The Nation December 06, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Actor ‘Andrew’ Elebuwa dies at 66 NEWS

Page 6

•Nollywood star passes on in India

Dangote shuts down cement factory NEWS Page 11

•4 million tons Gboko plant on hold

www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 7, NO. 2332 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Sanusi attacks federal character

Britain jails shipper of T 80,000 guns to Nigeria

HE Constitution encourages mediocrity, especially with the federal character principle enshrined in it, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said yesterday.

Sanusi demanded to know the relationship between the federal character principle and the number of ministers in the cabinet.

Man bags seven years as $1.3m deal goes bad

Business Page 4

Delta wins gold in shot put

E

UCHARIA Ogbukwe, winner of the women’s shot put event yesterday at the 18th National Sport Festival (NSF) attributed her victory to prayers and fasting.

Ogbukwe, who heaved a distance of 13.10 metres, told the News Agency of Nigeria...

A

N arms dealer who arranged to sell 80,000 AK47 assault rifles and 32 million rounds of ammunition to Nigeria has been jailed for seven years, just months after a judge threw the case out of court.

Gary Hyde, 42, oversaw the £800,000 shipment of tens of thousands of assault rifles, 9mm pistols, rifles, and bullets, from China to Africa in 2007, according to the Telegraph.

Hyde, who started in the gun trade when he was 14, flouted British legislation designed to control the trade and transportation of the weapons despite being regarded as an “authority” on those laws.

The businessman, based in York, acted in “a deliberate and calculated breach of the law” to pull off the $1.3m (£808,000) deal in return for around £280,000, which he attempted to hide in a bank account in Liechtenstein.

The account was registered in the name of a trust of which Hyde and his children were named as the sole beneficiaries.

It is thought the weapons were being bought on behalf of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Nation could not reach the police authorities last night. Spokesman Frank Mba’s telephone was ringing but not replied.

After a ten-day trial in October, a jury unanimously convicted Hyde of two counts of breaching UK laws and one count of concealing criminal property.

Hyde, who has no previous convictions, was initially tried on the same charges in January of this year.

Continued on page 4

THE ARSENAL •40,000 AK47 assault rifles •30,000 other rifles •10,000 9mm pistols •32m rounds of ammunition

Sport Page 24

Oyo Police arrest ‘Tokyo’

T •Hyde being escorted into the court

ensure that his illegal activities were ‘To not drawn to the attention of the UK authorities, he placed, and thus concealed, the profits from this illegal trade into a bank account in Liechtenstein

’

EFCC lays seige to LUTH for Babalakin •SEE PAGES 2&3

•Commission: there was no invasion

HE factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a. Tokyo), has been arrested by the police.

His arrest was announced yesterday in a statement by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Clement Adoda.

Adoda said ...

News Page 7

Rival protesters clash in Egypt

R

IVAL protesters have clashed outside the presidential palace in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as unrest grows over a controversial draft constitution.

Petrol bombs were thrown and a number of people were injured, amid reports of shots being fired.

Supporters of ...

Foreign Page 58

•SPORT P23 •EDUCATION 25 •POLITICS P43 •N/HEALTH P45 •E-BUSINESS P47

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

2

NEWS

EFCC lays •Commission: nothing like invasion

W

•Senate President David Mark (middle) and his wife Helen being received by Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan (left); at the Saint Mulumba Chaplaincy, Apo, in Abuja ...yesterday.

• Former Vice-PresidentAtiku Abubakar (left), Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa (second left) and National Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Muhammed, at the opening ceremony of a conference on “'The North and Strategies for Sustainable Development” in Kaduna...yesterday.

ITH Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives “storming” the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for ailing Bi-Courtney Chairman Wale Babalakin, the bid for the lawyerbusinessman’s trial is getting more dramatic.

But the EFCC insisted yesterday that its team did not invade LUTH with armed policemen but that “a few” of its operatives were in the hospital to watch over Babalakin and confirm that he is actually on admission.

Babalakin and four others have been charged to court with alleged laundering of N3.4billion through Mauritius for ex-Delta State Governor James Ibori to buy a Challenger jet.

The others are Alex Okoh, Stabilini Visioni Limited, BiCourtney Limited and Remix Nigeria Limited They are also to face a 27-count charge in the High Court of Lagos State , Ikeja Division bordering on the alleged siphoning of $11.3million abroad for Ibori through Erin Aviation Account in Mauritius.

But when the suspects were to be arraigned last week, Babalakin was said to have fallen ill. Justice Onigbanjo adjourned the case till December 12.

After a week of trailing Babalakin, the EFCC on Tuesday night sent a team of operatives to the ward where the businessman is being treated.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Babalakin was in the hospital on Tuesday night when armed policemen from the EFCC invaded the ward looking for him.

“The policemen were led by DSP

Mohammed Lawan. They wanted to have access to Babalakin but the hospital management said it was not ethically allowed in medical practice.

“So, in the last 24 hours, these armed policemen have been hanging around the hospital.”

Justice Mohammed Idris of a Federal High Court, Lagos has granted leave to Babalakin to apply for an order preventing the EFCC and the Attorney-General of the Federation from going ahead with his arraignment.

Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC Mr. Wilson Uwujiaren, said there was nothing like invasion of LUTH by the operatives of the commission.

The source said the EFCC operatives are only in LUTH to keep watch over Babalakin and make sure that he is actually hospitalized.

Uwujiaren added: “I would say there is nothing like storming the place. Our people are civilised; they will not go to a hospital to upset those who are sick.

“We have plain-cloth operatives around just to ensure that he is in the hospital. Our operatives are there to make sure that the claim he made that he is in the hospital is true.

“We are watching over Babalakin to ensure that the man is in the hospital.

“He is on full surveillance because the court gave the directive to verify the claim that he is in the hospital and ensure that he is present in court at the next adjourned date.

“What is there is that he and four others have a case to answer as in the charge sheet.”

NAPTIP rescues 50 trafficked victims from Ghana, Code d’ Ivoire

E

•Director, Products & Services, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Lucas Dada (third left) presenting a cheque of N100,000 to the Dean, Student Affairs, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Dr. Steven Olabiyisi at the Etisalat Merit Awards, held at Renaissance Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. With them are Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor on Education, Mr. Tunji Abimbola (left), Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Education, Otunba Fatai Olukoga (second left) andOgun State PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN Commissioner for Commissioner for Education John Olusegun Odubela. .

•Immediate Past President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mr. Azubike Okwor (left), President, PSN, Mr. Olumide Akintayo and National Secretary, Mr. Victor Okwuosa (right) at the inauguration of the PSN Liason Office PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS in Abuja...yesterday.

XECUTIVE Secretary, National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Mrs Beartice Jedy-Agba, yesterday confirmed the evacuation of 50 trafficked girls from neighbouring countries.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja, Mrs Lily Oguejiofor, who represented the executive secretary, said the girls were working as ‘sex slaves’ before they were evacuated from Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire.

According to her, a breakdown showed that seven of the girls were rescued from Cote d’ Ivoire, 40 from Ghana and three suspects acting as slave masters were arrested.

“These victims were rescued on Nov. 25, and are in the region of 16 years old and above,” she said.

Jedy-Agba said the suspects had confessed to the crime and would be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

She said five of the rescued girls had testified in a court of law in Kumasi, Ghana, one of them alleging that she was deceived by her aunty.

She said NAPTIP had commenced preliminary debriefing of the victims, counselling and medical screening before they would be rehabilitated back into society.

The secretary noted that human trafficking was based on deceit, adding that most of the girls, who were involved, were promised better income if they travelled abroad.

She said: “The traffickers usually make false promises of a better life abroad and earning more money in dollars.

“Eventually these girls end up becoming prostitutes to pay their so called ``sponsors’’ who took them there.”

Jedy-Agba also noted that if the problem of good governance, unemployment and poverty were tackled, people would not be deceived and end up as trafficked victims.

“The challenges of human trafficking will require a heightened level of commitment and operation on the part of all Nigerians, the different tiers of government and development partners.

“The three tiers of government must take a holistic and coordinated rational approach to address predisposing factors such as poverty, unemployment, collapse of family values and the unchallenged erosion of our cultural values,” she said.

She said the agency still faced challenges of funding, and that what the agency got was not sufficient to fully carry out their operations.

An Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr Orakwue Arinze, said the agency had put in place measures to make sure Nigeria regained its tier one, status.

“Stakeholders conference are organised to institute polices to help combat trafficking, more shelters are being provided and more investigators are being trained,” Arinze said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

3

NEWS

seige to LUTH for Babalakin This is a new trend in judicial administration in Nigeria and it reflects desperation by EFCC to violate provisions of the law and constitution in order to circumvent justice, and a violation of the basic human rights of the citizen

– Babalakin

We have plain-cloth operatives around just to ensure that he is in the hospital. Our operatives are there to make sure that the claim he made that he is in the hospital is true

– EFCC

•EFCC Ibrahim Lamorde

•Babalakin

Bi-Courtney, in its reaction to the development, on Wednesday, condemned the action of the agency, describing it as a violation of Babalakin’s rights and an attempt to thwart justice.

The statement by the company’s spokesman, Dipo Kehinde, said: “This is a new trend in judicial administration in Nigeria and it reflects desperation by EFCC to violate provisions of the law and

constitution in order to circumvent justice, and a violation of the basic human rights of the citizen.

“It is noteworthy that this brings back sad memories of the days of Gen. Sani Abacha, when the rights of Nigerians were trampled upon with ease.”

The order of a Federal High Court, in Lagos, which restrained the EFCC from proceeding with Babalakin’s trial and arraignment,

a copy of which was obtained by journalists, specifically stated: “Also perusing the amended statement, it is clear that serious issues of constitutionalism and the exercise of powers of public institutions and bodies have been raised. By the provisions of Order 34 Rule 6 (a) of the Rules of this Court, it appears to me that if the order sought is an order of prohibition and certiorari and

leave is granted, the grant should operate as a stay of proceedings to which the appropriate application relates.

“Relief 1 is granted as prayed; an order is hereby made granting leave to the applicant herein to apply for an order of prohibition against the respondents and any other officers, agents, or security agencies of the Government of the Federation, including without

limitation to the Nigeria Police Force or the State Security Service, acting by themselves, or through any of their officers, agents, privies or otherwise howsoever, prohibiting them from proceeding with the arraignment or trial of the Applicant further to Charge No. ID/239C/2012 pending at the Ikeja Division of the High Court of Lagos State, which was preferred by the Respondents.”

London-based Nigerian fraudsters jailed for £2.7million scam T

WO Nigerian fraudsters, whose global £2.7m scam had deadly consequences for one family they mercilessly ripped off, were jailed yesterday.

Police identified a total of thirteen victims all over the world, who each lost an average of £207,000, after the duo convinced them they were due for an Australian lottery pay-out, inheritance, investment benefit or were sold non-existent heavy plant machinery.

Obinnam Nwokolo, 37, of 20 Chesworth Close, Erith, who amassed a valuable property portfolio in the UK and Nigeria, received six years and four months and Uchechhukwu Onuoha, 40, of Aspen Green, Erith, who entered the country on a student visa, received five years and two months.

Both pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to conspiracy to defraud between October 1, 2008 and September 15 last year.

One of their victims, Betty McClellan, 62, of Hyde Park, Los Angeles was shot dead by her husband Hersey McClellan, 63, who then shot himself on June 20, 2010 after she wired £264,000 — blowing the couple’s hardearned pension.

She transferred the sums to accounts controlled by fellow Nigerians Sergius Ene, 44, of 111 Rushden Gardens, Ilford and Osas Odia, 33, of 15 Windrush Court, Chichester Wharf, Erith, who both admitted conspiring to launder criminal property.

Ene, who received sixteen months in March for a £27,000 Euromilions lot-

tery scam on an 83-year-old Northampton pensioner, was jailed for two years and eight months. for laundering £342,400.

The accountant, a former Haringey Council housing benefit officer, drove a Mercedes with a personalised ‘ENE’ number plate.

He is currently appealing deportation and it was revealed the mother of his three children entered into a sham marriage with a French citizen of African origin just to stay in the UK. Student Odia, who laundered £149,000, was deported in 2005 as an illegal overstayer after a forged passport conviction, but is now a permanent resident after marrying a UK national. He will be sentenced on February 11 so he can complete a management degree.

Victims were telephoned, emailed or written to by Nwokolo and Onuoha, who between them spent at least £22,500 on stationary supplies as they convinced the dupes to pay for administrative fees, insurance, certificates and other charges to release funds due to them.

The criminals convinced Betty McClellan, 62, that she had won $2.8m on the Australian lottery. She sent them £264,000 to ‘cover tax and admin costs’.

Some victims paid money to a bogus charity claiming to assist West African refugees, and one even paid for a non-existent U.S. Army General to ship his trunk of

belongings from Afghanistan to Australia.

“These monies were placed in a series of bank accounts and laundered,” said prosecutor Mr. Andrew Evans. “The fraud was carried out on an international scale.”

Mrs McClellan was convinced she had won $2.8m on the Australian lottery and sent £264,000 to cover taxes and admin costs to release the win.

“When her husband discovered she had lost all of their pension savings he shot her dead and then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide,” added Mr. Evans.

Their bodies were found by their son.

An Indiana farmer, believing he had a claim on a £14.9m inheritance, lost over £339,000 and a Venezuelan businessman lost £163,000 buying a mobile crane Nwokolo and father-of-two Onuoha advertised for sale on a Spanish website.

A Bristol woman lost £312,000 chasing a £1.8m Australian lottery win and found herself arrested after paying the counterfeit £158,000 cheque the defendants sent her into her account.

“She was buying a new home and intended to settle the balance from the winnings she was expecting.

‘She is now living in sheltered accommodation and feels vulnerable and extremely embarrassed and her family have lost their inheritance.”

Father-of-three Nwokolo even

‘

When her husband discovered she had lost all of their pension savings, he shot her dead and then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide

‘

bought three 1,350 per-hour letterfolding machines to increase the volume of mail shots and his home contained lists with details of thousands of individuals and businesses.

Onuoha had a pile of 593 scam letters ready for postage when police raided the home he rented off Nwokolo and officers also found a prepared ‘script’ he used when duping victims over the phone.

“It is difficult to think of a larger advance free fraud than this,’ announced Judge Jeremy Gold QC. It is on an enormous scale. Thousands of emails and letters were sent out

•Odia

across the world promising money from non-existent relatives from inheritances or non-existence lottery wins.

“You preyed on the naivety or generosity of people to extract large amounts of money from them with devastating effects on their personal lives.

“I regard this fraud as one that falls into the most serious category of advanced fee fraud, targeting vulnerable victims.”

Proceeds of Crime Act confiscation proceedings will follow.

• Culled from Daily Mail

4

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

NEWS Federal character breeds mediocrity, says Sanusi

Britain jails shipper of 80,000 guns to Nigeria Continued from page 1

But several days into the first trial, Judge Nicholas Loraine-Smith discharged the jury and said: ‘I’ve come to the conclusion this fails in law on the particular facts of case.

“It is to do with the framing of the Trade in Goods (Control) Order 2003, the bedrock of this particular case.”

He later explained he had identified errors between guidance documents to the legislation and the legislation itself that meant it was not possible to continue.

He said: “In my view, the jury, properly directed, could not be satisfied that the defendant intended to evade that particular prohibition and accordingly I’ve concluded that this prosecution must fail.”

But prosecutors took the case to the Court of Appeal and the judge’s decision to terminate the trial was overruled. Southwark Crown Court then began the second trial and sentenced Hyde to seven years yesterday.

Prosecutor Mukul Chawla QC said: “This case is about the shipment of huge quantity of guns and ammunition from China to Nigeria in 2007.

“That shipment, because it was being partly arranged and organised from the UK by Gary Hyde, required the permission of the Department for Business, Innovation, and Skills in the form of a licence.

“Mr Hyde, despite knowing that such a licence was required, helped to organise that shipment without seeking and obtaining the required licence.

“This was not an oversight but, say the prosecution, a deliberate and calculated breach of the law.

“In order to ensure that his illegal activities were not drawn to the attention of the UK authorities he placed, and thus concealed, the profits from this illegal trade in to a bank account in Liechtenstein.”

Mr Chawla said Hyde flouted UK legislation despite being “very familiar” with it.

“You will see evidence that he is in fact seen to be something of an authority on the matter,” he said.

Hyde, who was director of York Guns Ltd and Jago Ltd, based in Britain, brokered the deal alongside German businessman Karl Kleber, the owner of Transarms Handelgesellschaft, based in Worms, in Germany.

They dealt with two Irish men, Brendan Cahill and Neil Murray, who represented the Polish companies Deftech Ltd and Pinimi Ltd, which were acting for the Nigerian purchaser.

The guns had originally been expected to come from Chinese firm China Jing An Import and Export Corp, but

the deal fell through and Hyde and Kleber turned to another Chinese firm, Poly Technologies Inc. Commission agreements were signed for Hyde on behalf of a company called EWH Consultancy Ltd, which had been incorporated by Hyde in the British Virgin Islands in 2004. The sole shareholder of EWH was Hyde’s WHEK Trust.

Hyde smuggled 40,000 AK47 assault rifles, 30,000 other rifles, 10,000 9mm pistols and 32m rounds of ammunition.

He claimed he had not been in the UK at critical times when the deal was being negotiated and therefore had not flouted UK legislation.

In a prepared statement, given after his arrest in 2009, Hyde said: “I do not believe that I engaged in any activity in the UK which I understand required a licence but where instead I decided to ignore that obligation.”

Stephen Solley QC, defending, had argued he was a “legitimate businessman” and said the allegation he knowingly broke UK law was “ludicrous”.

He said: “The idea you could be sure this man put two fingers up to the criminal law knowingly is completely ridiculous.”

Jailing Hyde, Judge Loraine-Smith said: “You are a

man of good character who started work at York Guns when you were only 14, and by 2003 you had built that into an international wholesaler with 20 staff.

“There were numerous lawful and properly completed deals, many involving this country’s armed forces, but then you became carried away with the enormous profits you could see could be made.

“I accept that you opened the account in Liechtenstein to reduce your tax liabilities in lawful ways but it was conveniently there for you to launder the money from this unlawful deal.

“Applying for a license would have been very easy, but I very much suspect that you thought that applying for a licence would have risked the UK authorities finding out about your substantial earnings.”

He added: “You have shown a lot of remorse for the position you find yourself in but it was not reflected by a guilty plea.”

Hyde, of Mask Lane, Newton on Derwent, Yorkshire, denied two counts of becoming knowingly concerned in the movement of controlled goods between March 1, 2006, and December 31, 2007, and one count of concealing criminal property between March 1, 2006, and December 16, 2008.

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

•Sanusi

T

HE Constitution encourages mediocrity, especially with the federal character principle enshrined in it, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said yesterday.

Sanusi demanded to know the relationship between the federal character principle and the number of ministers in the cabinet.

He spoke on the last day of the Nigeria Economic Summit (NES) in Abuja.

Sanusi said: “As intelligent and as educated human beings, what is the connection between the number of states and the number of ministries at the federal level. We are talking about federal character, so if you have 50 states today, you must have 50 ministries; if you have a 100 states you must have 100 ministries?”

He criticised the Constitution for saying that there must be a minister from every state. Sanusi said: “If we create a state for the Southeast since they say they want one more state, then you must have one more minister and create a ministry, even if we don’t need it. So, because you have created one more state, the federal government must have a minister from

that state”.

He described these as political issues that must be addressed. Sanusi lamented that Nigeria has “a constitution that makes it impossible for us to develop”.

Defending his position, he said: “We are required by law that the President must appoint a minister from every state. So, you have 36 and there is a system now where after the 36, again because of the federal character, you now have one per geopolitical zone. So, you have 42. We cannot develop, if we continue to have so much of our resources where government is spending 70 per cent of the nation’s revenue on itself and leaving 30 per cent to the people. Is that a sensible situation?”

The solution he explained “is to face this reality”. “Now, we are amending the constitution, why do we need 500 legislators?And let’s ask ourselves why is it that no African country has adopted this political structure? Only Nigeria, not even South Africa.”

He described himself as “a strong believer of diversity, but as a country, we have taken this diversity beyond a reasonable limit.

“We have focused so much on diversity and have succeeded in enthroning mediocrity so long as the diversity requirement is met.

Sanusi added: “The greatest challenge facing this country is the challenge of a people that have lost sight of the importance of merit.

