition, he promised to build on the foundation laid by Fashola and Tinubu. He promised to preside over a government of continuity, which will promote accountability, quality leadership, good governance and equal opportunities for all Nigerians, if elected as the next governor. Ambode said: “Lagos is my state and you are my people. I shall work to serve you. I shall never do less. here and now, I dedicate myself to this task. I shall not flinch nor lose focus.” The representatives of the Muslim Community was led by Imam Olubodun Gbajabiamila, who stood for the Chief Imam of Lagos, Imam Garuba Akinola. Gbajabiamila, who rendered the opening prayer, reflected on the challenges of governance, saying that Ambode is competent to succeed Fashola. He said: “Ambode has been assessed by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Alhaji Akinola Garuba and the political leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. We pray that he will excel in the office.” The Chairman of the ‘Conference 57’,Hakeem Oris, who reiterated the support of the 57 council chairmen for his ambition, said: “Tinubu started the journey to modernity in Lagos. he was succeeded by Fashola, the actualiser. Today, we present Akinwumi Ambode. Lagos requires a financial wizard to continue from where Fashola will stop next year. He will do better.” Ambode exuded confidence, saying that it attested to his popularity and acceptance by Lagosians, following his state-wide consultations. He said: “In recognition of this support, I, Akinwumi Ambode, in your presence and in the presence of God, formally put myself forward to run for the position of the governor of Lagos State. I make this declaration with the highest sense of responsibility. I am putting nyself forward because I belive I have the qualities required to continue the giant strides, which our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has achieved in Lagos in recent years. In his speech titled: “Continuing the progress, securing the future”, the Epe born politician said, having witnessed 15 years of growth and development under Asiwaju Tinubu and Fashola, Lagos State deserved a governor that would build on their achievements. He said: “I stand before you today in the spirit of the continuity of excellence that\Lagos is known for. My vision and mission is to create a clean, secure and prosperous Lagos State driven by a vibrant economy and supported by quality service, equity and justice.” “I am resolved to offer you genuine leadership that will be accountable with all the principles of good governance, a government of inclusion that will not leave any race or gender behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe of any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos liveable for you.” Ambode promised to implement the APC blue print on wealth and job creation, in consonance with its agenda for change and prosperity for Nigerians. He said stakeholders, including the

aged, widows, artisans, students, children, the physically challenges and professionals will be carried along by his administration. Ambode also said that his administration will not discriminate against any tribe or ethnic group. He said: “Lagos is the most cosmopolitan state in Nigeria and there is no room for discrimination. Whether you are Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, Hausa, Fulani, a foreigner, whoever you are, so far you live and work in Lagos, our government will work for you and you will be adequately represented.” Urging Nigerians to also support the push for power shift at the centre, the politician advised Lagosians to mobilise their families and relations in and outside the state to vote the APC in next year’s election. Firing salvos at the Peopled Democratic Party (PDP), he added: “We are tired of transformation without motion. In their kind of transformation, the more they brag about, the less we see things transformed. And God will help us.” Ambode paid tribute to patriots who have served Lagos meritoriously, he said Lagosians will not forget the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Gen. Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef jakande, Asiwaju Tinubu and Fashola. He urged them to also vote for a new governor who will lead the state to greater prosperity in next year’s election. Ambode added: “I stand before you today as the bridge between the elderly and the youth. I hold before you a beacon that summons us all to building together a more prosperous Lagos. I have the competence, experience and determination to lead Lagos State to greater economic heights and prosperity. I ask for your support and your votes that will send me to Alausa to continue my tradition of selfless service to this great state.” APC chieftain Asipa Kaoli Olusanya said Ambode will get the highest number of votes at the primaries and the general election from the six local governments in Ikorodu Division. He described him as a “techno-politician”, who has garnered experience in grassroots politics as a civil servant in the local government and civil service. The former commissioner added: “Ambode kicked off his career in Lagos as a waste disposal agent. He moved to the local government as a treasurer. He moved to the civil service and through creative financial engineering, the state survived when the Federal Government moved against the local governments. On behalf of the six Ikorodu local governments, I tell you that Ambode will have the votes of delegates. he will get 85 percent of votes from Ikorodu.”

Hamzat

The Commissioner for Works is the son of the party leader, Oba Olatunji Hamzat, the Olu of Awofora-Sogaade, Ogun State. His father was a legislator and commissioner in the Second Republic. His mother is from Lagos State. Hamzat holds a doctorate degree in Agricultural Engineering. Between 2005 and 2007, he was the Commissioner for Science and technology.

Kasali

Kasali is the former Rural Development and Heath commissioner. He was the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Council. He was a member of the SDP in the Third Republic. When Sarunmi was about to be disqualified, he asked Kasali to obtain the governorship form. But, he declined, saying that the time was not ripe. In 2007, he vied for the position. But, Fashola emerged as the candidate. He later served as Commissioner for Special Duties. He is not a threat to any aspirant. For him, it is not a do-or-die affair.

Shasore

Shasore is a legal luminary and a member of the Body of Benchers. He was succeeded as the Justice Commissioner by Ade Ipaye in 2011. Shasore is a close friend of Fashola. He was a delegate to the national Conference. He is an astute administrator. But, he is not perceived as a politician.

Ayinde

Ayinde was Tinubu’s chief security detail. He is a rich man. But, he joined the race very late.

Agbesanwa

She is the only woman in the race. Agbesanwa hails from Epe. As a governorship aspirant, she will use her participation in the primaries to bargain for appointments after the elections.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

The ABC of Ibadan violence

Poet of merit

•Professor Osundare should glow as this year’s NNOM recipient

T is poetic that Niyi Osundare, who incontestably ranks among the country’s most distinguished poets and literary luminaries, will today receive the 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM), a prestigious award that not only further cements his standing in the sphere of scholars but also burnishes even more his unambiguous humanism. Indeed, it is a testimony to the grand significance of the recognition that President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to perform the decoration at the Council Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja. By this garland, it may not be exaggerated to anticipate that Osundare’s intellectual and artistic career could well be on the path to greater glory, especially internationally. It is instructive to note the citation by the chairman, governing board of the award, Etim Essien. He said: “Prof. Niyi Osundare, who through outstanding scholarship, researches and service to humanity in the field of humanities, has successfully carved his name in gold in the hearts of people of this nation and many nations of the world.” He also captured the awardee’s distinctive creative qualities and the fruit of his talent. Essien said: “Osundare, a poet, dramatist and an essayist, has been Nigeria’s noted nature poet of English language expression, and an accessible serious poet who sets out to engage the reader, and has made most significant contribution to the Nigerian poetic English diction.” The choice of Osundare for the NNOM prize this year is particularly remarkable because he is the sole awardee, in marked contrast to last year, for instance, when there were three laureates. It is worth

mentioning that Osundare becomes the 58 th recipient of the National Order of Merit since it was introduced in 1979. It is noteworthy that Essien said: “The establishment of the Nigerian National Merit Award scheme, as Nigeria’s highest and most prestigious prize for outstanding intellectual and academic attainment, has encouraged a highly significant number of best Nigerian minds to seek accolades at home.” In the context of Osundare’s unapologetic patriotism, it is a fitting tribute that he is being celebrated so impressively locally. For an illustration of his striking love of country, it may be recalled that at a time when it was not only fashionable but also advantageous for many academics in the country’s tertiary education system to seek greener pastures abroad, specifically in the more advanced western countries, provoked by unfavourably harsh socio-economic conditions at home, Osundare was among the few who chose to stay back despite their high marketability. He rose to the position of Professor of English at the University of Ibadan in 1989; and it is a reflection of his touching humanity that his deaf daughter is the real reason he reportedly eventually settled in America as she could not attend school in Nigeria, and when the family found a school for her in the US her parents had to move to be closer to her. By the time he accepted a teaching and research position at the University of New Orleans in 1997, he was a well-established, internationally respected poet and winner of two well-regarded literary prizes among others, specifically, a 1986 Commonwealth Poetry Prize for The Eye

of the Earth and a 1990 Noma Award for Waiting Laughters. His poetic voice has been consistently accessible, and constantly conscious of social and political circumstances, especially in his fatherland. It is relevant to note that he received the Fonlon/Nichols award for “excellence in literary creativity combined with significant contributions to Human Rights in Africa” One enlightening instance of his creative intervention in politics was his reaction to this year’s controversial Ekiti governorship election. Osundare penned a penetrating poem that went viral, with the title The People Voted their Stomach – Blues for an Arrested Renaissance. Perhaps not surprisingly, for a writer who proudly defines himself as “farmer-born and peasant-bred”, 67year-old Osundare has a reputation for disarming modesty and a laudable devotion to mentoring the teachable. Also a dramatist, literary critic, essayist and media columnist, it is to Osundare’s credit that the National Order of Merit is apparently uncorrupted by political meddlesomeness and abuse of power unlike, for instance, the country’s National Honours.

‘It is to Osundare’s credit that the National Order of Merit is apparently uncorrupted by political meddlesomeness and abuse of power’

Jonathan’s OAU storm •A presidential boo is not pretty, no matter what. That is why the government must be sensitive to citizens’ feelings

O matter a president’s dip in popularity, university students booing the president of a country, and symbol of that country’s democratic order, is not a pretty sight. The one at the receiving end looks diminished. The booing students look uncouth. That unfortunately was the situation at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, State of Osun, on December 1. The president had gone to the Awolowo Hall, on the OAU campus, for a partisan endorsement at a “Yoruba Unity Summit”, with a battery of traditional rulers, some leaders of thoughts, and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) partisans in tow. But the booing did not arise from the students’ rejection of the move per se. It rather emanated from the suffocating security arrangement, which grounded the campus community, simply because the president was in town. It turned out that the examinations were on; and students heading for examination halls found themselves stranded — no thanks to intra-campus shuttles that had been disabled, to reinforce the security cordon around the president. That was the initial ire.

‘The booing emanated from the suffocating security arrangement, which grounded the campus community, simply because the president was in town’

By the time the dust settled, the students had vented their anger in antiJonathan boos and rude protest songs. Efforts by Ayodele Fayose, the Governor of Ekiti State, to show some familiarity with the irate students proved a tragic presumption, as he was roundly shouted down and insulted. Though presidential handlers, in a comical attempt at damage control, had circulated pictures of some student leaders posing with the president, suggesting the president suffered no embarrassment, it is clear only the spin doctors believed their own spin. The genesis of the crisis was the all-tooglaring unconscionable security arrangement, whenever the president or his spouse is in any place. Lagos, Ibadan, Ife, Port Harcourt, Kano, Kaduna — the result is the same: a hideous gridlock. Must a president’s or his spouse’s visit lead to that unbearable level of citizen discomfort, frustration and disorientation? Yet, the president is supposed to be No. 1 elected official in a democracy. The OAU protest should show the president’s security handlers how archaic their methods have become; and how very embarrassing and disappointing it can be to their boss. The president himself must ponder why his supposed security must cause citizens so much pain. But the awkward security arrangement also helped to expose other things, most of them unpalatable to the presidential camp. To sell an unpopular president, the university campus is the least auspicious of places. That explains why the initial ire quickly morphed into a hostile demonstration against Jonathan’s education policies. If the organisers had thought

IR: For the residents of Oke-Ado in the heart of Ibadan, Oyo State, as well as those living in the Born Photo-Popoyemeja-Idi Arere axis of the ancient city,

more clearly, they should have picked an alternative venue. The university authorities, knowing the combustible mix of their angry student population, should have advised the organisers against it. Then, the myth was exploded, of a cloistered crowd, no matter how well appointed or influential, purporting to endorse a candidate, terribly flawed in the streets. While the crowd of Ekiti and Osun Oba, politicians sympathetic to the Jonathan cause — hardly a crime by any stretch — and other partisans were doing their “endorsement”, and telling Jonathan what he wanted to hear, students out in the streets were bawling out the exact opposite! Which of the two contrasting voices belonged to the people? It is even more shocking that some otherwise revered Yoruba elders were part of that gathering. It is shocking not because they showed their partisan preference — in a democracy, that is their right under the law. But rather because they purportedly pledged what is apparently out of their power, for a candidate, considered as terribly flawed by not a few in their region; and under whose charge the country appears to be falling into pieces. The Jonathan Ife storm taught a telling lesson: no government brings on a people pain and expects anything but a hostile feedback, no matter how its self-serving officials try to deodorise the rot. If President Jonathan can take that away, he would have saved his government from future embarrassments.

Friday, November 21 and Sunday, November 23, are days they would never forget in a hurry. On those two days, hell was let loose and the peace which had been reigning in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, since the advent of the Abiola Ajimobi administration, was shattered. At Oke-Ado, what was supposed to be a peaceful rally by the All Progressives Congress (APC) party to be addressed by the governor as part of his tour of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of the state was hijacked by hoodlums. Governor Ajimobi, who had gone round 32 local government areas in the state, was billed to visit the last council area on Friday, November 21 to round off the tour. As it had been done in other local governments, APC leaders, party faithful, various organizations and ordinary members of the public had converged on Liberty Road Junction and amidst singing and dancing, were waiting for the governor who had earlier on that day visited Ido Local Government Area. Suddenly, gunshots started booming from a part of the rally venue; hoodlums went on the prowl and the music came to an abrupt end as everybody started running for dear lives. By the time the dust settled, a police inspector, who was among the policemen deployed to maintain law and order at the rally venue, had been shot dead while another one and scores of other people sustained varying degrees of injuries and were quickly rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. As if that was not enough, the city also witnessed violence again at the Born Photo-Popoyemeja-Idi Arere community early on Sunday, November 23, leaving many people injured and property worth millions of Naira destroyed. The area boys, according to reports, arrived the area in the wee hours of that day, shooting sporadically and forcing their way into people’s houses, robbing them of their valuables. They were said to have destroyed any property on sight, including cars and tricycles parked on the street. Since the incidents occurred, there have been accusations and counter-accusations, with APC pointing fingers at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party (AP) as the masterminds of the crises while the two parties have been fighting tooth and nail to distance themselves from the ugly development. APC has even gone a step further by calling on the state police command to carry out thorough investigations to unravel those behind the mayhem. Whoever could have been the masterminds, the fact still remains that thuggery, violence and brigandage, which used to characterize the Ibadan metropolis before the restoration of peace by the Ajimobi administration, are gradually creeping back into the ancient city. The fact is that the agents of violence, who had been in limbo since 2011, have cashed in on the race for the 2015 general elections to renew their violence. If for anything, one thing that the present administration in Oyo State is identified with is peace and tranquility which Governor Ajimobi has on several occasions described as the bedrock of the unprecedented development that the state has witnessed in recent time. As a result of the peaceful atmosphere, several local and foreign investors have berthed in the state to partner the government in bring development. The resultant effect is the springing up of firms in all the nooks and crannies of the state, while government itself has also not wavered in the execution of people-oriented projects across the state. It therefore, behoves on the people of Oyo State to rise up collectively and say no to violence in whatever form. They should, without any hesitation, tell the agents of darkness and enemies of progress who are sworn to do everything they could to truncate the current peace, to steer clear of the state. Never again should the people of Oyo State allow the power mongers to hijack the state and return it to the path of retrogression. The police should also not shirk their responsibilities of going on the trail of the brigands and their godfathers. It is only by doing these that the state can continue to witness more development in an atmosphere devoid of violence and brigandage. •Sola Animasahun Ibadan, Oyo State.

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Nigeria suppurates from many wounds in the same way a man who has been in an accident does. Is Nigeria not ailing from diverse ailments that debilitate it? The many dysfunctions that characterize our country are proofs that Nigeria is malfunctioning. But at the root of Nigeria’s problem is incompetent, corrupt, myopic, and visionless leadership. Since our attainment of political freedom in 1960, Nigeria has not got it right, politically. Bad and inept political leadership has been our bane since then. More so, the military incursions into our politics further compounded our national woes. Thankfully, now, we have been enjoying democratic governance for 15 unbroken years. Against the background of our volatile past characterized by religious crises and a civil war, 15 years of uninterrupted democratic leadership is a milestone. But our leaders’ inability to entrench national unity and cohesion in the country impedes our national development. Who does not know that unity is a force for national growth in a country? Ethnic and religious fissures have polarized our country. In the past, the Maitatsine religious uprising claimed many human lives. And, one Akaluka was vilely killed and his head hoisted on a pole for allegedly desecrating the Koran. We experienced the riot caused by the miss world beauty contest scheduled to take place in Abuja in 2002. Since political power slipped away from the grip of northern politicians, the North-east has not known peace. It has become a river of blood owing to the activities of the dreaded and murderous Boko Haram group. Members of the group control large swathes of land that cover Yobe, Adamawa, and Borno states. Members of the group kill people by exploding bombs in churches, schools, mosques, and other places. The insurgency in the North has created a humanitarian problem. Can economic activities take place in an area that has become a hotbed of violence and theatre of bloodshed?

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Nigeria, broken nation in need of therapy In addition to our security challenges, our economy is not sitting pretty now. Our mono-based economy solely depends on oil revenue for its survival. Sadly, the crude oil prices have plummeted with its sad economic consequences. But even when the economy was healthy, the dividends of the oil boom never trickled down to the

poor. The federal government couldn’t diversify the economy to create jobs for millions of unemployed youths. And, millions of Nigerians are under-employed, too. Yearly, our universities churn out graduates who are sent into the saturated labor market. Is there not a connection between the existence of criminal activities

in the country and the issue of unemployment? Are our leaders not capable of providing solutions to the myriad problems that have held us down as a nation? They can solve of national problems if they are determined to solve those problems. But the tragedy of the Nigerian state is that our leaders are with the

warped perception that one’s occupation of an exalted political office is an opportunity for one to corruptly enrich oneself. Sadly, and regrettably, too, Nigeria is the worst for it now. Consequently, our country has not realized its potential. It has remained the eternal potential giant of Africa. Nigerian politicians should rise above politicking for their selfish ends and band together to salvage Nigeria from the cesspool of corruption and the wood of underdevelopment. • Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu–Obosi, Anambra State

President Jonathan and the Yoruba nation

IR: Since the reported meeting of our President with some leaders of Yoruba nation including respected monarchs, I have done some hard thinking about our nation and especially the level of fidelity that is demonstrated by our political masters. The innocuous body parading itself or insinuating that it was speaking for the whole Yoruba nation is entitled to its views. But several things were involved or ought to have been considered before that meeting was summoned. The Nigeria political arrangements especially sharing of political positions, appointments to the Chiefs and Senior Management Staff of statutory corporations, commissions and boards deserve a second look if not a thorough analysis. Citing of capital projects in each zone or state of the federation needs to be known and analysed. The allocation of the superior or super ministries to each zone or a block of zones needs to be known. In short, the equitable distribution of resources available to the Nigerian nation state should also be on the table. Nigeria as a nation must survive. Although there are few immutables in politics, it is safe to argue that we

will all benefit by the wholesomeness and unity of the country. Some Nigerians have reacted positively or negatively to the meeting. I refer in particular to Prof. Dare’s comment at the back page of The Nation of December 2. Dare has not been known to flaunt false statistics nor has he been known to tell blatant untruth. However, his reference to Ekiti Obas as leading in numbers with their counterparts from the states of South-West zone is not exactly true. Indeed, more Obas attended from a neighbouring state. In any case, there is virtually nothing wrong in leaders and Obas of our zone meeting the President of Nigeria. While I agree with Prof. Dare that the leaders and the Obas might have been tricked to attend a political forum, I reject in entirety the view that the Obas were indiscreet or they went for what some called stomach infrastructure. Throughout Nigeria, Ekiti Obas stand out in intellect, in commitment to their environment and proud of their thrones. Like many Yoruba, Ekitis don’t pick the crumbs from under the table. We either sit at the table or don’t come near at all. I think what that forum would have told the President plainly is

that there is so much imbalance in the distribution of wealth (via contracts), in the allocation of resources, in execution of capital projects and most importantly in the distribution of key political and administrative positions among the various group that constitute our federation. No Yoruba man holds any key Ministry except Akinwumi who vaunts his achievement in the distribution of mobile telephone to farmers but who has done very modestly in the core area of agriculture, notably some marginal increase in rice production and wiping out of middlemen who dominated the fertilizer business. Almost all the economics and the financial ministries, ministry of power, their subsidiaries, corporations, commissions, etc, are headed by people of the SouthSouth and South-East of the geopolitical zones. Some have vaguely put the arithmetic as follows: 70 per cent for South-South and South-East block; 25 percent for Northern block and 5 percent for South-West. It is not sufficient for the President to say that ‘he will take care of the West. The innuendo here is loaded and one does not need to interpret this. Some six decades ago, during the days of Azikiwe/Okpara,

Sardauna/Balewa, Awolowo/ Akintola, any attempt to knit a political arrangement between the then Eastern Region and Western Region was at the very last moment aborted by our revered Azikiwe. This, he said quite reasonably of course, that Nigeria could not be ruled on the basis of North versus South or vice versa. Although Awolowo wanted close working relationship between the East and the West, he also courted the socalled minorities of the Middle Belt in the North and then Calabar, Ogoja, Rivers (COR) people of the East. Of course Awolowo’s manoeuvres never materialized while Azikwe/Okpara always forged close relationship with the North, giving birth to uneasy coalition at the centre. This is the arrangement which Dare and others called the ‘mainstreaming’. Nigeria is so complex, the geographical space so large that political mainstreaming may not only be undemocratic, but stiffening if not suffocating. Finally, let us appeal to the Federal Government to treat all of us evenly and let the Secretary to the Federal Government in particular learn from our political progenitors. • ‘Deji Fasuan, JP, MON Ado-Ekiti

, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

COMMENTS

Redeemer’s University at Ede -2

HE significance of the presence of Redeemer’s university in Ede is huge. This is unquantifiable on a spiritual level for both the town and the state as well as for Nigeria. Everybody needs prayers especially now when we are faced with challenges of existential nature. Ede is predominantly a Muslim city but it has a forward-looking Oba, the Timi, Alhaji Muniru Adesola Lawal who in spite of being a fervent and practicing Muslim, is totally supportive of the university in terms of making land available. This he has sometimes done in spite of opposition of some of his subjects who do not have a global perspective of the material spin-off that the university would bring to the Ede community. We have sometimes put the monarch in the invidious position of having to defend a Christian institution against the opposition of conservative Muslim subjects. Within a short time to come, this monarch’s vision would soon become manifest to his subjects and would be praised for taking his people to the right path. Ede is an historic city at the frontier of the old Oyo Empire. His kings were battle axes for the Oyo Alaafin and the Sango worship was the imperial religion that was practised in Ede. It still has adherents but not as many as before the coming of Islam and Christianity. Towards the end of the colonial era in Nigeria, Ede was made famous by its Timi, Oba Laoye, the father of the present deputy governor. Timi Laoye was proficient as a drummer and went all over the world particularly to Great Britain as a cultural ambassador of Nigeria, exposing to the western world, the drumming ingenuity of the Yoruba talking drum. He shared the glory of mastering the talking drum with Ibadan’s Chief Ayorinde, the father of the current Baale of Ekotedo, Chief Taiye Ayorinde. Timi Laoye was a forward-looking Oba and he laid the foundation for his forward-looking successors and he ensured that all his children were well immersed in western education. Even though Osun State as a whole is probably 60 to 70% Muslim, Yoruba people for centuries have managed to reconcile the fact that religion is a personal affair and everybody would be individually answerable to the Almighty. There would be no collective judgement on the last day. This has helped Muslims and Christians to coexist peacefully in Yoruba land. In my ancestral family, the graves of Christians and Muslims are side by side. On a material level, Osun State would benefit to the tune of millions of naira from the tax that we would accrue to it from the workers of the university. The institution would

HE police play a vital role in every society. They are in charge of law and order to ensure peace and harmony in the land. The police are an arbiter of sorts, between two disputing parties, be they individuals or institutions. As a body conferred with the power to arrest and detain people within a reasonable time before charging them to court, the police are expected to use this power wisely and soberly. But, in many instances, the police, especially in Nigeria act with impunity. They arrest and detain people at will. At times, they kill people under the guise of law enforcement and tag their victim ''a robber''. Where the person is not ''a robber'', he may be a victim of what they call ''accidental discharge''. Our police do not seem to value human life, yet they say they are our friend. The ''police is your friend'' is the legend you find at the counters of almost all police stations or posts. Are the police really our friend? There is nothing that puts the lie to this claim than their actions in recent times. Led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, who should be the epitome of a gentleman officer, the police have become the attack dog of the execu-

234 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

not only be an academic institution at the tertiary level, it would have schools from kindergarten through primary, secondary to university level. So if you permit my immodesty, Redeemer’s University is coming to Ede on a civilising mission. Because of this we hope, pray and expect to benefit from Osun state’s infrastructural budget especially in helping us open our vast campus for development. It would also be necessary for the state government to build a police post somewhere near the university preferably at the gate so as to keep miscreants and hoodlums from disturbing the peace of the university community. The university is in its 10th year of existence and during this period it has attracted attention from local and international bodies. It is today a centre of excellence in West Africa for Genomics research and some of our staff were at the forefront for testing people for the Ebola virus because we have a strong foundation in microbiology. Thanks to Professor Oyewale Tomori, our founding Vice-Chancellor who is presently President of Nigeria Academic of Sciences. His able successor, Professor Debo Adeyewa has sacrificed his personal comfort by moving the university screamingly into its permanent campus as well as by encouraging research and excellence among staff and students and he would go any length to see that this is the central focus of the university without losing touch with our foundational credo of making God the centre of the university’s activities. Graduates of our university are globally recognised and when they go abroad, their certificates confer respect on them and they complete their master’s programme within a year and without having to do a make-up year as is the case with the graduates of public universities in Nigeria. The future of this university is great. All that it would require is support from its proprietor and commitment on the sides of staff and students and encouragement from the society and state in which the university is located. The plan of the university is that it would probably not exceed 10,000 students when it is at optimal level of development. The plan also is that the university would be a comprehensive university, having all the traditional colleges of medicine, engineering, dentistry, pharmacy, and law in a programmed development. It has three colleges right now- natural sciences, humanities and social and management sciences which would be split into two colleges of social sciences and management sciences. It also has a budding graduate school and

because there is no trade unionism on campus, there is predictability in the number of years students spend and whatever school fees students pay which is not huge, it is money well-spent considering the quality of education being provided by able hands of young and experienced

Jide Osuntokun

professors some of who have retired from public universities but who are not yet time expired. Even the 10,000 planned student body would eventually have to be increased and I can see the university in future, taking more students than 10,000 and probably increasing to 20,000. Just like the most famous universities in the world such as the University of Al-Quarawiyyin in Morocco, Al-Azar in Egypt and European universities like Oxford and Cambridge and their American counterparts like Harvard, Yale, and Columbia all started as religious institutions and have grown into academic trees that they are today. Redeemer’s University in the future should also become a global centre of learning with its doors open to all and sundry from all over the world. This is my prophecy.

‘The university is in its 10th year of existence and during this period it has attracted attention from local and international bodies. It is today a centre of excellence in West Africa for Genomics research and some of our staff were at the forefront for testing people for the Ebola virus because we have a strong foundation in microbiology’

Abba's faux pas tive. It seems Abba was deliberately chosen among his peers to take up the executive's fight. Since his appointment in February following the retirement of his predecessor, the urbane M.D Abubakar, Abba has been putting the wrong foot forward. Rather than be the people's IG, he is more at home being on the side of President Goodluck Jonathan. Those not in the same political camp with the president are not in his good book. The president's fight is his fight and we have seen him prove this time and again. When Speaker Aminu Tambuwal defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in October, Abba wasted no time in withdrawing his security aides, citing Section 68 of the Constitution. The interpretation of this section is the crux of a case between PDP and Tambuwal at the Federal High Court in Abuja. On November 20, Abba was at it again when he sent his men to cordon off the National Assembly in order to stop Tambuwal from entering the House of Representatives Chambers. To him, Tambuwal is no longer Speaker because of his defection to APC. Pray, where was Abba when the Speaker and virtually all members of Ondo State House of Assembly defected from the Labour Party to PDP? If he saw nothing wrong in those defections, why is he shouting blue murder over Tambuwal's move to APC? Why is he not applying Section 68 of the Constitution in that case since he knows law so well? It is not the job of Abba as IG to interpret the Constitution; his job is to ensure the maintenance of law and order. Abba has left his job undone in his attempt to interpret the Constitution when he is not a judge. Perhaps, he feels that as a lawyer, he can play the judge. Instead of wasting his time

interpreting the law, a job not under his purview, Abba should turn the heat on hoodlums, who have taken over the country. Last Wednesday, he did the unthinkable when he appeared before the House Committee on Police Affairs over his men's invasion of the National Assembly on November 20. He told the stunned committee members that he no longer recognised Tambuwal as Speaker. Irked by his persistent reference to the Speaker as Alhaji Tambuwal, the committee asked him to address the Speaker properly. Abba replied that he would not because the matter is in court. If he knew that, why then did he withdraw the Speaker's security details when the matter has not been decided? This is the impunity we have been talking about. If Abba can withdraw the security aides of the Speaker with the tacit approval of the president, can other Nigerians be sure of the protection of their rights and privileges? While awaiting the court decision, it would be advisable for Abba to retrace his steps before it is too late. He is not the first IG and certainly, he won't be the last. But whatever he does today will become history tomorrow. How will he want posterity to judge him? As IG of the people or a puppet? The choice is his.

Adieu Olopa THE news hit me like a thunderbolt. Jude had been in my thoughts since I returned to work on November 24. Last Wednesday, I asked after him from Dada Aladelokun, his colleague on the City Desk. Dada said he was on leave and would soon resume. The following day, we got a medical report that he would not be able to resume on November 30 because he was ill. The doctor said he

was placing him on two weeks sick leave. We left matters at that until Saturday morning when a telephone call from Folorunso Atta, my colleague at the defunct Daily Times and a crack crime reporter like Jude, changed everything. Whenever Atta calls, he regales me with his exploits of late. But on this day, that was not to be. I sensed that something was wrong from Atta's voice, which was too low for my liking. I was about asking if all was well when he said: Man Lawi, Jude ti ku; o ku laro yi. Meaning: Jude is dead; he died this morning. I was dazed by the news and promptly asked Atta, ''how did you learn of his death?'' He told me he got the information from Jude’s neighbour, who works with a paper in Anambra State. When I saw Jude Uche Isiguzo last in October, I didn’t know that I will never see him again. Jude was a lively and easy-going person. His philosophy was live and let's live and was at home with everybody. What could have killed Jude I wanted to know from his neighbour. Did he undergo surgery? 'No, he didn't undergo surgery'', the guy said. ''So, what killed him?'' I asked. Like me, the guy had been shattered by the news of Jude's death. He pleaded with me to let him be and I understood what he was going through, especially as he said he was standing beside Jude's body. Jude was a lovable person because of his simplicity. He was everybody's person as shouts of olopa rang out from every corner whenever he was in the newsroom. Though, he was chairman of our chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he did not allow that to affect his job. He was on top of events on his beat. You can trust him to deliver if news breaks on his beat. What could have cut Jude down in the prime of life? His wife Gwen told us on Sunday that he was already getting better and

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net SMS ONLY: 08099400204, 08112661612

that the family was planning to hold a thanksgiving after he left the hospital. Instead of a thanksgiving, we are now planning for Jude's funeral. What an irony of life. We take consolation in the fact that he lived well and touched lives. As the Editor, Gbenga Omotoso, told Gwen last Sunday, it is not how long, but how well. As part of the funeral rites, our chapel yesterday held a candlelight procession for Jude. Decked in black, members walked from the office in Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos, to the nearby Palm Avenue intersection and back on his memory. My heart goes out to Gwen and other members of the Isiguzo family. Adieu Olopa. May you find rest in the Lord's bosom.

‘Abba is not the first IG and certainly, he won't be the last. Whatever he does today will become history tomorrow. How will he want posterity to judge him? As IG of the people or a puppet? The choice is his’

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

COMMENTS

SYMPATHISE with Ayo Fayose for his current travails. It is as if it is now a crime to be resourceful enough to defeat two sitting governors at different periods. He has on account of trials by his political detractors since his second coming six weeks ago become the face of all that is wrong with us as a nation and with our fledgling democracy. The truth however is that the Fayose phenomenon is only symptomatic of a nation ‘of anything is possible’, one that thrives in aberration of putting square pegs in round holes, hoping the nation will wobble on. Didn’t we not too long ago have an ill-equipped Aguiyi-Ironsi who thought all that was required to manage society was military training and tactics, an illequipped Obasanjo, who thought he could play god because fortune had smiled on him, and an incompetent Shagari who only wanted to be a senator but found himself imposed on Nigeria. He smoked while Akinloye and his NPN wrecked the economy. There was also the cunning Babangida who took the nation for a ride for eight years of ‘transition without end’; an impostor called Abacha whose only agenda was to mindlessly loot the treasury. We have similarly had a terminally ill Yar’Adua and a Jonathan who by all accounts is a good man but lacks the competence and political will to manage a multi-ethnic society which is today torn between Christians and Muslims, north and south, Fulani versus Middle Belt and Ijaws versus Hausa/Fulani – their traditional allies. Fayose, today’s aberration is brash, garrulous, and confident. He is well grounded in the art of street fighting as espoused by his mentor the late Adedibu, PDP garrison commander of Ibadan politics who rose through the rank as an Action Group thug in the first republic to become the leader of Ibadan thugs and road workers union. He it was that told us that to be a governor, you must be ready to remove your dress and fight it out on the street and have no inhibition about falsely swearing publicly with the Holy Koran. Fayose has been an outstanding student. But for those like Obasanjo who have continued to prolong our nightmare through playing god, Fayose would have been a celebrated success if he had been restricted to his area of core competence - protecting the king on the throne. The Yoruba with its rich culture have long warned of the consequences of usurping the throne by those not groomed to ascend thrones. Accordingly they say, “Ti a ba fi eru j’oba, ilu a tuka.” The governor by all accounts is not a slave; this is just the Yoruba way of saying those who were not groomed to be kings but usurp the throne, will misman-

NE interesting state to watch in the run off to the 2015 general elections is Kano. Kano is what, in the American political lexicon, termed a swing state. You just cannot predict what will sway the unpredictable and huge number of voters in the state. Added to this is the imminent showdown between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC). The people of Kano, of course, are not new to PDP. In 1999, the people overwhelmingly voted the then freshly formed PDP. Four years later, the PDP lost to the then ANPP. However, eight years after, the same people turned to vote for the PDP. This shows the unpredictably of the voting populace and, at the same time, the fact that both parties could be interpreted to be on the support pedestal. However, with the incumbency factor to its advantage and the fact that the current governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso has succeeded in building a strong support base at the grassroots, APC is poised to give the PDP a tough fight to retain the job at Kano Government House. But it is not necesarilya hopeless case for the PDP. In fact, the party has a lot of advantages that it can turn on in making sure that it hands a clean defeat for the APC in Kano. A number of serious and not so serious aspirants have thus far indicated interest by purchasing the nomination forms. And it is in sieving the array of aspirants to come up with the better one that the PDP can make or mar it’s chances. Some of the people on the posters dotting the streets of Kano are politicians that have used up their goodwill or have no good standing to confront the massive structure that Kwankwaso has built for himself. For PDP to weather the storm, there is the need for a new face and one who can pull the crowd. It is in this that one would see Abba Risqua Mohammed, the son of late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed as one with the right credentials. In this knowledge-driven and youthoriented world, the greatest treasure of a

Fayose: Yoruba’s new PDP leader in action age the fortune of the people while the community will be in disarray. We witnessed the consequences of such an aberration during the reign of Abacha, when NADECO members fled the country. We saw a bit of it during Fayose’s first coming as governor 2003 -2006 when Ekiti elite fled from the state while revered traditional rules like the Ewi of AdoEkiti who had nowhere to run to was rudely challenged by Fayose to remove his crown and sceptre and come to the political arena for contest of popularity. Indeed the view of George Akosile, the state chairman of defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) shortly before Fayose’s impeachment in 2006 was that “Fayose is not a proper person to rule Ekiti State. He has no certificate. He is an area boy…” This may sound harsh and uncharitable, but Akosile was vindicated by Fayose’s subsequent impeachment by 23 of the 26-member state House of Assembly in October 2006 for the mismanagement of N12 billion local government joint contribution fund and the alleged theft of N1.3 billion through the derailed integrated poultry project among 26 charges brought by EFCC to support his impeachment. Most people had thought that eight years in the political wilderness, 51 court appearances and months of detention over the yet-to-be resolved 26 charges EFCC brought against Fayose would have sobered him but a leopard does not change its skin. This time around, he did not even wait for his inauguration before resorting to self-help. He simply led a band of thugs and okada riders into a court premises, beat up the judge handling the case about his

eligibility to contest an election, filed long before the election. They tore the judge’s gown along with some prepared judgments. With inauguration, he started with the mundane. The government house commissioned on the eve of his inauguration, he claimed, was too big and too tastefully furnished for a people’s governor. He then directed okada riders and thugs to go and have a taste and feel of the place because government house belongs to them. Days later, his political detractors claimed he spent another N200 million to carry out further repair on the same house. At the state secretariat, a new entrance was to be constructed to keep ‘evil servants’ at a distance while the governor moves to his office every morning. There had been an earlier directive that civil servants who got promoted in the last one year were to revert back to their old positions. Due to no fault of theirs, they would also have to refund the allowances already earned because government is broke. Along the line, the people’s governor appointed a special adviser on stomach infrastructure. Government also issued a public notice inviting his supporters to a rendezvous at drinking joints for carousing on Fridays at government expense. Then from the mundane, the government moved to the bizarre. Never equipped to manage conflicts through negotiation and compromise with the other arms of government, he forced 19 of the 26 members of the state House of Assembly out of town, ferried the seven members of PDP in a government bus guided by over 300 heavily armed policemen to the assembly chambers where the seven hilari-

ously pronounced the speaker and deputy impeached in their absence and accorded one of their seven members the title speaker. Minutes later, the governor, dressed like one of his supporters was addressing local and international press. He told bemused nation that he has recognized the new speaker and was prepared to work with him. With Ekiti now fully secured, Fayose who won an election without an agenda has moved on to the national stage. Last week he ferried PDP members and some leading Ekiti Obas to Obafemi Awolowo University, to sell Jonathan who is seeking re-election in 2015 to the marginalised Yoruba who the Jonathan administration has largely ignored for three years. This in itself was an arduous task. But Fayose instead of selling Jonathan embarked on petty personal wars by attacking Obasanjo’s person. Fayose’s answer to Obasanjo’s warning that “increasing corruption under Jonathan had damaged the economy, with possible consequences of having to borrow to pay salaries and allowances because of dwindling revenue allocation to states and local governments” was to call attention of the public to donations to Obasanjo library and an alleged sharing of N50 million to each senator and House of Representatives member during Obasanjo’s third term fiasco. Fayose’s answer to Obasanjo’s warning that “Nigeria cannot continue to indulge in disdain for truth, elevation of corruption and incompetence, reinforcement of failure, and celebration of mediocrity, tribal bigotry, fomenting violence and anti-democratic practices in states and National Assembly” was to accuse Obasanjo of intolerance of those with independent minds of their own. Fayose’s reaction to Obasanjo admonition that it took Jonathan more than three years to appreciate and understand that “Boko Haram is not simply a menace based on religion or one directed to frustrate anybody’s political ambition”, was to praise the president for refusing “to toe the path of unconstitutionality” and for respecting human rights by not committing crime against humanity” as Obasanjo once did. I am sure it is not only the Ekitis at home and abroad that feel diminished by Fayose’s emptiness and attempt to wage petty personal wars with serious national issues at Ife last week, his entourage made of professors and respected traditional Ekiti rulers and even Obasanjo who first promoted him beyond his level, would probably share the same fate. Behold the new Yoruba PDP leader, the nemesis of Obasanjo in action.

2015 and PDP’s fight to reclaim Kano By Mohammed Aminu Iliyasu people is to have a leader who is in sync with modernity to lead it to the utopian world of progress. If a state as historic and important as Kano routinely gets into the news for the bad reason – from drug abuse to breakdown of epidemics, it certainly needs redemption. We need someone to rescue the state to a better clime. The Kano of today requires a pragmatic leader who is in tune with current events trends and development all over the world. Indeed, the future of Kano depends largely on a quintessential leader blessed with vision, focus, commitment, resourcefulness, exposure, dynamism, hard work, fearlessness, noble family background and above all, credibility and the fear of God. For the state to fit rightly into the modern society, the major catalyst is for it to be steered by one who knows exactly the right direction to go. By way of introduction, Abba Risqua Mohammed is the only surviving son of late Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed. When his father was tragically murdered by some people opposed to Nigeria’s progress, in 1976, Abba Risqua was only six years old. He is now 45: fully made man and accomplished in all respects. A graduate of Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos, he also holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the prestigious Cardiff Business School, Wales, United Kingdom. He is also a trustee of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation, an NGO that has done a lot for Kano people and other Nigerians. In terms of leadership and management acumen, Alhaji Abba Risqua had served as Special Assistant to President Olusegun Obasanjo on International Relations from

2000 to 2007. He is now managing his booming business as the Group Chief Executive of AMG Petroenergy Limited, one of Africa’s foremost energy service providers. Coming from that golden heritage of a hero that was late General Mohammed, Abba has no hiding place for people looking for credible individuals to take critical leadership roles. It is therefore for this and his personal attributes as an accomplished man that a number of times people of Kano approach him to make himself available to serve the people by standing in for election. This time around, the magnitude and intensity of the demand is huge. As the 2015 general election beckons, the call is for Abba Risqua to come and take up the governorship seat of Kano per chance the state will have a Midas touch that Nigeria witnessed during his late father’s short sojourn in power. There is no gainsaying that General Murtala Ramat Mohammed is still regarded as one of Nigeria’s true heroes. He was not only one of those fiercely patriotic sons of the land who defiantly fought to keep Nigeria as one united country; he possesses startling qualities that are cherished by all. He was detribalized, he was authentic, he was enthusiastic about the progress of the country, he was extraordinarily bold, and he was a patriot who truly loved his country. He was a man in a hurry to accomplish great things. He died in that hurry, in the prime of his life. Imagine what he could have done with power had he lived for a little longer? It is also worthy of note to mention that as a mark of his prudence and uprightness, when General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was assassinated in 1976 while serving as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he left only N13,000 in his account and one bungalow in Kano – this was despite serving in various other positions at a time

of the celebrated oil boom. As the Hausa say the offspring of antelope also runs like it’s parent, it is everyone’s expectation that anyone from the respected home of General Murtala Mohammed will just be as good! More over, for the PDP, the name of the Kano’s illustrious son alone is a huge asset that they can capitalise on to win the election. Additionally, Abba’s reputation is also intact with the people as he was never found wanting in all the key national assignments he has held. These, among other advantages that Risqua have, make him an easy-sale candidate for the PDP if at all the party wants to take back the Kano Government House easily. • Iliyasu wrote from Gwammaja, Kano.

