The Nation December 13, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

N195b pension cash: Maina faces arrest

10 held over Oluwole Rotimi’s wife’s kidnap

NEWS

Page 6

•Lawmakers to quiz pension chief

•Police seek to unravel plot

NEWS Page 7

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2339 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Lawyers kick as EFCC accuses Babalakin of planning to flee T HE hide-and-seek game between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Bi-Courtney chairman Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) continued yesterday, with the anti-graft agency accusing the businessman of plotting to flee the country.

The commission made the allegation through its

By Eric Ikhilae and Bisi Onanuga

counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

Babalakin’s admission at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for hypertension, according to his

counsel, frustrated his arraignment for allegedly transferring N4.7 billion on behalf of the convicted former governor of Delta State, James Ibori.

Jacobs said EFCC operatives laid a siege to LUTH to ensure that Babalakin did not escape.

Jacobs said Babalakin was hiding in the hospital to evade arrest, adding that the embattled businessman had even called the EFCC that he wanted to go home.

“He (Babalakin) asked for a guarantee from the EFCC that he will not be arrested upon leaving the hospital, but we rejected it. We had an Continued on page 2

Budget 2013 row grows Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal’s meeting inconclusive Senate, House disagree From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

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FRESH row has broken out between the Senate and the House of Representatives over the passage of the 2013 budget.

The Senate is ready to pass the budget before the end of the month, but the House of Representatives is insisting on full implementation of this year’s budget before passing the 2013 Appropriation Bill.

The House wants the Executive to extend the 2012 fiscal year to January for it to implement this year’s budget effectively.

Attempts to iron out the differences have not succeeded. The House is insisting that the execution of this year’s budget has not reached 65 per cent.

Besides, there are fears over the likely mismanagement of the fourth quarter allocation, which is just being released.

Only N170billion of the N300billion fourth quarter allocation has been cash-backed by the Ministry of Finance.

A principal officer of one of the chambers, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are back in the trenches, with the Senate and the House taking different positions on the passage of the 2013 budget.

“Although all members of the National Assembly are aggrieved over the poor implementation of this year’s budget, Senate President David Mark has urged committees to fast track the passage of the budget. He met with the chairmen.

“Mark, who admitted that the Executive has a lot of shortcomings on the implementation of this year’s budget, said the country has to move forward.

“So, the Senate has decided to pass the 2013 Appropriation Bill - in the interest of the nation and in line with the rectification of the appropriation calendar which will now run from January to December.”

Despite Mark’s intervention, the Northern Senators Forum on Tuesday night met in Abuja Continued on page 2

•A crushed pupil’s leg under the lorry...yesterday

PHOTO: ERNEST NWOKOLO

Lorry crushes eight pupils in Ogun

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T was tearful and violent yesterday in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, where eight pupils were crushed to death.

Many others were injured, some critically.

The scene of horror was splattered with blood. Bodies and

•Nine others die in accidents From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

other materials littered the ground.

A body was under the truck waiting to be pulled out — dead.

There was tension in the com-

munity following the stalling of the rescue operation, leading to riots and smashing of vehicles on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway by youths.

No fewer than 47 vehicles were damaged before the police ar-

rived with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) to restore order.

The pupils of Comprehensive High School, Itori, a town on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway, were on their way home after school hours when a graniteContinued on page 2

•N11.5B FRAUD: AKALA HAS CASE TO ANSWER P8 •ILORIN CHURCH BURNT P58

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

NEWS ‘Babalakin plotting to flee’ Continued from page 1

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second right), Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (third left), Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu (third right), Chairman, Marketing and Sponsorship Sub-Committee, Eko 2012, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas (right), Accommodation and Welfare Sub-Committee Chair Mrs. Angela Adebayo (2nd left) and Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora (left) during the Appreciation Cocktail in honour of the LOC members, victorious athletes and sponsors of the Eko 2012 Games at the Muson Centre, Lagos Island…on Tuesday

Jega: no going back on deregistration of 28 parties

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HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, yesterday foreclosed another chance for the deregistered 28 political parties.

Besides, he said the commission did not act in subjudice of a pending case before a Lagos High Court.

Jega insisted that the parties were deregistered in compliance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

He, however, said there is no plan to limit the nation to any fixed number of parties because new political parties would be registered as more cease to exist.

Jega, who spoke during an interview in Abuja, promised that the 2015 elections will be “remarkably” better than the

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

2011 poll.

He is optimistic that Nigeria would have overcome Boko Haram and other security challenges before the 2015 elections.

He said the delimitation of constituencies, which was last conducted in 1996, will hold in 2013, but the final say on the number of senatorial districts and federal constituencies suitable for the nation will be determined by the National Assembly.

Jega said: “As you are no doubt aware, we made a commitment to Nigerians to continue to improve upon the electoral process to continue to sanitise the electoral process and to continue to ensure that as we move from 2011 elections to the 2015 elections, there are remarkable im-

provements which can be measured.

“The current deregistration of political parties should be viewed in this context of bringing sanity to the electoral process.

The constitution also defines in Section 221-228 what the requirements of registration are.

“Then the provision that grants INEC the powers to register political parties also gives the National Assembly the powers to enact laws to govern the electoral process.

So, the National Assembly, in compliance with that constitutional provision, enacted the Electoral Act as amended in 2010. And that is the Electoral Act that has guided our action.

“Section 78, sub-section 7 of that Electoral Act gives INEC the power to deregister political parties which are not in

compliance with constitutional provisions for the registration of the parties in the first place.

“And if you are aware, we also have the powers to monitor the activities of political parties. And from the information available to us, we have incontrovertible evidence that the parties that we deregistered have not complied with those provisions of the constitution, which defined, what is required for registration.

“In particular, if you look at Sections 222 and 223, political parties are supposed to register with INEC and to have an office in Abuja ; they are supposed to hold periodic elections; they are supposed to have executives that represent in their composition the Federal Character in particular Continued on page 63

Lorry crushes eight pupils in Ogun Continued from page 1

bearing articulated lorry marked Lagos XZ 628 AKD skidded off the hilly stretch of the expressway and plunged into the valley where the school is situated. It was around 3.36pm.

The incident triggered a stampede. Students ran for safety as the truck rolled off the hilly road, tumbled several times before falling on some of them. Eight were crushed to death instantly. Five of them were girls.

Teachers, parents and members of the Itori community stormed the scene as they

struggled to rescue the trapped pupils from under the debris of the truck and granite.

Chairman of Ewekoro Local Government Mr. Dele Soluade, operatives of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the police and the state’s traffic agency, TRACE, were labouring to contain the situation.

The Itori Unit Commander of the FRSC, Mr Fatai Adesina Bakare, confirmed the death of five pupils. He said their bodies were evacuated to the state hospital’s morgue.

He blamed the accident on the recklessness of the truck driv-

er.”

The council chairman, who rushed off in search of a crane that could untangle the fallen truck and free trapped pupils, returned empty-handed, thereby incensing parents, teachers and the community the more.

The angry youths and students poured onto the expressway smashing any vehicle in sight.

Also yesterday, another multiple accident near Ogere on the Lagos - Ibadan expressway left five persons dead and others injured.

The accident caused a traffic gridlock on the road, trig-

gering the rumour of a robbery. Ogun police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the accident was instigated by a “truck which veered off its lane” and smashed into other vehicles along its path.

Four other persons also died yesterday at Olodo community in Ogun State on the Abeokuta - Ibadan road when a Toyota Camry car marked JP 602AAA inside which three persons were travelling collided with a Mazda with registration number LAG 984AR. The three persons in the Camry car died on the spot. The driver of the Mazda car died on the way to the hospital.

intelligence report that he wanted to leave the country.

“It is our duty to ensure that he does not escape. It has happened before. Ibori left this country and was jailed in the United Kingdom (UK). It is the duty of my client (EFCC) to ensure that this should not happen again,” Jacobs said.

He said the application for an adjournment, which was filed by Babalakin’s counsel and his suit against the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Lagos, were aimed at stalling the arraignment.

Babalakin’s counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) and Dr Abiodun Layolu (SAN), said the EFCC was only making wild allegations against their client.

Layolu said: “The continued siege on the first defendant (Babalakin) in the hospital by EFCC operatives can worsen his health condition and delay the arraignment.

“His hypertension has been aggravated by the presence of these stern-looking operatives in the hospital premises.”

Ayorinde dismissed the anti-graft agency’s claim that Babalakin was stalling the arraignment by filing various applications.

He said: “The first defendant is entitled to all the pro-

tection of the law in the country.

“If he sees that his rights are being trampled upon, he has the right to take the necessary legal steps.”

The judge, after hearing their arguments, urged the EFCC to get an independent medical report on Babalakin’s health status and forward it to the court.

Justice Onigbanjo adjourned the matter till January17 for hearing of the applications filed by defence counsel and for Babalakin’s possible arraignment.

Babalakin and four others are facing the 27-count charge of money laundering.

There was a twist to the case when the court granted Babalakin’s counsel, Mr Ebun Sofunde (SAN), permission to withdraw from the matter.

Sofunde, in an application dated December 4, told the court that he was withdrawing his representation for “personal reasons”.

Babalakin is facing the charges alongside Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Ltd., BiCourtney Ltd. and Renix Nigeria Ltd. The EFCC alleged that the defendants fraudulently assisted Ibori to transfer various sums, through various parContinued on page 63

Doctors ‘satisfied’ with Mandela’s progress in hospital

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OCTORS caring for former South African President, Nelson Mandela, said he was responding to treatment for a lung infection, the presidency announced yesterday.

Mandela, 94, was admitted to a military hospital in Pretoria on Saturday.

“He has made progress during the past 24 hours and the doctors are satisfied with the way he is responding to treatment,” said presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj, who was imprisoned with Mandela in the 1970s.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was hospitalised in 2011 for an acute respiratory infection.

In the 1980s, while still incarcerated by the apartheid regime, Mandela suffered from tuberculosis and his lungs were said to have been damaged during years of hard labour in prison.

Mandela spent 27 years in jail for his leadership in the fight against white minority rule, or apartheid, and became

South Africa’s first black president in 1994, stepping down after one term in office.

He retired from public life in 2004 and has not been seen in public since 2010.

The former president, admired for his key role in bringing democracy to South Africa and encouraging racial reconciliation, largely lives in his rural hometown of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape Province.

Visitors say that while his memory is lapsing, he is generally in good spirits.

•Mandela

Row grows as Budget 2013 splits Senate, House Continued from page 1

for about two hours on the budget.

It was gathered that most senators at the session were unhappy that the Executive had been misleading the nation on the percentage of the budget implementation for 2012.

It was learnt that the senators identified their grouses as follows: poor execution of the 2012 budget; non-release of funds for capital projects and mounting debts, which has risen to $10billions; among others.

A member of the Northern caucus, who spoke on the session by Northern Senators, said: “ We are all not happy at all with the Executive. We took

Jonathan, Mark, Tambuwal meet over budget

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly were locked in a meeting last night to starve off a budget impasse.

It was learnt that the meeting bothered on the 2013 budget.

Besides, it was gathered that the passage of the fuel subsidy supplenote of the plea by the President of the Senate but we are watching what the House of Representatives will do. At the end of the day, we might pitch tent with the House members if they have convincing reasons.

“Do not forget that the two chambers must harmonise their positions before the bud-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

mentary budget of N162 billion was part of the discussion.

The meeting, which started at about 7:00 pm at the First Lady’s conference chamber inside the Presidential Villa, had in attendance Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark and

get can be passed.”

A principal officer of the House, who confided in our correspondent last night, said: “We won’t subject the House to the blanket passage of the 2013 Appropriation Bill into law.

“We want to measure significant implementation of the 2012 budget before passing the

House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal.

On the executive side were Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Senate president told reporters that the meeting would continue today.

2013 bill into law. We are calling for a window of one month to extend the fiscal year to January 2013 to monitor the use of the fourth quarter allocation and comprehensively evaluate the 2012 budget.

“If the Executive and the Senate can agree to one month extension of the fiscal year, we will pass the 2013 Appropria-

tion Bill into law. At present, we have a situation whereby fourth quarter funds will go into unauthorised hands.

“While the fourth quarter allocation has not been fully released, the Executive just sent in a N162billion supplementary budget which is late in the day. How can the fiscal year end on December 31,

2012? Who will monitor the use of these funds? The funds may end up in private accounts of those milking the system. We want to assert our constitutional rights to appropriate and ensure judicious use of funds.

“There is no meeting point with the Senate on this extension of the fiscal year by one month.”

ADVERT HOTLINES: 08023006969, 08052592524 NEWSROOM: LAGOS – 01-8962807, ABUJA – 07028105302 COMPLAINTS: 01-8930678

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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NEWS

Ogwashi-Uku …

Ogwashi-Uku, the hometown of Finance Minister Ngzi Okonjo-Iweala, is in a state of confusion following the kidnap of the minister’s mother and queen of the ancient town, writes OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE

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President Goodluck Jonathan watching as Vice President Namadi Sambo (left) greeted visiting President President John Mahama of Ghana at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday

•Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, cutting the tape to flag-off Umunike-Obike Road, Imo State...yesterday. With them are Eze John Nwachukwu of Umunneke (left), Chairman, House Committee on Works, Hon. Ogbuefi Ozombachi (second right)and Hon. Nnenna Igbokwe (right).

GWASHI-Uku , a small town located west of the Asaba, the capital of Delta State, should be in a joyous mood.

Its annual Ogwashi-Uku Cultural Carnival comes up next week. Several points in the town have been decorated in preparation for the carnival. But, the kidnap of the town’s queen and mother of Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Prof.

Kanene Okonjo, has tainted the mood of the community.

The town, which hosts headquarters of Aniocha South local government council, was provincial headquarter of Asaba division in 1910 under British colonial rule. Its tranquil, laid back mien was shattered with the kidnap of its queen.

A detachment of special detectives yesterday arrived from the Police Headquarters, Abuja to hunt for the abductors of the queen. Mrs. Okonjo is spending her fifth day in the hands of her captors.

Delta State Police Commissioner Ikechukwu Aduba said the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, deployed the team to complement his command. Aduba said the hoodlums would soon be smoked-out of their hide-out.

He said: “The IG is concerned and worried about what is happening and he has sent the special squad from Abuja to assist us. We have special squad across the federation but the person involved is of global significance and the IG

Man acquitted of murdering Nigerian

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•Governor Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State (left) flanked by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III (left) and Sokoto State Deputy Governor, Alhajhi Mukhtar Shagari after the governor presented the 2013 ppropriation Bill to a special session of the House of Assembly ...yesterday.

•Publisher, The Source , Ms Comfort Obi (left),National Women Leader, PDP, Dr Kema Chikwe (middle)and author, Mrs Moji Makanjuola, at the launch of a book entitled: “Health Journalism: A Journey with Moji Makanjuola” in Abuja ... on Tuesday night.

wants to get the results as fast as possible, that is all. Police has never and will never encourage the payment of ransom.”

Two policemen have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of the finance minister’s 82-year-old mother, the police said.

Aduba said the policemen had been arrested on suspicion of having aided the kidnappers.

“It is a very sad development and our major concern now is to rescue Mama unhurt. I’m not aware the kidnappers are demanding ransom and, even if they are, the police cannot get involved as that would be a signal for others to continue (abductions),” Aduba said.

The finance minister, a campaigner against corruption, has received threats in the past, according to her special adviser Paul Nwabuikwu.

Residents of the town are traumatised by this occurrence and the matter is still being discussed in street corners in hushed tones.

A resident, Prince Godwin Elue, appealed to the kidnappers to release the queen due to her old age.

He said: “The abduction is not fair.

She is too old for such an experience .Security needs to be beefed up around the palace to forestall future occurrence.”

The Traditional Council in Ogwashi-Uku in Delta yesterday met over Sunday’s abduction of Prof.

Kamene Okonjo, wife of the traditional ruler of the community, Obi

MAN accused of murdering a Nigerian teenager on Good Friday two years ago has been acquitted of the charge after the trial judge directed the jury to find him not guilty.

Mr. Justice Barry White also directed the jury to find the 26-yearold man not guilty of producing a baseball bat.

Michael Barry, (26) of Pigeon House Road, Ringsend, in Dublin 4, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Nigerian teenager Toyosi Shittabey (15) on April 2, 2010 at The Boulevard, Mount Eustace in Tyrrelstown, Dublin 15. Mr Barry had also pleaded not guilty of producing a baseball bat in the course of a dispute.

It was the prosecution’s case that Michael’s brother Paul, who is now deceased, inflicted the stab wound on Toyosi but that Michael was an accessory to the murder, following what had been described as a row with racial undertones.

On day seven of the trial, Mr Justice Barry White said that there was no evidence to suggest Mr Barry knew his brother Paul was carrying a knife when he drove him to The Boulevard in Mulhuddart where the teenager was stabbed.

Mr. Justice White told the jury that they were advised by prosecuting counsel Mr Brendan Grehan, SC, in the opening of the trial, that it was the prosecution’s case that Mr Barry was as guilty as his brother by reason of joint enterprise.

He said the prosecution contended Michael Barry might have been economical with the truth but that there was no evidence he was

aware Paul Barry had a knife.

He told the jury that defence counsel Patrick Gageby SC argued that both counts should be withdrawn.

He also said one witness, Glen Lupepe (18), was not prepared to travel back from the UK to give evidence and that arrangements were made for him to give video evidence but that he had refused to co-operate.

“I don’t know what his evidence was to be but prosecution advised he was an important witness,” said Mr. Justice White.

The judge directed a verdict of not guilty be issued against Mr Barry saying “the interest of justice may not be well served in this case,” and discharged the jury exempting them from jury duty for ten years.

The six-day trial had heard evidence that a row commenced outside Paul Barry’s house at Mount Garrett Rise between Paul, Michael and five black males and five white females after one of the females asked Paul for a cigarette lighter and he had refused.

A fight broke out resulting in Michael and Paul being kicked and punched and Michael believing one of the youths had taken his mobile phone. Witnesses gave evidence that a baseball bat was produced during the altercation but was not used on anyone.

The trial also heard evidence that after the youths fled the scene at around 8pm, Michael drove Paul in his jeep to The Boulevard in the estate in order to retrieve his mobile phone from the youths. Paul had gotten out of the jeep and approached one of the black youths. Toyosi then ran towards Paul, who had a knife and was stabbed in the heart.

Witnesses said Toyosi ran and

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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NEWS

…a town with its queen held hostage ‘

It is a very sad development and our major concern now is to rescue Mama unhurt. I’m not aware the kidnappers are demanding ransom and, even if they are, the police cannot get involved as that would be a signal for others to continue (abductions)

’

•Dr Okonjo-Iweala with mum (left) and dad

Chukwuka Okonjo.

Led by the Iyase of the town, Chief Collins Afuwa, the council met yesterday at the palace of the monarch.

The closed-door meeting, which

began at about 11 a.m. had Mr Onyema Okonjo, one of the children of the abducted woman, in attendance.

While the meeting was on,

heavily armed Nigeria Customs Service officials and soldiers, who were drafted to the palace soon after the abduction, were on guard around the premises.

A source at the palace said the meeting was the first by the palace chiefs after the incident, adding, however, that some of the chiefs had visited the palace, individually,

after the kidnap.

It was not possible to speak with Onyema Okonjo, the only member of the family who has been around since Monday, as he declined comments, saying “Sorry, I don’t want to talk”.

A source, however, told NAN that “You know the king himself is not around, otherwise the chiefs would have been with him every day, consulting and having series of meeting.’’

“In spite of that, they still needed to meet over the matter and that is why they are meeting now but nobody will discuss the outcome of the meeting,’’ the source said.

It was uncertain when the traditional ruler, who travelled on Saturday, would return as an earlier indication by his son, Onyema, that he might return on Monday, failed.

However, the palace neighbourhood and the entire Ogwashi-Uku community had remained calm since the incident, with no molestation of any one my security agents.

The ever-busy Onitsha-UbuluUku road that bisects the town was a beehive of activities when this reporter visited yesterday, with commuters boarding vehicles to neighbouring communities. Shops were open for transactions.

The town has had its fair share of crises. A tussle for kingship has left the town largely divided. The royal rumble was resolved by the courts in 2007 in favour of the Okonjo family, but siblings of the current monarch Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo, Obi of Ogwashi-Uku are up in arms and have returned to the courts challenging his ascension to the throne.

10 arrested over abduction of Rotimi’s wife

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•Late Shittabey

shouted “He stabbed me, he stabbed me” before collapsing on the roadway.

Despite efforts by emergency services to resuscitate him at the scene, he was pronounced dead at 9.05pm at James Connolly Memorial Hospital.

Toyosi’s parents were not in court when the judge gave the jury his direction and Toyosi’s friends Bobby Kuti (18) and Gracia Lulendo (18) declined to comment as they were too upset.

HE Oyo State Police Command yesterday intensified its search for the abductors of Mrs Titilayo Rotimi, wife of the former military governor of the defunct Western State, Gen Oluwole Rotimi (rtd).

It arrested 10 suspects, believed to be employees of Messrs AOP Logistics Limited Mrs Rotimi was kidnapped at about 6:30 pm on Monday by some gunmen at her AOP Logistics Limited, located at Alakia, on the Ibadan-Ife Expressway. She is the Managing Director of the logistic firm servicing Nigerian Breweries PLC. The firm has been operating in Ibadan for nine years.

Among those arrested are the firm’s General Manager (GM), Mr Omini Ikpi, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Mr Usman Illiasu, three security men and five others.

The development has created panic amongst the company’s workforce.

When The Nation visited the haulage firm yesterday, the few remaining workers at the firm were apprehensive on the suspision of being hunted by the police.

The police narrated how the GM and their other colleagues were arrested and taken to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS).

They explained that other drivers arriving from tours have been parking their trailers without anyone able to load and transact business.

The situation has crippled business activities in the firm while workers tactically flee to avoid being arrested.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr Ayodele Lanade confirmed the arrest.

He said five people were arrested yesterday in addition to five suspects arrested on Tuesday.

According to him, the suspects

From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

have being undergoing interrogation at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), even as the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) was undertaking internal investigation of the case.

The PPRO added that security has been fortified in her house and office with regular patrols of police vehicles in the two locations.

Lanade said: “As we speak, we have arrested a total number of 10 persons. Five of them were arrested on Dec 11, while the other five were arrested on Wednesday. ``I can assure you that serious investigations are going on by both the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS).”

When asked if any member of staff of the victim was among those arrested, Lanade said that such information could not be presently divulged.

“I cannot tell you all that you may wish to know in order not to impede ongoing investigation.”

The victim was kidnapped around 6:30 pm on Monday in front of her husband’s company, AOK Logistics Limited, located on Old Ife Road in Ibadan.

She was said to have been abducted by four armed men while she was leaving her office at the close of work.

The incident was reported at Egbeda Police Station. The case was transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Lanade said the victim was driv-

ing away in her black Mercedes Benz car when she was accosted.

“According to the reports we gathered, two security men attached to her company removed the barricade on the gate for her car to drive out of the office complex.

“In the process, two armed men approached and ordered the driver to stop the car at gun point.

“A green Nissan Primera suddenly reversed and blocked her car while she was ordered to get into the Nissan car. `` The manner of abduction was strange when compared to similar cases of kidnapping.

"We found out that there is a rift between the woman and her workers over three months salary which led to agitation by the aggrieved workers,’’ he said.

•Gen. Rotimi

•Premises of AOP Logistics, Alakia, Ibadan

PHOTO: NAN

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13 2012

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NEWS Fed Govt bows to PHCN workers on payment of severance package From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

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OWER Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) workers have won a major battle as the Federal Government has accepted to sign an agreement with their representatives for the payment of their severance packages, pension and gratuity.

According to the agreement, “three months salary in lieu of notice shall be paid to employees of PHCN that have served more than 10 years and one month salary in lieu of notice for employees that have served less than 10 years.”

The disagreement over the workers’ severance package had remained a major setback in the privatisation of the PHCN and the implementation of the Power Sector Reform Act 2005.

The two parties had been involved in a series of discussions and negotiations since May last year, with a view to resolving the labour liabilities.

But after the last meeting that lasted seven hours at the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) in Abuja, both parties agreed on the claims by the labour unions of PHCN in relation to the labour liabilities.

The SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, presided over the meeting that led to the agreement which he and the Minister of State for Finance, Hajiya Zainab Kuchi, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu and Acting Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Dikki, signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

The President-General, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Peter Esele, Deputy President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, Deputy President, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Comrade Isaac Abegye and President, Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC), Comrade Bede Opara, signed for the workers.

Wogu, who read the agreement, said the total accrued gratuity as at June 30 shall be paid in accordance with the defined scheme stipulated in the PHCN 2010 conditions of service.

He said: “Fifteen per cent pension contributions shall be paid from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012 in accordance with the provisions of the Pension Act 2004.”

The agreement also said severance allowances shall be paid as 20 per cent of the total accrued benefits, being the sum of accrued pensions as at June 30, 2007, accrued gratuity as at June 30, 2012 and 15 per cent pension contribution from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2012.

It was also agreed that repatriation allowances shall be paid as five per cent of Annual Pensionable Emolument.

The agreement said long service award shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of PHCN 2010 conditions of service.

Speaking on behalf of the workers, Esele said the victory was not only for the PHCN workers but all Nigerians.

NLC seeks dissolution of Maina’s pension task team

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday urged the Federal Government to dissolve the Abdulrasheed Maina led-Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) for neglecting pensioners.

The congress said the Head of Service should be allowed to handle pension matters.

NLC President Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, who spoke at the 11th Pensioners’ Day in Abuja, said he was not happy about the plight of pensioners.

He enjoined President Goodluck Jonathan to allow the bureaucratic structure work in the civil service.

Omar said: “If the task force put in place to solve a problem is not doing what it is expected to do, then it should be dissolved.

“Despite the claim that the task team carried out biometric exercise, most of the pensioners are yet to be captured.”

He added: “This is the essence of the union and it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that every pensioner is captured, put on the payroll and paid when due.

“One of the windows is the ongoing constitution review.

We must rally round to make sure that the grey areas giving us concern are tackled with the lawmakers so that the proper thing is done. For instance, the issue of harmonisation of the increment in pension.”

According to Comrade Omar, “we have written a letter to Mr. President appealing

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

that this issue be resolved, but unfortunately we are yet to get an acknowledgement.

What everybody is after is result, that is, every pensioner should be paid.

“So, whether it is the task force or whatever name you call it that claims to have done some work, the people on ground are saying that the work is not well done because either some have not been paid or short-changed or some are not even captured in the biometric. This is something serious that ought to have been listened to before now.

We are going to make contact.

Thank God that the Head of Service has intervened.

“We believe with his sincerity, the matter will be addressed. President Jonathan should allow the bureaucratic structure work, this is the only way out. What I mean is, the federal pensioners under the Head of Service of the Federation. He should handle it, but if people bypass the Head of Service and relate with the President over this pension issue under any name, then the Head of Service will be seen as incapable or rendered useless and at the end of the day, it will amount to a gross abuse of the civil service rule.”

Speaking earlier, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) Comrade Ali Abatcha called for the implementation of the report of the Senate committee which indicted the PRTT officials.

•A cross section of worshippers at the ongoing Holy Ghost Congress of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. INSET: PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN Pastor Enoch Adeboye.

Senate orders arrest of Maina over N195b pension fund T

HE Senate yesterday ordered the arrest of the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina.

This followed his refusal to honour the invitation by the joint Senate committee probing the management of pension funds in the last five years.

The Chairman of the joint committee, Senator Aloysius Etok, said the Senate President, David Mark, has signed a warrant of arrest mandating the Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar, to arrest and bring Maina to the Senate today.

The Senate, on Tuesday, said Maina has failed to account for the N195 billion pension funds.

Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Service, Establishment, Local and State Governments, Senator Kabiru Gaya, spoke at the resumed public hearing on the management of pension funds.

Gaya said of the N139, 056, 523, 955. 20 released in the office of the Head of Service, N100, 641, 106,957. 33 was paid to pensioners and a balance of N39, 783, 682, 993. 00 unaccounted for.

In the Police Service Pension Office, he said N131.5 billion was released in five years, but only N58.3 billion was paid to pensioners; N44. 2 billion is yet to be accounted for.

In Customs, Immigration and Prisons pension offices, he said N85, 249, 222, 900. 16 was released, N27, 452, 200, 993.72 paid to pensioners, leaving a balance of N27, 797, 822, 127.

00 unaccounted for.

In Military Pension Board, N317, 609, 082, 566. 05 was released, N294, 076, 743, 532.

87 paid to pensioners and N23, 532, 339, 034. 00. unaccounted for.

In the Department of State Service Pension Office, N34, 698, 149, 304. 68 was released, N9, 413, 090, 416. 00 paid to pensioners and N26, 121, 394, 662. 63 is unaccounted for.

Before the warrant of arrest was issued, Gaya said: “We have the rule and we have the power to request the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and bring Maina here.

The missing pension funds Released

Paid

Unaccounted for

Head of Service

N139,056,523,955.20

N100,641,106,957.33

N39,783,682,993.00

Police

N131.5b

N58.3b

N44. 2b

Customs, Immigration and Prisons

N85,249,222,900.16

N27,452,200,993.72

N27,797,822,127.00

Military

N317,609,082,566.05

N294,076,743,532.87

N23,532,339,034.00

Department of State Service

N34,698,149,304.68

N9,413,090,416.00

N26,121,394,662.63

Task Team accuses Head of Service of illegal payment

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HE Abdulraheed Maina-led Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT) yesterday raised the alarm over what it described as illegal payment of November pension fund to pensioners by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

PRTT spokesman Hassan Salihu told reporters in Abuja that the Head of Service Pension Office paid November pension without recourse to its verified biometric database, which is authentic and devoid of irregularities.

Pensioners in the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, according to Salihu, have reported “the omissions and gross under payment of pensions in November, and the PRTT wishes to distance and dissociate itself from this payment as it was made without recourse to or knowledge of the Pension Reform Task Team.”

This action, he said, is a flagrant disregard to the instruction of President Goodluck Jonathan who directed at the Economic Management Team meeting held on October 23 that “the PRTT’s restructuring of the Head of Service, Police pension offices be done to logistical conclusion.”

Salihu, who vowed that the PRTT would investigate any fraud in the process of the alleged payment, said: “As usual, the PRTT prepared and processed the payment of November pension, From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

“This committee has been patient to give him a fair hearing. Members of the committee have resolved to ask the IGP to arrest and bring him here tomorrow (today) by 11 am.

Maina has to respect the law.”

A member of the committee wanted to know why Maina has refused to honour the

From Gbenga Omokhunu and Yvonne Dike, Abuja

but the Head of Service Pension Office went ahead and made payment of the pension without recourse to its verified biometric database, which is authentic and devoid of irregularities.

“Even if the takeover is required by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, it ordinarily requires demarcation as to where the PRTT stops and where the Head of Service Office will take over. The implication is that the painstaking efforts by President Jonathan through the PRTT in the last 30 months will be bastardised and pension fraudulent activities will resurface, hence bringing down the achievements of President Jonathan’s Pension Reform Agenda.”

Asked if the PRTT has met the Head of Service, Alhaji Sanni Saleh, on the development, Salihu said: “We have written to the Head of Service, but there has been no response till now.”

He said: “The PRTT as at October 23 has recovered over N220 billion. Some of the recoveries are carried out through investigations by the PRTT team. We need people that can be trusted. We recover money monthly. We will continue to do the job. But I want to say that the PRTT has no running cost. I am from the ICPC and others are from other security agencies.”

committee’s invitation.

Gaya said Maina is the only person who can explain why he has continued to shun the committee’s invitation.

Before he called off the meeting, Etok said: “We want to give Maina a fair hearing, but he has refused to take the opportunity.

“Even the body Maina is working for deserves to know what he is doing. This

is about the fifth sitting of this committee, he has refused to come.

“We want to exercise the power conferred on us by Section 89 of the Constitution to issue a warrant of arrest on Maina.

“We have given the warrant to the Senate President to sign so that the IGP will arrest and bring him here tomorrow (today).”

THE NATION THURSDAY DECEMBER 13, 2012

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NEWS

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Jonathan warns MDAs against late remittances of surpluses

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has warned that sanction awaits heads of the federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who withhold operating surpluses.

According to him, such practices would henceforth attract sanction.

He urged states and local governments to embrace fiscal responsibility.

Jonathan spoke yesterday during the oath-taking of commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) and the swearing-in of two members of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission.

The event, held simultaneously, came up shortly before the beginning of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The NPC commissioners are Alhaji Ya’u Usman Sa’in representing Kaduna and Aliyu Datti representing Niger State. Sa’in is the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna State.

The two members of the

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Fiscal Responsibility Commission are Mohammed Garba, a reporter representing the civil society, from Kano State and Ismaila Hassan from Bauchi.

President Jonathan said the administration’s commitment to building strong institutions remains unwavering.

He said: “Let me also use this occasion to warn government agencies that henceforth, none or late rendition of accounts or non- remittance of operating surpluses will attract sanction as prescribed by the law.

“It is imperative that all tiers of government must embrace fiscal responsibility, as states and local governments control over 50 per cent of the federallycollectable revenue.”

While noting that the country now has in place a

concussed and focused legal framework that regulates conduct, guides the management of government finances and imposes limitation in government spending, the President stressed that the administration’s “commitment to building strong institutions in the life of this government shall remain unwavering.”

Jonathan, who hailed the commission for enforcing accountability, said the fiscal responsibility act was enacted to bring the country in line with the fiscal responsibility standard in practice in developed and developing economies in the world.

Said he: “Let me take this opportunity to commend the commission’s continued efforts to ensure that government agencies and corporations, which hitherto hardly accounted for their revenues, are now doing so within the Fiscal

Responsibility Act. “As you know, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission Act was enacted and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission was established to address the fiscal challenges inherent in our economy. This purposeful effort was also to bring our country in line with the fiscal responsibility standard in practice in developed and developing economies all over the world.”

President Jonathan enjoined the commission to “liaise with the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to make sure you conduct a retreat on the activities of the commission because I believe most heads of corporations are not in tune with the provision of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. It is essential for everybody to be informed because according to the Attorney-Gen-

I’m hale and hearty, says Imoke From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

eral of the Federation, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Everybody should be kept abreast of the provision of the Act.” He told the new commissioners that they were enlisted to serve in the commission at a time his administration was working to ensure the prudent management of government funds, adding: “It is also important to remind you and other members of the commission that our nation’s economic future is linked to the effective management of our resources. There is an inexplicable linkage between fiscal responsibility and prudent financial management and the future of every nation.”

The President said their appointment was based on their track records and proven integrity.

He noted that the NPC with the inauguration is “now constituted and empowered to carry out the mandate of this commission in accordance with the laws of our land.”

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ROSS River State Governor Liyel Imoke has said he is well and in good health and spirit.

This followed rumours about his demise.

About a week ago, Imoke had written to the House of Assembly that he was going on a twomonth accumulated leave.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Ita, on December 6, reads: “Some three weeks ago, His Excellency took a short break after a long hectic and eventful year all preparatory to the start of the busy Calabar Festival Season. “ His Excellency will be proceeding on a twomonth accumulated leave with effect from today.”

His absence had sparked strong speculations about his death, but speaking on his Facebook page yesterday, Imoke said: “I am well, very well and in a good health and spirit.”

Rotimi’s wife’s kidnap: GM, others held From Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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•From left: President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Enugu State chapter, Mrs. Lota Chukwu Aneke; representative of the National President of NULGE, Ibrahim Khaleel; President, Mobile Adverts Agency of Nigeria (MOAN), Otunba Mike Eboziegbe; and MOAN Executive Director, Chief Richard Obeto, at the launch of the Biometric Pin Code

by NULGE and MOAN in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Supreme Court will decide presidential assent, says Ekweremadu

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HE Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has said presidential assent to the amendments to the 1999 Constitution is yet to be resolved.

Ekweremadu, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja, spoke when the leadership of the Parliamentary Centre, Canada and the Canadian High Commissioner in Nigeria visited him.

The Deputy President of the Senate noted that contrary to a popular assumption, the National Assembly has resolved not to challenge the court ruling on the matter, to allow the country benefit from the electoral reforms and other amendments achieved in the Sixth National Assembly.

He said: “The matter is now before the Supreme Court for interpretation of the relevant sections of the

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

constitution to be sure the country gets it right.”

Ekweremadu, who is also the Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), urged the Parliamentary Centre of Canada to assist the National Assembly in the areas of constitution review and capacity building.

He said as a multi-cultural society with a stable democracy, Canada remains a federal state par excellence whose experience should help Nigeria to navigate some challenges in the practice of federalism.

The Deputy Senate President said while the current structure of Nigeria’s federalism with concentration of powers at the centre might have been informed by the desire to protect the unity of the country under the mili-

tary, the return to democracy has ushered in the need to realign the country in a way that makes it compliant with the ideals of true federalism.

Ekweremadu requested the Parliamentary Centre to set up a functional office in Nigeria since the country carries out the greatest parliamentary activity in Africa.

“It is desirous and logical for the centre to have a functional office in Nigeria because basically, Nigeria has the greatest parliamentary activity in Africa and for the centre to achieve its mandate of supporting parliamentary activities, this is the place to be,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, the High Commissioner Mr. Chris Cooter described federalism as a process that never ends.

He pledged his country’s readiness to do more for Nigeria, noting that it stands to gain from Canada’s experience in federalism, which

has spanned over 150 years.

Also speaking, the President of the Parliamentary Centre, Canada, Mr. JeanPaul Ruszkowski, said the visit was to explore the possibility of achieving stronger Canadian and Nigerian parliamentary cooperation and exchange with emphasis on building the capacity of Nigerian legislators.

HE Police yesterday were still searching for a clue to the abductors of Mrs. Titilayo Rotimi. They arrested 10 suspects, who are workers of her company.

Mrs. Rotimi is the wife of Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States of America (USA), Gen. Oluwole Rotimi.

She was kidnapped about 6:30 pm on Monday by gunmen at her company, AOP Logistics Limited at Alakia on the IbadanIfe Expressway. She is the Managing Director of the firm, which services Nigerian Breweries PLC. The firm has been operating in Ibadan for nine years.

The suspects include the General Manager (GM), Mr. Omini Ikpi, Chief Security Officer, Mr. Usman Illiasu, three security men and five others.

Panic has gripped the remaining workers of the company.

When The Nation visited the haulage firm yesterday, the remaining workers were worried and afraid of being arrested by the police.

They told our reporter how the GM and other workers were arrested and taken to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

They said drivers, who arrived from tours, had parked their trailers and there was no business transaction. According to them, the incident has paralysed business as workers have fled for fear of arrest.

Police spokesman Mr. Ayodele Lanade confirmed the arrest.

He said five people were arrested yesterday in addition to the five suspects arrested on Tuesday.

Lanade said the suspects are being interrogated by the SARS, and the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is carrying out internal investigation.

40 Nigerians repatriated from UK ORTY Nigerians arrived in Lagos yesterday from the United Kingdom after being repatriated, Mr. Lawal Isah, Head of Immigration at the Nigerian High Commission in the UK, has said.

The repatriation is organised by the Nigerian High Commission and the UK Border Agency.

Isah said the returnees were in two categories — those without legal rights to remain in the UK and those who have been repatriated after having served prison terms.

He said two officials of the high commission and the UK Border Agency usually accompanied the returnees.

It will be recalled that a similar exercise last month saw 40 Nigerians being repatriated from the UK and Ireland.