“You have 42, you do cabinet reshuffle and bring in another 42 and I’m sure between 1999 and now, we have had more than 200 ministers and Continued on page 63

Govt to build new Abuja City for centenary celebration •Clarifies issue on N2.2b banquet Hall

A •Director General Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Dr. Joseph Odumodu (left), Deputy General Manager, China Certification and Inspection group Inspection Co. Lltd (CCIC) Mr Cui Lei (middle) and International Cooperation Dept CCIC Mr Yao Lu, at the signing of Mou between SON and CCIC

Federal road contracts lopsided, say senators

T

HE Senate yesterday battled Minister of Works Mike Onolememen over alleged imbalance in allocation of road projects.

The lawmakers were irked that some geo-political zones and states were favoured; others were left out in allocation of projects in the 2013 fiscal plan.

The alleged discrepancies and lopsidedness were raised when Onolememen appeared before the Senate Committee on Works to defend his Ministry’s 2013 budget proposal.

The ministry and its parastatals have N183,504,316,000 as the ceiling for the 2013 budget proposal. Capital budget proposal is N151,250,000,000.

Overhead cost proposal is

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

N24,411,865,347 and personnel cost N7,842,450,653.

Onolememen noted that with the 2013 budget circular, the ministry’s plan is centred on completion of priority projects.

On the 2012 budget performance, he said the ministry had utilised the N102,892,939,938.70, which represented 92.7 per cent of the amount so far released of the capital allocation for the completion of eight strategic roads and bridges cutting across the six geo-political zones.

This year’s capital budget is N159,463,529,702. Of this, N111,030,619,810 or 77.3 per cent has been released.

Senators, including the

vice chairman of the Works Committee, Basheer Mohammed, who presided over the budget defence session, Danjuma Goje, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Barnabas Gemade, Babafemi Ojudu and Ahmed Markafi, complained about the “glaring imbalance” in the allocation of projects in the 2013 fiscal year.

Goje asked the minister whether consideration is ever given to equity and fairness in the design of projects.

The former Gombe State governor insisted that the minister should furnish the committee with a comprehensive list of projects designed for zones and states.

He said: “Going through your proposal, you have roads under design. Some

states appear twice and these designs will form the basis for future road projects.

If you don’t ensure equity and fairness, Mr. Minister, you are sowing the seed of disharmony in the country.

“If one state can get 20 to 30 road projects, the only one in my state has been discontinued; there is no fairness.

“I don’t want to mention the name of the state but Mr. minister, you know the state.

You must ensure equity, you must ensure fairness; you must ensure justice.”

Mohammed demanded to know the criteria for allocation of projects “because some zones and states are crying of being left out in the allocation of projects”.

Abba Ibrahim wondered Continued on page 63

NEW city near the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is to be built to mark Nigeria’s centenary celebration in 2014, Minister of Information Labaran Maku, said yesterday.

According to him, the project which will be privatesector driven, was approved at yesterday’s Federal Executive Council. He spoke to reporters after the eight-hour meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Nigeria, as a geo-political entity, came into existence following the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 by the British.

The minister said the project might take up to 10 to 15 years to be completed.

Maku explained that the celebration is important for the country.

He said: “The new city that has been proposed as part of our centenary celebration is entirely private sector driven.

Let that be very, very clear.

This is absolutely private sector driven with private sector investment.

“All that government will do is to provide an area through the FCT, agree on a proper design and then it will

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

be taken up completely, totally by the private sector.

“The only government facility that will be there will be an arcade for the celebrations.”

The Presidency also clarified the planned N2.2billion presidential Banquet Hall, saying what it intended to build is not a replacement of the old one but a multi-purpose hall.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Bala Mohammed said “it is not a substitution or a duplication of what we already have as the main banquet hall which is not going to serve the purpose for which we are building the multi-purpose hall “The facility is a multi-purpose hall where the president will host his colleagues or Continued on page 63

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

5

NEWS orders further probe Fed Govt attributes fuel scarcity to Tribunal of Union Bank’s share crash differences with oil union T T

HE Federal Government has restated the reason for the stringent measures put in place in the management of the troubled subsidy regime.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, who spoke in Abuja yesterday, said the measures were meant to check fraudsters in the sector and recover fraudulent subsidy claims.

She attributed the current fuel scarcity to some issues with the union, assuring that the issues are being tackled and normalcy would soon return to the filling stations.

The minister appealed for the support of Nigerians.

She said the suffering is a sacrifice Nigerians have to make to enthrone transparency and accountability in the sector.

The country, in the last few

•Says issues are being sorted out From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

months, has been grappling with the shortage in the supply of fuel and this has led to long queues in most filling stations.

It was the same trend until the government in January announced the removal of subsidy and raised fuel pump price to N141 per litre. The move was resisted, and the government, after negotiations with labour unions and civil society groups, reversed to gradual removal of subsidy and thereby reduced pump price from the proposed N141 per litre to N97 per litre.

Part of the resolutions is an auditing of the subsidy man-

agement. The auditing has been carried out with the revelation of fraud.

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, had said the Presidential Committee on Subsidy Claims, headed by the Group Managing Director of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, has submitted its report and uncovered N232.2 billion claims that could not be substantiated.

It was in the attempt to clean the sector that the Federal Government announced recently that it was withholding N29 billion subsidy claims by some oil marketers, pending the outcome of investigation by the Economic and Financial

Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the issue.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who was responding to questions from reporters on the fuel supply situation, said the government had been doing a lot to arrest the situation.

The minister said the problem would soon be solved, as the government was doing everything to restore normalcy.

Said she: “We have had a slight union issue in the last few days, which we are trying to handle.”

Assuring Nigerians that they won’t sleep at filling stations during the Yuletide, Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who turned 52 yesterday, said: “We are doing everything to ensure that this Christmas will not be like the last.”

HE Investment Securities Tribunal (IST) in Lagos has ordered a further probe of the former Managing Director, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Bartholomew Ebong and 19 other directors of the bank following the crash in the value of the bank’s shares in 2006 and 2007.

The probe, to be conducted by an audit panel, is intended to ascertain the directors’ culpability or otherwise in the crash of the value of the bank’s shares within the period.

The tribunal’s five-member panel, presided over by Dr. Nnenna Orji, also ordered the appointment of an independent audit firm- KPMG Professional Services - to determine “the extent and quantum of losses suffered by investors in the securities market as a result of the unlawful activities of the respondents.”

By the tribunal’s judgment handed out on Monday, KPMG is also to determine “the nature, extent and quantum of any direct benefit or advantage received or receivable by the respondents as a result of the respondents.”

The tribunal further held that

By Eric Ikhilae

the funds recovered after the investigation by KPMG should be deposited into an escrow account by the SEC, and to be refunded later to the affected investors.

Although Ebong secured a temporary relief before the judgment, as the tribunal stayed proceedings in his favour, he is, however, not excused from the tribunal’s decision.

The tribunal’s proceedings were informed by an application filed on behalf of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) by the law firm of Aluko & Oyebode. SEC said its application was informed by the public outcry that greeted the sudden collapse of the nation’s stock market.

It contended that since it possesses the statutory responsibility of protecting the integrity of the securities market against all forms of abuses, it is “statutorily required to do all such acts and exercise all such powers that are necessary and expedient to give full effect and ensure compliance with the provisions of the Investment Securities Act No .29 2007.”

World’s oldest woman dies in US at 116

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•From left: An expert, Leon Du plessis; Deputy Corps Marshal, Operations, Federal Road Safety Commission, Boboye Oyeyemi; and Managing Director, ABC Transport, Frank Nneji, during a stakeholders’ seminar on the Use of Vehicle Speed Limit Devices in Abuja... yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

JTF warns against attack on military formations

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HE Joint Task Force (JTF) in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, code-named: “Operation Restore Order”, yesterday warned host communities of military formations in the city against allowing members of the Boko Haram to use them to launch attacks on barracks and other military formations.

JTF’s spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, in a statement, said the military is aware that massive attacks are being planned by the sect on military formations in Maiduguri, adding that the task force is ready for action.

From Joseph Abiodun, Maiduguri

Musa said: “Information available to the Joint Task Force indicates clandestine plans by the Boko Haram to attack military barracks in the Maiduguri metropolis, particularly the headquarters of the 21 Armoured Brigade.”

He urged the host communities, especially residents of houses near the Giwa Barracks, to be watchful and inform the JTF of any suspicious movement in their vicinity through the advertised hot lines, which are operational 24 hours daily.

Presidential Panel on Flood not political, says Akunyili

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ROMISES made to flood victims will be fulfilled, a member of the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation, Prof. Dora Akunyili, said yesterday. The former Information Minister told flood victims at Yelwa in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State during her one-day official visit that the rumour that they would be dumped was political.

She described the allegation that the presidential committee was set up by the government to score political points as a mischief, saying flood victims were not members of a political party; neither were the government’s efforts aimed at alleviating the plight of members of a political par-

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

ty.

Prof. Akunyili said that the promises made by the government, citizens, corporate bodies and the international community would be fulfilled, adding that the promises and the committee have no political undertone.

“In the wake of the flood disaster, promises made by the Federal Government and the setting up of the Presidential Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation were not political. The intention was to bring succour to the victims,” she said.

The ex-minister said the Federal Government’s commitment to the plight of the

flood victims informed the visit of members of the committee to the people.

She said: “We will continue to give them relief materials.

We will ensure that they are comfortable and will resettle them. The expenditures will be published in the national newspapers for accountability and transparency.”

Mrs. Akunyili also assured the victims that the government would ensure they have a more meaningful lifestyle and improved standard of living, adding that the funds raised would be used to alleviate their suffering.

She said: “We will continue to visit these people and discuss with them. We care for them, love them and feel their

HE woman listed as the world’s oldest person has died in a Georgia nursing home. She was 116.

Besse Cooper died peacefully yesterday afternoon in Monroe, according to her son Sidney Cooper. Monroe is about 45 miles (72 kilometres) east of Atlanta.

Cooper said his mother was ill recently with a stomach virus, then felt better on Monday.

Yesterday, he said she had her hair set and watched a Christmas video, but later had trouble breathing. She was put on oxygen in her room and died there about 2pm, Cooper said.

“With her hair fixed, it looked like she was ready to go,” he said.

Besse Cooper was declared the world’s oldest person in January 2011. In May 2011, Guinness World Records learnt that Maria Gomes Valentin of Brazil was 48 days older. Valentin died the next month.

“It’s a sad day for me,” said Robert Young, Guinness senior consultant for gerontology. He recalls meeting Cooper when she was 111 and took note of her mental agility.

•Late Mrs. Cooper

“At that age she was doing really well, she was able to read books,” Young said.

Last year on Cooper’s 115th birthday, she celebrated with friends and relatives, enjoyed two small slivers of birthday cake and was serenaded by a musician from Nashville who sang “Tennessee Waltz.”

Sidney Cooper said his family would likely hold a funeral for his mother later this week.

Besse Cooper was the first Georgian to hold the world record. She was born in Tennessee and moved to Georgia during World War I to look for work as a teacher.

The title of world’s oldest person now belongs to 115year-old Dina Manfredini, of Johnston, Iowa, Young said. The oldest known person of all time was Jeanne Calment, a French woman who lived to be 122 years old and died in 1997.

ANPP slams Fed Govt, lawmakers HE All Nigeria Peoples on prison reform

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•Prof Akunyili

pains. This is the message of hope we have for them.”

The relief materials donated by the committee and the Aliko Dangote Foundation were later presented to the flood victims. They include, bags of rice, salt, cartons of Indomie noodles, kegs of palm oil, packets of sugar, packets of soap, cartons of detergent, 700 pieces of Cedar (Guinea Brocade), 700 pieces of Super Wax, among others.

Party (ANPP) yesterday described the attitude of the Federal Government towards prison reform as “helpless and incompetent.”

The party was reacting to a comment on Tuesday by the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, that 70 per cent of the inmates in Nigerian prisons have no business there because they are awaiting trial.

In a statement issued in Abuja

by ANPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emma Eneukwu, the party said the prison was established to rehabilitate criminals by teaching them personal discipline and respect for work, property and other people.

It said: “A situation where

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

prisoners in Nigeria are exposed to inhuman conditions, with many of them wasting away without trial, is a travesty of civilisation and an affront on human dignity.”

ANPP urged the National Assembly to ensure the speedy passage of the prison reform Bill to enhance effective reforms of the prison system.

The statement reads: “The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) received with interest, news in the media on Tuesday where the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Bem Angwe, said 70 per cent of inmates in Nigerian prisons have no business there because they are awaiting trial.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6 2012

6

NEWS EFCC fails to ‘prove’ N976m ‘fraud’ case

By Adebisi Onanuga

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HE trial of an oil marketer, Mr. Seun Ogunbambo and two others opened at a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja yesterday with the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its witness not being able to produce any document to substantiate its allegation of subsidy fraud against the defendants.

As a result, the trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, told the prosecutor that if the evidence of the charge is not supported with documents, it becomes hear-say evidence and that he would expunge it from his record.

EFCC’s witness, Abdulrasheed Ahmed Bawa, a Senior Detective Superintendent, was being led in evidence by the counsel to the commission, Mr. Francis Usani.

Ogunbambo is standing trial alongside HabilaTheck and their company, Fargo Petroleum and Gas Limited, for subsidy fraud of N976 million.

At the beginning of the trial, counsel to the defendants, Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), called the attention of the court to what he described as a strange development.

He said: “My Lord, the evidence of this witness is contrary to Section 125 of the Evidence Act, which we are all abreast of. I feel very uncomfortable with a witness being led orally without tendering any document before the court.

Nollywood actor Enebeli Elebuwa dies at 66

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ETERAN actor, Enebeli Elebuwa, is dead. He was 66. Elebuwa passed on on Tuesday after being bedridden for months in India where he was receiving treatment.

The Delta State-born actor, whose first movie role was in Sanya Dosunmu’s 1974 celluloid film, Dinner with the Devil, was hit by a strange ailment sometime last year, resulting in stroke.

He was first treated at St. Luke’s Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, but was later moved to St. Topaz Hospital, Surulere Lagos. He received assistance from the Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Lagos State Governor

•Delta mourns him From Ovwe Medeme and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Saba

Babatunde Fashola and Delta State Commissioner for Information, Richard MofeDamijo, who is also an actor.

The deceased was one of the pathfinders in the Nigerian movie industry with about 125 movies to his credit. Among them are Abuja Top Ladies, Queen of Hasso Rock, The Corridors of Power, Extra Time, True Love, Squad Twenty-Three, Separate Lives, Dons in Abuja, Expensive Game, Bumper to Bumper, Mortal Sin, Together

as One, the highly-rated 1999 blockbuster Domitilla and a host of others.

Though known for delivering roles on the television, the actor’s journey as an entertainer began on the music scene. As a musician, he led the band of veteran highlife artiste, Victor Olaiya, during the Nigerian Civil War. He also performed with the Steve Rhodes Voices. He played the role of a police officer in the rested popular soap, Village Headmaster.

He was the lead character in a television commercial in the 80s that discouraged Nigerians from fleeing abroad for greener pastures. He earned the sobriquet, An-

drew, for his role in the commercial.

Governor Uduaghan has commiserated with the Elebuwa family and the entertainment industry on the death of the popular actor.

He described his death as “painful and saddening.’’

Uduaghan, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sunny Ogefere, said he was shocked that the efforts made by well-meaning Nigerians to save his life did not yield result.

He prayed God Almighty to grant the family, Nigerians and his colleagues at the entertainment industry the fortitude to bear the loss.

Gowon advocates electoral college

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ORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, yesterday advocated the use of the Electoral College System in the conduct of future presidential elections in the country, beginning with the 2015 poll.

He urged the National Assembly to end the agitation for the creation of new states.

Kaduna State Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa lamented the insecurity in the North, saying it has driven away investors.

Speaking at a two-day conference on the “North and Strategies for Sustainable Development”, the former head of state who was represented by the Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, said the North must

•Opposes new states From Tony Akowe, kaduna

unite to forge a common front to experience development.

Although he did not elaborate on the Electoral College System, he said: “Unless we come together in the North, we will continue to have problems. I met with the Senate caucus in the North in Abuja last week and asked them to reconsider the introduction of the Electoral College in electing the president.”

Gowon said the creation of new states would increase the cost of governance, adding that it would not solve the problems bedevilling the country.

Addressing the gathering,

Governor Yakowa said the North has remained a catalyst for the unity of the country, adding that despite the insecurity, the region would remain a rallying point for the unity and development of the nation.

He said:“ The North has been a catalyst for the unity, stability and development of the country. The country has been relying for direction from the North. This is contrary to what some out there would want the world to believe about the North.

“History has shown that the unity and strength of the North, with a collective sense of purpose and focus has been the bastion for the unity and strength of Nigeria. We must do everything to sustain this responsibility bestowed on us

•Gowon

by providence.”

The governor, who hailed the organisers of the conference for their foresight, said it was gratifying that Nigeria has remained a country despite the security challenges, adding that “we must give credit to Nigerians and to God that Nigeria still remains a country, albeit beleaguered by towering insecurity challenges.”

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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ENTRAL Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Lamido Sanusi yesterday failed to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance investigating remittances by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He was, however, given a reprieve and an opportunity to explain reasons for his absence.

The CBN and 14 other revenue generating agencies failed to turn up for the opening of the public hearing on Tuesday and were given till yesterday to honour the invitation of the committee.

At the continuation of the hearing yesterday, the lawmakers expressed shock at the discovery of the Corporate Affairs Commission’s (CAC’s) flagrant violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 on remittances of operating surplus to the Federal Government.

The commission that generated N25 billion between 2009 and 2011 could only remit N41 million to the government as its operating surplus.

Though CBN failed to turn up at press time, The Nation, however, learnt that the apex bank did not formally convey the reason for its absence to the committee.

A member of the committee who craved anonymity said the ultimatum had not lapsed at press time, but the committee was resolute in its decision to sanction any MDA that failed to comply with its directives.

Pensioners storm Abuja ahead of protest

Subsidy scam: Okonjo-Iweala gets ultimatum

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) yesterday issued a sevenday ultimatum to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to produce several reports which have indicted notable Nigerians in the fuel subsidy scam or face the wrath of the opposition parties.

It said making public such reports, which include that of the Price Waterhouse, Central Bank, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, House of Representatives, among others, as stipulated in the Freedom of Information Act, has become necessary in assisting in the forensic audit aimed at the recovery of the stolen subsidy fund.

The Chairman of CNPP, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, at a news conference in Abuja, said it has noted the passion with which Okonjo-Iweala has been waging war against corruption, hence its intention to assist in examining the details of the reports as “records have shown the billions wasted in the fuel subsidy scam could have been utilised to build two refineries with the capacity to refine over 500,000 barrels per day.”

Reps give Sanusi last chance

•A couple, Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Okeke, giving testimonies of how God has blessed them with a set of quadruplets.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

How to overcome obstacles, by Oyedepo

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HE Head of the Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, yesterday said it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome social challenges and conquer obstacles posed by the devil.

He said without what he called the “spirit of power”, putting the “enemy” where it belongs will be impossible.

According to him, it is important to seek such power from God. Bishop Oyedepo, who spoke at the yearly Shilloh at Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, said when the devil senses a higher power, he runs away, adding: “Therefore, a Christian must connect with the spirit.”

By Nneka Nwaneri

“You cannot rule unless you are in power. It takes power to rule in the midst of darkness and wickedness. God is the only one with the authority to give, take and transfer power. Without power, you cannot rule “The spirit of power is given to silence the enemy; it is essentially to put the enemy where he belongs and in check,” Bishop Oyedepo said.

He spoke during a sermon on the second day of Shiloh 2012 entitled: “Unveiling the blessedness of the transference of spirit.”

According to Bishop Oyedepo, power, which is given by the Holy Spirit, is the

only language the enemy respects.

Quoting from the 2 Chronicle 22:7, he said: “Power is not about grammar. The spirit of power is designed to put you in command over life’s difficult situations and circumstances.”

He added: “There are forces that must be cut down for your destiny to be released and it takes power to cut them down.

“In every man’s promised land, there are giants and you need power to overcome and destroy them. This is the spirit that will enable you possess your possession.”

Among the benefit of power, Bishop Oyedepo said, is the authority to subdue forces

militating against open doors and the ability to cross over to the next level.