‘The future of Kano depends largely on a quintessential leader blessed with vision, focus, c o m m i t m e n t , resourcefulness, exposure, dynamism, hard work, fearlessness, noble family background and above all, credibility and the fear of God. For the state to fit rightly into the modern society, the major catalyst is for it to be steered by one who knows exactly the right direction to go’

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

COMMENTS

S the world price of oil continues to drop, Nigeria is heading for very serious trouble. This is a calamity Nigeria would have avoided if our leaders had chosen a different path in the mid-1970s. Our country’s political elite were absolutely free and capable, if they had so chosen at that time, to guide our country onto the path of sensible development and solid prosperity. But the overwhelming majority of them preferred to operate in the superficial and euphoric. Today, the day of reckoning seems to be knocking. I refer, of course, to our handling of our country’s natural oil wealth. As we were emerging out of the tragedy of our civil war in 1970, the revenues from our infant oil industry began to rise unbelievably rapidly. Almost suddenly, we were becoming a country commanding enormous financial resources for our development. In prospect and in hope, our country was suddenly rising above virtually all the other recently independent countries of Africa. Each Sub-Saharan African county, including our Nigeria, had entered into independent nationhood with its economy depending on only one or two cash commodities – like cocoa, coffee, groundnuts, copper, etc. But only a few years after independence, the prices of these commodities in the world market began to decline seriously, plunging country after country into economic distress. At that critical moment, our oil production from our Niger Delta stepped mightily forward, not merely to save us from distress, but also promising to make us a prosperous country and even a world power. The revenues coming for our country were so huge that our young military ruler of the time, General Yakubu Gowon, uttered the historic statement– that our country was making more money than we had the executive capacity to utilize. General Gowon then embarked on general and retroactive wage reviews that poured great amounts of cash into the hands of a lot of ordinary Nigerians. It was a dizzying moment in our history. On the whole, in retrospect, we can now say of those days, “So far, so good”. Unfortunately, however, under this national euphoria, a serious national disease began to fester – the disease that was destined to drag our country further and further down until it is now about to be buried out of sight in the world. I speak of public corruption.

Nigeria: What is to expect now? Unused to seeing so much money, our military rulers developed ambitions to grab as much of it as possible for themselves. To make that easy, they destroyed the old civil service’s tight rules and processes for the handling of public money, and established the process whereby high public officials could go directly into public accounts and take money out of it at will. Across our country, military officers and their friends and cronies became the richest Nigerians alive. Slowly at first, and then in an escalating rush, Nigerians stampeded away from real enterprises in order to go and join in the money sharing frenzy. Nigeria was doomed. The demon of public corruption and greed that was born at that time rules Nigeria today and dictates all directions of Nigeria’s public life. It received major power in the few months during which our country was prepared for a return to civilian rule in 1979. Most of the dominant elements of our country’s political elite, as they took part in the preparations for the return to civilian politics, decided to institutionalise the regime of public corruption. As constitutional framework for that, they cancelled the parliamentary system under which Nigeria had entered into independence, and replaced it with a presidential system, under which a president and state governors would be able to exercise the sort of personal powers that the military rulers had enjoyed. Those of them who had an agenda for their own ethnic nation’s total domination of Nigeria, allied to another agenda of “total islamization of Nigeria”, decided that, as permitted in their religion, they would employ public wealth to buy and subvert the elite from all over Nigeria in order entice them into acceptance of Islam and of Northern Hausa-Fulani domination. In parenthesis, I must enter the following reminder. I have said repeatedly in this column that Nigeria’s brand of public corruption is not merely a matter of public officials stealing public money, but also a deliberate and strongly established system of governance by some of the Nigerian elite. Indirectly

HE past few years have seen a gradual widening of the gap between professional and operational staff within the health sector. There has been a clamour by the allied-health professionals challenging the existing roles of the medical practitioners in the sector and an increased agitation for a greater degree of participation in the decision-making process. Indeed serious conflict which have often degenerated into violent physical combat have occurred between practitioners who share the same physical operational space and several groups of allied-health professionals who have requested for greater degrees of autonomy in the discharge of their duties as against the dictates of the existing chain of command which places them under the supervision of the physicians. This has particularly been a nagging problem in the Laboratories and Medical Imaging Departments. Thus, the current state of inter-professional relationship in the Health sector is characterized by mutual suspicion, undue competition and rivalry, violation of intra- and interprofessional chains of command, sabotage of efforts of competing practitioners and at times outright hatred of other professionals. The PATIENT, who is the reason for the establishment of the sector, is the first casualty in this crisis. Several factors are responsible for the present state of things. One of which is the increasing demand for greater roles and greater authority in the management of patients by the different healthcare professionals in the hospital setting. The health sector, like other multi-professional systems like the aviation industry, the university system and even the manufacturing industry relies on each of the different groups of professionals contributing in different ways to the overall management of the patient. The reasons for this demand for greater roles may be too numerous to mention, but prominent among them is the desire by allied health professionals to achieve greater recognition as professionals within the hospital system and in the administrative reckoning of the civil service bureaucracy as well as in the eyes of the public. It could also be the desire by allied-health professionals for equal financial reward and recognition with the physicians, since the success of his efforts in managing an illness now depends on contributions from other professionals. There has also been a persistent failure of collective bargaining with all professional groups in the health sector through the years. Since the early days of the sector, aggrieved professional groups are usually engaged by government or its organs individually whenever their individual grievances were brought to the table rather than collective engagement with all groups to ensure that granting the desire of one group does not infringe on the perceived comfort or operational zones of another. In today’s modern healthcare system, the consequences of

describing the foundational decisions of that system of governance in the 1970s, the highly respected Islamic scholar, Alhaji Gumi, while strongly opposing General Buhari’s presidential bid some weeks ago, made the following eye-opening statements: “Don’t be surprised.You may need to understand that Islam being a pragmatic religion allows the use of Zakkat and public wealth as an instrument to pacify and lure influential people for the sake of righteousness, peace and stability…Thus men are also controlled by money”. Gunmi added that it was a great weakness in Buhari as a leader that Buhari opposes all manifestations of public corruption – and that he feared that a Buhari government would be obsessively “centered on sealing tight the use of money” for buying, corrupting and luring people. (If Buhari would indeed terminate the system of governance by corruption in Nigeria, I would vote for him any day). Our Chief M.K.O Abiola was still an advocate of that kind of governance in the 1970s and, therefore a leader of the NPN party that was set up to promote it. In November 1979, after the military government had rigged the presidential election for Shagari of the NPN, Chief Abiola said to me in front of the National Assembly in Lagos, “Senator, your father (meaning Chief Awolowo) won that presidential election. But we who already enjoy plenty and know the use of money cannot afford to let him rule this country. He and you his boys are too intellectually prepared and focused on using everything to build up the welfare and strength of the common people”. Yes, using Nigeria’s enormous revenues to build up the welfare and economic strength of all Nigerians was the philosophy of our powerful alternative party, the UPN, in the politics of Nigeria in 1979. Chief Awolowo was our very able leader and presidential candidate. We were determined to use “everything” as Chief Abiola put it, in all parts of Nigeria, to strengthen education (including a respectfully managed programme of speed-

Gbogun gboro ing up education in the North), modern job skills training, entrepreneurship and small business development, promotion of modern farming, and a very solid programme of infrastructural development. We were sure that we could, within four years under Chief Awolowo’s phenomenal leadership, build Nigeria to rank with countries like Japan in the world. We were also sure that there would be no money left, year after year, to steal and share among the influential and powerful, but that opportunities would become plentiful for all Nigerians. I am telling this story today particularly for Nigeria’s youths. Beyond his known anti-corruption stand, is General Buhari asking Nigerian youthsto trust that, if he becomes president, he will pursue the path of widening opportunities for all Nigerians? If so, he would be charting a new beginning for our country. And that would be great and worthy of everybody’s support.

‘Beyond his known anticorruption stand, is General Buhari asking Nigerian youthsto trust that, if he becomes president, he will pursue the path of widening opportunities for all Nigerians? If so, he would be charting a new beginning for our country’

Managing inter-professional relationships in health sector By Abdulwaheed Olatinwo strained inter-professional relationships have serious implications for healthcare delivery. Imagine a patient who is admitted in a teaching hospital ward in Nigeria who by the time he spends five days on such admission would have encountered numerous healthcare workers of different professional orientation. The number of health workers to see a patient could be as many as 50 in countries with more sophisticated healthcare systems. Another immediate consequence of strained relationships is non-existent or poor communication channels between different categories of professionals. Hence the patient is confronted with conflicting instructions, suspicious practitioners which eventually affects the patient’s psyche, erodes public confidence in the health system and overall treatment outcome. Indeed whether we acknowledge it or not, the absence of these inter-professional communication lines affects patient’s morbidity and mortality because it stalls their investigation, evaluation and eventual treatment. The parlous state of inter-professional relationships in the sector has also encouraged the growth of a most undesirable culture of “territorialism” which has caused the decline of true, professionalism among practitioners. Each professional group converts its professional roles and even physical operating space into a “territory” that must be “guarded jealously” against any “violation” by any perceived competitor(s). Sadly, this odious culture of “Territorialism” is being passed to junior/up-coming practitioners. Strained inter-professional relationships have also led to the creation of complex, unwieldy organizational structures within each profession that only serves to nourish egos and reduce productivity. It has also contributed to the poor image of the public health sector among our fellow citizens and is a festering problem that requires urgent intervention. It stands to reason that as in many other sectors of the economy, the health care sector is also not immune to class struggle which has pitched the doctors against other professional groups in the hospital. The struggle for class distinction and leadership tussle by doctors has created acrimony among other professional which has not augured well for the overall effective discharge of their duties. In finding solutions to this challenge however, may involve a multi-dimensional approach. Government at all levels must

put in place policies that recognises the different roles of health professionals but at the same time encourage inter professional working relationship. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2010 defined inter-professional collaboration as a situation where: “Multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together with patients, families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care”. This is essentially a situation where Health care professionals assume complementary roles and cooperatively working together, sharing responsibility for problem solving and making decisions to formulate and carry out plans for patient care.” The key word here is “together”. This model was also suggested by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) the American health policy think-tank as a veritable tool for improving multi-disciplinary care of patients. Critical components that make up this concept must however be put in place for it to succeed. These include: Clear role definition/role clarification of professionals in the health team. There should be clear, unambiguous guidelines stipulating the roles, responsibilities and limits of all the different professionals in the sector. This surely has always existed in some form, but the lines of responsibility have been blurred in recent agitations. The Federal Ministry of Health has a role to play in this regard. There is considerable evidence that inter-professional team work enhances communication, reduces errors, and improves patient outcome and satisfaction as well as staff satisfaction. These outcomes also lead to enhanced patient/client selfcare, knowledge and outcomes, provider satisfaction, skills and practice behaviours. It can also lead to system enhancement such as provision of a broader range of services, better access, shorter waiting periods and more effective resource utilization. Building effective healthcare systems does not depend on technical factors or infrastructural adequacy alone. Human factors are extremely important. We must advocate for inter-professional collaboration amongst ourselves because collaboration “divides the task and multiplies the success”. The timeless words of Mattie J.T. Stepanek may be very useful at this juncture: “Unity is strength. When there is Team work and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved”. Prof Olatinwo is Chief Medical Director, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

Forces against pry, secondary schools’ curricula Many have hailed the new curricula for primary and secondary schools. But their implementation is giving schools headache.

T was done with the intention of improving education quality, but primary and secondary schools are not finding the implementations of their new curricula easy. Primary and Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) resumed for the 2014/2015 academic session to start the implementation of the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), revised by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). The Senior Secondary School (SSS) curriculum was reviewed in 2011. Factors hampering the implementation of the curricular include poor funding, unavailability of textbooks, students’ apathy and poorly trained teachers. Some stakeholders have also complained about the frequent changes to the curriculum.

The Curricula The BEC was first designed in 2005 to recognise the demands of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme that school-age children should enjoy nine years of free and compulsory education. The nine years encompass six years of primary and three years of junior secondary education. The curriculum was reviewed and launched in August to reflect continuous learning from primary to secondary school and the inclusion of entrepreneurial skills training. Also, the number of subjects offered at primary and junior secondary level was reduced from a maximum of 17 to a maximum of six subjects following complaints that the subject workload on pupils, especially at the junior secondary school level, was too much. In the revised curriculum, some subjects have being merged. They now feature as themes in the new version. The revised BEC comprises the following subjects offered at the primary level: English Studies, Mathematics, Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), One Nigerian Language, Basic Science and Technology (a combination of Basic Science, Basic Technology, Physical/Health Education, and Information Technology), PreVocational Studies (a combination of Home Economics and Agricultural Science), and Religion and National Values (which combines Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Social Studies, Civic Education, and Security Education), and French. Pre-Vocational Studies and French are to be introduced from Primary Four. At the junior secondary level, pupils are to offer the above as well as Business Studies/ Entrepreneurship, BSE, and Arabic, which is optional. While Primary 1-3 pupils are to offer between six and seven subjects, Primary 4-6 are to offer between eight and nine subjects. At JSS level, they are to offer between nine and 10 subjects. The implementation of the new curriculum is meant to start with Primary One and JSS1

• Participants at a workshop for the BEC in Rivers State. By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie, Adegunle Olugbamila, Medinat Kanabe, Yusufu Aminu Idegu (Jos), Damisi Ojo (Ondo), Okungbowa Aiwerie (Asaba), Nicholas Kalu (Calabar), Oseheye Okwuofu, Tayo Johnson (Ibadan), Clarice Azuatalam (Port Harcourt).

pupils, while other classes use the old curriculum until they exit the system. The SSS curriculum was also changed three years ago. The Unity Schools started using it since the 2011/2012 academic session. The first set of pupils that used the SSS curriculum from SS1-SS3 graduated this year and was tested on the new subjects in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African examinations Council and the National Examinations Council (NECO). The main feature of the SSS curriculum is that Biology is not compulsory, and 36 trade subjects have been introduced. At SSS level, subjects are classified under four areas of study namely: Science and mathematics, Technology, Humanities, and Business Studies. English Language, General Mathematics and Civic Education as well as a Trade/Entrepreneurship subject are the compulsory subjects all the pupils must take irrespective of their area of study. The other four

or five subjects they select are drawn from their fields of study.

Criticisms While many educationists have lauded the new curricula, there are others who have criticized it for just lumping subjects together - at the basic education level; and being expensive to implement - at the senior secondary level. Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Prof Offiong Offiong praised the new BEC curriculum for reducing the subjects young pupils have to do; and the SSS Curriculum for its entrepreneurial bent. However, he was concerned about its overall implementation. "In my opinion at that basic level there were too many subjects. So reducing them also offers advantage for a child to have a full grasp of the subject. Also the introduction of the trade and entrepreneurial at the SSS level is very apt, because it offers the opportunity for a child to acquire some skills upon graduation from secondary school and those talented may become self-employed because of the knowledge and skills they acquired because of the curriculum. I think that it is a well-articulated policy. The curriculum is good, but the problem with many policies in Nigeria has always

‘But the challenge still remains for us to have qualified teachers. The same thing applies for the BEC. We also need qualified teachers to teach some of these subjects and a lot of them would require getting people who have a very broad understanding of the more than one subject, since there has been a fusing of three subjects in some of the new subjects’

been the implementation," he said. He said the government, in collaboration with the NERDC, has organised training for primary and secondary school teachers to implement the curricula. "We are working hand-in-hand with the NERDC to train our primary school teachers. Meanwhile the state has taken delivery of this curriculum so we are doing our utmost best to ensure that they are also among the states to ensure full implementation of this, but of course this would not be possible without proper capacity building for our teachers through workshops and a lot of mentoring from experts," he said. Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Rivers State Education Commissioner also said the state started the domestication of the new BEC with a two-day sensitization programme for teachers, head teachers, principals of Junior Secondary Schools and Education Secretaries in the 23 Local Government Area of the State, at the Model Girls' Secondary School, Rumueme, Port Harcourt. Mrs Lawrence-Nemi, who expressed hope that the curriculum will serve as a driving force for developing human capital needed to help the country achieve the Vision 2020, directed school managers to start implementing it in all schools in the state. "The content of the revised BEC has been reduced without compromising quality to make it readily teachable and learnable as well as minimise confusion. It reflects continuity from one sub-theme and topic to the other to help the teacher and pupils and students connect and relate previous and presently taught lessons. Also the revised BEC makes teaching and learning learner-centred, activity based and relevant," she said. • Continued on page 26

INSIDE

Yoruba teacher wins N500,000 UNIJOS riot: Were students influenced?

-Page 28

-Page 45

CAMPUS LIFE

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

Shock treatment for Jonathan at Ife -Page 29

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

Forces against pry, secondary schools’ curricula

third term before are now in second term," he said.

• Continued from page 25

Oyo State Education Commissioner, Prof Solomon Olaniyonu, wondered why some people feel the implementation of the curricula was difficult and cumbersome. He said: "We don't have problem implementing the new Curriculum because we have a uniformed scheme of work that all the schools must use on which basis examinations are set. There were no new subjects except a few subjects. And basically, the books are available. For example in terms of poultry making those in agriculture can take that; electrical people in Physics can take that. So, there is nothing so serious about it. And you have about 15 to 16 subjects which you are just to do one." But some public school teachers in Oyo, who would not want their names in print’ expressed reservations on the new curriculum. They advised the government to provide necessary tools needed for instructions, and ensure that the teachers were properly trained to take the subjects if the pupils were to excel in these subjects. "Let the government do the needful so that things will work out smoothly. The new curriculum is well applauded, but the implementation is poor. I think the government should ensure that there are appropriate text books, trained teachers and instructional tools for the students to learn and excel," one teacher at St. Bridges Primary School, Mokola, Ibadan said.

Frequent changes While Mrs Rachel Dairo, Proprietress Summer Rain Schools, Jakande Estate, Isolo lauds the new curriculum for its completeness, she complained about the frequent changes in the curriculum, which she said have not influenced performance positively. "I think those who prepared this one are trained teachers with experience in curriculum preparation because this one is better. I saw a lot of things in it that can help the pupils because it is very wide. However, government is always changing curriculum. The question now is, with all the change in curriculum has it helped, especially with the WASSCE results?" She asked. Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Borno State, Comrade Gunshin Yarlings, counseled the government not to be quick to make changes because of international influences. He said: "As for the frequency of changes in the school curriculum, we advise that the Federal Ministry of Education should not be in a hurry to copy every programme introduced in developed world. Government should realise that Nigeria is a developing nation. It is not all programmes of the developed countries that we copy because we might have shortcoming in implementing such programmes. Some programmes that can be easily implemented in Britain and U.S. for instance might be difficult to implement here in Nigeria. But our ministries will not consider this; they will simply wake up one day and force certain programmes on all of us." A school administrator, Mr Adekoya Adeshola, noted that the curriculum still needs to be reviewed to address omissions and eliminate repetitions. "Although the curriculum is okay, some things were omitted in the JSS curriculum. Some topics were repeated too while some topics were removed. Some topics that were in

Publishers' dilemma For publishers, the frequent changes to the curricula really cause discomfort. Otunba Yinka Lawal-Solain, Chairman, Literamed Publicatons, said publishers suffer for it. "The changes are too often and they are tasking for publishers. It • Mrs Lawrence-Nemi takes time to produce a book, pro- • Prof Offiong mote it and get people to accept it only to have to change again. It is trade subjects they have the capacPrincipal of a female mission school not up to four years that we last re- ity to teach. All the subjects are prac- in Asaba (names withheld), said the viewed our books because of a cur- tical and capital-intensive. Govern- school converted a youth corps memriculum change. We have done the ment has not provided funds to im- ber teaching Financial Accounting at review of all our books currently. plement these new courses. We of- Senior Secondary level to teach MarWe are supposed to produce this fer Fishery and Marketing. We have keting at Junior Secondary School. year and introduce them next year," enough staff for the two courses ex- She added that the school has intenhe said. cept that the Fishery aspect has not sified efforts to get teachers for MarFor the Chairman of Safari Books, been properly funded,' he said. keting and Data Processing, the trade Chief Joop Berkhout, said he feared He said teachers in the state did not subjects offered by the school. for lower standards. have adequate training until WAEC "We have not really have teachers He said: "All publishers are getting initiated a programme to intimate to teach these subjects .We had a along with the new curriculum, but teachers of the new curriculum. corper who taught Marketing and the only concern is that government Financial Accounting at the SSS level. Manpower keeps changing the curriculum So we are requesting her to stay on Apart from funding, there are not as staff member following after passwhich is a big challenge to the publishers and even the students. It enough qualified teachers to teach ing out.' sometimes lowers the standard of the trade subjects across the nation. A teacher in a private school in Ojo To address the problem, Prof area of Lagos, Emiola Ikuejawa told education as far as I am concerned. Offiong said Cross Rivers State “In 1966, a primary school pupil The Nation that the cost of employing could recite a vocabulary of 1,500. adopted only 10 of the 36 Trade Sub- artisans forced the school to look inBut today they cannot even recite jects. wards. "We cannot have all the teachers 500. There is a decline in knowledge He said: "The school I teach chose with this new curriculum. For exam- with the expertise in all. What we did Book Keeping and Catering as trade was to streamline ourselves to about ple, Georgraphy in science and hissubjects. The school attempted getting tory should be core subjects but our 10 of them, which we may be in a resource persons from outside but the education standard is declining. position to have teachers and also bill was pretty high. So they recruited That is why an O'Level graduate is have comparative advantage over me as a Commerce teacher to teach unemployable; even the university other states. For instance Tourism is Book Keeping to science pupils, while one of our subjects of choice because another teacher in Science teaching graduates too." Rather than change the curricu- of being a tourist destination. Also Home Economics will now teach Calum, Berkhout said the government we have Catering and Hospitality tering to the Arts pupils. should equip the teachers because Management as we are one of the "Interestingly, because of those adthe knowledge of the younger gen- most hospitable places in Nigeria. ditional responsibilities, the school "But the challenge still remains for needed to pay us extra for it. But this eration is now limited. Similarly, Mr Jesse Uodu, the Man- us to have qualified teachers. The now set us on a collision course with aging Director, Alliance Publication same thing applies for the BEC. We some senior colleagues whose salary Limited, lamented that the modules also need qualified teachers to teach fell below ours. The school had to reof the new BEC made it more diffi- some of these subjects and a lot of solve it by pegging our extra services them would require getting people at N5,000 which we grudgingly accult to get authors? He said" We have started working who have a very broad understand- cepted to let peace reign. However, on our books to conform to the new ing of the more than one subject, since we insisted that the amount is subchanges. There are so many new there has been a fusing of three subject to increment. We are currently subjects that have come on board but jects in some of the new subjects," he taking SSI and SSI; by the time we get the unfortunate thing is that for the said. to SSIII, we expect the package to have The problem of inadequate teach- increased," Ikuejawa said. new subjects we are having challenges in getting authors and con- ers has forced schools to improvise In Ondo State, a secondary school tributors. But we hope before the by engaging teachers in similar fields teacher, Mr. Opeyemi Bello said end of next year we would be able to teach the new subjects - though the though pupils were registered for NERDC recommended that artisans trade subjects, many did not do well to come over the challenges. "The curriculum that preceded and practitioners in those fields be because there were no teachers. this, if it was allowed to stay, well engaged to teach the subject. "We registered our students for the implemented, NEW CURRICULUM could have to a • BEC Curriculum great extent Primary School (Baic 1-6) helped. It is unforEnglish Studies; Mathematics; Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA); One Nigerian Language, Basic tunate that the Science and Technology (a combination of Basic Science, Basic Technology, Physical/Health education authoriEducation, and Information Technology); Pre- Vocational Studies (Home Economics and ties do not allow Agricultural Science); Religion and National Values (which combines Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, Social Studies, Civic Education, and Security Education); and French. the curricula to be? Junior Secondary School (Basic 7-9) evaluated before Pupils are to offer the above and the following: Business Studies/Entrepreneurship, BSE, and impromptu Arabic. changes."

Funding challenge The implementation of the SSS curriculum, particularly the trade subjects, is being hampered by funding. V i n c e n t Chukwurah, a teacher at Westend Mixed Secondary School, Asaba, lamented that government's approval to implement the SSS curriculum is not backed by funds. "Government has given approval for each school to select

Subject load: 6-7 subjects for Primary 1-3 pupils; eight and nine subjects for Primary 4-6 pupils; 9-10 subjects at JSS level. • SSS Curriculum Science and mathematics Biology; Chemistry; Physics; Further mathematics; Health education; Agriculture; Physical education; Computer studies Technology Technical Drawing; General Metal Work; Basic Electricity; Electronics; Auto Mechanics Building Construction; Woodwork; Home Management; Food and Nutrition Humanities: Christian Religious Studies; Islamic Studies; Visual Art; Music; History; Geography Government; Economics; Literature-in-English; French; Arabic; Nigerian Language Business Studies: Stores Management; Accounting; Commerce; Office Practice; Insurance

• Trade/Entrepreneurship Subjects: Auto Body Repair and Spray Painting; Auto Electrical Work; Auto Mechanical Work; Auto Parts Merchandising; Air Conditioning and Refrigeration; Welding and Fabrication Engineering Craft Practice; Electrical Installation and Maintenance Work; Radio, TV and Electronic Servicing; Block Laying, Brick Laying and Concrete Work; Painting and Decorating; Plumbing and Pipefitting; Machine Woodworking; Carpentry and Joinery; Furniture Making; Upholstery; Catering Craft Practice; Garment Making; Clothing and Textile; Dyeing and Bleaching; Printing Craft Practice; Cosmetology; Photography; Mining; Tourism; Leather Goods Manufacturing and Repair; Stenography; Data Processing; Store Keeping; Book Keeping; GSM Maintenance and Repairs; Animal Husbandry; Fishery; Marketing; Salesmanship.

• Otunba Lawal-Solarin

2014 NECO examination in some trade subjects like Photography, Animal husbandry Bricklayer, Painting and decoration, garment making, catering and craft data processing among others. But all the students performed woefully. "How do you expect the students to perform when we do not have necessary materials? We need to train teachers who will handle the subjects so that the students will be able to improve in the subjects," he said. An SSS II pupil, Bolaji Akinwole said the subjects still seem strange to them. "We are only aware but have no knowledge of the subjects because we do not have teachers, and our Principal said there are no textbooks for courses," he said. Principal of Government Secondary School, Nguru, Yobe State, Mr Mohammed Musa, is facing similar challenges. He said he has refused to implement the curriculum in full so his students don't record failure in the WASSCE. "We don't have teachers in these areas because it ought to have started in the colleges of education and were teachers are from the universities, entrepreneurship departments. "As a principal I can't risk introducing these subjects because am inviting more F9 to my school. If you say you are registering Office Practice, you need a teacher for Office Practice. So what do you do? We still maintain the old curriculum. But for me, now I have a teacher for electrical installation and maintenance and he is taking that as a trade subject. We have also introduced fisheries because in our communities we have rivers and it is very easy for practical," he said.

Textbooks The teachers in most of the schools are complaining of a lack of relevant text books in the new curriculum. Mr. Lazarus Daniel, a primary school teacher in Plateau State said: "We were told textbooks would be made available by the government, but that of Plateau State has not been delivered to us yet. As teachers, we are ready; our job is to teach whatever our employer asked us to teach the pupils. But since we are yet to see the books, we don't know what to say yet. We cannot say it is a good programme or not," he said. A Principal in Asaba, said to teach Marketing they depend on tertiary textbooks. "Initially students complained of a lack of textbooks in Marketing, but I sent them to go to Onitsha because the textbooks available were the ones used in tertiary institutions. The new textbooks on Marketing have been useful as attested to by the good results at the last WAEC," she said. Chukwurah, of Westend Mixed Secondary School, Asaba said many of the pupils had to be forced to offer trade subjects last session because it is compulsory. "Last year students were forced to offering these new subjects. Those who sat for WASSCE were practically forced, because they were not prepared for it. At the last hour we were informed by the authorities that we must enrol them for WASSCE,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

• The Class of 60/64 of the Edo College, Benin City. Seated on the ground: From left: Enobahare, Iyayi, Lawal, Adepoju, Oyedeji, Agho, Akinhunmi. Second row (seated from left): Ojo, Okunabua, Adeakin, Aiwekhoe, Mr A.O. Ofili (Chemistry teacher), Ugoat, Ahonkhai, Bazuaye, and Adedoyin. Third row (standing from left): Imosemi, Mordi, Asemota, Imafidon, Okeke, Anazia, Momoh, Irerua, Ugoji, Ogunbiyi and Osawe outside their classroom at Edo College 50 years ago. They are set to celebrate their 50th anniversary of leaving secondary school starting form this weekend with plans to support their alma mater materially.

HERE was jubilation on the campus of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti following the reduction of the tuition fees by Governor Ayo Fayose. The governor had announced the reduction of the tuition fees from N50,000 to N30,000 to give more indigent students access to education last Friday. The administration of the former governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had reduced the fees from N150,000 to N50,000 in 2010. But this latest reduction is seen as a step to ameliorate the hardship faced by parents in paying the fees. Fayose gave the order while featuring on his maiden media chat, “Meet Your Governor”. He also ordered the authorities of the university to allow students who cannot pay the new N30,000 at once to pay in two installments. He lamented the hardship parents face paying various fees charged in the university, including: departmental fees, faculty fees, field trip fees, library fees, among others. Fayose however clarified that only full-time students would benefit from the reduction. He also promised not to bow to pressure from certain quarters to remove the EKSU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Aina and the Provost of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, Prof. Francisca Aladejana on account of being appointed by his predecessor. Fayose said his wish to retain the duo was in tandem with his desire not to allow vendetta to motivate his action and the fact that the two officials have performed well in office. The Nation gathered that as soon as the news filtered into the campus that the tuition had been reduced, many students celebrated and congratulated one another. EKSU students resident in the host community of Iworoko-Ekiti, many of whom were monitoring the media chat on the radio, screamed with joy as the governor announced the reduction of their tuition fee. On Monday, the reduction was the topic of discussion among students on campus. An electrical engineering student, Segun Ibiyemi, described it as an “unexpected miracle” which will bring relief to them. “This is an unexpected miracle. I did not listen to the radio when the governor gave the directive. My classmate informed me but I did not believe at first. I had to make one or two calls to confirm it. When I learnt that it is true, the news gladdened my heart. We want to appreciate the governor for reducing this burden on

Students hail EKSU fee reduction By Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

our parents and we pray that God will continue to bless him,” he said Titilayo Olabode, a Biochemistry student expressed joy on the reduction of the tuition fee which she described

as an “end-of-the year surprise package”. She said she would have loved the order to take a retroactive effect such that the excess of the last fees paid would be returned to the students. However, Olabode urged a

thorough implementation of the directive to prevent the students from being shortchanged by some officials whom she said may want to circumvent the directive. “I want to appeal to the governor to monitor the situation very well and

ensure that his order is implemented to the letter. This is because when the immediate past governor reduced the fee from N150,000 to N50,000 when he came in, some faculties were dragging their feet in implementing the directive,” she said.

• From left: Mrs Oyagbola, Mrs Fashola, Dr Ezekwesilit and Ms Ozobia holding the books launched by the graduating mentees at the event.

Ezekwesili seeks empathy for Chibok girls, others

ORMER Minister of Education and Mineral Resources, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, has lamented the lack of empathy displayed by Nigerians towards the 219 school girls abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State in April. She said this at the graduation of the 2014 Stream V mentees and Induction of the 2015 Stream VI mentees of the Win with WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers) mentoring programme held at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos last Saturday. Speaking on the topic: “Towards an Equitable Society: The Role of Empathy in Economic Development of Nigeria”, Mrs Ezekwesili warned that a failure to address the suffering in the north, caused by the Boko Haram insurgency, as a result of the thinking that those affected are far and perhaps not influential, may eventually lead to disaster for all. She faulted the system for not protecting the less privileged but rallying round the elites in times of need.

• WISCAR graduates 29, inducts 31 By Kofoworola Bel-Osagie and Medinat Kanabe

“The mechanism of rescue does not work for the poor. But when it comes to the elite, it works. The deficit of empathy is the reason education is not doing well. The more money budgeted for education, the worse the education system that we have. It means it is not underfunding but lack of empathy on the part of those who needed to manage it and put themselves in the soes of those who education should help. Whenever you see poor governance, it is not just the failure of the institutions but the deficit of empathy,” he said. To drive home the point, Dr Ezekwesili told folklore about some animals in a farm house that warned the rat to be careful because the farmer purchased a trap. They felt the trap was not their business. However, only the rat eventually survived. At the event, the 29 graduating

mentees launched a book, Briefcases and Blenders: Every woman’s guide to Success in Career and Life, which was launched by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and other dignitaries. Mrs Fashola lauded the graduands for putting the book together. She said it was a demonstration that they were putting what they had learnt during the one-year programme into practice. She however called for similar investment in young men so they can grow up to be responsible. The event also featured a panel discussion that focused on the theme: Pioneering Women: Initiating, Leading and Succeeding. Mrs Ezekwesili joined five other top career women celebrated internationally for their pioneering works in various areas of endeavour for the panel discussion, which was moderated by WISCAR founder, Mrs Amina Oyagbola. The panelists, namely: Mrs Nike Ogunlesi, CEO of Ruff ‘n’ Tumble;

Managing partner, Maryam Uwais, Wali-Uwais and Co; Boma Ozobia, Managing, Partner Sterling Partnership,; and Mrs Funke Opeke, CEO, MainOne Cable Company, discussed their work and the various influences that life. Mrs Oyagbola, who is also the Human Resources Executive of MTN Nigeria, said WISCAR aims to help young career women realise their full potentials and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development. “During the 12-month mentoring programme, each mentee will be matched with a mentor. Programmes have been designed during this period aimed to have transformational impact on our mentees, enhance their performance and progress them up the career ladder,” she said. Awards were presented to Dr Ezekwesili (Distinguished WISCAR Award), the panelists, mentors and other women that have supporte the inititative. Thirty-one new mentees were inducted into the programme.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

The Nation Foreign Editor counsels LASU students

• Mrs Akinyemi (left) with Opadijo (middle); first runner up, Mrs Mosebolatan Oyebanji (second left); 2nd runner up, Mrs Esther Owojinrin (second right) and Mr. Olusina Akinyemi.

Yoruba teacher wins N500,000

AKEEM Opadijo did not expect that by the end of last Sunday, he would be N500,000 richer courtesy of a Teachers Award programme organised by Hope gate Education Support Foundation. He attended the event in his Sunday’s best hoping to enjoy a nice outing at the event held at the Youth Centre of Oshodi Local Government Area. But he was in for a pleasant surprise when he was named the most outstanding teacher in Education District IV. The event was to honour outstanding teachers who have contributed immensely to the development of the education sector. Nineteen public primary and secondary teachers out of 48 schools in Education District VI applied for the competition. They were asked to write an essay on why they should win the award. They were nominated by principals of their schools, judged on how creative they are, participated in any volunteer work and records on their previous awards. Opadijo has been teaching Yoruba Language for eight years. He teaches at Ewututu Senior Grammar School, Oshodi, where he passed out many years ago. But Opadijo is no ordinary Yoruba teacher. The father of four is groomed in 20 vocational skills. Out of his salary, he established a Yoruba art gallery in his school. Aside teaching, he engages his pupils in selfless services, including: visiting destitute homes, psychiatric hospitals, homes of the blind – all at his expense. He is also creating awareness on Hepartis, which cost about N50,000 to treat per week. He said teaching has been his passion as he loves imparting knowl-

By Jane Chijioke

edge in pupils. He has also won several awards to his credit Expressing his joy at the award, he said: “I am extremely delighted. I never thought I would win. I was even the last person that submitted my form. I am only doing what I love to do, which is imparting knowledge. Because I believe that failure to impact the community means that you are destroying the lives of your children,” he said. He lamented that the education sector is getting less attention than the entertainment. “Education nowadays is given very low attention. All attention has drifted to the entertainment industry. Students are hardly awarded for their excellent performances. A professor for many years is hardly recognised compared to a footballer or even a musician,” he said. He urged the government to invest in teachers and pupils. The first runner up went home with N100,000 while the second runner-up got N50,000. Teachers who merited long term service were given plaques, and 19 teachers billed to retire this year went home with gifts One of them, Mrs Fasunloye Taiwo, said: "I express my profound gratitude first to God Almighty then to the Founders of HopeGate Foundations, Mr and Mrs Akinyemi, the Trustees and other members of their organisation. I say a very big thank you to you all for appreciating the effort of teachers which nobody has thought of in this country. May God bless you." Mrs Ojulape Akinyemi, founder of Hopegate Foundation, said the awards was instituted to motivate teachers by acknowledging their efforts. “We are honouring our teachers in

Lumen Christi old boys hold reunion

HE old students association of Lumen Christi High School, Uromi (LUCOSA) will host its annual reunion on December 6, 2014 at the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja. The event which is expected to be graced by dignitaries, including Mr. Ignatius Ayewoh, Director, PostPrivatization Monitoring, Bureau for Public Enterprises, who will give a lecture titled: Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Contemporary Nigeria. In a statement, the association’s National President, Dr Michael Ezeanochie, said the reunion would feature an awards ceremony. “Preparations have been made to ensure a hitch free and successful event. The event would witness the association’s appreciation to distin-

guished alumnus as well as patrons, teachers and mentors who have contributed no small measure to the development of the school,” she said. The Deputy President, Paul Usenbo, added that issues affecting the school and members would be discussed at the meeting. LUCOSA said: “The association will also use this opportunity to discuss a myriad of issues especially those affecting members of the association and how we can help the school to continue to achieve stellar performances” Last year, the school was awarded the best secondary school award by Reward Nigeria Awards for recording the best WASSCE results. It has won the award for three consecutive years.

Oshodi. We want to give back to the society by capacity building of the teachers and pupils. “According to WAEC, 31.2 percent is the pass mark which is not even up to average. We really need to do more. It was a wakeup call for me. For the past seven years, the result has been going down. The government can not do it alone, the private sector needs to support and that’s why we are here,” she said.

OR them to be on top of their jobs, Foreign correspondents must maximise the avalanche of information the internet provides, says The Nation’s Foreign Editor, Dayo Fakuade. He spoke on: ‘Foreign Correspondents and Internet’ at an event organised by the students of International Communications, Adebola Adegunwa School of Communication, Lagos State University (LASU). He said journalists who cover foreign affairs must also study why nations behave in certain ways and use the internet to learn about personality of leaders, their upbringing and antecedents. “A foreign correspondent must, as much as possible, study the personality, psychology and what makes foreign leaders tick before even interviewing them. What made Adolf Hitler to kill six million Jews? What are the thought processes of leaders like Fidel Castro of Cuba, Vladimir Putin of the Soviet Union and the war time world leaders?” Fakuade asked rhetorically. The Foreign correspondent, he explained, often interfaces with information attachés that update him with development in their countries or set up appointments for interviews with their principals. Fakuade told the students that as long as they practise their profession with creativity and dedication, digital revolution would never be a stumbling block. He noted that though technology has made news gathering a lot more

By Adegunle Olugbamila

flexible today, nonetheless, the reporter who learns the ropes from the newsroom will always be head above his contemporaries who did not. “The fear for our profession is the infusion and proliferation of the social media which might turn any one into a correspondent just with a cell phone. Not to worry, there will never be any displacement as long as we (mainstream journalists) practice our craft applying all the techniques of our training and professional ethos,” Fakuade said. Fakuade added that learning a foreign language is an advantage. He premised his argument on the fact that the United Nations and other international bodies, like African Union, conduct their activities in different languages. He told the students not to see their calling into the pen profession as accidental. Unlike their peers in the civil service whose career is pegged at 35 years, Fakuade described journalism is a lifetime profession. “Here, you are blessed with a career that can push you as long as your intellect, professional drive and sheer hard work can sustain you. I keep telling my people that even if I retire, I can convert my living room to a ‘Writers’ Village’, write children’s stories and send it to publishers across the globe and I will survive on the proceeds till thy kingdom come.”

• Caption: Mr Sola Adebawo, Manager, Communications, Chevron Nigeria Limited (4th left) with members of the Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES) 14 Class sponsored by the company at 2014 Graduation for Professional Programmes of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.

Tips for successful start-ups, by tycoon • As PAU graduates 70

HE 2014 Graduation for professional programmes run by the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos, ended last Friday with a charge to the graduands to start their own companies. Guest speaker, Mr Biodun Shobanjo, however added a caveat: that the aspiring entrepreneur must be strategic about starting a business. Shobanjo, who is the chairman of Troyka Holdings, which boasts of many successful integrated marketing and communication firms, including Insight Communications, Hot Sauce, Optimum Exposures and Halogen Security, said many new businesses fail because they have no markets to address, and their initiators did no feasibility studies. To be successful, he said entre-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

preneurs must take informed risks, hedge themselves against failure, do analysis, feasibility studies, and find out about the market. “It is not just about being passionate or being professional. The mistake that most people in the media make is that because they feel they are very good journalists, they go and start a newspaper. It does not work like that. They don’t think of the business side of the company. Just look at the history of firms that failed...started by brilliant people; but were they actually good business men? I don’t think so,” he said. He said success can be achieved with creative innovation, informed experimentation, and knowing how to handle setback or failure. Underscoring the importance of small businesses, Shobanjo said he left a highly lucrative career in ad-

vertising in 1979 to start Insight Communications in 1980 and had no regrets he did. Since then, he has established eight other companies that are thriving. Seventy professionals graduated from four certificate programmes of the School of Media and Communications, PAU, at the colourful event held at the Lagos Business School (LBS) campus of the university in Ajah. The programmes are: Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWARES), Certificate in Media Enterprise (CME), Social Market Research (SMR), and Leadership and Governance in Media and Communication (LGMC). Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Juan Elegido, said the graduands had become alumni of the university and urged them regard themselves as part of the university community.