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INEC accused of plotting to kill PPA

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HE factional National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Chief Ken Gbelikuma, has advised the Prof.

Attahiru Jega led-Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to destroy the party.

He accused INEC of working with those he described as fake party members to ensure that PPA is de-registered.

Gbelikuma spoke in Abuja at a news conference on the state of affairs of the party.

The PPA chieftain, who claimed there is no faction in the party, added that he emerged as the National Chairman after the national convention held at Gamji Conference Centre, Kaduna and supervised by INEC and security

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

agencies on October 5, 2010.

He said INEC is compounding the crisis in the PPA by allowing another ‘special convention’, which he said was secretly held on July 6, 2011.

Chief Gbelikuma urged INEC to remain neutral by accepting him as the only chairman of PPA, instead of Chief Sam Nkire, who claims to be the national chairman.

He said: “We have done a good job by bringing PPA back on stream to the envy of those who thought they could kill the party. But what surprises us is the role INEC is playing in the matter. Why is the electoral body partnering illegality? They were in Kaduna during our convention and they supervised the event.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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NEWS Oyo promotes 12,076 workers

Lawmaker held for traffic offence

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HE Oyo State Government has approved the promotion of 12,076 teaching and non-teaching workers in public secondary schools.

Commissioner for Education Mrs. Tokunbo Fayokun yesterday said it would cost the government N42, 339,993.18.

She said the promotion, which was for 2009 and 2010, followed due process.

Mrs. Fayokun said 12,504 workers were interviewed but 12,076 qualified.

She said: “The promotion examination was conducted for workers on Grade Levels 6–15 by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), while the Simeon Adebo Staff Development Centre (SASDC) conducted the examination for workers on Grade Levels 01–05.

“The governor approved these promotions because he knows the importance of motivating teachers and repositioning education.”

Timber traders protest in Ondo From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

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EMBERS of the Timber Traders Organisation (TTO) in Ondo State yesterday protested the closure of the state’s forests.

It was learnt that the government closed its forests to prevent the activities of encroachers.

The protest paralysed activities at the State Government Secretariat in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.

The protesters, who were in their hundreds, marched on major streets in Akure before moving to the Governor’s Office, where they barricaded the entrance.

They vowed to remain at the government secretariat until Governor Olusegun Mimiko comes out to address them.

The protesters alleged that some of the governor’s aides had been extorting money from them.

Carrying placards with inscriptions, such as “Indian hemp planters have taken over our forest reserves” and “Forestry officers are collaborators”, among others, the protesters sang anti-government songs and called for the removal of the Head of the Task Officer, Mr. A. Agunloye.

They accused Agunloye of colluding with Indian hemp planters.

Speaking with The Nation, TTO Chairman Mr. William Makanjuola said: “Intruders have ruined the business. Our forest has been taken over by them and there is no more wood and log in it.

“All these natural resources had been there for almost 200 years. About six years ago, some intruders took over the forest and started planting Indian hemp, cocoa, kolanut there.

“We want the government to stop them and save our businesses, because we are employers of labour and the highest tax payers.”

The governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Kola Ademujimi, thanked the protesters for conducting themselves peacefully.

He assured them that the governor, who is away from the state, would look into the matter when he returns.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi with former South African President Thambo Mbeki at the Sixth Summit of Africities in Dakar, Senegal.

N11.5b fraud: Alao-Akala, two others have case to answer, says Judge

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ORMER Oyo State Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala and two others yesterday lost the battle to stop their trial for alleged N11.5 billion fraud.

Alao-Akala; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters Chief Hosea Agboola and a businessman, Mr. Femi Babalola, were accused of fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The 11-count charge includes conspiracy, illegal award of contracts, obtaining by false pretence, acquiring property with money derived from illegal act and concealing the ownership of such property.

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

Ruling on the accused’s application to quash the charges, Justice Akintunde Boade of the Oyo State High Court said they have a case to answer.

The accused’s counsel, led

by Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had filed a preliminary objection to the charges, praying the court to quash them on grounds that the EFCC lacked evidence to back the allegations.

Fagbemi said it was an abuse of power to put anybody on trial for an offence that had not been proven.

Prosecution counsel, led by Mr. Godwin Oblah, said the plethora of evidence adduced

by the EFCC against the accused deserved an explanation and prayed the court to discountenance the defendants’ application.

Justice Boade said the defendants’ application lacked merit and dismissed it.

He said: “The accused have some explaining to do. I am of the strong view that the proof of evidence is established against the accused.”

Justice Boade said having taken the pleas of the accused in line with the provision of Section 167 of the Civil Procedure Law, they could not challenge the court’s jurisdiction.

On Alao-Akala’s claim that he was not a public officer and so could not be tried by the

EFCC, the judge believed otherwise, quoting relevant authorities to prove that the application lacked merit.

Mr. Mamman Osumor (SAN), who is on the defence team, said: “We do not accept this ruling as the correct position of the law. The opinion of the defence counsel is that the position taken by the Judge is erroneous in law, but because we are not the litigants or the accused, we will await further instructions from our clients.”

Osumor requested that the Certified True Copy (CTC) be ready on time and the Judge said it would be ready within seven days. Osumor’s request indicates that the ruling might be appealed.

‘Bad leadership responsible for poor health care’

S

ENATOR Olorunimbe Mamora has said bad leadership is responsible for poor health care delivery in Nigeria.

He said a leadership that relies on pathological sycophants and professional praise singers as advisers cannot improve the country.

The senator, who used to represent Lagos East District, spoke yesterday at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while delivering a lecture, entitled: “Health service delivery in the 21st Century: Achieving world class standards”. The lecture was part of activities marking the end of the Association of Resident Doctors’ (ARDs’) Health Week.

Mamora said various health indices, such as maternal mortality, infant mortality and life expectancy, among others, are very poor.

He said they are worse than what obtains in war-ravaged countries.

Mamora said Nigeria’s administration has been left for too long in the hands of charlatans and mediocres, who are feeding heavily on the country’s resources, while the system has become a victim of multiple organ failure.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

He said: “Is it not pathetic that after half a century, postindependence Nigeria is yet to have a National Health Policy?

It is not that efforts were not made in the past, but they were feeble and, in the typical Nigerian parlance, were not backed up by political will.

“To achieve world-class standard in health service delivery, Nigeria’s political kingdom must be fixed and it requires visionary, honest, selfless, committed and transformational leadership at all levels of government; a courageous leadership that will enthrone merit.”

Citing Dubai and Singapore as examples of countries with

excellent health service delivery, Mamora said Singapore has no resources beside human capital, but has a good leadership that has transformed its limited resources into abundance.

He urged government at all levels to speedily address the challenges of the health sector, adding that “health care financing must be revolutionised and sustained to achieve world-class standard”.

ARDs’ President Wale Ojediran said the symposium was organised to find a lasting solution to the country’s deteriorating health sector.

Ojediran said: “We know the health care indices in the

T

ECOWAS court hears 10 cases From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

THE Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court has heard 10 suits since it began sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday.

The cases border largely on human rights violation.

Five of the cases were from Togo, two from Cote D’ Ivoire and one each from Nigeria, Niger and the ECOWAS Commission.

The court was established to promote peace in West Africa.

16 de-registered parties regroup in Ogun

•Mamora

country is very poor and we are thinking of how to improve it. The whole thing boils down to poor policy implementation.”

Ogun, Lagos meet on border dispute HE governments of Ogun and Lagos states have met at Ode-Omi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State, to resolve boundary issues.

Ogun State Commissioner for Rural Development Falilu Sabitu and his Lagos State counterpart, Mr. Colenius Ojelabi, agreed to resolve the disputes amicably.

Sabitu said as a prelude to the final resolution of the dispute being handled by the National Federal Boundary Commission, they agreed that the Lorunkan axis should be built by the Ogun State government, while the Lekki axis should be handled by the Lagos State gov-

A lawmaker in Ekiti State, Mrs. Ayoka Fatumbi, was yesterday arrested for a traffic offence in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Mrs. Fatumbi, who represents Moba II in the House of Assembly, was said to have used an official number plate on her private Sienna car.

The General Manager of the State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA), Mr. Charles Fasuba, said: “It is against the law to use an official number plate on your private vehicle. Who knows whether the official number plate is being used for other activities? It is unfair for a lawmaker, who was party to the enactment of a law, to be violating it.”

Mrs. Fatumbi said the vehicle belongs to the Assembly, adding that she borrowed it for some private transactions.

She said: “The materials in the vehicle are for the empowerment programme in my constituency tomorrow (today). I do not know we have to get a permit at the agency before we can use the car to carry load, because it has a carrier. I do not know that a vehicle that has a carrier cannot be used to carry load in Ekiti State.”

ernment.

He said: “Our plan is to open up the Lorunkan-Lekki Road, so that the people can have access to social amenities like other communities. I assure you that our portion of the road will be completed soon.”

De-Omi elders and youths were at the meeting.

The Lenuwa of Ode-Omi, Oba Adenuga Okunniyi, said the community had been abandoned by past administrations and thanked the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration for taking steps to develop it.

SIXTEEN of the 28 political parties, which were deregistered last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), have re-grouped in Ogun State to form a formidable political group, with the aim of joining another party.

Leader of the group and Chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Ogun State chapter, Otunba Owolabi Odebudo said as grassroots politicians, it was imperative for them to merge into a group and join another party in the interest of their supporters, who are looking on to them for political leadership.

In a statement in Abeokuta, the state capital, Odebudo, who is the Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and two-time governorship candidate of the party, said those contesting the deregistration had a slim chance of winning the battle.

He said there was a law passed by the National Assembly, which stipulates that parties without elected representatives at the national and state levels should be deregistered by INEC, adding that it was needless dissipating energy on the issue.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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NEWS

Govt debunks Ekiti PDP’s allegation on contracts T HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has accused Governor Kayode Fayemi of inflating contracts.

Speaking with reporters yesterday, PDP Publicity Secretary Pastor Kola Oluwawole alleged that the governor had been “awarding bogus contracts”.

He alleged that the administration had incurred a debt of N31 billion, instead of the N20 billion it said it took from the capital market.

Oluwawole said the government was planning to borrow N13 billion to finance the 2013 Budget, adding that it would ruin the state’s economy.

He said: “None of the contracts so far awarded by the government had been executed up to 50 per cent of the contract value. Fayemi is giving the impression that only N20 billion was borrowed from the capital market, but the

•Dares opposition to approach EFCC, ICPC From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

debt profile is N31 billion.”

Commissioner for Information Funminiyi Afuye debunked the allegation.

He said: “The evidence that PDP is a party without direction or a clue about governance is all over the country, with Nigeria ranking high in all the indices of failed governance.

“Despite confirmed large scale looting and plundering across the country, the PDP leadership has been entirely helpless. They are a gang of liars plundering the collective wealth of the people. But because of evil the ramifications of the human mind and possible interpretation of their

‘This is a government of due process and rule of law, which has laid legal framework for contract award processes’ warped message, we have got to respond to their attack.”

Afuye said the Fayemi administration was committed to due process, the rule of law and the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which make the process of awarding contracts open and transparent.

He said: “This is a government of due process and rule

of law, which has laid the legal framework for contract award processes. More so, anyone can approach the Internet and access information about its activities. Equally, the Fiscal Responsibility Act further makes it binding for project awards to follow due process.”

The commissioner urged PDP to approach the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), if it had problems with awarded contracts.

He said: “As against the experience under the discredited administrations of the PDP in Ekiti, in which 80 per cent contract sum was released for a job that never took off, all projects awarded by this administration have reached 80 per cent completion and due payments made.”

Fed Govt to spend N3b on jobs for women next year

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ROM the Federal Government came yesterday cheery news for women. It has budgeted additional N3 billion for their empowerment next year.

The Federal Government is to spend N4.92 trillion next year.

The budget proposal is before the National Assembly.

Also, as part of the women empowerment, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Women Affairs and six others - Agriculture, Communication Technology, Works, Health and Water Resources.

Besides, the Ministry of Water Resources, is to provide 240 sanitation facilities across the country and to be managed by women and girls.

The essence is to create more jobs for them.

The Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy and Minis-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ter of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who coordinated the signing, said the Memorandum of Understanding on women empowerment is in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s agenda towards improving the lots of women.

She said: “To support these activities, we have set aside the sum of N3 billion to be disbursed to participating MDAs as incentives for them to deliver on these targets.

“Our focus on empowering women is part of our agenda for improving the country’s human development indicators’’.

The government, she said, will not relent in its efforts to improve access and quality in the health and education sectors.

In her remark, Minister of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, said this was the first time women and children were center of focus of any government in the nation’s history.

She promised to monitor the five ministries involved to ensure that they keep to their promise.

The President during his budget presentation at the National Assembly, said five million women farmers will get mobile phones next year, to enable them to access information on agro-inputs through an e-wallet scheme.

Three students held for alleged phone theft From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

T

HREE students of a higher institution in Osun State have been arrested by the police for alleged possession of a stolen Blackberry phone.

They are Akinwolemiwa Tope, Collins Adebowale and Nnamdi Igbokwe.

It was learnt that the phone, which belongs to a woman, simply identified as Moji, was stolen during a robbery in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Osun State police spokesperson Mrs. Folasade Odoro said Moji was attacked by armed robbers around 7pm in Iyaganku and was dispossessed of the Blackberry phone, valued at N85,000 and other valuables worth N140,200.

It was learnt that Tope said Igbokwe and Adebowale took him to a phone store in Ibadan when he wanted to buy a phone, but a man approached them with a used Blackberry phone and sold it to him at N60,000.

He said they bought the phone without a charger and receipt.

Man held for alleged car theft

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MAN, who specialises in installating car tracking devices, has been arrested on the Ikire-Ibadan Expressway for allegedly stealing a Toyota Avensis car.

Peter Okafor, who hails from Anambra State, resides at Kubwua Deedee in Abuja.

He was arrested on Sunday around 11am by a police patrol team in Ikire, Osun State.

According to police spokesperson Mrs. Folashade Odoro, Okafor said he was paid N50,000 by two people in Ibadan to remove the security gadget in the car and take it to a buyer in Abuja.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Brazil is an influential member of the BRIC nations with a big apetite for investing in Africa, especially Nigeria. So, there is the need for us to strengthen our partnership with them to attract big investments into our country especially in those areas where we have competitive and comparative advantage.

- Minister of Trade & Investment, Olusegun Aganga

Taxation: FIRS urges staff on manuals

WAGP: Ghana urges Nigeria to fix pipeline

From Nduka Chiejina,

From Vincent Ikuomola,

(Asst. Editor)

Abuja

T

HE Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) yesterday insisted that its must develop the skills of writing standard manuals or circulars.

The Service also stated that developing these skills will help raise the performance of the staff and that of the Service.

Speaking at the on-going training for senior staff in Abuja under the theme, ‘Building Capacity for Writing Hands-On Procedure Manual’, the FIRS advocated a winning mentality by staff and urged field officers to raise the bar of their understanding of their responsibilities.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Writing a Procedure Manuel, FIRS’ Acting Director, Standards and Compliance Group, Mr. Igho Andy Ejemeyovwito, said the agency would no longer accommodate field officers that are not acquainted with the the desired skills and tools for discharging their duties.

He said the training is packaged to enhance the activities of the staff of the agency.

He warned that unless the field officers develop the requisite skill in writing Hands-on procedure manuals, the goal of FIRS may be difficult to attain.

He outlined the ingredients that make for a good manual, urging field officers to always observe salients issues like defining the objective of the manual they want to write, simplify it for better understanding, make it brief and use visual aids.

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

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion

RATES Inflation -11.7% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $43.5b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

P

• From left: Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC, Mr Obinnia Abajue, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holding Plc, Mrs. Sola David Borha and Head, Business Stanbic Bank IBTC, at the celebration of Stanbic IBTC Mobile Money First Anniversary held, at Jade Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos...Tuesday.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

House uncovers N100b unremitted funds

H

OUSE of Representa tives Committee on Finance has uncovered over N100 billion independent revenue by 15 agencies not remitted to the Federal Government.

The agencies are the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) Others are the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and National Pension Commission (PenCom) Consequently, the Committee has summpned the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Lamido Sanusi and the Accountant-General of the Federation appear before the House today.

The Chairman of the Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the Speaker, Aminu

• Summon Minister, Sanusi, 14 others From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Tambuwal gave the approval on Tuesday that Sanusi, with Chief Executives of the 14 revenue-generating agencies have been officially summoned over remittances of their operating surplus between 2009 and 2012.

“They are expected to appear tomorrow (today) with the Minister of Finance, Accountant General of the Federal and the Fiscal Responsibility Commission”.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Michael Ogunnusi however explained that the panel was not out to malign agencies, but to ensure that the country was not unduly shortchanged.

Jibrin said it would be a great mistake on the part of the affected agencies and skeptic Nigerians to see the development as an empty threat.

“The essence of the appearance of these agencies is for Nigerians to see the books

of these agencies, their annual projections and to know actual remittances to government coffers.

“That way, it is in the public domain, not just in the parliament, so that Nigerians can judge what is happening, so that by the time people will go public and start to criticize others, Nigerians would have known better from informed perspective and what people are doing with people’s money in such organizations.

“This is unacceptable to us. If any money is raised and it belongs to the government, it must be remitted. The committee is determined to ensure compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) on remittances of independent revenue to the government”.

Besides, he lamented the consistent manipulation of independent revenue component of the country’s revenue framework by agencies of government.

He expressed concern that in spite of the fact that the

independent revenue is wholly owned by the Federal government, officials keep complaining of huge deficit in our budget every year.

“So it is important for us to look inward. It is just appalling that these monies are there hanging. That is why this Committee decided that, this year it is going to lay more emphasis on the money that is within the system that is supposed to be remitted to the Federal Government account”.

Jibrin said it is evident that the 15 agencies have more of the unremitted revenue with them, warning that the appearance of the agencies cannot be compromised.

He said: “In the last few days, we have discovered that lots of money is hanging with these agencies that belong to the country.

Why are they keeping it? he asked, adding that of the 60 agencies x-rayed, no single agency is complying.

“Already, we have discovered in excess of N100billion that is supposed to go to the federal government coffers that wasn’t paid,” he added.

Nigeria’s oil production down by .5mb, says OPEC

N

IGERIA’s oil produc tion has experienced a general decline for much of the year because of flooding, oil theft and sabotage, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has said.

Nigeria is among the top oil exporters in the region.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency, however reported recently that crude oil deliveries from Nigeria were down for the summer, by about 500,000 barrels, compared to the same time last

year.

Flooding in states in the oil-rich Niger Delta prompted Shell and French supermajor, Total to hold back on exports from the country.

OPEC reported that Nigerian crude oil production for November stood at around 1.85 million barrels per day, down from the 2.1 million bpd on average for last year.

“Nigerian crude production suffered from a combination of natural disasters, oil theft and sabotage to the

oil infrastructure,” OPEC stated in its December report.

Nigeria, which gets over 75 per cent of its revenues from oil, is the seventh oil producer among the 12-member OPEC cartel. The recent wave of tragic floods in most states of the country has drastically reduced Nigeria’s crude oil production by 500,000 barrels per day (bpd), the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) stated.

The Director of DPR,

Osten Olorunsola, also confirmed in a statement, that the floods in oil-producing areas had led to a sharp drop in the country’s production , explaining that production has begun to ramp up and has peaked at 2.3mbpd.

He said both big and small oil producers were affected by the floods, but noted that smaller producers, particularly the marginal fields’ operators, were the worst hit, with quite a number of firms completely shutting in oil production.

RESIDENT John Mahama of Ghana has urged his Nigerian counterpart, President Goodluck Jonathan, to fix the broken West Africa Pipeline.

He said this is important to the continued use of Nigerian gas to power electricity generation.

Mahama spoke yesterday after meeting with President Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Ghananian president who was declared winner of last Saturday’s Presidential election, told State House Correspondents that he wants Jonathan to use his influence to get the pipelines back into operation.

He said:“ I took the opportunity to discuss with him the issue of West Africa Gas Pipeline. As you are aware, it got broken and there was an accident when they were trying to activate it. So, I want President Jonathan to use his influence to get the pipeline back into operation as soon as possible so that Ghana can continue to receive Nigerian gas to power our electricity generation.”

President Mahama who said he was on his way to Equatorial Guinea for the African, Carrabian and Pacific Group of States conference also said the short meeting discussed the relationship between the two countries.

“This has been a very short visit. I am on my way to Equatorial Guinea for the ACP African, Carrabian and Pacific Group of states cuonference that is taking place there.

NIMASA detains ship, crew over cooked diesel

By Oluwakemi Dauda

T

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has arrested a service cargo vessel, the MV Arti, laden with over 80,000 litres of automotive gas oil (AGO or diesel) suspected to have been cooked, rather than refined.

The Commander, Maritime Guard Command, Navy Capt. Promise Dappa, who stated this in Lagos yesterday, said the issue of oil theft would soon become a thing of the past.

He said the ship was arrested at the Bakare Jetty, Kirikiri water front in Apapa, with two crew members, as they supervised the discharge of the diesel into trucks, perhaps, for onward movement to petrol stations.

“Other crew members and operators of the receiving trucks had disappeared from the loading point on sighting officers of the Maritime Guard command”, the Navy Captain indicated.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

INDUSTRY

How to achieve AGOA’s goal, by Aganga T

HE Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, has said strict adherence to standards in the manufacturing and service industries remains the only way to attain the objectives of Africa Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA).

Speaking at the maiden Nigeria Quality summit organised by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), he said though the country has an impressive record in the energy-related products sector, it failed in other sectors where it has the potentials.

He said the position of developing countries in standards necessitates a switch to methods and processes that fast-track increased efficiency and that impact on capacity utilisation, employment generation, general economic growth and the wellbeing of the people.

The minister said it was for these reasons that the summit had brought together speakers from the developed and developing economies to rub minds and share practical experiences and provide a framework for updating knowledge in standards with emphasis on increased efficiency as the goal for benefits.

He admitted that developing economies, such as Nigeria, had a lot of challenges hampering its economic growth, including dumping and circulation of sub-

Stories by Toba Agboola

standard products, which had led to avoidable loss of lives and properties, as well as impoverished the people and negatively impacted on the economy.

Notwithstanding, the minister said a determined attempt to tackle and eliminate product standardisation would ensure that the negative trends in the economy were reversed.

Aganga said the imperative of standards as a tool for increased efficiency in activities could not be overemphasised, adding: “Issues concerning standardisation and its benefits to mankind should be on the front burner in the interest of all of us.”

He said: “This summit is in continuation of the celebration of the World Standards Day with the theme: ‘Less waste, better results’ , Standards increase efficiency’ which has been adopted.

Nigeria has the potential and capacity to become vibrant and stronger to compete favourably with the developed economies of the world and standards remain one of the key tools to achieve this.

“The above challenges thus necessitated a quick switch to any method or process that could assist and fast-track increased efficiency in our various institutional arrangements with attendant positive impact on capacity

•Aganga

•Odumodu

utilisation, employment generation, general economic growth and the well-being of the people.”

SON Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said for the economy to compete favourably with other countries, she has to adopt standards in her manufacturing and service delivery.

He said there was no doubt that the country has the potential and, indeed, the capacity to compete favourably with the developed economies, but added that standards remain a key tool to achieve this.

Describing standardisation as an imperative tool for increased

efficiency in all activities, he said the case of developing countries are even more critical given the myriad of confronting her, listing these to include dumping and circulation of substandard products which, he said, has undermined the security of the nation.

Odumodu said from 85 per cent level of prevalence of substandard products when he assumed office two years ago, his efforts reduced the problem to about 50 per cent by end of last year, promising that it would further crash to less than 30 per cent by next year.

“SON is determined to drive

substandard goods out of the markets. We must do it because not to do so impose on us a huge burden that we cannot bear. Everything has a price. The price of substandard goods dominance includes the collapse of many industries. Because of unbridled importation of tokunbo clothing and shoes, 90 per cent of textile companies and shoes manufacturers in Nigeria closed down.”

Odumodu said the emphasis for stakeholders should be to support certified made-in-Nigeria goods to attain global acceptance, adding: “If we run substandard goods out of the market and quality foreign goods take over, we would not have succeeded.

SON must serve Nigeria ’s interest which centres on making Nigerians the owners and drivers of our economy and destiny” According to Odumodu, the dominance of foreign goods in the Nigerian economy means job losses for Nigerians which, he said, translates to poverty, insecurity and moral depravity in its various forms, listing such depravity to include prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery, broken homes and loss of family and societal values.

At the summit, stakeholders, industry operators and analysts from the public and organised private sectors discussed solutions to the problem of substandard products import and dumping.

Wine manufacturers lose 66% revenue to smugglers

T

HE influx of smuggled wines and spirits into the country is depriving the country of 66 per cent of its revenue, the Executive Secretary of Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria, Mr Fatai Odesile, has said.

Speaking in Lagos, he said about 450 imported brands, particularly from Asia, India, South Africa and Europe find their way illegally into the market.

The products, he added, were sold and advertised freely without proof of registration and payment of appropriate duties and charges.

He said: “The illegal influx of alcoholic beverages, wines and spirits into the country is an ominous wind that will blow nobody any good at the end of the day.

“Today, the market as become a dump yard for all manner of products regularly smuggled into the country without anybody raising an eyelid. It is more alarming the rate at which some unscrupulous elements in our society smuggled foreign wines and spirits into the market without any control by appropriate and requsite agencies of government.

“Sadly enough, when these foreign wines, alcoholic beverages and spirits are smuggled into the market, they offer them at lower rates because they were illegally brought into the country through our porous borders without paying the normal exercise duties and taxes.

“When these illicit traders bring these smuggled wines into the country, they create a challenging marketing environment for locally produced alcoholic beverages, wines and spirits.

“We do not want what happened in the textile industry, which has

now been brought to its knees to happen to our sector. We are appealing to our law enforcement agents especially the customs, to live up to expectations and save the Nigerian economy and the food beverage sector from the hands of economic saboteurs and smugglers. We are calling on the Federal Government to ban the importation of food beverage and confectionery into the country because the local manufacturers have the capacity to not only supply the Nigerian market, but also the whole West African sub region.

“While local producers are made to pay taxes, duties, Value Added Tax and sundry levies, couple with harsh economic climate, lack of power, the importers, aside from some using it to launder funds, evade these taxes. How can the local industry compete in the face of all these odds?” he said.

Odesile said the association had decided to join hands with relevant stakeholders in fighting this ilegal act.

He called on the Federal Government to intervene before the collapse of the food and beverage industry.

“In view of this, we have commenced negotiation and engagements with the regulatory agencies of government, such as NAFDAC, SON and Customs.We are being pragmatic about our efforts. Hence, we shall take the battle cry against the influx of smuggled wines and products to the National Assembly.”

Present at the event were representatives of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco and Association of Food , Beverage and Tobacco Employer (AFBTE), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), among others.

•From left: Director, Trade, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr David Adejuwon; Assistant US Trade Representative, Ms. Florizelle Liser; Aganga and President, African Women's Entrepreneurship Programme, Mrs Yemisi Iranloye, during the 7th Nigeria-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council Meeting in Abuja.

N533b spent on sugar importation in 10 years, says council

T

HE Federal Government’s backward integration policy may have suffered a setback in sugar production, as importation of the product remains high in the last 10 years.

According to the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), sugar import accounts for 97 per cent of the total sugar supply, with about N533billion spent in the last 10 years.

It said the total local sugar production during the period was 240,000 metric tonnes, indicating high capital flight and lost jobs.

Between 2002 and 2005, NSDC said the country depended on imported sugar; sugar consumption during the period was 11.3 million metric tonnes.

Local production during the period was only 8.5 per cent of the total sugar consumed, with importation accounting for 91.5 per of the total national demand.

“This implies that the sugar sector is nothing to write home about

on the much-touted backward integration policy of the Federal Government. The country is not only losing $3.4billion to importation of sugar, it is also losing 4,000 jobs in the process,” NSDC said in a statement.

Stakeholders are concerned about the sugar importation policy, which according to them, is inconsistent with the government’s policy of restricting importation of basic food items, especially where there is local capacity to produce them and meet national demand.

In a statement, the NigerianSouth African Chamber of Commerce said Nigeria requires 910,000 metric tonnes of sugar per annum, whereas the total productive capacity of local firms was about two million metric tonnes.

The depression in the sub-sector started in the early 1990s, with the main industry giants of the time, Savannah Sugar Company and Bacita Sugar Company, running

into stormy waters as a result of heavy smuggling of the commodity into the country, especially from neighbouring Franco-phone countries..

According to the data, at the peak of production in 1986, both Savannah Sugar Company and Bacita Sugar Company employed 3,500 employees, and over 6,700 seasonal employees.

“Today, the two (under various transformation schemes) employ just about 850 full time and 2,200 seasonal workers, with the bulk resting with Savannah, managed

by Dangote Industries. The two refineries (Dangote and BUA), using imported raw sugar, produce about two million tonnes per annum and employ about 1,400 people.

“However, local production of the same output would employ about 114,000. Today, after privatisation, only Savannah Sugar Company, owned by Dangote Sugar Company, is producing.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Whipping boy •Democracy suffers when officials of the Federal Republic bar journalists from doing their job

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FEW weeks ago, right there in one of the chambers of the National Assembly, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, smashed the tape recorder of a reporter covering a joint hearing on her ministry. She simply refused to be put on tape by the journalists, and when they persisted, she reached out and swiped the tapes off the table with so much impertinence.

Of course such grave acts went unsanctioned - not from the Federal Government or any journalism body.

Impunity unchecked will often breed even more impunity. This was exactly what happened last week during the aviation ministry’s budget defence before the Senate Committee on Aviation. According to report, before the proceedings commenced, the aviation minister, Ms Stella Oduah had requested that journalists be barred from the session. She was quoted to have told the chairman of the committee, Chief Hope Uzodinma: “Can you please, kindly allow me to present this budget behind closed doors and therefore, we shall need to ask the journalists to excuse us.” To this request, Uzodinma was said to have acceded without as much as a frown.

The first point that comes to mind is that this is a reflection of the quality of personnel occupying high offices in the country. This suggests that some of the public officials do not

know the first thing about the role of the media as clearly enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic; that they are ignorant of the basic fundamentals of the democratic process and the basic right of the people to know. Were these public officials attuned to these rudimentary principles, the very thought of the minister’s action would have been a taboo, and to have the temerity to voice such before a Senate committee would have been unthinkable. In a place like the United States of America, this action would have cost the minister her job and the senator his seat.

What was it that Ms Oduah wanted to keep away from the purview of the people in the defence of her aviation budget? If the budget is for promoting the good of the people, why shroud it in secrecy? If the minister truly holds her office as a public trust, she ought to understand the sacred duty of transparency and accountability to the people. Needless to say that the Appropriation Bill under consideration is a public document and the people need to understand it in detail so that they can make meaningful contribution to the debate.

We wager that someday soon when Ms Oduah would have left office, she would be keen to know the details of Nigeria’s aviation budget and she would take umbrage if a sitting minister denied her that right, especially

with a dash of impunity. We often tend to forget that a minister (or any public official for that matter) today, is an ordinary citizen tomorrow.

No doubt the Senate committee debased itself and made a charade of the exercise by so gleefully condoning the minister’s impertinence. The Senate is expected to be the last redoubt of Nigeria’s constitution and the touchstone of finer democratic practice. We are taken aback when the legislature allows violent breaches of this sacred document.

Need we remind that our democracy is the victim of such flagrant impunity as demonstrated by Ms Oduah.

‘What was it that Ms Oduah wanted to keep away from the purview of the people in the defence of her aviation budget? If the budget is for promoting the good of the people, why shroud it in secrecy? ... Needless to say that the Appropriation Bill under consideration is a public document and the people need to understand it in detail so that they can make meaningful contribution to the debate’

Enebeli Elebuwa: 1947-2012 • Andrew finally “checks out’

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HE recent death of Mr. Enebeli Elebuwa is a devastating blow to the burgeoning entertainment industry in Nigeria. The veteran actor had suffered from several health challenges which required extensive hospital stays in the country before he was finally flown to India, courtesy of the Delta State Government. He died on December 5.

Elebuwa’s career is a testimony to the ups and downs of Nigerian life, and accurately charts the country’s emergence as a significant producer of artistic talent. His first movie role was in the 1974 celluloid film Dinner With the Devil, but he first came to national notice as one of the star actors who graced the much-loved The Village Headmaster, the television series

‘Elebuwa brought a magisterial grasp of roles to bear on his acting. He could be the ruthless businessman, the doting father, the wise king, the amoral politician: whatever character he was playing came to life in his experienced hands. Such was his love for his profession that he mentored many of his younger colleagues, offering detailed comments on their performances and providing sage advice on how best to improve their craft’

which enraptured the nation in the 1970s. He truly came into his own with his incredibly realistic portrayal of ‘Andrew’, the desperate and frustrated Nigerian who was determined to abandon Nigeria to its fate, while he sought greener pastures. So convincing was his portrayal that he would subsequently be known by his memorable depiction of that unpatriotic individual. Unfortunately, Nigeria was far worse by the time ‘Andrew’ died, than in the ‘80s when he tried to ‘check out’.

When Nollywood, the local Nigerian film industry, took off in the early ‘90s, the visible and talented Elebuwa was in an excellent position to take full advantage of the opportunities that it offered. His wealth of experience in theatre and television made him the natural choice of many directors in a wide variety of films.

Elebuwa is believed to have acted in no less than 130 films, including Domitilla (1996), Lost Kingdom 1 & 2 (1999), Take Me to Mama (2002), Together as One (2003), Expensive Game 1 &2 (2004) and A Can of Worms 1 & 2 (2008). One of his last films was Bent Arrow, which was released in 2010.

In these productions, Elebuwa brought a magisterial grasp of roles to bear on his acting. He could be the ruthless businessman, the doting father, the wise king, the amoral politician: whatever character he was playing came to life in his experienced hands. Such was his love for his profession that he mentored many of his younger colleagues, offering detailed

comments on their performances and providing sage advice on how best to improve their craft.

It is no surprise, therefore, that he was among the best-loved of the pantheon of Nollywood stars. Many avid fans bought films solely because he was starring in them; even those who were too young to remember him as “Andrew” came to appreciate the passion, humour and talent that he displayed on the screen. His multi-dimensional talent, his capacity for hard work, and his unwavering belief in himself represented the very best in the Nigerian personality.

Elebuwa’s outstanding qualities make the manner of his passing all the more tragic. When his health problems started, he was forced to rely on the goodwill of colleagues for the settlement of his mounting health bills. Nigeria’s decrepit health system brought its own difficulties, as he had to turn to faith healing in an attempt to recover. When that failed, he was virtually on his own until a sympathetic Delta State Government and public-spirited individuals came to his rescue.

He was one of the few leading men in the country’s film industry who had the ability to take it to the next stage and ensure that it attained the global attention that its Hollywood and Bollywood counterparts enjoy.

The distressing emphasis on material reward that has infected Nollywood made the experience of Elebuwa all the more valuable now that he has gone. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Terror central in Mali

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ACCORDING TO the Obama administration, northern Mali “has become a safe haven for extremist and terrorist

groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and affiliates” — the same forces linked to the deadly Sept. 11 assault on the U.S. mission in Libya.

Northern Mali, says Sen. Christopher A. Coons (DDel.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Africa, has become “the largest territory controlled by Islamic extremists in the world.” A Taliban-style rule of stonings and amputations has been imposed, and a dire emergency is unfolding: 400,000 civilians have fled their homes, and, the United Nations says, 600,000 children under the age of 5 are threatened by severe malnutrition.

Not to worry. U.N. officials say that the terrorists will be subdued by a military intervention — but not before the fall of 2013.

The extraordinary delay is due not to any debate over the need for armed action. On the contrary, the necessity of it is stipulated by the rump Malian government, which lost the territory this year; neighboring African and Arab countries (with the possible exception of Algeria); former colonial power France; the Obama administration; and even U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who told the Security Council last week that “every passing day brings with it the risk of a further entrenchment of terrorist groups and criminal networks.”

The council could approve a resolution this month authorizing an intervention led by West African states that have agreed to contribute 3,300 troops and to rebuild the Malian army for the mission.

They say they could be ready to mount the operation in the first months of next year.

So why the holdup? Mr. Ban contends that “fundamental questions on how the force would be led, sustained, trained, equipped and financed remain unanswered.” The United Nations so far has declined to pick up the estimated $500 million cost, but the African states don’t have the funds.

Military experts say that while capturing northern Mali’s three principal cities — including the ancient crossroads of Timbuktu — might not be so difficult, a follow-up counterinsurgency campaign in a territory larger than Texas would likely exceed the capabilities of the African forces. Arab governments with stronger armies and counterterrorism experience, such as Algeria, are uncommitted. And Western governments say that they won’t send ground forces.

The Obama administration, for its part, is insisting that military action must be preceded by a multistep political process, including democratic elections for a new Malian government and negotiations with groups in northern Mali that are not part of alQaeda. One, Ansar Dine, has imposed fundamentalist rule on Timbuktu and destroyed many of its priceless religious and cultural monuments, but the theory is that it can be detached from the transnational terrorists.

Negotiations, which began this month, are certainly worth a try. But it’s also worth bearing in mind what is happening while this process drags on. As a Malian minister told the Security Council, “there are floggings, amputation of limbs, summary executions, children forced to become soldiers, rapes, stoning, looting and the destruction of cultural and historical sites.” Perhaps the diplomats in Turtle Bay can conclude it’s prudent to allow such atrocities to continue for another 10 or 12 months. But morality as well as common sense suggests that intervention must come sooner.

– Washington Post

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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The hearing that the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions scheduled for Thursday, December 6, could not hold. The absence of two very relevant parties in the petition filed by Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, chairman and chief executive officer of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, which necessitated the public hearing – Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, minister of finance and Mr. Aig-Imokhuede, managing director of Access – forced the House committee to reschedule the hearing for Thursday, December 13.

Ubah wants the National Assembly to determine if it is morally right for the Access Bank chief to head the presidential panel on the oil subsidy probe, when his bank is an interested party in the exercise. He says the bank is also an interested party because it funded the fuel importation business that his company and the Coscharis Group jointly executed, which has now become a subject of litigation.

From what transpired at the botched public hearing last week, it was obvious that the House committee was not properly briefed on what the Capital Oil chairman wants. For, it was clear that the lawmakers were trying to discuss a matter that is already in court, a point that lawyers representing Maduka, made clear.

The law makers have asked for all the relevant papers on the tripartite transactions involving Capital Oil, Coscharis and Assess Bank, apparently to guide them in their deliberations. The same papers are currently with the courts.

If indeed Ubah wants the legisla-

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What exactly does Ubah want? tive arm of government to determine the appropriateness or otherwise of having Aig-Imokhuede preside on a panel that handles and assignment in which he is an interested party, the question arises as to what business Maduka has with the House committee, as far as his petition is concerned?

The Coscharis chairman did not set up the presidential panel, nor did he appoint the Access Bank managing director into the panel. If Ubah has any issues with Aig-Imokhuede’s membership and headship of the

panel, is it not proper he makes the cause of his grouse very clear?

At the hearing last week, Ubah repeated his orchestrated allegation of a gang-up for the purpose of taking over his business. So, what is the House committee expected to deliberate on – the inappropriateness of having Aig-Imokhuede on the panel?