He went on: “When the devil senses a higher power, he clears off the way. This is why you must connect with the spirit because when it enters you, it drives you to manifestation. It takes power to possess your possession.”

To gain power, Bishop Oyedepo said there must be a genuine thirst and a longing, quoting Psalm 63: 1-30.

According to him, “what you do not crave for, you are not entitled to.”

He said one of the most important keys to the transfer of power and its ultimate manifestation is obedience to God.

EMBERS of the National Union of Pensioners (NUP) yesterday stormed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja in preparation for the December 11 protest.

The meeting convened last Tuesday by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, with the leadership of the union, to address the issues, ended in a stalemate.

According to the National President of the NUP, Comrade Ali Abatcha, the deadlock was due to the absence of the Chairman of the President Reform Task Team (PRTT), Abdulrasheed Maina.

Abatcha said: “The outcome of tomorrow’s (Thursday’s) meeting, which will have in attendance the Minister of Labour and Productivity, NLC President, HOSF, Chairman, Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service, Chairman, House Committee on Pension Matters, DG of Pencom, Chairman of PRTT, among others, will determine whether or not the protest will go on.”

NUP, however, stressed that unless its demands, which are already tabled before the Federal Government, are addressed, it would proceed with the plan to protest humiliation of its members.

7

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

NEWS

Police arrest Oyo NURTW factional leader Tokyo

Customs seizes N233m CDs at Lagos Port

By Oluwakemi Dauda

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EN of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) yesterday seized a container load of pirated Compact Discs (CDs) worth over N233 million on the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos.

The CDs were shipped into the country from China in a container, marked TRLU 93602522G1.

Speaking with reporters on the scene, the Area Controller of the command, Tunji Aremu, said the Duty Paid Value (DPV) of the CDs is N600, 000.

He said pirated CDs are on the list of items prohibited by the Federal Government.

Aremu said the importer tried to deceive his men by claiming in the importation document that the prohibited items originated from Ghana.

He said the truth was revealed by the NSC’s investigation.

Aremu said the container would be handed over to the CopyRight Commission for further investigation and destruction of the items.

Customs intelligence sources told The Nation that they are on the trail of the importer, who they said gave a false office address in the importation document.

They said the arrest and prosecution of film pirates and sellers in Lagos has reduced piracy.

Management Academy induction today

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AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fasola is among eminent personalities expected at the Induction ceremony of the Nigerian Academy of Management and Administration (NAMA) today.

The event will hold at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Conference Centre, Akoka, Yaba.

Those to be inducted include former Minister of Communication and Chairman of the National Sports Commission Chief Alex Akinyele; Chief Executive Officer, Babcock Consulting, Babcock University, Prof.

Samuel Alao; Rector, Gateway Polytechnic, Ogun State, Prof. Gabriel Onolaja; former Director-General, National Teachers’ Institute, Prof.

Patrick Onyekwere and Director, Institute of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Bishop Sunday Osaat.

Others are Prof. Oladipo Hunponu-Wusu of the Department of Clinical Sciences, UNILAG College of Medicine; Prof. T. Oguakwa of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and the Registrar, Pan African University, Lagos, Mr. John Ihejieto.

NAMA Vice-President Dr. Akin Ogunsakin, in a statement, said the event is to “recognise extraordinary intellectuals and outstanding achievers in academics, research and professional advancement in Nigeria”.

He described the event as the finest and most useful method of recognising the accomplishments of chosen individuals.

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HE factional leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (a.k.a.

Tokyo) has been arrested by the police.

Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu yesterday said Akinsola was detained to enable the command complete some investigations.

He said he could be released anytime depending on how the investigations go.

Mbu said Akinsola willingly reported at the command’s headquarters.

He said Akinsola’s rival, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi (a.k.a.

Auxilliary) has pledged to

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

report himself to the command as soon as he recovers from an illness.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Clement Adoda, who announced the arrest in a statement, said Akinsola was undergoing interrogation in respect of pending criminal cases against him.

He said the outcome of the investigation would determine subsequent actions by the police.

Adoda said there was no need for residents to be apprehensive over the arrest.

He said: “People are advised to go about their lawful businesses without any

fear of molestation.”

The police chief warned disgruntled elements, who may want to foment trouble, to think twice.

Adoda said: “The command is combat ready to deal with such a situation and any trouble maker caught would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

The interest of Oyo State takes precedence over any other consideration.”

A police source told The Nation that Akinsola denied earlier provocative statements against the CP and blamed the media for “magnifying his utterances”.

“He denied all he said in

newspapers that the CP could not arrest him. He said journalists only magnified all that he said. He urged the CP not to judge him by those statements,” the source said.

Akinsola had claimed that Mbu could not arrest him because there is a court order restraining the police from doing so.

He made the claim when the CP invited him in August.

The CP has insisted that Akinsola and Lamidi must answer for their roles in the violent crisis that claimed many lives at the height of the NURTW’s crisis last year.

•Oyo State Commissioner for Information Taiwo Otegbeye (middle), Director of Information Fatai Ogundairo (left) and Chairman, Action Alliance (AA), Senator Tunde Kelani at a news conference at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI

Senator queries ‘Ekiti road projects’ ENATOR Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti Central District) has uncovered an error in the 2013 Budget of the Federal Ministry of Works.

During the budget defence by the ministry and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) before the Senate Committee on Works yesterday, it was discovered that the four roads to be built in Ekiti in the 2013 budget are not actually in Ekiti.

They are roads in other states.

Ojudu, who is a member of the Works Committee, discovered the error and drew the attention of the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, to it.

Ojudu asked the minister

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why roads to be built in some states are as high as 20, 15 and 10, while only four are listed for Ekiti.

He said all the four roads are in other states but listed under Ekiti’s name.

The four “roads” to be built in Ekiti are Ogbomoso/ Oko-Ologbo/Osogbo road (Osun), Ikorodu/Imota road (Lagos), Ido Ani/Idogun/ Imeri/Ayegunle road (Ondo) and Lafia/Doma road (Nasarawa).

Southwest shares this same fate as the region got the least number of roads to be built in the 2013 budget.

Ojudu could not hide his disdain as he argued further that that had always been the practice wherever Ekiti is concerned at the federal

level, adding that he would personally see an end to such fraud.

Ojudu also took the Managing Director of FERMA, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi, up on why Ekiti got the least funds for repairs in the 2012 budget, much of which has not been released up till now, few days to the end of the year.

Tempers flared as Ojudu asked the Works Minister whether Ekiti State was not part of Nigeria, stressing that it was high time such deliberate marginalisation of the state and the Southwest stopped.

But for the intervention of the Vice-Chairman of the Works Committee, Senator Mohammed Garba, who

•Senator Ojudu

calmed Ojudu down and asked that the meeting ended in a close session, it could have become uglier.

It was at the close session that the Minster of Works was said to have apologised and promised to make amends.

Firm petitions judge on $600m Abuja estate

OLLOWING the dispute on the proposed $600 million Malaysian Gardens Estate, a firm has petitioned the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Lawal Gunmi.

The firm, Global Formwork Limited, said it was unhappy with FCT Minister Bala Mohammed’s response to the arbitration process.

The firm said if the FCT administration refuses to come to the arbitration

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

table, it might be forced to ask the court to enter judgment in its favour.

The Malaysian Gardens Estate was approved by the administration of former FCT Minister Nasir el-Rufai.

The 14,000-housing units’ project was inaugurated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

Located on about 500 hectares in Saraji District of Abuja, the project became

stalled following disagreement between the FCT Administration and the developers.

The crisis got to a stage that the outgoing Malaysian High Commissioner, Dato Nik Ahmad, petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan on June 14, raising some issues against the FCT minister.

Both parties later opted to resolve the dispute out of court.

In a fresh petition to the FCT CJ, signed by the Vice-

Chairman, Board of Directors, Malaysian Gardens Estate, Chief George Ebom, the developers alleged that the FCTA was not keen on arbitration.

The petition reads: “Sir, we respectfully express our appreciation for your prompt response to our application filed before you demanding that an arbitration be set up to resolve the differences in the development of the Malaysian Gardens Estate, Saraji, Abuja.”

‘Detainees must have access to lawyers’ From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

ALL detainees must have access to lawyers, the Director-General, Legal Aid Council (LAC), Mrs. Joy BobManuel, said yesterday.

She said this would decongest prisons.

Mrs. Bob-Manuel spoke during the handing over of the five-year review report of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) in Abuja.

Where the detainees cannot afford a lawyer, she said the police should call on the LAC to provide legal representatives for them.

Mrs. Bob-Manuel said it is wrong for the police to deny detainees access to lawyers during interrogation.

She said: ‘’After all, such interrogations have led some suspects, who were unfortunate to be where a crowd of people were rounded up or arrested, to spend five or more years in detention without prima facie evidence to arraign them.’’

Former LAC D-G Mrs. Uju Hassan Baba said: ‘’The PDSS, Police, the court system and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) need to link up better with the constitutional provision of Section 46 (4a) of the Nigerian Constitution, which places a grave duty on the LAC to arrange for duty solicitors to provide advice and assistance to any person who has a right to access a lawyer under the constitution of Nigeria’’.

Fed Govt records 97,747.11mw per hour From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

THE Nigerian power sector recorded an impressive boost of a peak of 97,749.11 megawatt per hour on Tuesday.

Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) Beks DagogoJack said the previous energy peak was 96,768.53 megawatts per hour recorded on August 31, 2012.

PTFP Media Head Mrs. Awele Okigbo, in a statement yesterday, said the chairman described the feat as a significant achievement in the nation’s history of power generation.

Mrs. Okigbo said it means over a 24-hour period, power was available most of the time.

She said: This is a sharp contrast to the historic epileptic nature of power availability. This means that the system is being better managed.

“It is important to note that the real metric for improved service delivery and performance in the power sector is by energy.

“In other words, measuring how much distance a car covers in the day as opposed to its top speed. For the first time in our history, Nigeria travelled the most distance in power (energy) in 24 hours.”

She said the disclosure of the new energy peak was contained in the Executive Operations Summary by the General Manager, National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo, Mr. A. Alade, on Tuesday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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NEWS Ajimobi advises council bosses on budgeting From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

OYO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has urged council chairmen, heads of local government administrations and directors to adopt the Zero-Base Budgeting system in all their activities.

He said this would prevent wasteful spending and abandonment of projects, and enable them to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

Ajimobi spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, during a seminar for council officials.

The theme of the seminar was "Zero-Base Budgeting".

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Mr. Ajiboye Omodewu, said the seminar was organised to teach council officials how to embark on "carefully scrutinised projects that would be completed before this year's budget expires".

He said: "We do not believe a council should carry a project embarked upon this year into next year. Such project should be achieved with this year's budget.

"Half and elephant projects will not be tolerated by this administration because we want people at the grassroots to feel the government's impact.

Rep seeks inclusion of Lagos' $600m loan in national budget A MEMBER of the House of Representatives, Mr. Michael Ogunnusi, has urged the Federal Government to shun partisan politics and include the $600 million World Bank Loan meant for Lagos State in next year's budget.

Ogunnusi, who represents Ifako-Ijaiye Federal Constituency in Lagos State, spoke with reporters yesterday at the National Assembly.

He said he was surprised that the loan was not included in the Federal Government's borrowing plan for next year.

The lawmaker, who is a member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) said he could not fathom how the Federal Government, which gave loans of $40 million to Ghana and $5 million to São Tomé some years ago, could frustrate Lagos State's plan to obtain a loan from the World Bank for developmental purposes.

He said: "It is our collective responsibility to improve our people's standard of living,

•Slams Fed Govt for playing politics

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

generate employment and create wealth. But when a state is denied access to loans, which can help it achieve all these, then it is the undoing of the Federal Government.

"In my opinion, Mr. President can go to sleep if some states are doing well and meeting up with their responsibilities. With that, the President can concentrate on things, such as security in the Northeast, which has turned into a volatile area.

"If the Southwest is doing well, it is to Mr. President's advantage, and if Lagos State has been praised for past performance, its efforts should not be truncated.

"If the door of the World Bank facility is closed by the Federal Government, then we

‘If the Southwest is doing well, it is to Mr. President's advantage, and if Lagos State has been praised for past performance, its efforts should not be truncated’ are right to say that it is political and discriminatory, which is grossly unfair to the people of Lagos State.

"We can also say that it is a way of ensuring that Lagosians do not grow. For instance, how do we justify the current Minister of Finance, who, during her first

tenure, extended loans to neighbouring countries from the Stabilisation Account, even without the approval of the National Assembly?

"The question is, if you can give loan to other countries, why truncate a certified and flexible World Bank loan for a component of your own country?

"It is clear that Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola has been performing and will use the loan to perform more."

Ogunnusi said Lagos has a history of performance and credibility when it comes to loans, adding that former Governor Bola Tinubu paid back a loan he obtained to develop the state during his tenure.

He said: "Are we playing politics with the standard of living of our people? Are we

‘Youths crucial to HIV/AIDs fight’ From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

YOUTHS have a critical role to play in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, Ekiti State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Folorunso Olabode said yesterday.

Olabode spoke in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at a two-day refresher training for members of the “Critical Mass Group on HIV/AIDS Coordination and Programming”, who are within the ages of 13 and 35.

He said the fight against HIV/AIDS cannot be won unless there is an attitudinal change among youths.

Olabode said: “The youth factor is the sole reason the fight against HIV/AIDS has not been won. The unrecognised influence of youths determines the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDs both globally and locally.

“All factors considered youths, as critical change agents, need to be educated on the malaise. Besides, sports is an avenue to strengthen the campaign, as many people are involved in it, whether as participants, spectators or enthusiasts.”

The Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Desola Oke said: “Youths are vulnerable, if left unattended. That is why they are being trained, not just because they are the future of the country, but because they need the information to guide and guard themselves in their interpersonal relationships.

“The State Action Committee on AIDs (SACA) has picked the gauntlet by mobilising human, financial and other requisite resources in mounting inter-level campaigns in the civil society and across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“What will augment the result of these efforts is the move this ministry is making at enhancing the youth factor.”

playing politics with employment? Is it not when there is money that you can meet the aspiration of your people?"

The lawmaker urged President Goodluck Jonathan to "temper Justice with mercy", so that Lagosians "would not react whenever he visits the state".

Fashola was at the National Assembly yesterday to get approval for the $200 million second tranche of the loan as well as its inclusion in next year's borrowing plan of the Federal Government.

He said the first tranche of $200 million had been received, but the second tranche is hanging because the Federal Government has not included it in its borrowing plan, despite two letters written to the Finance Minister on the issue.

Police warn against illegal use of siren in Ondo From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE police in Ondo State yesterday warned against the unauthorised use of siren.

In a statement, the command's spokesman, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, said there are laws guiding the use of siren and covering of number plates.

Aremu said anyone caught flouting the laws would be arrested.

He told owners of vehicles with factory-fitted tinted glasses to get police approval before using them and advised those with artificially tinted ones to remove them.

Aremu said this is part of measures to check crime and assured residents of security.

Aregbesola mourns sports council boss From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo •Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon (middle) greeting the Community Affairs Officer, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emeka Mba at the Coca-Cola sponsored Superstar Novelty Match in Lagos marking the World AIDS Day celebration. With them is the Founder, Friends Africa, Dr. Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba .

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Osun trains 150 people in brick making

NE hundred and fifty cadets of the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (OYES) are undergoing training in red brick making and setting.

The two months’ training, tagged: O’Red Brick, was organised by the Osun Local Enterprise Development Scheme (O’LEADS).

It is holding in Ilesha, Ilesha

T

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

West Local Government; OkeIla, Ifedayo Local Government and Asa, Ola-Oluwa Local Government.

The training will cover how to make bricks with red sand (laterite) and cement and building with it.

The OYES mentor in charge

of the training, Mr. Charles Oluyemi, said the government intends to train the cadets in various skills to enable them become entrepreneurs at the end of the scheme.

Oluyemi said the government would provide loans and equipment for the trainees to begin their businesses.

O’LEAD Project Officer Mr. Olumuyiwa Omoniwa said

O’Red Brick is just one of the enterprise’s empowerment programmes.

Omoniwa said the cost of building with red brick is about 35 per cent lesser than with blocks.

He said the trainees were catching up fast and urged the government to continue to support such programmes.

PDP boycotts Ekiti peace meeting

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday boycotted an inter-ministerial peace meeting summoned by the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sotonye Wakama.

The meeting, held at the Police Headquarters in AdoEkiti, the state capital, was attended by other prominent parties, Resident Electoral Commissioner Alhaji Halilu Pai, Director of the State Security Service (SSS) Mr. Samuel Tamuno and heads of other security agencies.

The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), pledging to ensure peaceful inter-party relations.

Police spokesman Mr. Victor Babafemi, who spoke

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

with reporters on the outcome of the meeting, said the parley became imperative to political violence in the state.

Babafemi urged parties to prevail on their members to

stop attacking their opponents.

He said anyone who breaches the peace would be dealt with.

PDP officials could not be reached to find out why the party was absent at the meeting.

•Wakama

SON to tackle substandard products

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HE Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chinese Certification and Inspection Group (CCIC) to stop the influx of substandard goods.

SON Director-General Dr. Joseph Odumodu said the partnership would open a new chapter in quality assurance.

Odumodu said: “We started querying the effectiveness of the SONCAP regime and we later found out that some of its features were not

properly implemented. These are the issues we are going to address with this collaboration.

“Every product that must come into the country must undergo some form of testing and certification. That is why we have said the independent accreditation agency has to take a sample of the batch that is being exported to Nigeria or any of its neighbours.

“There was gross under-reporting of transactions involving SONCAP certificates. SON will now issue the certificates.”

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has mourned the General Manager of the State Sports Council, Alhaji Alade Omotayo Yesufu.

The late Yesufu, who led the state's delegation to the ongoing National Sports Festival in Lagos, died on Tuesday.

Aregbesola described his demise as "sudden and shocking".

In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said he received the news with a "sad and heavy heart". He described Yesufu as a diligent and dutiful man, who served his state until his death.

Aregbesola said: "I received with a heavy-laden heart the death of Alhaji Yesufu. He died in active service to his state. He distinguished himself as an industrious, devoted and committed worker, who had the interest of his people and the state at heart.

"Alhaji Yesufu's death would leave a huge vacuum in the state's sports commission. Certainly, the state would miss him, his experience and contributions to sporting activities.

"On behalf of myself and the people of the state, I offer my condolences to his family and pray God to give them the fortitude to bear the great loss.

We also pray that Almighty Allah would grant him Aljana Firdaus."

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

9

NEWS Ajimobi: Amaechi’s an icon

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YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has described his Rivers State counterpart and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum Rotimi Amaechi as an icon following his achievements in Rivers State.

Ajimobi spoke to reporters at the end of his two-day official visit to Rivers State with his wife, Florence.

He said he was in the state to conduct a peer review and comparative analysis between his state and Rivers.

“I came here to meet a brother. Secondly, I’m conducting what you call a peer review and comparative analysis to see what is happening in Rivers vis-a-vis Oyo .

“Having been here now, I’ve seen a lot and I think

without sounding patronising, I think Governor Amaechi is a blessing to Port Harcourt, to Rivers State in terms of his achievements, commitment and patriotism. “ I think he’s an icon from what I have seen. I’ve gone round to see your farming, the agriculture, a lot has been achieved and it has a multiplier effect on the economy, in terms of employment, income-generation and poverty reduction, reducing thuggery, vandalism and all the associated nuances of low economy.”

He hailed Amaechi for his achievements in power, health, education and other sectors.

Ajimobi said he would replicate the projects, which he said are complementary.

Oshiomhole calls three witnesses DO State Governor at tribunal Adams Oshiomhole

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yesterday opened his defence at the State Election Petitions Tribunal with the calling of three witnesses.

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Charles Airhiavbere filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the outcome of the July 14 governorship election.

The witnesses are a former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Henry Idahagbon, Helen Guobadia and Edegbe Uyi Benjamin.

Idahagbon told the tribunal that he was the collation officer for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in unit nine at Evbuotubu Town Hall He said he did not witness the counting of votes, as he left after voting.

Idahagbon denied the alle-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

gations that he bribed officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

He said the election was free and fair.

Ms Guobadia said she was the ACN agent in Unit 3 Ward 3 in Ogida Motor-park.

She told the tribunal that 334 voters were accredited and that the ballot papers were counted in her presence.