Balanced diet, healthy life

From mentors to problem solvers

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

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THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

A presidential visit to any campus should naturally excite students. But, President Goodluck Jonathan got more than he bargained for when he visited the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Friday. He was welcomed by angry students protesting against fee hike and the rot in education. WALE AJETUNMOBI reports.

•The protesters at the Oduduwa Hall during the President’s visit

Shock treatment for Jonathan at Ife D

ID President Goodluck Jonathan bargain for what he got from students of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, last Friday? Certainly, he never expected the treatment when he left Abuja to attend a conference organised by a group, Yoruba Elders in the Southwest, on the campus. The event, attended by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains and traditional rulers, was held in the Oduduwa Hall of the university. The attendees endorsed the president’s re-election bid.

But, for the students, the event may have come at a wrong time. Some were exepected to write an exam that day. But the management cancelled the papers because of the president’s visit. The action drew the students’ ire. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that commercial buses, conveying students living off-campus, were prevented from going into the school by combined team of security operatives. The Students’ Union Government (SUG), however, provided four alternative buses for the stranded stu-

dents. Yet, some students trekked from the gate to the academic area. A group of students under the aegis of Education Right Campaign (ERC) besieged the event’s venue to protest the fee hike, telling the president not to sell education to the highest bidders. The protesters also condemned Boko Haram’s activities in the Northeast and reminded the President about the fate of the 219 schoolgirls abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno State 234 days ago. Some of the placards displayed by the students had inscriptions, such

•Jonathan’s visit fallout: An eyewitness account P30

as:“We condemn killing of students”, “Students are not chickens”, “Don’t sell education as you sold electricity”, “Implement 2009 ASUU agreement”, “Bring back our girls, our quality education dignity” and “We demand total reversal of hike in school fees”. As the guests moved into the venue, the protesting students, who gathered at the Oduduwa Hall’s entrance, booed traditional rulers and politicians. Shouts of “thief”, “thief”, “thief” rent the air every time a politician arrived. The worst hit was Ekiti State Gov-

ernor Ayo Fayose, who was called unprintable names by the protesters as he walked into the hall. He mistook the abuses for greeting but hurriedly lowered his hand when students sang derisive songs about him. When the students learnt that the meeting was for the endorsement of Jonathan’s re-election bid, the protesters warned the participants not to sell Nigeria’s future to the PDP. Expressing their dissatisfaction with the rot in education, the protesters barred PDP sympathisers, •Continued on page 30

•Ekiti varsity fee slashed P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

A dying art

HAT would you do if opportunity beckons for you to come back home to Nigeria after spending years in the United States of America (USA)? From what you can gather, the level of intellectual discourse you were used to before you left is a far cry from what is presently obtained. Should you remain in the US with its state-of-the art education facilities or return to contribute your quota toward the development of Nigeria? This is the dilemma a former colleague faces as he determines to take a decision that could make or mar his future. I saw in him an individual who truly loves Nigeria. After spending close to an hour on phone discussing about intellectuals and social critics in both countries, he was baffled that things are worse now than when he left. “All the news I seem to hear from Nigeria is practically about one bomb blast or the other; what is really happening on ground”? How did we derail and get to this ridiculous level? He queried. He told me that there is not a university in the US or Canada where you will not find, at a minimum, one Nigerian professor or professional. There is not a single hospital where you will not find Nigerian medical doctors and or nurses and other professionals. There is not a single private or public institution anywhere in the US that you will not find Nigerian students. He said the same may be true of the UK. These intellectuals and professionals dispersed because successive Nigerian governments, military and civilian, did not give rooms for intellectuals and professionals. Those of us who grew up listening to – and reading - the likes of the late Gani Fawehinmi; Beko Ransome-Kuti; Bala Usman, J. F. Ade-Ajayi; Eskor Toyo; Biodun Jeyifo; Claude Ake; Olatunji Dare; Kole Omotosho; Tam-David-West; Tai Solarin; Grace Alele Williams; Niyi Osundare and a host of others would’ve been appalled that intellectual pursuit and social criticism is a dying art in Nigeria.

Pushing Out

These and other individuals I cannot all mention because of space would never remain silent in the midst of injustice. Beko and Gani, for instance, spent time in detention because they refused to remain quiet. with One thing is certain; there is a price to be paid for silence and cowardice in the face of oppression 08116759750 and injustice. What we see today is (SMS only) the majority joining the government bandwagon because of expected •aagboa@gmail.com crumbs. Nigeria is now paying the price for abandoning intellectual pursuits. We already see the decay in the contributed to the malaise. In the end, some system. We see this in our national priority. of our best and brightest who could not We see it in how and what our country is stand mediocrity left in search of stability becoming. And we see it in the pervasiveness and greener pastures elsewhere. That was how our decent toward infamy of hopelessness and in the moral and political corruption that have come to began. Gradually, the distasteful and characterise our country. Is this our impermissible became permissible and sacred. It became the norm to not only steal, Nigeria? Why do I love intellectuals? I do because but to loot. It became acceptable to be a they are men and women who have professional “intellectual” sycophant. They committed their lives and times to the revere men and women with inferior IQ and pursuit and or dissemination of rigorous dubious character, all because of crumbs ideas and serious knowledge. They can be from the master’s table. Those who study how societies develop found in all areas of life – including music, arts and culture, medicine, mathematics, and progress know too well that we need a economics, politics, law, philosophy, and bourgeoning class of intellectuals to highlight alternative paths to development. literary criticism. Beside the university or institution-based Without them, our society may stagnate, intellectuals, there are the public regress or even disintegrate. Even as brutal intellectuals who, for the most part, are and repressive and unpredictable as some engaged in very public discourses within the military regimes were, the Nigerian public sphere. However, it should be pointed intellectual class, along with a budding out that there are times when it is difficult class of social critics, helped to keep the to differentiate between public government in check. But today, things have intellectualism and political activism — or changed. Nigeria is different. We have lost fair grounds already, but we between political activists and social critics. The lines are sometimes blurred; however, can still make amends for future generations by repositioning our universities to take all exist to make society better. I still recollect the days of military rule their rightful place in the knowledge when many of these men and women were economy. We can incorporate the Japanese labelled “radicals” or “leftists.” Retired example where graduate teachers are the Colonel Lawan Gwadabe was once quoted best paid public servants. There was a time as saying the government abhors “undue in Nigeria when the salaries of professors radicalism.” But those who knew better were in tandem with that of a federal knew that these were the salt of our nation. permanent secretary. Today however - and despite the increased workload of professors They were the nation’s conscience. Many - during the military era- were - a distinct pay differential has emerged prosecuted, persecuted, harassed, jailed, or between apex positions in the civil service sent into exile. Civilian administrations also and those of senior academics. Ironically,

Agbo Agbo

it is this sense of unfair disparity that has turned our academics into perpetual agitators with destructive consequences for the academic calendar. I am yet to hear from my former colleague if he has decided to leave the safety nest of the US for the unpredictable waters of Nigeria.

Farewell Jude Isiguzo Last Saturday morning, the Group Sports Editor, Ade Ojeikere sent me a short but despairing BB message: “Jude Isiguzo is dead.” The news hit me like a thunderbolt. I replied immediately; what, how, when? “This morning,” was his short reply. I was confused. I first met Jude when he joined us in the now rested The Comet as a reporter, we bonded immediately. The bond got tighter when I later knew he was the brother of Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, a mentor and friend who is also the chairman of the editorial board of Vanguard newspaper. He used to send messages to his brother through me – we didn’t have mobile phones then. When I lost Ngozi (my late wife) in 2012, Jude was among the delegation that paid me a condolence visit; he was amiable and always unruffled. He takes life the way it comes. Just like the late Edo Ugbagwu, he was friend to almost everyone. This is why we all felt this untimely loss. I remembered the story Ngozi told me of how his wife threw a surprised birthday party for him by feeding the entire newsroom. For the short time I interacted with him before I left full time journalism, I noticed he had a good sense of humour; no matter how serious an issue is, Jude will inject humour into it and lighten the burden and mood. Even when he visited, he still had a smile on his face while encouraging me to take heart and be confident that Ngozi is in a better place. He would not hurt a fly as he always wears what became his trademark smile. I must also add that he was a very freeminded fellow; I can’t remember ever seeing him getting angry or quarrelling with anybody. My condolence goes to his lovely young wife, Gwendaline and his family. Jude was simply a good man. May his soul find rest with our Lord.

Shocker for Mr President •Continued from page 29

who came to cheer the president, from displaying posters, placards and other campaign materials on campus. They were later chased away. A 400-Level student, who simply identified himself as Abayomi, said: “In a developed democratic society, Mr President would have resigned a long time. What has he done to deserve reelection? It was under him that the the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) shut down campuses for over 10 months. As I speak, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) are yet to be pacified and may resume their strike. Under him, the Federal Government watched helplessly as 219 girls were abducted in Chibok and it has been over six months, nobody knows their whereabouts. Federal universities’ fees are high. If I may ask, why should a reasonable person vote for Jonathan and PDP?” Another student in 300-Level, who gave his name as Lukmon, said the “political visit” to the campus was an indication that Jonathan did not have any plan for education. “For the president to come to the campus for a political visit and not for educational purposes shows he is insensitive to the plight of students. It shows that the president has no feeling and he is satisfied with the rot in education sector. He came to our campus and could not go round the school he is a visitor or address the students despite the protest outside the venue of the conference.” But Sheriff Amoo, another student, criticised the protesters for choos-

•Samuel in the hospital

•An injured student

Jonathan’s visit fallout: An eyewitness account •A student displaying a placard during the protest

ing the occasion of the president’s visit to vent their anger. He said: “What students did today is an insult to the OAU management and community. I totally reject that kind of actions from the students. It was an uncultured behaviour.” CAMPUSLIFE gathered that while the protest was going on, the SUG officials were allowed to see the president to submit a letter of protest against the fee hike. The SUG president, Isaac Ibikunle, denied reports that the president was stoned during the visit. He said students sought the president’s attention on the fee hike and he obliged. Ibikunle said: “We read reports that the president was stoned, booed

and harassed when he came to our campus. This is not correct. Security personnel initially prevented us from seeing the president but we insisted that we wanted to discuss with him and we were allowed to see him. “We told him that the increment was too high, and gave him a petition concerning the exorbitant fees and he assured us that he would act on it fast. Mr President came down from the car and addressed us. He is our president; we did not harass him.” Contrary to the report that Jonathan was stoned, Ibikunle said the president was hailed by the students as he left in an helicopter at the university’s sports complex.

HERE was pandemonium at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Sunday, following an attack on the Students’ Union Building (SUB) by some suspected cultists. Students meeting in the building ran for dear lives, with many of them sustaining machete injuries. The attack came two days after President Goodluck Jonathan visited the campus. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the attack may not be unconnected with the disagreement between members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) and Education Rights Campaign (ERC) over the protest that greeted Jonathan’s visit. The ERC members led a protest to the Oduduwa Hall of the university, where Jonathan was meeting some

From Matthew Ajakaiye OAU Yoruba elders on Friday. The protesters booed politicians, who accompanied the president to the school. But the president of the Students’ Union, Isaac Ibikunle, frowned at the action. It was gathered that a fight broke out on Sunday when ERC members were having a meeting in the SUB, demanding the union leadership to call the congress. In a statement after the meeting, ERC gave Ibikunle 24 hours to call the congress, which must be attended by other members of the union executive to answer to allegations against them. But, members of the security com•Continued on page 32

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE The University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of the Association of Nutrition Science organised, last week, a symposium to examine factors militating against the intake of balanced diet. Lectures were suspended at the Department of Nutrition Science for the event, report WALE AJETUNMOBI. do this, is to engage in physical exer-

Balanced diet, healthy life

ALNUTRITION affects more than two billion persons across the world, with 26 per cent of the sufferers living in Africa. Hunger and nutrient-deficiency diets or food with high nutrient content have been identified as causes of malnutrition. This condition, experts say, can lead to improper functioning of the brain, which, in turn, makes the body vulnerable to chronic diseases. The alarming rate of malnutrition across the world gave rise to a global debate on how to improve the intake of balanced diet. To this end, the United Nations set up a food and nutrition policy harmonisation forum known as United Nations Standing Committee on Nutrition (UNSCN), with the mandate to promote co-operation among partner organisations in support of international efforts to end malnutrition. What are the impediments to the efforts to rid Nigeria of malnutrition? What are the roles the government and individuals need to play to make nutritious diets available to all? These questions were the crux of the discourse at a symposium organised by the University of Ibadan (UI) chapter of the Association of Nutrition Science Students (ANSS) in collaboration with Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited (CCNL), last Wednesday.

•From left: Chiazor, Anuoluwapo, Mba, Promise and Dr Brai at the event

The event with the theme: Prioritising nutrition in the post-2015 framework: Roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in Nigeria, was held in the First Bank Hall on the campus. For more than six hours, stakeholders, including nutritionists, industry experts, lecturers and students, engaged in brainstorming session, discussing how to take balanced diet education to the poor. According to Dr Bartholomew Brai, a Nutritional Biochemist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), lack of nutrition education and dearth of concise policies on quality of food led to rise in cases of malnutrition. He said the nation was yet to deal with the challenge of malnutrition

with the urgency it deserved, noting that nutrition enforcement team should be made a separate department under the Ministry of Health for the balanced diet campaign to be meaningful. He said: “Many people confuse the activities of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to include checking the quality of food in terms of balance diet. The agency can only check if the food is fit for consumption. This is why there is need for separate department for nutrition matter to organise awareness on balanced diet.” Brai suggested that there should be nutritionist attached to each community for there to be adequate sensitisation at the grassroots.

Sola Ogundipe, the head of Health Desk at the Vanguard, who moderated the session, said nutrition education had been relegated to the background, which is why people die of preventable diseases. He told the participants to form a volunteer group that would spread the diet education among the vulnerable in the rural communities. A diet is not balanced if it does not contain right combination of food, Mr Fred Chiazor, Coca-Cola’s Science and Regulatory Affairs Director, said. He said the essence of good nutrition was to maintain energy balance in the body, adding that the shifting from natural food to processed food led to the rise in cases of obesity. “To prevent obesity, we must maintain energy balance. The best way to

cise, because it will help mental health and psychological wellbeing,” he said. Chiazor advised the students to make vegetable make-up substantial part of their food, adding that the cooperation among government, industry and the society was the best approach to tackle malnutrition. For Anuoluwapo Ogundero, a graduating First Class student of the Department of Nursing Science, lack of balanced diet causes low academic performance, which may result in cases of drop-outs. She urged her colleagues to show good example in the consumption of nourished food. Another First Class student, Promise Ugochukwu, said there was need for improved partnership between stakeholders and students’ organisations to entrench nutrition education on campus. The event featured a debate on nutrition and an interactive session, where students spoke their mind on their views on how to achieve the symposium’s objectives. Mr Emeka Mba, Community Affairs Manager of Cola-Cola Nigeria Limited, said: "For us in Coca-Cola Nigeria, we believe in effective power of partnerships for sustainable development through the concept of Golden Triangle, which means interaction between government, business and civil society towards addressing a myriad of socio-economic issues in Society. This conviction is at the heart of what drives our sustainability programmes. Our company's active participation in health programmes is an integral component of our resolve to make difference. Our activities promote long term health and wellness of the community through nutrition education and physical exercises. We realise that our business can only be prosperous and vibrant if people in the communities in which we operate live healthy. It takes a healthy community, market and population for businesses to thrive.”

N2.1m budget tears union apart Barely two weeks to the end of its tenure, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, is facing a financial storm. The Students Representative Council (SRC) is threatening to impeach the president if he does not resign. OBY OKEKE (Mass Communication) reports.

OR the second time in two years, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, is facing a financial storm. The SUG president, Chukwunonso Ibe, has offered to resign barely two weeks to the union’s election, which will usher in another set of leaders. It all started last Wednesday after an emergency sitting of the Student Representatives’ Council (SRC), where Chukwunonso was accused of financial impropriety. A member representing 200-Law constituency, Gabriel Obiora, moved the motion for the union’s president impeachment, accusing him of gross mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. The Speaker of the SRC, Chekwube Okigbo, set up a committee to investigate the offence. The allegations against Chukwunonso, according to a document obtained by CAMPUSLIFE, include gross misconduct, abuse of office, misappropriation of union funds, usurpa-

tion of constitutional functions of the treasurer and financial secretary, deducting the union’s fund at source, conversion of union property and embezzlement. Speaking with CAMPUSLIFE, Chekwube said the SRC, in its sitting on November 26, exercised its power as stipulated in Section 78 of the union’s constitution to remove any member of the executive arm found guilty of gross misconduct or for inability to hold office. Last Friday, the 10-man committee led by the Speaker summoned Chukwunonso. He was questioned on why he allegedly usurped the functions of the financial secretary and treasurer and collected funds from the transport sector. Chukwunonso was also asked why he allegedly broke the rule contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the three arms of SUG. Chukwunonso reportedly replied that he only signed the document and was not aware of what was contained in it, adding that he had no copy of it.

•Chekwube

•Chukwunonso

‘Whether Chukwunonso leaves office by resignation or impeachment, he will be punished for his misdeeds against the union’ An argument ensued when the union president was asked to explain the embezzlement allegation against him. Chukwunonso was said to have walked out, saying: “I am done with the House; you people should impeach me. In fact, I am resigning as president.” Irked by the president’s statement, Chekwube reportedly asked

Chukwunonso to tender his resignation letter within 24 hours as stipulated by the constitution. When asked why the parliament raised the issue barely two weeks to the end of the union executive’s tenure, Chekwube said members swore to an oath to serve while in power, adding that their action is in line with the duties of the legislative arm to ensure the union

did not go bankrupt. On the implication of Chukwunonso’s action, Chekwube said if the president did not resign as he vowed, the parliament would have no option than to impeach him. He said: “Whether Chukwunonso leaves office by resignation or impeachment, he will be punished for his misdeeds against the union.” While the dust raised by financial impropriety still suffused the air, the judicial arm of the union has also come out to accuse the Chukwunonso-led executive of starving it of funds. •Continued on page 44

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE Jonathan’s visit fallout

Martha Adegbe has just finished from the Department of English Language of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State, where she was the first woman president. She emerged third and won the Best Speaker Award at an international debate in Accra, Ghana. She tells NANSFIT MUHAMMED (300-Level English Language) what motivates her.

•Continued from page 30

mittee of the union, allegedly acting on Ibikunle’s order, pounced on the ERC members for holding “opposition meeting”. A 300-Level Political Science student, who witnessed the incident, said the security committee members and some unidentified people attacked the members of ERC at the meeting. He said attackers were led by the union’s Public Relations Officers (PRO), Bamidele Oludare. The witness said: “I saw physical participation of the Students’ Union PRO Bamidele Oludare, and members of the security committee in the fracas.” An Electrical and Electronics Engineering student, Samuel Ibirogba, got a machete cut on his forehead. He is receiving treatment at the university Health Centre. Another student, identified as David, was rushed to the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital after he was rejected at the Health Centre. The ERC accused Ibikunle of masterminding attack. The group said its members were attacked by cultists. It said: “When we mobilised students from the hostels, two of the cultists were captured

‘I will stop reading when I die’

•The suspected attackers caught by students in Awolowo Hall

alongside the financial secretary. One of the captured cultists is already known as a personal bodyguard to Ibikunle. “Upon thorough investigation, it was realised that the attack came as a payback to the students, who the union leadership believed to have

staged a protest on Friday against the visit of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.” Reacting, Ibikunle denied mobilised cultists to visit terror on the campus, saying he would never find a reason to engage any unlawful group to pursue a cause.

AN you tell us about your academic background? I attended Saint Peters Primary School in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, from where I proceeded to Oxford Secondary School in Kaduna State. My father has always wanted his children to attend government-owned schools to make us compete with others from similar backgrounds. My dad would say ‘it is the only way you can know the true test of knowledge’. After secondary school, I was admitted into Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University in 2010. Can you share your experience at the international debate in Ghana? The event was held in Accra from October 13 to 16. I was reluctant to attend it because I did not prepare for it as the second semester examination that was approaching. But the Head of my department encouraged me to take up the challenge. The theme was: How the war on terrorism in Africa will be won. The topic was captivating and this was the reason why I accepted to attend. The debate was organised by Impact Africa.

•Martha

•Continued on page 44

‘Technical, vocational education key to solving unemployment’

OUTH unemployment is a challenge facing many nations in the 21st Century. But how can government solve the problem? This was the focus of the seventh inaugural lecture delivered by Dr Emmanuel Aromolaran at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH). Aromolaran, who is a former Dean of School of Technical Education, spoke on the topic: Business education: A panacea for unemployment in a depressed economy. According to him, unemployment is cause of the waste of human resources found in abundance in Africa. He said the remedy was to train the youth towards job creation. Aromolaran said the government could use business education as a tool to fight unemployment through tech-

•Dr Aromolaran

•Students and guests at the lecture

From Mark Orgu YABATECH nologies and skill acquisition. He said: “It is pathetic, that our tertiary institutions’ graduates, having spent minimum of four years in school with one year compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, will have to roam the street, looking for non-available jobs. Their inability to be engaged in productive venture makes many of them to take to crime

and other social vices.” The don said the way out was for the government to empower unemployed youths through entrepreneurial training and establishment of small and medium scale enterprise. He also said collapse of disparity between university and polytechnic degrees would help in solving the unemployment riddle. In his conclusion, Aromolaran said technical and vocational skills acquisition remained the solution for Nige-

Jonathan’s aide visits corps members

HE Special Assistant on Students and Youth Affairs to President Goodluck Jonathan, Comrade Jude Imagwe, was the guest at the Plateau State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Mangu. Accompanied by the Plateau State Commissioner for Youth Development, James Bala, and Special Adviser to Governor Jonah Jang on Youth and Students, Adamu Bala, Imagwe said he was on a working visit to the campus to check the wellbeing of the Corps members. He was received by a guard of honour, after which the camp officials conducted him round the facility. Some of the places he visited include the kitchen, camp clinic and hostels.

From Sikiru Akinola NYSC JOS Imagwe said the focus of the Federal Government was on job creation, stressing that government could not do it alone. He said the Jonathan administration had partnered the private sector to create job for teeming youth population. He said the government had created jobs through Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin), Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), and Youth in Agriculture Initiatives, urging the Corps members to tap into the opportunities created by the government to engage themselves in productive venture after service.

He said: “Our government understands the challenges of the youth, particularly those that are young entrepreneurs. They need to be assisted to startup businesses and become employers of labour.” While charging the Corps members to set goals for the lives and embrace entrepreneurship, Imagwe said there was advantage in starting small. The state NYSC co-ordinator, Mrs Lios Benjamin Meller, hailed the Corps members for the warm welcome accorded the visitors. Yakubu said the state government would to add to the Federal Government’s allowance being paid to the youths, adding that the security of the Corps members remained the priority of the government.

ria to escape the revolution by the army of unemployed youths. The lecture witnessed the gathering of academics and students. The body of principal officers was led by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr Morouf Adebakin. Others are Mrs Hannah Akanbi, Dean School of Tech-

nical Education, former Rector, Mr Gabriel Okufi, Prof Duro Ajeyalemi of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Anthony Adekunle of Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Dr Femi Adeniyi, Provost, Federal College of Education, Oyo State, among others.

Nasarawa varsity matriculates freshers

HE Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) has held matriculation for freshers admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session. The ceremony took place at the Convocation Square on campus. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Mainoma, urged the students to take their studies seriously and also be good ambassadors of their families and communities. He said of the over 50,000 candidates, who applied to the university, only 5,044 met the admission requirement. The VC advised the freshers to maximise the opportunity of their admission to add values to their lives. He admonished them to shun vices, such as drug abuse, prostitution and cultism, among others to achieve their primary aim in the university. The occasion witnessed a large turnout of parents, guardians and relatives of the students. The freshers

From Ahmad Muhammad Auwal NSUK expressed joy, describing the ceremony as a milestone in their lives. Umar Isah, 100-Level Geography, said: “It is a wonderful and memorable day for me. I am very glad to have my friends and family members celebrating this day with me today. I hope this matriculation would be the starting point of excellence.” Suleiman Abdullahi, 100-Level Mass Communication, said: “I thank God for keeping me alive to witness and celebrate this special day with my relatives and friends. I pray that God should strengthen us all through our periods of studies in the university.” The event was the first of its kind Prof Mainoma would be attending as the third substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON SOUTHEAST STATES

How to bake cassava bread

Reward for the blind in Imo

•PAGE 36

•PAGE 34

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

PAGE 33

FRSC, Anambra tackle road crashes

•PAGE 40

•Traditional rulers at the event

A feast to save Arochukwu culture

HE details have been sorted out. The name has been chosen and so has the venue. Everyone is looking forward to the maiden edition of the Arochukwu cultural carnival likened, in impact, to the famous end-of-year Calabar fiesta. Aro natives hope to halt the slide of their culture and begin to recover the glory of a city, which, among others things, once stood out as a formidable slave depot. But, first, they must overcome the impassable Arochukwu-Ohafia Road. The road, a federal government project, has been a sore point for as long as the people can remember. It links Abia to Akwa Ibom and Cross River states but despite its importance its users have been left in pains. In the dry season it is very bad; in the wet period it is impassable. The situation has robbed this cultural and tourist haven of revenue, among other things. Many lives have been lost on the road, just as several vehicles have been wrecked there. The community’s monarch, Eze Aro Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro leads the outcry for the redemption of the road. He has drawn the attention of President Goodluck Jonathan to the fact that the local contractor handling it has failed to do anything even after being mobilised. Not much has happened to relieve the Aro people but they say they will honour the December 30 carnival if only to save their disappearing culture

A memorable fair has been scheduled for a remarkable community in the region. On December 30, indigenous people of Arochukwu in Abia State will defy their notoriously horrible road to seek a recapture of their fast-eroding culture, SUNNY NWANKWO reports and, perhaps, even consider what they can also do about the road. Arochukwu is about 120km from Umuahia, the Abia State capital, if

•The road

the road is good. It is the third biggest city in the state after Aba and Umuahia. It shares common boundaries with Ohafia, Akwa Ibom State

and some parts of Cross River. Apart from the fact that the city has produced great Nigerians such as Nwankwo Kanu, Mazi Sam and Mao Ohuabunwa, among others, it is also noted for its richness in staple foods and artifacts, a cultural value which has enrolled the city as one of the tourist attractions Abia State can boast of. The Aro Kingdom has played a great role in the pre- and post-colonial era. Anyone acquainted with Nigerian history will remember the Aro slave trade route and market. The influence of the Aro-Okigbo people in Igbo and Nigeria history was so evident that there is no state in the Southeast and beyond that doesn’t have Aro settlers because the slave era found most Aro people migrating to every part of Nigeria. Wherever they went, they

took their culture with them, naturally. The Aro Okporoenyi, Aro Ndizuogu, Aro Ikwere, Aro Yoruba, Aro Ngwa, Aro Izombe, Aro Cameroun, Aro Ajalli, Aro Oru, Aro Nkwesi, Aro Ajatakiri, Aro Ndi Ikelionwu and other Aros settled in different parts of the country. However, the city with 19 villages and about 30 different traditional songs and dance steps is now in danger of losing its cultural identity. Some say if nothing is done to urgently salvage the situation, Aro heritage will in no time be swept off by a rampaging Western culture that is gaining popularity and comfort iamong the youth. It was based on the established •Continued on page 34

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

A feast to save Arochukwu culture •Continued from page 33 findings that the Aro ancient kingdom was gradually losing its cultural heritage or identity after a careful study, that a concerned group of Aro sons and daughters in partnership with the 19 Ezeogos has agreed to recover the identity of the kingdom and prevent it from going into extinction. As part of the activities to mark the maiden edition of the event billed to take place at the Obinkita Square, Arochukwu, the mascot which shall serve as a symbol of the event was unveiled. According to the initiator of the carnival, Mr. Ndionyenma Nwankwo, the event will provide the opportunity for the revival of the Aro Kingdom’s culture which was going into oblivion. Mr. Nwankwo said that he was worried that the people of the area was losing its cultural values and if not properly checked, will die out in no time. He said that over 3,000 Aros in Diaspora have already endorsed the programme with the backing of the 19 Ezeogos, expressing optimism that the programme will grow rapidly in years to come because of its positive in the community. He said, “The Aro carnival is going to restore some of our cultural values that are going into extinction. There were songs that we had in the past that are no more today. The carnival is going to bring them back. Like the Calabar and other notable cultural carnivals, it is going to revamp economic activities in our area as it will encourage our sons and daughters to come home and invest. Aro is a town anyone can come to spend his or her vacations. The carnival is going to attract tourists who will use the period of the festival to explore some

of the cultural and historical sites in our place. This is the first edition of the programme and as the event progresses we are going to add values to it. “We have a lot of cultural values. We have to keep our culture and also use the opportunity the carnival will provide to impact it on the outside world. It will create job opportunities for the unemployed youths as we expect that many of our sons and daughters will come back to invest in Arochukwu. They will come to build hotels and among others which will in turn provide jobs for our people. “We are expecting that over 30 groups will be performing on that day and by the time the event progresses, more groups will be incorporated and probably the number of days for the carnival extended. But we are sticking with the December 30 plan and we believe it is going to be a huge success. We want to be remembered by our generations to come as a people that initiated this project of peace and economic boom for the people of Aro Ancient Kingdom. It is not politically motivated, but to assist our people to reawaken the cultural consciousness of the Aro people which is gradually going into extinction,” he said. Ndionyenma informed the audience that after the unveiling exercise, the mascot would be taken to some selected parts of the country to replicate a similar ceremony, notifying the audience that invitations had already been sent out to her sons and daughters in Diaspora and other parts of the country to honour the invitation in numbers. Eze Aro Vincent Ogbonnaya Okoro represented by Prince Joshua Kanu Orji after unveiling the mascot urged Aro sons and daughters not to abuse the mascot, but to pro-

•A part of Arochukwu

‘ We have a lot of cultural values. We have to keep our culture and also use the opportunity the carnival will provide to impact it on the outside world. It will create job opportunities for the unemployed youths as we expect that many of our sons and daughters will come back to invest in Arochukwu. They will come to build hotels and among others which will in turn provide jobs for our people

•Eze Aro, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro tect it very well as the mascot serves as a symbol of the Aro Ancient Kingdom.

He expressed hope that the upcoming event would bring peace, love and new hope to the people of the area and their economic lives. Highlights of the event included

the unveiling of the mascot by the Eze Aro’s representative, as well as a good dose of entertainment supplied by a cultural group at the event.

Community relishes peace, growth

HE horrible spell is behind them now and the people can savour a stream of fresh air in their community. Okposi Development Centre in Ebonyi State was once engulfed in crisis no one is happy to remember. Violence descended on it in the form of youth restiveness, kidnapping, looting and murder, among other vices. But since Nze Magnus Eze took over as the Centre’s coordinator, his mantra has been peace and growth. The former coordinator, the late Ihebunadu Okorie, was kidnapped during a church service in Okposi and later killed by his assailants in a forest at Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state. Over three youths lost their lives as the community gradually became a den of criminals. On April 15, Governor Martin Elechi appointed Eze as Okorie’s replacement. Not long after, peace gradually started returning to the ever-busy and hospitable community of Okposi, thereby giving room to various forms of development. Now, the community made up of several villages including Amenu, Umunuka, Amechi, Umuka, Umuakuma, Mebi-Ameke, Ameluagu, Mebiowa, Mgbom Enu, Mgbom Ani, Isinkwo, Okposi Achara, Avu/Umuiwa and Okposi Okwu have witnessed the flag-off of a significant road construction work in the area. The exercise attracted representatives of the villages and prominent

•Ohaozara Chairman and other dignitaries inspecting the ongoing construction of the road From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

sons and daughters of the community who sang and praised God for the restoration of peace and the new wave of developmental initiatives gaining sway in the community. The coordinator who is the founder of a movement: “Mezie Okposi” movement is seen at dif-

ferent forum preaching peace and unity among the three autonomous communities namely Okposi Okwu, Mgbom N’Achara and Okposi even as he stressed that no meaningful development will come to a community where there is reign of terror and war. To ensure lasting peace in the area, Magnus Eze had the arduous

task of bringing back Okposi people to once again have confidence in government by arresting youth restiveness that ravaged the area. So the security of lives and property was a top most priority. He was able to institute Security advocacy tour of the 12 villages that make up the DC, set up Enuakwa

neighborhood watch, who in partnership with the Police and other security agencies provide security within the DC especially Court Area, the commercial hub of Okposi. Then, as part of youth empower•Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

AZZLING in their yellow MTN-branded T-shirts with a smile playing ceaselessly on their faces, one could hardly notice that seated at the expansive one-thousand-capacity hall of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, were visually-challenged students, who could not see what was going on around them nor the joy on the faces of relations and friends who came to rejoice with them. They were 170 visually-impaired students from tertiary institutions in Imo State, who were awarded scholarship worth N200, 000 annually under the MTN Foundation Scholarship Scheme for Blind Students. Also benefiting from the scheme were 176 most brilliant undergraduates in the science and technology category. In his address, the chairman of the MTN Foundation, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, said the initiative was to recognise the exemplary effort of a special group of students who have to overcome daily challenges in their quest for a brighter future. He said the Foundation was awarding 1,205 scholarships to science students and 167 brilliant, blind students this year. According to him, “our impact goes beyond statistics and figures; to shaping Nigeria’s future through education; to making an investment in the lives of tomorrow’s leaders, by providing them with an opportunity to pursue their dreams despite financial limitations. “To all the beneficiaries, I say congratulations. I also assure you that the MTN Foundation will continue to support you as long as you maintain the required Cumulative Grade Point Average scores every year. We make and fulfil this same pledge every year, and this is evident in that today, also seated in this hall are beneficiaries from last year, and previous years whose scholarships are being renewed because they continue to meet the set criteria. “Also clearly evident is the Foundation’s belief in you. We are confident that this award will move you yet closer to your goal and wish you an enjoyable and truly successful journey ahead”. Director of the MTN Foundation, Mr. Dennis Okoro, also explained that the exercise was meant to celebrate academic excellence in students who had worked extremely hard and who had unquestionably

•Cross section of the blind students

Reward for the‘ blind in Imo From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

deserved an opportunity to continue to pursue their dreams of a higher education. In his response, the Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Professor Chigozie Asiabaka, represented by the Dean, Student Affairs, Professor Maximus Offor, commended the MTN Foundation for the initiative, describing the choice of assisting Nigerian students as part of Corporate Social Responsibility by the Telecom Company as next to none. He noted that the scholarship will

fire up the quest for competition in the students, especially those aspiring to benefit from the scheme as well as the beneficiaries, who must maintain their current academic record to remain in the scheme. The Dean however charged the Foundation to avoid politics in the selection of the beneficiaries, while appealing for an increase in the number of beneficiaries to accommodate more deserving students. “I want to assure you that this initiative will certainly instill the spirit of competition in the students and this will equally bring out the best in them, moreover the schol-

To all the beneficiaries, I say congratulations. I also assure you that the MTN Foundation will continue to support you as long as you maintain the required Cumulative Grade Point Average scores every year. We make and fulfil this same pledge every year, and this is evident in that today, also seated in this hall are beneficiaries from last year, and previous years whose scholarships are being renewed because they continue to meet the set criteria

arship will go a long way to assist them in the pursuit of their academic careers. I want to on behalf of the FUTO management specially

thank the MTN Foundation for this gesture and also to encourage other corporate organizations to assist the Nigerian students”, he stated.

Woman perm sec wins varsity award

•The minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga alighting one of the cars manufactured by INNOSON GROUP, with him are: the Chairman/CEO INNOSON GROUP, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the former Gov. of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi and the rep of Anambra State Governor/ Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke and other dignitaries PHOTO: OBI CLETUS

HE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has presented an award of excellence, regarded as the Union’s highest, to Dame Ifeyinwa Nwoko, Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Finance, for her contributions in advancing the course of women. Presenting the award, SSANU chairman, Comrade Loveth Chisaa Ekwemalor, said it was in recognition of the recipient’s unique administrative acumen and for distinguishing herself in her career. She said that her remarkable achievement in the service of Abia State, especially under the administration of Governor Theodore Orji, is a pride to women. According to her, the FUTO

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

branch of SSANU, diligently searched and identified Dame Nwoko, who she referred to as “Jewel of inestimable value” and “deemed it wise to bestow on her SSANU highest award”. She added further that the award was to propel the recipient to greater heights and to encourage other women who may come in contact with her, adding that people should use their positions to affect lives in all circumstances of life. Responding, the highly elated recipient, dedicated the award to the Abia State government and Governor Orji, who she said has continued to inspire her through his commitment to the development of the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

NOA steps up voter sensitisation in Ebonyi

•The flour about to be mixed

•Mixing of the flour

Two years after its introduction, cassava bread is yet to appear on many Nigerians’ breakfast table. In Umuahia, Abia State capital, bakers were gathered and lectured on how produce the cassava loaf. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

T was a two-day workshop by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with IFAD. Its aim: to teach members of the Master Bakers Association in Umuahia how bake bread and allied food items using cassava flour. Over 40 bakers attended the event. The workshop tagged “IFAD/ IITA Master Bakers Training Programme” was organised in conjunction with the Women in Agriculture, ADP and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, all in Umuahia. The Training Officer, Mr Gregory Nwaoliwe said the exercise was to help save a lot of money spent in importing wheat flour. Another reason for the workshop, according to the training officer, was to

create more employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths by introducing them to agriculture especially agro-business. “This two-day programme is simply to show how the master bakers association can help the country to save funds being wasted in importing wheat flour from other countries into Nigeria so we are through this process informing them that one can use cassava flour to bake bread and other flour products such as chin-chin, buns, meat pie, etc to get more richer and nutritious end products and at the same time create more job opportunities in the country. “We were initially picking 10 people from each state in a region but we want to make it 100 people from a geo-political zone but this

•A milling session

How to ‘bake cassava bread

time we came down to Umuahia and picked 40 participants. By the grace of God, we will go to another town from here. We will continue to spread our tentacles teaching people this new technique of baking bread at a cheap rate until we reach the whole nooks and crannies of the nation”. Nwaoliwe stressed that the aim of the organizers of the seminar was to champion the campaign on cassava flour to the grassroots. “We want to create market opportunities for cassava flour in general and make sure that the product is popularised in the market. The value chain goes back to the farmers. They produce the roots, we buy it and process it to make more products and through it we get flour like to bake edibles such as cake, biscuits, meatpie etc which is the beginning of great tidings for the economy. “The participants have embraced the project which is purely aimed at encouraging the production of quality cassava flour. We want to encourage our people to look in-

wards and include local content in bakery and confectionary products. We believe that apart from the opportunities which will spring up that it will help in reducing the importation of wheat flour. Furthermore, the overhead cost will be low, and ensure the bread is available to the common people. It is general knowledge that when the cost of an item is low, definitely a lot of people will patronise that product. Generally it will build up the economy and generate the much needed revenue for us. “That is why we picked the beneficiaries of this seminar from their association and resolved to train them at no cost. The idea is for them to further impart the knowledge garnered on their colleagues who could not have the privilege to attend the programme. It was all expense paid for and we will give them some amount of money and flour for being part of the programme. The Assistant Director/ Cordinator Product Development Programme of NRCRI ,Dr

We want to create market opportunities for cassava flour in general and make sure that the product is popularised in the market. The value chain goes back to the farmers. They produce the roots, we buy it and process it to make more products and through it we get flour like to bake edibles such as cake, biscuits, meatpie etc which is the beginning of great tidings for the economy

Chinyere Aniedo said “ we are trying to teach the Masterbakers here in Umuahia that we have developed the technology of high quality cassava flour in bread baking and we have come to train them how to use this high quality cas-

sava flour in their normal bread making. “There is not much difference between wheat and cassava bread. We are canvassing the usage of the resources God has blessed us within this country to solve our challenges

instead of going for foreign made items and promoting the economies of those countries, let us patronize our own products and its local content to boost our own economy. “Everybody is crying that government is not giving us money but we have all these natural products which we overlook thinking that the white man’s product is better than ours. “All we are saying is that baking bread with cassava flour will yield more money and more bread than 100 percent cassava flour. Although, there are some species of cassava which yield more floor than others and we are still going to tutor them further (for those of them who are into farming), how to know the species which will yield more content so that they can cultivate them and thereafter harvest for further purposes such as bread making. I also want Nigerians to be patriotic and encourage them by patronizing those bakers who will henceforth include cassava flour in their products.

Community relishes peace,‘ growth •Continued from page 34 ment scheme, he initiated the training of 15 youths in various skills in partnership with National Directorate of Employment, NDE as part of the DC N10m capacity building and empowerment programme for the youth. It is necessary to state that another batch of 38 beneficiaries of Youth Capacity Building and Empowerment Programme was officially inaugurated on October 17, 2014. The Development Centre sponsored 15 wrestlers to qualify as state athletes for NAFEST, School Sports and National Sports Festival and paid N2.1m Bursary to 7 students in the Nigerian Law School. It also inaugurated the Attitudinal Change Vanguards for moral rebirth of especially the youth and

promoted the Mgba Okposi Festival 2014 (traditional wrestling contest). All these initiatives were necessary to redirect the minds of the youths and the entire community towards development and progress instead of violence. The 3km Umuakuma Road project which was flagged off by the chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Hon. Enekwachi Akpa was wooed to the state from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development by an Abuja-based lawyer, legislative consultant and son of the soil, Dr. Eze Anoke Dr. Anoke is also the President General of Okposi Community Development Union and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP aspirant for Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo (Ohanivo) federal constituency of

the State in the 2015 general election. The road aside serving Umuakuma and Mebiokpa villages will also enable easy evacuation of sand from the Asu River. Speaking with The Nation, Dr. Eze Anoke stated that he used his connection at the National Assembly to ensure the road was funded in the 2014 budget and that he will ensure its continuous funding in 2015 budgetary allocation. He enjoined the people to see the project as their own and advised the contractors to work according to specifications. Responding, the engineer representing the indigenous company, Divine Favour construction company handling the project, Mr. Matthew Godwin said the company was presently implementing the first phase of the project which

The exercise attracted representatives of the villages and prominent sons and daughters of the community who sang and praised God for the restoration of peace and the new wave of developmental initiatives gaining ground in the community would gulp over 200 million as it will be completed on December 31, 2014. Chairman of the council, Enekwachi Akpa while flagging off the project, thanked Nze Magnus for the return of peace to

the community without which the project will not have commenced. He also charged the people to protect the equipments of the contractors and to give them all necessary assurance to ensure that they complete the work on schedule.