Is it the supposed attempt to take over his business? Is it the freezing of his company’s assets ordered by courts of competent jurisdiction or the fuel shortages being experienced

in the country, which he claims the continued closure of his company’s premises has engendered? (On-thespot assessment of Capital Oil facilities by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria [AMCON] showed that the company is capable of supplying Lagos for only one day).

Is it the payment of his subsidy claims?

Does he want the committee to ask AMCON, which bought over his toxic loans, to forget about the matter?

What, really, is Maduka’s interest

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• Lilian Onajide Abuja.

The leadership the nation needs IR: There is no gainsaying that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is facing difficult times, ditto the states governors.

The truth however must be told, that Nigerians are expecting no less than purposeful, resourceful, Godly, leadership. One is deeply surprised that since May 29, Nigeria’s development continues to be hampered by bad leadership, moral decadence, hunger, poverty, insecurity and corruption. Our leaders tell lies under

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oath, mouth deceitful words, make promises and break them.

What Nigerians need now is a good and God-fearing leader who will work hard in raising the standard of living of the people, transform the society, enact policies that will give Nigerians a sense of oneness.

Some of the challenges of national integration and development in Nigeria include the economic crisis and poverty, unequal development, cri-

sis of governance and poor political leadership.

Nigeria has very big potentials to become one of the most powerful countries in the world, and for it to occupy such position, it must transform its system, integrate the people, grow the economy and fight poverty and hunger.

Nigerians and the leaders should also allow God to direct the affairs of their governance. Nigerians and the rulers should be full of prayers to

What does Obasanjo want again?

IR: Of a truth, we all need somebody in life to help us realise our dream and vision.

Therefore the only thing President Goodluck Jonathan owes the Ota farmer is to tell him thanks if he thinks the man was instrumental to his present political status. Nothing more and nothing less. The Ota Farmer must be in deep and irredeemable slumber if he thinks his assistance to the President gives him ever-lasting political licence to always ‘remote-control’ him at any given time.

I do not know whether the President intends to vie again in the next

in all this? Or, put it the other way round, who is the aggrieved party in what has come to be known as the Maduka/Ubah feud, for which the latter wants the intervention of the lawmakers?

I thought that if there was one person who should cry blue murder, that person is Maduka. He, it was, who took a loan to finance a fuel importation business that sailed into troubled waters. He, it is, who is currently fighting to extricate himself from a debt burden that sees him cough out almost 400 million naira as interest every month, with the debt profile now in the region of 21 billion naira. It is an issue that courts in Nigeria and the UK are trying to resolve. This makes one wonder how far the House committee can go in the task that Ubah has saddled it with.

general election, but I do know that he has the unquestionable constitutional right to do so. Consequently, I urge him not to worry about the venomous ranting of the Ota farmer because it is on record, that the man can be defeated anytime, any day.

Ask Chief Bola Tinubu who has since shown the world that the man is not immune to defeat. I urge Nigerians to resist any attempt for him to resurrect from the political sarcophagus Tinubu sent him to since 2011.

President does not need the Ota farmer to win any election in the South West; rather he needs men

like Tinubu, the great political leader of the Oduduwa nation.

Wonders, they say, will never end.

How can a man who could not conduct a free, fair, credible and accepted election in Nigeria during his days at Aso Rock suddenly became fit to participate in Ghana’s electoral process as a monitor? His electoral legacies includes the transmogrification of ballot boxes into magic boxes with clear capacity to disappear from polling unit and only to re-appear at collation centres. God-fathers announced election result instead of INEC from their bedrooms. Hired species of ‘gallow birds’ invade poll-

ing units distributing death certificates to prospective voters with materials of war on election day. This was the same man who was in Ghana as election monitor. Poor Ghanaians!

Those who know the Ota farmer should please advise him to proceed on compulsory retirement from politics because he belongs to the generation of men who have failed us. I think the youth should be allowed to sail the ship of leadership. Those who have ears let them hear.

• Onehimare G. O. Benin city, Edo State.

empower President Goodluck Jonathan to tackle the raging socioeconomic and political problems facing the nation.

The President needs to urgently tackle energy problem, revive industries, encourage entrepreneurs, create mass emoployment for the youth; he needs to pay closer attention to the security situation, tackle corruption seriously, adhere to the tenets of the rule of law, improve infrastructural facilities. He may need to convoke prayer summits at all levels of government.

Nigerians must together create the atmosphere of trust, transparency, honesty and accountability otherwise she will remain where she is. We have to harness the God-given gifts of nature around us to make the country great. Our leaders have to learn and start taking decisions on what is best for the country rather than their self-serving interests. Unless and until we address the challenge of leadership, the country can never move forward.

Religious leaders in the country should not feel shy to address issue of bad leadership and also make their voices heard.

• Prophet Oladipupo FunmiladeJoel (Sekunderin), Lagos.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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COMMENTS

Annus Horribilis (2)

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HE death of Olusola Saraki the Waziri of Ilorin and the god-father of Kwara politics was most unexpected and Kwara politics will never be the same again. Olusola Saraki born of an Ilorin father and a Saki mother was a quintessential Yoruba man with Fulani heritage. He trained as a physician qualifying in 1961 in England. He came home to set up a medical practice in Lagos and achieved great success by having the retainerships of several companies and industrial houses in Lagos. It was surprising to many of his friends in Lagos when he decided to go into politics in Kwara and he bestrode the political landscape of Kwara like a colossus for several decades. He made governors and unmade governors until he was able to make his son Bukola Saraki governor and his daughter Gbemi, senator. He wanted Gbemi to succeed her brother. This was not to be because Bukola Saraki rightly had a different opinion. Father and son had to part politically but before long both were reconciled and certainly Olusola Saraki must have died a fulfilled man knowing that his legacy will survive in his children. Some of us for historical and ancestral reasons have abiding interest in Kwara politics. It is our hope that the passing away of Saraki will usher in peace, stability and development in Kwara state and that Kwara will become part of the mainstream of Yoruba politics for which it has always been.

Before the death of Saraki, Hope Harriman, a foremost Estate Surveryor who had contributed hugely to the development of this profession in Nigeria passed on in distant Washington DC. I got to know Mr Harriman very well at a time he was married to Deola my cousin and whenever I met him, he was always excited about talking about their two sons whom he affectionately referred to as his Ekiti Boys. He was very proud of these young fellows whom he sent to Cambridge where he himself had studied. Mr Harriman was in Government College Ibadan with my late brother Abiodun in the late 1940s. He was a colorful man and highly cerebral just like his late brother Ambassador Leslie Harriman. He was a member of a group called the Patriot. He was an Elder statesman who was worried about the decline of Nigeria. As an Itsekiri man, he agonized over the threat against his people posed by the larger neighboring nationalities of the Ijaws (Izon)

and the Urhobos. He did whatever was possible to bring peace to Warri and Itsekiri land. He was an avuncular man who enjoyed life to the fullest. He will be sorely missed.

The assassination of General Mohammed Shuwa in Maiduguri came to most people as a shock. General Shuwa, a Shuwa Arab/Kanuri man was one of the heroes of the Nigerian Civil war. He was a rather dour and quiet military man who was not as successful as Benjamin Adekunle, the famous black scorpion of the 3rd Marine Commando Division of the Nigerian Army. It is ironical that both Gen Shuwa and Adekunle have been living in relative obscurity and isolation after their heroic actions in the civil war. I wish the Federal government will do something to ennoble Adekunle who is still alive and for the family of General Shuwa who had passed on to eternity.

The demise of Justice Kayode Eso in faraway London also came as a surprise and I would be writing separately about him because he deserves a full length treatment and homage as the best Chief Justice Nigeria never had.

Coming nearer home, the cold hands of death struck within my family in the passing away of my older brother Peter Agboola Osuntokun a gentleman, if there was ever one. A man who inspite of the fact that he was not cerebrally endowed, worked very hard to leave a legacy behind. He would be missed by the family particularly by his immediate children and wife and by the larger Osuntokun family. In the same vein, Yemi Ogendegbe whom I have known as a brother since 1956 when his father was Western Nigeria Regional Minister of Works.

Yemi and I were also in later years at Ibadan Grammar School after I left Christ School for my higher School Certificate Course in Ibadan. He was a very handsome man, pleasant and gentle to a fault and also had a wonderful smile. It was a shock to me when I heard that he died suddenly without being ill. My heart goes to Mama who is very much alive in her 90s and to Yemi’s siblings. His death just shows graphically the futility of life.

The passing into glory of these titans should raise fundamental questions in the minds of our leaders and

should make all of us understand that we are but mere players on the stage of life and that no one lives forever and that power is transient that wealth itself is of limited value. J.J. Rousseau says that’ all men are Jide born equal in the Osuntokun sense that they are all born naked’. We brought nothing into this world and when we go, we will go with nothing. This is why King Solomon says all accumulation of wealth is vanity because at the end of the day, the man who accumulates wealth will not be here forever to spend it. All of us and particularly our leaders should try and have a sense of history and be moderate in whatever they do. Power is not the end of life and it is what one brings to life that matters. Building mansions and estates and buying jets and having fat accounts when the vast majority of humanity is suffering may bring us fame for some time but this will not endure and one day, the owner of life will call us home. This is the lesson in this horrible year or ANNUS ORIBILIS.

‘The passing into glory of these titans should raise fundamental questions in the minds of our leaders and should make all of us understand that we are but mere players on the stage of life and that no one lives forever and that power is transient that wealth itself is of limited value’

A nation under spell

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IGERIA was not always like this. Even though we had our challenges, they were looked int speedily with the government of the day do the needful to assure the citizenry of their safety and security. We didn’t appreciate what we had then. We probably thought that the government was not doing enough to protect us then; now we know better. If government at the national level then strove to maintain law and order, the same cannot be said of the present administration under whose watch life has short, brutish and nasty.

To the government, it is normal for things to be the way they are.

This is why it could say that ‘’Nigeria is safe’’, a political statement, which it knows is far from the truth. If it knows that it was not true why then did it make/ The answer is obvious. It was made for the sake of foreigners who may be interested in investing in the country. Our government forgets that foreigners are no fools; they have their embassies and high commissions and can easily obtain information about the country from there. Lying about a nation’s state of security in order to attract foreign investments should not be an attractive option for a government with such a challenge on its hands.

What the government should be looking for are solutions and not to compound issues by trying to pull wool over the people’s eyes.

Every nation has its security challenge no doubt, but the difference is in their respective atti-

tude towards remedying the situation. Some tackle the problem head-on, while others pay mere lip-service to the challenge. Unfortunately, we are in the latter group. Rather than be making progress as a nation, we are regressing. Problems that were solved some 20 to 30 years ago have returned to haunt us without the government being able to proffer any solution. What can then be said of us as a nation?

Rather than accept our shortcomings, we have chosen to live in denial and the implication of this choice is that we are not ready to solve our enormous problems.

Is it that the government is incapable of solving these problems?

Or is it sidestepping these problems for political reasons? With the way things are, the government has virtually abandoned the people to their fate. With a government like this, we have only God to run to now for help. What is wrong with us? What is it that makes our government behaves without a care for the people? Do we have a government?

Of course, we have, but its impact is not being felt. What we have is a government only in name, no more, no less. If Nigeria were to be a human being, many will say that, that person is under a spell. Are we not under a spell as a country from the look of things? A country which is suffused with oil but imports refined products for domestic use.

Today, we are in the grip of a fuel shortage, which has virtually grounded the country. From Sokoto to Gusau; Minna to Ilorin; Ibadan to Lagos; Port Harcourt

to Asaba; Benin to Enugu, motorists are stuck in fuel queues. For many, the filling stations have become a second home. They sleep and wake up at these places, yet they don’t get petrol to buy. Diesel and kerosine are different kettles of fish. Their prices are out of the reach of the common-man.

And the government’s response to that is that diesel is not for them.

What about kerosine, a product which is widely used by the common-man? The product’s price has shot through the roof and the poor cannot afford it. Yet, this is a product that Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole described as ‘’common-man specific ‘’.With the price ranging between N120 and N150 per litre no poor man can afford it. The government is not concerned about all this. It has ceded its powers to marketers who now play games with the importation of fuel.

Because a lot of money is involved in the deal, they have held the nation to ransom, demanding payment for job not done .

Many of them do not import fuel but they get paid all the same in a huge subsidy scam to which the country has lost trillions of naira.

Subsidy is meant for the less privileged but it has been hijacked by the well heeled with the connivance of those in power.

Today, the most lucrative business in town is oil marketing.

Whether you have a registered company or not; whether you have an office or not, once, you have the right connections, you are in business. The millions will

start rolling in without you doing anything.

This is how many marketers bleed the country with those in power turning a blind eye. The present fuel scarcity, we were told, was caused by the vandalism of the System B2 pipeline at Arepo in Ogun State sometime in September. The vandals later killed three officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who were sent to fix the pipe. Since the destruction of the NNPC has not been able to send other engineers to repair the damaged pipe for fear of their being attacked by vandals.

Does it mean that we are at the mercy of criminals? If NNPC cannot send its men to repair such an important pipe for fear of hoodlums, then we are in for a long drawn fuel scarcity. The System B2 supplies all of the Southwest fuel and some parts of the North, particularly Ilorin , Kwara State. Must we watch and allow hoodlums to seize major national assets? What is the government doing to flush out these vandals

‘ The truth is that kidnappers are making a hell of money from the illicit trade. They won’t stop unless we are ready to match them fire for fire. Is government ready to do that or will it keep on paying them ransom in secret while coming out to tell the public a different story? ’

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

from not only Arepo but other places where they are operating?

Government must know when to bare its fangs and when to be soft. This is a time to be hard on people such as pipeline vandals and the like who are drawing back the hand of the clock. Boko Haram has turned out to be the menace it is today because of the government’s lukewarm attitude to serious national crises. What about kidnappers? These ones have turned kidnapping to an art all because the government has been indulging them. The truth of the matter is these boys are making a hell of money from the illicit trade. This is why they have kept on kidnapping people. They won’t stop unless we are ready to match them fire for fire. Is government ready to do that or will it keep on paying them ransom in secret while coming out to tell the public a different story?

We have what it takes to become great; what we need is the will to do what is right and take certain drastic actions no matter whose ox is gored. We are not a cursed nation; so we should not behave like one.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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COMMENTS

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AMADI Sambo as a PDP prince is an accomplished Nigerian who made his fortune first, as a successful architect, and later, as a contractor to northern state governors. Before he was forced into politics by his people, he could afford any luxury money could buy: houses, exotic cars and private aircrafts , long before ownership of private jets became a fad among PDP serving governors, their contractors and our soul winning prosperity prophets that fervently support them with prayers. But Namadi remained a very humble man. Even as an accomplished man prevailed upon by his Kaduna State people to serve as governor on the platform of PDP, he remained himself - a self effacing humble man.

Namadi has not changed much long after President Goodluck Jonathan, who has a weakness for those who swim in money picked him as his vice president following Yar’ Adua’s death. His executive functions as spelt out in the constitution includes ‘participation in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership in the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the chairman of National Economic Council.’ Beyond this, the VP only enjoys delegated powers like deputy governors, commissioners and ministers/special advisers to the President. In fact he recites the same oath of office like them.

‘Neither President Jonathan nor the minister for Federal Capital Territory has told Nigerians what became of the mansions built for the senate president and the speaker by the Obasanjo administration. If as in its character, PDP has sold the mansions to its members, shouldn’t the proceeds be deployed towards building the proposed new mansions instead putting fresh burden on tax payers?

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AM deeply saddened by the content of 2013 Where-to-be-born Index which was recently released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), a subsidiary of The Economist magazine. Nigeria, according to this unflattering report is the worst country to be born. Eighty countries were assessed by EIU but Nigeria came at the bottom. This survey is shattering because real people were actually sampled and all the respondents agreed that Nigeria is the least or the last place they would want to be born based on ten criteria.

From the figures, Nigeria scored 4.74 points which placed her on the 80th position, the foot of the table while Switzerland came out with 8.22 points as the best country to be born in.

I am intensely worried by these negative rankings. I remember sometime in October, African Insurance Organisation, another watchdog described Nigeria as kidnap/ ransom capital of the world. The October ranking was particularly distressing because the thought of kidnap and ransom had set my mind racing to Somalia but I was wrong. According to the report, Nigeria accounted for 25 per cent of global kidnappings. Earlier, in June, the Global Peace Index had also ranked Nigeria as the sixth most dangerous African country to live in. These rankings leave an impression and calls for deep reflection.

For me, this latest EIU verdict may not be a true representation of our situation really, but it still manages to remind us of how terribly bad we have drifted as a country. The survey, I understand, “earnestly attempts to measure which country will provide the best opportunities for a healthy, safe and prosperous life in the years ahead” but that is not all that led to this regrettable verdict. There was also the issue of security, the standard of family life and trust in public institutions which were all considered. But if we are to sincerely consider these criteria, how far have we fared?

How can Nigeria which was once the

V-P’s lodge and PDP profligacy Sadly, Namadi has been under severe strain since accepting to trade his peace, freedom and limitless powers of a state governor to serve under President Jonathan. First, his family house in Tundun-Wada area of Zaria came under the attack of gunmen following the post election violence that greeted Jonathan’s celebrated landslide victory. In recent times, the house still undergoing renovation has come under attack once again by the rampaging Boko Haram insurgents who injured a police man and killed a poor shoe maker who had the misfortune of trying to earn a living by practicing his trade not far from the VP’s house.

Besides these attacks from hoodlums and Boko Haram insurgents, Namadi has come under severe attack of Nigerians. He has been blamed for the ongoing N7 billion VP mansion initiated in 2009 long before he was dragged from his comfort zone as a governor to become vice president. He has similarly been widely criticized for the additional N9b PDP contractors claimed is needed for a mansion reported to be nearing completion.

Namadi has also been called upon to carry the can for the N8.4 b PDP fortune seekers budgeted for his office in the 2012 budget.

Out of this N1.7 billion (approximately $10.3m) was to be spent on trips, N1.3b (approximately $9.7m) on office stationeries, N2b on repair/maintenance of office/residential buildings. Others were, N382 million for vehicles; N53 million for office furniture; N1.7 billion for office building and residential

quarters.

All the above budgetary provisions were supposed to be statement of intensions but since Doyin Okupe not too long ago told us that for PDP, such provisions amount to licence to spend, we can safely assume all the above provisions have been fully implemented. After all, PDP is only accountable to PDP. If I were to advise the VP in view of the ongoing Namadi bashing, for funds others claimed to have spent on his behalf, I would have counseled the VP’s resignation to spite PDP and save his own integrity. After all, PDP has demonstrated these past 13 years that it can run the presidency without a vice president.

It started with President Obasanjo. Following blame game over corruption by the president and his deputy, (PDP family quarrels are usually over the sharing of our resources among its members), Obasanjo did not only chase Atiku Abubakar out of office, but also out of his official residence which he transferred to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) under the guise of abiding with Abuja master plan. Atiku ended his term hiding in one of his private houses in Abuja.

Those who attributed the good fortune of the nation to the fact that Obasanjo did not come to grief during his term, didn’t need to wait for long. Yar’ Adua sadly soon came to grief. PDP proved once again that the post of a vice president was superfluous. A bereaved nation soon discovered that, Yar’ Adua’s wife,

Where-to-be-born Index’s distressing verdict Dakuku Peterside black man’s pride suddenly become the worst place to be born? We have played significant roles in the African continent and our brothers and sisters within and outside our sub region can attest to that. It may not be auspicious here to cite an example of our support but the truth is that we had at various times intervened both with resources and militarily to save fellow Africans in their moments of grave challenges. But if really Nigeria is so terrifyingly bad and we are truly the worst country to be born, then we must all begin the process of saving our country. It is a collective responsibility that demands utmost urgency.

The good in the EIU verdict is the fact that we are again reminded to wake up and think. For too long, we have dissipated a lot of energy trying to dispel some well known truths about us. One of these truths is our usual spirited efforts towards wooing foreign investors without first ensuring that conditions at home are favourable to investment, whether foreign or local.

This time I must say, seriously requires that we all look inwards for solutions. And until we address our decrepit infrastructure, protect our vulnerable citizens, provide security, change our attitude and redouble our efforts towards genuinely rebuilding our nation, we may still expect more troubling verdict from the world.

Agreed that President Goodluck Jonathan is desirous of transforming Nigeria but we must speedily move beyond the comfort and soothing effect of this philosophy and rhetoric. Change only comes to those who are truly prepared and this

country will really not experience the desired transformation if she continues at this pace. The leaders and the led both have a responsibility in this direction.

I had asked earlier, what is the state of our public institutions today? How confident are we in these institutions? Beyond the general clamour to strengthen them and make them relevant for the 21st century, what manner of legacies are we living through these institutions?

My worry unfortunately, is that Nigeria has remained largely a country of potentials. Sadly, we have not been able to take the long over-due leap that we had all waited for these long and difficult years.

Everybody agrees today that security remains our major challenge and except something urgently is done we will continue going in circles. A few forward-looking governors know this and have taken steps to get it right.

This urgent need to address security came in focus recently. Professor Ibrahim Gambari, frontline diplomat and former Nigerian permanent representatives at the United Nations shared his thoughts with Nigerians on our their nation’s worsening security problems at the first annual Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial lecture on leadership and good governance in Abuja.

Speaking on Boko Haram, Gambari had warned “in this regard, I do not want to sound alarmist and wish to speak with the highest sense of responsibility. As a diplomat with two and half decades experience you know that it is not in my nature to raise the alarm where none is needed.

However, as we sit here today is there anyone among us who has an absolute assurance that a bomb will not explode any-

his son in-laws, Ibori and other wayfarers that constituted his kitchen cabinet took over the running of affairs of the nation. The ailing president was flown abroad without the knowledge of Vice President Jonathan. The nation’s budget was forged. Contracts were awarded. While the president was away in Saudi Arabia hospital, the vice president had no idea of how resources of the nation were being deployed.

But for the intervention of civil society groups led by Pastor Tunde Bakare, who with his caustic tongue, forced the law makers to come up with what was called the ‘doctrine of necessity’ Vice President Jonathan was effectively sidelined in spite of the constitutional provisions.

By resigning honorably, to spite PDP, Sambo will not only stop his name from being used to perpetuate further evil, such a patriotic act will also save the nation about N35b being the sum total of the amount PDP wants to spend on the mansion and two years budget allocations to the VP’s office. This interest free money will help the process of development Unlike in the US where president Obama needed to borrow $100m towards training mathematics and science teacher over the next 10 years to prepare American youths for competition against Chinese youths, Jonathan can deploy N35b for revolutionizing the educational sector by producing well equipped teachers and Ph.D holders that will mould our youths for the challenges of the future.

From the FCT’s proposed N50b 2013 budget, President Jonathan can add the amount earmarked “for the designing and construction of the residences of the President of the Senate, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal; and his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha”. It is public knowledge that these top public officers already have personal mansions in Abuja. And since this is a legitimate endeavour under our constitution, they should be encouraged to use their personal houses or lose the rent to the state as it is the case in Britain.

In any case neither President Jonathan nor the minister for Federal Capital Territory has told Nigerians what became of the mansions built for the senate president and the speaker by the Obasanjo administration. If as in its character, PDP has sold the mansions to its members, shouldn’t the proceeds be deployed towards building the proposed new mansions instead putting fresh burden on tax payers?

where in the North of Nigeria today or, in this city or that innocent lives will not be violently terminated? If you feel any immediate unease, or even suppressed panic about this possibility, then imagine the terrifying experience of our compatriots who have lived everyday in the last few years under the fear of imminent terror.”

This is a timely warning from a respected diplomat and I want to believe that we must all heed this wise counsel. We cannot accuse the leadership for ever because as far as I know, we are all going to sink together if our worst fears happen, but God forbid!

This is therefore an auspicious moment to think. Our leaders must come together and reject this path to perdition because it will do no good. They should act and speak out irrespective of political affiliations, after all there must be a Nigeria before the political elite can aspire.

• Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives is Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resourced (Downstream)

‘My worry unfortunately, is that Nigeria has remained largely a country of potentials. Sadly, we have not been able to take the long over-due leap that we had all waited for these long and difficult years.

Everybody agrees today that security remains our major challenge and except something urgently is done we will continue going in circles’

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AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Eagles will lift trophy—Mikel

Pg. 24

Baribote: NPL Congress illegal Pg. 24

Sport Thursday, December 13, 2012

PAGE 23

•Gold medallist Ivory Nwokorie of Nigeria is flanked by silver medallist Cigdem Dede of Turkey and bronze medallist Lidiia Soloviova of Ukraine at the victory Ceremony for the women's - 44kg Powerlifting

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Olympic gold medallist begs for job

NATIONSPORT THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

24

41

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Eagles will lift trophy—Mikel

COPA LAGOS:

Rising star Burna Boy to perform on final day

Eviction fever grips Glo Soccer Academy Boys

•Ekeji

MAIYEGUN GOOF

Ekeji apologies for error

•Burna Boy

2013 AFCON BUILD UP

Omeruo gets Eagles' invite

EKO 2012 FALLOUT

Ogun gives gold medallists N30,000 each

•Arrives in Portugal December 29 From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

•Omeruo

Baribote: NPL Congress illegal •Sued to court over Nembe City

•Mikel

25

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

INSIDE N39b UBEC funds un-accessed EBONYI and Imo States top the list of states that have accessed the least amount of funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

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

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

Merit, quota and Unity Schools The 104 Federal Government Colleges, aka Unity Schools, were established to unify the country through interaction by pupils from various parts of the country. This laudable aim is far from being attained as the schools are evolving into regional based colleges.

KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA and CLARICE AZUATALAM report.

-Page 28

Teachers, parents praise Oyo THE results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) showed that candidates in public secondary schools in •Jimoh Oyo State who wrote the 2012 May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) recorded an improvement than previous years, moving the state up the rating ladder from 34th last year to 23rd.

-Page 39

CAMPUS LIFE •An eight-page section on campus news, people etc

The wild world of campus pimps THEY cruise about in posh cars while their colleagues cramp into rickety campus shuttles.

They live large on campus even though the source of their wealth cannot be openly discussed. From the comfort of their off-campus hostels, they negotiate high-profile deals with powerful personalities while their mates sweat it out in stuffy libraries in school.

-Page 29

•A Cross section of primary school pupils during the 2012 NCEE conducted by NECO

M

ANY parents believe so much in the Federal Government Colleges (FGCs), aka Unity Schools. They do everything possible to get their children into these schools.

At the start of every new academic session, there is always a rush to get into these colleges. The rush is informed by what the parents believe to be the quality education offered by these schools.

But getting into these schools is not easy. From buying of the entrance forms, to taking the entrance examination and the release of the result, it is a tug of war.

What makes FGCs tick that parents are so desperate to get their children into them? Some say it is the quality of teaching; others say it is the facilities, and yet some say it is because they are owned by the Federal Government.

Whatever it is, the colleges were established by the government to harness the multi-cultural heritage of the country for peaceful coexistence. Like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the General Yakubu Gowon administration established the colleges in the 60s to be model secondary schools that would admit brilliant children from all states. The first three to be established in 1966 were FGCS Warri (Delta State); Okposi and Sokoto. The aim was to achieve unity in the post-civil war era.

Thus, each college should represent a mini-Nigeria in keeping with the federal character.

To ensure that the schools admit pupils from all over the country,

the Federal Ministry of Education established a quota system to guide admissions. Thirty per cent are admitted on merit irrespective of state of origin; 30 per cent from the states; another 30 per cent are selected from the environment (host state), and the remaining 10 per cent are admitted based on exigency.

But admission is such a knotty issue that principals and teachers were not willing to talk about it openly. Attempts by our correspondents to interview some teachers met a brickwall. Many were unwilling to talk; those who did spoke anonymously.

The Nation visited FGC Ijanikin, Queen's College, Yaba, FGC, Enugu, FGC, Jos, FGC, Ikole-Ekiti, FGGC, Efon-Alaye, King's College, Lagos, Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, FGC, Awka, FGGC, Calabar, FGGC, Abuloma, FGC, Umuahia, and FGGC, Ipetumodu, where many of the principals and teachers told our reporters to direct their queries to the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja.

The National Examinations Council (NECO) conducts the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) for admission into the 104 single sex and co-educational colleges. Each state is assigned cutoff points based on performance of its candidates in the examination.

The states with the largest number of good scores have higher cutoff points than others.

For instance, while Anambra was assigned a cut-off of 136, Imo, 135, Abia, 128, and Delta, 126; education-

STATE Abia Adamawa Akwa Ibom Anambra Bayelsa Bauchi Benue Borno Cross River Delta Ebonyi Edo Ekiti Enugu Gombe Jigawa Katsina Kebbi Kwara

PHOTO NANS

CUT-OFF 128 72 119 136 75 36 111 48 96 126 111 125 119 131 53 33 60 35 120

ally-disadvantaged states like Kebbi had 35, Jigawa, 33, Taraba, 29, Sokoto, 27 and Yobe, zero.

At the beginning of every session, when new Junior Secondary School (JSS1) and Senior School (SS1) pupils are admitted, principals are bombarded with requests for admission by parents who keep vigil in their offices daily. Many among the parents usually do not understand why their children are not taken on the merit list though they made better scores than others from less performing states.

A parent, who did not want to be named, decried the situation, saying quality was sacrificed on the

STATE Lagos Nasarawa Niger Ogun Ondo Osun Oyo Plateau Rivers Sokoto Taraba Yobe Zamfara FCT Imo Kaduna Kano Kogi

CUT-OFF 130 67 90 120 123 125 124 85 117 27 29 Zero 30 68 135 91 63 117

altar of quota – given that a pupil who scored above 140 was not admitted while candidates from states with zero cut-off point were admitted.

The Principal of King’s College, Lagos, Otunba Dele Olapeju, denied his claim. He said none of the candidates admitted scored zero, rather the colleges admit based on levels of merit.

“What we do in selecting candidates admitted on state and environmental bases is to pick those with the best scores that applied from each state. At King’s Col• Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY,DECEMBER 13, 2012

26

EDUCATION

Merit, quota and Unity Schools • Continued from page 25

lege, we admitted three candidates from each state. None of the candidates scored zero. Why Yobe had a cut-off of zero is because if 80 candidates are supposed to be admitted by all the Unity Schools nationwide and only 60 applied, then it means all of them will be admitted so it negates the cut-off,” he said.

He said if merit alone was employed the Unity Schools would not achieve federal character.

“For instance in the last examination out of 6,000 candidates that made the national cut-off, Anambra State had the lion’s share. Between Imo and Anambra, they took a sixth of the national merit. You cannot blame them for being brilliant.

However, if all Anambra candidates are admitted there will be no unity colleges,” he said.

Despite all states having slots in each college, pupils no longer travel from all over the country to attend the colleges. Teachers said those admitted from the North into schools in other regions do not honour the admission. In almost all cases, they said those that do, have their parents living or working in the environment.

A teacher at the Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Calabar, Cross River State, blamed this trend on the insecurity in the country.

“The problem now is the response. It is not all candidates of students offered admission that accept it. In the past you could have students from all the states, but you cannot get that now because of the situation in the country. Someone in Akwa Ibom State now would not let his children go to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, and vice versa, so that is really a problem.”

It is the same story at the Federal Government College (FGC), Ijanikin, Lagos. The Principal, Mrs Oyewole-Ibukun, said: “What happens is that we don’t usually get candidates from the North in this region. I’m not talking about this school alone but in the entire South, though I don’t know why this is so.

But I can tell you I received a candidate from Yobe State who scored 156.”

Rather than reflecting the whole

country, the Unity Schools attract pupils mainly from the geo-political zone where they are. For instance, at Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Awka, Anambra State, most of the pupils admitted are from the Southeast; the outsiders, especially from the North or western states are those born in the state.

“It is difficult to get any student from Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe or Gombe to be admitted in this place, unless the parents reside here and the person was born in this area.

There is nothing like federal character in Unity Schools in the country,” said a member of staff of the college.

The situation at the FGC, Enugu, is similar. A source there said majority of the pupils are from the Southeast, followed by the Southwest, while the Southsouth trails behind.

While criteria for selecting candidates admitted on merit, state and environmental bases are clear, it does not mean that the process is always smooth. Also there is nothing smooth about the 10 per cent admitted on exigency . Moreover, principals are pressured to take candidates referred from the powers in Abuja.

A teacher at the FSTC, Yaba, Lagos said when quotas of some states are empty, they are filled with pupils from other states.

“Most of them that were registered as northern pupil’s are not actually from the North. Probably, they are northerners by birth but their parents are based here in Lagos. My own children were registered as North’s candidates while they are not just to make up the quota.”

A source at the FGGC Abuloma, Port Harcourt, River State also said if a particular state, say Yobe, is given about 15 slots and at the end only two from that state turn up, the remaining slots would be left for the principal and senior teachers to fill up with their own persons.

“Getting admission through this connection means that money must exchange hands. If the leg of a parent whose child is on merit list is not strong, the child might even be

•Pupils of FGC, Ijanikin, during a practical CISCO session dropped,” the source said.

Another source said a parent was forced to give up his child’s admission because he could not pay the N100,000 demanded by the school authority.

The pressure that teachers face during the admission process is so tough that some principals avoid their offices or bar visitors. A teacher at FGC, Ikole-Ekiti, said teachers generally find it rough during admission period such that those with tendencies for high BP are especially miserable during the season as even candidates with critically low marks demand attention and seek pity.

“When he couldn’t meet up, he had to give up the admission,” the source said.

In terms of the ability of pupils admitted with less-than-excellent

scores to cope with the academic demands of the colleges, many of the teachers said they ultimately adapt and even excel.

A teacher at the FGGC, Oyo, said because a candidate comes from an educationally disadvantaged state does not mean he or she would be dull academically.

He said: “Dullness and brilliance are not peculiar to any state or group. Just as we have some pupils from Southwest repeating classes here, so we have them from other regions. The ‘equity of states’ consideration is just to allow the admission process to open access to all qualified candidate irrespective of where they hail from. They always blend. They cope eventually because their mates drive them inadvertently. The environment helps them blend; after a session or

‘It is difficult to get any student from Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe or Gombe to be admitted in this place, unless the parents reside here and the person was born in this area. There is nothing like federal character in Unity Schools in the country,” said a member of staff of the college’

Omole to chair OAU alumni BOT •Justice Fati Abubakar, others are members

F

ORMER Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof Wale Omole will chair the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Great Ife Alumni Association.

He was inaugurated along with four members of the board, Justice Fati Abubakar, wife of the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Prof Solomon Okobia, Mazi Sam Owabunwa and Deaconess Deborah Adepoju at the OAU House in Opebi, Lagos last Friday.

President of the association, Alhaji Adeola Shokunbi said the inauguration of the BOT is in line with the constitution of the group, and would enable it run better.

Explaining how the members of the board were selected, President Emeritus, Mr Wole Olaoye said they are people who are highly passionate about the affairs of the university and have demonstrated their passion by dedicating their time and resources to improving

•From left: Shokunbi, Prof Omole, Prof Bamitale Omole, Mr Dan Okere, representative of Prof Solomon Okobia, Prof Lade Adeyanju, HOD, Educational Technology and Mrs Mordi

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Wale Ajetunmobi

their alma mater.

He said Omole, the first alumnus to be appointed vice-chancellor of the university, was chosen as chair because all 32 branches of the association within and outside Nigeria nominated him on the board.

“The BOT membership was ar-

two you will hardly notice when they are graduating.”

The ability of children from such backgrounds to improve is also helped by extra efforts by their teachers. A teacher at FGC, Ijanikin said poor pupils are encouraged to improve.

“In this school, we do not believe in advising poor students to withdraw. We (teachers) always take such situation as a challenge and put in our best until such a child improves,” the source said.

Another source at King’s College, Lagos attested to this fact.

He said: “I taught at Queen’s College, Yaba for 15 years and we once had a girl who could not speak a word of English. The principal at that time, asked me to interpret when she asked how she was admitted. The girl said she was just

rived at when the 32 branches in Nigeria came up with names and a national committee was set up to prune the list to five. Prof Wale Omole’s name was a recurring name on the list. Today is a celebration of the greatness of the university. Very few people epitomize greatness like members of the BOT,” he said.

Despite the challenges facing university education in Nigeria, Olaoye said the association is determined to support the management of the university to make it one of the best in the world.

“Great Ife is a virus. It enters you.

We have no apologies for it. That is why we are so passionate that we want to leave it better than we

met it. We want the tradition of excellence to continue and that is why in Ife we are inaugurating these people to help make the university better,” he said.

Responding to his appointment, Prof Omole said the board will live up to expectation in fulfilling the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution.

“The founding fathers were farsighted to plan a university purposed to be the best. They were not looking for second place. Our founding fathers have left a legacy.

We benefited by being students of the university. We thank you for instituting this; even for finding us worthy. It is a big job. But the same God that has helped us this far, will get us there,” he said.

In his speech, current Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Bamitale Omole said he was fortunate to be VC while the BOT was inaugurated. Omole, who is the third alumnus to become VC of the institution, said alumni role in OAU’s development is crucial.

“If we talk about the great strides universities attain and the visibility of world renowned varsities, the alumni play a great role. I wont be able to measure my success without the support of the alumni,” he said.

Mrs Kate Mordi, one of the executives, administered the oath.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

27

EDUCATION

NUC approves technical varsity for Oyo

T

HE Oyo State government has secured the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC) for the establishment of a technical university in Ibadan.

The university has been situated at the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the first set of students will start in September 2013.

With this development, the institution becomes the 38th state university and 125th university in Nigeria .

In his speech at the event which was held at the commission’s office in Abuja , Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi said the university was fashioned after some renowned universities abroad.

He said: “We are here to seek approval for the establishment of our university. Our university, the Technical University, Ibadan was

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

modelled after technical universities in Taiwan, Massachusetts, SAE in Dubai amongst others. Nigeria has a lot of professionals at both higher and lower levels.

“We are establishing a unique university where emphasis will be marrying the classroom to industry and theory to practice. And that makes it unique and our curriculum will include courses that are normally not available in Nigeria such as mechatronics, cyberspace security, aircraft engineering and other unique courses but more importantly, we want to make it a world-class university; and with the calibre of teachers we would employ, there is no doubt that it will be one of the best in the world.”

Ajimobi added foremost construction companies such as Julius

Berger Plc go overseas to recruit technicians, adding that against the foregoing, there is the need to go for a university with technical background.”

According to him, Oyo State has always been a pace setter, “We started the first university in Nigeria and now we are setting up the first technical university in Nigeria,” Ajimobi added.

Ajimobi said the university is “tailor made to fit into industrialisation; “Around that university, we are going to have different industries and even inside the university. We have already signed up with three companies-both national and internal companies that will situate their companies inside the university for practical training.”

The governor said practical would have an edge over lecture. Classroom /practical work will be in ra-

tion of 30:70.

The NUC Executive Secretary Prof. Julius Okojie, said the success that is being anticipated in the new university would be a consolidation oif the success of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, owned by the state.

He said: “If we are failing, it is not because of the university system but because of the lack of facilities to train our graduates. The nation’s universities of technology have lost focus.”

The NUC boss also insisted on the need to revisit the ownership crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho saying: “the LAUTECH medical school is dead.”

Okojie said, “We have no reason to quarrel over university ownership and system. We will ensure that the Oyo State Technical University grows and survives. We will also ensure that the standards

•Prof Okojie

of Nigerian universities are maintained. What matters to me is what value a university is adding to its host community.”