Ms Guobadia said all the party agents signed the unit election result sheet.

Benjamin said security agencies did not connive with party agents to manipulate the elections.

He said the election was peaceful and that PDP had a party agent at the polling unit.

Delta to close illegal health centres From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

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HE Delta State Government has said it would close illegal health facilities in the state.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said this at the state Dashboard Implementation Workshop in Asaba, the state capital.

He said clinics, nursing homes and pharmacies operating illegally or below the minimum required standard would be closed down.

The Dashboard Implementation Workshop is a self evaluation programme designed to review the activities of ministries and corporations and prepare a road map to improve government policies.

Uduaghan directed the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) to complete all road projects in Warri and Asaba before the end of the year.

The governor said the adminstration has set aside N1.5 billion for a mass housing programme.

Abductors demand N200m

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BDUCTORS of a Benin businessman, Omoruyi Oloton, popularly called Uyi Technical, have demanded N200million.

Omoruyi was abducted last Thursday by gunmen in his office on Mission Road in Benin City. Two policemen were killed by the gunmen and another injured.

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A source told The Nation that the abductors said the ransom should be paid in Bayelsa State.

The source said they were warned to “pay or blood would flow”.

At Omoruyi’s home yesterday, his family and workers were praying for his safety.

Institute holds convocation

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VER 90 per cent of Master’s and Post- graduate Diploma (PGD) graduates of the University of Port Harcourt’s (UNIPORT’s) Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS) get automatic jobs in the oil and gas industry.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Joseph Ajienka, said this yesterday at the IPS’ ninth Induction and Anniversary Lecture for 41 graduands.

Ajienka, who is the pioneer director of the IPS, said other international oil companies should emulate what the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and To-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

tal Exploration and Production (E&P) Nigeria Limited, the sponsors of the petroleum institute, are doing in human capital development in the oil and gas industry.

The Managing Director of Total E&P, Guy Maurice; the Group Managing Diorector (GMD) of NNPC, Andrew Laah Yakubu and the Director of IPS, Prof. Mike Onyekonwu, also corroborated the revelation of Ajienka on automatic employment for UNIPORT institute’s graduates.

•Oshiomhole (in front), acting Commissioner of Police Mohammed Hurdi, Area Commander, Auchi Command David Jimwan during the inspection...yesterday

Auchi attack: Oshiomhole calls E for police probe

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has called on the InspectorGeneral of Police to investigate how criminals held Auchi town hostage for over three hours with no response from the police.

The governor made the call yesterday when he inspected First Bank, Access Bank, Ecobank, soldiers’ quarters and the police formations attacked by the bandits last week.

Oshiomhole spoke of the need for the police to look inward to be sure there was no Judas among them.

He said: “To think that a police station with arms could be attacked and the police could not kill one criminal worries me.

“I was not happy that the police parked the Armoured Personnel Carrier behind the Area Commander’s office.

“It shows that the police are not using the funds given to them maximally.

“I‘m not impressed because the APC ought to be in operation.

“The fact that the APC was parked at the back of the station and bombed there means that it was not put to good use.

“It is unacceptable. They should begin to account for their negligence to duty, incompetence or both.

“Until we begin to do that, this lamentation will continue and criminals will continue to operate and demystify the state and make us look like mushrooms that can be consumed with minimal effort.

“I believe the police will have to investigate to reassure us that we are safe.

“The fact that bandits can attack two police formations and do that kind of damage shows the need to revisit the role of policing and their op-

erational order,” he said.

The governor, however, praised the Army for the five soldiers who repelled the attack and killed one of the bandits.

“The point has been made that if you attack a military base, you will pay a huge price.

“For me, that is a little relief that one of the bandits was killed by the soldiers, in the sense that his identity will assist security agencies in their investigations,” the governor said.

He went on: “I am troubled by what I saw, but we are not giving up. The criminals cannot win; they must be defeated and brought to justice.

“Let me reassure you that the irreducible responsibility of any government is to protect life and property.

“If the government cannot

protect life and property, then we are in trouble.

“I accept responsibility as the governor for what happened.

“We have a duty to contribute in ensuring security. I do hope that you appreciate that what has happened is not because of want of efforts.

“Ordinarily, the Army should not be involved in civil policing, but because of the sheer deficiency on the side of the police, we had to get the Army to reinforce the police.

“This is why you have seen soldiers manning the Operation Thunderstorm.

“I’m calling on police authorities to conduct proper internal investigation and ensure that those who were negligent are brought to book.”

The Otaru of Auchi, Alhaji Aliru Momoh, said a way out of the security challenge is for the government to liberalise the law on weapons so that everybody can defend himself.

Edo asks Igbinedion to pay N42m income tax T

HE Edo State Government has asked the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, to pay N42,374,963 million as Personal Income Tax owed between 2008 and 2011.

A demand note sent to Igbinedion by the Board of Internal Revenue and dated December 3 said the amount included a 10 per cent penalty and 21 per cent interest in accordance with sections 76(2) and 77 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 as amended.

The note said a legal proceedings would be instituted against Igbinedion for the recovery of the money, if he failed to pay within one month.

The government has also sealed off the Independent Television/Radio (ITV/Radio) following outstanding tax liabilities of over N12 million.

In a statement by Head of Media in the State Board of Internal Revenue Courage Eboi-

Y

•Board off ITV/Radio over N12m tax From Osagie Otabor, Benin

gbe, the agency said: “Based on a subsisting court order, the Edo State Board of Internal Revenue sealed off the Independent Television/Radio (ITV/Radio) yesterday for failure to pay an accumulated tax to the government from 2005 to 2010.

“The outstanding tax liabilities of ITV/Radio to Edo State Government amount to N12,882,596.43.

“To be sure, the Board wishes to reassure the public that it will continue to enforce the tax law without fear or favour.”

But the station’s General Manager, Ogbeide Uhunmunse, said the firm does not owe the state as it paid N2.3million as Tax Audit between 2005 and 2010.

Uhunmunse said they had filed a motion on notice, seeking to discharge the exparte order allowing the revenue board to seal off their premises.

He said: “They came at about 6:15am and chased the workers away.

“They didn’t allow them to shut down. They should fight a personal fight and not an establishment. “ There is no month we don’t pay our taxes.”

An affidavit in support of the motion on notion signed by the firm’s legal adviser, Violet Osarenkhoe, said the station was not given a fair hearing as to the demand of any debt owed the respondent.

Documents released by Igbinedion showed that he paid

•Igbinedion

N774,500 as Personal Income Tax he earned as director’s fees between 2005 and 2007.

Another receipt attached to the documents showed that he paid N414,975 as Income Tax in 2011. A publication by the revenue board indicated that 34 persons in the state have paid their Income Tax. On the list, among others , are Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, Godwin Abbe, Sir Alfred Eghobamien, Patience Abbe and others.

Protest at Rivers Govt House

OUTHS, under the aegis of Neighbourhood Watch, have protested at the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt.

Over 2000 protesters gathered at the entrance of the Government House gate, to protest their unpaid salaries.

They were received by the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Fortune Oguru. Their leader, Godknows Bob-Manuel, said: “We’re here to bring to your notice that we are owed eight months of salaries, in case you did not know.

“We want to appeal to you to give an executive directive that we should be paid. We are hungry sir, and Christmas is around the corner.

“We were owed three months in 2010 and this year, we have only received salaries just from January to June. July till last

month has not been paid to us,” he said.

The youths were reportedly employed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi in 2008 to assist in providing valuable information to security agencies.

They were promised N20, 000 monthly.

Bob-Manuel, said: “Those militants we were fighting against are today friends of the government.

“Some of them are outside the country, and we are still here, doing risky job to ensure the state is at peace, yet we can’t still get our salaries.

“Over 12 people have been killed since we began in 2008.

“There has not been any form of compensation to the families of the deceased, including that of the man, who was carried alive and has not been seen again.”

10

CITYBEATS LUTH doctors Pharmacist rearrested strike continues for Cynthia’s murder

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012 08033054340, 08034699757 E-mail:- ynotcitybeats@gmail.com

Trader charged with stabbing girl

By Wale Adepoju

By Adebisi Onanuga

The warning strike by resident doctors at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Lagos. entered its second day yesterday.

Patients who were unattended to, said things may get out of hand if the issue is not resolved quickly.

Dr Olatunji Adenekan, Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) said the strike was informed by an internal problem not known to the public.

He said the hospital is in a position to address its problems.

Another doctor, who preferred anonymity, alleged that LUTH management had deducted more than necessary from their monthly salaries as tax.

Meetings, he said, were held between the executives of the association and the management demanding an explanation.

He said: “The new tax regime by the hospital allows over 20 per cent of our monthly salary to be deducted.”

LUTH’s Chief Medical Director Prof Akin Osibogun said the tax deduction was as a result of the new income tax law.

Osibogun said: “People need to be properly educated on tax payment and adapt to it as obtained in western countries.

A 35-YEAR-OLD trader, Mrs. Gloria Christopher, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court for allegedly stabbing Miss Mercy Edet on the cheek with a broken bottle.

Prosecuting, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nnamonu Ibekwe told the court that Christopher assaulted Edet, who is her sales girl because she suspected the girl of having an affair with her husband.

Nnamonu said the offence was committed at No 23 Epetedo, Pako Ashafa, area of Lagos on November 28.

He said the offence contravened Section 228, Criminal Laws, Lagos State 2011.

When the charge was read Christopher pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate A.T Omoyele granted her N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

She adjourned the matter till January 29, 2013.

Johnnie Walker holds award night WORLD Leading Scottish whisky, Johnnie Walker, is set to present its award of "The Striding Man" to one of the three nominees at this year's Mode Men magazine's "Man of the Year" Awards.

The event, which will take place at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki , Lagos on Saturday, will feature 17 award categories, with music, comedy and other engaging performances to match the fun and glamour of the evening.

According to the Brand Manager of Johnnie Walker, Amaechi Okobi, the award is given to men who are determined to achieve excellence in the face of weighty challenges, adding that the "Johnnie Walker man is a work in progress, he keeps striving and looking for the next challenge, He keeps walking.

"The Johnnie Walker brand has five bold variants in the Scottish Whisky family.

This goes to show that keeping faith with one's dreams will always yield progress and success. This is why we are working with Mode Men magazine to celebrate high achievers who have given so much to get where they are today," The Editor-in-Chief of Mode Man magazine and convener of Man of the Year Awards, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, said: "After five years of sharing the exploits of the Nigerian men, both at home and in Diaspora, the Mode Men team decided to set aside a day for these successful individuals whose noble actions have profoundly affected lives in the society.”

•Suspects trial begins soon, says A-G

A

pharmacist freed over the death of Cynthia Osokogu has been rearrested by the police following fresh evidence.

Orji Osita was rearrested on the strength of the legal advice by Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Commissoner for Justice and Attorney- General Ade Ipaye said yesterdady.

Ipaye said the pharmacist and six others would soon be arraigned in a Lagos High Court for Cynthia’s death.

Osita and his colleague Maduakor Chukwunonso were freed last week by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of

By Adebisi Onanuga

the Lagos High Court following a November 1 legal advice by the DPP. But the DPP reversed himself on November 17 when he issued another advice implicating Osita in Cynthia’s murder.

Cynthia was killed in July after being lured to Lagos from Abuja by her facebook friends.

Briefing reporters in Lagos, Ipaye said new facts showed that one of the pharmacists was culpable in Cynthia’s death.

“The pharmacist that was released was the one that sold the drug and not the

pharmacist that persuaded the other to sell the drug used on the deceased”, he said.

In the Nocember 1 advice signed by M.B Olaniyi, the DPP told the police that there was no evidence of criminal act by Osita and Maduakor.

But the second advice, signed by Olayide Eboda insisted that there is “a prima facie case of reckless and negligent acts” against Mr. Osita.

Accroding to the advice, there are facts that the second defendent (Olisaeloka) had identified Mr. Osita as the pharmacist who sold the drug Rohypnol Flunitrazepan to him without prescription.

• The late Cynthia

Though the advice contradicted the earlier one, Chukwu Agwu, the police counsel, said it was “superior, correct, and authentic.”

“The DPP gave the second advice after they made a representation that the first advice did not articulate all the facts,” said Mr. Agwu.

Motorists get alternative route in Lekki-Epe

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OTORISTS opposed to the erection of toll-gates on the Lekki-Ajah Expressway got a relief yesterday. The Lagos State Government unveiled an alternative route for them.

The two-way road, newly built and parallel to Eti-OsaLekki-Epe-Eti-Osa Expressway, will end the dispute between the government and some Lekki Penninsula residents over the management of the toll plaza by Lekki Concession Company (LCC).

LCC was franchised by the government to upgrade about 49.36-kilometre stretch of the dual-carriage expressway and manage it to recoup its investment.

The relief came on the heels of an announcement by the firm to introduce toll

•Concessionaire introduces second toll-gate Dece 16 collection at the second plaza - the Conversation Plaza beginning from December 16.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi was on the LekkiEpe corridor yesterday to inspect the alternative roads.

Gbeleyi and some senior government officials in his entourage were conducted round the 3.6-kilometre stretch by the Managing Director of Metropolitan Construction Company, Mr. Carlos Franji and Mr. Tony Fagbuaro.

While inspecting the route from Chevron Drive to Oluwanisola Estate, Gbeleyi said the road would serve as an alternative for motorists, who are unwilling to pay the toll at Conservation Plaza.

The new plaza is about 10 kilometres to Admiralty Plaza, where the introduction of toll sparked protests earlier in the year.

Gbeleyi said the decision of the Governor Babatunde Fashola-administration not to force the toll on motorists informed the completion of the alternative route before the inauguration of the second plaza.

He said the alternative route was fitted with furniture like street lights, comprehensive drainage system, dual walkway as well as functional road signs.

According to him, the furniture would ensure safety and security of lives and properties.

Besides, he said, the government would deploy secu-

rity and traffic operatives to police the route.

He said: “As the uptake in population growth, the road will get busy. The opening is a temporary opening. But by next Sunday, every construction work on the road would have been completed.

“At that time, the road will no longer be lonely as motorist would ply the road constantly. Before now, there was no access to the community.”

Mr Franji said the road was not only built to provide alternative for motorists, but also “to provide accessible road for residents of the community on the axis where the toll plazas were constructed.

“We have designed the road to be the alternative road for the second toll plaza,” he said.

‘Rely on IT tools during emergencies’

By Miriam Ndikanwu

• Mabadeje

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AGOS State Government has urged officials of emergency agencies to respond promptly to emergencies using Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Commissioner for Science and Technology Adebiyi Mabadeje gave the charge while addressing participants during training at the command centre Alausa, Ikeja.

Among those attending the training are officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASEMBUS), Fire service, Lagos State Emergency Management Authority (LASEMA) and the Rapid Response Squad.

He said the resident officials of the agencies station at the command centres would receive the information which will be transferred to their colleagues on the

field for prompt response to disaster.

“No human endeavour will thrive where there is insecurity, the growth of the Lagos economy and increasing investment attraction have been driven significantly by the maintenance of law and order and very high level of security which give assurance that Lagos is a secure place to live in and do business” he said.

Mabadeje appealed to residents to restrain from making fake calls that are not security and emergency related, noting that it is practically impossible to attend to all emergency calls with the added burden of fake calls.

He urged parents to educate their children as young

people constitute the highest number of offenders in this regard.

ICT, he said, had improved the mode of doing business in the country, adding that it is in this vein that the government is introducing it for disaster management.

Managing Director Opass Limited, Mr. Muyiwa Green, said participants would be trained on working in partnership with their colleagues on the field to achieve world class emergency response.

“The system we are training them on is similar to what is obtainable in developed nations, there will be continuous monitoring and assessment of the trainee to ensure that they carry out effectively what they have learnt from the programme”, he said.

30 military officers for post-service training

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HE Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) has begun a post-service training for 30 senior military officers in Lagos.

At the end of the programme, 150 officers would have participated in it this year.

Flagging off the workshop, NAFRC Commandant Air Vice Marshal Moses Akisanmi said the programme is designed to prepare officers for

By Jude Isiguzo

life in retirement.

The programme is being organised by NAFRC and Empretec Nigeria Foundation (ENF).

ENF is a private sector initiative of the United Nations and managed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretariat in Geneva.

The Commandant said the

post-service training was informed by the fact that some officers are afraid of retirement because they are either not prepared or not ready for life after service.

The programme, according to him, is designed to equip and prepare officers for the final phase of their life having served the country for 35 years.

“The centre was established as a resettlement and vocational institution to cater for

the retiring personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Therefore, the objective of the centre is to provide retiring personnel with skills and trade that would empower them to set up businesses and to enjoy productive life in retirement” he said.

In her remark, the Director Empretec Nigeria, Mrs. Onari Duke, said about 150 senior military officers have benefited from the programme this year.

Govt creates fusion centres to combat terrorism

By Jude Isiguzo

THE Federal Government has created fusion centres to effectively combat terrorism.

The centres are for information sharing and collation. They will serve all security agencies and enhance efficiency in intelligence gathering and analysis. The centre will also enable the security agenceies to learn of terrorists intent before they strike.

Speaking at the Association of Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) Security Conference, 2012, in Lagos, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ola Ibrahim, represented by Air Vice Marshal Michael Faloyin said intelligence and its analysis were key in winning the war on terror.

He said cooperation among the security agencies was of critical importance.

The defence chief identified measures that could assist government in the fight against terrorism to include sensitisation of the public, legal considerations, capacity building for security agencies, information management and propaganda and enlightenment programme.

In a paper entitled: Combating Boko Haram and other internal security threats: Imperative for improved civil-military relations”,Ibrahim said sensitising of the public would help to get their support inwards winning the war on terror.

Such sensitisation, he said, should be done via radio, television jingles, newspapers, posters, banners and fliers.

According to him, the sensitisation should also be extended to religious and opinion leaders, school teachers, Youth Corps members and others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

$10b ‘hot money’ no threat to economy

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IGERIA’s financial system is not under threat from speculative investments valued at about $10 billion, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), LamidoSanusiLamido, has said.

He said Nigeria would still have $36 billion in reserves if the investments left the country.

Sanusi who spoke yesterday at a conference in Abuja, said the high interest rates have kept inflation below forecast, stabilised the naira and helped raise foreign currency reserves, “The policy is working” in providing price stability, the core mandate of the bank, he said.

The Monetary Policy Committee, led by Sanusi, has left its policy rate unchanged at a record 12 percent this year to help support the naira and curb inflation. Inflation rose to 11.7 per cent in October, staying below the apex bank’s forecast of as much as 15 per cent after the government cut a subsidy on gasoline in January.

There’s no evidence that lower interest rates will spur economic growth, as the biggest obstacles to borrowing and credit are lack of power supply, roads and other infrastructure that the private sector needs, he added.

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

We want a SONCAP programme that would serve its purpose; a programme that would be dynamic, where all the identified loopholes would be effectively plugged thereby making it difficult for the plague of substandard products to continue to dominate the Nigerian business space.

- Dr Joseph Odumodu, DG, SON

Dangote shuts down four million MT cement plant T HE management of Dangote Cement Plc has concluded arrangements to temporarily close down its four million metric tons per annum’s Gboko Plant, as a result of glut in the cement market.

The Group Head, Corporate Communication, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina who confirmed this in Lagos, said the move was necessitated by the glut in the market arising from the success being recorded in local production.

He said the situation is compounded by the continued importation of subsidised cement into the coun-

• Dumping hits cement market

By Simeon Ebulu

try, adding that the production figure for the first eleven months of the year showed increased local production level with supply now surpassing demand.

Chiejina said total supply of cement to the market as at the end of November, when compared with the same period of last year, has showed a record increase of 11.4 per cent.

He said it was therefore disheartening to note that despite the glut in the local cement market, cement is still being imported, a development, Chiejina said, is at varience with government’s backward integration policy.

Giving the reason for the choice of BCC for a temporary shutdown, the Dangote Group’s image maker, said: “With the dumping of subsidised imported cement in the South Eastern market,

there is no way our Gboko Cement plant can survive. In fact, staff have been put on forced leave pending when the situation improves.

“Inventory of finished products is beginning to build up at our plants. Don’t forget that projects from our investments of about N280 billion in additional capacity are already on stream, with lines 3 and 4 at Ibese and line 4 at Obajana, coming on stream early this year.”

Chiejina said other manufacturers are also experiencing the same problem of low sale and high inventory, and called for an urgent solu-

tions to the development.