Some of the participants including Mrs. Victoria Iheanyi Chigbu, managing director of Onyenkem Bread Limited, who spoke on the experience and the invaluable knowledge gained from the resource persons said “we came to learn how to use cassava flour to make bread. The experience has being worthwhile and we are totally in support of its usage as against wheat flour. We even foresee a time when we will start to export the flour and its products abroad thereby earning the much needed revenue for the country. “We are happy to be part of this exchange of knowledge. We will immediately put into practice what I have learnt and will also teach my colleagues and workers in my bakery. The finished product is very tasteful and distinctive, in fact there is no marked difference between wheat and cassava flour and I wish to commend the organizers of this seminar for putting it together free of charge,’’ they stated. •Continued on page 38

HE National Orientation Agency (NOA) has taken its voter education campaign to Ebonyi North Senatorial zone. The campaign was flagged off at Iboko, headquarters of Izzi Local Government Area, from where it would be taken to every council in the state. At Izzi, stakeholders led by the council boss, Mr Godwin Nwogbaga, pledged their support for the exercise, saying it will help people see the need to partake in the electoral process. The state Director of National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State, Dr. Emma Abah reiterated his official mandate of inculcating electoral literacy to the people of Ebonyi State is well on course. He declared that the intention of the programme was to build voter’s confidence in the electoral process, to an extent that will enable them appreciate such process as being efficacious to the selection of a government capable of positively transforming the socio-economic status of the country. Dr Abah stated that his team was in Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone to put the people through the specifics and mechanisms of an accepted electoral process that are prerequisite for a free, fair and credible elections. He insisted that successful electoral process cannot be realised if the people are not adequately informed on what to do during the forthcoming voting exercises in 2015 and called on critical stakeholders in the zone to rise to the task of ensuring that the messages preachedare taken to the hinterlands. The NOA boss also ceased the opportunity to debunk the erroneous impression that politics was a dirty game, insisting that it ensures continuity of governance. He regretted that such impressions have hindered good people from venturing into politics, leaving it for bad ones and therefore called on interested people, especially women to go into it, provided they have the good of the masses at heart. Speaking on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner INEC Ebonyi State, Mr Sylvester Ezeani, the Electoral Officer: Izzi LGA, Mr Paul Tanen advised the people to take the messages seriously to enable them participate actively in the forthcoming elections. He maintained that voting provides citizens with an opportunity to exercise their democratic and constitutional rights and duties, like choosing a leader of their choice, competing in elections and safeguarding their rights and freedoms as provided in the constitution. He informed people that collection of Permanent Voter Card (PVC) was still on-going in INEC offices at all

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

the local government areas in Ebonyi State and advised those who had not collected theirs to do so quickly, adding: “With your voters’ card, you will help to ensure the enthronement of good governance by coming out to vote and elect a credible leader of your choice. So, you must keep your voter’s card safe, to prevent loss or damage.” The Electoral Officer further noted, “Voter’s card also gives a complete national identity which helps to ensure a free, fair and fearless environment in election. Remember, the number of registered voters is used by the government/INEC to create new polling units, electoral wards/ constituencies. Also the number of registered voters can as well be used to determine the percentage of educated, unemployed and employed adults in a particular area.” In their goodwill messages, officials of some security agencies present at the occasion- DPO Izzi Division (DSP Obiorah Ikechukwu) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (Obinna Akunna) –pledged to work assiduously before, during and after the elections to ensure that the voters are secured and the electoral materials safe. In his speech, the Chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Arc Godwin Nwaogbaga, who spoke for other Council Chairmen at the occasion, heartily appreciated the National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State for bringing the campaign to his area. He promised to work with the Coordinators of the Development Centres and Ward Executives to further cascade the message of political participation to the hinterlands by making the programme a regular event. While attesting that his people really needed such sensitization programmes, Mr Nwogbaga pledged to ensure that the NOAINEC voter education campaign achieves its slated goals. Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Works, Mr. Chukwuma Nwandugo, thanked NOA for the programme which he said was apt while the NOA Assistant Director, Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone made a clarion call on all Nigerians to be mindful of the new electoral acts and imbibe right political culture that will guarantee violent-free and fair elections. He also thanked the people for honouring his invitation. Also present at the occasion were Chairmen of other Council Areas in the zone, Coordinator of the Development Centres, Ward Executive members, traditional and religious rulers, women leaders as well as Labour Union Executives and their members.

, •Ongoing Umuakuma Road project in Okposi

•Dr Emma Abba addressing the people

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

NOA steps up voter sensitisation in Ebonyi

•The flour about to be mixed

•Mixing of the flour

•A milling session

How to ‘bake cassava bread

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

, •Ongoing Umuakuma Road project in Okposi

•Dr Emma Abba addressing the people

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

Rallying ‘ Ndigbo in town halls By Sam Egburonu

•Chief Okorie

OWN halls are coming in handy in rallying Ndigbo. At such settings, regional leaders are setting new goals for the people. One such leader is the National Leader of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie. Explaining why he adopted the strategy, Okorie told The Nation that town hall meeting is more effective than huge rallies. “For a growing party like ours, this strategy is more effective because in a rally, many of the participants do not hear or assimilate the message of the speakers. In fact, people who watch rallies on television get more information than most people. Since we have a new message which we want to put across to the common people, town hall meetings are more effective,” he said. This year alone, Okorie has used this strategy to “re-sensitise Ndigbo” resident in various communities, locally and internationally. Among the areas he has recently carried out this unique cam-

paign are Aba, Houston, Newark, New Jersey (September 6, 2014) and Lagos. He said he will soon take the message to Onitsha and Abuja where he would meet with Igbo leaders in the 19 northern states. At the World Igbo Congress held this year in Houston, Texas, he successfully halted what would have amounted to an unconditional Igbo endorsement of Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. At that meeting, Okorie challenged the claim that Ndigbo as a whole have endorsed the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 elections. He argued that the alleged endorsement is a party issue not Ndigbo as a race, adding that UPP has zoned its presidential ticket to the South-East and will field a candidate at the election. Explaining it further, he told The Nation in Lagos after the Sheraton town hall meeting that “any time Ndigbo did not contest in presidential elections, we usually loss out completely. But each time we contested, we are able to negotiate at least for alliances and this has always resulted in fantastic dividends, in terms of relevance, in terms of positions, in terms of respect, adding, “And that was the question I put to Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in Houston, when he said Ndigbo should negotiate from inside. I asked how Jonah, inside the belly of the Whale can negotiate with the Whale?” Okorie added that even if Ndigbo will end up endorsing Jonathan or any other candidate for that matter, such an endorsement must be a result of careful and satisfactory

Town hall strategy is more effective because in a rally, many of the participants do not hear or assimilate the message of the speakers. In fact, people who watch rallies on television get more information than most people. Since we have a new message which we want to put across to the common people, town hall meetings are more effective

negotiations. At the New Jersey meeting, Okorie said a tripod had always existed, between “Igbo-controlled, Yoruba controlled, and Hausa/ Fulani-controlled national parties.” The UPP, he concluded, is the only chance of restoring that tripod in the 2015 general elections. According to him, “Just by the mere strategy of zoning the presidential ticket to the South-East, the UPP has been elevated to be among the top three parties in Nigeria because only three parties will field presidential candidates in 2015,” Okorie said. He added that the Igbo “constitute the largest ethnic group in Nigeria, have the second largest population in all states outside Igbo land, are present in every local government in Nigeria and will ultimately choose to be masters of their

own destiny when the UPP presidential candidate emerges.” People who attended the Lagos meeting late November said Okorie’s use of the town hall concept is not ordinary but “fresh and unique.” “Unlike what other politicians call town hall meetings, where they fill the halls with rented crowd and touts, Chief Okorie, the Ojeozi Ndigbo, has shown that this common concept can be truly utilized to reach the masses and to give the common people the opportunity to express themselves,” said Mazi Udodinanma Ukuku, at the Sheraton Hotel venue in Lagos. In that meeting, Okorie, besides sensitizing his audience to be part of the political process in Lagos State, used the opportunity to market his political party to his people, explaining to them that “given the

unfortunate developments in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) which he said had led to derailment of APGA, UPP has come on the stage as the credible alternative. According to him, “UPP, which was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission on October 4, 2012, is designed to be a mass movement of Nigerian people all over the country.” After the Sunday town hall meeting, Okorie, who had encouraged participants to express some of the problems facing Igbos in Lagos; their aspirations and desires, paid a special visit to Governor Babatunde Fashola the following day, Monday, tabling before him his people’s desires and needs. He also called for healthy rivalry between political parties. The governor, joined by some members of the State Executive Council, including the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Ademorin Kuye, Home Affairs and Culture, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole and Publicity Secretary of the APC in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, warmly received Okorie and some UPP officials like the National Vice Chairman of the UPP in South West, Prince Segun Olusola, and Lagos State chapter chairman, Mazi Mike Okereke. Fashola assured Okorie and his team that his government would continue to implement policies that would create room for everyone, emphasizing that as far as electoral issues are concerned, “residents who are interested are welcome to join the fray since it is an election.”

How to bake cassava bread •Continued from page 37 The secretary of the bakers association in Abia and owner of Princestar Bakery, Mr. Innocent Ogbonna, pointed out that he was attending such training for the fourth time but disclosed that the current experience was the most detailed of all. Ogbonna added “I appreciate the training though it is not a new experience to me because I have already embraced the usage of cassava flour for over two years now. It is not the first time I have heard about it and as a baker I have come to realize that the benefits of cassava flour in bread making are higher than the wheat flour”. Another participant, Mr. Okechukwu, the owner of Starise Bakery applauded the initiative which he said would reduce the cost of bread which has being on a steady rise in Nigeria, maintaining that it would also boost Nigeria’s economy through agric via cassava. “I have also done a cost analysis and seen that it is cheaper. For instance, a 50kg bag of cassava flour is about N5,500 while a 50kg bag of wheat flour is about N6,500 to N7,500. That will certainly help in reducing cost of production. ”One big challenge is the high level of leavening agent (margarine) which is used in mixing cassava flour compared to that of wheat flour which is lesser. That invariably will still add to the cost of the bread”. He urged cassava flour millers to brace up to the challenge and be more thorough in their job and mill

•Participants displaying the end product cassava bread the flour smoothly in order to remove sand which eventually finds its way into the processed flour and subsequently bread. On the challenges facing them in the business, the baker lamented the epileptic and nonexistent power supply from EEDC which made them resort to generators to stay afloat and more especially the outdated equipments which members of the association use in their daily

business, as a result of inability to raise funds to get more updated equipments. Presenting the cassava flour baked bread to the permanent secretary, government house, Umuahia, Mr. Nkwachukwu Agomuo in his office, the leader of the team Mr. Nwaoliwe enumerated the benefits and advantages of using cassava flour to bake bread stressing that there was no side ef-

fects as it is even more tasty. Mr. Nwaoliwe went further to appeal to the state government to support the bakers by patronizing their products and providing for them conducive environment and logistics which will aid them thrive in their businesses. In his response, Agomuo who represented Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji commended IITA/ IFAD for the wonderful initiative,

stressing that the state government would help them publicize the product. Urging the organizers of the seminar and the bakers to ensure their products get to members of the public and those living in the rural areas, the Government House Perm. Sec stressed that it was the most potent way of creating awareness about their products.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

‘

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT

The award was to propel the recipient to greater heights and to encourage other women who may come in contact with her, adding that people should use their positions to affect lives in all circumstances of life

Woman perm sec wins varsity award

•Dame Nwoko (left) receiving the award from SSANU chairman, Comrade Loveth Ekwemalor From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

searched and identified Dame Nwoko, who she referred to as

“Jewel of inestimable value” and “deemed it wise to bestow on her SSANU highest award”. She added further that the

award was to propel the recipient to greater heights and to encourage other women who may come in contact with her, adding

that people should use their positions to affect lives in all circumstances of life. Responding, the highly elated recipient, dedicated the award to the Abia State government and Governor Orji, who she said has continued to inspire her through his commitment to the development of the state.

ARIOUS organisations have been busy in Anambra State. What about? Helping to give women a voice and, ultimately, power. Traditional, economic and social factors have tended to keep women, especially those in rural areas, out of the mainstream. They cook, clean and give their husbands children. Hardly do they make any substantial financial contributions, and are often looking up to their spouses for almost anything. These organisations have been busy trying to teach and encourage the women to break out of their cocoons and have a go at the things men seem to have cornered for centuries such as politics and governance. A group known as Hope Givers Initiative (HOGI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is giving hope in Umunnachi in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state. Another group, Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) is also working with them. Together they organised a two-day training and sensitisation campaign in the area, urging rural women to join the electoral process. The coordinator of the programme and Executive Director of HOGI, Mrs. Onyeka Udegbunam told The Nation that the organisation also planned another event for men. Voice to the People or V2P was also involved in the efforts. One of the officers of JDPC, Cynthia Arinze, told The Nation that HOGI was selected for the awareness campaign because the group studied its profile and was convinced about their credibility. Arinze, who supervised the exercise, said HOGI has proved it has the capacity to mobilise and sensitise rural women in the context of their campaign. Mrs. Udegbunam said their organisation would urge men to encourage their wives and daughters to contest electoral positions. Again, she said it would equally centre on the need to nominate women into key positions in their communities including the cabinets of traditional rulers. The women also marched through the community, holding aloft their voter cards indicating their readiness to participate in the electoral process. Udegbunam said, “Women are the bulk of the population of Nigeria and studies have shown that women are more articulate in the act of decision making. If we have them participate in different groups and politics either in families, communities, etc, it will lead to better decisions for the community and also take the coun-

•Anambra women march through the community

A voice‘ for Anambra women From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

try away from poverty.” “If you empower one woman, you have empowered the entire family; women are the ones who know the needs of the family, and if you involve them during decision-making process, the decision at the end will be better” “Nigeria’s culture is such that men sit back in the parlour after work and they are served, so they do not know what some of the basic necessities are” “But if the women are part of the decision making, they make contributions that will ensure availability of these scarce necessities” “What we are doing is that, we selected women especially their leaders from all the villages and communities in Dunukofia local government area to train them on this so that when they get back, they can impact same to on other women” she said However, she praised the aware-

Women are the bulk of the population of Nigeria and studies have shown that women are more articulate in the act of decision making. If we have them participate in different groups and politics either in families, communities, etc, it will lead to better decisions for the community and also take the country away from poverty

ness of the women, adding that she was even surprised that most of them already knew some issues like electioneering and even opted to play drama of the processes of election in Nigeria. Another group known as Development in Practice (DIP), has also added

their voice to the battle cry, calling on stakeholders and political parties to accommodate more women. The group made the call at the Udoka Housing Estate in Awka, the state capital at an event organised by DIP, a partner of V2P. The event was declared open by the Chief Executive

Officer (CEO), Mrs. Ojobo Atuluku. Atuluku urged the participants to make use of opportunities available and pass the advocacy messages to the public to enable more women participate in the political process. Furthermore, she called on governments at all levels to address the low capacity of poor and marginalised citizens especially, the rural adolescents and women in the society. The lawyer noted that the aim of the programme was to achieve improved social, economic and political well being and better quality services across Anambra state. Atuluku said, “The progress ratio is to address the urgent need to meet the high level of marginalisation and poverty which persists in Nigeria due to poor governance and ineffective services”. “The sustainable improvements can be achieved by both governments and community’s capacity to act by addressing factors that drive ongoing state governments’ accountability and responsiveness”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE SOUTHEAST REPORT The sensitisation campaign took the form of a carnival but the stern faces of men of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) conveyed the seriousness of the exercise. They gathered at the popular Aroma Square in Awka in collaboration with the Anambra State government to tell the people of the state that traffic offenders will no longer go unpunished. Anambra State Sector Commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi pledged to eliminate the gridlock at Bridge head in the commercial city of Onitsha every festive period. But to get it right, Ajayi said that all stakeholders including the drivers, security agencies and the corps members to raise the awareness in road safety. The theme of the programme was entitled, “road safety is a shared responsibility, it depends on you”. Speaking with the Nation after the event, the FRSC Commander for Benin zone comprising Anambra, Edo and Delta states, Mr. Charles Akpabio, said there is need for strict adherence to safety regulations by motorists. He said that more than 50 percent of road crashes in the country were due to violations of speed limit. Akpabio said that everybody must get involved in the business of road safety as there was nobody who does not use the roads as part of his journey. “Every motorist like any other human being has some element of insanity in him, a good driver is one who drives with the mindset that other road users are equally mad”. He warned that the officers of the agency in the zone would be strict with the implementation of all safety rules and regulations, especially as the yuletide draws close. “Lack of attention to simple regulations and most especially, speed violations alone cause more than 50 percent of crashes on our roads, we are going to deploy radar guns, tranquilizers in our patrol exercises to ensure that we reduce

•Commissioner Obiano’s, Mbonu with mic flanked by FRSC officials

FRSC, Anambra tackle road crashes ‘ From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

crashes at least 25 percent this period” For Ajayi, the commendation should go to Anambra state government for its assistance to the FRSC in the provision of logistics for their operations and the training of drivers in its employ. He said, “Anambra government has always provided the enabling environment for the command, we will continue to make effective use of such opportunities to achieve effective delivery. Governor Willie Obiano praised the FRSC command in the state for the safety level recorded so far in the state, but pledged continued

Lack of attention to simple regulations and most especially, speed violations alone cause more than 50 per cent of crashes on our roads; we are going to deploy radar guns, tranquilisers in our patrol exercises to ensure that we reduce crashes at least 25 per cent this period

partnership with the agency. He was represented by the state Commissioner for Transport,

Chuma Mbonu, a lawyer at the event. He said, the state administration

New chiefs for petrol marketers HE Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Aba depot has elected new officers to lead the union after a keenly contested ballot. The election was coming after the union witnessed a lot of controversies. Handing over to the new administration led by Chief Christian

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Ahukanna, the former chairman, Chief Gilbert Nwoke said the election was free and fair. Nwoke said: “Nobody can fault that election; nobody will say that the election was not free and fair. It was a wonderful election. More than 600 marketers were accredited for the election”.

The ex-chairman who described his tenure as fulfilling, said, “When we came into office, Aba depot was not receiving products from Port Harcourt Refinery close to seven years because the 54 km pipeline from Port Harcourt to Aba was vandalised. “We resolved to address the issue and set up a committee to tackle the problem and as I speak today,

•Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (right) and retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Anthony Iguh at the traditional marriage ceremony of Ijeoma, daughter of Dr. John Nwodo at Ukehe, Enugu State

I’m happy to announce that Aba depot is now receiving products from Port Harcourt.” He promised that the out gone executive would always give support to the new executive when needed to ensure sustenance of pumping of petroleum products to Aba depot. The zonal IPMAN chairman (Eastern Zone), Chief Chukwudi Friday Ezinwa, who was on ground to supervise the election said that despite the fact that some people tried to be lawless on the day of the election, however commended the maturity exhibited by their members. Describing the Aba IPMAN election as free and fair, Ezinwa said the names of the new executive have already been forwarded to the national secretariat for recognition, describing any other group under any guise as illegal. He warned any group parading themselves as IPMAN executive to desist forthwith in their own interest and asked other members of the union to rally round the Chief Ahukanna administration to ensure that they succeeded. The immediate past secretary of the association, Aliche Oti and the new assistant secretary, Simple Nwankpa both commended IPMAN zonal secretariat, Port Harcourt for ensuring that the election was peaceful and conducted in line with the association’s constitution. They said with the election and inauguration of the new executive the crisis which had bedeviled the association was over and called on

was paying huge attention to road infrastructure in the state as to ease traffic within the state. “Part of this effort is the construction of three flyovers in the Awka metropolis, this administration is very concerned about ensuring that roads in Anambra state are safe for all users” Obiano said. Some of the drivers, Okwudili Nwagu, Innocent Okezie, Anthony Okafor who spoke with the Nation said they would adhere to the rules and regulations of the agency, especially during the yuletide period. And to show the seriousness of the state government, Obiano has already banned the sale of alcoholic drinks in all the motor parks in the state.

‘

We have all the experienced people who served the association before me; we will draw from their wealth of experience. This immediate past administration to me is the best in product attraction, especially from Port Harcourt refinery. That depot was shut for about seven years before they came in to reactivate it and products started coming in. As far as there is peace between the past administration and ours, they will help us get products from Port Harcourt Refinery

all to support the new executive. Nwankpa who was the chairman of the Aba depot resuscitation committee promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear on the new executive to ensure that the new administration succeeded. The new chairman, Chief Christian Chikwendu Ahukana in an interview said his major task was to reach out to those who were aggrieved as a result of the election. Ahukana who assured to carrying everybody along in his regime promised to work hard to ensure that Aba depot continues to receive petroleum products which have been one of the standing legacies his predecessors were leaving behind.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Ekiti varsity fee slashed

T was a weekend of joy for students of the Ekiti State University (EKSU) when the state government announced a slash in tuition fee. Governor Ayo Fayose said on Friday during a programme on the state-owned EKTV that the government had reviewed circumstances that led to the fee hike and resolved to revert to the old fee. The governor was quoted as saying: “We have looked into the issues surrounding the astronomical school fee and we have reached a conclusion, which would benefit the all and sundry. Education is a right and not a privilege that should be enjoyed by only the rich. As such, we have made a downward reversal of Ekiti State University tuition fee, which was N50,000 to N30,000 and it takes immediate effect.” This came two days after the governor waded into the disagreement between members of local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Uni-

From Olatunji Awe EKSU versities (ASUU) and the management, which led to the re-opening of the university. Fayose said he wished the fee could be slashed more than that but said the financial challenge facing his administration could not allow that. Before the reversal, students pay between N77,500 and N180,000, including the tuition fee of N50,000. For students, the fee reduction is a welcome development. Oluwaseyi Alao, a 400-Level Political Science student, said: “It is a right step in right direction.” Ibukunoluwa Oyebimpe, a 300Level Yoruba student, said described the reversal a gift for students. She said: We thank the governor and we can gladly say we are enjoying the dividends of democracy irrespective of name calling that followed the election of Fayose.”

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Issac Adanlawo, took to the social media to praise the government on the decision. In a message on Facebook, Adanlawo wrote: “The reduction in tuition fee means N20,000 has been deducted across board.” Peter Omotolani, a 400-Level Science student, said: “The governor has shown he wants to make education accessible to all youth by the review of the tuition fee. We appreciate the gesture but he should also know the fee is one of our many demands.” A medical student, who did not say her name, urged the governor to also look into the crisis in the College of Medicine. She said: “The governor should also look into the problems of the College of Medicine. We have been in 300-Level for close to three years now and all we keep hearing from the management is promises.”

•Prof Ozumba presenting the partnership letter to the Gov. Orji

VC seeks partnership with Abia govt

O position the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for partnership, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has led the body of principal officers on a courtesy visit on the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji. Speaking in the Government House, Prof Ozumba said the visit was meant to develop partnership between the institution and the Abia State in different areas, including agriculture and staff development. The VC praised the governor for what he called “quality leadership” displayed as both the Chief Executive Officer of the state and as chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum. He said: “The university is very proud of your achievements in the areas of construction of necessary infra-

From Inya Agha-Egwu UNN structure and development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).” While praising the governor for his efforts in securing the state from the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers, Prof Ozumba said the health policy of the Orji administration had reduced high infant and maternal mortality rate in the state. The Vice-Chancellor urged Orji to partner with the university, saying the institution had shown interest in the development of states in the Southeast. Governor Orji described the UNN management staff’s visit as timely, saying the VC knew how to get what he wanted.

He said: “I want to place it on record that you (Prof Ozumba) are the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria that has paid me a courtesy visit. With this, I want to assure you that you will do well in your tenure.” He expressed the readiness of the State to partner with the university in any discipline, stressing that the government had the human and material resources needed to enter into partnership. He said that his administration placed priority on education, which is why the state had, in the past two consecutive years, maintained second position in the general performance of students sitting for the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC).

UNIOSUN students shine at summit

WO students of the Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Miss Temiloluwa Ogundele and Miss Yewande Odukoya, have made the institution proud by being recognised as the second best participants at a week-long National Education Summit held in Top Rank Hotel in Abuja. The summit hosted over 200 undergraduates from various tertiary institutions to discuss the theme: Towards a system of education for liberation in Nigeria. The event was aimed at restructuring education system. It was organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), in collaboration

From Abideen Olasupo UNIOSUN with federal and state ministries of education and civil society groups. The summit featured plenary sessions, where students presented papers to offer practicable solution on how the nation could find its way out of the educational quagmire. The chairman, Planning Committee and former ASUU president, Dipo Fashina, said there was need for radical action in education sector to address some of the challenges drawing back its progress. “The Nigerian education sector must be overhauled in a way that will make it capable of performing its transformative functions. Indeed, the social, economic, political, ethical, scientific and technological transformation of Nigeria must be driven by a revolution in the education sector,” he said.

Fashina explained that for the country to be a stakeholder in the global system, it must restructure its education system to promote development, adding: “The summit reviews the education system with a view to restructuring it to liberate Nigerians. The present system is one-sided and promotes interests of the colonial masters. There is need to develop our education system to serve the interests of Nigerians.” Participants at the summit agreed that the current education system is characterised by underfunding, infrastructural decay, poor conditions of learning and service delivery. They urged the government to deploy resources to improve standards and promote quality education. Temiloluwa and Yewande, who are Law Social Sciences students, were adjudged second best participants through their contribution to the discussion at the summit.

HE Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has reversed the hiked tuition fee for nonindigene studying at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST). The governor said the fee was slashed to ensure equality for all students. Amaechi announced the reversal when had an interactive session with students last week Monday to sensitise them on voters’ registration and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). Responding to the students’ questions, which included discriminatory school fees for non-indigenes, Amaechi directed the management to ensure that all students pay the same amount of fees. “Anybody in Rivers State University of Science and Technology is an indigene. All of us are Nigerians”, the governor said, directing the Secretary to the state government, Mr George Feyii, to prepare an official letter notifying the management. He added: “The reason why I made that statement and I am going to back it up with a letter, is that we are all Nigerians. From today, there is no more discrimination in school fees.” He enjoined the school authorities to allow students register their courses and allow students, who could not afford to pay at once, to register in order not to deprive them the opportunity to study with their colleagues. He said: “My view is based on the current economic situation. Any student, who has money to pay, let him pay. The ones that don’t have money yet, let them register, and during exams, you collect your money. The reason is that, 60 to 70 per cent of

Amaechi reverses Rivers varsity fees •Wants equality for all students From Emeka Chukwuemeka and Ernest Chidiebere RSUST students are from very poor backgrounds. My father was a retiree when I got into the university. I didn’t have money but school fees were very cheap.” He also called on the school management to allow activities of the local chapter of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), saying: “I will direct the Commissioner for Education to write to the university to allow the lecturers congregate and form their union. The law allows them to do so. That is democracy.” The governor noted that his administration has positively affected the lives of Rivers people positively, noting that he was impressed with improvements recorded in the institution and recalled efforts made by his administration to accredit all courses offered by the university. He said: “By the time I became governor, 60 to 70 per cent of your departments and courses and faculties were not accredited. I said it is either we are ready for a university or we are not ready. If we are not ready, we should close down, but if we need to educate our children, we need to get the courses accredited by providing necessary facilities. When the accreditation team came here later for inspection, they confirmed that we have met all requirements.”

‘Discrimination against HND holders must stop’

HE former Bursar of the St. Paul’s University College in Awka, Anambra state, Dr Joseph Azodo, has described the dichotomy between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree as unjust and unfair. The don, in an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, said there was no evidence to show that B.Sc. holders are superior to HND holders in terms of competence in the job market. He said the training received by HND holders was not to be compared to university degree, adding that it was high time government collapse the dichotomy and recognised both degrees as equals. He said: “Creating dichotomy between HND and B.Sc. degrees is rather unfortunate because many of the polytechnics have expanded and upgraded their curriculum to that of the university. I don’t think

Students remember late ex-colleagues

TUDENTS of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV COLLEGE) in Jos, Plateau State have remembered a former colleague, who died in a road crash. The deceased, who was known on campus as MC Longs, was a comedian. On Wednesday, students and other members of the institution suspended their engagement to hold a candlelight procession in memory of the departed. The procession started from Government House junction in Rayfield to the college gate. The mourners sang hymns and ele-

•Dr Azodo

From Emeka Chukwuemeka UNIZIK there is any need for this disparity, because both the HND and B.Sc. holders have the same training.” He added that rather than placing emphasis on certificate rather than competence should be discouraged, saying: “I don’t believe in certificate but competence. I will urge government to embrace this view so that both HND and university degree holders can have the same opportunities in the society.” Azodo said harmonisation of both certificates was long overdue and urged employers not to bruise the ego of HND holders with their preference for certificate rather than competence. From Augustine Anyanwu TV COLLEGE gies to remember the deceased. Some students gave their testimonies about their encounters with the deceased. They said the late MC Longs touched the lives of many through his comedy shows. The president of the Television Production Students’ Association (TEPSA), Samuel Kunkur, said MC Longs’ death was a devastating blow to the campus community, saying deceased left bade farewell to the world when he was approaching the pinnacle of his career. Other campus comedians described the deceased as a mentor, whom they missed dearly. They said his jokes could move mountains and would hit anyone hard. Students said the late MC longs staged various programmes to improve social life in the college.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

From mentors to problem solvers More than 850 students attended the fifth Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. CALEB ADEBAYO (500-Level Law) reports.

“I

WANT to use TEDxIfe to build a generation of technologists and entrepreneurs in Ife and give back to the community that has shaped my life for years.” These were the words of Emmanuel Iduma, the primary licencee and host of TEDxIfe when he addressed over 850 participants, who attended the fifth Technology, Entertainment, Design (TED) conference at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. TED is a global conference owned by Sapling Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in the United States and Canada. The “x” stands for the city where the conference is independently held. The conference

•Participants at the conference

has its common slogan, which is: “Ideas worth spreading”. The event, held in Oduduwa Hall, brought 12 speakers from across the country to mentor the youth on how to solve generational challenges. The theme of the event was: Solving X. At noon, the event started with the footage of speech by the first speaker, Mr Tunji Lardner, who could not make it to the event. Lardner, the Founder of WANGONeT, urged the participants to be solvers of complex problems. The young generation, he said, must stop agonising and start organising. Ore Ajewole, a final year student of Psychology at OAU and an onair presenter, spoke on The power of a mistake. She said: “We can make mistakes, but we should learn from our mistakes and not repeat them more than twice. We must never be afraid to make mistakes, but we must be bold enough to embrace our

‘The media has the highest capacity to drive innovation and transform lives. The media has gone beyond telling stories but empowering people to be independent and employers of labour’ mistakes and maximise the power of our mistakes to achieve different results.” There was a short break session, which offered the participants to showcase their innovation in creativity, entertainment, technology and engage in interactions on how to improve their skills. After the break, Marek Zmyslowski, the 28-year founder of Jovago.com, spoke on Taking chances. He told a story of his growing up under poverty deprived him of various opportunities, including dropping out of school. He urged the participants to take chances at

success. Without taking risk, he said, success may be unachievable for anyone who wants to be independent entrepreneur. For Chude Jideonwo, Managing Partner of RedMedia Africa, the media has gone beyond passing out information to the people. He said: “The media has the highest capacity to drive innovation and transform lives. The media has gone beyond telling stories but empowering people to be independent and employers of labour.” Prof Adesegun Fatusi, the Provost of the OAU College of Health Sciences, spoke on solving common

violence that occurs in relationships and how individuals can proffer solutions to such challenge. Maneesh Garg, Chief Executive Officer of Nagode Group, highlighted the risks he took when he started his business. He told the participants to develop their skills and create values for their abilities. Other speakers included Julian Rotich, Tobi Adebowale and Damilola Yakubu, who spoke on Internet opportunities, e-anthology of poems and pictures. Participants hailed the organisers for opening their eyes to opportunities in technology and Internet. Similoluwa Ayoola, a Law student, said: “The event was educative and well-organised.” Ayodeji Bello, a Sociology and Anthropology student, said it was her first time she would attend such event, saying she was motivated by the quality of speakers, who spoke at the event.

It was all fun at the annual week of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI). The week featured a seminar on gender equality, vocational training and community outreach, STANLEY IBEKU reports.

OR residents of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI), it was a week of fun. More than 700 post-graduate students celebrated the yearly Hall Week. The event began on Monday with an indoor sports contest and awareness on the significance of the week’s activities. Contestants displayed their skills in Chess. After three rounds of play, Owen Ikponmwosa won; Ben Bandele came second and Ralph Offiong, third. The second day featured a symposium with the topics: Gender equality: A Reality? and Is gratification corruption?, during which the students discussed burning societal issues. The participants expressed their views on how to achieve gender equality. For Bukola Oluwaniran, a participant, the situation where men treat women as subordinates is not acceptable, canvassing equality in status and responsibility for the women. However, for some participants, gender equality may not be achievable in traditional society, where religion and socio-cultural factors constitute impediments. Ejike Iheaka, a graduating Information Science Master’s student, said: “The debate has gone beyond gender-equality, rather what is trending is women’s affirmation, which is assertion of support or agreement for the recognition of women for greater responsibilities.” Ejike argued that the dominant

Their Their week weekof offun fun •The Hall residents during the vocational training

culture literally placed men above women. He also blamed the society for the inequality, adding that most women see themselves as weaker sex, which, he said, was why men treat women as subordinates. On whether gratification is corruption or not, majority agreed that corruption could be fueled by gratification but some participants shared the opinion that gratification was related to corruption. Reuben Okeke, a graduating Master’s student at the Department of

Human Kinetics and Health Education, said gratification was a Siamese twin of corruption. He particularly cited cases, where people have influenced corrupt practices through gratification. He cautioned his colleagues not to toe the path of the present leaders, which he said, had entrenched corruption in the society. He said that youths must define who they wanted to be and the kind of leaders they would want to be for the generation after them. The third day featured a cooking

competition and skills acquisition training for the participants. There were four women and a male contestant, who prepared various delicacies for their colleagues. One of them, Bibiana Okoli, a visually-impaired Ph.D student, surprised the observers when she effortlessly prepared Ora soup with semovita. Bibiana won the first position last year. At the end of the contest, Zainab Abdulahi was announced the winner, while Bibiana came second and Mmediongo Umanah, third.

While the cooking competition was on, other students were being trained in various skills, such as make-up and tying head gear, tieknotting and ice cream making. Women outnumbered at the tieknotting session. They said they wanted to learn how best to knot a tie to help their husbands out. On Thursday, there was a film show. Two movies were screened. On Friday, the students organised a variety night, which afforded them to interact culturally. The event featured comedy, dance contest and interactive segment, among others. To spice up the event, palm wine was served to the interested participants. There was also presentation of prizes to contests’ winners. On Saturday, the students visited Juvenile Correctional Centre in Samonda area in Ibadan on charity cause. They took out time and played with the children in the facility, after which they donated gift items and cash to the centre. The week-long event was rounded off by a thanksgiving at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Catholic Church on the campus, last Sunday. The hall governor, Chukwudi Ayozie, thanked God for the success of the event. He hailed the hall management committee and residents for their co-operation, which he said led to the success of the event. A resident of the hall, Bukola Ogundiran, praised their executive for making the event memorable. She said there was an improvement on last year’s event.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE

Leadership for the highest bidder

By Uche Anichebe N sane climes, there is a belief that political leadership is an avenue to service the society in a selfless undertaking in which the political leader promote the interest of his people and attempts to lead the society for development. A Latin maxim, ut ministraret, non ut sibi ministraretur, encapsulates the true philosophy of leadership, which is to serve and not to be served. This idea of service is explicit when we find that political leaders are called public servants. So great is the task of a leader and the expectation of the citizens that, just as in the days of the Israelites, so much emphasis is placed on virtues and leadership abilities. When leadership did not revolve around fam-

ily succession, the Israelis chose men with charisma, commendable past records, strength and popularity among themselves to lead. Hardly was there a time when the financial status of the prospective leader became a major consideration. It was politics driven by personal quality. Could this be said to be the culture in Nigeria, where party candidates need to pay through their noses to purchase the party nomination ticket? It is no news that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asked candidates for the presidential ticket to pay a whooping sum of N23 million as the cost of the form and N2 million for expression of interest, while candidates vying for political leadership in the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) paid N27 million for the party ticket, and N2 million for expression of interest. For the governorship race, the PDP sold its party ticket for N10 million and N1 million for the expression of interest forms. To contest for the Senate, this writer knows a legal practitioner, who solicited for finance from relatives and friends to buy nomination form. Ditto for General Muhammadu Buhari, who wanted to apply for a bank loan to buy nomination form before some politicians paid for the ticket on his behalf.

President Goodluck Jonathan said his nomination form was not purchased by personal money, but funded by well-wishers and friends of his government. Since everybody is claiming to be unable to afford the cost of nomination form, why then do political parties insist on such pricy fees? What happens to people whose political dream is driven by the desire to serve, and who, unfortunately, do not have the financial wherewithal to pursue their dreams. Is this not how godfatherism find its way into our body politic? To aspire to political leadership, the constitutional provision stipulates in Section 131 that, the person must be a citizen by birth, must have attained the age of forty years old, must be a member of a political party, and must have been educated to at least school certificate level. These conditions are quite reasonable. But, it becomes worrisome that people have to cough out such huge amount of money without expecting rewards far greater than the office he seeks. This explains the mentality of many politicians, who see and treat their positions as an investment from which they expect to reap bountiful profits. Paying these millions is a huge commitment, which deepens the desperation of political

officers to clinch the political positions that they seek. It is this kind of expensive commitment that breeds desperation and consequently, electoral and post-election violence. Over the years, the cliché that the youth are the future of tomorrow is popular. In recent times however, this has been greatly opposed by a school of thought that says that, today and not tomorrow, which is uncertain, should belong to the youth. But, which youths are we advocating for? How many youths can afford to run for major political positions, bearing in mind the exorbitant fee to be paid for nomination ticket? How many Nigerian youths are gainfully employed, let alone earn millions to make them participate in politics? In truth, the road to political leadership and attendant cost are a big hurdle, and unless something is done, the youths will forever be excluded from leadership in Nigeria. The consequence of this is that ours will forever remain a government, not of all people, but for the rich. There is a saying that, he who pays the piper dictates the tune. Where a man sponsors another, that man may never be content with a repayment of his money, and words of appreciation. He will want more. He might want to have a say in political decisions; he might call for the shar-

ing of the so-called national cake, rather than deploying the resource for the people’s benefit. The expensive party ticket is a reflection of electoral umpire’s inability to effectively regulate the affairs of political parties in Nigeria. It also reflects the insensitivity of our country, where the interest of the common man is relegated to the background. If justice must be upheld, then equal opportunity must be given to all players in the arena of politics. The poor must not be excluded, for in them we may find people willing to give their all for country; people driven by honesty, and capable of propelling the affairs of this troubled country. True, political parties need finance. It is also understood that they thrive on internally generated revenue. Yet, modesty must at all times play out. A reasonable cost should suffice, one which may not necessarily be cheap, but must be affordable and fair to all interested persons. Nigerian politics must never be an affair for the rich and mighty. In this period of bad leadership, our aim should be to enthrone leaders with excellent personal and leadership qualities, and we must challenge any factor that threatens that national dream. Uche, just finished from Nigerian Law School, Lagos

These brave hunters of the North T

HE nation was in trepidation a few weeks ago when a group of hunters locallycalled Yan Baka recaptured the second largest town in Adamawa State from Boko Haram fighters. The insurgents captured the town on October 28 and brazenly renamed Mubi as Madinatul Islam. They installed an ‘Emir’ and hoist their flag. But, the hunters swung into action and recaptured the city from the insurgent after they must have viewed them as animals. After all, terrorists are not better than animals. The insurgents had no option than to beat a retreat into the bush as the hunters were chasing and slaughtering them from Mubi to Mahia and Vintim village, the hometown of the Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Air Marshal Alex Badeh. Reports had it that the hunters ambushed the insurgents, killing them in their hundreds and their installed ‘Emir’, one Shuaibu Dan America. The question that arises from this heroic act is, if the hunters could deploy their dane guns and cutlasses in executing a war against terrorists, does it not tell us that local solutions can be effective in solving the uprising in the Northeast? If it does, it brings to reality the statement that, what we are searching for in Sokoto lies idly in our sokoto. There is absolutely no reason to blame the United States

ET me begin my admonition with our traditional rulers, who sit comfortably in their magnificent palaces and waiting for politicians to come for endorsements, which they are willing to gladly pronounce for a filthy lucre. They must remember they are trading the development of their kingdoms for the next four years. Listen to my call, you religious leaders. Yes, you have the right to vote, but do not publicly endorse any aspirant for the fact they are members of your church. You must remember that people in the congregation may belong to different political parties. Give me your ears you journalists. When have you stopped being the

for not selling weapons to us. These civilian hunters can achieve more effective results if they possess the right ammunition. With arrows, they pierced through the heart of our tormentors. Unlike the soldiers who are fighting for the integrity of the nation, these hunters fought for their land. They are out to defend their culture and freedom. These hunters are probably fed up with the disappointment from military in recent times. They sensed the imminent danger; that if nothing is done to stem the developing monster, they may not have places to call their home. They are caught between the devil and a deep blue sea; they either die like a sheep or die fighting. They choose to fight because they had something to protect. To protect their family, culture, home, happiness and safety. They put up a battle against a more sophisticated opponent. They put their lives in their hands. The activities of the insurgents in the state become worrisome, following their annexation of five local government areas in Adamawa. Thousands of residents have become homeless. The uncommon bravery of the hunters gave the beleaguered residents a reason to celebrate the victory. This victory of the hunters in recapturing Mubi from the terrorists has thrown open many shaded deal in the fight against terror in the Northeast. Firstly, it has brought to the fore,

the fact that lack of sophisticated ammunitions is not the reason why the military have not been ablr to crush Boko Haram. If the hunters could recapture cities with Dane guns and cutlasses, why can’t the military do the same with its more sophisticated arsenal? Each time army barracks are captured, the weapons stolen in these barracks are used by the insurgents to fight. The disappointing situation is that, when these captured weapons are in the hands of the federal troops, they would turn to substandard tools but the terrorists use the same weapon to fight us. Secondly, it shows that the military leadership is either absolutely ignorant of the nature of the fight against insurgency or are proving to be coward. The latter justifies the incidents of mutiny and desertion. The tactics of the military over time have shown to be consistently abysmal. If only they could let shame aside and recruit those hunters, after all, the hunters know the terrain more. A saying goes, he who runs from a fight lives to fight another day. The question is: when is the “another day” coming? Just recently the African Union (AU) commended Nigeria for its role in Burkina Faso. This commendation is contrary to the bravery of our soldiers in curbing a home-grown terror. We are yet to come to terms with the situation of having to lose more than 40 students of the Government Science

Technical College (GSTC) in Poskitum to mindless massacre. The Nigerian army which gets accolades from all over the world for fighting gallantly in peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world has suddenly become a docile and incompetent organization in the fight against the insurgents on its soil. This, of course, is a clear proof of the presence of a fifth columnist in the army. I have tried to very hard to understand how we got warped up in this mess and I came to this painful conclusion that we continuously buried our shame in the harvest of deceitful narratives that filled our space. Sometimes, we just wonder if there is going to be an end to this unfathomable controversy that has taken over the fight against terror. Yet, we hear of a possible extension of the emergency rule, the same rule that has been so inefficient. We ought to allow the citizens of those states go back to their normal lives and let the hunters and civilian JTF continue the fight. The contribution of the civilian JTF and local hunters in the fight against insurgents cannot be downplayed. Hence, plans should be made for the integration of these brave civilians into the military as this would go a long way into assuring the reinstatement of a sovereign state in Borno, Adamawa and other states being affected by the activities of Boko Haram. We need more hunters and less soldiers. The hunters understand the terrain

Before we endorse them again By Nathaniel Amroboraro watchdog of the society? Some media practitioners have allowed themselves to be used as political agents and tools to promote the selfish and evil-ridden ambition of certain politicians, because they are given adverts at double rates. When these politicians get into power and arrest you for expressing your thoughts, please do not cry foul, because you have sold integrity. Heed my words you students and youth leaders, who use platforms

meant to fight against obnoxious policies of government, such as fee hike, unemployment and such likes, to endorse these corrupt politicians because of money. Do not so quickly forget the story of Esau, who sold his birthright for a one-round meal. Remember, these politicians have their children in schools abroad, yet they want you to be their thugs, risking your for them. Please be wise. You are 39 years old and you still jump around from one organisation to the other, claiming to be a youth. When would you settle down and follow your dream? Or do you have

none? Remember, these politicians got to office at young ages, they have stayed for decades and have refused to leave, and you keep celebrating them. When will you grow up? To you praise singers, who are always willing to go any places to praise politicians whenever new projects are being commissioned; why do you always praise them for what they use your money to do for you? Don’t you know that people employed politicians and have the power to fire them if they do anything less?