Read Africa Project makes its debut in Abuja, PH

T

•Jennifer Chike and her son, Nnamdi, receiving the scholarship letter from Ikpor while little Testimony looks on

Club gives scholarship to orphan

F

OR little Miss Testimony Chike whose mother died during labour on September 2, 2009 and was subsequently abandoned by her father, her hope of acquiring education looked grim.

However, Divine Elects Sapphires Club (DESC), Port Harcourt has ensured Testimony’s dream of going to school is realised, albeit through scholarship.

The scholarship, which would see Testimony from nursery through to university level, has now enrolled the little girl in a school at age three.

Speaking at the handover of the scholarship certificate in Port Harcourt, President of DESC Mr

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

Anthony Ikpor, said that the club which is made up of young Nigerian Christian professionals secretly watched Testimony’s adopted mother from birth Mrs Jennifer Chike, to see if she has been treating her well.

He said though their investigation is in the positive, yet the club found out that Testimony could not start school because Jennifer who used to be a Secretary in a fast food eatery in Port Harcourt lost her job and has since been finding it difficult to survive with her own son, Nnamdi 10.

DESC therefore extended a one-

year scholarship to Nnamdi who is in JSS1; pending the time his mother gets another job.

Speaking at the event which DESC also used to mark its end of year activity the formal opening of its website as well as the launching of its skill acquisition centre, Ikpor said the place would be used “to teach people how to fish and not just giving them fish.”

The president of DESC also pointed out that his club believes that empowering people would be a more effective way to change the society than occasional handouts from individuals and organisations.

The occasion also featured induction of new members

HE Read Africa Project, an initiative of UBA Foundation, has extended to schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State.

Ms Ijeoma Aso, Managing Director/ CEO of the foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, led her team to Light Way Academy Wuse 2 Abuja and Graceland International Secondary School Port Harcourt where copies of the classic Literature book ‘Weep Not Child’, authored by Ngugi wa Thiong’o were presented to the pupils, and mentoring and reading sessions were held.

The aim of the initiative is to rekindle the reading culture among secondary school pupils on the continent.

In Abuja, the Assistant Director, Budget Office, Federal Ministry of Finance Abuja and a Trustee of UBAF, Mrs. Mary Udu-Ejembi, served as role model during the mentoring session. She recalled her youthful days in school and impact reading had in making her career a success.

Ms Aso was joined by Sussie Nwuche, Business Manager, UBA Plc Woji Road Port Harcourt Business office, and Chinyere Chukwu, Business Manager, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Business office of UBA to mentor the pupils in Port Harcourt.

They all emphasised the importance and impact reading has in defining career path and moulding students’ intelligence gathering whilst keeping abreast with current affairs.

Speaking during the sessions, Ms Aso said the initiative is to help the pupils inculcate good reading habits.

“Children no longer read; their passion for reading informative and educative books is fast eroding and this is part of the ills we want to correct in the continent’s educational sector. Having identified the need to redeem the trend, especially in response to the declining culture of reading in post primary institutions across the continent, UBAF came up with the ‘Read Africa’ project, designed to resuscitate the reading culture amongst our youths,” she said.

The pupils and authorities of the schools were delighted to have the UBA Foundation Read Africa team in their midst. The question and answer sessions were rich with the students asking questions ranging from the importance of reading to time management, as well as economic and financial related matters.

The Light Way Academy School Director, Mrs. Joyce Agbese expressed appreciation to the foundation for choosing to visit the school.

“I did not know what to expect and was happy we were getting free books but what I have witnessed today is something that will live with me and these students forever. I have started to see bankers in a different light,” she said.

Similarly, Principal, Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Mr. Samuel Udoh, was appreciative of UBA for this unique opportunity.

He said that as an individual, he had been challenged by this project and has made up his mind to read a minimum of at least a book every month.

Merit, quota and Unity Schools • Continued from page 26

told by her father that she was going to Lagos. The next day, the principal called the head of the English Department and told her that if the school is, indeed, a change agent let this girl be a test case. She mandated the teacher to ensure that the girl became like the rest of the girls by the end of three months, and it was so.”

A teacher at the FGGC, Calabar, said the real problem for pupils admitted from educationally less- developed states is the language barrier.

“From our experience, the real disadvantage those from the northern part of the country have is language. It is not that the pupils are dull. It is just that where they came from they used the local language to teach them and when they come here, they find it a bit difficult to fit in, but after some time, they pick

up and perform as well as other.

You realise that these children, when they come and you test them in their languages, they do very well,” she said.

At the FGC, Jos, the principal, Mr Duku, said after a lot of grooming disadvantaged students pick up.

"In terms of academic performances, we apply the same standard of teaching and learning.

Some of the students from state with low cut off point even do better than those from states with high cut off points. The low cut off mark for some state does not mean that candidates from such state are intelligence, they are very brilliant giving a good learning environment effective teaching methods," he said.

•Additional report by Nicholas Kalu, Nwanosike Onu, Chris Oji, Sulaiman Salawudeen, Bisi Oladele, Yusufu Aminu Idegu, and Ramat Musa.

•From left: Mr Samuel Udoh, Principal, Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Ms Chinyere Chukwu and Ms Nwuche (right) and the pupils listening as Ms Aso (middle) reads from Weep Not Child

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

28

EDUCATION ELIZADE FILE Cleric counsels workers MEMBERS of staff of the Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin in Ondo State, have been enjoined to put God first in all their dealings and work as a team to realise the university’s vision.

The Bishop, Diocese of Akure Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd.

Michael Ipinmoye gave the admonition at a prayer session organised to mark the assumption of duty of the pioneer ViceChancellor, Prof Valentine Aletor.

Reading from Exodus 20, Bishop Ipinmoye urged the workers to work with fear of God and support the authorities to make the institution a point of reference for others.

The cleric counselled the VC not to rely on his own wisdom but God’s to lead people of different backgrounds.

In his remarks, Prof Aletor appreciated the opportunity given him to serve the institution and contribute to the aspiration of its founder, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo to give quality education to young Nigerians.

VC to focus on research THE Elizade University ViceChancellor, Prof Valentine Aletor has promised to support academics to carry out high quality research that will bring sustainable national development.

Speaking at the inter-faculty meeting of the university, Aletor said the university’s Research and Innovation Think Tank will take research as a business where scientific and technological breakthrough of the country will emerge.

The Vice-Chancellor said the university will source for fund from local and international donor agencies such as Ford Foundation, World Bank, African Union, European Union, Shell, Exonmobil and Schlumberger to establish world-class analytical laboratories.

E

N39b UBEC funds un-accessed in seven years

BONYI and Imo States top the list of states that have accessed the least amount of funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

A statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the commission, David Apeh said the Acting Executive Secretary of UBEC, Prof. Charles Onocha categorised the states in terms of performance during a threeday meeting with chairmen of the State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEB) and the UBEC Management in Asaba, Delta State.

•Ebonyi, Imo worst performing states

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

The seventh quarterly meeting was to review the activities of the past quarter, chart the way forward in the implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme, and also undertake joint advocacy visit to flooded schools and projects in the affected states.

Commenting on assessment, disbursement and utilisation of the

UBE intervention fund, Onocha said from 2005 to October 2012, the Commission received N192.56 billion as matching grants and disbursed N154.37 billion to the states and FCT leaving a balance of N38,19 billion un-accessed.

He said as at November 28, 2012, the top performing states in accessing and utlising their matching grants, scoring between 90

and100 per cent were: Kano, Katsina, Bauchi and Jigawa. Performing states (75-89 per cent) were: Adamawa, Edo, Lagos, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Ekiti, Kogi, Niger, Delta, Borno, Anambra, Enugu, Ondo, FCT and Benue; Average performing States (55-75 per cent): Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Osun, Oyo, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Abia, Sokoto, Plateau and Ogun; and the non performing states (0-54 per cent) Ebonyi and Imo states.

RCCG endows Home Econs lab NTERVENTIONS in science laboratories involving the core subjects of physics, chemistry and biology are common given the premium placed on science education.

That is why when the Lagos Province 23 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) handed over a rehabilitated and equipped Home Economics laboratory to King Ado Senior High School, Lagos Island, last Thursday, the initiative was described as novel.

Before the church came along, Assistant Pastor in charge of CSR activities in the province, Pastor Shola Agunbiade, said the laboratory was just an empty room. However, last Thursday, the N1.3 million raised by the church had transformed it into a neatly tiled room with requisite fittings and furniture, such as sinks and cupboards, long table and stools, and equipped with kitchen essentials like six-burner cooker, two-door fridge freezer, mixer, weighing scale, blender, juicer, electric kettle, set of pots, plates, cups, and baking pans.

There were also two sewing machines, ironing table, pressing iron and threads and other sewing consumables.

Pastor in Charge of Lagos Province 23, Pastor Brown Oyitso, said the intervention is in response to a directive by the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who mandated branches of the church to impact society like was done by orthodox churches in the days of old.

“It is an instruction from the General Overseer to get involved in

I

•From left: Mrs Adenugba, Mr Alabi,Pastor Oyitso, Pastor Agunbiade (behind), representative of the Education Commissioner, and Prince Akinsanya (in blue agbada) in the rehabilitated laboratory.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). His opinion is that the church should not just be taking from but giving to society. We looked at critical areas to intervene including education, health, safety and security. If you give a child education, you set him free for life,” he said.

He added that the church chose Home Economics to help groom, especially female pupils to be good home managers in future.

Just how much the project can im-

pact the future lives of the pupils was illustrated by the pioneer principal of the school, Prince Adelana Akinsanya, who gave examples of alumni of the school that have built on skills they gained learning the subject as pupils in the 80s.

“Home Economics department was the first project I faced. By the time I was leaving it was a full fledged department offering Clothing and Textile, Food and Nutrition, and Home Management. In 1984 the school was still under the Jakandetype buildings yet we had the best home economics laboratory. As at 1988, the department was responsible for providing mid-day lunch. The pupils were selling moimoi, meat pie to students. The greatest joy of mine was that a particular student, Toyin Alabi, after leaving school and there was nothing to do, I saw her kiosk selling meat pie, puff puff and others.

By 12noon nothing was left of her wares. Another old girl, Sherifat Oshodi sewed so well she started sewing school uniforms for the

school,” he said.

Lending strength to Akinsanya’s examples, Mrs Felicia Adenugba, Executive Secretary of the Home Science Association, counselled pupils of the school not to look down on Home Economics as the subject can be rewarding as a career.

“Home Economics is the application of so many sciences and arts to make the home a safe place. Don’t take Home Economics as such a small subject. It has taken me to so many parts of the world. I have been to Switzerland, South Africa, and many states of Nigeria because of Home Economics. Before you can read Home Economics in the university, you must have credits in Physics, Chemistry and Biology,” she said.

Appreciating the RCCG LP 23, Principal of the school, Mr Tajudeen Alabi said the project will lift the school.

“Thank you very much for what you have done. Posterity will write your name in history,” he said.

EBSU expels 33 students •Suspends 88 others over malpractices

T •Participants at the seminar

Govt has failed us, says student leader

P

RESIDENT Lagos State Polytechnic Christian fellowship, Isolo, Olatunji Samuel has accused the government of failing the Nigerian youths in the area of entrepreneurship.

He said this at a one-day career development and management seminar organised by CitiHigh resources, a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with the fellowship.

By Medinat Kanabe

Olatunji said the training would help the students.

"We have been looking forward to something like this because the government has failed us. This is an opportunity for some of us to develop ourselves and be self-employed," he said.

The HND 11 Business Administration student said education and entrepreneurship work together.

Speaking on the essence of the seminar, Niyi Odutayo, CEO CitiHigh Resources said the NGO partnered with the alumni group of the LASPOTECH Christian fellowship to teach the students financially education.

He said: “We are having a career talk that is titled The road ahead.

We are giving them financial education because until they are financially educated they will still be illiterate in the secular

HE Senate of the Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki on Monday announced the expulsion of 33 students of the institution and the suspension of 88 others over alleged grievous misconduct and various categories of examination malpractice and admission racketeering .

According to a statement signed by the Registrar and Secretary of Council, Mr Egwu Sam, the Senate of the institution at its 22nd emergency meeting held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 considered and approved for publication of the penalties against the students who were involved in various categories of examination and admission racketeering.

He said the conduct of the expelled and suspended students were contrary to the stipulated guidelines and provisions of the institution’s examination and admission ethics adding that those expelled are not

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

to be seen in the institution.

Egwu the suspension period ranges between one and three years for the 88 students of different faculties and departments.

“The suspended students for the stipulated period are to fail their examination and in addition should also stay away from the university for the period of the suspension and apply to the Registrar for re-admission when their suspension tenure ends”.

Meanwhile, the university has withdrawn the degree issued to one Agu Nweke of the department of Agricultural Economics for failing to appear before the disciplinary committee; while another Mr Silas Nwali has been expelled following the refusal of candidates who impersonated him in an examination failed to appear before the misconduct committee after three consecutive invitations.

29

Lost on first visit to Lagos Page 31

*CAMPUSES At 50, *NEWS ABU is *PEOPLE still *KUDOS& growing KNOCKS Last week, all hell was let loose at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) following the death strong of a final year student of Accounting, Teslim Adebola Ibrahim. OLATUNJI AWE reports. *GRANTS Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0802-4550-354 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Many undergraduates are smiling to the bank, courtesy of a booming business called “pimping” on campus. GILBERT ALASA (400-Level Foreign Languages, University of Benin) examines the new trend in campus prostitution.

• Campus aristos negotiating with some pimps - their middlemen

The wild world of campus pimps T

HEY cruise about in posh cars while their colleagues cramp into rickety campus shuttles. They live large on campus even though the source of their wealth cannot be openly discussed.

From the comfort of their off-campus hostels, they negotiate highprofile deals with powerful personalities while their mates sweat it out in stuffy libraries in school.

Welcome to the world of campus pimps and whores. From time immemorial, prostitution has been a thriving business. Even on campuses, it is big time business. Now, the trade has taken a new dimension. As the money-spinning business grows, so are the players increasing by the day. Among them is a network of middlemen known as pimps.

Campus pimps are socially-inclined students who explore their gregarious appeal as a tool for gathering female students to warm the beds of the well-heeled in the soci-

ety.

CAMPUSLIFE investigations revealed that the pimps could be “partyriders” who keep tab of social events on campus or student-politicians who exploit their relationship with those in power. The big men could also be affluent private sector operators or cult heroes who entice their admirers with financial rewards.

Campuses are blessed with a sizeable number of young women, ready and willing to be night companions of these wealthy people, who may be politicians, top civil servants and business magnates. Campus pimps come

in handy as intermediaries between the big men and their aristos - a parlance for student-prostitutes.

Among students of a federal university in the Southsouth, the story of four female students is still fresh.

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that a member of a popular political party was in town for last-minute campaign during last year’s elections. In the evening, the weather was cold because of a downpour earlier in the day. To keep the guests warm, four female undergraduates were drafted to the politician and his three-man entourage. But one of the girls played

‘There is no justification for criticising what I do to see myself through school; I am neither the man who sleeps with the girls nor am I the girls who chose to sleep around’

a fast one on the men as she made away with the politician’s money.

The story is being told till today on that campus.

In Edo State, campus pimps are regular faces at popular hang-outs in high-brow areas of Benin City. Such spots include Ritz Carlton, Hexagon, Debis Kitchen, Swallow, Time-out, Royal Marble, West View, Yak Hotel near the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) and Best Western.

When patronage is low, some of the girls take to stripteasing for a fee to cover operating costs incurred by the pimps. “You don't expect me to fuel my car or burn up cash on taxi and phone calls organising babes without getting returns at the end.

In fact, some of these yeye (stupid) girls want to be paid per night,” fumed a pimp who is a drop-out from a popular private university in Edo State.

Investigation revealed that many •Continued on page 30

‘I go to the extreme when drumming’ Alfred Ayokanmi is in his final year at the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA). The Political Science student is a drummer and leader of Soul Rhythm Musical Band. He came third at the just-concluded Star Quest Competition, where he represented Ondo State. He told MICHAEL OLUWANIYI (400Level Mass Communication) how he discovered his talent.

• Alfred •Continued on page 30

•Drama as student attempts suicide -P32 •Poly loses student to tuberculosis-P32

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The role of Pushing Out the media in with national Agbo Agbo rebirth (2) 08052959489 (SMS only)

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•aagboa@gmail.com

T was Benjamin Franklin that said "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." Working with this paradigm, Martins Oloja made the students realise that arming them for what lies ahead is definitely an investment that will pay interest later on in life. This is more so because accountability journalism/investigative journalism that used to be the pride of the profession is also in big trouble here as the social media are already disclosing details of official corruption even in high places, Sahara Reporters and Wikileaks are just two examples. But in Nigeria, we still value accountability journalism because of where we are.

Citing example from a 2006 prophecy of The Economist that asked a thoughtprovoking question: Who Killed The Newspaper? This, he noted appears to be coming to fruition as the Internet is taking the news industry back to the conversational culture of the era before the mass media. So, there is need for us to scale up, square up to the challenges before we can think of how to remain on top of the game to be part of a national rebirth, if any.

What workshops of this nature often throws up is the ability to see and understand what others are doing to prepare and adapt to change when it eventually comes, but a travesty with countries like Nigeria is we never seem to have a plan B to any issue. It is therefore not surprising that millions of dollars leave our shores every year in the quest for quality education in other countries, sadly, some in neighbouring countries like Ghana, Benin Republic and even Togo. We don't seem

to ask questions or sit down to see how we can really reform our educational system, we all play the ostrich and pretend all is well, while we know clearly that all is not well.

We were all made to understand that in anticipation of the trouble in the profession, the world's best journalism school that administers the Pulitzer Prize, Columbia Journalism School has introduced a dual (PG) degree to produce a 21st century digital journalist: they now combine journalism with computer science. Journalism associations such as American Society of Editors and indeed National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) are taking steps to bridge the digital divide by educating their members and even students about the dangers of the moment and the ones ahead.

They build up a link between the training institutions and the industry. The training institutions employ the services of the veterans as professors of journalism. They encourage all their members to own websites and conduct workshops on freelancing and opportunities.

While we grapple with the challenges that the 21st century throws up for the journalist, we cannot run away from the fact that investigative journalism is like setting up a center for public integrity. It is all about significant public issues to make institutional power more transparent and accountable. This kind of journalism has the potential to amongst others: Generate highquality accessible investigative reports, databases and contextual analysis on issues of public importance.

It is accountability journalism that is at the core of a healthy democracy. It is like a vigilant watchdog news media, which is at the core of the kind of truth and transparency required for self-government.

As I mentioned in the introduction to this column last week, most Nigerians know that the country is in a dire strait which was why we came up with the topic of this workshop to equip our undergraduates for the national challenge that we face, hence the need for a national rebirth. If you doubt that we need a rebirth, listen to this quote from President Goodluck Jonathan as presented by our speaker who also quoted a national newspaper: "He (Jonathan) urged the citizens to go back to the basics and re-imbibe the values that made Nigeria the pride of the world at the dawn of independence. These set of values, according to the President, include respect for human dignity and the right to life, service to the nation, hardwork, loyalty, honesty, selfless service, religious tolerance, accountability and dedication that shaped the way and manner the citizens behaved and how other nations of the world perceived Nigerians as a people.

"He, however, regretted that these set of values had been eroded by various negative factors ranging from corruption, abuse of power, lack of respect for human life, lack of dignity, drug abuse, kidnapping, religious intolerance, ethnic wars and suicide bombings. All these, according to him, have slowed down the pace of transformation and national development". Is there any doubt then that we need a rebirth?

Now that we do, where do we begin? Being the wordsmith that he is, Oloja went back to the history of the USA to make his point. He said although not all leaders and communication experts at all levels agree with the views of two former American leaders, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson who expressed strong views long ago on the indispensability of the media in a democratic setting, yet their views are still relevant to our discussion here.

To Lincoln, a self-governing society, by

definition, needs to make known its own decisions. He had felt that such a democratic society cannot do that without hard information, leavened with an open exchange of views. Lincoln had articulated this concept quite succinctly when he said: "Let the people know the facts, and the country will be safe" At this, he threw a rhetorical questions at the audience to ascertain if that is the norm in Nigeria. The answer to those of us present, and I believe to those reading as well, is quite obvious.

Despite all the cynicism about the media in Nigeria, Oloja is of the opinion that they represent an 'evil' that we have to live with and understand. For the journalist to play his part in national rebirth he must provide citizens with accurate, reliable information they need to function in a free society, he must stand for the truth as the Code of Ethics provides, he must be loyal to citizens, must imbibe the discipline of verification, must maintain an independence from those he cover, must serve as an independent monitor of power (and business enterprises), must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise, must keep the news comprehensive and proportional.

Journalism-he concludes-is a form of cartography: it creates a map for us to navigate the society, which includes news of all communities; its practitioners must be allowed to exercise their personal conscience.

At the end of our more than four hours together, the students asked series of questions where answers were provided, but one stood out where we told ourselves the home truth. Hannah Ojo from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife wanted a leeway on what to do in the face of the gloomy picture of our educational system painted earlier. Unfortunately, the answer provided, which was the plain truth, is that nothing can be done unless the policy changes. I saw the look of hopelessness in her eyes, and those of others, and it dawned on me then that we have to go back to the drawing board and look beyond the two annual workshops to explore other ways in between to further equip them. This is the next challenge I'm grappling with.

‘I go to the extreme when drumming’ •Continued from page 29

W •Some suspects arrested by security agents in Europe

The wild world of campus pimps •Continued from page 29

aristos now bypass pimps because of their haughtiness. In a chat on a social networking site, a pimp who uses Juiceman as username, found nothing offensive in his profession.

Rather, he describes himself as a smart fellow who uses his social skills to make money.

“Clearly, I am not a robber, terrorist or Yahoo-yahoo boy (Internet fraudsters). I am not even close to most of the guys involved in bunkering or kidnapping. I am just a young man trying to key into the philosophy of using what I have to get what I want,” Juiceman wrote.

He is not alone in this attempt to rationalise has position. According to his counterpart, who is in the organising team of a popular annual show at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the pimp business is no vice as it only complements an existing social problem.

“For me, there is no justification for criticising what I do to see myself through school. I am neither the man

who sleeps with the girls nor am I the girls who chose to sleep around. After all, these men are proud to steal from our collective treasury. So, we just have to squeeze them to reclaim our stolen fortunes,” he said.

For a beauty queen and 300-Level Insurance student of UNILAG, Violet Olisah, the pimps and the aristos are culpable. “The pimping mess should be utterly condemned. The pimp is as guilty as the promiscuous girls. Many destinies have been cut in their primes through the activities of these pimps. The act must be stopped.”

On profitability, the door swings both ways for the pimp and the sexhawker. Most times, the pimp gets his compensation from the “client” and agrees to reimburse the girls after the sex romp. Other times, the “client” demands to personally remunerate the aristo while paying off the pimp straight-away.

But Oyewole Ajibade (not his real name), 200-Level Philosophy, Ekiti State University (EKSU), said the later-payment method often put the

pimp at a disadvantage. “When a client pays you and the aristo separately, the pimp stands to lose. But when you are paid both your charges and that of the girl in question, you hold the edge of the knife as to how the spoil is shared. So, it is better that way,” Oyewole quipped.

A magazine exclusively reported the activities of a pimp, who organised two female students of a university in the Southwest for a former Minister. After an orgy sex romp in a five-star hotel in Abuja, the girls and the pimp were handsomely rewarded “for a job well-done.” This shows that politicians are culpable in the decadence.

In a chat with our correspondent, a Lagos-based legal practitioner, Mr David Umoru, lamented the nonimplementation of the extant law barring such trade. “Prostitution, as a social malady, has its effect on the society. Despite the fact that there are legal frameworks that bar the illicit trade, government and its agencies are paying lip service to stopping the trade.”

HEN did you start your drumming career?

I started when I was nine years old. Then I decided to join the Music School in Ghana where I learned music. My passion for music has been a major drive for me. I do sing as well but I prefer drumming than singing. When it comes to drumming, I do go to extreme.

What were you chosen to represent Ondo State at the last Star Quest musical contest?

I can say it was God's doing. I happen to be the only one that represented my school.

Four others were also picked in Ondo State, making the team to be five. But four were later dropped after screening, leaving me as the only man standing to represent the state. Fifty-five artistes later emerged throughout Nigeria in which 36 artistes were finally picked after 19 contestants were dropped.

We were then grouped into six groups which included Crystals, D'Rays, Quantum Vibes, Golden Chef, Da Blings and Soul Rhythm.

I belonged to Soul Rhythm band in which I played the role of a leader and the drummer in the group.

Was the competition your debut?

No! Fellowships and other organisations occasionally invited for performance before the

contest. But I can say it was the biggest so far in my life.

What are the challenges you faced during the competition?

I faced a lot of them. My band members were from different locations. As the leader of the group, I needed to blend various genres together to meet up with deadlines and manage flaws during rehearsals before performance. These were challenges for me. But they were eventually surmounted.

How would you describe your experience in the contest, despite your band coming third in the competition?

It was quite a loving experience.

Though, my band came third but the feat, for me, worth celebrating. I still feel fulfilled because it was a contest that commanded and paraded a lot of wonderful performances. I am proud to have represented my state and to have shown the world what I love doing most.

What advice do you have for students that may want to be drummers?

They should let their passion be their profession if truly they have interest in music. They should look ahead despite all odds. Nothing good comes easy.

Do you intend to continue as a drummer after your studies?

Definitely. I am even planning of setting up my own musical band that will convey different enviable talents in music.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

31

CAMPUS LIFE It was his first visit to Lagos. Having heard stories about the city, he was well prepared for any eventuality.

He went through Lagos without any incident, but on his return journey, he lost his personal effects. This is the moving story of Msonter Anzaa, 200-Level Medicine, Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi.

Lost on first visit to Lagos

H

E was elated when he received the invitation to the last CAMPUSLIFE Correspondents’ Workshop and Award held from November 30 to December 2.

Msonter Anzaa, 200-Level Medicine, Benue State University (BSU), arrived at the Benue Links Park some minutes past 6am on for the trip to Lagos, which he had never been to.

Hung on his right arm was a portable black bag, containing his clothe and a biography of Abraham Lincoln, which he had chosen over that of Nelson Mandela because of the latter’s size. He needed to pack toiletries and other items he would need during his stay in Lagos.

A day earlier, he had booked a ticket at the park. “The booking officer told me to be at the park early because the bus would leave by 6:30am. I shouldn’t have taken him seriously being a Nigerian, but I did. I thought transport companies keep to time. Besides, I didn’t want to be responsible if there was a problem. By the time we left the park, it was some minutes past 8am and I was grateful that it did not drag any further,” Msonter said.

“I remembered stories about buses not stopping for people to get on or off and street urchins

• Msonter (right) with Emeka Ugwu (EBSU) and Stanley Uchegbu (UNICAL) at the CAMPUSLIFE workshop

snatching unwary visitors’ bags. A week earlier, the thought of practising the art of jumping-down-a-moving-bus crossed my mind, but I shoved it aside.”

He believed that he could easily jump off a Lagos bus because the traffic was often slow compared to Makurdi buses, that accelerate when they ought not to and stop suddenly as though the drivers don't know they are stopping.

As the journey progressed, the loud discussion of two young women sitting on the middle seat after the driver's grabbed other passengers' attention. They prattled endlessly, chewed gum and screamed simultaneously. When they were not doing any of these, they would scold the driver on his driving.

“Sitting in the front of the vehicle, I had the privilege of viewing the beautiful scenery along the road. I busied myself in thoughts, except when occasionally awakened by the screams of the two friends, which made me to wonder how far Lagos was from my base.”

After the workshop, it was time to return to base. “The workshop was quite eventful and I made new friends. One of them - my roommate in the hotel - bought a laptop for his Corps member friend serving in Makurdi. He asked me to help deliver the package to him. He bade me goodbye as I jumped to the main road looking at the direction he had given me on how to get to the motor park.”

After an hour of missing his way,

Msonter called his roommate for direction but he missed the Makurdi-bound bus. He settled for the Gboko-bound bus. Gboko is a town in Benue State.

Msonter placed his bag at the rear of the bus, but “as I later found out, it was the greatest mistake I made during the journey back to my state.”

When the vehicle got to a community in Ondo State, it was hit from behind by another vehicle that had a brake failure. The Gbokobound vehicle revved to halt.

About 30 minutes later, the journey continued with none of the passengers realising what was amiss when the bus stopped.

In Igbara-Oke community, however, the passengers discovered that the boot compartment of the

bus had opened and two bags were missing. “It was my bag and another passenger's bag,” Msonter quipped.

“The lost bag contained money, my school Identity Card, certificate of participation in the workshop, two magazines, a flash drive containing all the pictures we took during the workshop, and everything I had brought with me to Lagos.”

When the vehicle stopped, a search team comprising the driver, Msonter and another passenger, raced back to the spot where the vehicle stopped. But it was to no avail. Time was spent on unproductive search; other passengers were openly irritated by the delay.

A lady, who lost a bag wept and blamed the driver. Other passengers took turns to criticise whom they thought was responsible for the problem. “The atmosphere was heated and I withdrew into my thoughts, adjusting to the reality of the situation. Then my phone rang; it was the Corps member to whom I was taking the laptop. I told him of what happened. Surprisingly, he said someone called him a moment earlier that his two bags were found on the road and were being taken to Ibadan. I became excited as I realised what was happening. I wrote the Corps member’s phone number in a paper in the bag. So the driver who picked the lost bags assumed the Corps member owned the items. I got the driver’s number from the Corps member to confirm he had the bags.

“While it was a big relief for me, it took eight days for my driver to retrieve the lost items from the Good Samaritan and bring them to Makurdi where I was anxiously waiting to collect the lost items. As I took the leather into my room in the hostel, I felt like calling my friends together and say: ‘rejoice with me, for this my bag was lost in an unknown community, but was later found and returned to me.’”

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) has held a public lecture on insecurity.

ISAAC MENSAH (500-Level Medical Laboratory Science) and STANLEY UCHEGBU (400-Level Accounting) report.

• Imam Zakariyya delivering lecture during the Week

I

T was a public seminar organised by the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter to mark its Awareness Week.

Naturally, muslim scholars and students were in attendance.

The lecture was organised to educate the public on the misconception of Islam as a religion of violence and also to raise awareness among various faiths on campus on the need for all to embrace peace and live harmoniously with one another, irrespective of their differences.

The programme, which was held at the UNICAL Central Mosque, began at 10am with recitation and translation of the Holy Qu'ran by Bashir Abdulrahuf.

The event chaired by Alhaji Mustapha Hassan, Chief Executive Officer of Mustaph Hassan Furniture, Calabar, had His Royal Highness Edet Etim Okon, the paramount ruler of Bakassi, as a

• Some of the students at the programme

‘Terror not the true face of Islam’ guest.

Other dignitaries included the Dean, Students' Affairs Unit, Prof Eyong Eyong, MSSN patron Alhaji Mudi Ibrahim, Chairman of Qusmud Motors, Calabar, Alhaji Qazeem Mudathir, and former Head of Pharmacology Department, Dr Babatunde Lawal.

The Amir of the Muslim students, Nurudeen Olowosoke, said the public lecture was special among the series of programmes to mark the society’s awareness week.

The 500-Level student of Medical Laboratory Science said the theme for the week, Islamic perspectives on terrorism, became imperative against the background of the growing misconception that Islam preached violence and terrorism.

He expressed the belief that the public lecture, among other things, would "realistically" address the false

impression as well as offer the desired solution to the insecurity challenges in the country.

In his paper entitled: Is a Muslim a terrorist?, Mr Nurudeen Asologie, an Islamic scholar, noted that often times, Islam has been associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extremist individuals, who took it upon themselves to perpetrate crimes in the name of Islam.

“Tragic events such as the attack on the twin towers in New York, the bombings of Bali, Madrid and London are assumed to be justified

by Islam in the minds of some people,” he said, noting that the notion was being fueled by Western media, which portrayed the criminals as Muslim jihadists. He said terrorism activities were not sanctioned by Islamic teachings neither do the terrorists had legitimate

backing of the Muslims.

He argued: “The actions of a few fanatical individuals who happen to have Muslim names or subscribe themselves to Islamic faith should not be a yardstick through which Islam as a religion should be judged.” To understand Islam's stance on terrorism, he urged the public to read Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, which, he noted, are unambiguous in their prohibition of any form of injustice including violence to cause fear, injury or death to civilians.

Asologie concluded that “not only is the human life that is sacred in Islam but property, wealth, family and dignity of all individuals in society are to be respected and protected; those who transgress against these rights and sow Fasad (corruption), will incur the wrath of Allah.”

Muhammed Bashir Zakariyya,

Chief Imam of Akim Navy Command, Calabar, who spoke on The status of Jihad in today's modern world, said the terror being unleashed on the country by criminals could not be equated with Jihad.

The Imam urged Muslim scholars and faithful to show kindness and embrace peace and justice in dealing with people of other faith in conformity with the spirit of Jihad.

The lecture also featured questions and answers session. Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, a participant, Jubril Kareem, said: “The traditions of Prophet Muhammed show how Muslim should engage people of other faiths in the society. It is unfortunate that Islam, the religion of peace, harmony, goodwill and brotherhood has been tarnished by the perpetrators of various terrorist acts and barbarism as seen in recent years. People must know that they are not Muslims but plain criminals.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

32

CAMPUS LIFE Drama as student attempts suicide

A

• From left: Dr A. Sanyaolu, Dr George, Prince Niyi Oladoke, Juwon and Soleye at the book launch

Sickle cell survivor writes book on the syndrome A

SICKLE cell survivor and Corps member, Oluwajuwon Abiola, has launched a book on sickle cell in a ceremony held in LCCI Conference Hall, Alausa, Ikeja. The book is titled A hand book on sickle cell for every household.

Speaking on behalf of the chairperson of the ceremony, Dr O. O. Ilesanmi, Mrs Kemi Soleye, s a i d : “T h e W o r l d H e a l t h Organisation (WHO) made us know that more than a million people die of sickle cell annually.”

She said the book was a special research by a young Nigerian

Mariam Akingbala and Anuoluwapo Alani LAGOS

and must be supported by government and other organisations involving the eradication of sickle cell in Nigeria.

Having passed through the condition, Soleye said Juwon's zeal to set a good example for others who may be battling with the condition should be praised.

Dr Segun George, of Jaiyeola Clinic, said: “Sickle cell is a ge-

netic disorder, which when a carrier marries another carrier may result in the birth of a victim. It also has its effect on the blood system.”

He added that the agony of victims should inform couples to always check their genotype before marriage.

Dr O. Osijinu, who reviewed the book, said: “When a particular article on sickle cell does not meet the standard to reflect the new development, it must be rejected. But this book has captured everything we may want to know about sickle cell disorder.”

LL was quiet last Tuesday at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) as students returned to their hostels. As they were relaxing, a drama started playing out in Hasiya Hall - a female hostel. Students ran out of the hostel, screaming “may God save us”.

Some of the students said one of the hostel's occupants, Rukayat Suleiman, a 100-Level Accounting student, had committed suicide by taking overdose of a hard drug.

Others claimed she attempted suicide due to her low Grade Point (GP) of 1.03.

When CAMPUSLIFE got to the scene, Rukayat was being taken to the school clinic by her roommates.

A 300-Level student, who claimed to witness the scenario, said: “I was in my room at Ramat Hall when I heard a deafening noise from Hasiya Hall. When I got out, I saw students rushing out of the hostel and shouting that a female student had committed suicide. They said she took overdose of some drugs because of her bad first semester results. Some people were also saying she got pregnant for a boyfriend, who had broken up with her. But when we got to her room, we saw her writhing in pain.”

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the management, last week, released the students’ first semester results,

From Maimunat Momoh BUK

which were generally poor. Majority of the students were affected by the development. Some departments even released results of 100Level to 300-Level students.

A 200-Level student, who spoke with our correspondent, wondered what could lead to a situation when a student would attempt to commit suicide. “What example is she showing to those who are affected by the bad results released?” she asked.

Some students, who reside in Hasiya Hall, attributed the suicide attempt to unwanted pregnancy. One of them, 200-Level English, said Rukayat was staying with a male student throughout the semester break. “She was in her boyfriend’s house; she never went home during the semester break. When she confirmed she was pregnant for the boy, she decided to take her life,” she said.

Rukayat's roommates declined to speak when contacted. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the clinic, our correspondent was not allowed to see her. But a nurse, who spoke on anonymity condition, said Rukayat was responding to treatment.

Poly loses student to tuberculosis

A

pall of grief descended on the Iyana-Ipaja campus of Wolex Polytechnic last Thursday. A student in the department of Mass Communication, Peace Ufong, died after months of battle with tuberculosis.

When the news of Peace's death was broken by her mother, friends and classmates broke down in tears. Her roommates, Grace Ogundeyi and Suzan Ayeni, wept uncontrollably as they helped her mother to move her belongings from the off-campus hostel she stayed.

Mrs Ufong said her late daughter was hale and hearty after she was discharged from the hospital.

“Peace was asleep when suddenly she screamed. She was scratching her body seriously. Peace complained her body was itching her but we tried all we could to suppress the pain. She fell suddenly on the floor. We rushed to our church

•The late Peace From Tomiwa Bello WOLEX POLY

for prayer since she was still breathing. Around 2am on Thursday, she finally gave up the ghost but our pastors continued the prayers till 5am thinking they could revive her.

It was sad and this happened two months after she was treated for tuberculosis,” Peace's mother said.

The deceased was in ND II before her death.

Institute begins session From Princewill Jacob PTI

A

•Barrister Mekon administering oath on the students’ leaders

Association elects leaders

M

EMBERS of the National Association of Yala Local Government Students (NAYLOGS), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, who were recently elected, have been sworn in. The ceremony took place at the Students' Union Parliamentary Hall in the university.

A lawyer and politician, Barrister Odu Mekon, administered the oath of office on the executive members led by John Omligbe.

Others, who took the oath, included Gladys Ochu, Vice President, Linus Ogar, General Secre-

From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

tary, John Ebi, Financial Secretary and Philip Upla, Director of Information.

In his acceptance speech, John expressed gratitude to students, who voted for him. He promised to build on the legacies of his predecessor.

The outgoing president, who was represented by his Secretary, Adoga Oglewu, while giving account of his stewardship, thanked God for the success of his administration. He thanked the students for giving him the

mandate to serve them.

The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Augustine Ochebe, in his words tasked the new executive to always protect the image of the association and never condone any act of indiscipline, which, he said, could soil the image of the association.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the inauguration, the chairman of the Electoral Committee, Anthony Afufu, said he was happy with the successful conduct of the election which he attributed to the conduct of the committee's members. He advised the inaugurated officers not to allow their personal interest to override their service to the students.

FTER about four months break, the campus of the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, came alive again as students resumed for the 2012/2013 session.

Activities started in the school with the registration of newly-admitted students into the National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in the eight departments in the school. The registration would last for two weeks.

Students’ fellowship organisations set up their tents to induct and pray for the freshers. Lectures have since started.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE Fellowship elects excos

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• Accounting students at the show

Faculty holds beauty pageant

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HE Nigeria Universities of Accounting Students’ Association (NUASA), University of Calabar (UNICAL) chapter, has held an award night and beauty pageant to crown its queen and king. The event was held at the Etaval Hotel, Calabar.

The president of the association, Isaiah Ugwueke, said the ceremony was to recognise people that contributed to the success of his administration.

Guests included the Head of Accounting department, Dr Bassey Bassey, who represented the Dean of Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof Joseph Udoayang, Mr Emmanuel Ibeng, NUASA staff adviser, Mr Chris Nyong, Auditor General of Cross River State, Dr M.B Edem and Mr Davis Offiong, a

From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

chartered accountant.