Besides, he advised that government should vigorously implement the provisions of the cement backward integration policy that are needed to protect local manufacturers from dumping.

He said part of the solution lies in government consigering a total ban on the importation of cement in view of the fact that local production now surpasses demand, or in the alternative, increase duty and levy on imported cement.

The Nation market survey revealed that a 50kg bag of cement sells for N1,850.

NEXIM to float shipping firm From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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• Dikko (left) and Oyinloye, signing documents at the completion board meeting of the bank in Abuja...yesterday.

Infrastructure Bank plans N1.5b rights issues

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HE Infrastructure Bank is to issue N1.5 billion rights issues to its existing shareholders, opening from December 17 to January 28, next year.

The shareholders of the Bank include federal and state governments; local governments and trade unions, according to its Managing Director, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye.

At a completion board meeting of the Bank held at its headquarters in Abuja, the Chairman of the Bank,

Alhaji Lamis Dikko, said the rights issue comprised of 1,551,500,000 ordinary shares of N1.00 each.

Alhaji Dikko said the additional shares were being offered shareholders on the basis of one new ordinary share for every ordinary share held as at June 30, 2012.

The current authorised share capital of the Bank is N3.1 billion comprising of 3,103,000,000 ordinary shares of N1.00 each.

The proceeds of the right issues will be used to pro-

vide additional funding for facilitating project finance, debt payment and also enhancing capital working requirements of the Bank.

There is currently no specified minimum capital base provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria for the Bank.

Also present at the meeting were representatives of the lead and joint issuing houses – APT Securities and Funds Ltd and WSTC Financial Services Ltd – and the Security and Exchange

Commission (SEC).

In a brief remark after the meeting, the managing director said that the bank was re-positioning itself to bring greater impact to bear on the nation’s infrastructural development sector in the coming year.

Mr. Oyinloye said that the nation must redress its infrastructural deficit if its goal of joining the league of the world’s top 20 industrialised nations by year 2020 must be achieved

HE Nigerian ExportImport Bank is to set up a shipping line to boost trade between Nigeria and other African countries, The Managing Director, Mr Robert Orya, who stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, while presenting the bank’s 2013 budget proposal, also expressed concerns over recovery of its debts nationwide.

Orya, said the establishment of the shipping line became imperative as a result of the situation of road transportation that has become unattractive because of several obstacles and bottlenecks.

In addition, he said the shipping line would facilitate transportation of goods to both the West and Central African sub regions.

On the grants for foreign importers of Nigerian goods which he said is underway, Orya noted that it would also encourage them to expand their transactions in the country.

PPPRA restricts petroleum products’ importers to depot

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HE Petroleum Products Pricing Regula tory Agency (PPPRA) has restricted petroleum products importers to those who own coastal storage facilities.

The Executive Secretary, Reginald Stanley, who stated this in Abuja, said the measure was taken to halt fuel subsidy scam and reduce participants in the Petroleum Subsidy Fund (PSF) Scheme.

He said his action is in support of government’s decision to address the issue of pervasive malpractices prevalent in the oil and gas sector, as well as absence of actions directed at enforcing transparency and accountability in the administration of the subsidy re-

By Daniel Essiet

gime.

These reforms are aimed at engendering pubic trust and belief in government’s sincerity in the Downstream oil sector, he stated.

He enumerated the reforms to include restricted participation of petroleum products’ importers to only owners of coastal discharge/depot facilities, thus substantially reducing participation in the PSF Scheme.

He explained that this move has further induced more investments in the development of petroleum handling facilities, as well as ensure beter management of participants in the PSF Scheme, while promoting local content develop-

ment, adding that the step has saved N671billion in subsidy claims.

Stanley said this was made possible by stringent and proactive reform initiatives put in place in line with President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformational Leadership agenda in the oil and gas subsector.

He said the figure represented 49.7 per cent when pitched against the October, 2011 subsidy payment of N1.3 trillion on premium motor spirit (PMS), adding that the figure is likely to rise by the end of the year.

He said the agency has been able to shrink the size of briefcase marketers from 128 to 38.

“In other words, we successfully cleaned out 90 companies,

while setting stringent regulatory conditions which would make it difficult for marketers to short-change the system.

“Our efforts have not stopped here as we are more than determined to refer any matter to the EFCC, should we notice any infraction,” he said.

“The Federal Government has done extremely well in the area of halting fuel subsidy scams in the country. Today, such efforts at transparency and accountability are beginning to yield positive results,” he stated.

Stanley said the new PPPRA remains a model organisation that is alive to its responsibilities, as its activities within the past year, have pointed to the fact that a lot is being done to

sanitise the sector and make it both sustainable and profitable for honest operators.

He said out of the N679 billion subsidy payment made between January and October, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), got N337.7billion, while other marketers received a combined figure of N342 billion. adding that this is against the N1.351 trillion paid within the same period of last year.

Stanley debunked the news making the rounds about the ‘jumbo salaries and allowances of PPPRA staff, describing it as a gross mis-representation of what he said while appearing before the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Petroleum (Downstream).

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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1. This Invitation for Bids follows the General Procurement Notice for this Project that appeared in the dgMarket web site on June 2, 2004 and was published in UN Development Business, Issue No. 633, on June 30, 2004.

2. The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a credit from the International Development Association towards the cost of National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of this credit to payments under the Contract for Works listed in table 3below.

3. The Ogun State Water Corporation now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for execution of works listed in table 3 WORKS TABLE3 1 1 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-06LotI 2 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-06LotII 3 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-06Lot III 2 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-08 3 OG/NUWSRP/WRKS/ NCB/12-02 4 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-07 5 1 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04LotI 1 2 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04LotII 3 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04LotIII 4 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04LotIV 5 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04LotV 6 OG/NUWSRP/WKS/ NCB 12-04Lot VI

Repair of Leakage on Rising Main Channelisation of Overflow duct at Asaran Rehabilitation of 500 Cubic Meter Elevated Tank Rehabilitation of Package Treatment Plant Construction of Sagamu intake structure Construction of dedicated power line to papalanto Scheme Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Ogere Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Abeokuta Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Ijebu-ode Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Sagamu Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Ilaro Supply and laying of 150mm dia UPVC pipeline complete with house connection in Apoje

Arakanga

4 months

N200,000

N5,000,000

A s a r a n , Abeokuta

4 months

N400,000

N10,000,000

4 months

N600,000

N18,000,000

6 months

N2,500,000

N80,000,000

6 months

N6,500,00

N600,000,000.00

4month

N1,500,000

N60,000,000

6 months

N1,500,000

N180,000,000

6months

N3,000,000

N300,000,000

6months

N1,000,000

N110,000,000

6months

N500,000

N60,000,000

6months

N300,000

N33,000,000

6months

N2,000,000

N240,000,000

Ijebu-Ode Abeokuta Sagamu Papalanto Ogere Abeokuta Ijebu-Ode Sagamu Papalnto/Ilaro Apoje

Table 2 S/N

Description of Services

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Supply and laying of pipe in Ogere Supply and Laying of Pipe in Abeokuta Supply and laying of Pipe in Ijeju-Ode Supply and Laying of pipe in Sagamu Supply and laying of Pipe in Ilaro Supply and Laying of Pipe in Apoje Repair of Leakage on Rising Main Channelization of Overflow duct at Asaran Rehabilitation of 500 Cubic Meter Elevated Tank Rehabilitation of Package Treatment Plant Construction of dedicated power line to Papalanto Construction of Sagamu Intake structure

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Amount for Bid Documents N20,000 N30,000 N20,000 N15,000 N15,000 N20,000 N10,000.00 N15,000 N20,000 N20,000 N20,000 N30,000

Closing date and Time of Bids 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.00p.m

Date and Time of Bids opening 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m 7th January, 2013Time: 12.30p.m

4. Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) procedures specified in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Procurement under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits, and is open to all bidders from Eligible Source Countries as defined in the Bidding Documents.

5. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from Ogun State Water Corporation and inspect the bidding documents at the address below from Mondays to Fridays (except public holidays) from 8.30 am to 3.00 pm.

6 Qualifications requirement include the following minimum conditions; a. Possession of experience as a prime Contractor for at least (2) works of a nature and complexity equivalent to the works over the last five (5) years. To comply with this requirement, works sited should be at 70 percent complete. b The amount of annual turnover in construction works in the last five (5) years in works that have been successfully and substantially completed and that are similar to the proposed works and Goods bids are as specified above. c Have a Project Manager with at least 15 years experience in Works of equivalent nature and volume, including not less than 5 years as Manager among its core staff and shall have a minimum of BSc Degree in Civil Engineering or Equivalent Qualification for works contract only. d Own a substantial production of the construction equipment required to successfully execute the contract(for works contract Only). e Provide Annual audited account for the last three (3) years 6. A complete set of bidding documents in English language may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee as above (table 2). The method of payment will be by Bank Draft made in favour of the National Urban Water Sector Reform Project, Ogun State. The Bidding Documents will be collected by hand or sent by courier services on request.

7. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before Monday 7th January 2013 at 12.00 noon.

Electronic bidding “shall not” be permitted. Late bids will be rejected. Bids will be opened physically in the presence of the bidders’ representatives, who choose to attend in person at the address below at 12.30 noon on 7th January, 2013.

8. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security as stated in the table under paragraph 3 above or an equivalent amount in a freely convertible currency.

9. The address referred to above is: General Manager Ogun State Water Corporation, Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

INDUSTRY

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‘New electricity tariff killing businesses’

HE new electricity tariff, known as Multi-Year-Tariff Order (MYTO) II is killing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector, the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME’s) has said.

This was one of the findings of a survey initiated by the association to assess the impact of the new electricity tariff on MSMEs in the country.

According to them, SMEs in the manufacturing sector have been the hardest hit by the MYTO II tariff.

The findings of the survey were presented by Executive Secretary, NASME Mr Eke Ubiji during a oneday Policy Dialogue with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the effect of the MYTO II policy on MSMEs in Nigeria.

He said the SME operators have experienced increases ranging from 70 per cent to 440 per cent in their

By Toba Agboola and Damilola Ogunfuye

monthly electricity tariff. On the average, manufacturing SMEs across the country have experienced an increase of 188.6 per cent in electricity tariff since the introduction of MYTO II. He said the survey was initiated

by NAMSE following several complaints received from members about the high cost implication of the new tariff.

The survey, according to Ubiji, which was conducted by NASME, took place from November 6 to 12 in the six geo-political zones in the country with field work conducted in Cross-River, Bauchi, Imo, Kaduna, Lagos states and Abuja.

A total of 138 businesses were interviewed and 127 interviews were completed, 45 per cent of the completed interviews were NASME

members, while 55 per cent were non- NASME members but SMEs as well as being members of other business membership organisations (BMOs), such as Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and State Chambers of Commerce and Industries.

Ubiji noted that the importance of MSMEs cannot be over emphasised, saying that findings from the survey shows that BMO members have a very negative perception about the MYTO II tariff and its introduction.

“Also, more businesses have increased their average spend on electricity from between 10 per cent to 20 per cent of total operating costs before June 2012 and from 20 per cent to 30 per cent of total operating costs after June 2012. There has also been an increase from 11 per cent to 18 per cent on the average spend on

electricity as a percentage of their operating cost since June 2012.

NASME called for the elimination of all fixed charges.

“In the medium to long term future, NASME recommends that the fixed charge is completely eliminated and all charges become variable based on consumption,” it stated.

The organisation explained that this would ensure that its members only pay for what they consume and ultimately encourage energy conservation in the nation.

It made a case for the introduction of a unified standard for information shown on payment receipts, explaining that the minimum information requirements for each Distribution Company to be the same,

Southsouth chamber seeks govt’s partnership

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•From left: Vice President, Operations, Unilever Nigeria, Mr Anil Gopolan, Customer Development Director , Unilever, Mr Kwaku Boateng and Chairman Caniz Limited, Mr Austin Izagbo, during the presentation of vans by Unilever Nigeria to Caniz in Lagos.

ORUM for Southsouth Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (FOSSCCIMA)has called on the Federal Government to partner with the private sector in the creation of a platform for entrepreneurial training, mentoring and reorientation programs.

Speaking during the induction of some stakeholders, the President, FOSSCCIMA, Prince Billy Gillis Harry said FOSSCCIMA will partner with the government to create feasible re-orientation programme for re-engineering the thought processes of people who need re-integration into the larger society. “ It is our humble way of contributing to the peace, security and stability of the region, so that we can enjoy a robust economy.

“The gigantic task of regional emancipation requires the buy-in of all of us. It is a true saying that if we do not stand united, we will fall divided. We therefore urge you all to

Lawmakers to pass SON Act soon

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HE National Assembly will soon pass the new bill on standardisation.

The bill, which has gone through the second reading, is set for the public hearing before the end of this month.

The review of the Standardisation Act is to give the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) more powers to carry out its stated objectives of reducing influx of substandard products into the country.

SON’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu, said this during a visit to the LG Electronics factory in Apapa.

According to him, the review of SON Act, which has gone past the second reading, was last reviewed in 1990 and and its provisions will cover so many areas to further improve SON activities.

Odumodu said there would be a collaboration in the next four months where SON could make a validation to test some of the products in electronic market.

He said: “We are so impressive with this kind of innovation the LG team brought to our market. The University of Ibadan has worked on electronic basis that knocked down mosquitoes to prove the innovation scientifically. It is not the cooling effect that does the killing but the small feature attached to it. Although there are different species of mosquitoes, I hope LG and other Nigerian universities would subject that revolution to additional scientific proof.”

He reiterated that the reason the visit was made was because SON is concerned about all the products in the market, adding that they have visited South Korea and discovered there is a ne1ed to ensure better collaboration between SON and manu-

•Bill goes through second reading

By Toba Agboola

facturers of electronic products, saying that almost every LG television, refrigerator and air conditioner are all assembled in Apapa, which is the biggest factory in Nigeria.

Speaking on the quality of LG electronics during the visit, Odumodu said: “The visit helps the work we are doing in SON which, therefore, helps us to know the kind of features we should look out for in LG’s brands. If I see an LG television set in the market without a Fouani’s sticker, such television has to be confiscated.

“Every product in the market has somebody who brought it there. If people fake your brand, you have the responsibility to ensure that those brands are removed from the mar-

ket. That is why we are here to collaborate with companies whose products are threatened to ensure that they get back their integrity and avoid extreme damage of the brand”.

Speaking on the mutual benefits existing between LG and Nigeria, Odumodu said: “This is a classical case of backward integration; they bring everything from Korea and other places and assembled them here. As they are doing that, Nigerians are building some skills in the processes which are learning process. The process of having a service centre is even more difficult.

For somebody to investigate a challenge of a product and then repair it, using a computer in Nigeria, seems to show its skill acquisition.

A lot of skills are being transferred.

We need to encourage people like that who are doing what they are doing. We now have to set some targets for them. We need to make our local content go beyond labour, whereby we can make materials; that is how we can build our own economy.”

“Looking forward in the next two years, I hope to see backward integration ensuring that Nigerians are able to manufacture in your company, not just to assemble electronics, he emphasised.

The Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr Mohamed Fouani, who is the major LG electronics distributor in Nigeria, said SON’s visit to their assembly plant, service centre and other key areas of the company, was first of its kind and the company had been producing, meeting up with the standards of the SON. He said the factory in Apapa is

Fed Govt to crash access to funds

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HE Federal Government is set to reduce the cost of accessing funds by Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, has said.

Aganga said he has already directed the Bank of Industry (BoI) , the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN)and other agencies to collaborate on creating about five million jobs in the next two years.

The minister spoke during the third series of the empowerment programme for small and growing businesses entitled, “Market access in Nigeria”.

The cost of accessing funds to start and run SMEs includes costs associ-

ated with securitisation as well as CAC and FIRS processes, among others.

Aganga said all over the world, SMEs empowerment had become the main economic growth strategy, considering the high employment generation capacities of SMES, adding that, with about 17million SMEs in Nigeria, the creation of five million jobs was very possible.

His words: “Recent data provided by the National MSMEs collaborative survey undertaken by SMEDAN and the National Bureau of Statistics put the number of MSMEs in Nigeria at 17,284,671million, with total employment put at 32,414,884. If each of these SMEs are empowered to create one job each, that makes about 17 million jobs; if

in order to improve transparency.

Ubiji said NASME wants the restructuring to include creation of complaint channels in Distribution firms to enable service providers to respond to complaints.

He said: “Distribution Companies should be mandated to set up structured and effective complaint and resolution channels with stipulated resolution timelines. Appropriate penalties should be established with supervision by NERC. “ There should be awareness campaigns and sensitisation on MYTO 11 to MSMEs using grassroots/practical methods. NASME can provide input about appropriate consultation mechanism for SMEs”.

50 per cent of this figure create one job each, that means 8.5 million jobs will be created.

“If a quarter of the total are empowered, and they create one job each, over four million jobs will be created. So the figure is workable and conservative and I’ve directed the Parastatals to get it done as a key performance index. Our job is to put structures in place to make it happen.”

While encouraging more entrepreneurs to come up with great ideas that could create quality jobs and enhance inclusive economic growth, he said the Federal Government was committed to providing the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

By Toba Agboola

join hands in this determined and credible effort to partner with various relevant stakeholders in creating the region of our dreams.

We will welcome every partner.

We will embrace every sponsor. We will work with all and sundry to make our objective a realisable proposition,” Billy said.

He said the chamber has made some contributory policy suggestions which are under intense contemplation.

“We believe acceptance will be evidenced by the implementation of these policies as the various stakeholders work in concert with the FOSSCCIMA teams,’ he said.

Harry said FOSSCCIMA is strategically positioned to ensure the optimisation of opportunities for the economic transformation of the Southsouth region.

He said the chamber also create avenues to generate local and international opportunities for members, sponsors, local communities and the entire region.

His words: “We Work closely with the relevant government parastatals to ensure effective local content participation, creation of a point for exchange of business best practice and institutional framework for the enhancement of sustainable economic growth across the region and to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

“The creation of international awareness of available, viable and credible business opportunities in the region through various programs.

“We also work closely with government to successfully promote social and economic re-orientation and reintegration programs and therefore guarantee peace and stable security for the region.

“In its short but very active span since coming into being, FOSSCCIMA has had far reaching discussions and consultation with a broad spectrum of stakeholders on key issues such as security, economic empowerment within the region and infrastructural development among others.”

•Harry

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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INDUSTRY Nigeria and other African countries have marked Africa's Industrialisation Day. The Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) during the event reviewed the country’s industrial development. TOBA AGBOOLA reports.

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Push for industrialisation

HE 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) in July 1989 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia declared November as the Africa Industrialisation Day. This was followed by a proclamation by the United Nations Assembly.

It is an occasion yearly to draw attention to the problems and challenges of industrialisation in Africa.

This year’s theme was Accelerating industrialisation for boosting intraAfrica trade. The Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment in collaboration with the United Nation Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) said they were working to promote industrial development for poverty reduction and had taken the lead in industrialisation by raising awareness on its role in Africa development and galvanises international support from stakeholders, including governments, the private sector and the civil society.

Speaking in Abuja during an event to mark the African Industrialisation Day, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, said this development has compelled the need for infrastructure development, efficient trade facilitation, cost-effective transport services, logistics and customs reforms in Africa for rapid industrialisation and development.

His words: There is no doubt, Nigeria’s economic and industrial potentials as the leading economic power in Africa will remain unfulfilled if the barriers to inter-regional trade are not addressed. This fact has made the Federal Government to establish a taskforce on Trade Facilitation to fast track free movement of goods and services within the ECOWAS corridor.

“Subsequently, the taskforce held a Consultative Forum with relevant governments and private sector operators to harvest their views for effective trade facilitation in Nigeria to put in place measure to address challenges such as movement of goods and people around the

import corridors occasioned by numerous check points, multiplicity of agencies, non-adherence to ETLS protocol or delay in cargo clearance, non-observance of axle weight regulation and over-loading, which had been a barrier to trade in Nigeria”.

In addition, the Federal Government also kick-started the establishment of the Transnational Border Market with the state governments, European Union and Department For International Development (DFID), in the six geo-political zones starting with Okerete, a Trans Sahara Trade route in Southwest zone and others in the Northeast (Camboru Ngala in Bornu State), Northwest (Kamba in Kebbi State), Northcentral (Bambana in Niger State), Southsouth (Mfun in Cross Rivers State) and Southeast (Lokpanta Regional Market in Abia State).