By Ezekiel Efeobhokhan more than the army. Let us give our civilians the chance to defend their lives because, although the soldiers have done a lot so far, but have recently shown to be consistently unreliable. Let us give our civilians the chance to be soldiers of their selves. Perhaps if the government works in tandem with these local hunters, not minding the crudity of their approach and the unscientific nature of their action, we may be close to a solution. Let the government actively partner with local communities and community leaders to get them to enroll more actively in the fight to restore peace and security. Ezekiel, 300-Level Pharmacy, UNIBEN To you politicians, who arm thugs and youths, to ‘protect’ your votes, why are you breeding monsters? Do not forget that was how the Niger Delta militants are financed unknowingly by the government till they went out of control. The boys you give guns today would become monsters tomorrow, and endanger your lives. If you forget all my words, then pay attention to the fact that you are all digging a pit, that which would kill us all, and terminate our generations. Stop digging further, and let us begin the task of rescuing our generations and ourselves. Nathaniel is a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE Varsity to host first pan-African students’ conference

ARRING last minute cancelation, the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will host the maiden pan-African Students’ Parliamentary Conference. The conference, which is organised by the legislative arm of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG), will hold on Saturday at the university auditorium. The theme of the conference is: Role of students’ parliament in peaceful coexistenc: Connecting African future leaders. The Director of Programmes of the Organizing Committee, Shakir Akorede, said the one-day programme is in honour of Hon. Ali Ahmad, a lawmaker representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Akorede said that the conference would create a platform, where student of tertiary institutions across Africa could discuss issues and provide workable solutions to challenges facing the continent. The union’s Senate President Wasiu Haruna, noted that the event would provide an avenue for stu-

From Hameed Muritala UNILORIN dents to share their unionism experiences and knowledge with others from different climes. He stressed that discussions would focus on the roles of the students’ legislature in ensuring freedom, justice, effective democracy and understanding among African nations. Wasiu added parliament was relevant and fundamental to the preservation of peace and stability of any nation. Guests expected at the conference include the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Razaq Atunwa, his Oyo State counterpart, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu and Camerounian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Saleheddine Abbas Ibrahima. Others are Senator Ishaq Salman, Vice-Chancellor of Universite de Douala, Prof Dieudannee Oyono, and UNILORIN VC, Prof. Abdulganiyu Ambali. Participants at the conference are expected from selected tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria.

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•From left: Dr Ilori, Prof Segun Adekoya, Prof Yerima and Prof Adeoti at the seminar

‘Soyinka’s works are not difficult to understand’ P EOPLE criticising Prof Wole Soyinka for using semantic language and esoteric concepts in his works are not gifted to understand such works, a dramatist, Kemi Ilori, has said. He said people could make meaning of Soyinka’s work through the application of relevant theories used by the Nobel Laureate to write his works. Ilori, in a lecture delivered at a seminar of the Institute of Cultural Studies in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, said the works of Soyinka followed some theories propounded by philosophers, which influenced his thinking.

From Temitayo Ayetoto OAU

He said: “In my study of Soyinka’s theatre, I found out that there are many layers of meanings. When you look at these theories, you are meeting a man that has read vastly and if you are going to catch up with him, you have to catch up with some of his sources, which influence his thinking. I feel the echoes of Chakravorty Spivak, Homi K. Bhabha, Edward Said, and Victor Turner in the characters that I see

in Soyinka plays.” In most works of Soyinka, he said, there is always a character challenging orthodoxy and rationality in one way or the other. “We may not like what they are saying or their approach to life but they will be there as a kind of person that stands out,” he said. The chairman of the Institute, Prof Gbemisola Adeoti while hailing the speaker, described the lecture as a “great home coming” in the field of art. He said: “Ilori is great dramatist, poet and a great critic of art.” Adeoti also praised Prof Ahmed Yerima, who was a speaker at the event.

‘I will stop reading when I die’ •Continued from page 32

During the debate, I felt students from Ghana had an edge over those from Nigeria, because of the way they pronounced English words. But it seems to be easy when you know someone looks up to you to be successful. The judges were not from Nigeria and students from top-rated universities in Nigeria were in attendance. So, I felt intimidated at first but in the end, I came third. But you were also honoured as the best speaker, how did you feel? I think the honour was welldeserved and I dedicate it to my mentor, Mr Hammed Maiwade, who believes in my ability. My opponents at the debate were already saying I must be given the Best Speaker Award, because I intimidated the Ghanaian students, who I was initially afraid of. I felt elated when I was pronounced the best speaker, even though I did not come first in the debate.

You have recently been elected first woman president of English and Linguistics students in IBBU, can you tell us how you feel about it? Politics in academic environment is different from national politics. I came from a home, where people are treated equally irrespective of their gender. I have maintained good working relationship with men and this started from home. So, when I became the president of National Association of Students of English Language and Linguistics (NASEL), working with men was not a difficult task for me. I believe so much in impossibilities. In IBBU, women have been relegated to the background. Politics, to me, is supposed to be a venture, where potentials are explored and harnessed to the benefit of all. When I was in 300Level, I was the Assistant General Secretary of the association, I took time to study the terrain. I said to myself, I will contest for president when I get to 400-Level and I will

win. So, I won. The experience is memorable. So, what is your advice for other ladies who are afraid of politics? It is a known fact that men dominate Nigerian politics. There is a belief that women should go for whatever position reserved for them and not what the society wants for them. You should not blame women, who distance themselves from politics, because politicians have made the game a do-or-die affair. To answer the question, women should be academically, intellectually and morally sound to challenge any form of oppression in politics. What is your philosophy of life? Those who find time to trust God do not struggle to stand before great men and do unto others as you would want others do unto you. After your first degree, what is next? Revitalisation is what I want. I will stop reading when I die.

N2.1m budget tears union apart •Continued from page 31

In an open letter by the Chief Judge, Andy Muoneme, the embattled union president and the General Secretary, Kelvin Onyebuchi, were accused of drafting the budget for the three arms, appropriating N1.9 million to the executive, while N100,000 each was given to the judiciary and parliament. Andy described the budget as “inequitable, unconstitutional and fraudulently done”. He alleged that the president and General Secretary bypassed the legislature by drafting a budget for the three arms and submitting to the management without the knowledge of SRC members, who are constitutionally empowered to

do so. Andy’s letter reads in part: “This impunity should not be allowed to go unchecked. The abuse of power, financial recklessness and break down of law and order by the executive should urgently be stopped. The injustice against the judicial arm is alarming because we are helpless because of starvation of fund to carry out our programmes and agenda for the students in line with the constitution.” Andy appealed to the ViceChancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, to step into the matter and reverse the approval of the union’s budget. He also wanted the VC to look into other allegations against the president. In a telephone interview with

our reporter on Monday, Chukwunonso denied all allegations against him, saying the SRC members were being childish. He said: “It is not true that I embezzled the union’s funds. Where did you get all these from? All these things they are writing about me are not true. These people (SRC members) are children and they want cheap popularity. I don’t have anything to say about the allegations and if you don’t mind, let me give you the number of Dean of Students’ Affair to…(he ended the call).” When his MTN number was called again to finish the conversation, Chukwunonso did not pick his call. He, however, replied to a text message by our reporter, saying: “I’m in class.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

UNIJOS riot: Were students influenced?

HERE are claims that the November 23 riot by students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) was instigated by some unnamed lecturers said to be unhappy with the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Hayward Babale Mafuyayi's administration style. A source, who does not want to be named, told The Nation that the students' riot was allegedly influenced by some professors who have fallen out with the VC for opposing their inputs. "The VC is running the school alone, no one can raise his voice against his wishes. He will shout down other professors who give contrary opinion. Because of that, his colleagues find him too arrogant for their liking and so they have plotted to use the students to remove him," said the source. But Mafuyayi said he could not affirm or refute the allegation. He noted that a committee was looking into the causes of the riot. He said: "On the rumour that the riot was instigated from within the school, I cannot say yes or no; that is why management has decided to set up a seven-man committee to investigate the remote causes of the students' riot. At the end of the investigation, we shall know if that rumour is true or not. The damage committee will also verify the extent of damage done by the students during the riot. They will also look into some of their grievances and fears.” Not surprisingly, the vice-chan-

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

cellor and the Students' Union do not agree on what led to the riot; while the Vice-Chancellor attributed the unrest to rumours of fee increment, the latter said they are tired of paying series of levies and cost poor hostel facilities, high cost hostel accommodation and poor transportation services. The students, who expressed their grievances in a statement signed by the Student Union Government (SUG) President, Abel Nok Nduu, and the Public Relations Officer, Dakwom Longgul, said: “It is pertinent to note that students are not aggrieved over the purported hike in school charges; we are aggrieved because of the review of charges. "We want the annual development levy of N10,000 removed because we are aware that the Federal Government is funding the university adequately. We are made to pay an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) fee of N4,000 every year without students having access to any computer talk more of ICT. We also want the late registration fee of N10,000 removed without delay because it has become unbearable to students who struggle to afford the regular school fees. If we cannot pay school fees, how can we afford an additional fee of N10,000 in the name of lateness in payment? "We are also demanding for a

downward review of the N25,000 acceptance fee for new students. In addition, we want a downward review of hostel accommodation fee. Students used to pay N4,600 for bed space, now we pay N13,400. This has forced many students to seek alternative accommodation outside the hostels, which exposes them to security challenges. "Other demands are financial autonomy for Students Union government. The SUG has no office anymore. What used to be SUG secretariat has been commercialised by the management. We demand immediate return of the structure to the SUG. Worse still, students bus services has been dormant, students now pay exorbitant price on public transport to school daily. We want the school bus services to be reviewed immediately. "The date of the second semester examination should be shifted for weeks to allow lecturers cover up their work load for the semester. The students are ready to write the exams as soon as our demands are met." However, Mafuyayi claimed he had meetings with the students and the points above were not discussed save for the increment rumour. He said: "The students are rioting over rumour that we are about to increase the school fees, which is not true. I called the students and asked them to disregard the rumours.

• Prof Mufayayi

"We have not contemplated at any time to review the school fees upward. Up until the last hours of the protest, we were with students. I told them there is no such plan and we agreed to start our exams. The Students' Union (leaders) left the meeting having agreed for the exams to go on. So I am surprised about this development." The VC denied introducing the N10,000 development levy. "The issue the students raised on the development levy being charged by the institution is something I inherited three years ago when I became the VC. Nothing has been added. The students have been paying N10,000 and it has remained same since," he said.

Students plead for hostels, accreditation

HE students of the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua in Ikot-Ekpene, have called on the state government and the management of the institution to address accommodation problems and non-accreditation of courses in the institution. Although they praised the government and the new school management, led by Israel Affia, the Rector, for giving them a serene and secure learning environment,

By Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

they, however, said all was not well with them in the institution. The Assistant Secretary of the newly-inaugurated Students’ Union, Mr Fred Daniel, a HND II Computer Science student, told The Nation that accommodation problem was affecting the students negatively. “We are having hostel accommodation issues here. Most stu-

dents want to live on the campus because there is always steady light here more than in the host community where most of us are living now. We can make more use of the school library as well as departmental libraries to enhance our academic performances. The environment is clean, serene and secure. It will enable us do better academically,” he said. Daniel also said the non-accreditation of some of the Higher Na-

• The Chairman, Governing Council, Institute of Information Management (IIM), Dr Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, with one of the honorary Fellows of the institute, Viola Akhigbe, during the Induction and Investiture of the institute in Lagos.

tional Diploma (HND) programmes is retrogressive. He said students prefer to complete both their ND and HND programmes in the school, instead of being forced to look for another institution to finish up their programmes. The Students’ Union Director of Information and HND II Mass Communication student, Anthony Ebong, listed some of the affected courses without HND accreditation to include: Building Technology; Electrical–Electronics Engineering; Civil Engineering; Urban and Regional Planning; Estate Management and Quantity Survey among others. Meanwhile, the Mass Communication students of the school have appealed to the government to provide them with a platform to go on air. They spoke when The Nation visited their studio while they were rehearsing news presentation. The students said they wanted to go on air as well as have a page in a newspaper. They appealed to the government to buy airtime for them. They said this would place the school on the national and international map as a centre of excellence. On safety on campus, the school’s Chief Security Officer, Mr Friday Samuel, assured students’ safety is guaranteed. “The whole school is fencedround, we have security patrol on duty 24 hours; we have car bomb detectors and the one we use to check individuals. Our trained security officers are strategically located and on surveillance day and night, on and off campus,” he said.

Salem varsity plans scholarship for displaced persons • Graduates 217

HE Vice-Chancellor of Salem University, the first private university in Kogi State, Prof. Joseph Adeola Afuwape, has announced scholarships for some displaced persons from some troubled areas of the north. He made this known at the institu-

From James Azania, Lokoja

tion’s first and second convocations. He said the school has set up a foundation tagged: “Care Compassion Scheme” meant to assist the less privileged children. He said it was the institution’s unique way of giving back to humanity. He added that the universi-

ty’s Chancellor, Bishop Sam Amaga, had donated bore-holes and six tricycles to youths in the host community and offered scholarship to the son of the traditional ruler of Jimbe community, where the university is sited. At the convocation, 217 students graduated from the university. Six of the graduands were in the First

Class category, while 92 others graduated in the Second Class Upper Division. The rest - 109- finished with Second Class Lower and 10 with a Pass. The Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Wada, along with the Attah Igala, Idakwo Ameh Oboni, were awarded honorary Masters of Business Administration.

EKSU FILE Students win NUC contest THE Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Prof Oladipo Aina, has praised the students that represented the university at this year’s Annual National Entrepreneurship Week (ANEW), organised by the National Universities Commission (NUC) for coming third. Aina, who received the students in his office, restated his commitment to achieving world-class status for the university. The EKSU VC praised the students for competing brilliantly with their counterparts from over 40 Nigerian universities and 20 professional institutes to emerge third. He added that their achievement has further lifted EKSU’s ranking nationally and globally. The EKSU students participated in two categories where products designed and manufactured by participants were ranked according to quality and industry relevance. The university has won three competitions in three months – in addition to winning the ENACTUS competition in July. Presenting the bronze medals and certificate of excellence to the VC, the team coordinator, Dr. A. Awe, described the performance of the students as spectacular.

Facebook account fake, says VC THE EKSU management has warned Facebook users to be wary of those using the VC’s name, Prof Patrick Oladipo Aina on the social medium. A fraudster has created a Facebook account using one of the official photographs of the VC and supplying incorrect information about him to mislead the public. The fake Facebook account has already attracted a long list of friends, who might be deceived that they are dealing with the authentic Oladipo Aina. The VC has said he does not operate a Facebook account and has advised members of the public to shun the fake account.

• Prof Aina

Students resume ACADEMICS have resumed at EKSU following the suspension of an industrial action embarked upon by workers’ unions. Staff are back on their duty posts while students have been arriving for lectures. The last union to suspend the industrial action was the Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities (ASUU). Its leadership called on its members to return to the classrooms immediately. Earlier, other unions suspended their industrial action. Meanwhile, the school management has urged fresh students to continue with their registration and await a new date for their matriculation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CAMPUS LIFE AAUA FILE NPC donates 2013 reports THE National Population Commission (NPC), has donated last year’s report on the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey to the Adekunle Ajasin University’s (AAUA) library. The Ondo State Director of the commission, Mr. Oluyemi T. Falusi, who made the donation was accompanied by members of the Nigerian Cartographic Association (NCA) led by Mr. Lawrence Akinola. Presenting the report to AAUA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko, Falusi said AAUA was the first to receive the report after its launch by the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko. To create wider awareness, Falusi requested that a seminar be organised for other stakeholders, who have nothing to do with the library or the opportunity to go to the library where copies of the reports will be kept. Responding, Mimiko said both the NPC and the NCA were pivotal to national development. “For us intellectuals, such other quiet assignments, responsibilities and mandates the NPC carries out are more important as researches than the population figures that most Nigerians tend to be interested in.

Don for Ethiopian conference THE Acting Director of the Linkages and International Programmes Office, (LIPO) AAUA, Dr. Tomola Obamuyi, has joined other 300 participants at the Collaborative Research Workshop by the Canadian International Development Research Centre, (IDRC), at the 12th Globelics Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference, which held from October to November, had participants drawn from South Africa, Colombia, Jamaica, Indonesia, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, and Denmark. In his post-workshop and conference reports, Obamuyi said the workshop was designed to train participants on statistical analysis and improve their drafted papers from previous workshops in Ghana and Zambia in order to publish the articles internationally. Obamuyi’s paper was titled: ‘Startup finance and the growth aspirations of youth-owned businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa.’

‘Seek alternative funding’ A member of the AAUA Governing Council, Mrs Funke Oyebade, has advised university administrators to seek alternative sources of finance to augment government’s funding. Mrs Oyebade, a two-term Registrar of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), gave the advice while delivering the AAUA Second Faculty of Education Public Lecture. It had as theme: “Emerging trends in university management in Nigeria: Challenges and ways forward”. She said: “The gross underfunding of the education system in the country has been rendering the university system incapacitated. The universities must, therefore, begin to seek alternative sources of revenue generation to augment what the government allocates to them.” She urged governments to intensify efforts at providing more infrastructure and facilities. “Corporate bodies, philanthropists and alumni associations should also assist in the provision of these facilities to aid effective teaching-learning activities in order to achieve academic goals of university education for national development,’’ she said.

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE

Country scholarships for postgraduate students at Keele University in UK, 2015 K EELE University is offering a postgraduate scholarship for the students of Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, Vietnam and India. This scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who has achieved a minimum of a 2.1 (Ghana, Nigeria) / 3.0 CGPA (Thailand) / 8.0 out of 10 (Vietnam) / 1st class (India) in their first degree, and who shows exceptional motivation for coming to study at Keele. Scholarship has a value of £5000 The application deadline is 30th March 2015. Study Subject(s): Scholarship is awarded in all subjects available at the university. Course Level: Scholarship is available for postgraduate study.

Scholarship Provider: Keele University, UK Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: This scholarship will be awarded to the applicant who has achieved a minimum of a 2.1 (Ghana, Nigeria) / 3.0 CGPA (Thailand) / 8.0 out of 10 (Vietnam) / 1st class (India) in their first degree, and who shows exceptional motivation for coming to study at Keele. Scholarship Open for International Students: Students of Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, Vietnam and India are eligible to apply for this postgraduate scholarship. Scholarship Description: Keele

University is delighted to announce that it is offering a scholarship of £5000 for one postgraduate student applying from each of the following countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Thailand, Vietnam and India. Number of award(s): Only one scholarship is offered. Duration of award(s): Not Known What does it cover? The value of scholarship is £5000. Selection criteria: Not Known Notification: Not Known How to Apply: To apply for the scholarship, please ensure that you have already completed an application to Keele, and then

email international-atkeele.ac.uk with the subject title ‘ C o u n t r y Scholarship’. Applicants will need to submit: -A 500-word essay explaining why you believe you should receive the scholarship -Details of your application, including your full name, intended course and student number Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is 30th March 2015.

Read more: 2015 Keele University Postgraduate Scholarship, UK Scholarship Positions 2014 2015 http://scholarshippositions.com

We want to sustain uninterrupted academic calendar, says LASU VC

HE Vice-Chancellor (VC), Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo, Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, has appealed to workers and, particularly students of the institution, to partner with the management in its drive to entrench uninterrupted academic calendar in the three decade-old university. He spoke at the university’s new auditorium to mark his 1,095 days in office. The university, owned by Lagos State government, has had a reputation of students and workers’ unrests, leading to strikes doting its three decades of existence. Obafunwa noted that his administration, which came on board on November 1, 2011, has held three convocations consecutively, noting that the fourth would hold on February 15, next year. He said students stand a chance of benefiting immensely from the initiative as they are assured of graduating as at when due.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Obafunwa, who is the seventh VC, stressed that an interruption in the academic calendar would affect the set goals of the present administration to reposition the university for excellence. He said: ”I appeal to the students not to do anything that would disrupt the academic calendar, so that the set objectives of the administration can be achieved.” He added: “As you can see, this administration since it came on board has organised three consecutive convocations despite pockets of challenges here and there. I can assure you that our fourth convocation is scheduled for February 15 next year. The Senate has ratified this and now the Office of the Dean of Students Affairs has started compiling names of graduands ahead of the time.” Obafunwa noted that his administration is on its mission to rebrand

the university and will leave a legacy that his successor can build on. The school’s management, he said, is re-packaging its academic programmes to meet up with various academic challenges in the 21st Century. According to him, LASU under his watch, has experienced monumental development in many facets. “As an institution, we have recorded some ground-breaking feats in the course of translating our challenges into opportunities,” he said. Obafunwa noted that he would have remained silent over his achievements, noting that some top principal members of the university, including students, persuaded him on the need to present his scorecard in order to convince those in doubt. “We want to appreciate the state government for its huge financial support, the Governing Council, Senate, deans of faculties, Head of

• Obafunwa

Departments, staff, students and critics for their collective contributions toward the recorded development. The critics have kept us on our toes. Their criticisms prompted us to achieve more.” Despite the challenges, Obafunwa said LASU would continue to fire from all cylinders. “I am not trying to give an impression that everything is smooth, as there are issues here and there, but we can always get them sorted out with time,” he said.

Don canvasses courts, alternative disputes resolution

FFECTIVE courts and concurrent provision of alternative disputes resolution will assure the future of Nigeria, a law professor at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Mohammed Akanbi, has said. Akanbi, son of the pioneer Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Mustapha Akanbi (rtd), added that such a provision would help par-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ties to a just ending without some of the drawbacks that litigation can entail. The teacher, who is also a former Chairman of the Ilorin Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said this in Ilorin, Kwara State capital at the 152nd inaugural lecture of UNILORIN. The lecture was titled: “Contending without being contentious: Arbitration, arbitrators and arbitrability.”

He said: “The undoubted potential that arbitration can offer in the quest for justice indicate that the process has a glowing future in Nigeria.” He recommended a comprehensive reform of the civil justice system in Nigeria to facilitate early resolution of cases. He said: ‘’For arbitration to be effective, courts still have a fundamental role to play. However, the delay in case resolution in the Nigerian courts causes consider-

•Fatimat Mustapha (second right), who graduated with a Second Class Upper in Economics from the University of Ibadan, flanked by her father, Alhaji Moshood Mustapha (left); and her uncles, Mr Wale, Managing Director, Crane Advertising Ltd (second left); and Alhaji Taiwo (right).

able waste of time and resources of the parties. “The benefits of a reformed civil justice system in arbitration practice in Nigeria include introduction of an effective case management system; education of judges in the basic knowledge, philosophy and benefits of the arbitration and serving as a confidence booster to an arbitration agreement because parties will be secured in the knowledge that the judicial intervention will not be used to frustrate the arbitration agreement. “Considering the poor state of our court system in Nigeria today, it is all the more vital that we resolve disputes in a better way. We must have a justice system that is flexible and accessible and that delivers timely, effective and affordable outcomes. Arbitration is a key to achieving this. “In commercial transaction, conflicts will always be inevitable. However, since commercial pragmatism and not legal accuracy is the preference of men of commerce, parties must learn to contend without being contentious. What is needed, however, is not an idealistic embrace of a novel fad that will replace the courts, but the best utilisation of appropriate procedures that will facilitate the fair and efficient settlement of commercial disputes in Nigeria.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

Academy’s N50m for training of technical students

ITH the inauguration of the state-of-the-art Lagos Skipper Engineering Academy by Governor Babatunde Fashola at the Government Technical College, Ikotun last Wenesday, over N50 million will be expended yearly on the training of students of Electrical Installation and Maintenance Trade. Fashola, who expressed optimism that the academy would supply skilled technicians to man power installations, said: “This centre will become a model for electrical engineering and provide the human resources to power our state. The products from this institution will be of great value to themselves and their communities.” The governor was conducted round the centre by the Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Eko Project, Ms Ronke Azeez. Ms Azeez told The Nation that the academy has been equipped to world-class standard to improve the quality of tuition the students would receive. “The Lagos-Skipper Engineering Academy is a partnership between Skipper and the Lagos State govern-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ment to improve the quality of the electrical and power trade courses or programmes in the Government Technical College, Ikotun. There are many students who take this course. “However, over the years, we have not provided adequate facilities. But with the support from the governor, we are now able to provide the state-of-the-art electrical and power engineering academy. It is an academy that will help students to realise their potentials, improve their skills, knowledge and give them that wider opportunity to be able to work or go into further education or take up entrepreneurial skills,” she said. Ms Azeez said a train-the-trainers programme would commence in earnest for technical college teachers of the electrical installation course. Skippers’ Group President, Mr Jitender Sachdew, said the firm would invest up to N50 million yearly on training of teachers and students on exchange programme. He said by the time the students

• Skipper Academy Electrical Power System Room. Inset: Ms Azeez

graduate from the centre, they would be sought after both locally and internationally. “When the agreement is done, we are going ahead to invest almost N50 million per annum – where we will bring the curriculum, the principal, the trainers to train the trainers. The capacity building is there, and we also have the best syllabus, which is internationallyvalid.

“Therefore, we expect that technocrats that will graduate from this institution will be internationallyrecognised. Multinationals, or Nigerian firms that pick them will be among the first, not the last. That is my whole dream,” he said. The centre boasts of an electrical machine room, electrical/installation, electrical/power system rooms all fitted with equipment, as well as two classrooms and a store

that holds six-month supply of consumables. Yinka Adeosun, a student, is optimistic that the academy would add value to his training. “The facilities look nice. It will change how we learn. We were told it will combine with our school work. So, maybe when we have practical, we will come here to learn more,” he said.

Lagos TESCOM Co-operative inaugurates secretariat

ITH a new secretariat built by the Lagos State Teaching Service Co-operative Society (LSTSCS), the era of teachers cramming themselves in the old and often congested office in Ikeja is gone for good, its President, Comrade Taiwo Onipede, has said. The beautiful multipurpose structure, which wears a yellow and pink coat of paints, sits adoringly on Akesan-Egan road. It was inaugurated by members of the society most of who are teachers last week. Aside winning and dinning, the event also provided a forum for teachers to once again agree that the once poverty-stricken teachers with their weather beaten jacket is over; paving the way for a new generation of teachers that will reap their rewards both on earth and in heaven. The day was also for praises from members of the society, who commended the outgoing executive led by Onipede for leaving a legacy successive leadeerships can build on . Aside the teachers, also in attendance were representations from the six education districts of the state and the state’s Ministry of Education, among others. Going down memory lane, an ex

officio (II) of the group, Oyeniyi Morufu Adedeji, said the crisis, which rocked the society in 2001, paved the way for a successive executive which began the process of rebranding the body and renewing members’ hope. Onipede’s feat, Adeddeji stressed, surpassed any of his predecessors. Aside a surge in membership from 800 to 3000, the body’s monthly returns now stand at 90 million. Though the immediate past executive secured a 10-acre land in Ikorodu area of Lagos, Adedeji said Onipede consolidated on its achievement with the acquisition of additional 30 acres for teachers in Igbesa, Ogun State. Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, Education District V, Mrs Mary Taiwo Iji, described the facility as a symbol’ for renewing teachers’ hope. Represented by Mrs Grace Abudiore, Iji advised replicating same in other education districts. “This is simply reassuring us teachers that there is hope in our profession. Aside becoming landlords, we now have a facility to rent out to individuals. This will change our status from being house renters to house owners,” she said. The society’s immediate past president, Otitoju, in his address, urged the incoming administration

to consolidate on Onipede’s achievements. “In my own view, I will suggest that the incoming administration gives us a health centre where teachers can come for medical attention at subsidised rate. I also feel we should extend the services of the health centre to outsiders to generate more fund for the association,” he said. Revealing the inspiration before the facility, Onipede recounted that the office at the old Ikeja Secretariat was no longer befitting to members, hence the need for a new one. According to him, the new secretariat comprises a warehouse, two mini toilets, mini mart and an event hall, which will be given out to members to rent at discounted rate. “The era of house for rent; not for teachers’ is gone for good. With TESCOMs, teachers are now landlords, who will dictate who he or she wants to give his or her house to,” he said. Onipede attributed his feat to cooperation from his executive members and his predecessors. Mr Grace Bashir, Assistant Education Officer, Lagos State Ministry of Education, said he had no doubt that the name of the outgoing regime will be written in gold.

• 3 (From right) Onipede, Pastor Otitoju, Mr Omotayo Kazeem, Mrs Abudiore, Assistant Education Officer Ministry of Education Mr Bashua Bashir at the commissioning . (in set: The building at a glance).

•

• Pupils of the school diplay delicacies from the Southsouth region.

School hosts artists on Cultural Day

OREGOS Private Academy, Ipaja, Lagos, has held its Third Cultural

Day. The event, which had a large turnout of guests, parents and guardians had Oneness in Divergence as theme. It witnessed various presentations, including cultural display, fashion parade, ethnic group procession, drama presentation, among others, from across varying ethnic backgrounds. Founder, St Bernadette Educational Services(SBES)-Doregos Private Academy, Mrs, Clementina Doregos, described the countriy’s cultural heritage as feeble. She said: “It is so pathetic that our rich cultural values have been traded for western values and these have, in no small measure, affected the sense of belonging of our youths. Most of them have been isolated from their cultural roots as a result of this incursion.” Mrs Doregos said the platform was designed to make the children, who are miles away from their roots, see and appreciate the beauty and the glamour embedded in their culture, adding that it will also help priortoise and place much value on their rich cultures above the western cultures. Famous actor and lecturer, De-

By Sampson Unamka

partment of Theatre Arts, Lagos State University (LASU), Dr Sola Fosudo, who was the guest speaker, described the event as heart-warming. He lauded Nigerian schools and society for adopting such events to build up the nation’s cultural diversity. Fosudo, who spoke on ‘Unity, cultural diversity and nation building’, noted that Nigeria is well respected in the comity of nations because of her exciting festivals, cultural sites, variety of languages, foods, dresses, and creative and artistic ingenuity. “This robust cultural and creative heritage is what you are celebrating today. The different ethnic presentations have greatly added colour and glamour to the entire celebration. The variety in the dance, music, costumes and masks has been a source of visual aesthetics and excitement to all of us and I am sure that we have not only thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, we have also learnt about the cultures and traditions from each ethnic presentations.” Presentations were also made to the Chairman of the event, Director of Programmes, AIT, Ambrose Somide, Dr Fosudo and two special guests of honour, Mr Lasukanmi Eyiwumi and Adisa Bashiru.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

EDUCATION

Publishers kick against proposed 30% tariff on imported books

HE Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA) has urged the government not to impose duty on imported books. The group made this appeal, at its yearly conference and general meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. President of the association, Chief Ngwobia Okereke, urged the government not to go on with the introduction of the new tariff regime of 30 per cent levy. He said books are supposed to be without any import duties and warned that if government goes ahead, the move would hamper the development of the education sector. Similarly, Chairman, Safari Book Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout, who chaired the occasion, lamented that publishers were producing under stifling condition already without the duty which would worsen the situation. “The world is changing fast and we have to catch up with innovations. I understand that various meeting had been held with the Federal Ministry

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

of Finance, Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to revert duty to zero in a country where there are no paper mills; where everything to produce books are imported; even electricity, only the labour force is local. We still use printing machines that are obsolete in other countries apart from restricted capacity. Every country must have the right to manufacture whatever they want for economic and quality reasons,” he said. Speaking on the theme: “Nigeria book industry: National development and government policies,” the NPA President, Okereke, said the association chose it to review the growth of the publishing industry and the society at large based on various government policies. Lamenting frequent changes in education policies from successive administrations, he called on the government to ensure continuity to

improve education standards. Supporting Okereke’s call for continuity, Chairman, University Press Plc, Dr Lekan Are, said there must be a synergy between the industry and the Federal Ministry of Education. “Government policies are not stabilised. The Nigerian Publishers Association has come of age hence the government and the stakeholders must work together to move the nation forward,” he said. In his address, NUC’s Executive Secretary, Prof. Julius Okojie, said the book industry had contributed immensely to the development of the society. Represented by Prof Akanerem Essien, Okojie suggested that the research committee of the NPA should set in motion the analysis of the potential of e-book industry in the country. “It is better to start now to think about it while building on your platform. For a long time to come the print book will be of great relevance in our economy,” he said.

•From left: Mr Chidi Ajaegbu, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Alhaji Sule Yahaya Hamma, Pro- Chancellor, Northwest University Kano; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Kano, Alhaji Garba Gezawa; and the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Mohd Razali Agus during the foundation laying ceremony of a lecture Theatre donated by ICAN

HE Sultan of Sokoto, HRH Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III has invested N60 million in a publication that promotes the historical legacies of founding fathers of the Sokoto Caliphate. The publication captures some of the books written by the founders of the Caliphate over 200 years ago. Disclosing the patriotic efforts by the revered royal father on Monday in Sokoto, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Centre for Intellectual Services on Sokoto Caliphate, Prof Sambo Junaidu, explained that the books, either translated into Hausa or English, were published in Egypt. He said they would be distributed free across Nigeria. Junaidu who said this at a briefing on the second phase of the 2014 Quiz competition on Sokoto Caliphate's Literatures entitled, '' Taskar Daular Usmaniya,'' also said more of such books were in the process of being published. "The centre itself had translated and published 16 additional books of the founding fathers of the caliphate,'' he said. He pointed out that a lot could be learnt from the books as they contain plausible solutions to Nigeria's problems. "The books touched on religion, medicine, politics and good governance and sociology, among others", he noted. On the competition holding between December 3 and 8, Junaidu said 16 secondary and Islamiyya schools

Sultan commits N60m to books on Caliphate From: Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

were selected to participate in Sokoto. He added that the competition was sponsored by the Sultan with assistance from the Sokoto State Govern-

ment and a few philanthropists in the state. He said the competition aims at contributing to building an ideal Islamic society where people live exemplary lives like the founders of the caliphate.

UK body accredits OOU

HE International Professional Managers Association (IPMA)–United Kingdom (UK), has approved Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Ogun State as its first advanced internationally-accredited collaborative centre for professional excellence in Business Administration and Management in Nigeria. In a statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer of IPMA –UK, Prof Mike Wooi, said the establishment of the centre was part of its global efforts in honing the skills needed for excellence in operational, administration and strategic performance in both public and private sectors. Wooi said: “Olabisi Onabanjo University was chosen because its leadership and management have shown a very clear strategic focus and direction to advance professionalism and

competency in Business Administration and Management.” He said its centre at OOU would further enhance the institution’s credentials in academic and professional education, nationally and internationally. IPMA is a UK-based international examining, licensing and regulatory membership qualifying body that provides management and managementrelated students and workers with the opportunity to participate and be part of the process of improving administrative and managerial performance and effectiveness in all areas of business, industry and public administration around the world. “IPMA is a member of the National Academic Recognition Information Centre of the United Kingdom (UKNARIC) and is recognised in Nigeria by the Federal Ministry of Education,” Wooi said.

EDUTALK

with

Revisiting UNIJOS students' demands

TUDENTS of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) rioted last week over various levies charged by the university. They complained about the N10,000 deKofoworola velopment levy; N4,000 ICT fee, as well as the N10,000 late registration fee. They also want the N25,000 acKofosagie@yahoo.com ceptance fee for new students re08054503077 (SMS only) duced, and the N13,400 hostel accommodation fee reverted to the N4,600 they used to pay some years back. I have no problems with most of their demands save for the hostel accommodation fee that they want reduced and the late registration fee they want scrapped. Regarding the accommodation fee, the problem is not that it wouldn't be nice for students to rent their bed space for N4,600 for a session. However, would the students be nice to themselves if this were the case? It is common knowledge that students re-sell hostel bed spaces they purchased for peanuts from the school authorities for exorbitant amounts to their fellow students. They then use the amount to pay for off-campus accommodation and furnish it. When students engage in such practices, and the bed space becomes sold for as high as N40-N50,000, is it fair? When making such demands from the school authorities, then the students should also be ready to be accountable. The school management should outlaw re-selling of bed spaces allocated to students and put machineries in place to monitor such transactions. If caught, both the seller and the buyer should be punished severely. Regarding the late registration fee, students need to be realistic that the school management must institute some form of discipline. While there are truly indigent students that may struggle to pay fees on time, many others fail to complete their registration within the stipulated time frame because of laziness, procrastination or gross indiscipline. Some would push off the exercise to the last minute because they consider it too much of a bother to fill endless forms, queue for hours on end to get them signed, make photocopies of so many documents and the like. Some others would divert the money they were given for their fees for other things and tell lies to their parents at home. How can the UNIJOS Students' Union leaders defend such behaviour? Have they made effort to find out what percentage of students fall short when the registration deadline arrives? What percentage of those that fall short are truly indigent? When they conduct research and are able to provide accurate statistics that support the premise that many of the students fail to meet the registration deadline because they are indigent, then they can present their findings to the management and seek changes. However, for the university not to stipulate any punitive measures for failing to meet the registration deadline is to allow for indiscipline. On its part, the management should make efforts to address the concerns of the students. If they make payments, it should reflect in the quality of services they receive. For instance, in the case of the N4,000 annual ICT payment, students should see what that money is used for. Since it is collected for a specific purpose, then there should be obvious advancement in that area every session. The same goes for the development levy and the Acceptance Fees. The university should also institute a work-study scheme and solicit scholarships to help indigent students fund their education. With such schemes in place, I am sure the students should cooperate better.

Belo-Osagie

Tuition fee reduction at EKSU

OR Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, Christmas has already happened. Or what else can we make of the tuition fee reduction announced by Governor Ayo Fayose last Friday? It was indeed a Christmas gift coming almost one month early. However, while I applaud the governor for reducing the tuition fees to ease the burden borne by parents, I also urge him to ease the burden borne by the university management in running the university - simply by paying the N20,000 shortfall in revenue per student back to the school. It is only in this country that university education is cheaper than primary and secondary education. Education may be announced to be free. But in reality, someone pays because schools cannot run without money. So, I urge the governor to follow up this announcement with increased subvention to the university. But I will not fail to commend the governor for his decision not to change the leadership of the university and that of the College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti, simply because they were appointed by his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. He acknowledged that administrators of these two institutions have done well so far. This is good. Other leaders should learn from Fayose in this regard.

‘However, while I applaud the governor for reducing the tuition fees to ease the burden borne by parents, I also urge him to ease the burden borne by the university management in running the university - simply by paying the N20,000 shortfall in revenue per student back to the school’

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE NATION

NATURAL HEALTH E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

CLINIC DAY A foremost ophthalmologist and member of theNational Expert Committee for Research and Development in Natural Medicine ((NANTMP), Prof Adebukola Adefule Oshitelu examines the potential of traditonal medicine.