Others were Mr David Odu, Assistant Manager Research Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Abuja, Mr John Ekanem, sub- treasury, Office of the Accountant General of Cross River State, Mr O.M. Nsebot, University Bursar and Sen. Bassey Victor.

Declaring the event open, Dr Bassey expressed joy for being in the midst of his students. He described the students as brilliant brains.

During the award session, Isaiah said the success of students of the department was one of the cardinal programmes of his administration. He said Dr Bassey has played

his as a father to the department.

Some of the guests honoured included Dr Edem and Dr Bassey, whom the students said had contributed to the development of the association.

The highpoint of the event was the beauty pageant contest, in which many students participated.

Contestants, who were clad in various attires, displayed senses of culture and creativity. Four boys and four girls contested for Mr and Miss NUASA. At the end, Edet Ubong, 100Level student, beat the three contestants to emerge as Mr NUASA. Nsikak Udom, 300-Level became Miss NUASA. Nsikak said she won the contest because she displayed unique skill.

HE national body of the Christian Law Students’ Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) has elected new executives to oversee the affairs of the fellowship for 12 months.

Corlinous Agbo, a student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUST), became the national president of the fellowship. Others elected were Christiana Emmanuel, Secretary General, David Ogbu, Financial Secretary, Chukwudi Nwadike, Prayer Secretary, Iheukwumerekalu Nnaemeka, Assistant Secretary General, George Mgbeorukwe, Public Relations Officer and Jennifer Okoh, ex officio.

The election climaxed the CLASFON annual conference held with the theme The Christian lawyer: God’s agent of national transformation. The conference was held at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) and was graced by over 2,000 members from 32 universities across the country.

A former CLASFON officer, Barrister Daniel Ishaku, who attended the event, thanked God for the success of the programme. He said his

From Nosakhare Uwadiae UNIBEN

participation was informed by the zeal of the students towards achieving the goals of the association.

“The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 that ‘train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it’. The reason why we are here among the law students is to see that as they mature to be lawyers tomorrow, God use them to do something better for this nation even above what they are doing now. It’s obvious that some of us didn’t have the foundation they are having now,” Ishaku said.

In his key note address, the outgoing national president, Selchang Singlah, said the theme would raise hope for the Nigerian project.

According to him, it is the responsibility of Christian Law students to build a nation where peace and justice will reign. The conference also featured activities such as moot court trial to test members’ intelligence on legal issues.

Awareness for MSSN members

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HE Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has held its annual awareness programme.

The programme also featured a spiritual night with a lecture titled Golden opportunity delivered by Ustadh Abdulrahman Ahmad.

The event was held at the Obafemi Awolowo Hall Café.

Ahmad enjoined the students to use their youthful age to acquire religious and western knowledge to be relevant in the society. On the second day, Ustadh Sulayman Amubieya, analysed Suratul Qalam verses 4-15.

He said people that were misleading others by calling Prophet Muhammad a terrorist were wrong, positing that the prophet of Islam was the perfect example of a peace-

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

maker.

The grand finale of the event came up on Sunday. The hall could not contain the participants. The programme featured Ustadh Umar Dada Paiko, who spoke on The world's greatest.

The programme proceeded with a visitation to an orphanage home and blood donation at Fajuyi Hall Mosque extension.

The students also visited prisons and hospitals. Muslim sisters were also advised in a lecture titled The Prophet and the female companions by Ustadh Sulayman Hamza.

The event was well attended by Muslims and non-Muslims from within and outside the university.

Freshers urged to shun vices From David Osu FUT MINNA

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• Students listening as speakers spoke at the event. Inset: Mrs Ekpo

College celebrates Radiography Day

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HE department of Radiography and Radiological Sciences in the College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar (UNICAL), in collaboration with the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), has celebrated the International World Radiography Day with the theme Radiographers care about your protection.

The celebration was in commemoration of the 1895 X-Ray discovery by Dr Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen in Germany. The discovery gave birth to radiography, said Mrs Marycolleth Ekpo, a Radiographer at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

According to her, the celebration

From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

is an initiative intended to raise awareness and to stimulate interest of students in the discipline.

She noted that radiography had evolved from first-degree certificate to Master’s degree, which has improved the career path of most radiographers. She added that there was bright future for professionals in the field if more researches were undertaken.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE after the event, Ettang Umoh, a student, said the celebration made him to reflect on how to improve his knowledge in the field.

The celebration was held at Centre for Educational Service (CES) auditorium and was attended by the Provost of the College of Medical Sciences, Prof Saturday Etuk, who was represented by his deputy. Other guests at the event included the Dean of Allied Medical Sciences, Prof. Anne Asuquo, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, Mr Victor Out, Chief Radiographer, UNICAL Teaching Hospital and Mr Etido Akpanenua, a lecturer.

In his vote of thanks, Out thanked students, who devoted their time to honour the day despite their academic engagement. He also appreciated those who delivered lectures to mark the day.

HE outgoing Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology (FUT MINNA), Prof Muhammed Salihu Audu, has congratulated and welcomed freshers admitted for the 2012/2013 academic session.

He urged them not to participate in any anti-social vices, saying that "the university only awards degrees to students who excel both in character and learning."

Prof Audu spoke at the 26th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in the auditorium of the Gidan Kwano campus. He advised the students to be productive by maximizing opportunities provided by the school facilities such as laboratories, libraries, workshops, Information Technology Service Centre (ITS).

The Registrar, Mrs. Victoria Kolo, administered the matriculation oath on 2,698 students, who were admitted by the university.

A breakdown of the admission showed that School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology (SAAT) had 349 students, while School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) had 527 freshers.

Also, School of Environmental Technology (SET) had 417 students, School of Applied and Natural Science (SANS) had 703 students, School of Technology Education (STE) had 150 students, School of Information and Communication Technology (SICT) had 273 students and School of Entrepreneurship and Management Technology (SEMT) had 279 freshers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE The management of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the institution, writes AWWAL MIJINYAWA (400-Level Law).

•The Law students posing with Justice Abdullahi after the moot court session

• From left: Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sultan of Sokoto and Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal at the occasion

At 50, ABU is still growing strong

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T was a beehive of activities as Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Alumni of the university, thronged their alma mater to join in the celebration which began in October.

The management lined up activities to mark the milestone. The institution was founded in 1962 by the Northern Premier, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, after whom it is named.

Students were not left out in the carnival. A moot court competition was organised for Law students by the Dean of the faculty, Prof Y.Y. Bambole. The session was presided over by a Judge in the Katsina State High Court, Justice Abbas Bawale Abdullahi.

The appellant counsel were

Sadiq Ma’aji, Haruna Musa, Sadiq Abba Usman and Divine Nnyammah; the respondent counsel were Bashir Musa, Shehu Saddam Sulaiman, Lukman Hussain and Hadiza Nura Alfa.

The judge praised the participants for their “sterling performance”. He urged them to be more courageous, adding that moot trial remained the breeding ground for brave lawyers. Justice Abdullahi said he was impressed by the performance of the counsel, charging them to continue with the spirit of advocacy.

In a lecture entitled: Reform, public service and national development, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, said public service needed a complete overhaul, add-

ing that the reformer required political will to carry out such activity. Ahmed said there would not be meaningful development without effective public service system.

He attributed the rot in the civil service to include whistle blowing by the junior workers “who only implicate their senior colleagues whenever they are refused their own ‘share’ of the cake”. He said: “The theme of this lecture is not only timely but significant because no organisation or nation can truly advance without a plan and continuous effort to improve on the effective and efficient delivery of public goods and services.”

The Katsina State Governor Alhaji Shehu Shema, an alumnus of the university, delivered lec-

ture on the importance of civil service. Shema said the civil service was the engine oil that fuelled the development of any nation. He contended that a nation with dysfunctional civil service would not achieve economic development.

The anniversary also afforded the first set of the university graduates an opportunity to meet again after leaving the institution 47 years ago. CAMPUSLIFE correspondent sighted Ambassador Magaji Mahammed, Mr Christ Abasia and Mr S.A. Brahmo, all graduates of the university, exchanging pleasantry.

In his lecture entitled: Fifty years of Ahmadu Bello University: How far is it in the actualisation of the vision of the founding father, former ABU

Students of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) went shopping at the trade fair held on their campus by Junior Chambers International (JCI). MICHAEL ADEBAYO (300-Level Computer Science) writes.

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JCI brings trade fair to UNILORIN

OR three days, last week, students of University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) bought some essential commodities at cheaper prices. It was at a trade fair organised by members of the UNILORIN chapter of the Junior Chambers International (JCI).

JCI is a global federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs who believe that the world’s most cherished resource is man. After the opening of the fair, traders trooped to the campus to showcase their wares to students and staff.

The event was unique because it was its first of its kind on the campus.

Paul Akingbola, 400-Level French and the president of club, told CAMPUSLIFE that JCI embarked on the project because of its passion to empower students in business. “One of the cardinal objectives of JCI is business opportunities. It is always challenging to get any individual or group who will take the courage to bell the cat, but we at JCI practise what we preach. We preach entrepreneurship and we are practising it by organising this programme.”

Declaring the activities open, the First Lady of Kwara State, Mrs Omolewa Ahmed, who was represented by Alhaja Isiaka Gold, wife of the Secretary to the State Government, commended members of the club for bringing the scheme to the door step of their colleagues on campus.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Kayode Towoju, also applauded the scheme and encouraged the JCI members to gain more grounds in exploring business opportunities.

Some of the commodities on display for sale at the Students' Union building, venue of the fair, included clothes, foot wears, ladies' accessories, food items, indoor appliances, phones and IT devices.

Students bought these items at cheap prices.

On challenges faced by the organisers, Paul said about 50 companies were invited but only 25 showed up because of the late registrations. On the venue used, Paul said the union building was not the choice but because the club could not secure the approval of the management for Students’ Affairs extension, it opted for the open field opposite the union office.

There was a raffle draw during the trading. Tickets were sold to students at a lower rate of N50 to win some of the products brought to the campus. Taiwo Olamide, 100-Level Biochemistry, who won an umbrella worth N1,500, said: “I never know I will win this item because I thought it was a gimmick. I thank the members of JCI for bringing this programme to the campus.”

Segun Medayedupin, a 100-Level student of Zoology, said: “I enjoyed the raffle draw most. How I wish the trade fair could go on.”

•A trader showcasing his wares during the trade fair

• Students eating cooked noodles brought to the fair by a trader

Vice Chancellor, Prof S.A.S. Galadanci, said the institution was founded on the ideal of providing academic excellence of international repute. He eulogised the founding fathers for establish the university that produced great leaders all over the world.

His words: “When one look at the employees of most public and private organisation, not only in the North, but in the entire country, one can say with certainty that ABU has been able to adequately fulfill the dream of its founding fathers. When one compares ABU with other Nigerian universities, ABU comes out with flying colours probably ahead of all others.”

In an interview, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdullahi Mustapha, provided a list of ABU alumni, who included a former president, Vice Presidents and other high officials in public and private organisations.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

CAMPUSLIFE as platform for tomorrow’s leaders

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HE journey to CAMPUSLIFE started in July 2008. It was Stanley Ibeku, a colleague and the then Editor of 3rd Eye, a Students’ Union magazine in my school Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) - who motivated me to start writing.

However, before then, I had been a writer. I met with Stanley and told him of my interest to run for the position of the Students’ Union Public Relations Officers (PRO). He gave me a piece of advice. Then I saw him holding The Nation newspaper stamped “Campus Copy”. He told me to be buying the paper if I could afford it, saying it was a good campaign strategy.

Later, I realised Stanley indirectly wanted me to be reading his stories every Thursday on the CAMPUSLIFE pages. Then, there were not many reporters from FUTO. I approached and informed him I wanted to start writing; he gave me the go ahead. My first story was published on the October 30, 2008 with the title “FUTO new leaders pray for help”. I was happy to see the report published.

On that day, my heart was filled with joy. I called my friends and relatives to buy paper. Then, I had been elected to the union.

Though, during my stint in the union, I didn’t have much time to do a lot of writing because of union activities. I made the best of my writings after my tenure.

This perhaps explained why I won the Campus Politics category. Last year, while l was waiting to go for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I used that period to write a lot of articles that my materials were used in succession every Thursday.

Sitting in the expansive hall of the Bespoke Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos penultimate Friday, my years of hard work were rewarded. I bagged two awards at the ceremony. But before then, we were ushered into the hall; everyone was dressed decent attires without anyone knowing what was in the office.

I changed my sit from front to the middle. The whole place was cool and beautifully decorated with red and white garment indicating it was Coca Cola Nigeria Limited and its sister company, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) that sponsored the event.

It was my first time of attending the award ceremony. I never knew I was going to win an award.

There are many good writers in CAMPUSLIFE but I wasn’t expecting the tide to come my way.

When winners of various categories were being called, I was happy when I heard my name as the winner of the Politics prize.

The story that gave me the plaque is titled “For students, politicians, honeymoon is over”. The story, according readers, who knew me personally, was a very good analysis of politics in Imo State. I was filled with joy when my name was called as the winner.

I did not know I was going to win the Reporter of the Year prize. I was shocked when it was mentioned that the winner’s name started with letter “G”. Since it was Gilbert Alasa, Emeka Attah and myself that were shortlisted in the category, my heart literally dislocated because it could either be Gilbert or Gerald. However, the moderator, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, The Nation’s Online Editor, kept ringing the letter “G”.

But who was the winner? Oh my

God, I won!

I am humbled by the honour. Indeed the God of “Sudden Visitation” visited me at the last minute to the end of November 2012 with double portion award. I remain grateful to Him. Well, it was a remarkable experience for me. It has been long I felt the way I felt that day. Till today, I think I remain the happiest human on earth. The first time I felt that way was when I was elected the PRO of my school’s union.

My joy knew no bounds after Mr Otufodunrin announced my name as the CAMPUSLIFE Reporter of the Year. My entry - Outrage over death of Corps member’s mistaken for Boko Haram member - was the investigation of the circumstance that led to the death of Stephen Enyinnaya Nwosu, killed by Nigerian soldiers in Adamawa State.

The piece was adjudged the best for its depth and accuracy. Up till today, I have been receiving calls and text messages from students and people I have never met. Before the event, I remembered a friend told me I won an award.

My colleagues - Stanley Ibeku, Hope Ofobike, Esther Mark, Francis Egwuatu and Emmanuel Shebbs - also prophesied: “Gerald, you are the man.”

I appreciate them all for believing and wishing me good. May I state without mincing words that this feat was a collective effort.

Everyone in CAMPUSLIFE is a winner and I believe in all of us.

CAMPUSLIFE students are one indivisible family. I believe we will drink and dine in the table of kings later in future.

There has always been some form of rescue whenever the world has fallen to the depths of

decadence. In the biblical times, when destruction was afoot, Noah was sent to build the arc that secreted God’s chosen to safety. Today, The Nation’s CAMPUSLIFE proudly sponsored by Coca Cola System is breaking more grounds to redeem youth from bad ventures.

I make bold to say that the milestone The Nation newspaper has made through CAMPUSLIFE cannot never be equaled by other dailies in many years to come.

Lives are being affected and so many impacts are being made.

World changers are being raised.

CAMPUSLIFE is not just about reporting; it goes beyond that.

The vision behind the establishment of the pages was to breed new leaders in all spheres of life, who will make indelible mark in the nearest future and make the world a better place. The late Aunty Ngozi, through the pages, had corrected so many anomalies in the society. While in I was school, CAMPUSLIFE was the third eye.

Aunty Ngozi encouraged me a lot. The few times I ran a report, which almost caused problems in school, she helped me to resolve them. My first time of attending the workshop was last year June 2011. There she spoke to me. She said: “Gerald, do not give up, God has not yet began His good works in your life.” She ended the advice, saying: “I see greatness in you Gerald”. Her words have continued to ring bell in my ears and have made me to believe that I shall have a good end.

I dedicated these awards to the memory of the late Ngozi Agbo, my mentor. How I wish she was around, to see the feat I achieved.

Also, I appreciate the manage-

By Gerald Nwokocha

ment and staff of NBC and Coca Cola Nigeria Limited for believing in us – the future of Nigeria – through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “Ask of quality soft drinks, ask of Coca-Cola”.

To the management of The Nation newspaper, appreciation is the word for giving us, young ones, the opportunity to showcase our talents through writing. The Nation started the campus pages five years ago but today, many newspapers are copying the concept.

The newspaper has brought out the best in us and put smiles on our faces. To my CAMPUSLIFE Editor, Wale Ajetunmobi, I appreciate your support always. My fellow pen pushers, I love you all and we will always drink on the table of kings. We shall all meet at the top. Let the vision not die.

Let’s keep it burning. Remember the saying: “A golden fish has no hiding place”. You shall be heard soon. With God on our side, soon we shall actualise this vision.

Gerald just finished his youth service, NYSC Abuja

What manner of security?

By Musliudeen Adebayo

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HERE is no doubt that the three tiers of government have different times in the history of Nigeria in recent times to strengthen security across the country.

Attempts by the nation, its secu-

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HAVE wondered privately if indeed Nigeria is one indivisible country. Before the last Independence celebration, this writer went to the market to buy a pair of white shoes that would match my green trouser and white top, which I intended to wear on the occasion.

Most of the traders in the shops I visited questioned my preference for white shoes. I quickly reminded them that it was for Independent celebration. I was surprised when one of them asked: “Which country are you talking about self?”

rity agencies and organisations such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Union (AU) and others to ensure that Nigeria is secure have so far been an exercise in futility.

The chief reason these efforts will continue to be in vain is the misplacement of priorities. Our youths are hungry and the government wants to put money in security. This is a wrong approach.

Security, according to Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary, is “the activities involved in protecting a country, building or person against attack, danger etc.” The dictionary went further to define security as “protection against something bad that might happen in the future”. From the later, we can deduct that Nigerian leaders are not interested to turn the country’s fortune around.

Security is not solely about launching Security Trust Fund. It is beyond donation of armour per-

sonnel carriers or bullet-proof vests to the police. Security is all about the well-being of the people in the society. Security is when people can eat at the appropriate time, when graduates can be engaged immediately after school, when pensioners will no more regret their service to the country and when artisans can practice work without power interruption.

As I always say, our leaders are without any clear-cut vision. They keep fumbling and wobbling everyday claiming to be taking their time to find lasting solution to the security challenges being experienced in the country. They are doing this without job opportunities for the teeming youths, the socalled leaders of tomorrow.

Our woes have continue to increase from poverty to corruption, decay in education system, floods, and now terrorism, Our young men diverted their energies internet fraud known in

local parlance as Yahoo-yahoo. Those who could not defraud peddle drugs to Asian countries. We now have gamblers, kidnappers and prostitutes among the future leaders. Graduates are roaming about on the streets from Ibadan to Maiduguri, from Sokoto to Calabar and from Otueke, Enugu to Jos and Gusau without any hope that they will soon be gainfully employed.

Our leaders should remember the Yoruba adage that says ise l’ogun ise (hard work is the cure for poverty). An idle hand is no more the devil’s workshop but he is himself the devil. Boko Haram members and our brothers in the Southeast and South-south are human beings who can work if they are fully engaged.

There are many workers who have spent more than required years in civil service but are not retired due to age reduction because they know there is no provi-

sion for retirees. The unfriendly political, socio-economic situations in the country have made many youths to think extreme. Karl Marx’s word: “It is not the consciousness of man that determines his being, it is his social environment that determines his being” becomes more poignant given the present situation in Nigeria.

We must redefine our social lives to bequeath a good country for the generations to come. Adequate care and social security packages must be provided for the unemployed youths. The aged, children and women must also be catered for.

These measures will help to strengthen the security situation in the country instead of wasting tax payers’ money to embark on exercise that will not take us anywhere.

Musliudeen ia a graduate of Social Work, UNIJOS

The Nigerian dream I answered: “Mr. Man, you are not a good Nigerian.” Then his reply: “In few years, people like you will obtain visa to visit Enugu.” I was dazed; looking at the man as he boldly expressed the sentence without a hint of regret.

But I told myself, “this man is not a Nigerian.”

But in the true sense of the word, are we actually united as a nation?

Is our strength and unity truly in our diversity? Fifty-two years ago, when the architect of our republic were writing the word of the constitution and signing the declara-

tion of independence, they were signing a promise note that guarantees all Nigerians freedom, equality and rights to enjoy our God-given natural resource.

But five decades after, Nigerian leaders have failed to deliver promises of the founding fathers.

Millions of the citizens are still wallowing in man-made poverty despite being endowed in natural resource.

The youth are hopeless because the political class has mortgaged their future. If there is an Nigerian dream, then certainly our country

would be a better place for us all to live in. But there is none.

Martin Luther said: “I have a dream” but in Nigeria, many will say they have vision, which may not even clear to the bearer. I love Nigeria and believe in the country. Our freedom 52years ago should not be another form of enslavement. Let our leaders do what is right so that our country can be a better place for our children’s children. May God bless Nigeria!

Suleiman, 300-Level Television Production, NTA TV COLLEGE, JOS

By Suleiman Dutse

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE

Press Club inducts members

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PRESS club, the Megaphone News Agency, in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has inducted new members. The agency also held a workshop on journalism.

The programme had in attendance Mr Olusola Ademola, a former journalist with The Nation and Assistant in Osun State Bureau of Communication, Dr O. Adeleke, a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, OAU, and the president of Association of Campus Journalist (ACJ).

Okoh Kennedi, Editor-in-Chief of the agency, admonished the new members to always be conscious of the three D's for which the agency is known. According to him, diligence, dedication and determination were the watchword of the club.

Dr Adeleke, who spoke on Journalism: The do's and the don'ts, took the students through the legal aspect of journalism and enumer-

T • Members of the Megaphone News Agency after their induction

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

ated areas that could result to a problem for a journalist. He advised the campus journalists to avoid reporting falsehood and to always consider the public's right to know only verifiable facts.

He also charged the members of the agency to be objective in their news reporting and to avoid plagiarism, fabrication of information and doctoring of pictures and videos so that the credibility of their job won't be damaged. The don said the fact that they were journalists did not give them immunity against civil and criminal suits.

News Editor of the agency, Sunday Ekundayo, said the agency was respected on campus because of the priority which it gave to local news over national and international news.

Medical students organise free HIV test

HE Association of Medical Students of University of Lagos (AMSUL) has held its awareness programme on HIV/AIDS with the theme Turning the tide against HIV/AIDS: Your role, my role.

The event, which spanned a week, began with a rally on Monday. From the main gate of the campus to the adjoining street in Idi Araba, the students shared flyers to the populace amid singing and dancing. They educated passersby on AIDS and urged them to check their status.

Participants were tested on the spot. Counsellor in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Mrs Jane Gabriel advised people who tested negative to go for another check after six months.

Oluwatobi Lasisi , vice president of the association, said being HIV positive should

S

From Taofeeq Adebayo OAU

Mariam Akingbala LAGOS

not be the end of life. "You can still live a long and fulfilling life. Even though there is no cure for HIV for now, we have drugs that are effective in fighting the disease and its symptom," he said.

Gbemisola Tomoye, a 200-Level student, said: "I am excited that I was tested negative during the check up. I will advise the victims not to look down on themselves, they can still live a long and fulfilled life."

During the free test programme, over 80 people were tested and all of them were negative.

Accounting students tasked TUDENTS of Accounting department on certification in the University of Calabar (UNICAL)

have been charged to join the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) in order to acquire adequate skills and knowledge required by the professionals in the discipline to succeed.

Joseph Udoh and Isabel Okosun, both chartered accountants, gave the charge when they visited to the university last week. According to the duo, ACCA qualification would provide and equip the students in the profession with the requisite skills and knowledge relevant to do any business.

Joseph said the certificate was known glo-

From Stanley Uchegbu UNICAL

bally for professional accountants, adding that qualification was enough to make the holder a respected accountant. He said employers of labour also recognised the qualification.

Isabel added that for one to qualify to study ACCA, a minimum of three GCSEs and two A' levels in five separate subjects including Mathematics and English or equivalent qualification were required.

• Isabela (left) and Joseph (middle) with some of the students

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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EDUCATION

VC wins creativity award

AAUA FILE Varsity hosts linguists

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HE Vice-Chancellor of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, has been conferred with the maiden Intellectual Creativity Award for the year 2012 in the category of research in Gifted Education by the Academic Renewal Strategy Campaign and the Rockefeller Foundation.

Kolo is the first and only Nigerian intellectual among nine other recipients of the award from African countries, recognised for their unique areas of contributions to academics and research.

The award is sponsored by Mo Ibrahim Foundation and supported by Rockefeller Foundation. It is designed to honour distinguished African scholars and intellectual icons who have made significant milestones in the quest to reinvent Africa’s intellectual rediscovery. It comes with a prize of $100,000 dollars.

The Screening Committee, led by an erudite scholar, Prof Emeritus Ali Mazrui, considered three world standard parameters in evaluating and identifing the unique intellectual contributions of candidates for the award.

The award ceremony scheduled for January 18, 2013 is expected to hold at the Nelson Mandela Auditorium, University of Cape Town, South Africa.

From right: Governor Ajimobi, Prof Afolabi and the Acting Rector of the institution, Mr Felix Adebisi at the event.

PHOTO FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

Ajimobi approves 65 years retirement age

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IKE their counterparts in universities and other tertiary institutions across the country, workers in polytechnics and colleges of education owned by the Oyo State government will now retire at 65.

The 65 years retirement age was approved by Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He disclosed it in his speech at the 28th convocation of The Polytechnic Ibadan Friday last week at the conference centre of the institution.

The governor also added that his administration was considering recruiting more personnel in critical areas of the institution.

He charged the management to to improve the Internally Gener-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

ated Revenue (IGR) through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and urged them to be more transparent in the utilisation of the resources.

Addressing the graduands, Ajimobi said they should be of good behaviour and be good ambassadors of the institution.

The Chairman, Governing Council of the institution and former Head of Service of the Federation, Prof Oladapo Afolabi, said the council was fighting for degreeawarding status for the institution.

“The award of degree to the institution has been granted by the NUC and by September 2013, the

institution will commence it” Oladapo also said the N1 billion given to the institution by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) was judiciously utilized for the building of the new administrative office complex, computer-based testing center, 300KVA sub station, Mechatronics Engineering Complex and the Work Study Scheme in the institution.

About 9,487 graduands which comprises of National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Post Graduates Diploma across the various faculty of the institution graduated at the ceremony while awards were presented to best students of the various faculties.

YABATECH Rector laments dearth of TVET professionals

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HE Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Margaret Kudirat Ladipo, has lamented the dearth of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) professionals, policy planners and employment sector analysts in many Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

Speaking at the opening of a two-week workshop to improve the pedagogical skills of technical teachers and TVET curriculum developers in curricular and instructional materials development, Dr

Ladipo said the onus was on ECOWAS countries to fashion out a well-articulated TVET policy to implement the principles of TVET. On the workshop, she said TVET professionals will learn to bridge the gap between industry requirement and school training.

“This workshop will enable participants achieve better congruence between training and labour demand; and in addition enable them to adequately respond to the realities of industrial needs of the employment sector

in the sub-region,” she said.

Principal Programme Officer of Education, ECOWAS, Mrs Rachael Ogbe, said the aim of the workshop was to put a mechanism in place for the renewal of the TVET curriculum.

Mrs Ogbe said Singapore, regarded as the second best economy after Switzerland, was able to achieve success through effective and pragmatic technical education.

She praised the Nigerian government for improving technical education and attributed ECOWAS success to Nigeria’s efforts in TVET

curriculum development.

Mrs Ogbe, however, advocated the need to provide a regular linkage between the schools and the employers for the students to be relevant. She also said that there is need to examine the national qualification framework to make every level relevant in their respective cadre.

She advocated continuous training and re-training of teachers in line with the emerging global requirements. Adding that the efforts are to demystify the curriculum and make it flexible in line with the global requirements.

Indomie awards scholarships

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LEVEN Masters students of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State have been awarded scholarships by Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie noodles, under its Masters of Science (MSC) Nutrition Scholarship Scheme.

The company instituted the scholarship in Nutrition and Dietetics in the university four years ago and selects beneficiaries from the six geopolitical zones of the country.

Speaking at the company’s Corporate Head Office in Lagos, the Head of Marketing, Mr Manpree Singh, said the recipients have the responsibility of impacting nutritional aspects of life to the society as it has taken the responsibility of sponsoring their two-year programme.

“You all have achieved the goal of being trained as a nutritionist. You also should now see it as a responsibility of impacting to others as it is your turn to return’’.

Public Relations Manager Mr Tope Ashiwaju told the awardees to count themselves lucky.

LINGUISTS across the nation converged on the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Monday to Thursday last week for the 25th Annual Conference of the Linguistic Association of Nigeria, CLAN25.

The conference, titled, “Linguistics/Language, Integration and National Development”, was held in honour of AAUA Professor of Linguistics and Languages, Oladele Awobuluyi.

The AAUA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Femi Mimiko, said the theme of the conference was topical given the urgent need to translate the nation’s multilinguistic heritage to national development.

He said:“There is no doubt that linguistics and language integration are tools for upholding the unity and development of any nation. It therefore goes without saying that the unity and national development of this nation rest on the shoulders of the linguists and language experts.”

In his address, the President of the Association, Prof Haliru Amfani canvassed the involvement of linguists in ensuring the use of indigenous languages in core aspects of the country’s national life, saying, “Linguists must be seen at work in the National and State houses of assembly to ensure that debates are carried out in Nigerian languages. Political parties, companies, and organisations must be patronised by linguists and language teachers.”

Guest House, others ready THE AAUA management last Monday took delivery of some facilities for its Guest House - the borehole, perimeter fencing, Gate House and some external works from the contractor and consultant handling the project, Bakona Industry Ltd. and Base Consult.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof Mimiko, who received the facilities, thanked the consultant, the contractor and the AAUA Directorate of Physical Planning and Development for delivering a befitting project.

He also praised the Directorate of Physical Planning and Development for consistent improvement in quality project delivery and it not to rest on its oars.

Mimiko said the AAUA Governing Council has approved that the Guest House be managed by the Ajasin Varsity Investment Limited, AVIL, to achieve quality service delivery.

He said, “We want to run this Guest House in such a way that anybody coming into this part of the Country will want to have this place as his first choice.”

VC inaugurates 10 tricycles

•From Left: Singh, Ashiwaju, one of the beneficiaries, Ms Olaitan Olubukola and Prof Oguntona at the event.

By Ramat Musa

Expressing gratitude, Prof Tunde Oguntona of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, thanked Dufil Foods on behalf of the university.

He said the university would recommend any of the beneficiaries to the Federal Government if nutritionists are needed, attesting to the quality of training they have received.

Oguntona said the N150,000 pre-

sented to them at the event would cover their school fees, accommodation and research fee. The initial N230,000 given was for the first year of their programme.

Prof Mimiko has inaugurated 10 tricycles to complement the Intracampus Shuttle Scheme.

At the inauguration last Monday, Mimiko said the tricycles were obtained on a Public/ Private Partnership through the Ajasin Varsity Investment Limited, AVIL. Mimiko urged the operators to obey the university’s traffic rule and regulations, emphasizing the need to maintain speed limit.

In his speech, the Acting Director of AVIL, Mr Kunle Oladele, said the Management’s gesture was to further make life more comfortable for members of the University community.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

EDUCATION La Casera inaugurates Kiddies Club THE La Casera Company Plc, makers of La Casera soft drinks, has inaugurated a Kiddies Club as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

Speaking at its inauguration at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport 2, Lagos, the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Prahlad Gangadharan, said the company’s desire to give back to the society by nurturing the young ones for the future was the reason for setting up the club.

“As a company, we are passionate about the future of this country and the future of every nation is dependent on the young ones, therefore, La Casera Kiddies Club is set out to raising children.” He said activities at the event include birthday celebration for children born in November which also coincided with the birthday of the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Prahlad.

There was cutting of the cake as children danced around him to wish him happy birthday.

The birthday celebrants for the month received a packaged gift each from Mr Prahld , while all members were given a welcome kit which contained a bag, t shirt, pencil case, wrist band, water bottle, all customized for La Casera Kiddies Club.

‘We mean business’ THE Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has told the management of Odu’a Investments to support the development of university education.

He made the clarion call in Ado-Ekiti while receiving the Group Managing Director of Odu’a Investments, Mr Adebayo Jimoh, who led top members of his management to ABUAD on a visit.

Aare Babalola listed areas that needed the support and cooperation of the conglomerate to include scholarships, endowing chairs for academic excellence, corporate sponsorships, infrastructure and staff developments.

He recounted his contributions to the existence and development of the group, also called on wellmeaning Nigerians to ensure the survival of the conglomerate.

Aare] Babalola noted that the introduction of new courses and preference for leadership and entrepreneurial skill are indications that at ABUAD, ‘We mean business.’

He announced that the first set of graduands of the school will bow out next year at a record of three and a half years instead of four.

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How to Apply: By Electronically,Your career to date Your reasons for wanting to do an MBA at Cranfield at this point in your career Your potential for senior management Your academic and/ or professional qualifications Your test scores (GMAT/Cranfield tests) Your referees’ opinions The conclusions reached by the interviewer.

Benin varsity assures Nigerian students quality education

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ITH the recent granting of operational licence to Littoral University (Institut D’enseignement Superieur De Littoral) Porto-Novo, Republic of Benin, by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education Scientific Research, its Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ayeni Oyebode, has assured the students of a promising future.

Addressing the nearly 150 students that took the oath of matriculation at the national stadium in PortoNovo last Saturday, Ayeni said the university would also quench the thirst of many Nigerian residents seeking university education in the Republic of Benin.

On its mission,Ayeni said the university is committed to rescuing Africa from her prostate education which he argued has also affected other facets.

Ayeni said: “The education sector in Africa today is in a particularly difficult situation where poverty and its consequences-illiteracy, hunger; pandemics, uncontrolled population among others confound the population. It is a systematic malady and corrections must be made from primary through secondary up to tertiary levels; and that is what we at Littoral University shall correct.

“We are steering the right course but the years ahead will require unwavering political will to consistently ensure that education from early childhood onwards is a national priority, to engage governments, civil society and the private sector in creative partnerships and

•The students taking their matriculation oath

By Adegunle Olugbamila

to generate dynamic coordination and support from the international community.”

Thanking the government of Benin for granting the university its operational licence Ayeni assured the university will do all it can to live up to expectation.

“We shall use incentives to attract new recruits to the teaching profession, provide adequate teacher training and professional development;

Provosts laud Fashola

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HE Committee of Provost (COP) of Colleges of Education in Nigeria has praised Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State for releasing N250 million to the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Otto/ Ijanikin to fast-track its infrastructural development ahead of the visit by the National Commission for Colleges of Education, its regulatory body, earlier in the year.

The COP spoke at its 66th regular meeting held at AOCOED. In a statement signed by the association’s National SecretaryGeneral Prof Olu Akeusola, the governor’s gesture is a testimony of his passion for the development of education in the state.

The statement reads: “The Committee of Provost (COP) of Colleges of Education in Nigeria dur-

Scholarship Application Deadline: 20th January 2013 End Sheffield Hallam University International Achievement Scholarships, 2013 UK International Achievement Scholarships for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students from Any non-EU country at Sheffield Hallam University, 2013 UK Study Subject(s):Courses offered by the university Course Level:Level of Study is undergraduate and postgraduate.

Scholarship Provider: Sheffield Hallam University Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility:To be eligible to apply for an undergraduate scholarship you must •be classed as an international student for fees purposes •have a high standard of secondary education •have, or expect to achieve, a minimum of IELTS 6.0 (5.5 in all areas) or equivalent* •have given a firm or insurance acceptance of your offer on your chosen course •be enrolling on a course with Sheffield Hallam starting in 2012/13 academic year •be able to evidence achievement in your personal statement To be eligible to apply for a postgraduate scholarship you must

ing its 66th Regular Meeting held on Tuesday 27 November 2012 at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Otto/ Ijanikin, Lagos, commended the Visitor to the host college Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) Governor of Lagos State, for the release of a whopping N250 million grant to AOCOED. This grant went a very long way in earning the college an outstanding performance during the recent accreditation of the institution and its programmes by the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE)- the regulatory body in Nigeria.

“The executive committee and the entire members of COP of Colleges of Education deem it fit to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency for his rare love for educational development of Lagos State.

We are proud of you and we pray

assure sufficient instructional time and a textbook development and distribution policy, create safe and healthy environment; promote gender equality through teacher training.

“We shall recognise the importance of mother tongue instruction in early childhood and the first years of primary school; develop constructive partnership between governments and the non-state sector to increase access to quality education. We are willing to work with

every stakeholder and the private sectors.

The President-General-African Peace Foundation, Prof Ola Makinde who was also one of the special guests urged the new students to be well-behaved and give a good impression of their country.

“No parent will want to put his child in a wasteful university. The fact that your parents have chosen to enrol you here speaks volume of how they are determined to bring the best out of you all.

Lagos retains trophy for spelling

A

•Prof Akeusola

that other governors and financiers of education in Nigeria would emulate your magnanimous gestures towards education.”

FTER correctly spelling 37 words on-stage, 15-year-old Ibukun Omoyeni of Prince of Glory College, Lagos, spelt the word, ‘myxomatosis’ to win the 2012 edition of Spellbound Africa held in Abuja.

He beat pupils from 13 other states and the FCT to successfully defend the title won by Gbemileke Oyefeso, also of Lagos State, in 2011.

In the second position was 12-yearold Hauwa’u Lawal of Jigawa State Academy for the Gifted and Talented, Bamaina. She spelt 37 words correctly.

Adaeze Williams of Divine Mercy Secondary School, Abuja came third, while Olivia Okechukwu of Community Senior Secondary School, Oyingbo, Rivers State, came fourth.

The children studied 3,000 English words for three months from which the words spelt were chosen .

Words like phantasmagoria, arteriosclerosis, neuroinformatics, discombobulated and higgledy-

piggledy among others were spelt.

At the event, the guest of honour, the Governor of Jigawa State, represented by Alhaji Isa Audu, received the annual Super-Dad award from organisers of the competition Ski-Hi Entertainment for his contribution to education in Jigawa State. He restated his commitment to education as a means of preparing the young generation for the challenges ahead of them. Aero Contractors also received the Most supportive & reliable brand award 2012 for consistently supporting this project.

Spellbound Africa is an annual spelling competition for children studying in English-speaking African countries. It is for children between 10 and 15 years old and has run for four years now. Fifteen states of the federation as well as Ghana and Sierra Leone participated in the 2012 edition of Spellbound Africa.

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

EDUCATION

Teachers, parents praise Oyo on WAEC performance

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HE results released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) showed that candidates in public secondary schools in Oyo State who wrote the 2012 May/June Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) recorded an improvement than previous years, moving the state up the rating ladder from 34th last year to 23rd.

The candidates performed better in almost all subjects including Mathematics and English Language.

A breakdown of their results between 2010 and 2012 showed remarkable improvements in key subjects.

For instance, in Mathematics,

From Bisi Oladele Oyo

while the 2010 result showed students scoring 15.43 per cent, and in 2011, 13.70 per cent, in 2012, the students scored 26.57 per cent; in Physics, in 2010, the students scored 29.77%, scored 38.9% in 2011 and 53.69% at the recently concluded examinations while the students scored 12.59% in English Language in 2010, 20.30% in 2011 and 23.00% in the recently concluded examinations.”