The Transnational Border markets when fully implemented are expected to create more than five million direct and indirect jobs, formalise the informal trade activities, modernise the border posts with the associated infrastructure as well as curb the influx of substandard and hazardous goods into the country.

To sustain the tempo of economic activities in the country, Aganga said the Federal Government through his Ministry in partnership with UNIDO and relevant agencies of the government has reviewed the nation’s industrial policy.

Aganga said the backward integration policy has been consistently pursued and sustained in the cement sub-sector, which would enable Nigeria to be self-sufficient in the production of cement. This has prompted the Federal Government to also introduce backward integration in the non-oil sector of the economy.

Recently, the Federal Government kicked off the implementation of the Nigerian Sugar Master Plan with many incentives to stakeholders and investors to raise the country’s local sugar production to

a self-sufficiency level, stem the tide of high importation of the commodity, contribute to the production of ethanol/generation of about 411MW of electricity and create 117,181 jobs.

UNIDO has been a major development partner to the country and has contributed to the nation’s industrial development and improvement in the living standards of the peopl through its numerous programmes and projects across the country.

UNIDO and the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment and state governments are executing projects, such as three ton/hr rice mill in Ebonyi and Benue states, Common Facility Centres in Aba, Kano and Benin, salt processing in Ebony State, as well as, renewable energy in Enugu, Bauchi, Benin, Osun and Taraba States, as well as, oil palm in Akwa Ibom and Ondo states.

Last month, the Federal Government inaugurated implementation committees on UNIDO Country Programme for Nigeria. The objective of the Country Programme is to promote indus trialisation and help Nigeria achieve its goal of becoming one of the 20 largest economies by 2020.

A significant achievement recorded in the last one year has been the strategy adopted by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to reduce the volume of sub-standard products from 85 per cent to 74 per cent, with a target of 30 per cent reduction by the end of this year.

Notable improvements were recorded with life-endangering products, such that the volume of substandard electric bulbs had been reduced from 80 per cent to 50 per cent, reinforced steel bar (45 per cent to 30 per cent), while the volume of substandard tyres reduced from 60 per cent to 50 per cent.

As part of efforts to improve the country’s business environment and make it the preferred investment hub, the Ministry of Trade and Investment has strengthened its One Stop Investment Centre

and streamlined investment procedures to remove bottlenecks in business registration, incorporation and granting of permits and licences, among other things.

Due to lack of internationally acceptable national accreditation body, UNIDO is collaborating with the ministry through SON and the Department of Weights and Measures to set up National Quality Infrastructure of Nigeria aimed at creating the missing quality control bodies and link up all stakeholders through a well accepted mechanism and initiate their acceptance to improve quality of products and services to be exchanged in Nigeria markets.

The minister said in the last quarter, Nigeria recorded a landmark achievement in its Investment Climate Reforms Programme as the Corporate Affairs Commission, a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade and Investment, kicked off its start-to-finish 24-hour business incorporation service.

According to him, the ministry has started the Nigeria Investment Climate Reform Programme, partnering with the World Bank and DFID. Also inaugurated was the Investor Care Committee and Doing Business and Competitiveness Committee as part of our investment climate reform programme.

“The target of government is to achieve significant improvement in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking by a minimum 103 points by 2015 and improve on Nigeria’s Global Competitiveness ranking by 75 points by 2015.

The ministry has strengthened the One-Stop Investment Centre in the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) and coordinate investment facilitation between all relevant government agencies.

Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, in Rivers State has attracted investment worth $6 billion and investment commitments in the FTZ were worth $6.7 billion in the last one year. Free Trade Zones

•Aganga

across the country under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority also generated $4.4 billion investment in the last one year.

The ministry in partnership with UNIDO is working hard to sustain the industrial development development and skills acquisition, affordable finance for SME’s with Special Funding Scheme for women and strengthening use of Free Trade Zones in a more strategic manner, as well as improve the country’s investment inflow so that it could take its rightful position as major player in the global economy,”he said.

However, African industrialisation stride has been hindered by inadequate infrastructure, limitations of small and fragmented markets and inadequate diversification of industrial structures.

This has resulted in low levels of trade among African countries.

The high costs and lengthy duration of movement of goods across African borders have reduced commerce and industry competition and discouraged trade and investment.

Africa still accounts for a low share of global manufacturing. The share of the region in global MVA fell from 1.2 per cent in 2000 to 1.1 per cent in 2008. In developing Asia, it rose from 13 per cent to 25 per cent over the same period. In terms of exports, Africa’s share of global manufacturing exports rose from one per cent in 2000 to 1.3 per cent in 2008.

CSR: Lafarge Cement empowers host communities, block makers

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AFARGE Cement WAPCO Nigeria Plc has launched a dual empowerment programme in block making and technical apprenticeship aimed at improving the socioeconomic status of its host communities and the Nigerian society.

The programmes include the Elephant Supaset Block Makers Empow-

erment Programme and the Lafarge Technical Apprenticeship Scheme, which are designed to help small scale block makers and school leavers with technical skills and zeal to venture into the vocation while Apprenticeship Scheme is to impart technical skills in community youths in order to support their leadership and suc-

•Hudson, presenting working tools to one of the recipients at the event.

cess in their chosen endeavours.

There were 10 beneficiaries of the block makers programme drawn from some communities in Ogun State and they were given full tools used for block making like moulder, wheelbarrow, wooden panel, shovel, water, hose among others and also, there were over 20 apprentices exam-

ined and selected to take on with the scheme.

In his address, at the Lafarge WAPCO CSR day in Ewekoro, Ogun State, the Managing Director, Lafarge Cement WAPCO Nigeria PLC, Mr Joseph Hudson, said the Elephant Supaset Block Makers Empowerment Programme will help the willing and committed block makers to either start up or expand their businesses and move from unemployment or small scale artisans to medium sized entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

He said the company is running the programme through dual partnerships with SEAP Microfinance Bank to help in training, mentoring and monitoring the beneficiaries and also with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) who will guide them on technical standards and adherence.

As for the Apprenticeship scheme, he said it is an 18-month intensive programme designed for science based school certificate holders to enable youths from different communities to acquire the necessary technical skills in electrical, mechanical and automation with plenty of opportunities for hands-on experience within the company’s operations.

He added that a Lafarge WAPCO Diploma Certificate will be awarded to the graduates of the scheme which will be the minimum requirement for employment in their organisation.

He said: “We also have annual presentation of developmental initiatives to the Ewekoro community through education, youth empowerment, farmer’s empowerment and infrastructural support.

120 Ewekoro community undergraduates will be recipients of this year’s bursary award, 101, 600 exercise books will be distributed to primary and secondary schools within the community. In all, 1,128 undergraduates have benefitted from the bursary awards in the past five years.”

“Another 107 Ewekoro youths will be equipped with various working tools to assist in improving the economic power of the communities such as motorcycles, sewing machines, bags of flour, and washing machines among others. Also, 122 farmers are supported with tangible working tools to ensure food security and transportation of their produce like tricycle. Other projects include rehabilitation of roads and bridges, building of drainages, schools and many others he said.”

He said over N100 million was earmarked for development programmes in 11 host communities in Ewekoro.

One of the partners of the Block Makers Empowerment Programme, the Managing Director, SEAP, Dr. Dokun Olatunde, said the beneficiaries will get everlasting income from the initiative as the programme is to create a future and better networks for youths.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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COMMENTARY EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Pipeline vandals •We cannot allow this plunder to continue in the face of poverty

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EPORTS quoting an unnamed Presidency source say Nigeria is losing about N105billion annually to the activities of pipeline vandals. This may be true. But, what did the government official expect from Nigerians to whom he made the disclosure? The official said nothing new though, because pipeline vandals have been with us for years. Without doubt, N105billion is a lot of money to lose annually, but that this has been on for years is indication of the lack of seriousness on the part of the government to deal with the hoodlums.

Of course the pipelines are part of our national assets and should therefore be guarded jealously. Indeed, any threat to them ought to be treated as threat to national security because of the pivotal role that petroleum products play in our national life. But, how do Nigerians police about 5,120 kilometres of pipelines in the country? This is the question that the government has to provide an answer to.

And, if the answer is in the negative, it means the ball is back in the government’s court. There are four means by which fuel could be distributed: the first is by transporting it by road; the second is by sea; the third by rail and the fourth is transporting it via the pipelines.

For a country with a total land mass of about 910,770 sq km and a population of about 150 million, we will require about 1,061 trucks plying our roads daily, given the current contribution of about 35 million litres of PMS daily by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)

to the national demand. The risks are legion: first is the problem of security of the products; then, the wear and tear on the roads; again, we have to contend with the likely increase in road accidents, etc. So, the road option is out of it.

Transportation by either rail or sea is also not feasible given the dilapidated state of the infrastructure in both the sea and rail sectors. So, we are left with the pipelines. This being the case, the government has to invest massively in providing the pipelines and maintaining them, even as it has to ensure they are relatively secure. But what do we see?

Government continues to inundate us with the havoc wreaked by pipeline vandals as if it is completely helpless in the situation. And, if in spite of the massive instruments of coercion at its disposal the government cannot rein in the vandals, who can?

The fact is that the vandals have seen vandalism as a thriving business and they are ready to go all out to achieve their aim, irrespective of the effects on the economy or even on their lives. There have been instances when their activities had resulted in the deaths of some of them and even innocent members of the public; yet, they are not deterred.

Their desperation could be seen in the gruesome murder, a few months ago, of three engineers of the Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) who went to repair vandalised pipelines at Arepo, Ogun State. Months after, the PPMC is yet to gain access to the

vandalised points to effect repairs as a result of security challenges. What impression is the government trying to create: that the vandals are larger than the government?

Security of lives and property as well as national assets like the pipelines is the government’s duty. And it is the job of the regular security agencies – the police and the military. We have argued that the more than N5billion so-called security contracts to militants to protect the pipelines was mere job for the boys.

Government must think of more creative ways to deal with the problem. What Nigerians want is security for the pipelines and not unending excuses of the challenges posed by the pipeline vandals.

‘Security of lives and property as well as national assets like the pipelines is the government’s duty. And it is the job of the regular security agencies – the police and the military. We have argued that the more than N5billion socalled security contracts to militants to protect the pipelines was mere job for the boys. Government must think of more creative ways to deal with the problem’

A governor’s frustration

•People want soldiers involved in internal security because the police can’t cope

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R. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State, strongly believes that the problems of kidnapping and illegal bunkering in his domain deserve sterner handling. His apt position could not have come at a better time than now when the powerful syndicates behind these nefarious activities, not only in Delta but other oil-producing states, are proving to be above the law. Their despicable acts have so far made security agencies’ efforts geared towards nipping the ugly trends in the bud so ordinary.

Uduaghan, as the chief security officer of the state seized the opportunity of a courtesy visit on him by Lt.Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of the Nigerian Army, before the commence-

‘Whatever the case is, we should not lose sight of the fact that by and large, it is the duty of the police to maintain internal security. It is only in exceptional circumstances that the military can be brought in to restore order.

Uduaghan’s invitation to the military, like most other people who have called for military involvement in internal crisis resolution is borne out of the fact that the police are incapable of dealing with the security issues for obvious reasons’

ment of the 2012 Annual Chief of Army Staff Conference held in Asaba, to seek sustained help of the Nigerian Army to complement his administration’s efforts against the two cankerworms. He said: “One of the three major agenda of this government is ensuring that there is peace and security; and in achieving that agenda, the Army has played a very big role in ensuring that there is peace and security….Sometimes, some of the issues are overwhelming for the other security agencies and we had to call the Army and they have done so creditably… with the cooperation of your men on the ground, we are gradually surmounting all those challenges.’’

We agree that there should be productive working relationship between the army and states across the federation, especially in critical or emergency moments when internal cohesion of any part of the country is under threat. To a reasonable extent, this would help in boosting the effective discharge of state duties by governors who by the dictates of the 1999 Constitution are the chief security officers of their states.

However, despite the laudable roles of the military in restoring sanity in flash point states, there is no doubt that the cankerworms of kidnapping and illegal bunkering and even terrorism, among other vices, could be better approached for lasting relief, in the larger interest of the nation. The use of soldiers and other military per-

sonnel to checkmate these deleterious activities is good but such stopgap solution cannot take the nation far. The best tactics that can subdue these avoidable societal milieus is to deploy state intelligence to combat them. So far, the problems are festering because of failure of intelligence.

We are aware of the existence of the Directorate of Military Intelligence and even the National Intelligence Agency, (NIA), etc., but the truth is that their impact has not been deeply felt; the problems keep recurring. Or, could it be that vital information needed in dealing with these challenges were sourced by the intelligence services but suppressed by powerful elements in the corridors of power?

Whatever the case is, we should not lose sight of the fact that by and large, it is the duty of the police to maintain internal security. It is only in exceptional circumstances that the military can be brought in to restore order. Uduaghan’s invitation to the military, like most other people who have called for military involvement in internal crisis resolution is borne out of the fact that the police are incapable of dealing with the security issues for obvious reasons. It is the duty of the government to give the police all they need to deal with the threats to security. Soldiers should be kept in the barracks. We do not have to keep tempting them by calling them out all the time to deal with internal crises.

What’s missing in the latest Greek bailout

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HE new Greek bailout deal agreed to Tuesday by euro zone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund is a clear improvement over earlier deals. It recognizes that Greece’s current and projected ratios of debt to output are unsustainable. It prescribes useful steps to lower that ratio, including lower interest rates on loans from Greece’s European partners, longer bond maturities and a plan for Athens to buy back and retire some of its heavily discounted bonds.

Regrettably, it excludes more effective tools, like actual debt write-downs, which Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, finds politically unpalatable. And in deference to Ms. Merkel, the deal postpones some of the promised relief until after German elections next September.

But its biggest mistake is conditioning relief on maintaining fiscal austerity. Greece’s only hope for long-term solvency is through aggressive measures to revive economic growth. These could include public investment in modernizing ports and infrastructure, tax cuts to encourage export industries, and better public education. Done right, such measures would more than pay for themselves by improving Greece’s competitiveness in global and European markets. The bailout deal should keep Greece financially solvent for the next few months, but the price could prove too much for Greece’s economy and society to bear. Beginning in 2016, Greece will be committed to extracting a budgetary surplus (excluding interest payments) from a shrinking economy. And it is expected to reduce debt-to-output ratios while output continues to fall.

Greece’s output is now almost 25 percent lower than it was in 2008. This year alone it will be down 6.4 percent. Next year, factoring in the new package of tax increases and spending cuts approved by the Greek Parliament last month at European insistence, it is expected to fall even further. That means less business and less personal income to pay taxes.

Unemployment is now over 25 percent.

Health benefits for the long-term unemployed have already been cut. So have pensions for the elderly and wages for those still working.

Greece’s prime minister, Antonis Samaras, hailed this week’s debt agreement as the transformation of “endless austerity”into a program that “will lead to growth.” Unfortunately, it promises nothing of the kind, and Mr. Samaras’s fragile coalition shows signs of fracturing under the economic strain. It might not even be able to stagger on until the German election next year. If it falls, Greece could be headed for default and exit from the euro. That catastrophe can still be avoided — but only if Ms. Merkel decides to put the survival of Greece and the future of the European Union ahead of her own electoral calculations.

– New York Times

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: At political independence in 1960, Nigeriashowed a lot of promise. And, many people expected that Nigeria would become an economically prosperous country with its stupendous human and material resources.

In the 1960s and 1970s, our economy boomed. The northern region had the groundnut pyramid; the west, cocoa, while palm oil business boomed in the east. Then, Nigeria was exporting cash crops to other countries. The mainstay of our economy was agriculture. Unemployment problem was unheard-of in our country. Later, crude oil displaced agriculture as the main-stay of our economy. Successive governments in the country, both military and civilian had millions of petrol dollars to play with. Money is not the issue, but how to spend it. So, it is an indisputable fact that corruption is linked with our oil wealth.

Our political leaders believe that their occupation of high political offices is a licence for them to loot our economy. For decades now, our economy has remained continuously pillaged by its minders and there is high rate of graduate unemployment in the country.

It is estimated that about 30 million Nigerian youths are unemployed. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people pass out of the NYSC programme, and join others in searching for the elusive blue and white collar jobs.

When a company advertises for five vacancy positions, seeking qualified people to apply to fill the vacancies, thousands of people will submit their applications. Daily, Nigerian youths walk the streets searching for employments. The worn–out soles of their shoes are tell-tale signs and testimonies of the journey they embarked on foot to secure employment.

Recently, Dangote Transport Company put up advertisement for driving jobs in the company. Surprisingly, six doctorate degree holders were among the applicants.

Now, people with high university degrees have lost their dignity on the grounds of their state of joblessness. People who can barely write their names compete with lettered men for menial and undignifying jobs. So, after spending much money and years to acquire University de-

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Unemployment has turned monstrous in Nigeria grees, one’s lot in life is to work as a labourer or factory hand. Highly educated Nigerians do menial jobs, owing to scarcity of jobs befitting their persons.

But, securing plum jobs now in Nigeria is akin to finding a virgin among prostitutes in a brothel.

People whose relations hold high political offices are clandestinely recruited into FRSC, Immigration, Prisons, Federal and state civil service and other establishment.

Cronyism, nepotism, and bribery and corruption are factors that determine people who secure jobs in Nigeria. So, mediocrity has dethroned meritocracy in Nigeria.

Consequently, Nigeria is stuck in the mud of underdevelopment as

corrupt and incompetent people occupy positions they‘re undeserving of. These people without active restrictive mechanism loot our economy, and formulate Jejune policies for us.

But, the issue of unemployment, if left unsolved, can spell trouble for Nigeria, and undermine the cohesiveness and political stability of the country. Agents of destabilization, who are ethnic chauvinists and religious bigots, recruit their foot soldiers from the pool of the unemployed people. No gainfully employed person will put his life at risk by executing the plot to kidnap a prominent rich person for ransom.

A man who earns big sum of money monthly will not embrace the devil’s

alternative of hara-kiri for the chimerical promise of possessing 70 virgins in heaven upon his death.

But, our leaders appear to be unaware that the unemployment problem is a time –bomb waiting to explode. When politicians steal our oil –money and use them to purchase jets, it causes anger to well up in our breasts. Leaving the unemployment issue unsolved is a portent of doom for our country.

It behoves our political leaders to think out ways of combating the menace of unemployment. In other countries, leaders that fail to fix the problem of unemployment will be voted out of power during periodic elections. They should diversify our mono-based economy so as to cre-

ate employment opportunities for the teeming population of unemployment people.

If the government can resuscitate agricultural practice in Nigeria, as well as our waning interest in it, it will help to reduce the number of unemployed people in Nigeria.

Many people will embrace farming, and the rural-urban migration, which stretches our social amenities to the limits in the urban centres, will be checked. Government should give loans and incentives to wouldbe farmers, subsidize the costs of fertilizers and seedlings, and introduce mechanized agriculture.

More so, Nigerians are with the erroneous mindset or belief that possessing university degrees is the open sesame to landing lucrative jobs in the government or the private sector. But, in addition to their possession of certificate, they should acquire skills and learn trades, which can make them self-reliant. And fixing our security challenges will in turn help to reduce our escalating unemployment problem.

• Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State

Africa’s predicaments have spiritual foundation

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IR: “Africa: The Glory, The Curse, The Remedy,” a 274-page book by Anthony Agbo, gives deep insight into the biblical perspective of Africa’s troubles. Comprising six chapters, the author explains with clear illustrations from scriptural and historical standpoints, how Africa, the oldest and most stable land-mass on earth, known for its glory of ancient heritage and greatness, fell from grace to grass.

In chapter one, for iinstance, Agbo noted that “Colonialism, which most African commentators, in escapist indulgence pour the guilt of underdevelopment, agreeably had its adverse retardation effects in terms of among other things, unbeneficial exploitation of a nation’s resources…But Africa took only the negative impact of colonialism, and this and other appalling elements of our psyche have combined in effect to make the glorious continent the dreg of the nations.”

Chapter two looks at Africa in the primeval family tree, thus: “The Patriarch Noah had three children, namely Shem, Ham and Japheth, who begat the three human races of the

world - the Caucasoid, Negroid and the Mongoloid. Ham is generally believed to be the patriarch of African family tree. This consensus belief is among other reasons established by the fact that the children of Ham at the dispersal of the early human family after the flood were the ones that took habitation in the continent of Africa, first in the north and north east Africa, before they multiplied and spread all over the continent. He (Ham) is believed to be the black son of Noah and the father of the black (Negroid) race.”