CLINIC DAY

What future for traditional medicine practice? P

ROF. Oluyemi Akinadewo of blessed memory worked tirelessly on the promotion of traditional medicine before he was called to glory. He made great contibutions in the areas of training production and practices. He along with Chief Olajuwon Okubena and other eminent Nigerians who meant well for Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) in Nigeria formed the National Expert Committee for Research and Development in Natural Medicine (NANTMP), with the plan of its ‘overflowing’ into the African Continent and beyond. This late Prof Akinadewo ‘s collaboration was put in top gear and he had NAFDAC, NNMDP, NIMR, NIPRID,NANTMP, LSTMB etc all under one body called, and it is the NANTMP. The body still exists. I took over from him in August 2013, as the ‘elected’, to steer the ship of the activities of the committee. That was at a meeting of the committee after his demise in May 2013. The aims and objectives of NANTMP are very well known to all the ranks and file of practitioners and I plead they allow us come strongly together and move effectively forward. We all know that a healthy nation is a progressive nation. A sick nation is a sinking and unproductive one. Health sector of any nation when rightly organised, should dictate the economic strength, viability, capability and growth of that nation. “Health is wealth” is that common saying and it is high time all stakeholders come together for the sake of moving the Natural

Question: I am a Nigerian in Diaspora. I am interested in funding Traditional/Natural Medicine research and development back home, but find it hard to connect with an umbrella body of stakeholders, to work with. What can be responsible for this? •Irene Kelechi, New York, US.

•Prof Adefule Oshitelu

Health sector forward. With all the ranting and bickering, which had taken place over the years, we should be asking ourselves a pertinent question- how have we faired and how are we fairing? Traditional Medicine is the direction the world is moving now. Almost every medicine prepared for prevention either in traditional or in an orthodox way, originates from nature. The collaboration between NANTMP and other bodies should be strenghtened. We have wasted much time and we are still wasting time. Nigeria has good fauna and flora. We should be championing some great innovations, globally. Recent surveys have revealed that 61 per cent of 877 drugs introduced globally can be traced to or were

How your texting or face book posture is killing you RE you on Facebook surfing right now? Or perhaps chatting with your friend via your phone? If you are, then stop for a while and check yourself, you looking down at your phone and that very posture that you have can force up to 60 pounds of unnecessary stress on your spine. On the average, people slump with their smartphones between two and four hours a day. For some extreme cases, the average can be up to 10 hours. And that awkward position can bring both temporary and long lasting damage to your spine according to a study by Surgical Technology International journal. Your adult head on the average weighs about 10 to 12 pounds, and that is also the same weight of the pressure put to your spine when you are sitting or standing upright with a perfect posture (that means you’re head is not tilted down and your back not slouched). Tilting your head multiplies the apparent weight that your spine needs to support and this pressure isn’t doing you any good. According to the study, tilting your head 15 degrees forward

would increase the amount of stress to 27 pounds. Tilt 30 degrees and it becomes 40 pounds. Tilt 45 degrees and it becomes 49 pounds and if you move even further and tilt your head 60 degrees, it becomes 60 pounds. The worse news is a lot of people tilt their head at 60 degrees in order to focus on their smartphones. Kenneth K. Hansraj, M.D., chief of spine surgery at New York Spine Surgery & Rehabilitation Medicine and author of the study noted that the practice has a lot of negative effects. Not only can that cause a literal pain in your neck, but it also puts stress on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments,” wrote Hansraj. But it’s not the end for Facebook and text lovers, as a little adjustment can make a big difference. Our expert recommends always having proper posture, and that means to your shoulder blades and your shoulders aligned and your back in neutral position. This might put a little stress on your arms for lifting your smartphone higher but hey that’s the reason these gadgets are becoming lighter. •Source: www.stethnews.com

inspired by natural products. There is a new respect for nature. Natural products are the recent needs for human race. Globally, privileged structures inherent within natural products are gaining grounds from 2004. About 350,000 plants species are recorded globally, but one third are yet to be discovered. Only a fraction of the two third that are discovered have been investigated chemically and some are getting extinct. Why are we wasting time? All hands are needed on decks. We need to know that special researches must be done and research and Ethics Centres must be recognised and acknowledged. Globally, ethics demand that human beings and even animals should not be exposed to danger and unapproved drug trials without approval from designated authorities. There must be an arrangement for the national collation of all these useful researches from these centres. For instance, the discovery of an-

tiviral activity of Garcinia Kolanut (GK), that is ‘orogbo’has been clinically proven to possess antiviral activity since 2004, here in Nigeria. Adenovirus causes epidemic haemorrhagic kerato conjunctivitis. The same is known as ‘Apollo’. It is annual, seasonal and common during the dry season. This causes eye redness, discharge, haemorrhage, fever, malaise, sore throat etc. For the fact that GK is edible, non-toxic, it’s extract was put to clinical trials with volunteers and after extensive animal laboratory experiments, GK‘s efficacy as antiviral against adenovirus was convincingly demonstrated. My paper titled: “Anfani Orogbo” (benefits of garcina kola) has been published and it is on the internet. I know that there are challenges in collaboration and in developing traditional medicine such as honesty; trust; lack organisation especially with the traditional products; finance. Also equipment to work with is not available and if available is expensive (such as TLC, HPLC, Solvents etc); non-toxic containers/plastics not readily available; even when molds are present/ fabricated, they are cumbersome in acceptance, production and packaging. Illiteracy, inferiority complex, greed, corruption etc also impede the progress of traditional medicine. I can be quoted anywhere that there are opportunities in traditional medicine. Many such nature’s blessings abound in Africa, they are natural and available; cost effective Rx. Cooperation is possible with pharmacists, authentic traditional practitioners, clinical and laboratory researchers,

•Texting-PostureBack-Pain-Problem

•Texting-PostureBack-Pain

doctors and all other professionals in the health sector. Production and packages can be improved upon for there is availability of personnel. More job opportunities abound, just as traditional medicine would lead to job creation. Exportation and brighter economy also is certain. For Traditional Medicine to take its rightful place, I recommend honesty and trust among practitioners; open and positive attitude; a regular and frequent continuous medical education enlightenment must be done; encourage practitioners to cooperate; do more clinical trials for evidence based results and products. Establish more equipped laboratories and institutions for researches, investigations, trainings and production. There is the need for a positive input of government by giving grants and purchase of equipment for practitioners and stakeholders. Release from all institutions of higher learning, all useful researches done and proven relevant to the promotion of health of mankind and merging of such vast researches and results for production of useful remedies for the masses; and ensuring that only authentic and effective efficacious natural products are exported.Unity and meaningful cohesion among natural practitioners must become a reality. Let practitioners begin to value God and ourselves and our achievements. The government has to get fully involved by passing the Bill on natural medicine into Law, and fund it to harvest back in multiples. Anybody that wants to collaborate, in and outside the country can be part of NANTMP.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NATURAL HEALTH

Coping with stressors of austerity measures, Elections

IGERIA is at an advanced stage of an all-solutions defying illness. And like the temperature of the polity, that of the economy is rising dangerously. The health of the nation may, sooner than later, encompass and suffocate the health of its citizens. For, although man forms his environments, that is, man gives rise to the state of his environment, too, gives back to him the wheat or the chaff that he sowed into it. Uncharacteristically in an election season, the government of Nigeria has admitted that the economy has become wobbled, that income sources are drying up, that austerity measures must be imposed if the house is not to collapse like a pack of cards or melt like ice cubes in the scorching, tropical African sun. A few days after, on Wednesday last week, the Naira, Nigeria’s currency, traded an all-time low against the United States Dollar at N186 to the dollar. Even at about N150 or N155 a few weeks before, life had become too unbearable for many citizens. In the austerity measures proposed, salaries may be cut and jobs may be erased. The prices of luxury goods are to go up. But there is as yet no hope that other prices will be curbed or slashed in balance with pay and wage loss. With the slide of the Naira against the dollar, so many price scenarios can be imagined... •Transport fares will go up as the prices of tyres, spare parts etc increase •As transport fares skyrocket, food prices will join the bandwagons, Real wage will further plumet. •House rent will rise. Hospital bills are to be expected to rise as well as the hospitals face bigger rents in their rented accommodation and the prices of pharmaceutical drugs will join the bandwagon. •Electricity price will head for yet another triple jump. Already, the new owners of electricity generation and supply plants are literally raping consumers who have been left with no protection in the government sale deals. Not many Nigerians can call off the bluff of the electricity companies as I have done. For about the six years I lived on Emina Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos, I had no electricity supply in the property by my own choice. Every month, the meter would not be read and I would be given “crazy” bills, as outrageous charges are called, month after month. For some time, I paid the bills. Once I paid for one month the bill went up the next. Finally, I wrote to the manager at the Ikeja NEPA office to disconnect supply to the property. The disconnection was carried out. But for the next six months, the crazy bills continued to come. I protested to the manager, who apologized, soon, I relocated to another property, where I have lived for eight years without electricity supply. The bills they slap on residents here are crazier than those at Ikeja. I have been approached many times by electricity officials to have the house connected, but I have not agreed. What has come out of it all, is that these electricity officials are given targets of income to make for the companies every month, and they slap on consumers whatever bills that would make these targets achievable, irrespective of whether they consume a third of the bills they are given to pay. In a shopping complex where I have an office, crazy bills are flying all about. To rub salt on injury, electricity fails for hours on and every day, but the bill keeps rising. Currently, there has been no supply for three days. The boys who fix faults say something got burnt in the transformer. They say we should contribute money to fix it. Some people like me think this is irregular. We pay outrageous bills while whoever owns the business smiles to the bank to enjoy monies they didn’t work for. That is stealing, and whoever participates in this thieving is an enemy of the economy. On top of it all, it is criminal, in my view, for the owners of this strategic industry to ask consumers to maintain their plants. The government conveniently pretended until now not to know what economic injuries are inflicted on electricity consumers because the people it sold the plants to are their political friends! For now, irrespective of entreaties from my friends, including Mr. Dotun Akintoye and Dr. Bisola Fernandez, I will continue to read for, and write my column with light from a torch. •What about air travel? Consumer goods will fare no better! Salons and restaurants, too, will ask for their share of the cake. But what I think will cause the biggest multiplier effect will be another round of fuel price hike. Earlier, I said it was uncharacteristic for a government to tell voters in an election season that such scenarios as these are what it holds in stock for them when the hurly burly is done and the battle is won by it and lost by the opposition. In my view, it can only do so when, through electionmatics, it is certain to win the polls. We may have begun to see electionmatics at work. The State Security Service (SSS) has invaded the data office headquartres of the opposition removing computers etc. The Opposition claims the hard discs were removed and replaced with new hard disks. The SSS has apologised that it went to the wrong place! It is mind boggling that they did not check signboards or have prior briefing on the location. In any case, how is this different from Watergate already. Also, Ekiti State is suggesting to us to tolerate lawlessness as the Law. In that state, the Executive has overpowered the Judiciary. At the federal level, the police Inspector-General has diminished the office of the speaker of the House of Representatives, simply because the president has not been seeing eye-to-eye with him since the speaker moved over to the opposition. Yet constitutionally, the president has a duty to protect and respect this office, whatever the political learnings of incumbent. As I write, I have no permanent voter card (PVC) to vote in the next year’s election. There are millions like me who may have been disenfranchised. As we march onto the elections, I foresee that many agencies of State will fall behind the ruling party, to ensure the establishment returns to power, even if the voters desire a change. So I do not see revelations by the government that it has plunged

Nigeria into economic disaster impacting negatively, on the government’s chances at the polls. Inept people, inept govt, inept nation.

E all saw it coming. But we were all too inept to deal with it, or, as the American Press has described our President, Dr Goodluck, Ebele Jonathan, we must be “shockingly slow and inept”. We cannot extricate ourselves from this malaise of the President. We all, including members of his party, the professional and labour unions, should have kept him on his toes or asked him to go if he cannot handle the economy. The Americans gave us two years notice that they would stop buying Nigerian crude oil. America was buying 40 per cent of Nigeria’s OPEC crude quota. The loss of this revenue would definitely destabilise a fragile economy dependent about 96 per cent on crude oil sales and in which the manufacturing sector has been destroyed by traders who import second-hand products. We were importing from China things such as toothpick, biscuit, Christmas fireworks, children’s clothes, chocolate, chewing gum and handkerchiefs, to mention a few. Used shoes are everywhere. So are used brassieres and women’s underbriefs. Even used frames of eye-glasses, like used types and bicycles, are everywhere. As early as March every year, Christmas fireworks are imported and kept in warehouses, to be released into the market in the first week of December. The customs service and the police pretend not to remember that fireworks were banned in Nigeria during the 1962 to 1966 politician crises in the then Western Nigeria. Millions of naira, if not billions, will go up in flames this Christmas because these public agencies failed to do their jobs. I have friends who are running helter skelter for money to clear containers load of children’s dresses from China which are targeted at the Nigerian Christmas market. Fireworks and these dresses will keep many Chinese employed in Chinese factories while many Nigerian University graduates who graduated six years ago when Goodluck Jonathan became President are still unemployed. It is distressing for parents who struggled to educate these children to continue to feed them and look after them when they should have been on their own and parents should have begun to “enjoy” their lives, as we say. To add to this pain of the heart, austerity measures are coming, to compound these problems. I said earlier, President Jonathan alone was not to be blamed for the present economic distress, even if as President, the buck stops at his desk for being “shockingly slow and inept.” Let me ask, as an underscore of this point: How many people in Akwa Ibom State challenged the building by the governor, Godswill Akpabio, of a multi-billion international naira stadium at this time, which is said to be the second best on earth. President Jonathan was at the commissioning with all the three presidents who were invited to the function. About a quartre of Akwa Ibom youth are in Lagos and the south-west engaged in menial jobs because they have no skills. Couldn’t their lives have been better and their self-worth improved if the money thrown at the stadium had been invested in farm settlements? There are many Akwa Ibom children whose parents are residents in Lagos for about 20 years who would love to go to school back home. Frustrated because there are not enough places at school, these children had to attend school elsewhere. The Press has failed to do a follow-up on this stadium. How many international matches was it expected to host every month, to earn its upkeep and not become a drain on the public purse? How many matches has it hosted since it was commissioned? Is it showing signs of becoming a drain on the public purse? Will the state transfer this burden to the federal purse by inviting the federal government to take over the stadium if the stadium is an electronic waste, how does society punish this distress? In like manner, we have failed to ask President Jonathan to conclude all in like manner, we have failed to ask President Jonathan to conclude all cases of corruption which, providentially, were bought into the open for us all to see how really dirty we all are. Or, have we accepted his position that “stealing is not corruption”. Had we all been visionary, the government would have set up commissions into various potential income yielding endeavours. Trains would have replaced motor cars and buses, cutting waste of money on their imports. The Nige-

rian Railway Corporation (NRC) was Nigeria’s biggest single employer in colonial times. Had farm settlements been set up and then sold on the stock market, food may have been cheaper and more jobs may have been created. Had a Ministry of Business Ideas been set up, posting business ideas and feasibility studies on its website, it is possible some sleepy souls would have woken up, and the Small Scale Enterprises (SME) sector would have come alive. I remember the young man (sorry I have forgotten his name) who came up with the FARM NIGERIA project, the project planned to set up rabbit farm in all 774 local government headquartres. It was a Non Government Organisation (NGO) designed to produce millions of rabbit meat for export to Europe every month. I was priviledged to be a member. Former Governor Samuel Ogbemudia was the Chairman. I was privileged to be in the farm Nigeria team which met with former president Shehu Shagari in Abuja to appeal to him to be the patron. A simple man, Shagari agreed. The project went well, funded from donations from the members. It did not appeal to the government and soon wound up! We can revive this project. We can start snail farms all over Nigeria. We can start herbs farms and sell to the world. After Information Technology, plant medicine are today’s second biggest revenue earner for many countries. That’s why Malasia is here with EDMARK products and DYNAPHARM, that is why INDIA ORGANICS is here with plant tinctures. That is why China has come with product from Tianshi, Greenworld, Kasly, Meylon FORHOW etc. Even Cameroun has come with NATURE’S GIFT FOR LIFE. The Americans are not left behind. What herb does Nigeria have to give the world except JOBELYN, a one-man effort of Olajuwon Okubena which the government is yet to recognise? As we tighten our belts for the descent into the distress of austerity measures, an inevitable consequence of our being collectively “shockingly slow and inept”, we would be challenged by many stressors in the polity and in the economy which may threaten our health, even lives. The man and woman who will scale through with minor scratches is that person who does not blame any other for his or her plight but himself or herself for being “shockingly, slow and inept”, and then opens his eyes, ears and heart to information flying about him or her. Our forefathers would appear to have kitted us for this time in the following Yoruba proverbs… ti a ba n gun iyan ninu odo, ti a ba nro oka n’inu epo epa, eni a yo a yo (whether we pound yam in a mortar, or in a groundnut shell, he that would have food enough to feed his stomach will have it”. Coping with the stress

WO seasons of stress have rolled into one to literally fast forward the pace of our lives. Already, you will find people in the street rushing as though the world is about to come to an end. When I walk in a busy street in the evenings, I hold a torch. Yet rushing people bump into me as if they are blind. Some even blame me for the bumping. But when I ask if they didn’t see the light am holding, they apologise. The pace of doing things to make ends meet will heighten without much to show for it, and this will further quicken the pace. Emotional and physical stress damage the body and cause rapid aging, exhibited sometimes in premature greying. The adrenal glands, located one on top of each kidney, produce stress chemicals which enable us cope with stress. For the forces within must equate the forces impacting upon us externally, otherwise we may go under. Two of the major stress chemicals produced by the adrenals are Adrenalin and Cortisol. We need them, but too much of them is dangerous. Too much cortisol, for example, can prevent the brain from feeding on glucose and disrupt communication among brains cells, apart from injuring blood vessels, breaking down muscle tissue and weakening the immune system. There is a long list of many havocs of a blood elevation of this hormone over a prolonged period. Adrenaline causes blood sugar to rise for use by the body in a fight or flight emergency. It makes the muscle to tighten and the heart to beat faster. This may become dangerous if we cannot burn the energy it produces in our bodies. Tightened muscles can cause high blood pressure, digestive disorders, insomnia, skin disorders, mood swings, depression etc existing health problems can worsen. Stress may compound anxiety or anxiety prolonged disorders or end in panic attacks, some of the symptoms of which are cold sweat, dizziness and weakness, tingling in the extremities or situations which resemble an oncoming heart attack. While it is important to use supplements which help in these conditions, it is necessary, also, to balance blood sugar, red blood count, stabilise the thyroid gland and rehabilitate on overworking or burnt-out adrenal glands. Some of these useful food supplements are: Glutamine One of the three components of glutathione, one of the three basic antioxidants in the body, this amino acid supplement is an anti-aging agent. Dr. Dausks Wilmore, M.D., one time professor of surgery at Havard Medical School, and his physician wife. Judy Shabert, author of: ‘The ultimate Nutrient glutamine’, have researched glutamine extensively. He describes it as “essential nutrient” for stressed-up people. It is said to boost immunity, combat illness and speed recovery. They say glutamine revives muscles which are weakened by stress and illness. According to Havard Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 30,000 mg of Glutamine is routinely given to ill surgicial patients. When he was 56, Dr Wilmore took 8,000 mg of Glutamine two times daily and doubled the dosage for exercise, he ran 40 miles a week. At Duke University, Dr Emmanuel Opara who boosted glutathione in mice with glutamine, routinely consumes 2000mg of glutamine every day. Heat and acid destroy glutamine so it should not be taken with acidic or hot food.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

RACE TO 2015

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Stiff contest for ticket in Benue By Raymond Mordi

• Jime

N Benue State, Governor Gabriel Suswam will be handing over the mantle of leadership to another person come May 2015, having spent the maximum constitutional two terms of eight years in office. Whoever will take over from Suswam will be expected to carry the people’s hopes for improved welfare and security. A kind of zoning arrangement has been in place over time in the state, even though it has mainly been among the two Tiv-dominated, hugely population zones of Benue North East and Benue North West. There is a growing recognition nevertheless that Benue South should be given the chance, since the two Tiv-speaking zones have governed in the persons of Senator George Akume (1999-2007) and Suswam (2007 till date). Benue South is largely Idoma. But, the only obstacle to the Benue South agitation is the governorship aspiration of a Tiv sub-tribe, which also feels they have been alienated. This feeling is based on the fact that of the five

families that make up the Tiv lineage, the Masev, Ihiarev, Nongov, collectively known as the MINDA, have not produced a governor of the state since its creation in 1976. The other four members of the Tiv family have ruled the state and so there is sympathy among the Tiv population for the MINDA to succeed Suswam before power could rotate Benue South. Besides zoning, other factors expected to shape the emergence of the next governor of Benue State are political experience and educational background. The APC’s chances in Benue this time around are fairly bright. Though Benue has been governed by the PDP since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the APC has been making incursions into the state over the years. So far, only three persons are contesting for the party’s governorship ticket for the forthcoming election. They are: the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Hon. Emmanuel Jime; retired Permanent Secretary, Akanga Audu; and the 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Prof. Steven Ugba.

Jime Given the circumstances surrounding the race for the APC ticket in the state, Jime who has become more or less the rallying point for the party in Benue State in recent times perhaps has the brightest chance in the contest. Barring any last minute political realignment in the fold, he looks set to get the ticket. This is because he appears to be the most sellable candidate for the party in next year’s

governorship contest. This could be gleaned from the massive support he enjoys from party members and the generality of the people in the state, who see him as a symbol of their yearnings and aspirations for change. For instance, he was surrounded by die-hard supporters three weeks ago when he arrived Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to pick up his nomination form. A former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly and two-time member of the House of Representative, Jime only recently defected from the PDP to the APC and he is viewed as the likely candidate of the party. Jime, who hails from Makurdi in the MINDA area, has promised to bring policies that would bring the majority of the people out of poverty, if he becomes governor.

Audu Audu, a former Permanent Secretary who served the current administration of Governor Suswan, is perceived as competent and qualified to govern. The big-time farmer who is also from the MINDA’s axis, equally served former Governor Akume. But, critics say age is no longer on his side and that he may be a hard sell for the party during the election.

Ugba As a former governorship candidate of one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, Ugba equally has a good chance of picking the ticket. He gave incumbent Governor Suswan a good fight during the the last election in 2011 and by even by pursuing his petition to the Supreme Court.

But, observers say he may have lost the passion and drive for the contest, following his long-drawn out battle with Suswan. For instance, such observers argue that his presence when Jime collected his nomination form suggests that he might step down for the latter in the very last minute.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

lived up to expectation as attested to by his achievements across the sectors. Many people want him to continue beyond 2015,” he added. Amosun controls the party machinery at ward, local government and state levels. He is also loved by national party leaders, who believe that he has done the APC proud, owing to his feats across the sectors. A native of Owu, Amosun has been endorsed by Egba monarchs and community leaders for a second term. In Egbado and Ijebu/Remo areas, his works, especially the urban renewal programmes and successful infrastructural battles, speak for him. However, after securing re-nomina-

tion, the governor will have to gird his loins. The ruling party is polarised in Ogun. His deputy, Prince Segun Adesegun, and three senators-Alhaji Gbenga kaka 9Ogun East), Segun Obadara (Ogun Central) and Akin Odunsi (Ogun West)-are up in arms against him. The three senators who have defected to the Social democratic Party (SDP) have the backing of the APC leader, former Governor Olusegun Osoba. Some members of the House of Assembly have also deserted the governor. Therefore, while Amosun will not be opposed at the primaries, which will pale into a mere coronation for him, he will have to gird his loins as he prepares for the general election.

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Julius Ucha

Senator Julius Ucha is one of the governorship aspirants in Ebonyi State. He is the former Speaker of the House of Assembly. In 2011, he contested the general elections on he platform of the defunct All Nigeria peoples Party (ANPP). Others He is a grassroots politician from Ebonyi Central, the zone that produced The former Minister of State for Trade Martin Elechi as governor in 2007. He and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, who is loved by many people in the party has just transferred allegiance to the and the state. APC, may be a surprise beneficiary of Ogbonaya Onu the party’s governorship ticket. Ortom Onu is a political warhorse and a deswitched loyalty at the last minute, cent man. In the Third Republic, he was when he realized that his aspirations the governor of the old Abia State. The within his former party, the PDP, were elder statesman is a national leader of under threat. the APC. he is popular across the state. A grassroots politician, Dr. Ortom en- In 2007, he vied for the governorship joyed wide support within the party and on the platform of the ANPP. He lost to outside and therefore, stands a better Elechi. many APC national leaders are chance of becoming the flag bearer of rooting for his candidature. PDP in the state. He possessed the kind Steve Egbo of charisma that is highly valued in poThe political scientist hails from litical circles and his popularity cut across Onicha Council, South District. the docall the three senatorial districts of the torate degree holder in Public Adminstate. istration is fondly called the “giant Even before now, he has always en- killer” by admirers. Many delegates are joyed the support from the opposition. rooting for him, pwing to the percepMany have argued that he knows the tion that he and Ucha will team up job description better than other aspir- against Onu. ants, having been an industrialist, enAustin Edeze trepreneur and a farmer by extension. he is the former Chairman of the Senator Joseph Waku also joined the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education contest for the governorship ticket of Fund when Dr. Sam egwu was the govthe APC two weeks ago. Waku left the ernor. He is from the North, which is PDP in 2003, after he had served as Sena- not favoured by zoning as far as calcutor on the platform of the party. He said lations for general elections are conhe is in the race on the platform of the cerned. Edeze is a popular politician. APC so that he would use the experi- But, he is not in control of the party ence he garnered over the years to de- machinery. velop the state.

Where are Imo aspirants?

Ogun: It’s walk over for Amosun HE shadow poll in Ogun State will be a walk over for Gover nor Ibikunle Amosun, who is seeking re-election. He has no rival at the primaries. He is a lone ranger in the race. Perhaps, the chapter is taping from the tradition of conceding the nomination to an incumbent, in recognition of his constitutional right to a second term and his achievements in the first term. Two weeks ago, the governor rounded off his “popularity tour” of the local governments. He was endorsed for second term across the three districts. In fact, one of his aides, Soyombo Opeyemi, said Amosun is prepared for 2015. “The governor has

Who ’ll fly flag in Ebonyi

• Amosun

HERE is confusion in Imo State. There is no aspirant yet. The governor has been cleared fo the presidntil election. Many believe that Governor Rochas Okorocha has a second term ambition. But, he has not declared any re-election bid. How will the confusion be resolved? A party source said that the ticket is still being kept for the governor, who is the Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum. A source said: “There is no evidence that Okorocha will win at the APC presidential primaries where Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar are contesting. After the primaries, there will still be a room for the substitution of candidates. I guess the governor will still be the governorship candidate in Imo.”

Oyo: It is coronation for Ajimobi By Emmanuel Oladesu

• Ajimobi

N Oyo State, the governorship race is no more a matter of con jecture. Unlike Amosun, his Ogun State counterpart, Governor Abiola Ajimobi has rivals at the primaries. But, the aspirants, Adebayo Shittu, a lawyer, former lawmaker and Commissioner for Justice, and

Dr. Ayo Adesina, are not perceived as a formidable challenger. His support base, according to watchers, is thin. His structure is also weak. Besides, Shittu lacks a formidable financial muscle. Many party stalwarts have described him as a loyal paper weight politician. A source said that he entered the race, following the sentiment against the governor in some quarters that he has not done well. Reflecting on this perception, a zonal officer of the party, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Bayo Shittu is like a spoiler in the race. I tell you that he will not get up to 10 votes at the primaries.” However, Shittu, in a chat with reporters in Lagos, said that “Oyo APC needs a fresh blood to win.” He explained that, despite the control of “party power” by the governor, many indigenes have an axe to grind with him

over his alleged politics of exclusion. Ajimobi has been endorsed by individuals, groups and associations. APC chieftain and former deputy governor Iyiola Oyedokun, who noted that the governor has the right to seek re-nomination, said that “he has tried his best.” He alluded to the urban renewal programme, which has given Ibadan, the state capital, a face lift, and the construction and rehabilitation of roads. “Every government has its own focus. Anybody that goes into government must have a focus. Ajimobi has focused on some areas,” he added. Ajimobi will emerge as the flag bearer because he wields enormous influence in the chapter. But, the political family is under stress. This has implications for the general election. Few months ago, Senators Olufemi Lanlehin and Ayo Adeseun

left the ruling party. Lanlehin is joining forces with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja’s Accord Party (AP). Adeseun is teaming up with the PDP. Therefore, while it will be easy for the governor to get the ticket, he has a major battle to fight at the general election. Many stakeholders have said that the two challengers-Dr Adesina,son of the late Alhaji Lam Adesina, and Shittu, are courageous politicians. Adesina is based in the United Kingdom. He is unknown in Oyo State politics, unlike his late father. He does not have a formidable structure. Shittu has been a politician since the Second Republic. He was a member of the old Oyo State House of Assembly, representing Saki, his home town. He was also a commissioner in the Ladoja Administration between 2003 and 2007.He contested the governorship election on the platform of the defunct Congress for Pro-

gressive Change (CPC) in 2011 and lost to Ajimobi. The performance was woeful. He joined the APC at its inception. The odds against Shittu are many. He hails from Oke-Ogun and his political structure is not look strong enough to win the ticket. Major political parties are interested in fielding Ibadan indigenes. To them, Ibadan has a high voting population. The odds favour Ajimobi, owing to his experience and political standing. He became a senator under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 2003. He was the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007. Many believed that he won the 2007 poll. Ajimobi wields the power of incumbency. he is also a performing governor. Despite the fact that some party chieftains have issues with him in some areas, Ajimobi will pick the ticket.

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

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Many believe this is the payback time for Wamakko, who benefitted from the generosity of the Speaker when he (Wamakko) was on the verge of disqualified and humiliated two years ago

RACE TO 2015

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Defining moment for Tambuwal in Sokoto By Leke Salaudeen

EFORE the Speaker of House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, declared his intention to contest the Sokoto governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there were seven aspirants vying for the ticket. Five of them are from Sokoto South zone, where Tambuwal hails from. They include: Governor Aliyu Wamakko’s close associate and the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Faul Malami Yabo, who was the governorship candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2012; the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Umaru Dahiru Tambuwal; Ibrahim Danbaba; Mallam Yushau Kebbe; and a former Commissioner for Information, Mr Aliyu Sayinna. The two aspirants from Sokoto Central are: Professor Lawal Bashar and Alhaji Abubakar Bello Guiwa. But, obviously the odds favour Tambuwal. The relationship between him and Governor Wamakko, as well as the zoning of the governorship ticket to Sokoto South are working in his favour to clinch the ticket. Observers are of the opinion that Wamakko has no option at this crucial time but to settle for Tambuwal, who many believe has what it takes to battle the PDP in next year’s general elections in the Northwest state in particular and the country in general. Tambuwal, according to observers, is endowed with good leadership qualities, charisma, humility and the war chest to prosecute next year’s governorship election, compared with other aspirants. Many believe this is the payback time for Wamakko, who benefitted from the generosity of the Speaker when he (Wamakko) was on the verge of disqualified and humiliated two years ago. This followed a petition by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the governor was involved in anti-party activities. To demonstrate his support for Tambuwal’s governorship ambition, Wamakko told APC members at a stakeholders meeting held in Sokoto: “I want to inform all stakeholders of the APC gathered here that Tambuwal has been with us since the formation of our great party. We told him to remain in the PDP until the day of nomination of the party’s governorship candidate. And today is the day. So, we should put the interest of the party above our personal interest and not to be like the PDP who are quarrelling over positions.” After the stakeholders meeting, the impression created among the people was that Wamakko had anointed Tambuwal as the APC governorship candidate ahead of the election. Wamakko’s body language suggests that he is favourably disposed towards Tambuwal’s Sokoto governorship bid. But Senator Dahiru has dismissed Tambuwal as a threat to his winning the party’s governorship ticket. He said: “I can never be threatened by anybody. He is not and can never be a threat to me. I believe that nobody can play God. It is for God to decide who would become the party’s flag bearer. “Tambuwal is welcome. All we want is a free and fair election. There is nothing to be worried about and I believe he will concede if he is defeated at the primaries. I will equally do the same, if I find myself in that circumstance. It is not only Tambuwal and me; there are eight of us in the race. “I want to succeed Governor Wamakko in office to improve on what he has done. I believe there is more work to be done in Sokoto and I believe I have the capacity to do much more than what is already on the ground.” Prof Bashar from Sokoto Central has opposed the move to pick Tambuwal as the party’s consensus candidate and criticised the party for zoning the governorship ticket to Sokoto South. He argued that zoning is not in the party’s guidelines for contesting an election. He warned that such arrangement could deny aspirants a level-playing ground to emerge as party’s flag bearer. But, the supporters of Guiwa said their aspirant would accept all measures taken by the APC leadership to ensure that a credible candidate emerges in the end. “Politics is all about popularity and strength; we want a situation where all aspirants would meet at the party’s primaries,” one of such supporters said. • Tambuwal

HE crisis within the ruling Peo ples Democratic Party (PDP) in the North East state of Taraba gives the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) a good chance of winning next year’s governorship election in the state. While aspirants within the ruling party are busy fighting one another, the APC has been consolidating its preparations towards the contest. Within the APC, there is no contest as such, as Senator Aisha Alhassan, is fast emerging as the consensus candidate of the party for the governorship position. Observers say there are only three genuine governorship aspirants in the state this time around; with two of them coming from the ruling PDP and the third one being the sole contender from the APC, Alhassan.

• Peterside

• Umana Umana

• Gaidam

A festival of choice Abia: It is Anyim versus Ikeocha

HIEF Nyerere Anyim and Chief Nathaniel Ikeocha formidable candidates in Abia State. Ayim, the Southeast APC leader, is a close friend Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha. he is from Abia South District. At a rally in Aba Recreational Club, Okorocha drummed support for him, saying that he is fit to rule Abia State. An accountant, Anyim contested for the Senate as a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2007. He lost. But, he is a determined aspirant. Ikeocha is a lawyer and politician. He is a veteran governorship aspirant. His posters are on the walls of buildings in the state capital. There are indications that the former deputy governor, Acho Nwakanma, may join the race. Speculations are also rife that Senator Nkechi Nwogu may defect from the PDP to the APC to participate in the contest.

Enugu: No epic battle

The arrowhead of the chapter, Okey Ezea, a lawyer, is the leading aspirant. He is a long distance runner. he is a committed party man. He was the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2007 poll. he challenged the victory of Governor Chillivan Chime at tribunal. He later defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Ezea is passionate about the future of Enugu State. He is of the opinion that the state will be better under the APC.

Sokoto: A day of destiny for Tambuwal House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Senator Umar Dahiru 9Sokoto South) are in the race. The Speaker has the backing of Gov-

By Emmanuel Oladesu

Though the PDP has been governing the state since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the APC has the upper hand this time around, in the sense that it is facing the governorship contest as a united entity. While the APC, which has settled for Senator Alhassan as its candidate is already strategising on how to take over the state, the PDP on the other hand is still enmeshed in internal crisis over who succeeds the ailing Governor Danbaba Suntai. Alhassan made a foray into the political scene in 2011, when she contested for the Senate. She floored two political heavyweights in the person

of former Governor Jolly Nyame and the then sitting Senator, Anthony Manzo, to clinch the seat. Alhasssan is an amazon of sorts and a lady of many firsts. For example, she was the first female to occupy the Office of Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Taraba State. She is also the first female politician to contest and beat two men in an election for the senatorial seat, which she now occupies. Now, she is on the verge of becoming the first female to vie for the office of the governor of the state. Given what she has done in the last three and half years to uplift the living conditions of her constituents, she may be on the threshold of

ner. He is the power broker.

ernor Aliyu Wammako. Other aspirBauchi ants are Prof. Lawal bashar, Yushua The contenders are former House of Kebbe and Senator Jibril Gada. Representatives member Yusuf Tuggar, Nuhu Gidado, an engineer, and Kaduna: el-Rufai, former federal permanent secretary Sadiq Mahamoud. Others are Senator others square up Former Minster of the Federal Capi- Ibrahim Lame, former Minister of Potal Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el- lice Affairs, Ibrahim Zailani, a lawyer Rufai, Hon. Shamuseeden Ango and former Attorney-General and Abdullahi, Salisu Mohammed, Isa Commissioner for Justice, Mihammed Ashiru, and Haruna Kajuru are com- Umar and Abdullahi Abubakar. peting for the ticket.

Kano Rivers, Zamfara and Kwara: The push for a consensus candidate may have failed. The aspirants are Another coronation The House of Representatives member Hon. Dakuku Peterside has been endorsed for the governorship by APC stakeholders in Rivers State. Also, in Kwara State, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has no rival. In Zamfara State, Governor Abdulaziz Yari has also been endorsed for re-election by the party.

Deputy Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Senator Kabiru gaya, Hon. Abdulrahman kawu and Alhaji Usman Alhaji.

Bornu

The candidate id Governor kashim Shettima.

Adamawa Yobe: Gaidam has a challenger Senator Jibrilla Bindo, Abdulaziz In Yobe State, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is the candidate to beat. But, Nyako, Yahaya Mijinyawa and Prof. his challenger, Mustapha Maihaja, has Mamman Tahir, a legal scholar, are the contenders. Former Vice President promised to give him a good fight. Atiku Abubakar may decide who gets the ticket. Katsina: Crowded race The aspirants are Senator Sadik Yar’ Taraba Adua, former House of Representatives Senator Aisa Alhassan, the Amazon, Speaker Bello masari, Sada Ilu, Mannir Yakubu, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Abubakar is strong in the race, in the absence of Funtua, Senator Abu Ibrahim, and senator Joel Ikenya, who has returned former Deputy Governor Garba to the PDP. Aminchi. It is believed that Gen. Jigawa Muhammadu Buhari will play a major Farouk Aliyu, Hashim Yusufu and B role in the emergence of the candidate. sadaru Abubakar are in the race. The three are determined. Gombe: Aliyu versus Nafada Former Minister of State for Power Akwa ibom and Steel Alhaji Murtala Aliyu and In the race are former Secretary to former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Bayero Nafada are jos- Government Umana Umana, and Senatling for the ticket. But, former Gover- tor James Udoedehe. The odds may fanor Danjuma Goje will decide the win- vour Umana.

Easy ride for Alhassan in Taraba? By Raymond Mordi

• el-Rufai

making history once again. Alhassan comes from a family with a sound political background and appear to enjoy the support of the womenfolk and the youths. Her father was elected into the Federal House of Representatives in 1959 under the defunct Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). There are rumours flying around in Jalingo, the state capital, that the acting Governor Alhaji Sani Danladi has entered into an agreement with the Alhassan camp to ensure that the opposition party takes over the state. But, Danladi has described the allegation as untrue. He also said he has no plans to dump the ruling PDP to run for the governorship of the state under the APC.

• Alhassan

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

Reduce political appointees to cut cost, says PENGASSAN chief

ATHER than impose unnecessary austerity measures on Nigerians, governments at all levels, especially the executive and legislators, should prune the number of their political aides as a means of cutting cost, the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Comrade Francis Johnson, gave the advice. He argued that the huge number of political appointees as aides to the Presidency, ministers, governors and their commissioners amount to waste of national resources and putting pressure on the economy.

By Chikodi Okereocha

The PENGASSAN president also cautioned the Federal Government, especially the Federal Ministry of Finance against stifling the economy through withholding of funds for human and developmental projects, but to tighten the noose around all avenues of leakages and wastages. He stated that instead of the government to introduce austerity measures that will further impoverish and in-

NUPENG to Fed Govt: Call police to order

HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has condemned the invasion of the National Assembly (NASS) by men of the Nigeria Police and Directorate of State Security Service (DSS) last week to prevent lawmakers from having access to their Chambers. The union said the Federal Government must call all the affected security agencies to order to avoid possible civil unrest in the country NUPENG’s National President, Comrade (Dr) Igwe Achese, who told newsmen in Lagos that President Goodluck Jonathan must call the Inspector General of Police to order to avert civil unrest in the

The union said the Federal Government from February to September 2014 released over N342 million overhead budget meant for training and other logistics, yet no training has been conducted while zonal offices of NTDC lacked furniture, computers and so on. It accused Mbanefo of being harsh, temperamental and rude to staff whom she used to communicate through text messages and coercing staff to beg for money. Other allegations included release of NTDC staff bus to an outsider, employment of 50 workers without regard to federal character and public service procedure. Mbanefo, when she met the AUPCTRE executives, recently, admitted: “I have made mistakes, I had been listening to directors who have not properly advised me, but as the accounting officer, I take full responsibility for all the lapses in the corporation.”

Lottery union gets certificate

HE National Union of Lottery Agents and Employees (NULAE) has received a certificate of registration from the Federal Government after meeting the requirements stipulated by law to become a union. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Clement Illoh, who presented the certificate to NULAE President, Comrade Justice Sai, in Abuja, urged the new unionists to consider themselves as partners in progress with their employers and not enemies. Illoh, who praised them for the feat, said more than 1,000 applications for registration were received annually, adding that usually, only one application is considered due to the rigorous process that must be followed for unions to get registered. “You have been registered and your constitution has been ap-

pointees to the barest minimum. The huge amount we spend in paying these aides can be used on developmental projects and boosting of the nation’s economy. The governors, ministers and federal and state legislators should also be made to reduce their aides to a sizeable number that our economy can bear and whatever is gotten from this exercise should be used in supporting and bolstering the economy,” he said.The union leader also called on the Federal Government to develop other sectors along with

country said: “We hope that this situation is not a re-enactment of the Shagari era where people’s freedom was trampled upon.” According to Achese, there is freedom of association in the Nigerian Constitution, and the Police duty is to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, including visitors to the country. “The action of the Police on NASS members on Thursday last week is undemocratic, crude and unfair and has never happened in any part of the world where democracy is practised. The Police action portrays Nigeria in bad light before the international community and it also shows that the system is not working well,” he said.