Three months before the examination, the government had instructed teachers to organise extramural classes for candidates in public schools. The classes, which held after school hours on week days and Saturdays, were aimed at help-

ing students improve on their weak areas and study more for the examinations.

Teachers lauded the improvement in students’ performance, saying it shows that the sector will always get better with a better commitment from the government as shown by the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration.

The Secretary, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, Comrade Waheed Olojede, said: “The recent students’ performance in external examination by the WAEC and NECO is commendable and a welcome development. It has provided a reassuring position for the entire education system, promising a better tomorrow for the

•Pupils of Imperial Gate School, Lekki rendering a song during the school’s Christmas Concert last Thursday

state, parents, teachers and for the students at large.

“I mean to say that stakeholders, particularly government, should bring a mark of encouragement to the teachers in terms of adequate welfare packages such as provision of necessary infrastructural materials that will bring a conducive working environment for both the teachers and the pupils.”

Ajimobi attributed the improvement to his administration’s effort to change the state of education inherited by his administration last year.

He said the current position was not the state’s desired position that his administration was determined to have the state rank among the first three.

According to him, the steady improvement in the WASSCE is a result of the massive investment of government in education and its resolve to prioritise same.

Ajimobi said government established extension classes and unified mock examination to improve the performance of students. It also organsed in-training for teachers in primary and secondary schools. To date, over 5,000 teachers and 600 principals had benefitted from the training. he added.

He said: “We have begun rehabilitating 2,500 classrooms in primary and secondary schools as well as provision of furniture for 150,000 students. We are also strengthen-

By Aminat Popoola

mented has crippled vocational education, resulting in graduates who only show interest in paid employment.

Phillips who argued that the curriculum would help students mix theory and skills acquired in school, expressed hope that by 2014, a new set of teachers with both practical and theoretical training would have been groomed to tutor the students in the aforementioned courses.

“Nowadays education has shifted from paper education, the need to establish things that are conversant with our society has emerged, hence the introduction of vocational education in schools in and out of Lagos State. Research has also shown that

the rate of unemployment has grown all over the world especially in Third World countries. The time has come for Nigerians to embrace vocational education so that we can begin to make our own products, fend for ourselves without having to rely on the government for support,” Phillips said.

ANCOPSS Publicity Secretary,Mr Femi Adeyemi stated that the Lagos State government is firmly in support of vocational education and has already imported necessary equipment needed for ANCOPSS’ new initiative up to 60 per cent, noting that outstanding equipment are expected to arrive soon. He admonished parents and other stakeholders to join hands with ANCOPSS for the success of the initiative.

ing the Inspectorate Division of the ministry by engaging the University of Ibadan for objective and effective supervision.”

Ajimobi said the state government had also established a technical university in partnership with the National Taiwan Technical University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and another university in Dubai.

On the performance, the Chairman, National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) in Oyo State, Alhaji Abodun Jimoh, said the government has demonstrated a deep interest in education, adding that parents are hopeful of a better performance still in coming years.

‘Why we hold Catholic Schools Children’s Day’

ANCOPSS to introduce vocational curriculum H C

OME next session, the All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) Lagos State chapter will unveil a new curriculum anchored on vocational studies, its state chairman; Mr Albert Babatunde Phillips has announced.

At a briefing held at the Oregun Senior School, Oregun, Phillips said the new curriculum is focused on skills acquisition and will feature courses cutting across catering, automobile engineering, automobile, upholstery, block making, book keeping, beads making, hairdressing, , Interior decoration and so on.

The ideas, he stressed, is to gradually discourage emphasisis on ‘paper education, which Phillips la-

•Jimoh

IS Lordship, Most Revered Camillus Etokudoh, Bishop of Port Harcourt Diocese, has said the reason behind Catholic Schools Children’s Day initiated by the Director of Catholic Education, Monsignor Charles Agu, was to complement the holistic education in Catholic schools.

Bishop Etokudoh who was represented by Monsignor Cyprian Onwuli during the third edition of the day in Port Harcourt said Catholic education has occupied the minds of many parents.

Monsignor Onwuli noted that the all-round education in Catholic schools driven with the passion of high academic excellence may not be enough if there is no special day to celebrate Catholic schools children.

Monsignor Agu also said one of the benefits of the event was the

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

opportunity of mutual interaction and relationship among Catholic schools in the state.

Monsignor Agu said: “It is very important to know that we are running a holistic education in Catholic schools. Despite the fact that we inherited dilapidated schools from the government, yet I can confidently tell you that we are still the best.

“Of course, to complement our records as the best, we decided that there is need to set out a special day to celebrate our children and to make them to realise that they are important to the society, the Catholic Church and this great nation.”

At the end of the Children day celebration which featured many activities, Sacred Heart Seminary lifted the trophy as the overall best.

Minister seeks increased enrolment of poor pupils

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HE Education Minister, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa'i has called on stakeholders in the educational sector to intensify effort in the enrollment of out-of-school children among the rural poor in Nigeria.

Prof Rufa'i spoke at the Nigeria Youth Economic Summit (NAYES) 2012 and the Nigerian Youth Merit Award organised by Global Partner for Development Initiative in partnership with Green Global Inceptis Limited held at the Civil Centre, Lagos.

The programme titled: "Positioning the youth for active participation in an emerging economy", brought together over 100 youths drawn from parts of the country to discuss entrepreneurship, managing small businesses, moral reorientation and others.

She said one of the major challenges that the nation faces today is access to education.

The minister said: "In many parts of Nigeria, there are large numbers of school-age children that are not in school. This is despite the fact that

By Adeola Ogunlade

access to a nine year Basic Education is a right to all.

Prof Rufa'i noted that in future the situation would later lead to high number of youths and adults with little or no literacy to function effectively in the society.

She asserted that with a population estimated at 160 million made up of mostly young people, it is the responsibility of the education system to turn these young people into assets for national development.

"It is only education that can help confer competitive advantage on nations. Through education, young people develop skills to function effectively in the society, either working for others or for themselves," she said..

In his welcome address, the Executive Director of the Green Global Inceptis Limited, Johnson Fakayode said that the conference was meant to empower the youths to take advantage of the various opportunities that are available for national development.

• Principal, Meadow Hall College Mrs Josephine Kehinde (right), Head Teacher of Meadow Hall Junor School, Miss Rita Ekpeyong (right), with pupils at the family funfair organised by the management at the school premises

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

Sticking with the big picture was at an event organised by the Great Ife Alumni Association, the alumni body of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, last Friday. It was the inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the group.

The passion with which

I •Dr David presenting Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola with a plaque when he visited the school last session.

C

Whitesands ‘frees’ its boys

AN teenage boys be free yet well behaved? Can they be friends with their teachers and not be rude? “Yes they can,” says Dr Lorenzo Manuel David, Principal of Whitesands School, Lekki, a boys’ only school that emphasises all-round formation, personalised attention and parental involvement as its education philosophy.

In an interview with The Nation, Dr David, a geophysicist who had spent 10 years teaching at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) before he was called upon to start the school in 2000, said his boys learn in an atmosphere of freedom yet grow up to be responsible.

“Here we do not do corporal punishment. Some parents are upset and say ‘your boys are undisciplined.’ They are just normal as far as I am concerned. But they also end up with good character in the long run. They grow up in an atmosphere of freedom but they also know their responsibilities. We have rules and regulations. We treat our boys as friends without losing our authority,” he said.

Underscoring the importance of this aspect of the school’s philosophy, Vice Principal, (Junior School), Mr Emeka Enemuoh, said being friends with the boys means the teachers can share their thoughts.

“The atmosphere of freedom tells you how we relate with the boys.

You can instil fear in them but when you do, they will not talk to you and you will not know what is hap-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

pening in their heads. When they are free to talk to you then they will not hide,” he said.

The boys like this about their school. Those who spoke with The Nation mentioned they like that they are free with their teachers.

“I like this school because of the teacher/student relationship. We can mix easily with our teachers.

You can meet them when you have problems. I also like the facilities,” said Chuka Okoli, an SS3 pupil.

Yes, Whitesands boys are allowed to be boys but David, who knows each of his 520 boys personally, said they are not without adult supervision to guide their daily activities and support them in difficulties.

“We have a strong advisory system. All boys here have adults attached to them, who give guidance, talk to them about studies, attitude, and behaviour at home. The advisor becomes the contact between the school and the home. The advisor is an important person that helps with the character formation of the boys,” he said.

Academics is very important at Whitesands, and the boys’ performance in external local and international examinations is proof of it. To ensure all boys do well, David said each pupil gets attention from their teachers.

“We believe in personalized attention. We deal with each student as a person. Our classes there are 30-35 pupils in a class. Personal-

ized means we are looking at each person. Other schools admit good students and move them from 80 to 90 per cent. But at Whitesands, we take everybody and move our boys from 45 to 65, 75 per cent and above,” he said.

Expatiating on the attention given each pupil, a Mathematics teacher, Mr Safiriyu Babalola said weak pupils are identified and encouraged to do better.

“We help those that are weak to improve. In the same class, we can divide them into weak and strong groups. The weak students get a lot of tutorials. If they don’t understand a concept we go back to the basics because if you don’t know the basics there is nothing to build on,” he said.

However, David said the not-forprofit school owned by the Ikota Educational Foundation (IEF) grooms the pupils not only academically, but pays attention to their spiritual development and insists on parental participation based on its recognition of the home as the first school.

“The third pillar of our philosophy is parental involvement. We believe they (parents) are important educators. The real education starts at home. Education is really upbringing, teaching character. I tell parents that it is not enough to send your boy to a good school. Your input to the upbringing of the boy is very crucial because if he takes a wrong step you will not forgive yourself,” he said.

UNILAG launches health magazine

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HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) has launched a health magazine to promote healthy habits among students.

The launch was the climax of the institution’s Golden Health week which took place last week.

Speaking at the launch, the ViceChancellor, Prof Rahman Bello, who was represented by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof Olukayode Amund, said the magazine would help students to ensure good health and live good lives.

“The health of students is the wealth of the nation, so our students must be in a good health,”

S

By Ayoola Sarumi

he said.

The VC launched the magazine with N20,000.

Delivering a lecture on the topic Your health, your golden resource, Dr Kofo Odunshote, a lecturer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, advised students and their families to find time for medical checkup constantly.

She also urged the students to exercise and rest, and eat good food, which supports good health.

She said good food enhances the

body. “Health is Wealth, when you have a good health that is when you enjoy your wealth.”

Another speaker, Mrs Folashade Ajayi, who gave a talk on How To Stop Sex Harasments In Our Tetirary Schools, said female students should dress decently and desist from walking around late because people hide under the cover of darkness to do evil. She also advised them to stay celibate until marriage.

“Sex is not meant for students but for the married ones alone,” she said.

School produces six pupils for gifted children’s academy

IX out of eight pupils of Tender Care International School, Onitsha who sat for this year’s admission examination of the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, Niger State, have been offered admission into the school dedicated to the training of gifted children.

The pupils who excelled in the competitive common entrance examination are: Uzochukwu Amarachi

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Doris, Abia Cynthia, Ozo Nnebedum Juliet, Adilieje Mary Jane, Amandi Ifechikwu and Chiamaka Ugwu, all between the ages of nine and 12.

They will enjoy tuition, boarding, and books scholarship that the Federal Government provides for pupils of the college.

The pupils, who competed with

2,000 others, have resumed at the academy which was established by government to take special care of exceptionally brilliant children and to promote competition among children.

The owners of the school, Mrs Nebechkukwu Igwedibia and Mrs. Anthonia Mbaebie, attributed the success recorded by the school to hard work and co-operation of staff and management of the school

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

the old students spoke about their alma mater was infectious. Despite challenges facing tertiary education in Nigeria, they are still very proud of the institution they graduated from and believe it can be named among the best in the world.

They know not all things are right with the institution but are seeking, in partnership with the university management, to institutionalise integrity, respect for constituted authority without inhibiting the rights of students to contrary opinions.

I am not an alumnus of OAU, but I am impressed by their vision and believe Nigerian institutions are taking too long to be listed among the best in the world. Like the President Emeritus of the association, Mr Wole Olaoye, noted at the event, OAU is not inferior to other ivory towers around the world. After visiting the prestigious Howard University in the U.S, he said wondered that "is that all"? That means from his experience studying at OAU, the institution has the potential to compete internationally if properly managed.

They can actually get there. If the passion demonstrated by the alumni and principal officers of the university transforms into productive energy that brings about change, then it is only a matter of time that the university becomes a reference point for others.

It may only mean doing things just slightly differently. The institution boasts of architectural masterpieces and a beautiful landscape. Its management only needs to maintain the buildings and pay detailed attention to the environment to keep it in top shape.

Also, I like that the university is insisting on originality of intellectual efforts. That a lecturer could be punished for plagiarism to the extent that his PhD was withdrawn and his subsequent employers informed shows that those managing the institution have the guts to do what is right.

This is contrary to what obtains generally in Nigeria. We have a culture that easily 'forgives' or overlooks offences. While we may be happy that somehow, we can wriggle our way of problems, we are paying a very heavy price for our laxity because it inhibits progress.

When people know that it is easy to cut corners, they are unwilling to dedicate themselves to hard work. They are also unwilling to commit to long term plans.

If OAU is able to establish excellence in all ramifications, the institution will be able to show others that indeed Nigeria can lead.

Standing for the truth The pioneer principal of one of the old public schools in Lagos State shared a sad story with those of us who witnessed the inauguration of a Home Economics laboratory endowed the Redeemed Christian Church of Good in Lagos last week.

The senior citizen said he was sacked because he cancelled an internal examination marred by examination malpractice. Although he refused to involve teachers in re-setting questions for the rescheduled exams, and failed to draw up a time table it, I think it was not enough to warrant his sack by the Lagos State government, then under military rule. Sadly, the pupils who burnt the school property in protest went unpunished.

The government did more harm than good for education through that decision because the message it inadvertently sent to the students was that their actions were justified. We should not then be surprised by the level of desperation in perpetrating malpractice today. The foundation was built a long time ago when incidents like this were not properly managed.

‘This is contrary to what obtains generally in Nigeria. We have a culture that easily 'forgives' or overlooks offences.

While we may be happy that somehow, we can wriggle our way of problems, we are paying a very heavy price for our laxity because it inhibits progress’

From my Inbox Re: The Straight and narrow (Thursday, December 06, 2012) Honestly, I valued your Edutalk. Diligence and hard work pays. Talk to parents who believe in shortcuts. 08097495---.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

43

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Dr Tony Nwaezeigwe joins the debate on the role played by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as Minister of Finance during the civil war. He argues that the late Leader of the Yoruba is being unduly vilified by Professor Chinua Achebe and other critics.

Awo and the civil war: The debate continues T

HE Igbo have a moral responsibility to begin to ask questions about the manner in which the secessionist state was run, before passing the buck to outsiders. Has anyone tried to ask why Ojukwu entrusted the responsibility of purchasing arms and ammunition to a lawyer and his kinsman, the same person he appointed to the all-important position of Home Affairs Commissioner, when professional military officers were available? Has the question been asked: why did Nnamdi Azikiwe abandon Biafra?

This is the time for the Igbo to accept internal criticism as a catalyst for quality leadership and for the restoration of popular confidence. It takes only an Igbo mind free from the virus of ethnic bankruptcy to realise that the Yoruba are the most trusted and forgiving friends of the Igbo today. The records cannot be hiden. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, it must be said, rode through the political tutelage of Sir Herbert Macaulay and the bulk of the Yoruba still stood firm behind Zik even after his exit from Western Region.

Is it not also on record that they enjoyed unrestrained formidable political largesse in Yorubaland during the First Republic , producing at the same time Vice Chancellors of Universities of Ibadan and Lagos , as well as the Rector of the Yaba College of Technology? Has it occurred to most Igbo that the Yoruba had reason to revolt against the Igbo for the killings of the January 15, 1966 coup, as did the North, remembering that Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Brigadier Samuel Ademulegun and Col Ralph Sodeinde were victims?

Those who are ignorant of his past might not know that the worst enemies of the Igbo, past and present, are the Hausa-Fulani, beginning with the Kano riots of 1953 through the pogroms of 1966 and 67 to uncountable anti-Igbo riots showcasing the beheading of Gideon Akaluka in Kano, to the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and Sharia, then the present Boko Haram. This is why some Igbo quislings who are covertly rooting for General Muhammadu Buhari to rule this nation by attempting to create unnecessary political cracks between the Igbo and Yoruba will meet their political waterloo at the appropriate time. The words of Chief Obafemi Awolowo are clear. In an interview in 1983 at Abeokuta , which was moderated by Okparadike, Chief Awolowo had stated at length.

“As far as I know, the Ibo masses are friendly to me. In fact, whenever I visited Igboland, either Anambra or Imo, and there is no campaigning for elections on, the Ibo people received me warmly and affectionately. But there are some elements in Iboland who believe that they can maintain their popularity only by denigrating me, and so they keep on telling hies against me.”

Could Chief Awolowo be faulted, given the present circumstance, in his claim that there are still some shortsighted Igbo leaders who feel they could rise to political stardom by deliberately misrepresenting his roles in the Nigerian Civil War? On starvation policy Chief Awolowo stated: “Then, but above all, the ending of the War itself that I’m accused of starving the Ibos, I did nothing of the sort. You know, shortly after the liberation of these places, Calabar, Enugu and Port Harcourt, I decided to pay a visit… some soldiers were not truthful with us, they did not tell us correct stories and so on.

“I wanted to be there and see things for myself… But I went and some people tried to frighten me out of my goal by saying that Adekunle was my enemy and he was going to see to it that I never retuned from the place, so I went. But when I went what did I see? I saw Kwashiokor victims. Then l enquired what happened to the food we here sending to the civilians. We were sending food through the Red Cross and CARITAS to the them, but what happened was that the vehicles carrying the food were always ambushed by the soldiers.”

Even from the above account, it is obvious to an impartial historian of the Nigerian Civil War that Chief Obafemi Awolowo was not fully in tune with the politics that beclouded relief supplies to Biafra . On July 14, 1968 , the New York

• The late Awolowo and Achebe

Times was reported quoting Col Benjamin Adekunle as saying that any plan to send relief materials to Biafra was a “misguided humanitarian rubbish”, stating further that any food sent to Biafra through him would definitely end up in the soldier’s stomachs. It was in fact Adekunle’s obstinacy in refusing to allow relief materials to pass through Port Harcourt to Biafra that led the Federal Government to redirect her route of relief supplies to Awgu.

But again, the Awgu relief project could not materialise because of Biafra ’s refusal to accept any relief material from an enemy for fear of food poisoning. In fact, Biafra’s Special Representative in United States of America, Dr. Nwoye Otue, if still alive could comment on this, as reported by the same New York Times of July 14, 1968. Put together, the issue of relief supplies to Biafra was not within the powers of Obafemi Awolowo to decide. Biafra was blockaded land, air and sea, and the Federal Government insisted that every aircraft carrying relief materials to Biafra should be inspected first against possible unauthorised cargoes, before landing in Biafra , a proposal which the latter rejected. These are incontestable facts of any war situation which do not have any post-war political propaganda utility.

The fact is that most people in war-torn Biafra, including Chinua Achebe, would confess that they had limited access to news reports, with only a limited few having access to even what was offered by Radio Biafra. There was also limited freedom of movement. Thus much of the personal accounts of individual participants and

Is it not an irony that right there in Biafra, while some people were dying from starvation, other privileged Biafrans were indeed accumulating the Biafran currency through illegal businesses such as sale of the same relief materials, and cross-border trades popularly known as Afia-Attack. It is the same people that wanted the ill-accumulated currency exchanged one to one.

On subvention to the war-torn East Central State , Chief Awolowo had this to say: “During the war I saw to it that the revenue which was due to Iboland- South Eastern States they called it, at that time East Central State, I kept it; I saved the money for them. And when they were liberated, I handed over the money to them- millions. If I didn’t decide to do so, I could have kept the money away from them. And then when they took over I saw to it that subvention was given to them at the rate of 990,000 pounds every month. I didn’t go to the Executive Committee to ask for support, or for approval because… there were more enemies in the Executive Council for the Ibos than friends.”

One expects any true Igbo man to have the moral courage to commend Chief Obafemi Awolowo for that unsung magnanimity?

Again on the now defunct Igbo banks, Chief Obafemi Awolowo had this to day: “But I did that for the Ibos, and when the war was over, I saw to it that the ACB got three and half million pounds to start with. This was distributed immediately, and I gave another sum of money. The attitude of the experts, officials at the time, of the ACB, was that ACB should be closed down, and I held the view that you couldn’t close the ACB down because that is the bank that gives finance to the Ibo traders, and if you close it down, they will find it difficult to revive or survive. So it was given. I did the same thing for the cooperative Bank for Eastern Nigeria ….”

On abandoned property, Chief Awolowo continued: “And then finally, I saw to it that the houses owned by the Ibos in Lagos and on this side, were kept for them. I had an estate agent friend who told me that one of them collected half a million pounds rent which has been kept for him. All his rent were collected, but since we didn’t seize their houses, he came back and collected half a million pounds. So that is the position. I’m a friend of the Ibos and the mass of the Ibos are my friends, but there are certain elements who want to continue to deceive the Ibos by telling lies against me, and one day, they will discover and then that day will be terrible for those who have been telling lies.”

The reason for quoting Chief Awolowo at length is to open the vista of facts for uncouth critics of Awolowo. There is no gainsaying the fact that Chief Obafemi Awolowo deserved an unqualified apology from those Igbo people still painting him as a villain, while trying to protect the dirty acts of their kinsmen.

observers, including that of Achebe, would be limited. It therefore takes only the historian the duty to put all the factual pieces together to make them whole.

On twenty pounds, Chief Awolowo was emphatic: “That’s what I did. And the case of the money they said was not given back to them, you know during the war, all the pounds were looted, they printed Biafra currency notes, which they circulated. At the close of the war some people wanted their Biafran note to be exchanged for them. Of course I couldn’t do that (otherwise) the whole country would be bankrupt.

“We didn’t know about Biafran notes and we didn’t know on what basis they printed them, so we refused the Biafran note, but I laid down the principle that all those who had savings in the banks on the eve of the declaration of the Biafran war or Biafra, will get their money back if they could satisfy us that they had savings there, or the money there.

“Unfortunately, all the banks books had been burnt, and many of the people who had savings there didn’t have their saving books or their last statement of account, so a Panel had to be set up. I didn’t take part in setting up the Panel, it was done by the Central Bank and the pertinent officials of the Ministry of Finance, to look into the matter... and then made some recommendation which I approved.”

The question here is, what better approach should anybody in Chief Awolowo’s shoes have taken under such a circumstance, to exchange Dr Tony Nwaezeigwe is a Senior Research FelBiafran currency one to one with the Nigerian low of the Institute of African Studies, University currency? of Nigeria, Nsukka.

• From left: Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Mike Omeri, Commissioner for Water Resources, Katsina State, Alhaji Jamilu Mamman, Katsina State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Alhaji Rabiu Gambo and the Emir of Dass, Alhaji UsmanBilyaminu, Usman II at the two-day National Forum on Security Challenges and Peace Building iin Nigeria by NOA in Katsina.

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

45

THE NATION

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

‘Rich fibre food, herbs can treat haemorrhoid’ N ATURAL remedy has been identified as best t r e a t m e n t for haemorrhoid, a condition characterised by swollen and inflamed vein tissues in the rectal region.

According to a naturopath and iridologist, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, nature can cure all and surgery should be avoided.

He said rich fibre food and those that help to maintain healthy blood vessels are necessary in the treatment of the condition.

Ezengige said some remedies are recommended for internal use while others are used for rectal insertions called anal or rectal suppositories. They are known to have the following properties; anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, demulcent and styptic, he added.

“When prepared and administered professionally, herbs made from Amaranthus spinosus, which is (thorny pigweed), Inine-ogwu (Igbo) and Uvaria chamae stem bark can bring re-

Stories by Wale Adepoju

lief.

Others are Eugenia aromatica flower buds , Kanafuru (Yoruba)· Ficus exasperata which is Ewe epin in Yoruba, Asisa (Igbo)· Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Onugbu (Igbo), Ewuro (Yoruba) and Phyllantus amarus Ehinbisowo (Yoruba)· He said Aloe vera foods that are employed for the treatment of the condition are Cyperus esculentus (tiger nuts), Aki in Hausa, Ofio (Yoruba).

Also, Solanum tuberosum (Irish potatoes), Solanum incanum (garden eggs) and Cocos nucifera oil (coconut oil).

These foods, he said, should be consumed freely.

“Bitter foods generally help to firm muscles including the rectal muscles. Sufferers of this condition should do everything within their ability to avoid constipation. They should consume clean water regularly and see to it that a day does not go by without eating fruits and vegetables.

•Ezengige

They should also avoid activities that would make them sit or stand for very long hours at a stretch.

They should also supplement their food with some essential vitamins such as vitamin E (tocopherol), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the bioflavonoids, he said.

The intake of the minerals potassium and magnesium are also very important to achieving a lasting cure.

The ailment, he said, has become a serious health issue in Nigeria because it affects both sexes, adding: “It cuts across diverse age groups. It goes by the common name pile. Symptoms include severe rectal pain and bleeding through the anus during and after defecation. Most times, the bleeding is due to the rupturing of infected, swollen and inflamed rectal veins following forced expulsion of hard fecal waste. In some cases of pile, a protrusion in the rectal region may be observed.”

He said pile has a link to the jedi-jedi syndrome in Nigerian society, which could result to waist pain, poor erection in men, poor and irregular bowel elimination, among others.

“This generally-held concept of pile manifestation among lay men may initially not make any sense to the minds a trained medical expert, but the apparent

70% of illnesses come from meat, cheese, says expert

A

BOUT 70 per cent of illnesses come from animal products such as meat, dairy, cheese and fish, among others, President, Hallelujah Acres, Paul Malkmus, has said.

According to him, animal products have been linked to diabetes and cancer, among other diseases.

He spoke at a seminar in Lagos.

People need to look critically at the food they eat and how it nourishes the body.

He said before people stick to any food, they should check to see if it feeds the body with the required nutrients, otherwise, they should not eat it.

Advising Nigerians, he said, people should eat healthily, to be free from diseases and enjoy longevity. Fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts are part of healthy foods that can provide maximum nutrition to people’s sick bodies, he added.

“Healthy food helps to replace dying cells in the body to ensure regeneration,” he said.

Malkmus said the process of feeding the body is by feeding it with nutrients, adding that the process of breathing is to breathe in oxygen not air that is bad or polluted.

When we drink water, we don’t want to drink bad water. Similarly, we should eat only good foods that will nourish the body.

“It is a simple process, if we eat bad food the body breaks down,” he added.

He identified animal products as major causes of cancer and diseases. Others are white flour, white or refined sugar, and white salt with sodium chloride, and caffeine. “They all cause the body to break down and not function properly because of the toxins we are putting in,” he said.

Malkmus said there are many toxins that people face daily which they don’t have control over. Some of them pass through the mouth, so people need to protect what goes into their mouths.

On his product, he said, hallelu-

confusion and discrepancy can be resolved and understood when one comes to the realisation that the nerve supplies to the colon (the large intestine) and to most reproductive organs stems from the same source, and the same segment of the vertebrae and their associated nerve roots.

On the causes, Ezengige said, many factors have been fingered as precipitating or aggravating the ailment. They are overconsumption of low- fiber diets, excessive and habitual consumption of devitalised foods, such as white flour products and sweetened, carbonated artificial drink.

Others are wrong food combination and eating habits, genetic weakness in the rectal veins, undue straining in eliminating hard fecal matter during the process of defecation and constipation· Pressure in the lower abdominal region caused by weight lifting or pregnancy may also trigger the condition, Ezengige added.

What to expect as you age

Y

Fruits

jah foods are fresh vegetable, fruits and nuts, among those things that nature provides for man right from the ground to eat.

These have super healing power and provide nutrients to the body cells in abundance, he added.

“The product creates healthy environment for the body to heal, as such it rebuilds it. Human bodies need the right nutrition they can get to survive,” he said.

He said low sperm count, weak erection and infertility go away when people eat healthy foods.

They are in the body initially because the body isn’t working right.

The company’s chief of education and co-ordinator of training, Mrs Ann Malkmus said fast foods are quick and convenient but are toxic to the body because they stuck the intestine without digestion.

She said majority of asthma attacks arise as a result of dairy products consumption.

“White sugar weakens the immune system, similarly artificial sweetners are the major cause of breast cancer.

•Malkmus

Caffeine stimulates the body and makes it function beyond normal, which is bad because it is a slow poison to the body.

“Anything you get from packs, cans and jars usually has preservatives

Mrs. Malkmus

which make it a poison to the body,” she said.

Mrs Malkmus recommended drinking of water, exercise, sleep and nutrition as the best ways to stay alive.

OU know that aging will likely cause you to develop wrinkles and gray hair. But do you know how the aging process will affect your teeth, heart and sexuality? Find out what kind of changes you can expect in your body as you age — and what you can do to promote good health at any age.

Your cardiovascular system As you age, your heart rate becomes slightly slower and your heart might become bigger. Your blood vessels and your arteries also become stiffer, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them. This can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.

What you can do To promote heart health: · Include physical activity in your daily routine: Try walking, swimming or other activities you enjoy. Regular moderate physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and lessen the extent of arterial stiffening. ·Eat a healthy diet: Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, highfiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and sodium. A healthy diet can help you keep your heart and arteries healthy. ·Don’t smoke: Smoking contributes to the hardening of your arteries and increases your blood pressure and heart rate. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit. · Manage stress: Stress can take a toll on your heart. Take steps to reduce stress — or learn to deal with stress in healthy ways.

Your bones, joints and muscles With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density — which weakens them and makes them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength and flexibility, and you might become less coordinated or have trouble balancing.

• Culled from www.mayoclinic.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

46

NATURAL HEALTH

Why some people get fatter while eating less(2) L IKE an inexhaustible bar, the questions fat people ask about why they cannot burn the excess fat baggages are unending.

The slow thyroid gland, like a dispprotionate white and brown fat cell ratio in favour of the white, or leptin flood and leptin resistance, answers only some of these questions, as shown in the first part of this series. From the enquires which I have received in respect of thyroid culpabibility, I reckon this organ will require a little more address this week.

There were two outstanding questions last week…

1) What is the fat set point?

2) Why do fat people who lose weight during an illness regain the lost fat after convalescence?

Both questions are related, in my view. To them, I add the following: 1) What are the other signs or symptoms of hypothyrodlism or low functioning thyroid?

2) Why are some people fat only in the upper trunk or lower trunk, that is from the waist up, or from the waist down?

Again, I believe the issues are interlinked. I’d like to address symptoms of hypothyroidism, quoting Judy Lindberg McFarland in her AGING WITHOUT GROWING OLD. The book summaries the thoughts of Dr Broda Barnes M.D., Ph.D., famous thyroid researcher and author of HYPOTHRODISM: THE UNSUSPECTED ILLNESS. The list is long, and, in Judy McFarland’s words, includes: • Sensitivity to cold, especially in hands and feet.

• A young housewife, who feels rundown easily, is sleepy much of the time, and easily oversensitive to cold weather.

• A child or adult unusually prone to infection, particularly respiratory infections, but not limited to them • Frequent bouts of cold or influenza • A victim of frequent recurrent headaches.

• Poor circulation due to heart not pumping with sufficient force.

• Fatigue, varied from relatively mild to severe. May come to accept fatigability as a virtually normal state, inability weight gain and inability to lose weight despite constant dieting • Digestion problems,… irritable bowel syndrome or acid indigestion, constiripation • Menstrual disturbances, concentration, painful (menstrual) flow, irregular , or sometimes excessive flow that suggests possible need for hysterectomy • Memory disturbances, concentration difficulties, severe mental depression, paranoid symptoms, behaviour and emotional disorders, anxiety/ panic attacks.

• The barren couple, both male and female, unable to conceive.

• Low blood pressure.

• Weak or dormant (sexual) urge.

• Many skin disorders, including psoriasis and acne, sometimes respond to thyroid medication.

• Dry ,coarse, leathery skin • Swelling or puffy eyelids, lower half of eyebrow missing.

• High cholesterol and atherosclerosis • Wounds that heal slowly • Enlarged thyroid… goiter • Rheumatic pain… moderate to severe • Asthma and allergies

L

AST week, this column suggested that the thyroid gland may not be blamed alone for all the troubles it may cause by under functioning or overworking. It was said the thyroid is under the influence of both the pituitary gland in the brain and the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys.

The pituitary gland itself is subject to the control of the hypothalamus somewhere also in the brain, and the hypothalamus is itself subject to the pineal gland, in the brain as well. We may from this see a working together of many endocrine glands to stabilise the body’s biochemistry and physiology. If one overfunctions or underworks, it disturbs the harmony of the body orchestra. In this regard, we cannot ignore the benefits of reflex zone therapy. This is the art of massaging certain parts of the body which have been found to stimulate or relax, where necessary, certain organs of the body. Anyone can practice it at home, in the office, in the toilet, in the car … anywhere, as advised in many books written on the subject, including those of Dr Devendora Vora of India and Dr Kenyon of the United States.

In the 1980s, The Guardian newspaper and Duro Soleye Hospitals co-sponsored a training programme at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, for doctors and lay people based on the book

by Mrs Marquardt, entitled Reflex zone Therapy of the Feet. I was privileged to be a member of that class. Mrs Elizabeth Kafaru, now of blessed memory, was there. So were Dr Abayomi Aiyesimoju, a neurologist and homeopath, Dr Victor Umoh, who migrated later to Ajaokuta to set up a clinic, and Mr. Femi Omowunmi, a State Registered Nurse who read political science at the Universityof Ife and reported foreign affairs for The Guardian before he went to work with the Mission of the United States One of the testimonial cases I remember was that of a woman who screamed when the area of her foot which corresponded to her appendix was massaged. Apparently, she had the appendix surgically removed about two years earlier. The conclusion of the trainer was that the surgery injury had not fully healed. Now, I would imagine that her body’s healing process was sluggish, or her diet wasn’t providing the right nutrients for healing work. I have told this story to emphasize the point that every-one can personally improve the tone of any of the organs of the body by personally massaging appropriate parts of the body. These special Sites are like buttons which control switches!

Top heavy, bottom heavy

The distribution of an excess fat baggage may be even throughout the body, or uneven.

Some people are heavy in the breasts and arms and normal ‘downstairs,’’ that is in the waist and hips, whereas some other people are bottom heavy and normal ‘upstairs’’. In some cases, the abdomen shares in the fat bashing. Why is this so? Many years ago, I learned a possible cause from Dr H.C.A. Vogel’s THE NATURE DOCTOR. This book blames it all on underfunctioning of the pituitary gland the thyroid gland and the gonads i.e. the ovaries and the testes. Says Dr Vogel in this book: “In the past, it was thought that being underweight was caused by an insufficient intake of food and that eating too much resulted in obesity. However, there are some people who eat a lot and remain extraordinarily thin, and others who eat very little and still put on weight. Everything, they say, turns into fat! ‘‘Meanwhile, research has shown that dysfunction of the endocrine glands, the glands with internal secretions, is largely responsible for both excessive corpulence and thinness. These glands are primarily the pituitary, the ovaries, the testicles and the thyroid. Their over activity or imbalance usually leads to thinness, while their insufficiency (or under activity) leads to corpulence.’’

According to Dr Vogel, whose book has been recommended many times by this column as worthy of prime place in the home health library, the pituitary and the thyroid glands hold the key to upper trunk blasts while lower trunk obesity is caused by ovarian or testicular insufficiency .’’

T

o drive home this point, Dr Vogel invites attention to ovarian diseases which functionally subdue the ovaries, and to the menopausal years during which the ovaries are no longer optimally active in the production of estrogen, a prime female hormone. In these conditions, even the thinnest woman becomes plump, especially in the abdomen.

Dr Vogel recommends that Kelp, a seaweed, be taken to support thyroid function, and wheat germ oil for the ovaries.

R

ecognising that many fat women are reluctant to consume anything fatty, and may thereby reject Wheat Germ Oil, Dr Vogel counsels: ‘‘There are some people who will not eat wheat germ for fear of getting fat, because it has also been recommended to thin people who wish to gain weight. Women need not to worry about this, since wheat germ and its Vitamin E content only regulate the functions of the ovaries. In fact, wheat germ stimulates their functions in the case of fat people and reduces their over activity in the case of thin people, in this way it actually helps the obese to lose weight and the thin to put on. In addition, wheat germ contains other valuable protein, phosphates and natural sugar, all of which have a good effect on the body without the danger of causing an abnormal weight.

D

r Vogel says his practice has observed many people who grew fat although they ate little, and pinned the cause on dysfunction of the pituitary and thyroid glands, and the gonads…. testes and ovaries. If obesity in such cases had developed from youth, it is evidence, he says, that ‘‘the gonads are generally underdeveloped or retarded as far as proper activity and hormone production is concerned’.’

In people whose gonads are underdeveloped, according to this thinking, fat is often deposited on the hips, waist and breasts only and never on the arms and legs, so that these limbs Are not excessively big. In women the breasts show considerable fat deposits instead of being the shapely glands they normally are. Sagging breasts, due to a inaffuntion of the ovaries, are often an additional worry of overweight women.’’

In Dr Vogel’s view, obesity caused by deficiencies of the gonads is intractable if the trouble of these sex organs come from the pituitary gland which controls them and the thyroid gland.

But modern natural medicine physicians would appear to have found a way out with hormone balancing herbs such as Vitex, Black Cohosh, Wild yam, False unicorn root

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

Motherwort, Evening Primrose oil, Flax seed oil, Asian ginseng, Ashwangadha Phytoestrogens etc. I have observed women beset with ovarian insufficiency recover well and speedily on some of these food supplements. Even when the ovaries have been riven by Candida, a yeast, and bacteria, multiple cysts taking Amazon AF, Bellaco capsi and Maharani has helped hormonal balance and restored menstruation where this may have ceased for awhile.

The fat set point There are people who believe body fat cannot be fought down successfully. Such people believe the body fat architecture is genetic and that , even when we succeed for a while to prune weight, as illness often does, the fat cells fight back to re-establish their genetic make-up. It is like the spirit of survival is at work as it is in every form of life. Does this then mean that the fat person n is doomed to his or her fate?

Bennett and Gurin developed the fat set point theory about 1982 to explain why slimming diets and other weight loss therapies were failing. By this theory, every human body has fat storages and each body types has its own preferred fat safes. Some scientists believe that the number of fat cells the body constructs at the end of the first year of life will determine the weight of that human body throught life. This would suggest that, no matter how much we try, we cannot alter anything afterwards. Like many people who reject fixations, I, too, reject this assumption. I have a younger sister who was puffy at birth but is now slim. I was thin until the age of 18 when, aided by some supplements, I began to balloon to the point that my ’O’ Level classmates who nicknamed me ‘paper weight’ couldn’t believe their eyes when we met about five years after we left school.