The erstwhile legislator in the third chapter discussed the glory of ancient heritage of Africa under four subheadings: Human organization and city building; Knowledge, Science and Philosophy; Industry, Commerce and Agriculture; and Religion. On human organization and city building, he made reference to Nimrod, the grandson of Ham and the great grandson of Noah.

According to Agbo, Nimrod whom he referred to as the great African was the first King of Babylon, the city he established and built. Noting that Nimrod initiated and built nations, kingdoms and empires, the author

maintained that the most sensitive and sensational of all his works was the Tower of Babel. The building of the Tower, in the words of the author, was extremely sensitive to God and particularly remarkable to man as it was the first mass mobilization of men for a collective task.

The glory of nature’s endowment to Africa is the focus of chapter four, where the ex-parliamentarian critically examines the African continent and its natural wealth.

In chapter five, the author analyses the curse of Africa, observing that “under deep spiritual and even temporal reflections, one realises that Africa as a continent and Africans as a people are cursed, and are still being weighed down by the lingering consequences of this curse.” He highlighted the symptoms of the curse to include: absence of imagination; ignorance; poverty; base characters; laziness, excuse and dependency prone; poor leadership; enjoyment and entertainment prone; and disposition to lawlessness. Agbo went further to identify four reasons God cursed Africans. They include: (a) the curse of Ham (b) the Sins of Babylon

(c) Slavery of the Jews and (d) idolatry.

However, in the last chapter, the politician indicates that all hope is not lost on African’s predicament has remedy.

While showing the route to Africa’s new glory, he stated: “Despite the torrents of anger and the attendant plethora of curses which God pronounced on Africa, all of which have indeed come to pass, God by His abundant mercy still gave an indication in the Bible that He will heal Africa and indeed make Africa His beloved.” He quoted Isaiah 19 V 19 – 25 to buttress his position. In conclusion, the author asserted that, “Africa should position itself as the new moral sign post of the world as well as the new world headquarters for propagation of undiluted Christian values and reChristianization and Evangelization of the entire world.”

For the former lawmaker, the greatest curiosity of his life had always been: why Africans are different from other races of mankind in all facets of human personality and engagement indices.

•Michael Jegede, Abuja-based journalist

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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COMMENTS

Annus Horribilis (1)

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HE year 2012 is a leap year and I am ordinarily not a superstitious person but in Nigeria, we always say that leap years are bad years. They are years when horrible things happen. This has been the case in Nigeria this year. There are so many deaths of important people in this country this year. The ones that come readily to mind are the deaths of Professor Tokunbo Sofoluwe the young Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos, Oba Oladele Olasore, Wole Adeosun, Lamidi Adesina, Hope Harriman, General Muhammad, Peter Agboola Osuntokun, Yemi Ogendegbe and Olusola Saraki. Tokunbo died suddenly in harness without warning and broke all our hearts. He was not only a wonderful mathematician and computer scientist, he was also a wonderful man. He made an impression on everyone who met him and his death was a personal loss to me. Not only because I saw him as a younger brother, but also because his older brothers were my school mates and friends. Tokunbo was like a junior brother that I never had. I still think about him all the time and sometimes wonder why good people die young. But God is a mystery and He alone is his own interpreter and I believe when we get to heaven, he will make it plain to us. Tokunbo’s death created a void in the lives of many people which will be difficult to fill.

I remember also the late Professor Adebayo Olumide, foremost neurosurgeon who passed on in Ibadan recently. He was a first class surgeon, a gentleman, more like a gentle giant because of his height and disposition. We were together in the USA in 1980 when he spent a sabbatical year in Washington DC. My heart goes to his amiable wife Ronke, a daughter to Sir Samuel Manuwa and to his children who were little when I last saw them. Bayo will be missed for his wit and gentle manners.

Another horrible loss was the death of Kabiyesi Oladele Olasore, the Ajagbusi- Ekun, Aloko of Iloko who joined his ancestors a few months ago. Kabiyesi was a fine man in everything. A chartered accountant, a banker, a former minister of the Federal Republic, a businessman, an educationist, a philanthropist and a public spirited man. He was a gentle soul, an amiable man who felt concerned about people. He loved people and he tried to draw people close to him. I did not get close to him until he became the Aloko and a couple of times, he invited me to come to Iloko to visit with him. Unfortunately, I was too busy to take up his invitation and I regret I did not do so. I once stayed overnight in his excellent hotel in the sleepy town of Iloko. What is most impressive

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about him is his commitment to his hometown and its development. When he was Secretary of Finance in the federation, I believe he caused a contract to be awarded for the dualisation of the road between Ife and Ilesha and he insisted that a spur to Iloko must be part of the award. He built an excellent secondary school in Iloko, the facility of which will put to shame several so called universities. One wonders why he never converted this school to a university especially now that all kinds of mushroom universities are springing up daily. Oba Olasore was a Christian. He used to come to the Holy Ghost services at the Redemption camp and when my wife was alive, his sister used to be a guest at our camp house.

I believe Kabiyesi was born in Kano, he spoke Hausa well and he had a global view about life. He will be sorely missed.

Before him another titan in the accountancy world, Chief Wole Adeosun also a former minister and managing director of First bank also passed on to glory. Chief Wole Adeosun worked in NAL Merchant Bank, a foremost merchant bank in Nigeria. He was also involved in economic policy formulation in the country for several years. I remember him travelling with us to the far East when I was in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as special adviser to the Minister. Both he and Oba Olasore were relatively young and in their passing, Nigeria will be the poorer for it.

Just as we were settling down and digesting the implications of these losses, news broke that the former governor of Oyo, Alhaji Lamidi Adesina had passed on. Lamidi Adesina was a columnist in the Tribune for several years and he was a diehard supporter of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his politics. It was therefore not surprising that he was elected on the platform of the UPN into the House of Representatives during the second republic. Alhaji Adesina’s politics was centrist and a grass roots man. He had his ears to the ground and he knew what the people wanted, he was different from Alhaji Adedibu who belonged to the other side of the coin of Ibadan politics. Adesina was a professional teacher and in whatever he did, the teaching profession influenced him. I remember when he became governor, I had occasion to visit him in his Molete home. I had a personal mission that I wanted to accomplish during my visit. I will not go into details but the gist of it is that I wanted him to reconcile the Awolowo and Akintola’s political factions in Yorubaland and I wanted him to do this through a signal appointment of a young man who in his own marriage had reconciled Akintola and Awolowo’s faction of political tendencies in yorubaland. Alhaji Adesina

received me with kindness, consideration, respect and commended me for my action. Even though he did not carry out my request, I know he consulted with the late Chief Bola Ige. I would not know what Chief Ige said, but the appointment Jide did not come Osuntokun through.

There wasn’t much money when Alhaji Adesina was governor so in terms of physical achievements, there were no dramatic things that he did as governor under the Alliance of Democracy Party but he maintained peace and civility in the state and brought into governance respect for law. He kept a lid on the excesses of party supporters especially in a situation where Yoruba people felt aggrieved by the persecution they suffered under Abacha and naturally wanted to give bloody noses to those perceived as Abacha’s supporters in Ibadan. It is a pity that Alhaji Adesina took ill and died at a time when the ACN needs his advice especially in these difficult years of preparation for politics of 2015.

• (To be continued)

‘He was a gentle soul, an amiable man who felt concerned about people. He loved people and he tried to draw people close to him. I did not get close to him until he became the Aloko and a couple of times, he invited me to come to Iloko to visit with him. Unfortunately, I was too busy to take up his invitation and I regret I did not do so’

A nation in denial

EOPLE and institutions hate to hear the truth about themselves, especially when such is not palatable. It is natural to feel that way. We want to hear nice things being said about us because they are what make our heads spin. When we hear negative things we get demoralised and even feel unwanted. At such times, we see the world collapsing on our heads. We become lonely despite being surrounded by people. As it is with people so it is with nations. Nations are at their best when things are going on smoothly for them.

They are at their worst when things are the other way round. No person or even nation prays to see the hard side of life, but when it comes, some take it as a quirk of fate, others blame it on some perceived enemies. The truth is life is full of ups and downs.

This is why the Yoruba say that people’s problems are not the same.

The problem which stares some in the face may have its back turned on others. That is life and we have to accept whatever portion the Almighty allots us, just as Job accepted his fate in the Bible. If I sound like a preacher today please forgive me for I am doing as being led by the Spirit.

Why this sermon? You will get my drift shortly.

For over three years now, we have known no rest from the clandestine and sometimes not so clandestine activities of the Islamic sect Boko Haram. To say that Boko Haram has made the country unsafe will be an understatement. The group has simply made the country ungovernable.

Yet, the government does not wish to accept this fact. In Abuja and the Northeastern part of the country, the fear of Boko Haram is so palpable that you could feel it in the air. In some Northeast states like Borno and Yobe, government activities have been paralysed. Nothing seems to work in these states again because of the fear of Boko Haram.

Where they hold, government activities are done in hiding far from the reach of the murderous group.

Our government has unwittingly handed over power to Boko Haram, yet it is mouthing ‘’Nigeria is safe’’.

Is there any dispute about that? ‘’Nigeria is safe’’; it is safe indeed. Or is it not safe? For two years (2011 and 2012) now, the Independence Day anniversary has been held in the confines of the Presidential Villa and not on the expansive grounds of the Eagle Square, as we used to do in the past, all because of the fear of Boko Haram.

Yet, we are told ‘’Nigeria is safe’’. If ‘’Nigeria is safe’’, the government will not move the celebration of that august anniversary to the hallowed grounds of the Villa. It would have stuck to tradition by holding it at Eagle Square. To prove its claim that ‘’Nigeria is safe’’, the government should hold the 53rd Independence Day anniversary at Eagle Square on October 1, next year.

The issue of the nation being safe or not came about because of the bombing of the Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, and the Force Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Abuja on November 25 and 26. Being military and police formations, these are places, which many thought were out of the reach of Boko Haram. But it scored a bull’s eye when it hit those formations about nine days ago. The military is pained by the audacious attack and it has since moved to ensure that such does not happen again. Nobody prays for that, but we need to come clean with the people about these matters. The government does not have to lie because the facts are obvious. There is insecurity in the land. Even those with police escorts are not safe not to talk of those of us who cannot afford that luxury.

Presidential aide Doyin Okupe can blab and blab about safety in the land because he enjoys privileges which many of his compatriots are not entitled to. He has round-the-clock security both at home and at work and as such does not know what is happening in town except what he reads in the papers. May I point out to him that the papers, which reported that

the country is not safe were not being unduly sensational; they were reporting things as they are. Is Nigeria truly safe? Okupe knows the answer in his heart of hearts. To issue a statement that Nigeria is safe amounts to standing the truth on its head. Nigeria is not safe and the earlier those in government wake up to this reality the better for all of us. How safe is our country when people disappear at will? ow safe is our country when mothers are kidnapped while taking their children to school? How safe is our country when old men and women are abducted right in front of their houses?

How safe is our country when vicechancellors are kidnapped in broad daylight? How safe is our country when our leaders flee their homestates to seek refuge in neighbouring states? How safe is our country when the central government suddenly moves the celebration of our National Day from its traditional venue to where it considers a more secure and safer place? Dr Okupe, I am sorry to say, Nigeria is not safe. Oh! wait a minute, you may be right after all that ‘’Nigeria is safe’’. Your claim of a safe Nigeria is strengthened by the relocation of Yobe State government officials to Jigawa State. According to Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu , who is the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, ‘’insecurity’’ forced the Yobians to relocate.

Said Aliyu : ‘’The (insecurity) situation has reached a situation whereby members of the state Executive Council in Yobe now run away to nearby Jigawa State for their safety. What is happening is very scary...those who are after us have defeated us and have taken over , what is the best way out and how do we address this situation because if the government institution is relocating then it means nobody is safe. We must stand up and say no to terrorism in northern Nigeria. We must tell the government what to do and many of us have access to government’’. Aliyu is not an

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alarmist as people like Okupe may want to describe him for speaking the way he did. The governor probably spoke out of concern about the way things are going. When we did A nation under siege in this space last week it was to draw attention to the worrisome state of security in the country. Things just keep going down the hill and government seems not to know what to do.

Those who have ideas about what to do are not ready to avail government of their expertise because they are benefiting from the chaotic situation. These are the people Aliyu is appealing to, to help the government resolve the Boko Haram riddle. As concerned Nigerians, we cannot watch and allow things to continue like this; more importantly, government should admit that it has a big problem on its hand and reach out to those who can help it. All hands must be on deck to flush out the Boko Haram elements and the government must take the lead in this all-important task instead of living a lie.

Let Sanusi be

Many Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governors have come and gone. So, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s case cannot be different. When his time comes he will go but he will be remembered as the most outspoken governor in the history of the bank. You may not like some of his interventions on burning national issues, but one thing is clear he will never leave you in doubt on where he stands. His latest intervention, which I find interesting, is generating ripples. There is nothing new in this position; it is the same old position he has held on such matters. Since he assumed office, he has been critical of the high cost of governance; the unviable states and local governments and the spending of the nation’s scarce resources on a few elected public officers and their aides. We know as a fact that a large chunk of the budget is spent on maintaining these officers who contribute virtually nothing to the de-

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

velopment of the economy. The nation can ill -afford to continue to maintain them unless we want the economy to go kaput. There is economic sense in what Sanusi is saying. We cannot say that because we don’t like the man’s face we should not listen to him when he talks, especially when he is making sense.

Whether or not a CBN governor should talk like that is a different matter. But as a Nigerian, shouldn’t the CBN governor contribute to discourse relating to his area of specialisation in order to enrich public debate? I think he should and when he does we should listen to him for our own good. I don’t think Sanusi is out of line this time because he is not talking politics but economics. As you will notice, I have deliberately kept quiet about his take on civil servants because of the controversy over what he actually said. Did he demand the sack of half of civil servants? He said he didn’t.

Having made that clarification, it will be unfair to hold that against him as some people are now doing. Their intention is to pitch Sanusi against the all - powerful labour movement. What a way to deal with a public servant with a caustic tongue, they would have reasoned. But labour should not allow itself to be used against Sanusi in this instance for he has spoken well. As the Yoruba will say, a stubborn child has his own day.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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COMMENTS

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R Segun Agagu and Dr Chris Ngige have much in common. Both share PDP world view. Both were once closely linked with the power sector; one as a minister of power and mines and the other as a contractor to NEPA. They were both beholden to god- fathers; with one looking up to Aso Rock Villa, the seat of government and the other to the high priest of Okija shrine. Both won controversial governorship elections in their respective states of Ondo and Anambra. Both were unceremoniously removed by election tribunals.

From their antecedents, it is apparent that their recent blame game as to who contributed more to the nation’s energy crisis, is a continuation of PDP war of attrition and bitter struggle over sharing of our common wealth among its members, rather than genuine concern about the party’s legacy of darkness in the past 13 years, even after billions had changed hands.

Ngige, current deputy chairman, Senate Committee on Power Generation had alleged that “the Papalanto, Olorunsogo, Geregu, and Omotosho power plants built by the government of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 to 2003 were wasteful ventures” Ngige also insinuated political consideration in the siting of the plants.

Agagu, his former political ally has shot back, claiming that ‘between June 2000 and December 2002, ‘our electricity generation capacity increased from 1,425 to 4,300 megawatts.’ The establishment of four plants under attack, he said were completed within 24 months from contractors’ mobilisation, making them the fastest of deliveries in the history of Nigeria.

‘For all the four plants, a concessionary funding programme were negotiated with the Chinese Exim Bank through which Nigerian government paid only 35 per cent of their cost for the plants to be delivered. The balance of 65 per cent, he explained, was to be paid over a seven-year period at six per cent interest rate and two years moratorium’.

Obasanjo, who inherited only a total power capacity of 1,500mw in 1999, had also said while inaugurating the Nigeria Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that the scheme would add 10,000MW to the national grid before the end of his term in 2007. He had hoped his successors would be driven with the same zeal and move the planned target up to 20,000 MW by 2015.

To kick-start, besides the Chinese loan facility, the National Council of State and the National Assembly also approved an initial $2.5 billion for NIPP from the “Excess Crude Oil Account”

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HERE is an established norm in Africa that you do not speak ill of the dead. That probably flows from the fact that death is one inevitable debt every mortal owes the creator. But I remember that the late Gani Fawehinmi once defied this time-tested African tradition when the late dictator Sanni Abacha died. In the midst of sheer hypocrisy and crocodile tears being shed by so-called prominent personalities, Gani instead dismissed Abacha’s death as good riddance to bad rubbish - a comment he premised on the many atrocities the goggled general committed against the people of Nigeria.

Since the death on Wednesday November 15 of former Senate Leader and strongman of Kwara politics, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, I have read and heard comments that amount to downright hypocrisy and undeserved insult to the silenced majority in Kwara State. I have also read obituaries in the papers that ran foul of basic facts about Saraki and the socio-economic and political status of Kwara in Nigeria. In what amounts to further attempt to rubbish recent history, the Senate has approved a motion calling on the Presidency to rename the Ilorin International Airport after the late Saraki.

I have no doubt that Saraki was a great politician - but in a context. That he deftly manipulated the people for selfish political ends for about 40 years spoke volume of his political/manipulative skills. But we must ask some questions, answers to which would determine whether we really want to move forward or not as a people in this country: what is the legacy of Saraki in Kwara where he held sway? How did Saraki affect the lives of Kwarans and the status of the state in his four decades of political leadership?

It has been established that Saraki singlehandedly installed four governors in Kwara. Plus hundreds of commissioners, special advisers, board chairmen and members, ambassadors and so on. But to what end?

By naming a federal monument after Saraki, are we really convinced that a culture of politicians doling out N500 and pap and bean cake to the people is worth encouraging in this age? Are we convinced that politicians who specialise in giving fishes to the people are better than their counterparts who teach people how to fish? If Saraki’s politics was really worthy of emulation, how come many political pundits (including many of those praising him to the high heavens) sarcastically dismissed Kwarans as ‘Saraki’s serfs?’

Or is it a good thing to be a serf? Why should we

Nation in darkness and PDP greed (ECOA) in August 2005.

It is not unlikely that PDP legislators, some of who publicly claimed they sold houses to contest election soiled their hands in the process. But the greed of the new set of legislators that came in 2007 was without measure. From insight, we now know they derailed the project because of greed.

Dimeji Bankole, the then speaker of the lower house, (he was to be later arraigned for fraud at the end of his tenure as speaker by EFCC) was the first to claim that Obasanjo administration frittered away $16bn on the energy sector. Then President Umaru Yar’ Adua, Obasanjo’s imposition came out with a much lower figure of $10b as the amount frittered away on the power sector “without commensurate result”.

Godwin Elumelu, representing the PDP new breed legislators, as House of Representatives committee on power chairman was spitting fire while swearing he was going “to expose corruption in the power sector even if that would cost him his life”. Of course not totally unexpected in PDP ‘dog eat dog’ brand of politics, the Elemelu committee claimed there was indeed evidence of corruption in the process of awarding the contracts. But Instead of correcting the observed aberrations in Obasanjo’s contracts, they chose to throw out the baby with the bath water. The scheme was put on hold until Jonathan went back to it in 2010.

If we had any doubt about the real motive why PDP newly elected members were hell bent on probing the NIPP contracts, that became clear when an opportunity to spend N7bn of

excess REA fund came. They had only two weeks to prevent the money from returning to government coffers.

Elumelu and his law ‘breakers’ ignored ‘due process’, allegedly nominated nine contractors by proxy, authorised the MD of REA to award them the contracts, and prevailed on the permanent secretary of the ministry who was also the acting minister to grant approval for the contracts and the payment of 15 per cent of the fee. The balance of 85 per cent was equally withdrawn from the REA account and lodged in the banks where those contractors had their accounts. (This is similar to the scandalous withdrawal of entire contract money before their commencement by Oyinlola’s PDP administration in Osun State).

But the EFCC was soon to prove that like Farouk Lawal, a ‘self proclaiming’ Mr. Integrity, Godwin Elumelu, and, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, his counterpart as Senate Committee Chairman on Power were men with feet of clay.