Union gives NTDC ultimatum HE Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), FCT Council, has given the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) an ultimatum or face industrial action. AUPCTRE FCT had on October 27, 2014 sent a letter to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, calling for a need to urgently salvage the NTDC and save it from extinction. AUPCTRE stated that it observed lapses in the ways NTDC affairs were run by the present boss, Mrs Sally Mbanefo. Already, AUPCTRE FCT executives, led by its Chairman, Comrade Benjamin Anthony, had visited NTDC Head Office in Area One, Old Secretariat Complex, the second of such visit. The allegations against NTDC include the alleged misuse of over N52 million budgeted for capital project development in the capital budget for March to July 2014.

flict more pains on the people, governments should consider reducing to the barest minimum the numbers of senior special advisers, special advisers, advisers and other aides that are attached to the presidency, the ministers, governors as well as members of the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.“The cost of governance in Nigeria is too high and irrational and if we are looking for ways to cut cost, I think the first place to exemplarily focus on is in the direction of reducing the number of political ap-

the extractive and manufacturing industries as a way of diversifying the national economy from its over dependence on oil revenue. According to him, it is only the development of other minerals, agricultural and the manufacturing sectors that could help Nigeria to escape the vagaries of the challenges pose by the dwindling global oil price, especially as the agrarian potentials are being left under-un-utilised.Comrade Johnson noted that the price of oil is critical to the world economy, given that oil is the largest internationally traded commodity both in volume and value terms, adding that only oil is linked to some extent to the prices of other products.

proved. Your registration is a burden, it is a responsibility that you owe your members. Always ensure their interests are protected. You must also ensure where you work survives, ensure the success of your organisation because without the organisation, there will be no you.” On his part, the president of the union, Comrade Sai, promised that union leaders would do their best for the interest of the union. He said the union’s quest for recognition stemmed from workers’ unhindered exploitation by employers, which has been on for years. “This is an industry where there are no conditions of service, incessant arrest, seizing of agents selling machines by government agencies, hazardous working environment and abuse of government regulatory rules by employers and agencies,” he said.

From left: Head, Human Resource and Administration, Mr Boniface Nwabuko; Board Member, Mr Hasib Moukarim; National Business Manager, Mr Oluwafemi Asa and Brand Manager, Ms Tooni Odewole, all of Mouka Limited at the official opening of the Mouka Lifestyle Store on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos.

Labour may down tools over welfare

HE Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) has threatened to call its members in the federal public service out on strike if the Federal Government continues to dilly dally over the union’s demands for government to address the avalanche of welfare issues affecting its teeming members. This fresh strike is coming barely one month after the union paralysed activities at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspectorate Offices, and the 104 Federal Unity Colleges (FUCs) for four weeks over nonpayment of promotion arrears and other allowances. In a press statement issued in Lagos and signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Alade Bashir Lawal, the union drew the attention of the general public to the fact that the Federal Government had refused to enter into meaningful dialogue with the association to address lingering labour issues captured in 12 memoranda and placed before the Government since March this year. ‘‘Since March, 2014, all efforts by the union to bring the Federal Government to the negotiating table to discuss the labour issues contained in the 12 memoranda have been frustrated by strategic government agencies including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) saddled with the responsibility of handling welfare issues of workers,’’ the union said. According to Lawal, the issues in dispute include the non-payment of promotion arrears and other entitled allowances of workers, demand for the upward wage review in the civil service, payment of civil servants rent allowance en-bloc, payment of end-of-year incentives to all public servants, upward review of retirement age in the civil service, payment of special allowance to civil servants engaged in teaching including those teaching in the Federal Unity Colleges. Other grievances are non-payment of

•Civil servants condemn Assembly fracas Stories by Toba Agboola

first 28 days allowance in lieu of hotel accommodation, the vexed issue of conducting promotion examinations in the public service at mid night, non-payment of allowances in respect of 2010 mandatory training programme organised by the OHCSF, payment of responsibility allowance to officers in the Directorate cadre in the Civil Service, among others. Lawal regretted that several meetings called since March, 2014 by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity to resolve these volatile labour issues had been aborted by deliberate absence at the parleys of the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). ‘‘It is not quite clear why these government agencies are frustrating the negotiation process. Could it be that they subtly want to push thousands of workers in the public service into the streets to complicate the security challenges posed by the insurgents?’’ he asked. The ASCSN urged President Goodluck Jonathan to direct relevant government agencies to enter into serious dialogue with the union on the labour issues listed above which had been outstanding for several years. ‘‘It must be emphasised that the patience of thousands of employees in the public service has been exhausted on these issues and they may resort to selfhelp without further notice. This is the more reason why the Federal Government should come to the negotiation table with the union immediately before the entire public service is engulfed in industrial crisis the country can least afford now,’’ he said. The union also condemned in very strong terms the invasion of the Na-

tional Assembly (NASS) by men of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agents to prevent lawmakers from having access to their chambers. In a statement issued in Lagos and signed by its National President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama, the union stated that the action of the security agents negated democratic ideals. ‘‘No matter the disagreement between the executive arm of government and some members of the House of Representatives, there is no need to use force to prevent the lawmakers from entering the premises of the National Assembly,’’ Kaigama said. He said the show of shame by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agents in preventing the number four citizen of this country along with other federal lawmakers from entering the assembly complex by firing canisters of tear gas at them all in a bid to prevent the House from re-convening to deliberate on the request of Mr. President for an extension of the state of emergency rule in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states was highly condemnable and makes a mockery of the nation’s democracy. It argued that the defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was not enough for the fundamental human rights of the legislators to be trampled upon by the executive arm of government. The union urged politicians to respect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which they swore to uphold. “This is a nation that is governed by laws and aside from that, we have our values which should normally dictate and govern our operations. Our respective actions must therefore, be driven by the provisions of the constitution and they must always be in agreement with the rule of law”.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

e-Business Zinox chief urges gender parity in ICT devt

• Prof. Murray Low, Founder, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR), Columbia Business School (CBS); Austin Okere, Founder CWG Plc & Entrepreneur in Residence, CBS and Mr. Cliff Schorer, Program Director, EIR, CBS during the Entrepreneurs in Residence week in New York.

QoS: Telcos get Jan. deadline on subscribers’ compensation

ITH effect from January next year, it no longer would be business as usual with quality of service (QoS) as the regulator of the telecoms sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it has set up a committee to look into how consumers would be compensated directly by telcos for loss of air time due to their inefficiencies. NCC said the telcos have been given up till January next year to come up with proposals on how consumers could be compensated directly. This is perhaps a reaction to the agitation of telecoms subscribers that have never concealed their disgust at the current practice where the telcos are fined and payment made to the coffers of the Federal Government. They described the practice as unjust since they are the ones that suffer the poor QoS from the telcos. The Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, NCC, Mrs Maryam Bayi who spoke during the Fourth Quarterly Meeting of the Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF) organised by the regulator in Abuja, said the regulator is not happy over the way consumers were being haunted with unsolicited text messages by the telcos, adding that steps have already been taken to address the menace..

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

Mrs. Bayi said due to the measures adopted by the NCC in conjunction with the telcos, consumers’ complaints have dropped to about 40,000 per day across the country. The regulator blamed states and local government areas in the country for hindering the development of telecoms infrastructures, citing Lagos State as the only state among the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja,that has shown understanding on the need to put infrastructure development before aggressive pursuit of internally generated revenue (IGR). The Lagos State government had reduced by about 98 per cent, the cost of installing infrastructure by telcos in the state. Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Dr. Okechukwu Itanyi said the Lagos State government has considerably reduced the cost of obtaining right of way (RoW) and the cost of erecting base transmission stations (BTS), while the Abuja has consistently refused to grant approvals to the service providers to expand infrastructure to redefine QoS. According to him, aside challenges in the power sector, vandalism, multiple/regulation taxation, access to RoW and stealing of gen-

erators at cell sites are factors standing on the way of good QoS.. Itanyi lamented that it takes an average of six months to get approvals for the establishment of base stations while approvals do not come at all in some states on the excuse that it distort the master plans of the cities. He however said the NCC is working with other critical stakeholders in the industry to address the issue, stressing that once they are taken care of, the industry would assume its rightful position as the driver of economic development. Participants agreed that telcos and the regulator should collaborate with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure the protection of telecoms infrastructures across the country. They also urged the NCC to expand the membership of ICAF to include civil society and advocacy groups while service providers must effect the opt-out and opt-in option in the issue of unslocited text messages. Participants also said the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should collaborate with the NCC and the NSCDC in training the youths in the communities on how to install and protect communication infrastructures in their communities.

Etisalat empowers rural women

O fewer than 200 women in the Northwestern states of Jigawa and Kano have benefited from the support of Etisalat through its community support partnership programme which was launched in the two states. According to a statement, the programme held in Kano with a graduation and certificate presentation ceremony, witnessed a large turnout of more than 100 women who were trained in various vocational skills including interior decoration, perfume making, shoe crafting and bead making to mention a few. Director, Government & Regulatory Affairs at Etisalat, Ibrahim Dikko said the launch of the initiative was borne out of the telco’s desire to empower rural women. “This is a new initiative of the company aimed at reaching women in the grassroots at the point of their needs, setting them up in various

businesses they require to become self-sufficient. We are poised to making an impact in the society and this is one of the steps we have taken to ensure that we touch the lives positively” he said. Kano State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajia Binta Jubril said the state government was pleased with the level of commitment Etisalat had shown towards uplifting the lives of women. Hajia Jubril added that “although the Kano state government had done a lot to support its people economically, such support as this from Etisalat is one of a kind and highly appreciated”. One of the participants, 34 year-old Safina Aminu said her life would never remain the same after the training. She said: “Life cannot be the same again. Our eyes are now open to many businesses we can start doing

even from inside our houses. I am very grateful to Etisalat for choosing us. We will now start supporting our families with the income we make from these new skills we have acquired.” Jigawa State Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Development, Hajia Hadiza Abdulwahab commended on the telco during the training programme in the state, describing the initiative as worthy for women in the state and a challenge to other organisations in the country. She thanked Etisalat for selecting the state for the maiden edition of the programme, expressing her assurance that the beneficiaries of the training will put to practice all they have been taught. Apart from the two-day training, Etisalat also gave all 200 participants start-up grant to enable them set up their own businesses in the areas of their choice.

HAIRMAN, Zinox Group, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, has urged stakeholders in the information communication technology (ICT) to create a level playing field for women in the industry. He said given the appropriate mix of innovation, business focus, accountability and ambition, women entrepreneurs could take the centre stage of on-going revolution of the industry in the 21st Century and relegate their male counterparts to the back seat. Ekeh, who made specific reference to global tech giants, IBM which now has Ginni Rometty, a woman as its CEO, pointed at the increasing pivotal role women in the corporate world are playing in the global space. He said: “Women are naturally more structured, trustworthy, less greedy and more prayerful than men. These innate qualities have strategically endowed women with the basic ingredients for leadership. As entrepreneurs, all you need to do is combine these innate qualities with absolute commitment, capacity for innovation, credibility and sound digital knowledge and very soon, the male folk will be struggling to keep pace with the women in the industry. “ICT is a business of the future; one that you can bequeath to your children and unborn generations. It is an industry of constant innovation, requiring a sound business model and structure. I encourage you to enhance your knowledge in the digital business and build capacity, which will in turn enable you accommodate the short-term business shocks and eventually take charge of the digital economy.” Eke, who was the guest speaker at an interactive breakfast meeting tagged: Women in ICT organised by Technology Distributions Limited (TDL), at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, urged female participants to become more ambitious in growing their businesses and targeting bigger ventures He urged women to see themselves as equal partners with men,

• Stan-Eke

adding that participants should leverage on the emerging force of ecommerce and m-commerce, which has the potential of laying a foundation for women to control the wealth and leadership of nations in the third quarter of the century. While assuring the women, ICT entrepreneurs of the utmost support of TDL in their respective roles as business partners, the Zinox chief cautioned against excessive borrowing and emotional decisions, which he said, are two factors capable of negating business success. TDL’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, urged women entrepreneurs to break out of the outdated stereotypes that have long held them back and taken their rightful place in the scheme of things in driving the revolution in the ICT industry. She said women are credible, balanced, emotionally intelligent, proven masters of crisis and opportunity management as well as great managers of resources. Mrs. Ekeh urged the participants to borrow a leaf from Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, who has urged women to seek leadership roles and own their success. She said: “It is no accident that women make up over half of the world’s population. Why then are there so few women occupying positions of authority? It is high time we unleashed our potential and began to take charge of things happening around us. There is a growing trend of more women in the ICT. This is quite encouraging. In spite of the challenges in the system, we must capitalise on this to lead the revolutions in the industry.”

Apple commends Glo on iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus launch

HE creative management of the launch of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in Nigeria by Globacom has attracted commendation from Apple, manufacturer of high end smartphones. Of particular interest to Apple is the prompt and unique response to the demands of Globacom’s subscribers who thronged the Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island, Lagos Gloworld in the early hours of Friday to purchase the newly launched iPhone 6 handsets. Apple Regional Sales Manager for Africa, Mr. Paddy McManus who gave the commendation at the unveiling ceremony of iPhone 6 expressed delight at the impressive turnout of subscribers, adding that he was pleasantly shocked and surprised. “This is a very loud move from a loud network in Lagos. I am extremely impressed. This is what usually happens all over the world when Apple is launching its products. Nigerians are really great,” Mr. McManus exclaimed. An On Air Personality, Mr. Folajinmi Akinsola became the first Nigerian to own an authentic iPhone 6 sold by any telecommunication network in Nigeria when he purchased the phone at the Gloworld shop on Adeola Odeku,

Victoria Island, Lagos immediately after it was officially unveiled. Former beauty queen, Miss Tobi Phillips kept vigil to emerge the first Nigerian female to own an authentic iPhone 6 when she paid for the phone which she earlier preordered. Iconic Glo brand ambassadors like Flavour, NaetoC and Chee the Voice were on hand to pep up the event. Flavour and Naeto C later joined the official Apple team to present iphones to early buyers who kept vigil at the Gloworld shop to make history. At 11am on Friday, an Asset Manager with Arthur Steven Asset Management Limited, Mr. Tunde Amolegbe sauntered into the Adeola Odeku, Victoria Island Gloworld shop to pay for his preordered iPhone and thereafter got a celebrity treatment from Glo brand ambassadors Wande Coal and Waje. Similarly, at the Gloworld shop located in the Ikeja City Mall, the Managing Director, Cita Petroleum, Otunba Thomas Ogunbangbe was the first to pay for his pre – ordered iPhone at the shop. The story was the same in all Gloworld shops across the country where subscribers took delivery of their iPhones.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

MONEYLINK

Foreign reserves dip to $36.7b T HE foreign exchange reserves fell to a six-month low of $36.7 billion by December 1, down 4.5 per cent from the previous month. The decline, analysts said followed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) unwavering defence of the naira, data from the regulator’s website showed yesterday. The reserves stood at the same level as in June this year and were down from $38.45 billion on November 2, the data showed. The naira has fallen 11.3 per cent against the dollar this year, including an eight per cent one-off devaluation by the CBN more than a week ahead, as global oil prices plunged. Global Chief Economist at Renaissance Capital (RenCap), Charles Robertson said the reserves would drop further to $35 billion by yearend, warning that should that happen, it would spell doom for the naira it will lead to its greater weakness. He said: “We assume foreign ex-

Infrastructure deficit threatens Africa

Stories by Collins Nweze

change reserves will fall from $44 billion in 2013 to $35 billion this year – a decline of $9 billion. That would imply greater weakness than our current 164 to dollar end-year assumption. But we expect the CBN to counter-act this, by tightening monetary policy. “We believe reserves will likely fall further in 2014 on the back of low (subpar) oil production and higher imports due to election-related spending. One upside for the government from a weaker naira would be more naira from dollar oil tax revenue.” Also, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane said the foreign reserve is comprised about $10 billion volatile funds, also called ‘hot money’. The volatile funds mainly from foreign portfolio investments moved from one country to another in order to earn a short-term profit on interest rate differences and/or anticipated exchange rate shifts.

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele These speculative capital flows are called “hot money” because they could move very quickly in and out of markets, potentially leading to market instability. Rewane said reversal of capital flows will intensify, further depleting external reserves which have been on decline since last year. He said there would be further external sector imbalances in a run-up to 2015 elections even as equity market imbalance is likely to increase as stock market correction ensue.

NeFF seeks banks’ collaboration against fraudsters

HE Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) has called on banks to be united to enable stakeholders succeed in the fight against fraudsters. Speaking at the NeFF end of year meeting held in Lagos, Chairman Committee of Chief Compliance Officers of Banks in Nigeria, Pattinson Boleigha noted that ‘collaboration and customer due diligence’ will help to fight fraudsters. “NeFF has been a cornerstone of our security today and that is why we must play our roles for them to achieve their objective. I have not seen any solution but collaboration. This people have

By Ibrahim Adam

no boundaries, let’s try to focus on one common purpose which is the fraudsters. We must try to stay ahead of them else they will take a mile. “Unfortunately, some of them are among us. Fraud is a predicate offence to money laundering and that is why we need to collaborate. We must do our customer due diligence properly in order to wipe fraudsters off,” he said. Chairman, Nigeria electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), Mr Dipo Fatokun said the war against fraudsters has not been

Name

Offer Price

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

152.19 9.17 1.12 1.19 2,237.65 1.39 1,710.65 1,092.63 115.26 121.16 1,117.51 1.2147 1.2858 0.7802 1.0972

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

O/PRICE 29.00 3.13 2.37 1.99 1.58 0.50 4.63 0.82 3.58 2.35 2.43

C/PRICE 31.97 3.28 2.48 2.08 1.65 0.52 4.80 0.85 3.70 2.42 2.50

O/PRICE

CUSTODYINS CUTIX RTBRISCOE INTBREW DEAPCAP NEM DANGCEM 7UP STANBIC ZENITHBANK UBCAP UACN WAPIC

4.35 1.48 0.85 26.00 0.79 0.62 175.00 155.00 29.21 19.47 1.63 42.70 0.68

C/PRICE 3.98 1.41 0.81 25.01 0.76 0.60 170.00 151.11 28.53 19.11 1.60 42.00 0.67

IAMOND Bank Plc has emerged Best Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Friendly Bank. The award, given by the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce, is in recognition of the bank’s value addition to the growth and development of SMEs as the engine of industrialisation in an emerging economy such as Nigeria’s. The bank was praised for having the best customer-friendly banking solutions for SMEs, strictly tailored to meet each entrepreneur’s needs and requirements in the segment. Its Chief Executive Officer-designate, Uzoma Dozie said the award is a strong testament of the bank’s commitment to sup-

porting SMEs as the driving engine for sustainable economic growth. He said: “It is an award that we cherish, it is a pleasant one. It is recognition of the work and investment in the development of the SME sector in Nigeria.” Its business focus consists of corporate, retail and public sector businesses but its SMEs footprints has become a model for the industry. With highly structured products for the SME sector, the Bank has in the last three years groomed and developed a pool of SME stakeholders into a strong productive force in the economy. It said it recognises that the SME segment is a critical arm of the Nigerian private sector.

DATA BANK RETAIL DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM (RDAS) Transaction Dates 17/11/2014 10/11/2014 06/11/2014

1,116.70 1.2072 1.2858 0.7666 1.0972

CHANGE 2.97 0.15 0.11 0.09 0.07 0.02 0.17 0.03 0.12 0.07 0.07

LOSERS AS AT 03-12-14

SYMBOL

reducing crime, fighting corruption and delivering improved infrastructure. Infrastructure development is both a defining challenge and a standout investment opportunity for Africa and investors around the world,” he said. He said Nigeria is growing at seven per cent despite poor access to power; decent power could boost economic growth to 10 to 12 per cent adding that there is no reason why the country should not become one of the G20. The conference attracted more than 500 leading thinkers from government, academia, business and finance, fuelled energetic debate on both the opportunities and the challenges of the African infrastructure landscape.

Diamond Bank bags award

Bid Price

GAINERS AS AT 03-12-14

SYMBOL PZ ETERNA SKYEBANK EVANSMED AIRSERVICE ROYALEX NAHCO AIICO MANSARD STERLNBANK LIVESTOCK

easy, adding that the regulators have instituted policies and guidelines that are helping to fight fraud in the financial services sector. “Fraud is not completely eliminated but we have come out with strict policies and guidelines to help fight it. The war has not been easy this year but the truth is, with the support of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers’ Committee, the battle has been successful. Let’s collaborate to fight out common enemy because now, they may likely start their own collaboration today,” he said.

CONOMIST and former Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Jim O’Neill, has said Africa needs to bridge the infrastructure investment deficit in the continent. He spoke during the African Finance Corporation (AFC) conference on infrastructure held in Lagos. O’Neill said infrastructure in general has been estimated to have the potential to add an average of two per cent to Africa’s economic growth rate over the next decade as investment is brought to bear to bridge the deficit. He said Africa’s future depends on its policy makers doing the right thing. “That is working to create better governance,

CHANGE -0.37 -0.07 -0.04 -0.99 -0.03 -0.02 -5.00 -3.89 -0.68 -0.36 -0.03 -0.70 -0.01

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: October

8.1%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$79.98

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m 399.97m 349.96m

CBN EXCHANGE RATES December 2, 2014

$37b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

Amount Offered in ($) 500m 400m 350m

16.5%

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

US Dollar

164

165

Pounds Sterling

258.2344

259.809

Euro

204.2948

205.5405

Swiss Franc

169.8074

170.8428

Yen

1.3924

1.4009

CFA

0.2868

0.3068

235.4875

236.9234

Yuan/Renminbi

26.7114

26.8752

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

11-11-14 Rate (%)

Rate (%) 12-11-14

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

43.7054

43.9719

11.94

12.18

SDR

240.1288

241.593

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Dec. 2, 2014

Rates

T-bills - 91

9.85

T-bills - 182

9.98

T-bills - 364

Bond - 3yrs

12.61

Bond - 5yrs

12.77

Bond - 7yrs

12.73

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

Ebola crisis: Appeal to reopen schools

Lee Rigby killers lose appeals

ICHAEL Adebolajo, one of the two men found guilty of killing Fusilier Lee Rigby, has lost legal challenges against his conviction and sentence. Adebolajo had been seeking leave to appeal the verdict as well as his whole-life sentence. He and Michael Adebowale killed the soldier outside Woolwich barracks in southeast London in May 2013. Adebowale is also arguing for a reduction in his sentence. He was jailed for a minimum of 45 years. Last month, a report found

Fusilier Rigby’s death could not have been prevented despite his killers appearing in seven intelligence investigations. The report, by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), revealed Adebowale had expressed his intent to murder a soldier in a “graphic and emotive” manner during an exchange with an overseas extremist in December 2012. The intelligence agencies did not know about this exchange, understood to have been on Facebook, until after Fusilier Rigby’s death. Fusilier Rigby was killed

•Michael Adebolajo, left, and Michael Adebowale killed Lee Rigby in London in May 2013

on 22 May last year. Adebolajo and Adebowale drove into the 25-yearold before hacking him to death.

At the time of his sentencing, Mr Justice Sweeney said Adebolajo’s was one of those “rare cases” that warranted a whole-life term.

U.N. begins inquiry into attacks and weapons in Gaza

•Ki-moon

HE United Nations has begun investigating Israeli attacks that hit U.N. facilities during last summer’s Gaza war and how Palestinian militants came to store weapons at several U.N. schools, officials said on

Wednesday. A team of UN investigators arrived in Gaza on Tuesday to conduct the inquiry, three months after the war ended. They had already met with Israeli representatives in Jerusalem. The investigation is expected to last three weeks. “They are visiting the affected sites, they are conducting meetings and interviews with people who were involved,” Robert Turner, the director of operations for the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza told reporters. “It is specifically to look at violations of neutrality of UN installations.” During the July-August conflict, Israeli artillery and tank shells hit at least six UNrun facilities, killing around

30 Palestinian civilians who were sheltering there, according to Palestinian officials. Israel said it believed militants were using the facilities as cover to fire rockets into Israel. At the same time, several UN schools, all of them closed during the war, were found to have been used by Hamas militants to store rockets, prompting heavy criticism from Israel. Both Israel and Hamas, the Islamist group that dominates Gaza, have said they will cooperate fully with the inquiry, which was established by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. However, Israel has said it will not cooperate with a separate inquiry being carried out by the UN’s Human Rights

Council, which is looking into possible war crimes, saying that it believes the council is biased against Israel. Paul Hirschson, a spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry, said Ban’s inquiry was “an authentic investigation with potential for us to improve our performance in the course of conflict and learn from our mistakes”. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said while the group was happy to cooperate with both investigations, Israel should be compelled to submit to the Human Rights Council’s inquiry. “Israel’s selective process to deal with a committee and boycott another is unacceptable and it damages the reputation of the United Nations before anything else,” he said.

Cameroon considers death penalty for terrorism

AWMAKERS in Cameroon, which is battling to stop the advance of Nigerian Boko Haram militants on its territory, will vote in the coming days on whether to impose the death penalty on those found guilty of involvement in acts of terrorism. Opposition figures accused the government of seeking to use the proposed law, which they say is too broad in scope, to criminalize opposition to President Paul Biya’s 32-year

rule. Boko Haram fighters have made repeated incursions into the rugged Far North region of Cameroon in recent months. They have clashed with Cameroonian soldiers sent to the border to stop them and are blamed for dozens of deaths and kidnappings there. “The draft law provides the ultimate penalty, the death penalty, for anyone who personally, in complicity or under coercion commits a terrorist act,” Parliament Speak-

er Cavaye Yeguie Djibril said. Though Cameroon has not carried out an execution since 1997, according to Amnesty International, the bill received loud applause from some members of parliament when it was introduced on Tuesday. “This text seems obviously to be his response to the popular uprisings that have led to the fall of regimes in several African countries and in particular Burkina Faso,” said

Maurice Kamto, a former deputy justice minister turned opposition figure. Cameroon has reinforced its military presence on its northeastern border as part of regional efforts to combat Boko Haram. This week it announced it had trained a special commando unit of around 850 soldiers to fight the militants. Cameroon also faces growing insecurity along its eastern border with Central African Republic.

‘Chad not backing Boko Haram’

HE Chadian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Isah Braimah,said yesterday his country is not backing Boko Haram insurgents. He spoke in Abuja when the BringBackOurGirls campaigners visited the embassy in Abuja. Chad has been linked to Boko Haram. President Goodluck Jonathan has visited Pres-

ident Idris Deby twice within the last one month over his country’s alleged involvement in the activities of the sect. The envoy said his country is unaware of the whereabouts of the over 200 Chibok girls abducted since April 15. The leader of the BBOG members, Ms Aisha Yesufu, who led four representatives of the movement to the meet-

ing with the ambassador, quoted him as saying that Chad was not supporting Boko Haram. She said the envoy accused the police of dragging his country into the matter urging the security outfit to provide evidence to back the claim. The BBOG leader briefed members after the meeting outside the Chadian embassy

gate. Ms Yesufu said: “The ambassador said the way they practiced Islam in his country is different from Nigeria because Muslims co-exist peacefully with others. He said we should meet our government for answers on the Chibok girls and denied that his country was supporting or sponsoring Boko Haram.”

Kerry says IS ‘significantly’ damaged

IR strikes carried out by the US-led coalition on Islamic State (IS) have inflicted “significant” damage on the group’s capabilities, US Secretary of State John Kerry says. But he warned that military action alone would not defeat the group, adding that it was necessary to destroy its ideol-

ogy, funding and recruitment. The US said earlier that Iran, not a coalition member, had carried out air strikes against IS in Iraq. However, Iran has denied this. The US said there had been no coordination with the Iranians on any air strikes. During his opening remarks, Kerry praised the “impressive turnout,” saying that

the high attendance “reflects a shared determination to degrade and defeat [ISIS] or, to use the Arab term, Dash.” The coalition, Kerry says, has worked quickly, noting that the meeting in Belgium is not one for appearances only. “This is the work of two and a half months, and it reflects an extraordinary, rapid coalescing of effort,” he added.

Kerry noted the actions and effort offered by “more than 62 countries and entities” thus far. He also announced that airstrikes against ISIS targets will expand in the coming weeks. “No large [ISIS] unit can move forward aggressively without worrying about what will come down on it from the skies he said.

CHOOLS need to rapidly reopen in three Ebola-hit West African states as some five million children are being denied an education, a campaign group says. Education had become “one of the first casualties of the crisis” in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, it added. The “most marginalised” would bear the brunt of the crisis for generations to come if “safe schools” were not reopened, the group said. Ebola was declared a health emergency after it was identified in March. The World Health Organization (WHO) says 6,055 people have died of the deadly virus in the three states. Health workers must take extraordinary measures to protect themselves from the virus Schools were shut to re-

duce the risk of children becoming infected. The Global Business Coalition for Education said reopening of schools would not only give children an education, but it would also provide a “first line of defence in tracing and monitoring potential cases of Ebola”. Indications were that 54% of children were unlikely to return to the classroom if they were out of school for a year, its report, published in collaboration with A World at School, said. “Being out of school can have a crippling impact for vulnerable children, especially girls who are more subject to high-risk situations, including pregnancy and early marriage,” it added. “The risk of child labour increases rapidly as contributing to the household economy becomes critical for families.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

CITYBEATS Navy arrests three suspected hijackers T

HREE suspected ship hijackers have been arrested by the Nigerian Navy in its renewed fight against sea crime. The suspects were arrested aboard Merchant Vessel, MV Long Island, off the Lagos anchorage. The vessel and its 14-man crew were also held for allegedly carrying stolen petroleum product. The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, while parading the suspects yesterday, said the vessel was intercepted following a tip-off that it was conveying the product illegally. He said the hijackers were found following interception of the ship by NNS Ikot Abasi. At the parade with Rear Admiral Alade were the Chief Staff Officer, WNC, Commodore E.E. Etifit; the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Daniel Ikoli, and other principal officers of the command. Rear Admiral Alade said the crew members claimed that the vessel was heading for Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, adding that the navy would find out the truth during investigations. He said: “About 6am on Tuesday, December 2, WNC received intelligence report that MV Long Island, an offshore service boat was carrying a product suspected to be stolen crude oil with armed hijackers on board. “Upon interception by NNS Ikot Abasi, the boat was brought to base. The person-

•The suspects... during their parade ... yesterday

•Vessel with stolen crude oil, 14 crew held By Precious Igbonwelundu

nel of the Special Boat Services (SBS) carried out boarding-and-search operation and three hijackers onboard the vessel were arrested and disarmed of their two pumpaction guns. “Fourteen crew members of the vessel were also arrested and they are all undergoing interrogations. The sample of the vessel’s content has been sent to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for confirmation. At the end of the investigations, the product, vessel and suspects will be handed over to the appropriate agencies for further investigations and prosecution.”

‘Why I’m back in police net’

were invited by the third suspect Olabema Owolemi, to provide security while the vessel loaded crude oil from a pipeline in Ondo State. Bayo (23), who claimed to be a member of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), said Olabema who gave him a gun on board MV Long Island. He said: “We came in a speed boat. It was Olabema who invited me to do security for this ship while loading the product. He was the one who gave me the gun. After providing security, our boat sank; we had to enter this big ship so that when we get to Lagos, we can come down.” Ikudembo (25), also said Olabema invited him and gave him a pump-action gun, adding: ”We provided security while the boat was loading at Ondo State

from a pipeline. It was when this ship hit our boat that it sank and so, we entered their boat.” Olabema said as a welder with Warri Boat Yard, he was asked to come and weld MV Long Man’s flange by a man simply called Kayode. He said he did the job at the loading point in his father’s village at Igbokoda, Ondo State. “I was told they wanted to construct a flange. After doing the job, the captain started acting somehow and hit my speed boat. When the boat capsized, we decided to stay in the ship till we reached Lagos. The truth will come out,” he said. But the Captain, Daniel Lagbale, said he was coerced by the hijackers who kidnapped him and his crew, to lift petroleum product at Escravos.

Synagogue: Don’t invite me now, Joshua tells coroner

•He had been jailed E was warned to stay from crime, but he returned to his old way and was rearrested by the police. Samuel Igwe (39) was advised by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos State to retrain from crime after he left Kirikiri prison. He had been jailed for his involvement in the sales of a trailer-load of stolen goods worth millions of naira. “We don’t want to see you here again; go and change your ways,” the SARS operatives reportedly told him. But, today, he is back in SARS net, claiming that “financial frustration” led him back to crime. A source said Igwe had been involved in cases of stealing, diversion and hijacking of trailers conveying goods running into millions of naira. The Orlu, Imo State-born suspect said: “I am an electrician. I reside at 60, Old Ota Road, Alagbado. I am married. I repair and sell electrical parts. I make N2,000 every day. I have been arrested two times by SARS operatives; that was why I prom-

Appealing to the public to provide information to the navy to help in catching more criminals, Rear Admiral Alade said the maritime environment would remain hot for sea criminals. Asked how the navy identified the hijackers Rear Admiral Alade said it was after the captain and crew members were interrogated that they identified their members. “We are still investigating and with time, we will confirm the suspects’ identities and nationalities,” he said. He added: “Navy is not a prosecuting agency but we will do our best to ensure that these criminals are brought to book. Navy cannot be part of releasing suspects without due diligence. “ Two of the suspected hijackers, Peter Bayo and Segun Ikundembu, said they

•Samuel By Ebele Boniface

ised O/C (Officer in Charge) SARS, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abba Kyari that I would not go back to crime again, but financial problems dragged me back to crime because I needed money to settle my expired house and shop rent. “If I am released, I will not rob again.” The suspect added: “I was remanded in Kirikiri because of my contractor friend, Taoheed, invited me to a deal involving a trailer load of stolen goods but I was unlucky to be the one remanded at last. “What brought me back to SARS again is that my friend, Alex (a trader in Ikorodu) asked me to look for a buyer for a trailer load of rice and I brought one woman. Later, a policeman came to my house and at last, they put everything on my head. Everybody denied me because I brought the woman-buyer. Now, I am the only one suffering.”

YNAGOGUE Church of All Nations (SCOAN) founder Prophet T.B. Joshua has kicked against his invitation to testify before the Coroner investigating the September 12 collapse of a guest house within his church. Joshua yesterday urged the Coroner, Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, to stay action on his invitation pending the determination of his suit before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of Ikeja High Court, in Lagos. In the suit Joshua, through his counted, Mr Olalekan Ojo, is asking the court to suspend the inquest pending the determination of his case. Joshua is praying the court to declare his invitation as a breach of his right to fair hearing. According to him, no case has been established against him to warrant his invitation. The prophet also urged the court to order Komolafe to suspend further proceedings pending the determination of the case. This application could not be heard yesterday as Justice Okunnu was said to have gone for a Judges’ re-

By Adebisi Onanuga

treat. At the last sitting, his lawyer applied for a judicial review of the proceedings of the coroner court held so far. “My Lord, most respectfully, we have applied for a judicial review of the proceedings of this honourable court so far. We may be right or wrong; but what we are saying is that this coroner court has been extending and it is still extending its inquisitions into areas outside the statutory jurisdiction of the coroner’s court. That is our complaint, my Lord. “And what we are saying is, if the high court agrees with us to set aside such portions of the proceedings that it adjudges to have been conducted in excess of jurisdiction, it should prohibit the coroner from further acting in excess of its jurisdiction,” Ojo said. At the coroner court, Ojo sought respect for the high court so that “your Lordship will not be seen to have taken or to intend to take any further action that might amount to prejudicing or preempting the High court.”

The coroner resumed yesterday; Ojo told the court that he had only served the application on the Lagos State Government, among all the stakeholders, adding that it was not ripe for hearing since others had not been served. Mr Femi Adamson, who represents Lagos State Government, confirmed that he had been served but had not filed a reply. The coroner said it was proper to dispense with the application first before continuing with the inquest during which the court would be taking evidence from other witnesses. He said that the church had submitted the name and address of the contractor that handled the building, Hardrock Construction and Engineering Company. The coroner apologised to the witnesses in court that the inquest had to adjourn to enable the lawyers do their jobs. Komolafe directed Ojo to serve the application on the parties to enable them file their responses. The coroner adjourned further sitting till tomorrow.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Lawmaker trains officials for efficiency By Wale Ajetunmobi

HE lawmaker representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Gbenga Ashafa, has organised a two-day retreat for officials of his constituency office to boost their morale and motivation towards service delivery. The training, held at Tyndale Residences Limited in Jibowu, Lagos, was also aimed at ensuring that the participants work out strategies for the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 general elections. Speaking on the theme: Achieving High Performance Always, the resource person, Prof. David Olatunji, explained how the participants could their deploy human resources to achieve excellent performance in line of duty. Olatunji, a management expert, said only the willingness of a worker to undergo a change of thought about a routine task could bring about improved productivity and dynamism in achieving success. He told the participants five things that could keep them away from success. Blaming others for a joint decision, he said, is a bad conduct for anyone aiming success. “When a joint decision go wrong, it is good for everybody to come together and jointly assess the situation to know where things go wrong. But there cannot be success if individuals in the group blame others,” he said. Olatunji said it was untenable for a team to make excuses towards targeted goals, stressing that individual must dedicate time and efforts towards achieving organisational objectives. Complaining and denial, he said, make a common goal unachievable, saying: “simply choosing not to look at the truth does not change the truth.” Bolaji Osho, another resource person, harped on conviction in the philosophy of the party, charging the trainees to bring their pragmatism to bear in the buildup to the election. For Ashafa, the training was informed by the need to improve the capacity of the constituency staff and motivate them to engage people on issue-driven politics rather than using thuggery to promote party ideology. He said: “I believe that, in view of the forthcoming 2015 general elections and its aftermath, a retreat of this nature is necessary to successfully position us to deploy a more effective approach in administering time and resources for a robust, service-oriented participation in political process and for the overall benefit of the people of Lagos East Senatorial District.”

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS ‘Okorocha: I‘ll stop Boko Haram’ From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

MO State Governor and a presidential aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said yesterday that he would stop the Boko Haram insurgency, if elected as President. He said he would solve the problems causing insecurity, such as illiteracy, poverty and youth unemployment. Okorocha spoke in Kaduna when he visited the headquarters of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). He said if President Goodluck Jonathan was re-elected, the Boko Haram insurgency would continue. The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the ACF, Ibrahim Comasi, urged the governor to get the support of “our members as ACF is apolitical.” He advised other aspirants to support anyone who emerged as the APC presidential candidate.

•Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise and Campaign For Democracy and members of Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative at a civil liberty street walk...yesterday

Over 9,000 voter cards missing in Anambra

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said over 9,000 voter cards were missing in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State. Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu spoke yesterday at Awka during a meeting with stakeholders. The parley was attended by the police, Department of State Security (DSS), Prisons, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), among others. Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others, were

Suspected thugs attack worshippers •Set pastor’s car ablaze From Ugochukwu Anieke, Ebonyi

HE crisis rocking the Assemblies of God Church took a violent dimension yesterday, as suspected thugs allegedly loyal to a leader of the church, attacked worshippers going for prayers in Enugu. The suspected hoodlums set ablaze a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) belonging to a cleric, Pastor Elisha Anyanwu, after beating him up. Another pastor, Gideon Adolphus, was also beaten up. He sustained injuries. The clergymen lost an iPad, wristwatches, cheque books, N85,000, among others. Speaking to our reporter at the church’s Evangel Camp at Okpoto in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Pastor Anyanwu alleged that the suspected thugs planned to kill him, but he escaped by divine intervention. The General Superintendent, Rev Chidi Okoroafor, decried the incident, which he said was strange to the church.

Baptists’ Xmas carol AGOS East Baptist Conference (LEBC) will hold a Christmas carol of nine lessons, tagged: “Emmanuel, God with us”, on Sunday, at Yaba Baptist Church, Yaba, Lagos, from 5pm. The conference President, Dr. E.A. Awotunde, said the mass choir of LEBC, led by the Music Director, Rev. Jonathan Babawale of Victoryland Baptist Church, Isolo, Lagos, would render melodious songs, to enrich people spiritually.

•Indicted INEC officials to be prosecuted •Commission, stakeholders, monarchs meet on polls From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

also present. Addressing the participants, among whom were monarchs, Onukaogu said the four INEC officials, who misplaced the cards, would be prosecuted. He said a similar incident occurred at Idemili South Local Government, adding that the cards were later found. The REC lamented that only about 50 per cent of the cards had been distributed, which, according to him,

was improper. His words: “INEC wants to achieve between 80 and 85 per cent distribution. We have decided that the distribution will be on even during Christmas. “For losing such a number of cards in one local government through stealing, the persons involved may lose their jobs. INEC is not taking it lying low. “If the cards are not brought back to us, the consequences will not be pleasant. We will delay prosecution

to see if the affected officials will change their minds. “To achieve success, we have decided to take the cards to the wards for distribution, instead of local governments. The voter cards are ready and are free. Anybody who tells you to bring money is a thief. “The electoral process will not be complete without the electorate participating. Voter cards are crucial, they are necessary, they are instruments that will lead to the success of any election.”

APGA holds Assembly primaries Tuesday

HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fixed December 9 and 10 for the House of Assembly and National Assembly primaries in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states. APGA had fixed November 20 for the House of Assembly primary and November 26 for the House of Representatives. According to a letter yesterday by APGA’s National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh in Abuja, the change in date was due to failure in logistic arrangements. The letter addressed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, was copied to the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the three states. It reads: “Due to the failure of logistic arrangements, we are forced to reschedule the primaries in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states to December 9 and 10.” National Executive Committee (NEC) of APGA on November 3 approved the guidelines for the primaries as released by the National Working Committee (NWC) on October 21. In a statement, the NWC said: “At the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on

Party holds delegates’ congress in Abia From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

HE Abia State ward delegates’ congress panel of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said it has completed its ward delegates’ congress in 184 wards. Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, Chairman of the panel Ifeatu Obi Okoye said the delegates’ congress was held to the satisfaction of members. He hailed the leaders, members and stakeholders of the party for their cooperation and the orderly manner they comported themselves at the exercise. Okoye said the exercise began on November 25 and was concluded the next day, adding that they were waiting for the primaries. He said: “Congresses were conducted in the 184 wards and 552 delegates emerged. There were no complaints.” Okoye noted that in some places, delegates emerged through consensus. The delegates’ congress panel chairman said the panel ensured that a level-playing field was provided for contestants.

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

November 3 at the national secretariat in Abuja, the NEC resolved as follows: “To approve and adopt the APGA electoral guidelines for primary election for 2015. “Having regard to the resignation of Chief Peter Obi as leader and chairman of APGA’s Board of

APC to unveil governorship aspirants today

HE Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Mr. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, said yesterday that the identities of the governorship aspirants were concealed from the public for strategic reasons. Fielding questions from reporters on why the party had not presented governorship aspirants barely 24 hours to today’s nationwide primaries, Nzekwe

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

said the identities of the aspirants were kept secret to prevent tension and wrangling as experienced in other parties. Nzekwe, who spoke at the party secretariat during the distribution of electoral materials for the House of Assembly primaries, said the APC leadership was committed to conducting free and fair primaries in line with the party’s manifesto.