Natural Remedies The fat set point hypothesis would appear obliterated by permanent successes in weight control efforts. It would appear that relapses are caused by the failure to maintain helpful lifestyle intervention, some of which are discussed below Thyroid gland It is established that many people with underactive thyroid glands (hypothyroidism) cannot quickly burn food to energy, and this may lead to weight gains. Some foods, such as cabbage, contain goistrogens which lower thyroid function, and so, are to be avoided. They help, through, in hyperthrodism, as does the herb Bugleweed. The helpful roles of Kelp and the proprietary herbal blend IODORAL have been discussed. It is important to add that the halogen compounds be avoided in the diet. They are fluorine (from fluoride –based toothpaste and fouridsed water), brooonine (from potassium broonate in bread) and chlorine (from chlorinated water). Most “pure water” sachets are over chlorinated in the bid to kill germs. The halogens are chemical look – alikes of iodine. When they fill the thyroid gland, iodine cannot enter and this may lead to such thyroid dysfunctions. Weight gains. The thyroid needs iodine to work well. Boiling water eliminates the chlorine.

The pancreas In many fat people, food and infections over stimulate the pancrease to produce more insulin faster than in THIN people.

An insulin flood in the blood leads to insulin resistance, weight gains and diabetes. The stimulation comes from refined carbonhydrates, especially white sugar, white flour, food additives, monosodium glutamate (MSG), Candida (a yeast ) infection, viruses, bacteria, heavy metals and flat worms, to mentun a few agents. Chromium picolinate, Bilbeny, Fenufreak, Misletoe, and Balsam Pear (Bitter melon) help to burn blood sugar. Many of these sugar burners are formulated into proprietary products that normalise blood sugar and support adreanal function such as Amozon Adreanal support, Nature’s Way BLOOD SUGAR and Swanson’s ADRENAL ESSENTIALS The liver Most fat people have blocked and sluggish livers and need to do a liver cleante once in a while.

Intestines Many fat people don’t defeacate regularly or enough because the intestines are sluggish. They need fiber, magnesium and probiotics to check inflammation, gas, constipation, pain, food decay etc. Mrs. Monilola Aiyesimoju reminded me this week in a cell phone text message: “The colon is meant to be a point of transit for waste but through wrong diet and lifestyle it can become a place of storage for waste and, like a sewer, backs up into the entire body leading to disease”

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RS. Aiyesimoju should know. Her husband, Dr. Aiyesionoju , a neurologist and homeopath , offers high colonic irrigation services at his holistic clinic.

It would appear to me that detoxifying the body through these various efforts is a much better way of losing weight than simply burning fat cells to force weight loss. For the lost weight would soon return as freed poisons are reembodied in fat cells for bigger fat to the joy of fat set point theorists! Wouldn’t it have been better if the body was detoxifiedfor weight loss?

Exercise Many people do not exercise. Exercise expands the lungs and brings more oxygen to the body. Oxygen supports combustion of food to energy and burns germs and diseases, reducing the poison load. One hour of walking helps the body to produce enough fat-burning enzymes, lipase, to burn fat for the next 24 hours running.

We can go on and on. I have observed many people crash long-menacing obesity through these and more lifestyle interventions, and, accordingly, come to the conclusion, that the fat set point theory is demolishable.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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THE NATION

e-Business NCC, agents, subscribers bicker over ban on promos About five weeks after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) banned telecoms operators from running promotions and lotteries on their networks, advertisers, subscribers and recharge card vendors are counting their losses. LUCAS AJANAKU revisits the matter.

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FTER an endless search for a white collar job after graduating from the Delta State University, Abraka, Tony Analuwe approached his uncle for a loan to start a small business.

He was obliged. He got a N150,000. With this, he ventured into the buying and selling of recharge cards.

The business flourished and two years later, he was able to rent an apartment in Lagos.

“I had no problem doing my business until NCC banned the operators from doing promos on the network.

Before the ban, I was making between N18,000 and N20,000 daily from the sale of recharge cards. This was made possible because people bought more cards to participate in the promos in the hope of winning prizes,” he told The Nation.

The situation has since changed as sales plummeted drastically to between N3,000 and N4,000 daily. He is particularly irked because his expection to catch-in on the Yuletide season’s sale has been dashed by the NCC ban on promos. “Now I make sales that cannot support my family. These come in the morning when people are going to work and in the evening when they are coming back,” he said.

For 18-year-old Jide Oyebode, a recharge card vendor in Abule Odu, a Lagos suburb, the ban has made his sales to go down. “Though in my neighbourhod, there are many people involved in this business, my daily slaes have gone down. Before the ban, I was making about N8,000 per day, now I make about N4,000 daily,” he lamented.

According to him, people actually bought more cards during the promo because of their desire to win big.

“People wanted to win aircraft, luxury buses and other expensive cars on offer to change their lives. So, they were persuaded to buy cards and take part in the lotteries,” he added.

A civil servant, who identified himself simply as Kunle, said he is bitter that the promo was stopped because since the stoppage, there has not been any meaningful improvement in the quality of service.

“The situation across the networks has not improved.

Call drops, unauthorised diversion, routing into voice mail and unsuccessful call drop and call rates continue to be the order of the day. This has defeated the blanket ban on the promos and lotteries, depriving the subscribers of free airtime and other freebies,” he said.

But an undergraduate of Lagos State University, Ojo, Uloma, disagrees. According to her, there has been slight improvement in service delivery.

While winners have gone home smiling to the banks, losers in the promos and lotteries have their wounds to lick.

Analuwe, Oyebode and Kunle are the few people affected by the ban. It would be recalled that the NCC had banned promos and lotteries on November 12, blaming drop in service quality for the decision.

NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr Tony Ojobo, said the promotions had to be stopped in the interest of the public. “The commission carefully evaluated the complaints received, especially against the backdrop of sustaining the integrity of the networks, the interest of the consumers, the socio-economic impact of the promotions on operators and other relevant stakeholders, before concluding on the ban,” Ojobo said in a statement.

Aside the loss of freebies, telecoms sector analysts say the blanket ban did not take into cognisance the periodic

•NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Dr Eugene Juwah

•BTS

quality service surveys which the regulatory agency itself carried out.

The NCC is empowered to establish minimum Quality of Service (QoS) standards in service delivery for the telecoms industry. “These QoS standards ensure that consumers continue to have access to high quality telecommunications service by setting basic minimum quality levels for operators. These standards define the lower and upper bounds of acceptability of such technical issues as transmission rates, error rates, call completion rates and commercial consumer issues, such as access to customer care centres, billing integrity and other characteristics that can be measured and improved,” the regulator said.

According to reports, NCC’s Audit Report for March and April 2012, which was released early this year, Airtel was declared the best operator for good quality of service.The telco was said to have recorded impressive performances when compared with the commission’s target on four crucial parameters, namely Call Set-up Success Rate (CSSR), Call Completion Rate (CCR), Drop Call Rate (DCR) and Traffic Channel Congestion (TCH).

Analysts say it is strange that the same operator that was adjudged the best could be banned by the agency.

Also, between July and September, this year, within

which promos peaked, the NCC conducted a Nationwide Benchmark Drive Test on the four major operators – MTN, Globacom, Airtel and Etisalat- the first such test, which concentred on CCR- encompassing the major networks, while operators were ranked in Lagos and the six geo-political zones of Southwest, Southeast, Southsouth, Northcentral, Northeast and Northwest.

In the report, the least score among the operators was 75 per cent. This has called to question the rationale for the ban.

Analuwe fears the ban would force TV, radio stations and the print media to sack their workers because of an expected drop in revenue from adverts.

“This policy is not just against the telecoms companies.

It is against the graduate who cannot get a job because there’s none provided, other than being a recharge card vendor to the telecoms firms, because these promos increase sales of recharge cards and serve as a means of livelihood for so many, who would, otherwise, have been unemployed.

“Advertising agencies, public relations agencies and other related businesses, would suffer from needless downtimes arising out of this new restriction, on the only industry that is functioning to full capacity. P&G, an American company, spends over $4.18 billion on advertising, according to Ad Age (Advertising Age) and the figure continues to rise every year, but no one has banned them. What is baffling is that the money made from sales promotions is being spent here in Nigeria and on Nigerians. It doesn’t make sense, therefore, for the government to work against its own people,” he averred.

Before the axe fell on the operators, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) had cried out that the issue of network congestion could not be blamed on consumer promotions and lotteries, citing man-made and natural disasters as factors.

Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, said that the natural disasters were caused by flooding in some southern parts of the country, while the man-made disasters were caused by spontaneous attacks on telecoms facilities in some northern parts of the country by gunmen in September this year.

“The impact of the attacks had since limited the ability of millions of Nigerian subscribers to access telecoms services, because the incidents affected over 250 telecoms sites that lost connection and many suffered significant damage beyond repairs,” Adebayo said.

According to him, the flood in some parts of the country destroyed Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) along its path, leading to significant service disruption in the affected areas, with impact on service availability in some other parts that were not affected by the flood.

“Other than disruption to services, our members have lost equipment worth several billions of naira to the flood disaster across the country, as over additional 300 BTS sites were affected by the flood,” he lamented.

While President, National Association of Telecoms Subscribers (NATCOMS), Deolu Ogunbanjo, agrees that much improvement has not been recorded in service quality, he nonetheless, appealed for more time for the operators to settle, promising that the body would deploy its members to the streets to feel subscribers’ pulse over the issue.

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e-Business Starcomms assures of quality services

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IGERIA’S ailing Code Division Multpile Access (CDMA) operator, Starcomms, said it will, between the next six and eight months, rollout services on the latest technology in the telecoms industry, the 4G or long term evolution (LTE).

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Multilinks, Mr Dem Elesho, who is also the CEO designate for the new Starcomms, assured old customers of Starcomms and Multilinks of quality services.

He said the telco has spectrum aggregation advantage because of their contiguity, adding that the firms involved in the transaction are close on the spectrum map of

the regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

“What we are doing is we are getting the valuable resources from those failed operations, extracting value out, which is basically the spectrum and putting that spectrum on new technology to satisfy the demand.

“We are doing so on a business module/platform that learns from the failure of the past and takes advantage of the strong management that we are going to put in place to make sure that we have a sound company that will take advantage of the opportunities that are out there,” he said.

Nigeria ranks 49th in DHL Index

D • •From left: Chief Executive Officer, MTN, Mr Brett Goschen, selling a SIM card to a customer, Mr Rotimi Ibiyode at MTN’s Service Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Local content in ICT minimal, D says minister

ESPITE contributing about $25 billion in direct foreign investment (FDI) to the economy, local content still remains sub-optimal in the Information Communcation Technology sector, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, has said.

This development, she said is not acceptable, stressing that the Ministry, in collaboration with its agencies, has mapped out strategies to ensure that local content in the sector was given a significant boost.

“According to the National Bureau of Statistics as at Q1 2012, the ICT sector contributed 5.83 per cent to GDP making it the fourth highest contributor to GDP, was growing at just over 30 per cent making it the fastest growing sector in the Nigerian economy and employed over two milion people,” she said, adding that when these figures are looked at very closely, they paint a worrisome picture to the discerning mind.

“While we do not have detailed empirical evidence, and we are working on gathering and collating this. It

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

is clear to us that domestic value added or what is called local content in the ICT industry is sub-optimal,” she said.

According to her, pursuing a local content agenda is definitely not the same as a protectionist agenda as there are many significant global ICT firms in Nigeria that are employing Nigerians, developing Nigerians and adding significant value to the industry.

“Given the low levels of Nigerian company participation, it is these companies that are primarily driving this impressive growth that we are witnessing today. This is a very big domestic market with tremendous potential. We, therefore, need the participation of existing and new international ICT companies as partners, investors and competitors that will bring their formidable research and innovation capabilities to bear

in the domestic market, invest in key areas of the industry, partner with local firms to build capacity and competence and provide the competitive environment to ensure that we develop an industry that may have local antecedents but is also world class and globally competitive,” she said.

The minister said the national ICT policy recognises this gap and provides a succinct situation analysis of local content in software and hardware development, stressing that encouraging and nurturing local ICT companies, especially those involved in the sub-sectors that have been identified as having the greatest potential for growth, job creation and wealth creation – software development, value added services, such as training, transaction services, device assembly, sales and distribution and others, are critically important for the development of a strong and globally competitive ICT industry.

NCC urges Senate to dump NigComSat Bill

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HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has identified nine sections of the Nigeria Communication Satellite (NigComSat) Bill now before the Senate that are inconsistent with the provisions of Nigeria Communication Act 2003.

The regulator has, therefore, urged the Senate to dump the bill. NCC made this known at a recent public hearing on the bill.

NCC Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Mr Okechukwu Itanyi, said the provision which empowers NigComSat to operate frequency bands, design and operate communications satellite on telephony, television, radio, broadcasting, broadband Internet services, navigation, global positioning system or other activities or facilities, the transmitters, teleports, transponders, earth stations, terminal, antenna and frequency band is a contradiction.

“Section 121 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, provides that “Notwithstanding the provision of any other written law but subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall have the sole and exclusive power to manage and administer the frequency spectrum for the communications sector and in that regard to grant licenses for and regulate

the use of the said frequency,” he said.

The provision that empowers NigComSat to provide for the bandwidth requirements of government agencies on commercial basis also contradicts the provision of Section 121 of NCA Act, while also conflicting with government’s policies on space development and ICT growth.

“By placing the company as both the regulator and operator, the Bill has the potential of distorting the market, discouraging competition and stifling consumer choice of service in the telecommunications industry, and is a contradiction of Section 90 of NCA 2003 that gives the Commission the exclusive competence over competition matters in the Nige-

‘By placing the company as both the regulator and operator, the Bill has the potential of distorting the market, discouraging competition and stifling consumer choice of service in the telecommunications industry’

rian Communications market”, he said.

He said some of the provisions, including the section that would allow NigComSat to operate its services on commercial basis, like transponder leasing, is trite, noting that the satellite firm operates those services as a licensee of the NCC, while the provision that it would engage in activities that would enhance the space industry in Nigeria is vague and subject to several interpretations by the NCA 2003.

Itanyi also pointed out that the NigComSat Bill is in conflict with the Public Procurement Act 2007, which provided for approval conditions and limits for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on one hand, and duplicates the functions of the National Agency for Space Research and Development Agency (NARSDA), thereby contradicting NARSDA 2010 Act. This he, added, is an invitation to multiplicity of regulations and legislations.

NCC is also opposed to the section that intends to empower NigComSat with international cooperation on communications satellite technology, including but limited to membership of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), arguing that the section contradicts the provisions of the laws that empower the Commission to perform those duties.

HL Global Connectedness Index (GCI) has ranked Nigeria 49th.

In a statement, Managing Director, DHL Express Anglophone Africa, Randy Buday, said: “Sub-Saharan Africa did perform poorly against Europe, Asia and the Americas but, from a positive perspective, the five countries with the largest increases in their scores – Mozambique, Togo, Ghana, Guinea and Zambia – are from the region. We are confident that, with the increased investment in Africa and a

sustained commitment from governments, we will continue to improve these scores year on year.

Sub-Saharan Africa is definitely on the path when it comes to the growth in global trade and connectivity.”

Nigeria’s connectedness scores have been growing steadily since 2007, enabling Nigeria to rise to the 49th position, up from four positions from last year.

Nigeria’s connectedness gains over the past year were driven by the trade pillar.

Vconnect unveils new website

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OCAL search engine and information service provider, Vconnect Nigeria, in partnership with its parent company, VConnect Global Services Limited, has unveiled a new website which it said was based on users’ feedback.

According to a statement from the firm, the new VConnect make over, which will be launched on December 10, provides a fresh look and user friendly website that enables users to search for information faster than before, adding that it also allows for more in-depth search results.

General Manager, VConnect Global Services Limited, Mr Deepankar Rustagi, said the new website would enhance quality service delivery to the users of the service for better and faster search result.

Rustagi said: “The new look VConnect (website www.vconnect.com) gives a better resolution; it is faster both on laptop and desktops with more friendly interface for the users and there has been a drastic increase in the number of users connecting due to these improvements.”

Etisalat, Pan African University hold SMEs’ forum

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TISALAT Nigeria, in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Lagos Business School, Pan African University, has held the third session of its quarterly business networking for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

Entitled: “Facilitating market access to small and growing businesses”, the initiative was spurred by Etisalat’s need to give growing businesses the platform to confront their fundamental challenges, meet and interact with big businesses and multinationals companies for better business opportunities, create new avenues to build stronger businesses and in turn expand the market for small growing business in Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, said: “Etisalat is committed to the implementation of ideas that will spur growth and creativity of small businesses, as innovation is key among its business pillars.

As we all know, the lifeblood of any nation is innovation drawn from entrepreneurs.

“Etisalat’s effort to foster innovation has driven the telecoms provider to launch the Etisalat Prize for Innovation, where the Best Product or Service and Best Idea in Broadband were picked from over 100 applicants.

“The vision has also stimulated a partnership with the EDC on several projects including Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) and the development of the SMEs’ toolkit.’’

Airtel, Alcatel-Lucent seal deal

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IRTEL has contracted Alcatel-Lucent to supply advanced Internet protocol (IP)-based networking technology to support the delivery of new mobile broadband data and video services to meet expanding demand for mobile broadband srvices in its Africann operations.

According to Airtel, rising smartphone ownership in Africa is driving demand for highbandwidth mobile data services

such as video calling and online gaming, adding that to satisfy this demand and meet continued expansion, AlcatelLucent will evolve Airtel Africa’s data transport and mobile backhaul1 networks using its IP/Multiprotocol Label Switching(MPLS) technology.

This new backbone network will support mobile broadband services to Nigeria and 16 other affiliates of the telco across Africa.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

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CITYBEATS A

SUSPECTED female pipeline vandal, yesterday explained why she was into the illicit business.

Jelilat Olalekan said she decided to embrace crime because fuel belongs to the government and not an individual.

Mrs. Olalekan was arrested alongside four others, Muritala Kareem, Musiliru Ashiri, Ahmed Lamidi, and Elizabeth Folorunsho by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on AntiPipeline Vandalism Unit, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos.

They were seized on December 5, by the operatives on patrol along Konu village in Ikorodu, a suburb of the state.

Mrs. Olalekan said: "I am a business-woman and no one will get an offer to make hundred percent gain that would not rush into such business. My only mistake was that I failed to investigate the source before venturing into the business.

"When I discovered that the fule is coming from the NNPC pipeline, I decided to continue since its government's money.

I am truly sorry, if I can be forgiven, I will not repeat it again."

The policemen also impounded one DAF truck with registration number XA813JND containing 100 gallons of 50 litres of PMS. The suspects were allegedly on their way to dispose of the stolen product when they were arrested.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Friday Ibadin, who is in charge of the Task Force, confirmed the arrest.

He said the Taskforce is determined to reduce vandals’ activities to the barest.

According to him, it was due to the rate at which vandals siphon petroleum products from Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines that informed his decision to double surveillance in target areas.

He said: "It was during our regular patrol on December 5, that we ran into these suspected vandals.

"We are determined with the help of the communities where

08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Council, USAID partner Emmanuel Oladesu

•The suspects...yesterday

I thought pipelines are no man’s property, says suspected vandal

By Jude Isiguzo

these pipelines are buried to curb the activities of these vandals. Meanwhile, I wish to urge Nigerians to desist from patronising these vandals.

Anyone caught buying the product would be regarded as an accomplice," Ibadin said.

Kareem, 41, who lives in Awori village in Epe, Lagos said Mrs. Olalekan lured him into the business.

His words: "I have always been a happily married and contented man till the day I met Madam Olalekan. She came to my shop and told me she wanted to introduce me to the oil business. I told her I was not interested but she insisted that it was genuine. I was introduced to one Elizabeth and Taye, who sold 50 litres of Diesel for N4,800. It was later that I discovered that I was buying

vandalised products.

“Initially I wanted to stop, but because Christmas season is approaching, I decided to do one more deal. It was while we were on our way out of Konu that we were arrested.

Kareem went on: "We sell 50 litres for as low as N6, 000. If you go to the regular petrol station, you will buy 50 litres as high as N7, 750. This explains why we have so many customers including individuals and petrol stations, " Kareem said.

He said greed lured him into the business, adding: "I am so sorry, I only did it to raise money in order to enjoy Christmas. My children will be disappointed in me. Please forgive me for their sake."

Mrs. Folorunsho, 36, an indigene of Owo in Ondo State, said she went into the business to fend for herself when her hus-

LUTH doctors strike bites hard on patients

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HE indefinite strike called by the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) may take a longer time to end as it enters day three yesterday.

A meeting between the striking doctors and the hospital management on Tuesday was deadlocked.

According to a member of the association who preferred anonymity, the doctors plan to challenge the controversial tax law.

The source said arrangements have been concluded by the association to hire Bamidele Aturu to act as its link with the Chief Medical Director (CMD)of the hospital on the doctor's grouse and also challenge the alleged tax policy in court.

ARD's national body has called on the Lagos State Government to stop taxing allowances of doctors, thereby putting some of the blame on the state government for causing the crisis rocking the institution.

Another source said the association is also writing an official letter to the CMD on the implications of the outcome once the court option is adopted.

The source said doctors are ready to resist any attempt by

By Wale Adepoju

the management to make them poorer, adding that it is only in LUTH that such thing is happening.

There are plans to invite other sister institutions to join the strike, a development that is being frustrated.

Questioning the rational behind the law, the source said why should call duties which is to a simple lay man, is an over time which you can decide to pay or not be taxed?

The agreement from when call duty started is that an average doctor does like 90 units, but because it was not going to be taxed, we agreed to 40 units, the government without consulting anybody woke up one day and said they are going to tax call duty. Again, why must teaching and hazard allowance which is about N5, 000.00 be taxed?

Reacting, the National President of the association, Dr. Lawal Ismail Akinlade condemned the state government to taxing allowances such as call duty, teaching and hazard allowances. He threatened the strike will only end when the government stopped the deductions.

He called on the state government to review some of the

doctor's allowances that are currently being taxed by the state government.

He said:"We are asking the Lagos State government to stop deducting taxes from teaching, call duty and health hazards allowances. Also the tax arrears that are being deducted from the doctor's salaries in bulk should also be corrected and the payment should be extended over a period of one or two years."

He said the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) will be meeting over the excessive tax deductions and other issues to prevent a nationwide protest.

LUTH ARD Secretary-General, Dr Kehinde Okunade, who declined to comment, simply said by today both parties will know where they are heading. The indefinite strike is still on, he added.

He said doctors have been barred from speaking to reporters.

Some patients have appealed to the doctors to have a change of heart and return to the wards, adding that the Federal Government should intervene before hapless patients die.

The hospital was unusually quiet with very little activities going on.

Most wards in the hospital have been deserted as few nurses and other health workers were on hand to take charge in the absence of doctors.

band died.

She said: "I was a full time housewife before my husband died. After his demise, there was no one to take care of my children and I. I started carrying loads for people. It was during one of such errands, that I was introduced to the business by one of my customers. I am quite aware that my suppliers are vandals, but there was nothing I could do about it. It is better than to go into prostitution. I am so sorry and pray that government will pro-

vide people like us with an alternative source of living."

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba warned vandals to be weary of sabotaging government effort in giving account of its natural resources.

Mba reiterated government's desire to protect pipelines and warned that anyone caught would be prosecuted.

The suspects, he said would be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.

AMUWO Odofin Local Government,Lagos State, is planning to go into partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for the purpose of sustainable development.

The Chairman, Comrade Ayodele Adewale recently played host to the Governance Advisor, USAID Team on Democracy, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo; in company of Mr Brain D. Hanley, Field Advisor, Senior Democracy & Governance, USAID and Mr Jess Biddle, Senior Associate, USAID. The essence of the visit was to seek ways of partnering with the Council in the area of human capacity building, primary health care upgrade, water supply and investment etc.

Adewale expressed appreciation for the USAID team visit and hoped "it will bear another fruit for the populace in the community."

The LG boss also used the medium to highlight some of his government's recent developmental projects which include roads construction, renovation of schools both in the up-land and coastal communities, upgrade of 6 Primary Health Care (PHC) centers, engagement of 186 street managers, amongst other things. He also called for Local Government autonomy, which according to him will enable the LG have more funds to improve on the developmental projects.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-12-12

Equities surge forward with N148b gains •Nestle Nigeria hits N710 per share

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HE bullish rally at the Nigerian stock market gathered momentum yesterday as substantial gains by several highly capitalised stocks spurred the market to a new high.

Market capitalisation of all equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) increased by N148 billion to N8.791 trillion as against its opening value of N8.643 trillion. The benchmark index at NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), also improved by 1.72 per cent from 27,051.19 points to 27,514.18 points.

The upswing yesterday pushed the average year-todate return at the stock market to 32.72 per cent, reinforcing the equities’ lead as the best-return instrument this year.

The overall market situation reflected significant capital appreciation recorded by several stocks, especially highly capitalised

By Taofik Salako & Tonia Osundolire

stocks that hit new highs.

Nestle Nigeria set another high yesterday with a gain of N34.74 to peak at N710.

Nigerian Breweries added N5.06 to peak at N153.06.

UAC of Nigeria added N1.98 to close at a high of N43.99.

Guaranty Trust Bank set a new high with a gain of 90 kobo to close at N21.50.

Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria rallied 80 kobo to close at a high of N59.60 while National Salt Company of Nigeria (Nascon) added 41 kobo to close at a high of N6.62 per share.

Other top gainers included FBN Holdings, which added 88 kobo to close at N16.48; Dangote Cement, which rose by 83 kobo to N121.83; Oando, with a gain of 60 kobo to close at N12.74 while Airline Services and Logistics (ASL) added 29 kobo to

close at N3.27 per share.

Investors appeared to be taking positions in blue chips as companies round off the business year. Total turnover stood at 413.34 million shares valued at N4.01 billion in 4,939 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 235.26 million shares valued at N2.62 billion in 2,552 deals.

Zenith Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 61.76 million shares valued at N1.11 billion in 358 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) followed with a turnover of 46.59 million shares valued at N40.30 million in 144 deals. Guaranty Trust Bank placed third with 39.45 million shares worth N832.30 million traded in 768 deals.

However, Cadbury Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a drop of 95 kobo to close at N28.50. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria dropped by 51 kobo to N44.99. Stanbic IBTC Holdings lost 19 kobo to close at N10.81. Ashaka Cement dropped by 15 kobo to N18.12 while Union Bank of Nigeria slipped by 13 kobo to N7.35 per share.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 13-12-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

Oxford Group: Nigeria’s terrain tough for business N IGERIA has been described as a difficult terrain for foreign investors even though it also has a long-term potential as an investment destination, a new report published by Oxford Business Group (OBG) has said.

Editor-in-Chief of Oxford Business Group, Andrew Jeffreys, said because of its problematic infrastructure, competitive labour force, a sizable supply of feedstock among other factors, Nigeria is a complicated country for a foreign investor to enter.

Regional Editor Robert Tashima said that although Nigeria had a way to go before it supplanted South Africa as the continent’s biggest

Stories by Collins Nweze

economy, the slow and steady reform of the country’s infrastructural bottlenecks, such as electricity generation, had helped improve both the mediumand long-term outlook for the country’s industrial and service sectors.

“Oil and gas may still dominate, but fields such as manufacturing, telecommunications and finance are playing an increasingly prominent role,” he said.

According to him, the risk in Nigeria is no small thing and short-term returns are hard to come by, but the country’s structural fundamentals, such as a large con-

dency on oil and gas revenues.

The report also explores a number of developments taking place in the country’s utilities sector, where the

sumer market and labour pool, a sizable supply of industrial inputs, accessible liquidity and a wealth of natural resources mean the potential for long-term growth is immense.

He said the government’s plans for economic growth and development over the short- and medium-term are ambitious, with targets to surpass South Africa as the continent’s largest economy in the coming years and a bid to become one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020.

However, there are still a number of obstacles which must be overcome to make that happen, including poor infrastructure, insufficient job creation, and a depen-

P

“FirstBank supports the Lagos Monopoly project which Lagos State Government has adopted to teach students in all public secondary schools about finance.

We believe it presents a big platform for exposing the youths to the rudiments of financial education thereby laying a sound foundation for economic prosperity in the country,” she said.

She said the lender was happy to work with Bestman Games on the initiative that also promises to be a strong

C

ITIBANK Nigeria Limited (Citi Nigeria) has appointment Mr. Omar Hafeez as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

In a statement, the bank said, he also assumes the role of Citi Country Officer, responsible for all aspects of

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

T

HE Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) yesterday announced that the Nigeria Fast Growth 50 Company Ranking (Nigeria50), a pioneering effort to showcase and rank the most innovative and dynamic fast-growth private companies in Nigeria, has extended its appli-

tool for promoting family values and enhancing the nation’s cultural heritage as youths can relate to the familiar streets, neighbourhoods and leading brands captured on the board game.

“With its belief in the enduring and ever increasing value of prime real estate, FirstBank is appropriately positioned on the iconic Mayfair property square, a parallel to FirstBank’s strong and enduring position in Nigeria’s banking industry as Nigeria’s leading bank of first choice,” she said.

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

F

ORMER President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani; former Chief Security Adviser, General Owoeye Azazi (rtd) and Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, will, today discuss on how the country can achieve economic and politi-

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 13-12-12 O/PRICE

AIRSERVICE STERLNBANK NASCON FBNH NESTLE FIDSON OANDO CCNN UACN ETERNA

2.98 1.61 6.21 15.60 675.06 1.00 12.14 5.16 42.01 1.73

O/PRICE 1.40 0.60 1.04 1.10 1.45 0.58 29.45 1.42 7.48 11.00

the country needs to do to attain an emerging nation status. They will examine previous and ongoing efforts to transit the country from a developing to an emerging country while making recommendations based on their thoughts.

C/PRICE

3.27 1.75 6.62 16.48 710.00 1.05 12.74 5.41 43.99 1.81

CHANGE

9.73 8.70 6.60 5.64 5.18 5.00 4.94 4.84 4.71 4.62

C/PRICE 1.32 0.57 0.99 1.05 1.40 0.56 28.50 1.38 7.35 10.81

CHANGE -5.71 -5.00 -4.81 -4.55 -3.45 -3.45 -3.23 -2.82 -1.74 -1.73

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 13-12-12

SYMBOL CUSTODYINS WAPIC EVANSMED NPFMCRFBK LIVESTOCK JAPAULOIL CADBURY RTBRISCOE UBN STANBIC

cal development.

They are meeting at Muson Centre, Lagos, under the 4th Christopher Kolade Symposium, an event organised by Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI).

A panel of other distinguished Nigerians will share their perspectives on what

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

SYMBOL

panies in Nigeria that have been able to grow revenues by 100 per cent or more in the past three years.

“AllWorld is very excited by the terrific response we have received from companies applying for the Nigeria50,” explains Deirdre M. Coyle, Jr., co-CEO and co-founder of AllWorld Network.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

Currency

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

cation deadline until 31 December 2012.

The Patron, TEF, Michael Porter said that to date, over 100 Nigerian companies have started the submission process and eleven organisations have joined as nominating partners. The Nigeria50 application process is open to private com-

Nnamani, Azazi others to discuss economy at symposium

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

of the bank are extremely pleased with the appointment of Mr. Hafeez. We believe that his extensive experience operating in complex emerging economies would prove vital for Citi Nigeria and provide the necessary leadership for the bank to continue to thrive and be successful.”

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

the Citi franchise in Nigeria.

Mr. Hafeez has been based in Nigeria since 2010, and before now, was Executive Director responsible for Corporate & Investment Banking.

Olayemi Cardoso, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Citi Nigeria said, “The Board and Management

Foundation extends Nigeria50 application deadline

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

put, along with the benefits which private sector participation, if successful, could bring in the coming years, including improved distribution infrastructure.

Citibank gets new CEO

FirstBank, Bestman games promote financial literacy ROMOTING financial literacy through the Lagos Monopoly game will assist the youths in building a better future, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has said.

Speaking at the formal launch of the City of Lagos Edition of the Monopoly Board Game, she said that FrstBank believes in the project as a vital platform for instilling financial literacy and discipline in youths.

planned privatisation of several state-owned power companies has been subject to a number of setbacks. It looks at the drag poor electricity supply has on broader out-

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 1,394.22 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 124.61 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.80 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.13 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.92 NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. 1,746.93 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 11.31 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST 1.87 STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY 9,057.18 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 1,375.79 123.81 0.77 1.13 0.91 1,739.08 10.75 1.33 1.80 8,823.31 191.08 1.62

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

57

NEWS

Boko Haram: Defence chief, IGP visit Borno, Yobe T HE Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim yesterday urged Boko Haram members to sheathe their swords and channel the resources they are using for suicide bombing to useful ventures.

Ibrahim spoke in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during an assessment tour of the state.

He said he made Maiduguri his first port of call after assuming office to get first-hand information on security situation.

The Defence Chief explained that no religion approves the killing of one another.

He wondered why a few segments of the society would want to force their opinions on others.

Ibrahim urged members of the sect to form a political party

T

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

instead of forcing their opinions on other people.

The Defence Chief was accompanied by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar.

He said the Federal Government would ensure that peace returns to the state.

Ibrahim hailed the state government for supporting the Joint Task Force (JTF) to effectively discharge its duties.

The Defence Chief praised the Kashim Shettima administration for engaging the youths in positive ventures to reduce insecurity in the state.

IGP Abubakar said more

troops and equipment would soon be deployed in the state.

The police chief said he and Ibrahim were on an assessment visit to the troops deployed in the state.

Shettima said the state was passing through a turbulent period.

He added: “As a responsible and responsive government, we are determined to stop the problem.”

The governor said his administration was focusing on education, agriculture and human development to engage the youths in positive ventures.

Admiral Ibrahim yesterday said security operatives have kept Boko Haram insur-

gents on the run.

The Defence Chief spoke in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, when he IGP Abubakar visited the state for an assessment of the security situation.

He said the military would keep the insurgents running until they leave the country.

Ibrahim said: "It is self-evident that the war on terrorism is being won to a very large extent. Things have greatly improved. The terrorists are not comfortable as they were when they use to carry out attacks freely without any resistance.

"We have kept the insurgents on the run. We will keep pursuing them to finish. We will continue to keep them running until are purged out of the country."

EFCC arrests Lamido’s son for alleged Money Laundering (Prohibimoney laundering tion) Act 2011.”

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it has arrested Aminu Sule Lamido, one of the children of Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

The commission said it suspected that Aminu was trying to launder $40,000 (about N6.28million) abroad.

It claimed that the suspect was in its custody in Kano, preparatory to his arraignment in court.

It was learnt that Aminu was arrested about midnight on Wednesday when he was about to board an Egypt Air flight to Cairo, the capital of Egypt.

A top official of the commission, who spoke in confidence, said: “When the suspect was accosted by Customs officers,

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja and Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

he declared that he had $10,000 on him. He said he was going to Egypt on vacation.

“But when the EFCC operatives searched the suspect, they found additional $40,000, which he refused to declare.

“At that point, he told the EFCC team that he was on his way to Cairo for a medical treatment. This twist on his mission made the anti-graft agency to become curious. It, therefore, arrested him for interrogation.

“He is presently being kept

in EFCC custody in Kano, where he is also undergoing interrogation.

“We are also grilling him in preparation for his arraignment in court. At the end of the investigation, he will be charged for false declaration to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), as required under Section 12 of the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap F34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and Section 2 (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.

“If found guilty, he might be committed for an offence punishable under Section 2(5) of the

EFCC Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “We arrested Aminu Sule Lamido at Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, for alleged money laundering. You will be briefed later on the outcome of our investigation.”

The arrest came barely 72 hours after EFCC Chairman Ibrahim Lamorde said the antigraft agency had intercepted no less than N15.5billion at the nation’s airports from January till date.

He said the EFCC had filed 353 cases at various courts this year and had recorded about 53 convictions.

Ahmed’s govt lacks credibility, says Belgore

T

HE governorship candidate of the Kwara State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in last year’s election, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), yesterday said the AbdulFatah Ahmed administration is a failure.

The frontline lawyer described the administration as “a government with a very low credibility”.

He added: “You cannot believe anything it says. Today, it says one thing; tomorrow, it says another.”

Belgore spoke with The Nation after registering at his Edu Ward in Ilorin, the state capital, in the ongoing ACN voter registration in the state.

He said: “Even within the government, the officials are

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

constantly contradicting themselves. It has not impacted in any meaningful way on the lives of Kwarans since it has been there. The sooner it is flushed out, the better.

“It is mouthing shared prosperity. What prosperity are they sharing? They are not sharing any prosperity. They are only sharing among themselves, not to the people. Sharing among yourselves is not what they are there for. Leadership is about benefitting the people. This government has not benefited the people at all.

“They may have benefited themselves. Indeed, they must have benefited themselves, because they have got more

money in the last one and a half years than we have had in quite some time. But you don’t see the impact of it on the ground.”

On the registration, the politician said: “It is about membership. It’s because in 2010 we didn’t have a register for members. This is the first registration since then. It is the beginning of steps towards reforming and restructuring the party in the state. This exercise is taking place only in Kwara State. I believe other states have registers of members. But as you can see, it is a vibrant exercise.

“We are limited to 200 members par ward. Yet, in some wards, you have almost 1,000 people turning out. It shows the extent of the support the party has in the state.

•Belgore

“We are reforming our party to position it to take over the government at every level. It is a step towards the 2013 council poll in the state. But it is also a step beyond that. It is for the overall growth and development of the party.”

PUBLIC NOTICE APPOINTMENT AS PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR OF Koltron Limited (In Liquidation) Corporate Headquarters: Suite B10 Zuma Mall Wuse Zone 5, Abuja RC No: 722075 By the Order of the Court given by the Hon. Justice D.U. Okorowo at the hearing held on 6th day of March, 2012 at the Federal High Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja, published in THISDAY of Thursday July 12, 2012 and Daily Trust of Wednesday August 8, 2012 respectively, and also contained in Public Notice Number 99 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette dated 3rd November, 2011, 1.

Mr. Dele Otitoju of Dele Otitoju and Co., Chartered Accountants was appointed as the Provisional Liquidator of the company for the purpose of selling the company’s assets and repaying any and all debts which may be due and owing to various parties in conformity with the provisions of the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C.20 LFN 2004 (“CAMA”) as amended, and all other relevant laws in Nigeria and dividing among the shareholders according to their rights and interest in the company, any surplus assets of the company in specie or the proceeds of the sale thereof or partly in one way and partly in the other as the Court may decide.

2.

Creditors of the company are hereby requested to file their proof of claims accompanied with a sworn verifying affidavit

against the company to the Provisional Liquidator at the address listed below within thirty (30) days of this publication.

3.

Debtors to the company are hereby directed to pay all debts owed to the company through the Provisional Liquidator into the dedicated account opened for the purpose. Kindly contact the Provisional Liquidator at the address below for the details of the account.

4.

All deposits, cash and others currently held by the banks and financial institutions should be held until further instructions are issued by the Provisional Liquidator. All holders of such depositors and current accounts should contact the Provisional Liquidator, stating the balances, and where secured facilities are granted, the type of security attached should be disclosed.

Mr. Dele Otitoju (Provisional Liquidator) FCA, FCIS, CFA C/O Messrs Dele Otitoju & Co., (Chartered Accountants) Plot 10 Area 7A, Garki 1, (Beside Cultural Centre), Wuse Abuja . Tel: 08034523755, 08056833385

Fire razes Agodi market From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

T

HE building materials section of the popular Agodi Market in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was razed yesterday.

Affected by the dawn fire were cement, iron sheets and paints shops.

The fire destroyed stocks worth several millions of naira as but none of the traders was around to save their goods.

The traders were said to have enjoyed a busy Tuesday and went home peacefully without an inkling of the huge loss that would befall them.

When they got to their shops yesterday morning, many of them were said to have broken into tears.

Sympathisers consoled them repeatedly.

The fire was said to have been curtailed by the Oyo State Fire Service men.

The firemen reportedly raced to the scene following the distress calls they received from the residents.

STF arrests head teacher for ‘homosexual’ act From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

T

HE Special Task Force (STF) on Jos Crises, code-named Operation Safe Haven, has arrested the head teacher of a secondary school, Al-Karat Academy, for allegedly engaging in homosexual acts.

The school is at Congo Russia, Jos, the Plateau State capital.

The task force gave the name of the suspect as Ahmed Ibrahim.

He was reportedly caught in the act with a pupil.

A statement by its Media Coordinator, Captain Salisu Ibrahim Mustapha, said: “On December 6, at 10am, Ahmed Ibrahim, the principal of Al-Karat Academy, situated at Congo Russia, in Jos North Local Government of Plateau State, was arrested by the STF for allegedly engaging in homosexual acts with one of his pupils...”

The STF alleged that the head teacher had anal sex with the boy about five times.

The statement added: “The suspect confessed to STF that he actually committed the offence about a month ago. The suspect and his victim were handed over to the police at Nasarawa Gwom Division for further action.”

The STF also said it arrested 10 suspects in the first week of December for alleged criminal offences.

Wamakko presents N115.83b Appropriation for 2013

S

OKOTO State Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko yesterday presented a N115,836,495,654 budget proposal to the House of Assembly for the 2013 fiscal year.

The budget proposal is a little higher than the previous year’s by 6.5per cent. This year’s budget has N41billion for capital expenditure.

The 2013 budget proposal has N46,537,722,442 for recurrent expenditure and N69,298,773,212 for capital expenditure.

The Social Sector got the highest allocation, followed by Economic, General Administration and Environmental.

Wamakko promised to focus on improving the quality of life of the people through sustainable economic growth, prudence and financial discipline.

He said: “We will also consolidate on poverty reduction through agricultural empowerment by involving the youths in poultry, fishing and livestock as well as women through skill acquisition with 2,550 participants.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

58

NEWS

Suspected arsonists torch Winners’ Chapel church in Ilorin S USPECTED arsonists yesterday torched a branch of the Living Faith Church (aka Winners’ Chapel) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

The church, located opposite the Aviation College, was reportedly set ablaze early yesterday.

The whereabouts of the security man attached to the church were not known.

The provincial pastor of the church, Olaniyan Timothy, accused a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Prof Ishaq Oloyede, of complicity in the incident.

But the former Vice-Chancellor denied the allegation.

Olaniyan claimed that the academic on December 3 threatened the church members to vacate the land because it belongs to the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN).

The cleric said because of the seriousness of Oloyede’s alleged threats on various occasions, the church sought the assistance of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Adewole Estate before

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the church could hold its service last Sunday.

He said: “On December 3, the academic came to the church premises and demanded to know what we were doing. He said the land was for the MSSN and threatened that if we failed to vacate the land, he would bring 1,000 Muslim youths to pull down the place. We were compiling our letter to the governor over the threat when he came again with about 20 youths.

They just surveyed the place and left.

“About three days later, one man, whom we later got to know is a judge of the Sharia Court of Appeal, came with some people and said they were there on the directive of the Emir. He said the monarch wanted to resolve the matter. But we still wrote the governor. It is wrong to claim the land belongs to MSSN because we bought it legally and we have the documents. We bought the land in March this year…”

Oloyede, who is also the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria

•The church after the attack ...yesterday

Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), said he was involved in resolving a misunderstanding between two parties on the land.

He explained that being the National Coordinator and Secretary of NIREC, he knew the implication of any conflict between both faiths.

Oloyede said: “What we had done was to involve many people on the issue and see how we

Explosion scare at Defence headquarters

T

HERE was an explosion at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja yeaterday.

The explosion sent people into panic but the authorities

said there was no cause for alarm.

In a statement by Group Captain A. Makun on behalf of the Director of Defence Information, the Defence Head-

quarters said: “At about 1330hours (1:30pm) today (yesterday), there was an explosion at the Defence Headquarters restaurant kitchen.

Seven hours with seven prophets

C

HRIST Apostolic Church, Victoryland, Pleasure DCC Headquarters, 7, Ajiboye Crescent, Pleasure, Agege, Lagos, will on Friday, December 14 present “7 hours with seven prophets”.

The programme, which will start at 10.00

p.m., is expected to end at about 5.00 a.m. The theme of the vigil is “Night of power”. Ministers of God expected at the vigil include Pastors J.A. Atolagbe, A. Akintunde, J.O. Sanmori, Bolu S. Gabriel, J.O. Adeyanju and C.S. Fasuyi, chairman, Pleasure DCC.

could solve the problem without any rancour. In the process, I received insults from both sides.

What would I gain by sponsoring a religious crisis at my age and with my status? By the time the police would have completed their investigation, they could see that even the ones behind it are also my enemies. I would not doubt it.”

The government has direct-

ed security agents to go after the suspected perpetrators.

In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Communications) to the Governor, Dr. Muideen Akorede, the government urged the parties in the conflict to allow the court resolve the matter.

The statement reads: “The Kwara State Government has called on parties to a disputed

plot of land at Ilorin Airport Road, Ilorin, not to take the law into their hands but refer the issue to the courts of law for adjudication. Similarly, the government has called on law enforcement agencies to bring the full weight of the law on any person or group found to have committed arson or otherwise destroyed public or private property under any guise.”

I’m ready for council poll, says Obi

A

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday said he would conduct a local government election when legal impediments to the exercise are settled.

He urged all parties, who are in court, to withdraw their suits.

The governor addressed reporters at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Iyiowa Odekpe, during the funeral service for Mr. Azubike Nwebili, the husband of Anambra House of Assembly Speaker Chinwe Nwebili.

He spoke on some issues, including the abolition of the Joint Account and direct al-

location of funds to local governments.

Obi said he supported the move, if it would not jeopardise the interest of teachers, who he described as a critical component of the education sector. The governor called for caution in handling the issues, to avoid compromising the welfare of local government workers.

He hailed the people for supporting ongoing projects.

Obi warned those who park their vehicles on the Nkpor axis of the Onitsha-Enugu dual, carriageway to remove such vehicles.

Your Sexual Health & You: Novelty Tips, Questions & Answers

H

ello everybody and welcome. Today is the third and final episode of our new love products discussion for 2012.

For those of us who missed the last two episodes, you can visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com and find them under the New Products section or you can watch a video review we recorded where all these new products were discussed in detail, by clicking on the Video Reviews tab. So let us discuss the last of these products and answer a few questions.

The first on this list are lubricants and body toppings. Lubricants are essential for intercourse. Sometimes women do not lubricate well, which leads to painful intercourse. But with a lubricant, the intercourse will be enjoyable and painless. Today we are introducing Fruitopia Lubricant, Mood Arousal Gel and Tasty Treat Body Topping. Fruitopia Lubricant is a tasty and edible lubricant which is perfect for oral sex and general lubrication.

Fruitopia can be used by men or women and is strawberry flavoured. Mood Arousal Gel is a superb lubricant as well designed specially to help women who experience low sexual arousal, lack of sexual enjoyment and lack of orgasms. Massage a little dab of this gel on the clitoris to awaken the senses and facilitate enjoyment.

Mood Arousal Gel is available in three flavours. They are Warming, Tingle and Intensify. So a woman can choose whichever one fits her mood. And lastly, we have the Tasty Treat Body Topping. This novelty tastes like ice cream and is one of those edibles that you can apply on your lover’s body and lick it off. Tasty Treat Body Topping is definitely a fun treat for the holidays.

Next on the list are new sex toys for men. They are Aphrodite life Size Masturbator, Real Skin Two Hole Masturbator, Beyoncé Love Doll and Katy Pervy Love Doll. The Beyoncé and Kathy Pervy dolls are life size blow up dolls that can be inflated for use and deflated afterwards. These toys are all easy to carry and enable men get a bit of sexual release without cheating on their spouses or risking sex with strangers. This is one solution to infidelity that

actually works.

And then we have an assortment of novelties for the bedroom featuring masks such as Festiva Mask, the Karneval Mask and Spandex 3 Hole Hood. Masks add suspense and eccentricity to the bedroom.

The woman who wants to play the role of the mysterious spy this holiday, will certainly love these masks.

And for the single woman who does not want to feel lonely this holiday, we have the perfect toy for you. It is called the Inflatable Hot Seat. This toy consists of a vibrator that is connected to an inflatable cushion. So women can inflate the cushion, sit on the vibrator and ride it cow girl style. The Inflatable Hot Seat is a unique toy and the vibrator part can also be detached and used as the owner pleases.

Finally, for men looking to attract a mate this holiday, the Wingman Pheromone Cologne will definitely help you out. This cologne is powerful and draws women to you. The female version of this cologne is called Lure for Her Pheromone.

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Happy holidays - Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

59

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

NEWS

FOREIGN NEWS US recognises Syrian opposition

P

•Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (left); Commissioner of Education Mrs Susan Adijatu Gana and National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, North Central Zone, Hajiya Fatima Abdulrahaman at the opening of the mandatory professional training workshop at the U.K Bello Arts Theatre, Minna... yesterday

Court vacates forfeiture order against Capital Oil A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday vacated its order forfeiting the assets belonging to Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited and its Managing Director, Ifeanyi Ubah, to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

Uba and Capital Oil and Gas Industries Limited were among the 113 companies and 419 directors/shareholders that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) listed as AMCON debtors.

The banks have since been barred from extending further credit to the debtor companies and their directors until they repay their loans.

Vacating the November 13 interim order yesterday, Justice Abdul Kafarati relied on the inherent jurisdiction of the court and Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution.

According to him,

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

AMCON does not have to destroy or kill the company because it is being owed.

He upheld the argument of the counsel to Capital Oil, Wole Olanipekun, who had maintained that the duty of AMCON was to make sure that debtors pay their debts and not to push them out of business.

The judge also faulted the method adopted by AMCON in securing the ex-parte order freezing the accounts.

Justice Kafarati said it was not in doubt that the company’s business was a growing concern when the order was made, adding that AMCON did not gain anything from the order.

He held that since AMCON could not dispose

the property while the case was in court, “It is prudent to allow the defendant continue to operate the business and organise how to repay the debt.”

The judge said AMCON should allow the business to go on while the company negotiates how to pay the debt.

According to him, to stop the company from operating might have an adverse effect on the economy of the country.

He urged the parties to sit and agree on how the debt would be repaid instead of shutting down the business. “ I thereby discharge the order of November 13 of the applicant’s assets, all parties should meet and see how the debt can be paid and report back to the court on January 15,” Justice Kafarati said.

AMCON had ap-

proached the court through his counsel, Kemi Balogun, with a motion ex-parte seeking the freezing of all Capital Oil and Gas assets for owing it N48.014 billion.

But Olanipekun, at the last sitting, told the court that the interim order had created artificial scarcity of petroleum products across the federation.

Besides, he contended that AMCON was yet to begin the debt recovery action, which was to be carried out within 14 days from the date the interim order was granted.

Opposing the application, AMCON urged the court to issue an order for the sale of all the petroleum products within the disposal of the company, insisting that it intends to keep proceeds of the sale in an interest yielding account to be opened in the name of the Chief Registrar of the Court.

RESIDENT Barack Obama has said the US now formally recognises Syria’s main opposition coalition as “the legitimate representative” of the Syrian people.

Obama told ABC News that the National Coalition was now inclusive, reflective and representative enough for Washington to take this “big step”.

The UK, France, Turkey and Gulf states have already given their recognition.

Russia said the US had decided to place all its bets on the coalition achieving an “armed victory”.

The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces was formed last month and only a small number of countries have so far recognised it as the legitimate representative of

Syrians.

President Obama’s statement came ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers from 70 countries to discuss the situation in Syria.

The meeting in Morocco is the first time that the Friends of Syria conference is attended by the Syrian National Coalition.

The leader of the National Coalition, cleric Moaz alKhatib, addressed the meeting, calling on Syria’s Alawite minority to rise up in a campaign of “civil disobedience” against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, Reuters news agency reports.

Assad’s family are members of the Alawite sect and have used it as a key support base during their time in power. The opposition is dominated by Sunni Muslims, who form a majority of Syria’s population.

Knocks for North Korea

T

HERE’s been widespread international condemnation of the launch by North Korea of a long-range rocket.

The United States called the test a “highly provocative act that threatens regional security”.

The UN Security Council is meeting in emergency session to discuss the launch, which was conducted in defiance of a UN resolution banning Pyongyang from conducting missile tests.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon termed it a “clear violation”.

China, Pyongyang’s closest ally, expressed regret that North Korea had launched a satellite “in spite of the extensive concerns of the international community”.

The Unha-3 rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.

Senate rules out diaspora voting in 2015

T

HE Chairman of the Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Andy Uba, yesterday declared that the proposal to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to vote during elections cannot be realised soon.

INEC had, a fortnight ago, written to the Senate requesting more powers, among which was, to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to vote during elections.

Uba, speaking with reporters after attending a public lecture in Abuja, entitled:

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

“Review of the Legal Regime in Electoral Management in Nigeria”, organised by The Electoral Institute (TEI), an arm of INEC, urged those agitating for diaspora voting in 2015 to shelve the idea as it is not realisable.

“As far as the 2015 is concerned, diaspora voting is not feasible because the legal framework has not been worked out.

“Again, most embassies don’t have accurate data of Nigerians in their countries.”

He, however, assured that the Senate would always stand by INEC to ensure it conducts hitch-free, fair and credible elections in line with international best practices.

According to him, the Senate would not hesitate to appropriate more funds for INEC to facilitate the work of the commission.

Speaking at the occasion, INEC Chairman Prof.

Attahiru Jega reiterated the commitment of the commission to conduct future elections in Nigeria in line with international best

practices.

The Guest Speaker and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, said INEC’s inabilityto prosecute electoral offenders is sending wrong signals to the society.

He said: “The best option is for government to embrace the recommendations of the Justice Uwais Election Reform Panel and leave the issues of the prosecution and management of election crimes to the Electoral Offences Commission.

Delta makes clarification on Ibori

T •Ibori

T

HE Delta State Government has said the payment of pension and other benefits to ex-Governor James Ibori was done within the confines of the law.

HE government said it was making the clarifi cation because of an additional affidavit filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in its case with the former governor.

The government is seeking the return of the $15 million allegedly paid as bribe to former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu by Ibori.

The EFCC, in its affidavit, alleged that if the $15 million is paid to the Delta State Government, it will be given to Ibori.

It further alleged that money was paid to the former

governor for the furnishing of his house and his pension. No allegation of illegality was made against the state by EFCC. In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, the government said Ibori and his deputy were paid their pension entitlement and other benefits under existing state law, that is, the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits Law 2005 and the Delta State Governor and Deputy Governor Pension Rights and Other Benefits (Amendment) Law 2009.

“As can be seen, there is no

iota of illegality in the payments made to Ibori as it was made under approved budget and paid to the beneficiaries through their designated bank accounts in Nigeria after following due process.

“This clarification is necessary so that the media does not input illegality or improper motive for an act done pursuant to a statute.

“It should also be noted that Ibori’s tenure as governor has not been annulled by any court of law and he is legitimately entitled to the pension and other benefits received under the law.”

•The Pope...yesterday

Pope begins tweeting

P

OPE Benedict XVI has sent his first much-anticipated Twitter message using his personal account.

The Pope was shown pressing a button on an iPad tablet at the Vatican.

The message read: “Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.”

A spokesman said earlier the pontiff would “reach out to everyone” with accounts in eight languages.

After his introductory tweet yesterday, Benedict posted two follow-up messages.

They focused on promoting the Church’s recently launched Year of Faith - an initiative intended to re-energise Catholicism.

Benedict’s English account already has more than 700,000 followers and is growing fast.

So far, the Pope’s accounts @pontifex - which mean “pontiff” or “builder of bridges” - are only following each other.

New Prime Minister for Mali

M

ALIAN interim President Diouncounda Traore has appointed a new PM, less than 24 hours after his predecessor was forced to resign by the military.

Django Sissoko, an official in the presidency, has been named to succeed Cheick Modibo Diarra, who has been under arrest since his resignation.

The appointment was announced on state television.

The role of the military in the forced resignation of Diarra has been condemned by the UN and many countries.

But Capt Amadou Sanogo, who led a coup in March, said Diarra had not been forced to quit and the military had only facilitated his resignation.

Mali has been in disarray for much of the year. Islamist and Tuareg separatists seized control of the north of the country and discontented soldiers staged a coup after the civilian administration was unable to regain control of all of the country.

60

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61

SPORT EXTRA AFCON 2013

Fegor, 23 home based for Eagles’ camp

H

OLIDAYING Norwegian midfield star, Fegor Ogude, has been called up to join home based professionals as preparations resume on Sunday in Abuja for the Super Eagles ahead of the Nations Cup championship in South Africa.

Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, who returned to the country from the United States on Tuesday, also named the, usual suspects, like Chigozie Agbim, Daniel Akpeyi and new call up Femi Thomas of Enyimba FC all goalkeepers among the other 23 players that should come and compete for shirts ahead of the Nations Cup Championship in South Africa, that starts January 10.

The team is expected at its usual abode at the Bolton White Apartment, Zone 7, Abuja on Sunday, December 16, all players and officials are expected at the time and

trainingwilleffectivelystartsonMonday, December 17. The list of foreign based players is expected to be named in the week leading to Christmas, as the team is expected to travel

by December 27 for the final phase of its camping in Faro, Portugal.

Team Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, warned that excuses will not be permitted for late arrival to camp of any invited player, because serious business has started for the Nations Cup championship. Below is the full list of invited players.

HOME BASED PLAYERS Goalkeepers Agbim Chigozie - Enugu Rangers FC Akpeyi Daniel -Heartland FC Femi Thomas -Enyimba FC Defenders Oboabona Godfrey -Sunshine Stars FC Egwuekwe Azubuike E -Warri

Wolves FC Zango Umar -Kano Pillars FC Benjamin Francis -Heartland FC Papa Idris -Kano Pillars FC Kwambe Solomon -Sunshine Stars FC Kalu Orji -Heartland FC Midfielders And Forwards Uzoenyi Ejike C -Rangers FC Mba Sunday -Rangers F Sunday Chinedu -Rangers FC Henry Uche I -Enyimba FC Onduku Gomo -Sharks FC Ubale Mannir -Kano Pillars Reuben Gabriel -Kano Pillars Asuquo Philip -3SC, Ibadan Emeka Ezeh -Rangers FC Pius Samson -Ranchers Bees FC Gambo Mohammed -Kano Pillars FC Bunde Moses -Lobi Stars FC Anthony Okputu -Lobi Stars FC Foreign Based Fegor Ogude -Valerenga FC, Norway

Form, not names will make my team, says Keshi

S

UPER Eagles’ boss, Stephen Keshi, has said that only players who are on form will make his team to the Nations Cup Championship, next January in South Africa.

Keshi, who is perceived by many to have a selection problem, going by the plethora of options available to him, declared that there is no such problem as players will naturally cancel themselves out in the course of camping for the Nations Cup. “What we want to get is a good mix of players who can help us do well at the Nations Cup, we want to win and I know we can but like will always says names don’t count in football anymore, if you are good enough, come and prove it and you will be ion the plane to the Nations Cup. Objectivity is the watchword for selection of players and I promise I will stick to it.”

Big Boss as Keshi is popularly known in his playing days, added that he and his team will make adequate selection of players for the

Nations Cup as he hopes there wouldbenoexcuseswhenthechampionship starts next month in South Africa.

•Left to Right: Auditor PWC, Mr Tunde Ayeni , Assistant Director/Co-coordinator National Lottery Commission Lagos Zone, Mr Obi Iregbu, and Senior Brand Manager Guinness Nig Plc, Mr Chiduo Uche Onwudiwe, during the Guinness fly with The Eagles Promo in Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

OLAGBEGI TENNIS TOURNEY

N7m up for grabs as Abdulmumin, 15 others confirm

T

OP tennis player in the country, Babalola Abdulmumin leads 15 others, who have indicated interest to participate in the revived Olagbegi Olateru Tennis championship which serves off today in Akure, with .N7m set aside for prizes.

The players will be contesting for a total prize money of N773, 000 with all the participants going home with cash prizes. While the winners smiles home with N175, 000, the runner up gets N100, 000, as the two semi finalist go home with N75,000.Also, the four quarter final losers get N50,000, while the eight first round losers get N18, 500 each.

Other players expected to be part of the tournament are Shehu Lawal, Enosoregbe Clifford, Atseye Henry, Out Thomas, Madueke Nonso, Owolabi Taiwo, Omoile Samuel, Samuel Jonah . Tenth seed Musa Bala would not be unavailable and his place has been taken up by 15th seed, Ahmidu Abdulahi.

Others are Ekanen Etim, Michael Anthony, Mbanu Onyeka and Owolabi Jinadu. Two wild cards went to home boys, Sunday Kolade and Ayodele Damilare.

80 school kids had their session yesterday under the tutelage of coaches Mayowa Osho, head coach Ondo State Sports Council, Rotimi Obey, coach of Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Sule Usman, Seun Makanjuola. The kids were taught the rudiments of the game which included bouncing of the ball with the hand and racquet; and movement on the court.

Osho said: “We saw some talents among them. some of them showed skill, even at these early age and if the event continuesIN THE COMING YEARS, they can improve and become future stars. I will advice that more of the clinic should be HELD for the development of tennis in Ondo state.

He also called on other organisastion and well-meaning individuals to contribute their quota

By Femi Shittu to the development of the game in the state and the country.

President of the Sir Olateru Olagbegi Foundation (SOOF) Prince Olakule Olateru-Olagbegi said that the kids would also get to see the pros in action while the early round losers would also not leave but be part of the finals on Saturday.

Assistant Secretary General of the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Etim Udokang said that all the play-

ers were expected to be at the venue for the championship promising that the fans are in for a thrilling time.

PUBLIC NOTICE My name was wrongly spelt as EBAKATA JUDE OGE instead of EBAKATA JUDE OGIE. My real name is EBAKATA JUDE OGIE. All former documents remain valid. GT Bank and general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the general public that I Miss Olubunmi Shakirat Ayoka Lawal (SUPREMACY VARIETY LIMITED) of N0 1 Dada Street Moshalashi Mushin Lagos, has transferred all my interest and ownership of my property located at N0 9 ADEWALE OBAKOYA CRESENT,PEACELAND ESTATE,GIWA OKE ARO.IFO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.OGUN STATE. Through sale to PRECIOUS-B DYNAMIC INVESTMENT LIMITED. All correspondence or dealings in respect of the above property should be directed to PRECIOUS-B DYNAMIC INVESTMENT LIMITED as the rightful owner of the property.

PEACELAND ESTATE LANDLORD ASSOCIATION AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE BELIEVERS’ TENT MINISTRY Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above named Christian Ministry has applied to the REGISTRAR GENERAL CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION Abuja for registration under part C of the companies and Allied Matter Act, 2004.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Christain Evangelism.

2. Discipleship.

3. Christian Education.

4. Humanitarianism.

TRUSTEES 1. Dr George Akudike Ukwuoma : Chairman.

2. Pst Jairus Uko Enyi : Elder.

3. Pst Sylvester .O. Obute : Financial Registrar.

4. Pst Jeff Adokwu : Registrar.

5. Evang Vincent Akora : Evangelist.

6. Mrs Blessing .S. Ukwuoma : Mother.

7. Mrs Maria Enyi : Mother Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission plot 420 Tigris Creset off Aguiyi Ironsi Street Maitama Abuja within 28days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Ochoga .I.

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

63

NEWS Jega: no going back on deregistration of 28 parties Continued from page 2

two-thirds of the state of the Federation. And also the Electoral Act, in particular, says that those who did not win any seat in any of the elections can be deregistered.

“The first exercise we did when seven parties were deregistered, we deregistered them solely on the basis of the fact that they did not even field candidates for the elections.

“But this particular deregistration of 28 political parties is not based solely on that reason alone; there are other reasons. And for each political party that INEC deregistered, we wrote a letter to them indicating the grounds upon which they were deregistered.

“Many of them received the letters. About 17 out of the 28 parties received their letters before we went public, before we announced the deregistration.

“The remaining ones, some of them we could not get them…They were supposed to have offices in Abuja but they did not.

“I will give you one example. Our officer who took the letter went to a particular address of a political party. They went there, the sign board was there but there are new tenants in the building. It is a business centre.

“So, because we also have the telephone numbers of the official, the official was telephoned and he was told that we are at your office to give you a letter and we found that

there is a business centre there. He said, ‘please, take back the letter; I will come to your office and collect it’. The same parties are now saying that we did not inform them before they were deregistered. If you gave us an address and we did our best and went to that address and we cannot find you and we even called you and you said you were going to come to collect your letter, how can you accuse us of not informing you.”

Asked why INEC deregistered parties in subjudice to the ongoing court process, Jega said the commission did not spite a Lagos High Court.

He added: “We are aware of the case and we did not deregister the party that was in court. If you look at the list of the parties that were deregistered, since we know they took us to court, we did not deregister that party. We will await the outcome of that case.

“In fact, we did our best and to the best of my knowledge, we did not deregister any party that has any case in court that can be misconstrued as a violation of the court process. Any party we know that there is a court case between us and it on this issue, we did not deregister it.’

Responding to a question on whether INEC has penciled down 25 more parties for deregistration, Jega said: “It is not true that there is a figure to the parties that we are going to deregister, but as you are aware, registration

and deregistration of parties are continuous processes.

“As more applicants meet the requirements of registration, we will register them. As more parties violate the requirements of the constitution and the Electoral Act, if it warrants deregistration, we will deregister them. So, it is a continuous process.”

Pressed to comment if INEC has predetermined number of parties which Nigeria should have, the INEC chairman said: “I do not have a benchmark and INEC does not have a benchmark . The legal regime that guides our action says any group that meets the requirements for registration as a party, we should register them. The same legal regime says that under some conditions, you can deregister. All we are doing is those who meet the registration we register, those who do not meet

the registration, we deregister.

“Our hope is that if we are consistently doing this, then with time, people will know that if you are registered as a political party, then you must be in full compliance with the requirements for the registration.”

Regarding the delimitation of constituencies, Jega said: “We are determined to conclude it before the 2015 elections.

“We will commence the delimitation by the first quarter of 2013 and we should be able to complete it by the end of 2013 or the first quarter of 2014. As you rightly pointed out. The last time the constituency delimitation was done was in 1996. And it is a constitutional requirement that it should be done every 10 years.”

Okonjo’s kidnap: Police crack squad in Asaba Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

DETACHMENT of special detectives yesterday arrived from the Police Headquarters, Abuja as the manhunt for the abductors of Prof. (Mrs.) Kamene Okonjo intensifies.

Commissioner of Police Ikechukwu Aduba who confirmed the arrival of the detectives.

“The IG is concerned and worried about what is happening and he has sent the special squad from Abuja to assist us. We have special squad across the federation but the person involved is of global significance and the IG wants to get the results as fast as possible, that is all.”

He reiterated the position that the “police has never and will never encourage the payment of ransom,” insisting that he was unaware if the kidnappers have contacted the royal family to negotiate ransom.

Prof. (Mrs.) Okonjo, 82, was kidnapped by ten gunmen last Sunday afternoon at the palace of her husband and the Obi of OgwashiUku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Obi (Prof.) Chukwuka Okonjo.

A

‘Babalakin plotting to flee’ Continued from page 2

ties, to Erin Aviation’s account in Mauritius for the purchase of a Challenger aircraft.

The charges border on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruption.

The defendants were to be arraigned on November 29, but Sofunde’s claim that Babalakin was on admission at LUTH stalled it.

Also yesterday, the EFCC described as an abuse of court process a suit filed by Babalakin, seeking to prevent his trial for alleged money laundering offences.

The commission argued that the process adopted by the lawyer -businessman in seeking to frustrate his scheduled trial was alien and unknown to the country’s law.

EFCC queried the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, before which the suit is pending, to hear it.

The commission prayed the court to dismiss it for being incompetent.

EFCC’s position is contained in both the notice of preliminary objection and counter affidavit it filed against the suit.

Babalakin filed the suit to challenge the competence of a 27-count charge filed against him before the Lagos High Court, Ikeja and on which he was to be arraigned on November 29.

His planned arraignment could not hold because of his absence. His lawyers told the court that he was ill, forcing the court to adjourn till yes-

terday.

On the same day, Babalakin, via a motion ex-parte, obtained leave from Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos to challenge the legitimacy of the charge before the Ikeja court and seek an order halting his trial.

Yesterday, the planned hearing of Babalakin’s suit and EFCC’s applications was prevented by the insistence of Wale Akoni (SAN) to be allowed to respond to EFCC’s applications.

Akoni, in opposing EFCC’s lawyer Jacobs’ request to move his applications, said he was served on December 6, and that the court’s rules allow him seven days to react to the applications.

He consequently sought adjournment to enable him respond, a request the court acceded to and adjourned till today.

The EFCC objected to the court hearing the suit on five grounds, among which is that the court lacked the jurisdictional powers to hear the suit.

It also argued that the suit, as presently framed, was incompetent.

The EFCC contended that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process because the reliefs sought are not available under the law and that the suit does not disclose any reasonable cause of action. Abubakar Garba, an EFCC operative, who deposed to the counter affidavit, debunked Babalakin’s claim that the commission did not obtain the fiat to prosecute him.

074

13-12-12

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2012

F

OR a long time, agents of violence dominated the headlines. They were all over the place: Boko Haram, kidnappers, armed robbers and their cousins, the subsidy scammers as well as ethnic warriors, who kill whole families in one fell swoop.

Not anymore. Our celebrities are back.

They elbowed their way back to the front page last week. As usual, they did it in a big way. Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, chairman of mobile giant Globacom, donated N500million to Bayelsa State flood victims.

When Adenuga was named the chief fund raiser for the Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation the other day, those who claim to know the reclusive businessman swore that he would rather plough his personal cash into the relief efforts, rather than go cap in hand to raise money. Pride? Not really. Style?

Sure. Ever seen a bull begging? But, many are asking if the business guru plans to let the cash go round all the flood-ravaged states.

Why Bayelsa first? Is it the worst-hit? Is it because the President comes from Bayelsa?

The questions are many, obviously coming from those who are not aware of Adenuga’s capability to spring surprises.

Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the immensely endowed - the richest in the black world, says Forbes – president of the commodities king Dangote Group and chairman of the committee, had earlier donated N430million to the relief efforts. He instantly hit the headlines and went back to his business of making money. He returned last week in a frightful manner – isn’t that the way of the rich? – by shutting down the Benue Cement Company in Gboko, Benue State. Thousands of jobs are now hanging in the balance.

Dangote Cement complained that the government had opened a floodgate of imported brands, precipitating a glut in the market and sparking a painful disinvestment plan. Public affairs analysts went to town. Will BCC be shut for good? If there is a glut, why are prices not crashing? What is the fate of the legion of workers and their dependants? Will the government succumb to “ blackmail” and ban importation of cement?

Dangote Cement has invested a fortune in manufacturing. It deserves to reap the fruits of its labour. Importation is easier and cheaper – fewer workers to pay, no huge diesel bills, no spare parts headache and, therefore, more cash to make. If local manufacturers can get the market flooded, why allow importation, even as prices have stayed up there? The Nigerian economy defies all theories in the book. Here, the law of supply and demand hardly gets its due. Everything is upside down, in the language of the songster, the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi also grabbed the headline. He slammed federal character, saying it promotes mediocrity. He demanded to know the relationship between the number of ministers and the principle. Many in the audience at the National Economic Summit in Abuja were wondering when the number one banker will stop talking. He had on November 27 in Asaba said that there was no economic sense in spending about 70% of

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘’If as in its character, PDP has sold the mansions to its members, shouldn’t the proceeds be deployed towards building the proposed new mansions instead putting fresh burden on tax payers’ VOL. 7, NO. 2338

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

Here is the news....

•THE UNIPORT FOUR:

• Dangote

• Adenuga

our revenue on civil/ public servants, even as we are faced with a mammoth infrastructural deficit. His lucid postulation, expectedly, raised so much dust. Unionists were falling over one another to attack Sanusi. Many abandoned the message and went after the messenger. A man known for speaking his mind, the Central Bank chief almost apologised.

Sanusi need not fret. He is entitled to his views, no matter how bitter such views are.

With a suffocating bureaucracy, the economy cannot improve. The elite should insist on true federalism where the centre is made less attractive and there is devolution of power to the states. The Federal Government has become an overfed elephant, weighed down by its massive size and driven by a complex brain box that frequently malfunctions. It is stuck, like a truck with flat tyres. A situation where, according to the enfant terrible, 70% of earnings goes into recurrent expenditure is absurd.

It is interesting that the Sanusi theory has come at a time the House of Representatives is threatening to order his arrest for shunning its summons. Remember the loquacious banker has been defending the right of the bank not to surrender its budget to scrutiny by the legislature, following the tradition in other places. Will police chief Mohammed Abubakar be asked to seize Sanusi? We are waiting for the drama which, like so many of such past braggadocio, may end in a sickening anti-climax.

Those who had been asking where former Edo Governor Lucky Igbinedion had been got an answer. There were photographs of the former governor representing his dad the Chancellor at the Okada University, decked out in full academic regalia befitting of an experienced professor of Atomic Physics, his trademark moustache glittering, smiling as students were handed certificates during the convocation.

How time changes. Not long ago, Igbinedion was accused of fleecing Edo of a huge amount of cash. He was hauled before a court. All that was left was for him to be sentenced to prison. But fate – sorry, I take that back – Justice Marcel Idowu Awokulehin intervened. He ruled that the former governor should pay a fine and go in peace. Plea bargain. Igbinedion then kept a low profile.

Now, he is back; not to those days of lavish bunga-bunga continental parties and repulsive display of wealth. No. It is the academic circle, a world of freedom. Will students spare a thought for his experience?

Women were not left out. Folorunso Alakija was listed as the world’s richest black woman by African Business Magazine. Instead of jubilation, it was condemnation that filled the air. Her critics started comparing her with the super star Oprah Winfrey. Some said she is a hairdresser; others described her as a tailor turned fashion designer. How did she come about an oil block? Has she ever been to Oloibiri? Which magazine is so called?

The scornful questions were many.

I am told the National Association of Beauticians and Hairdressers has sworn that it will no longer stand by and watch its lead-

ing lights being subjects of mockery by idle hands. It has briefed a Lagos lawyer who is well versed in litigation to file a writ on its behalf because, according to a source, every opportunity it has to shine on the national or international stage is snatched away and derided – remember former Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh? Is it a crime to be a hair dresser?

In the United Kingdom, the Duchess of Cambridge checked into a hospital to treat acute morning sickness. Then, the media hit the overdrive in celebration of a less than two-month phenomenon. Television stations descended on the story in a ravenous manner. It was as if they were reporting the Olympics all over. Newspapers cast sensational headlines and ran indepth analyses about the Royals. All this for a baby that was still being formed in the womb? It was difficult to understand.

But the excitement ended in a tragedy when two Australian DJs played a prank, calling the hospital and getting a nurse to put a hoax call through for the Duchess. Realising that she had fallen for a prank, Nurse Jacintha Saldanha committed suicide. The contrite pranksters have been crying. When “honour and humour clash”, should the resolution be suicide? The lesson? Even sensation has its limits in an unnecessarily exciting matter. But will anybody commit suicide here on questions of integrity? How many men – and women – of honour do we have?

Also on the foreign scene, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi issued a set of decrees that conferred on him some absolute powers. The people rose in unison to express their disappointment that a man who rode to power on the crest of a popular movement would so soon bid to entrench a dictatorship.

At what point will leaders be jerked into the consciousness that the people’s power is supreme?

That was the week of the rich–and the powerful. Now, kidnappers are back. On Sunday, they snatched Prof Kamene Okonjo, the 82year-old mother of Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in Ogwachiuku, Delta State.

And on Monday, they grabbed Mrs Tayo Rotimi, wife of the former military governor, Brig.-Gen. Oluwole Rotimi, who was also Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States. Both women are yet to be found. What a country!

Obasanjo: From Ghana to Osun

F

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo must have been wondering why Nigerians are so difficult to please.

Despite the strenuous schedule on the farm in Ota, he accepted to lead ECOWAS election monitors to Ghana. Instead of praising his selflessness, critics have been so unsparing.

They say he is the apostle of do-or-die elections and that his democratic credentials are suspect, considering his handling of the two elections that took place during his tenure. He was also desperate to secure a third term, they say, forgetting that Obasanjo had said that if he had craved

HARDBALL

I

JIDE OLUWAJUYITAN

tenure extension, God would have given it to him the way a father would hand his kid a toy.

Back from Ghana, Obasanjo rushed down to Osun to settle the chieftaincy dispute at Orile-Owu. Then, he was asked to unveil the statue of the late Chief Bola Ige, the former Attorney-General and Justice Minister. Ige was murdered after resigning from the Obasanjo administration. His killers remain unknown to date. How did Obasanjo feel unveiling the statue?

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Diarchy in Mali: Nigeria has no business in that country

T seems all but clear that Mali is quietly but agonisingly slipping into diarchy. This is a traumatic transformation for a country that in 1992 transited into full and stable democracy with the election of Alpha Oumar Konare. His re-election in 1997, and the peaceful transition to another elected president, Amadou Toumani Toure, in 2002 convinced the world that Mali had become a democratic trailblazer for the region. Unfortunately in March this year, a few months before Toure passed the baton to a successor, the army under Captain Amadou Sanogo staged a coup d’etat. Even though international pressure and ECOWAS muscle-flexing compelled Sanogo to transfer interim presidential power to the Speaker of the Mali National Assembly, Dioncounda Traore, and head of government business to Cheick Modibo Diarra, a

former Foreign minister, effective power has remained with the coup leader who continues to enjoy the perks of leadership without the corresponding responsibility. The latest evidence of this anomaly is the sacking and detention of Diarra, a famous astrophysicist, by the military and the appointment of a replacement, Django Sissoko.

It is instructive that Diarra was forced to resign because of his support for the ECOWAS intervention force being assembled to help Mali regain control of the northern part of the country currently under the control of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA). MNLA declared the independent state of Azawad in April, one month after the March coup. The military, sources within Mali say, prefers financial and logistical help, not

ECOWAS troops. It will also be recalled that the pretext for the March coup was that the deposed government of Amadou Toure was ineffective in fighting the rebellion in the north.

On November 13, Hardball had warned Nigeria not to be a part of the intervention force until Sanogo and his fellow military adventurers were forced out, and Algeria, which shares some 1,400km border with Mali, was persuaded to go along with the ECOWAS plan.

The columnist argued that whatever help Mali got to defeat the secessionists would simply achieve the paradoxical result of entrenching the military in power, rather than restoring democracy. The forced resignation of Diarra has proved that point eloquently. More than ever before, Nigeria now has a sound excuse to re-examine its support for the intervention

force, and to insist on Captain Sanogo’s complete relinquishment of power.

As Hardball put it on November 13, “Before going into Mali, Nigeria must insist on the coup leaders surrendering effective control and retiring from the military...It is no use risking the lives of our soldiers for a cause that is doubtful...Nigeria must also examine how far the transitional government has gone in restoring civil rule, especially when the ECOWAS mandate given to the Interim President to organise presidential and legislative polls will expire in five months.” The ECOWAS intervention force is now clearly endangered. Much more clearly is that Nigeria now has absolutely no business going into Mali until Sanogo and his colleagues do the proper things, and until the budding diarchy in that blighted country is extinguished.

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