Trustees (BoT), his subsequent defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the vacancy created in the office of the leader and chairman of the BoT, the National Executive Committee appointed Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano as leader and chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees. “Pursuant to the mandate given on January 18 by the National Executive Committee to the National Working Committee to fill vacancies in the NWC, the NEC also appointed Alexander Amujiogu as the acting deputy national secretary of the party.” The party’s NWC on October 21 released the schedule of activities for the primaries. “According to the schedule released after the NWC meeting signed by the National Secretary, Dr. Abdulahi Sani Shinkafi, the purchase and return of expression of interest forms and nomination began on October 27 and ended on November 4.”

PRCAN holds second lecture today

HE second edition of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) Annual Gold Medal Lecture will hold today at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 6pm prompt. The topic for this year’s lecture is: Destination Marketing: A Case Study of the South Africa Experience.” It will be delivered by Miss Wendy Tlou, the Chief Marketing Officer of Brand South Africa. The event will be chaired by Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and publisher of ThisDay. The panel of discussants will be led by Dr. Rotimi Oladele, the National President of The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). Miss Tlou has an extensive experience in Marketing and Communications. She began her career with South African Tourism in 2003 as its Marketing and Communications Manager. She became its General Manager, Global Communications, where she led the team that conceptualised, managed and delivered the country’s tourism’s global communications and reputation management strategy.

Church celebrates

HRIST Church International (aka Mountain of Divine Supply), 11, Alhaji Jimoh Street, off Adeniji Jones, by Hace bus stop, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, began the celebration of its second anniversary. It will end on Sunday. The theme of the event is: “Above Principalities and Power”. Apostle Godwin Nwangu enjoined everyone to come and get connected to the vine (John 15:5).

Orji inaugurates team for HIV/AIDS From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has inaugurated a 24-man team for the management of HIV\AIDS. He urged members to ensure the disease was brought under control. The team, headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Okechukwu Ogah, will ensure the implementation of President Goodluck Jonathan’s response plan on HIV/AIDS. Inaugurating the committee in Umuahia, Orji said it would report to him for the development of scorecards for the state and presentation to the President. The governor listed their terms of reference to include developing a comprehensive state advocacy package and strengthening the state management teams to manage the HIV response.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS Man remanded for defiling 11-year old ‘imbecile’

Millions gone in Port Harcourt market fire

OODS worth millions of naira were destroyed in a fire at the new Layout Market in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Tuesday night. The fire reportedly started in one of the shops at 7pm and spread for about two hours to several others. Men of the state fire service battled for several minutes before they put out the fire. Eighty shops, which were stocked with assorted goods, were destroyed. When our reporter visited the scene yesterday, scores of sympathisers were consoling the victims, who were counting their losses. No life was lost in the fire. One of the traders, Kachi Nwoke, told our reporter that he had stocked his shop with assorted drinks in the afternoon and the fire occurred in the evening. The businessman said he lost goods worth over N3 million.

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Nwoke said: “I did not know what happened. I had closed for the day and left before I received a call that there was a fire in the market. Before I could get to here, the fire had taken over the area. There was no way to enter. So, I was unable to save anything.” A woman was said to have, besides her wares, lost N1 million cash to the fire. Other victims had sad tales to tell. Most of the victims had just bought goods for Christmas. They were unable to retrieve any item from their shops. Others lost valuables to hoodlums, who posed as good Samaritans. The chairman of the traders and the government officer at the market, Robbinson Charles, told our reporter on phone that the incident was unfortunate. He suspected that an electrical fault might have caused the fire. But other traders alleged sabotage. Charles said the market was

equipped with modern facilities, including a fire service and an alarm station, a bore hole, among others, to prevent such incidents. Charles said there was the challenge of personnel to operate the equipment. Charles said: “It is an ultramodern market with a health centre, a bank and other facilities. But none of these is functional because there are no personnel. Besides, it is the responsibility of the government to employ the personnel to operate the system. “Though the cause of the inferno is still being investigated, but security reports from the market said the fire started from one of the shops when power was restored by the Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHDC) after the traders had closed for business that day. “The commissioner for Special Duties, Dickson Umunnakwe; the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Govern-

A •Kachi ... yesterday

ment Area and the lawmaker representing Port Harcourt in the House of Assembly, where the market is located, visited the scene this morning (yesterday). I have appealed to them and, by the character of our responsible Governor Chibuike Amaechi, I believe something will be done to alleviate the hardship the unfortunate incident has put the families of the traders into, especially at this festive season. “I have also appealed to them to plead with the governor to ensure personnel are employed to forestall a recurrence.” The market was built two years ago by the Amaechi administration.

‘Cultism’: Peterside threatens to sue Rivers PDP

IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has threatened to sue the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for calling him a cultist. The APC stalwart described the allegation as unkind and uncharitable. According to him this is taking politics of mudslinging too far. Peterside noted that the latest accusation was an attempt to destroy his hard-earned reputation. The aspirant, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, advised politicians to focus on issues that would improve the living standards of their people, instead of resorting to baseless accusation and cheap blackmail that could exacerbate the tensed political atmosphere in the state.

•‘I’m a preacher of the gospel’ He said the accusation contradicted his ideals as a practising Christian and preacher of the gospel. Peterside said: “I am amused by this baseless allegation because as a Christian, I know where I stand with Christ. And any attempt by anybody or group to tarnish my hardearned reputation will be resisted and challenged. “I never belonged to any secret society or cult group all my life, including my university days. I will never be. For emphasis sake, let me unequivocally state that I was never a member of any cult group, as alleged by my accusers. “From 1986 till 2011, I was a member of Church of God Mission International but for distance, I had to change my denomination to Salvation Ministries and my pastor can attest to my undiluted Christian life and

spiritual standing. In Abuja, I worship at the Desire Nations parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). Curiously, this unfortunate allegation is coming from a party that Rivers people and the Christian community are accusing of parading known Ogboni members. “Perhaps, this is a diversionary tactic to divert attention from the demand of the Christian community in Rivers State that those who aspire to the high office of the governor must have high moral and spiritual standing. And that the church resolved not to vote for anybody with secret society background is firm and well known. This is highly commendable. I can say without any fear that I was never and will never join any cult group. “For me, the issues before the electorate go beyond the unfounded and criminal accusation. I am aware that Riv-

ers people know all of us and our moral standing and character, including the issue of Christianity and where I stand. One would have expected my accusers to face the real issues of providing quality leadership rather than crying wolf where there is none. “I am an open book! In my days at Okrika Grammar School (OGS) and Rivers State University of Science and Technology - where I served as National President of National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), among other positions - I did not join any cult group, not even with the excuse of youthful exuberance. This accusation is, therefore, unjustified and should be disregarded. “I consider this a flagrant assault on my reputation and integrity and I am not going to take this lying low. Therefore, I am going to challenge this affront on my person and character in the court of law.”

27-YEAR old man, Austin Okonkwo, has been remanded in prison custody by an Evboriaria Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting in Ikpoba-Okha, Edo State, for allegedly defiling an 11-year old Down Syndrome patient. The accused was called several unprintable names when the girl was brought to the court. But Okonkwo pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge. Police prosecutor Aigbedion Obakpolor told the court that

Abductors of ex-Delta council chief’s wife jailed 51 years

DELTA State High Court, sitting in the Asaba Judicial Division, has sentenced three accused persons to 51 years’ imprisonment for kidnapping the wife of a former Ughelli South Local Government Area’s Chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Otidi. The convicts - Kelly Ogun, a 33-year old farmer; Udoji Peter, 35, and Iloaria Jonathan, a 26-year old taxi driver - are to spend 17 years each in prison, having been found guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping. The court sentenced each of them to seven years in jail for conspiracy to kidnap and 10 years each for kidnap. They were discharged on count three, on which the court ruled that the prosecution failed to establish the essential ingredients of the offence (demanding with menace) beyond reasonable doubts. The prosecution told the court that on or about January

OUR policemen attached to the Abavo Police Division in Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State have been arrested for allegedly killing a company’s driver. It was gathered that the policemen chased the driver, who was identified as

Anti-Wike protesters shut down PDP secretariat

From Gbade Ogunwale and Faith Yahaya, Abuja

the building and prevented the workers from leaving the premises. Workers and visitors were also denied access to the secretariat. National Women Leader Mrs. Kema Chikwe was prevented from entering the secretariat. Other national officers of

the party were not around, apparently after getting wind of the protest. Reporters covering the party also got a dose of the protesters’ rage: a few of them who attempted to capture the protest on their cameras were manhandled. Armed with guns, knives, cudgels and bottles, the protesters accused PDP leadership of acting in cahoots with

former Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike to impose candidates ahead of next year’s elections. They brought a coffin draped with Wike’s campaign posters. The protesters complained about the conduct of last Saturday’s House of Assembly primaries in Rivers State, which they said returned Wike’s loyalists and excluded majority of the as-

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

28, 2010, the three accused, with others at large, conspired and kidnapped Mrs Otidi, wife of a former local government chairman when she was returning from market in her car. The court was also told that the six kidnappers, who used a Volkswagen Jetta car for the crime, drove dangerously and hit Mrs Otid’s car from behind as she slowed down at a speed breaker. The kidnappers were said to have seized her there and whisked her away to a forest across the Bomadi River. Mrs Otidi, who identified her kidnappers in her evidence-inchief, said she outwitted her abductors and escaped from their den in the night, after pretending to be pressed. But the three abductors, who had made voluntary confessional statements to the police, in which they admitted committing the crime, denied the charges during the trial.

Four policemen arrested for ‘killing’ company’s driver

•From left: Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Director, Odu’a Group of companies; Mr. Adewale Raji, Managing Director, Prof. Ademola Ariyo, Resource Personnel and Chairman, Board of Director, University of Ibadan School of Business, Dr. Isaac Akintade, Chairman, Mr. Joseph Makoju, Resource Personnel and former CEO Lafarge-Wapco & old NEPA, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, Director, Odu’a, Mr. Joseph Tegbe, Partner, KPMG Advisory Services and Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede, Director at the Odu’a Management Retreat in Ibadan, Oyo State.

CTIVITIES at the Abuja national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were halted yesterday when protesters from the Rivers State chapter of the party sacked officials and workers from their duty posts. The protesters, who were said to have arrived at the secretariat as early as 7am, blocked the main entrance to

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

the accused committed the offence on November 29. Chief Magistrate Frank Idiake, who refused Okonkwo’s bail application, said rape cases were on the increase. A relative of the victim, who spoke in confidence after the court’s sitting, said the accused took the girl to his room and defiled her there. He said the girl’s cry attracted the neighbours, which led to the arrest of the accused. The case was adjourned till January 21, 2015.

pirants. Policemen and other security personnel at the secretariat vacated their duty posts and watched the drama from a safe distance. The protesters, under the umbrella of the Coalition of Rivers State PDP House of Assembly and National Assembly Aspirants, tabled a five-point demand before the party’s leadership.

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

Igochukwu Okafor, to Nwala Street in Abavo at 12.30pm and shot him dead. They arrested his assistant and locked him up at the police station. The incident aroused anger among youths in the community, leading to a crisis. But Police Commissioner Alkali Baba Usman ordered the arrest of the policemen and their transfer to the state police headquarters for investigation. A source, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter that Igochukwu, who drove a truck belonging to Apavo Foams, was killed in cold blood.

Hoodlums attack hotel in Benin From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

USPECTED hoodlums have damaged property worth millions of naira belonging to Ibis Private Home on 16, Aerodrome Close, Benin, the Edo State capital. The incident happened on Monday night. The proprietor of the hotel, Chief Don Ehijiator, told reporters that 10 hoodlums invaded the premises at 9.20pm. The hotelier said they unleashed violence on the workers and damaged parts of the facilities. He recalled that a customer, who booked into the hotel under the name “Gift Adun” on November 26, left a few days without properly checking out.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS

I inherited over N14b debt, says Taraba acting governor

EINSTATED Taraba State Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi has said he met an empty treasury and inherited over N14 billion debt from Garba Umar, who was sacked by the Supreme Court for unconstitutionally holding the office for two years. Danladi, who spoke yesterday on Taraba’s “suffocating economy”, said the situation had paralysed government businesses. It has also led to the inability of the state to pay the salaries of civil servants, he said.

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

Danladi spoke at the State House in Jalingo when officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) visited him. The acting governor explained that the state had huge debts because of the “series of overdrafts and loans” collected by the ousted acting governor. He urged the NLC and civil servants to be patient for the government to implement the remedial measures to address the “pathetic situation”. Danladi said: “I want to as-

sure the NLC that government is treading a vital path to bring the sad situation under control within the shortest possible time to put back the smiles that disappeared on the faces of the people for about two years.” The acting governor promised to make a state broadcast next week on the “crippled financial status” and the challenges before him. He wondered why those considered as threats to Umar in the Accounts Department of the state government were sacked or moved to other de-

partments by the sacked acting governor. Danladi directed the affected persons to return to their various offices, adding that their sack letters or deployment, following the Supreme Court ruling, had been nullified. The acting governor said: “He (Umar) made the changes for selfish and political reasons.” He set up a probe panel, called the “Contracts and Policies Verification and Advisory Committee”. Danladi urged the sevenman panel, headed by Dr. Phillip Duwe, to “ensure that the conduct of government businesses carried out during the period (two years) was done according to laid-down rules”.

Abuja traders won’t allow market demolition •‘We’ll rather die’

RADERS in a Kubwa village market, a satellite town in Abuja, have threatened to die than allow the Bwari Area Council (BAC) to demolish the market. They said the area council, which controls the market, had no right to demolish it without providing an alternative. The traders noted that if the government insisted on the demolition, it should be ready to kill all of them, because they would stand their ground to prevent the demolition. The market’s Peace and Security Chairman Cashmere Obialor spoke yesterday in Abuja at a protest opposing the planned demolition. He said: “What we are saying is that the Kubwa market has been in existence for over 30 years. It is not a virgin land that you could just clear. People feed their families from here and take refuge in this market. There are many widows who feed their families from this market. But now, the

•Some of the protesters speaking with the police at Kubwa, Abuja...yesterday From Grace Obike, Abuja

government officials are coming to demolish it without providing an alternative place. “What we are telling the government is that we are Nigerians. Many of us don’t have any other place to turn to. By the time they come and demolish the market, it will mean that they want to cause more crimes in Kubwa. They need to provide an alternative place to the traders, if they want to develop the market, pending when they finish and the traders return. “If the government insists on demolition after the sevenday ultimatum, it should be ready to kill the people in this

market because we are not going to run when they come out with their solders and guns. Nobody is going to run. They will have to kill to the last person in this market before they can demolish it. We have not agreed on anything with anybody. They have not even tried to get our stand. If they call us - we are the leaders of the market - we will tell them how we want our people to be carried along. “The interest of one of the senior workers of the area council is that if he closes his eyes, let the market be closed down because he built the Arab Road Market. He has over 50 shops at the Arab Road Market. I am saying this with

Robbers snatch governor’s car in Jigawa

OBBERS have snatched Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido’s official car in Dutse, the state capital. It was learnt that the car was snatched on the Ibrahim Aliyu Bypass in the city. The worsening security situation in the state has been attributed to the approaching Christmas and New Year celebrations. Police Commissioner

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

Ahmed Faruk Idris confirmed the incident. Through the command’s spokesman, Abdu Jinjiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Idris said: “We received a report that a Toyota Land Cruiser V8 was snatched at gunpoint around 9pm yesterday (Tuesday).” The police chief said the

robbers drove a Peugeot 406. He added: “Immediately we got the report, the police swung in to action and trailed the car. But it has not been recovered. “The driver is at the command’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) for investigation.” Idris urged the public to assist the police with useful information to improve the security of life and property.

Hold Jonathan’s administration responsible for insurgency, says Odigie-Oyegun

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to hold President Goodluck Jonathan’s government responsible for the killings and destruction of lives in the Northeast and other parts of the country. The party said the Federal Government had not displayed the political will to stop insurgency and other violent crimes in the country. It donated N5 million to the victims of last Friday’s Kano Central Mosque bomb blast. APC National Chairman

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

John Odigie-Oyegun spoke yesterday in Kano after a condolence visit to the Emir’s palace over last Friday’s bomb blasts. The APC chairman conveyed the party’s condolences to the state government through Deputy Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who stood in for Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, who was on an official engagement. Odigie-Oyegun said: “We are in a situation where we

have a government, we have security services, which now seem to be totally either unwilling or impotent, both of which are equally bad. This is because they are not willing to control the situation. Or, they are powerless that they are unable to control the situation. “The fear today is that we are gradually crippling towards anarchy. We are not talking of Dane guns anymore. We are not even talking about pistols; we are now talking of automatic weapons in the hands of people all over, in every part of the nation.”

facts. That is why he is moving people to go there by force; it’s not free. He said each person will pay N500,000 per annum for a shop and each person will pay for two years.”

Adamawa primaries: Electoral Committee members not kidnapped

HE Adamawa Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders yesterday said members of the House of Assembly Electoral Committee deployed in the state last Saturday were neither abducted nor molested. They also said Governor Bala Ngilari and members of the State Executive Committee of PDP did not interfere in the electoral process. They blamed the committee for allegedly submitting a fake report on their alleged molestation to PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu. They urged the party’s National Working Committee not to annul the results of the primaries. The stakeholders, in a statement in Abuja by Alhaji Yayaji Audu Gombi, explained that contrary to the committee’s claims, the primaries were free and fair. The statement said: “On Tuesday, the Adamawa House of Assembly Electoral Committee submitted a concocted report to the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Adamu Muazu, where it alleged, among others, that members of the panel were virtually kidnapped and held hostage in Yola during the primaries. “To attract undeserved sympathy, the committee also attempted to rubbish the results of the well-conducted and peaceful primaries. It maligned the hardearned integrity of Gover-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

nor Bala Ngilari, the State Chairman of PDP, Chief Joel Madaki, and the State Secretary. “Since November 29, when the electoral committee members arrived in Yola, they were treated with decorum and the usual hospitality of the people of Adamawa State. “No party leader, stakeholder or member kidnapped, molested, intimidated or arrested electoral committee members in any manner whatsoever. All the PDP State Executive Council and members demanded were free and fair primaries. “The chairman of the committee, Amb. Tim Ihemadu, and his members had unfettered access to the state secretariat of the party, all records and materials needed for the primaries. Ihemadu even addressed the press at the party’s secretariat, contrary to the lies dished out to the public. “On many occasions, Ihemadu addressed party members, the candidates, and he was present when collation officers were announcing the results. “There was no violence and no protest by any leader or member of the party. While those who won accepted their victory in good faith, the losers were magnanimous in defeat. It is a figment of the imagination of the committee to assume that the agents of the governor wrote the results.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

NEWS 2015: Buhari, Okorocha, Atiku, others sign pact Continued from page 8

looked into. “We are not going to a coronation. We are going to an election and that election is going to be done in the full glare of Nigerians. “Those who are not opportune to be there as delegates but are interested in rescuing democracy in this country would have opportunity to watch it live on television, listen live on radio and follow us online and also be part of it internationally for those who are not in Nigeria as well as other Nigerians who are interested in seeing Nigeria

get through these challenges through a process that is credible, transparent and acceptable to all. “All our aspirants have also been briefed on the various steps we have taken. Our committee is holding our last meeting here in Abuja today and we are relocating to the venue of our convention from this moment.” In a statement from his media office, Atiku said he was not only delighted that Lagos had been selected to host such an august event, but was confident that the city has all it takes to ensure that the event

will be memorable and successful, especially in view of the cosmopolitan nature of the city and the famed easy going nature of its residents. The statement said that the former Vice President considered Lagos as a second home, bearing in mind that he spent several years of his public service career there. “I’m not any less Lagosian than anyone is. I have a house in Lagos and a part of my large family lives in Lagos. I visit Lagos regularly, so I’m not a stranger to the cosmopolitan city and what it represents as the melting pot of Nigeria,” he said.

NLC tells govt to address insurgency Continued from page 8

retary-General of the National union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigeria, said: “Citizens must be assured in concrete and practical terms that workplaces, schools, markets and worship places are safe. The current state of insecurity, if not curtailed will further worsen existing low productivity, ground work places and underdevelop the nation. “When we add serial bombings in parts of Maiduguri and now Yobe, these are attacks getting too many for a country that has not been officially said to be at war. More frightening is the fact that the casualties include soldiers and police meant to protect us. “It’s time President Goodluck Jonathan addressed the citizens on the state of the nation. Just today Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta has not only addressed Kenyans but has fired his internal security minister and accepted the resignation of his police chief following the al-Shabaab quarry attack that reportedly killed 36 quarry workers in the north of the country. “We possibly may not know these dark forces of murder and mayhem. But we know our Commander-in-Chief, Service Chiefs, Defence Minister,Interior Minister, National Security Adviser, state governors, elected and appointed public officers and tra-

ditional rulers. They must live to the expectation of their respective oaths of office and ensure inclusive security of all Nigerians. If we can commendably secure political rallies, cultural carnivals, we must be able to guarantee security for all. “With these senseless killings, 2.5 million people displaced, never before is Nigeria calling and we must obey. With as many as eight million organised workforce in the NLC and TUC, Nigeria parades patriotic workforce. It’s time these compatriots and patriots in the civil society rose to defend lives and property. “We salute the patriots who are still standing and remain counted in this age of least resistance by many compatriots, notably His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and John Cardinal Onaiyekan, Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Colonel Umar Dangiwa (rtd), Prof. Wole Soyinka, elder statesman Emeka Anyaoku and Femi Falana have also rightly warned all compatriots not to be indifferent to the sad development in the Northeast. “Nigeria parades possibly the highest number of past Heads of State that include General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Muhammadu Buhari, Gener-

al Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan, General Abdulsalam Abubakar and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. It is high time these past Heads of State joined forces with the Federal Government and patriotic citizens of the country to terminate insurgency and senseless killings in the country.” The NLC sympathised with the people and government of Kano State on the “cowardly” bomb blast on November 28 at the Kano Central Mosque, which reportedly left scores of worshippers dead and many injured. On the devaluation of the Naira, the NLC boss said Nigerians certainly have enough frustration to resign into complacency. His words: “The recent administrative Naira devaluation and hike in interest rate by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will further worsen the deteriorating condition of workers through eroded wages and high prices of basic goods. Indeed, government must reverse these ill-advised, anti-people policies of devaluation of Naira and increase in interest rate. “There is a Moroccan proverb that says ‘my country is my country even though it is unjust to me’. However, regardless of these anti-people policies, Nigerian compatriots must heed the first stanza of the National Anthem.”

Military jet bombard insurgents as they re-group Continued from page 8

sive Device (IED) for suicide mission. Also, more hideouts and escape routes of the insurgents have been blocked. Fresh insights from intelligence gathered by the military confirmed the desperation of Boko Haram to take over Maiduguri and Damaturu, capitals of Borno and Yobe States. A military source yesterday said: “Provoked by the daring and antics of terrorists, the Nigerian troops have continued to rain devastating blows on their (terrorists’) hideouts and escape routes. This Wednesday’s morning, the troops in Konduga, Borno

State destroyed a vehicle laden with Improvised Explosive Device (IED) meant for suicide bombing operation by the terrorists. “This is the latest incident in the series of recent attempts being made by terrorists to make incursions into the town and other surrounding communities. “While undisclosed number of terrorists were killed, no personnel or civilian was affected in today’s incident. A top source said: “These insurgents are desperately out to take control of Maiduguri and Damaturu. They are looking for state capitals from where they can administer as a “rebel government.” “They were curtailed before

but they have suddenly renewed agitation for the two state capitals. They see the seizure of Konduga as vital to successful attacks on Maiduguri. “In the last 48 hours, we have killed more than 150 insurgents. We are actually taking the battle to them now. “With more equipment and reinforcement, the insurgents cannot go far any more.” It was learnt that more volunteer groups have sprung up in some parts of the North-East to expose Boko Haram members living in different communities. The top source added: “Even the locals are tired of these insurgents, they are rising up and supporting the military to expose the insurgents living in their midst.”

Presidency seeks truce Continued from page 8

commitment that have been shown by the distinguished members and we trust that ultimately it is this tendency towards true Nationalism that will prevail in the Senate. “It is our view that there are at present, serious fundamental issues of National importance such as winning the war against terrorism and stabilizing the economy in the face of dwindling oil

revenue which requires the full attention, commitment and swift action of distinguished members of the Senate.

“We are of the opinion that all matters political can and will be resolved politically in the overall interest of our democracy and the wellbeing of our people”.

‘Why we chose Lagos for Presidential primary’ Continued from page 8

in Benin would not meet up with the need of our delegatesÿ aspirants and other leaders that will be present. So those were the grounds on

which Lagos qualified to be the choice of the venue for our convention0 Fayemi said the committee would prove critics wrong with a free and fair presidential primary.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

SHOWBIZ Ajebo hits with My Cartoons and I

‘I won’t quit despite losing primaries’

ESPITE defeat, Monday, at the All Progressive Party (APC) primaries in Ogun State, music mogul, Dayo Adeneye, aka D1, has pledged loyalty to the party and the Governor Ibikunle Amosu-led administration. Although D1 had claimed, prior to the election, that Governor Amosun brought him into the race, his fans were shocked when the on-airpersonality was defeated by another protégé of the governor and Special Assistant (SA) on Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr. Adebowale Ojuri. Both men had vied for the ticket to represent Odogbolu Constituency, in the Ogun State House of Assembly. Reacting to his loss, D1 stated that his loyalty subsists with the APC,

By Ovwe Medeme

and that the party’s objectives are his objectives. Speaking to The Nation, he noted that if he is called upon to serve in another capacity, he would gladly heed. “I said that I want to serve. I cannot dictate and determine the capacity in which I want to serve. In whatever capacity I am called to participate, the thing is to contribute and not just sit in your parlour and talk. That is what I am about. I’m about change, I’m about progress and I’m about equity. I remain a loyal party man. So whatever decisions my party makes, I have to abide by it,” he stated. The music producer also expressed his desire for the APC to win all

positions in Ogun State and at the Federal Government levels. “I am in politics to make a change and in whatever capacity I feel I can make a difference, I will continue to pursue all objectives and all avenues to make sure that Nigeria changes. We cannot all continue to look at it the way it is. As at yesterday, the dollar was 187 to 1. Where are we going in this country? And if people like us sit back on radio and continue to complain, nothing will be done,” he said. While admitting that he might not have solutions to all the problems in the country, D1 said there are clear indications of what he is capable of doing. “We have succeeded in the private sector. We have grown a music industry that was moribund and written off as dead. Everybody

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi

• Dayo

can see our footprints in music, entertainment business and all. So, imagine if given the opportunity to do the same in governance. Those are the things I am pursuing. I am in it to stay with it. I am not leaving politics. I am in politics and will continue to move forward and continue to contribute to my party, the APC and its objectives,” he said.

Stella Damasus pays tribute to husband

• Stella Damasus

ESPITE her purported controversial relationship with filmmaker, Daniel Ademinokan, popular actress, Stella Damasus, has continued to share her affection for her late husband, Jaiye Aboderin, with the public.

Aboderin died 10 years ago, while playing basketball with friends, and every year, Stella remembers him. Yesterday, she published a tribute that has since gone viral on the social media. She said: “Every morning I open my eyes from sleep, the first words that come to my lips are ‘Thank You Lord for the miracle of sleeping and waking up’. I am thankful to God for His grace, his favor, His blessings and also for the privilege he gave me to have had an amazing man in my life who was my friend and husband. JAIYE, today makes it 10 whole years that you left us here to a better place. It’s been 10 long years without your words of wisdom, your gentle

personality and your warm heart. “You were a source of strength for me and everybody that came in contact with you. Yes, you left us suddenly but the impact your short life had on this earth will stay with us forever. I miss you Jay, but I know you’re in a better place. Thank you for showing me what true love is and for making me know how it feels to truly love and be loved. It is my prayer that people at some point in their lives get to experience someone as great as you. “I’ve learnt to live life, love life. I’ve learnt to appreciate every moment of it because sometimes those moments may be lost forever and never return.

I’ve learnt to say I’m sorry to those who I hurt because I may never get a chance to say it tomorrow. I’ve learnt to say I love you to those who I love because they may not be here tomorrow to hear it from me. I learnt to say goodbye to those who are in my life as barriers because they may be holding me back from extending love and gratitude to those who should get it. I have learnt to be me for me. “Thank you Jaiye because you brought that out in me. I am grateful for the life I shared with you. I am grateful for who I am now because sharing a life with you made me a better person. I miss you and the girls miss you too. Continue to rest in peace, Jaiyejeje Aboderin.”

OTABLE radio presenter and comedian, Ajebo, was in the spotlight, as he launched his new work, My Cartoons and I, at the Shell Hall, Muson Center, Onikan Lagos. Hosted by actress Funke Akindele and comedian Ayo Makun, aka AY, the event could be said to have delivered on its promise of exciting music and comedy acts. It was a star-studded event, featuring comedians such as Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, Funnybone, Elenu, D-don, Akpororo, Romeo, Ushbebe, Senator, Shakara, Emeka Smith, Still Ringing, Pencil youngest, Landlord, Kolo man and Holyface. Music stars, who performed include Sound Sultan, MI, Cynthia Morgan, Monica Ogah, Blackmagic, Joel, Jaywon, Sexy Steel, Dammy Krane, Sean Tizzle, Illbliss, Eclipse, Oritse Femi, Daddy Showkey, Veentage band, and DJ kentalky. Also present were Segun Arinze, Acapela, Princewill, Whalemouth, ID Cabassa, Skales, Timi Dakolo, Immaculate and Young Racy. The comedian, who was nominated as Best Youth Comedian at Tush Awards, also released the House of Ajebo DVD, a compilation of animated skits and jokes.

• Ajebo

SPORT EXTRA

Martins quits Eagles

Appeals Committee upholds NFF election

• Pinnick remains President • Throws out petitions

AETTLE Sounders marksman Obafemi Martins has announced his retirement from international football, a decade after making his debut against Republic of Ireland. The former Inter Milan and Newcastle United has lifted the lid, saying he was forced to make this decision because he does not have a good relationship with his teammates

in the Super Eagles’ team. “No, I am done with my national team, I will not go there any more. I do not have good relationship with some of them, ” Obafemi Martins said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “If they do not want me anymore, then I have to leave. I love my country, I have given so much. But there are problems and although I am

called up, I do not go.” Meanwhile, the 30 - year old will be bidding to become the first Nigerian player to win MLS Most Valuable Player when the most outstanding player is unveiled. Obafemi Marins scored 18 goals for the Super Eagles internationally, and has not been officially call up to the national team for the past 21 months.

Age-cheating: Dolphins clear Eduok

IGERIA Professional Football League (NPFL) club, Dolphins, have declared that their attacking winger, Emem Eduok, is 20 years old and not 23. According to the club's spokesman, China Acheru, the confusion over Eduok's

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registration stems from an error during his registration for the 2013/14 NPFL season with the League Management Company (LMC). Acheru disclosed that Dolphins secretary, Ahmed Abdulrahman, has accepted responsibility for the error in the age of the winger, which has become a burning issue in the Nigerian media in the past days. "Emem has been our player for past seasons, and he has just one passport which proves that he was born in 1994 contrary to the 1991 that is being bandied about. The error over his age emanated from the registration process which the club secretary has accepted responsibility for," Acheru told supersport.com. The man in the centre of the controversy, Eduok, told supersport.com that he is shocked that there is confusion over his age when his

international passport reads that he was born on January 31, 1994. He added that if he was 23 as being claimed then he would not have played in last year's FIFA Under-20 World Cup for Nigeria. "I am in shock that my age is being called into question. Why now after I played in the Under-20 World Cup and my date of birth is on FIFA's website for everyone to see. I have the same age on my international passport since I have been playing. "I feel sad that this is happening right now after having my best season in the Nigerian league. But it will never stop me from playing for Nigeria if I am called back to camp of the Under23 national team," Eduok told supersport.com. Eduok scored 23 league goals and four Federation Cup goals, and emerged Most Valuable Player of the Cup competition last season.

• Martins

Birmingham starlet to train with Nigeria

ORMER Bendel Insurance star Victor-Banks Otabor has confirmed that his son, Birmingham City’s midfielder Viv Efosa Solomon-Otabor, will train with the Flying Eagles in January ahead of the African Youth Championship. And he has nothing but praise for Solomon-Otabor for committing his international future to Nigeria, saying he's very fanatical about the Africa powerhouse even though he was born in England. ''He has been invited but I don't think Birmingham City have received an invitation letter yet. The Secretary told us the invitation letter is on the way, without the letter he can't make the trip,'' says Victor-Banks Otabor to SL10.ng.

RESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick can heave a sigh of relief after his election which brought him into office on September 30 was upheld by the electoral appeals committee yesterday in Abuja. Furthermore no board member’s seat was declared vacant by the Okey Ajunwa led- committee in its communique. Several petitions challenging the legality of the election were dealt with extensively by the committee before arriving at its decisions. The six-man committee agreed they lacked merit and consequently communicated its findings to the NFF secretariat.

By Ejiro Femi-Babafemi But despite its position, only five members signed the communique. Ajunwa's signature was missing which suggests that all may not be well within the committee. A pointer to this was the way the members openly criticised Ajunwa for taking unilateral decisions as the meeting progressed. It was however resolved. "This statement bears in mind that the chairman may have a dissenting minority opinion," part of the communique read. Football governing body, FIFA will be duly notified of the committee's position by the NFF secretariat.

Newcastle, Liverpool battle for Alli

EWCASTLE United are hoping to clinch the signing of MK Dons midfielder Dele Alli ahead of English Premier League rivals Liverpool. According to the Daily Mail, the 18-year-old is expected to call time on his stint with The Dons in the January transfer window after seven years at the Stadium MK. But it is unclear where he will play next, with earlier reports suggesting that Liverpool were in pole position for his signature. Newcastle United manager,

Alan Pardew, is in the market for a central midfielder, and has beamed his searchlight on Dele Alli. In the race for the services of the England youth international, the Magpies face competition from Liverpool and Brentford. The Anglo-Nigerian extended his contract with MK Dons in September, penning a new deal that ties him to the club until the summer of 2017. Dele Alli has averaged 0.5 goals per game in League One for promotion chasing MK Dons since the season started.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES AUSTERITY MEASURES KILLING NIGERIANS, says Activist

VIRTUALLY NOTHING CAN KILL THE NIGERIAN...even EBOLAFAILED

VOL. 9, NO. 3,052

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

N a recent article by me in this column, I echoed the thoughts and assertions of liberal philosophers that it is very difficult for any society or nation to achieve freedom for its people, and that, once achieved, it is even more difficult to defend and sustain such freedom. This was what led one philosopher to warn that ‘vigilance is the eternal price of freedom’. This has been the experience of our country, Nigeria, and its people, since independence from colonial rule was achieved in 1960. Three recent events illustrate how easy it is for our rulers to trample on our collective freedom, and how easy it is for them to get away with it. The first was the shameful manner in which a combination of the police and agents of the security forces invaded the premises of the National Assembly and prevented members from holding a scheduled meeting specifically called to consider President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for an extension of the existing emergency rule in the Northeastern part of Nigeria where the insurgents, Boko Haram, have been on the rampage with heavy civilian casualties, including the over 200 Chibok girls that have not yet been recovered from their abduction. The second assault on our fledgling democracy was the invasion by the security agencies of the private office of the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Lagos, and the seizure by them of valuable documents of the party, including vital papers on the party’s register of members, and relevant information needed by the party in respect of the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) distribution. The third disturbing event was the unlawful manner in which Ayo Fayose, the newly elected Governor of Ekiti State, removed the Speaker of the House and got three of his nominees as commissioners approved by a House which was not legally constituted as required by the rules establishing the House. In all three cases, the police and security agents offered very lame and disturbing excuses for these disgraceful and deplorable assaults on our collective freedom. In the case of the police invasion of the National Assembly, during which some members, fearing a possible impeachment of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, scaled the perimeter fence of the National Assembly, the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Sulaiman Abba, claimed falsely that he ordered the lock out of members of the National Assembly because of the intelligence reports he received that some thugs were about to invade the National Assembly and prevent members from meeting. Obviously, this claim is spurious, and

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

In defence of freedom and democracy

•Dr. Jonathan fabricated, to justify a brazen and reprehensible police invasion of the National Assembly. For, if it was true that the police chief had received such an intelligence report, he should have informed the principal officers of the National Assembly, Senator David Mark, and Tambuwal, and sought their approval to shut the National Assembly. There is no evidence that the police chief passed such security information to these two. The decision to lock out members from the House was plainly political and intended to humiliate and embarrass Tambuwal for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the main opposition party. Subsequent events and political manoeuvres, including the attempt by the PDP members of the House to

T is puzzling that the internationally powerful and influential US government, which apparently enjoys playing the role of the world’s policeman, may be more willing to render assistance to victims of the terroristic Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria than help in quelling the Islamist guerilla force. This odd sense of responsibility is a possible implication of the picture painted by the Press Attache, US Embassy, Abuja, Sean McIntosh, in an effort to clarify his country’s position. Interestingly, McIntosh reportedly offered a list of help-related figures, including the provision of $19m for the vulnerable and conflict-affected households in Nigeria by the American government in 2014. He said: “More than $7m from the US Agency for International Development’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance supports health, water and sanitation services; the delivery of emergency relief supplies and protection activities for women and children in Northeastern Nigeria.” He continued: “USAID/ Food for Peace has provided nearly $7m in emergency food assistance and the US Department of State has provided more than $15m to fund protection activities in affected areas.” McIntosh also said: “In addition, the US government provided more than $54m

impeach Tambuwal reveal the real intentions of the police chief and the security agencies in locking out members of the House. It was to stop the House from meeting to perform its legitimate and lawful duties. In the second case, that of the break in by officials of the Department of State Security (DSS) into the APC office in Lagos, it was claimed by these agents that they broke in because they had received intelligence reports that the APC office was being used as the site for the cloning of the Permanent Voter Cards for next year’s general elections. Again another brazen lie used to justify an unlawful and reprehensible act. If it were not so, the DSS would, by now, be showing the public evidence of such cloning of voter cards. It has not yet done so, and has irresponsibly ignored a court ruling that the invasion was illegal, and that all documents taken away by the security agents in this disgraceful abuse of power, should be returned to the office of the APC. This incident is reminiscent of the Watergate break in, which drove President Richard Nixon from office in the United States. It is unthinkable in any democratic and civilised country. In the third case, that of Governor Fayose’s manipulation of the Ekiti House of Assembly, to remove the Speaker and secure the approval of the rump of the House for his nominees as commissioners, again this is no less than a flagrant breach of the democratic process, in which the independence of the legislature is constitutionally guaranteed against any form of abuse by the executive branch of government. In all three cases being considered here, the President has not uttered a word in condemnation of these brazen assaults on our fledgling democracy. But his silence is deaf-

HARDBALL Uncle Sam’s confused wisdom in humanitarian assistance in Cameroon, Chad and Niger, targeting refugee populations from neighbouring counties, including Nigeria.” Perhaps to drive the point home that the US is not short of ideas and plans to help those affected by the violence in Nigeria’s Northeast, McIntosh reportedly mentioned that two new programmes were in the pipeline, including a ‘crisis response’ programme to be funded with between $20m and $30m, and designed to provide basic education, especially for internally displaced boys and girls. It is noteworthy that these sweet-sounding words were uttered against the background of a weighty allegation by the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, which implied that America seemed to be enjoying the bloody drama by terrorists in Nigeria and was not doing enough to assist the country in winning the terror war. In a damning criticism, Adefuye on November 10 told members of the Council on

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

ening, as it represents an explicit approval by him of the abuse of power and office by the police and the security agencies. In other civilised climes, those responsible for these breaches of the rule of law would have been dismissed immediately and handed over for prosecution. None of these has yet happened. Instead, they are being tacitly defended to the extent that the police chief, an unelected public official, could tell members of the House of Representatives that he no longer recognised Tambuwal as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, even though the House has not yet removed or replaced him. This is a dreadful and dangerous road our country has travelled before with grave consequences. In 1962, during the constitutional crisis in the old Western Region, the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa, in an evidently partisan and unconstitutional manner, ordered the police to invade the Western Region House of Assembly, in which there was a fracas, and ordered the closure of the Assembly. Subsequently, he declared a state of emergency in the region, and handed it over to a sole administrator. It was a script written and acted upon to destroy the Action Group (AG) government of the region. This wanton assault on democracy in the West eventually led to the first military intervention of January 15, 1966, in Nigeria, an event that eventually led to our bloody three-year civil war in which millions of our people died. We have not yet fully recovered from the consequences of that single action by Prime Minister Balewa of taking over the government of the Western Region in circumstances that were plainly absurd and unconstitutional. Now, one would have thought that the entire country would unite in condemning and resisting these serial assaults on our democracy and freedom. But that is not the case. Instead, it is being viewed in partisan terms as a matter solely for the opposition party. As usual, tribal considerations have blinded some of our people to the possible tragic consequences of this onslaught on our freedom. But freedom and democracy cannot be divided, or denied to those who, today, may be in opposition. Freedom denied an individual, is freedom denied to all. Let me end this column by recalling what Lord Palmerston, a 19 th century British liberal Prime Minister once said about the defence of freedom; ‘There is a passion in the human heart stronger than the desire to be free from injustice and wrong, and this is the desire to inflict injustice and wrong upon others. Men resent more keenly an attempt to prevent them from oppressing other people than they do the oppression from which they themselves( once) suffered”. • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the Foreign Relations: “The US government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested” He also said: “We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the US presence in Nigeria, with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.” Adefuye’s complaint and observation brings to mind the memorable biblical quote, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Maybe in an increasingly individualistic and impersonal world, Adefuye’s words had a ring of naïve optimism about human nature and, perhaps more importantly, what is called realpolitik. However, there is the other side of the coin, which is the burden of America’s perceived global leadership ambition. It ought to be easy to see that terrorism in any part of the world is a threat to all, particularly in the context of the reality of the global village. Uncle Sam’s wisdom in this matter is confusing and confused, and suggests that there may be more to it than meets the eye.

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