On June 14, 2010, EFCC accused both of misappropriating over N10 billion public funds.

EFCC claimed Elumelu and Ugbane exhibited ‘undue interest in influencing procurement processes to obtain undue advantage in contract award in Rural Electrification Agency’. Ugbane was said to be one of the members of the National Assembly that initiated the Grid Extension and Solar Electrification contracts and inserted same in the 2008 budget of the Rural Electrification Agency. EFCC therefore concluded that the

Really, what is Saraki’s legacy?

By Abdullah Ishaq honour a politician who ran a fiefdom in the 20th/21st century when he had the opportunity to use his influence to better the lots of the people?

Anybody who cares to know should check the level of development in Kwara against those of its fellow first generation states created in 1967. I will give an example: the GDPs of each of all the second and third generation states (created in 1976 and 1987) are higher than that of Kwara under the grip of Oloye. Kwara of course is no match for any of its fellow 45-year-old states.

This means Kwara under the watch of Oloye fared worse compared to each of the first, second and third generation states in Nigeria. His politics practically killed the spirit of enterprise in the people he was privileged to lead because he kept giving fishes in exchange for political relevance. I read in one of his interviews (reproduced after his death) that he used his money to distribute water to Ilorin in the 70s when there was scarcity of same. He said failure of the government to provide such basic amenities made him venture into politics. Good. Today, in 2012, Ilorin the state capital suffers water scarcity and lacks basic amenities. My younger brother (currently on his four-month internship) who schools in Offa, a metropolitan city, recently told me what hardship his colleagues would be going through now on account of water scarcity. If things are this bad in big cities, can anyone imagine what the situation is in the remotest villages where people live in Gothic era? So how has he brought development to his people? Whereas whatever leverages the Yoruba have today (some say they are regressing now) they owe to the foresight and right-thinking of Awolowo, can we possibly compare Saraki to Awolowo for instance? History stands Awolowo out for his free education policy, for being the brain behind Africas first television station, and for establishing the stillsurviving Oduduwa Group and so on. Perhaps nothing confirms the foresight of Awolowo than claims that the Western Region under him attained socio-economic development comparable to what obtained in the Eastern Europe. Or Saraki

to Sardauna? Not known to have any house or bank savings despite being Northern Nigeria’s Premier, Sardauna lives in the hearts of Northerners today for conscientiously leading the regions self-discovery in education and development. If the North was once monolithic, it owes that to the great Sardauna.

These two (Awolowo and Sardauna) will continue to live in the hearts of the people not because they were giving them porridge but because they gave them lasting legacies for which their people became distinct, even long after they were gone. I have read an article by a former aide to Saraki who likened him to the Kennedys and the Gandhis. Americans and Indians would never pardon such comparison. It is an insult.

The late Ted Kennedy spent his entire life worrying about affordable and sound healthcare delivery for the ordinary Americans. President Barack Obama, in recognition of Ted’s influence in this area, repeatedly appealed to his memory to rally Americans when the hawkish Republicans seemed bent on stopping his healthcare bill.

Ghandi is revered globally for his non-violence politics, his support for the oppressed, and is a role model for several world leaders including Obama. He led India to independence. That is leadership. That is what working for people means, not giving them N500 or paying their wedding bill. What tangible project or ideal would Kwarans remember Saraki for?

When people hailed Saraki’s philanthropy, they failed to put it in perspective. Beyond going round villages with sacks of money on the eve of elections to poor farmers who struggle to pay their workers and Femi Fani-Kayode’s incoherent and contradictory narrative about his (Oloye) NADECO-era gesture to a widow, how many selfless gestures can we remember Saraki for? If that is philanthropy, then all Nigerian politicians are great philanthropists without global equals because they all buy cars, feed people, pay school fees and even send people on the holy pilgrimage for reasons we all know! Bill Gates is a philanthropist. Our own Moshood Kashimawo Abiola was.

Some might argue that Saraki never had executive powers and so could not have achieved much like Awolowo and Sardauna who were at

exercise “were used as conduit pipes with which funds of the Rural Electrification Agency were siphoned and were awarded to companies either not prequalified to be awarded the contract or were phony or existing companies”, When the embattled PDP men, instead of defending themselves, sought protection from the court , EFCC added other offences‘misappropriation of N500million to buy houses; diversion of REA’s funds; flouting of government’s rules on award of contracts and award of fictitious and unnecessary contracts without following due process.’

But Justice M.G Umar of Abuja High Court was not persuaded. On March 24, 2012, he absolved all the PDP men and their collaborators, claiming ‘he was unable to find a prima facie case or complaint disclosed in the proof of evidence against the respondents’.

In the midst of this theatre of the absurd, with the legislators, their friends in the judiciary and the press, as leading characters, President Goodluck Jonathan who inherited about 2,800MW on assumption of office in May, 2010, went back to the abandoned Obasanjo NIPP. With about $8bn spent so far, output from the four already commissioned out of the 10 under construction took our total energy capacity to 4,439MW. Sadly, this figure recently celebrated by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Mrs. Dere Awosika, is only a marginal improvement on what Agagu claimed we achieved in 2002 and far below Obasanjo’s projected figure of 10,000MW for 2007. The projected figure of 4,774MW when the remaining six are completed in 2015 is scandalously below the figure of 20,000MW projected for the same period by Obasanjo, the unrepentant father of PDP buccaneers.

For 13 years the nation remains in darkness.

PDP men who have contributed to our tragedy and are said to be above the law, are now entertaining us. As Lamorde, the EFCC boss put it three weeks back, ‘several cases involving top politicians, accused of stealing public funds, have lingered for years after an initial public fanfare with’ some of the indicted officials still roaming the country as kingmakers, lawmakers, and political gladiators.’

This is the challenge before President Jonathan today as he makes steady progress towards liberating Nigerians from the darkness that his greedy PDP buccaneers inflicted on the nation.

Nigerians voted for Jonathan and not PDP. He can ill-afford squandering the goodwill of Nigerians. some points chief executives. Such argument falls flat when one considers the fact that Oloye reigned more or less like an emperor who enthroned and dethroned chief executives. He wielded more power than his proteges who held office.

I have heard and read people paying glowing tributes to his ‘selflessness.’ Of course nothing confirms such selflessness than the attempt to make his daughter succeed his son as Governor of Kwara State! Equally selfless (or transformational) is his son Bukola who deemed his fathers attempt to crown his sister the governor a selfish gesture but saw nothing wrong in him (Bukola) succeeding his sister as Senator representing Kwara Central. And were Saraki’s peculiar politics truly worthy of emulation as our professional praise-singers would have us believe, then we should never condemn beggarly attitude. Truth be told, Saraki would be remembered for supervising Nigeria’s most enduring poverty-oriented politics which fed fat on the helplessness and gullibility of the people! For me, I see the torrents of praises from outside Kwara as a deliberate mockery of the victims of Sarakis politics.

The people qualified to hail Oloye are the ordinary Kwarans who yearned for freedom.

Aso Rock, in granting or rejecting the Senate resolution on Saraki, may wish to answer the questions above especially whether Nigeria should embrace his patronage brand of politics.

Also, is it desirable to give people money to offset their bills rather than secure for them an environment in which they need no big man to get basic amenities or pay their bills? The government should name the airport after Saraki if the answer to that question is in the affirmative.

Else it would send a wrong signal to the world about what our values truly are as a people.

Anybody willing to gauge public opinion of the late Saraki should read people’s comments posted under each of the stories the papers have published since Saraki died. Most instructive indeed are the comments posted under The Punch story of November 15, Saraki dies after five years battle with cancer. That way, the Federal Government would know whether Saraki was a hero or villain to the people of Kwara. And if you care to know more, you may well ask those who lost their entire life savings, and in some cases breadwinners, to Saraki’s Societe Generale Bank of Nigeria (SGBN) bankruptcy.

• Ishaq writes from Ilorin, Kwara State capital

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ELIGIBILITY SCAM

Anambra athletes protest Enugu female football ‘shabby’ treatment player banned for life Pg. 24

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Sport Thursday, December 6, 2012

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NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

MOC wields the big stick •1500m heat 2. Photo: Bola Omilabu

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HE Main Organising Committee(MOC) of the on-going 18th National Sports Festival has reiterated its resolve to ensure that sanity prevails at the games of 'EKO 2012',taking place in Lagos as it will enforce all applicable sanctions for any violation.

According to a release sent to NationSport, after its sitting on Monday 1st December, 2012 to consider a case on the eligibility of a Table Tennis player, Fatimah Bello of Team Lagos, the Games Services Sub-Committee of the MOC disqualified the athlete for violating the provisions of the Sports Festival Rules.

Secretary of the Delta state Table Tennis Association, Patrick Marere had appealed against the decision of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation allowing Fatimah Bello to represent Lagos state at EKO 2012 sports festival as the athlete was currently on the employment of Delta state.

The Technical Director of Lagos state Table Tennis Association John Peters, however, stated that Fatimah Bello was engaged to represent Lagos under a contract agreement signed with the State Sports Council and that the player also enjoys the Council's grant for athletes claiming that he was not aware that the athlete was in the employment of the Delta state Sports Council.

In its ruling, the Games Services Sub-

•Strips Lagos of Gold medal •Other erring athletes punished

By Innocent Amomoh Committee stated that "it is evident that miss Fatimah Bello violated the provisions of Rule 7(i) of the National Sports Festival General Rules & Regulations 2012. It went further to state that "miss Fatimah Bello is therefore disqualified from participating in the on-going 18th National Sports Festival EKO 2012 and all matches she participated in should be awarded to the opponent(s).

Similarly, Jide Daniel a Team Lagos Judo athlete at the on-going festival was also disqualified by a decision of the Games Services of the MOC which sat on Tuesday 4th December,2012.In its ruling on the case brought before it by Baba Sheshi of Niger State Sports Council on the eligibility of the athlete to represent Lagos state in Judo at the festival, the Games Services directed that all matches he had participated in prior to its verdict be awarded to his opponent(s) and the results adjusted accordingly.

In football, miss Onu Peace of Team Enugu was disqualified from participating in the ongoing festival as well. The player was featured by Team Enugu in a match against Team Akwa-

Ibom which took place on Saturday 1st December,2012.Coach of Akwa Ibom state had lodged a protest against the eligibility of miss Onu Peace, citing reason that the athlete had played not only in the 2011/2012 football season for Standard F.C of Aba, she indeed played in the 2008/2009 Women Professional League for Ibom Angels under the name-Chikordi Nwachifem.

It was, therefore, the decision of the Jury of the Games Services Sub-Committee,after its sitting of Wednesday 5th of December,2012 to disqualify miss Onu Peace from participating in the on-going 18th NSF 'EKO 2012' and all matches she participated in should be awarded to the opponent(s).

In another development, the decision of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation withdrawing medals won by Gideon Aigbefor, a weightlifter representing Edo state was set aside by the Games Services of the MOC on Tuesday 4th December,2012.

This followed a ruling by the jury of the SubCommittee on the appeal filed by the Edo state Weightlifting Association against the decision of the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation which had earlier declared Gideon Aigbefor ineligible.Delta

state had alleged that the athlete was on its payroll as such not qualified to represent Edo state.

The jury of the Games services, however, discountenanced the claims of Delta state as Edo state tendered sufficient proof that the athlete had been in its employment since 2006 representing and winning medals for the state.

The Games Services, therefore, ruled that "Mr. Gideon Aigbefor has met all eligibility requirements to participate and compete at the 18th National Sports Festival".It further directed that all the medals won by the athlete should be restored by the federation.

It will be recalled that the National sports Commission, owners of the National Sports Festival has consistently warned against sharp practices by states encouraging athletes to win competitions by all means as this is against the spirit of the games. This is intended to enhance the profile and credibility of the games by ensuring that everything is done in line with international best practices.

All decisions by the jury of the Games Services Sub-Committee are duly signed by its chairman, General Emmanuel Okaro (rtd), who is also a member of the Main Organising Committee(MOC) of the 18th National Sports Festival, EKO 2012.

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NATIONSPORT THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

Stakeholders dub Team Ebonyi's performance ‘a miracle’

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PORTS STAKEHOLDERS in Ebonyi have described the performance of Team Ebonyi at the on-going 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos, as a `miracle’.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ebonyi already has 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in its kitty, unlike the 2011 edition in Port Harcourt where it won only 3 silver medals.

NAN reports that one of its weightlifters, Chika Amalagha, singlehandedly clinched 3 gold medals in the snatch, clean and jark.

Most of the respondents who spoke to NAN on Wednesday in Abakaliki, said that their poor level of preparation made them to doubt their ability.

Chief Mark Uguru, a Sports Administrator, said that the athletes’ performance was due to their determination to excel at the festival.

"They had the worst form of preparations as they left for the festival a day to its opening ceremony, while their officials left on the very day itself.

• Gov. Martin Elechi

Anambra athletes protest ‘shabby’ treatment

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EMBERS of Team Anambra at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos on Wednesday protested what they called the poor treatment being meted out to them by their state government.

The protesters blocked the roads in and around the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Games Village where they are accommodated for about an hour on Thursday morning, attracting the attention of other state contingents.

They carried placards with various inscriptions some of which read; "Pay us our allowance’’ and ``No allowance, No Peace’’.

The athletes told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were protesting a directive from their camp administrators that those who had finished their events should go home, when they had not been paid their allowances in full.

They claimed that they had been managing to put up with some illtreatment being meted out to them, including the payment of their `meagre" closed-camping allowance.

Others, according to the athletes, are making them to pay for their medical test bills and surcharging them for the sewing of their ceremonial clothes.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Dr Augustine Emesim, who address the angry athletes, appealed to them to remain calm.

Emesim said that it was regrettable that they were so treated, promising that all their grievances would be addressed.

He said that it was not proper for the athletes to be made to pay for any administrative costs, including medicals.

The Permanent Secretary added that the ministry was going to find out the shortfall in their camping and tournament allowances, as against those of the other states and make it up in subsequent competitions.

"Your complaints are noted. We regret whatever inconveniences this has caused you, but government has provided funds for all of them and we will ensure you get what belongs to you.

"It is essentially a communication problem; the arrangement was for those who wished to go.

"You are at liberty to stay back till the end of the festival and we are going to pay before your departure,” Emesim assured them.

The permanent secretary appealed to the athletes to go and participate in their events and help to redeem the state’s image in sports.

The officials and coaches of Team Anambra had last week complained of the non-payment of their allowances, warning that it could hamper their state's chances at the festival.

Meanwhile, Team Anambra has so far won two silver medals and a bronze at ``Eko 2012''.

"The athletes must, however, be commended for their tenacity and this shows that with determination, individuals could surmount any challenge,” he said.

Ike Mbah, a member of the state's basketball team, attributed the performance to the pep talk given to the athletes by their compatriots before they departed for Lagos.

"We urged them to represent the state well and not to repeat the woeful performance they put up at the zonal elimination in Enugu,” he said.

Mrs Ozioma Udeaja, a Youth Activist, urged the state government to use the opportunity of the commendable performance to invest seriously in sports for its overall development.

"The government’s attitude was as if it wanted the contingent to be mere participants and not medal contenders in Lagos.

"It should, however, build on these performances to ensure that sports is revitalised in the state and ensure more

credible performances in national competitions,” he said.

Mr Larry Echara, a Civil Servant, however, faulted the government’s critics on sports development, noting that they were ill informed on its sport policies.

"These individuals erroneously compare Ebonyi to rich states in the country such as Rivers and Delta, among others, that have abundant ‘oil funds to play with,” he said.

Chief Darlington Okoro, a trader, added that instead of debating on whether the government was adequately funding sports in the state or not, the athletes should be motivated to win more medals at the festival.

"I expect the athletes to win more medals at the festival, just as the private sector should endeavour to complement government’s modest efforts in sports promotion in the state,” he added.

EKO 2012 MEDALS TABLE As at Wednesday, Dec 5, 2012 : 12.20pm No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 TOTAL

States Delta Rivers Lagos Edo Bayelsa Ondo Plateau Ogun Oyo Imo A/ Ibom C River Kano Ebonyi Niger Kaduna Nasarawa Jigawa FCT Benue Bauchi Kwara Osun Kogi Kebbi Abia Enugu Anambra Zamfara Yobe Borno Taraba Ekiti Adamawa Gombe Katsina Sokoto

G 57 39 22 16 14 8 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 204

S 47 24 24 10 12 5 8 12 5 8 8 7 4 2 2 1 1 0 6 2 2 1 1 0 0 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 204

B 37 29 34 20 13 11 14 19 9 11 9 7 10 3 1 5 2 5 2 10 5 6 2 2 0 7 5 1 0 4 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 297

Total 141 92 80 46 39 24 27 35 18 22 20 17 17 8 6 9 6 8 10 13 8 8 4 3 1 10 7 3 2 5 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 705

Borno, Lagos through to Handball final Sokoto officials hope

B

ORNO male and Lagos female teams are through to the final of the handball event of the ongoing Eko 2012 18th National Sports Festival after overcoming their semi final opponents at the Sports Complex, UNILAG. Borno male beat Sokoto 27-23 to book a passage to the final slated for today while Lagos female team were dominated against Ondo whom they beat 33-20 in the first semi final.

The secretary, Borno Handball Association, Yusuf Mustapha Mohammed told NationSport that he was impressed with the way his team played and added that he was optimistic Borno would crush its opponents in today's final.

Meanwhile, the plan of Team Rivers to capture two gold medals in the handball event suffered a major setback after the male team was disqualified from the ongoing Eko 2012 NSF handball event for fielding an ineligible player despite winning the quarter final affair 35-27 against Sokoto.

It would be recalled that Sokoto protested against Rivers on the eligibility of player number 11 Ali Modibo who participated in the quarter final match

E

•Gov. Uduaghan

competition this year.

"I am amazed and I thank God Almighty for granting me victory in my first competition this year,” she said.

Ogbukwe, however, advised other athletes to focus on God whenever they were competing because it makes the difference.

"Let athletes not just trust in their training but get

further and engage in spiritual activities like fasting and prayers, so as to be assured of success,” she said.

Meanwhile, Celestina Efobi of Team Rivers, who clinched silver with a throw of 12.70 metres told NAN that she would ensure a better performance at the next festival.

"I am glad I was able to

secure a silver and will see to it that I surpass my performance at the next major event,’’ Efobi said.

She advised young and aspiring female shot put athletes not to lose hope but stay on with the sport.

NAN reports that Udeme Sunday of Team Anambra also won a consoling bronze medal with a throw of 12.65 metres.

By Tunde Liadi between both states on Tuesday and paid the mandatory N50,000 protest charge instantly to press home their demands.

The Technical Commission of the Handball event NationSport gathered later met and came up with the following decision: " Rule 4.3(Page 16) of the International Handball Federation grants a player entitlement and eligibility to participate in a game.

"However, Rivers' player Number 11 Ali Modibo featured in the game between his team and Sokoto. Contrary to Rule 4.3 because his name was not included in the team list submitted by Rivers neither was his name registered on the match report and score sheet of the match.

"Consequently, the Technical Commission, based on the foregoing, awarded the quarter final match played between Rivers and Sokoto to Sokoto State.

NationSport was also briefed that Rivers State appealed the decision of the Technical Commission which gave the tie to Sokoto but the Appeal Jury upheld the decision of the Technical Commission for lack of merit.

O

FFICIALS of Team Sokoto on Wednesday were confident of securing more medals at the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos after getting on the medals table with two bronze.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sokoto, which did not win any medal, was in the 37th position on the medals table of the last edition of the Games in Port Harcourt in 2011. NAN reports that Sokoto hit the medals table on Tuesday through Dahiru Ahamed, who placed third in the men's Para-table tennis top 15 category. Sokoto also won the bronze medal over Yobe in the team event of the traditional sport, Langa.

Reacting after the medal presentation in Para-table tennis on Wednesday, Abdullahi Akawama, an official of Team Sokoto told NAN that they were confident of securing more medals in athletics. He said support and words of inspiration had been coming from the state governor, Aliyu Wamakko, adding that they were confident of ending in a decent position on the medals table. ``I'm excited about the fact that we have won two bronze medals and I am confident more will come as the

Games progress. The athletics events are ongoing and I am certain we will secure more medals because we are fully prepared for the events. We have the athletes, we have the support and words of inspiration of our governor, Wamakko, and I believe we will climb on the medals log," he said.

Also speaking, Para-table tennis bronze medal winner, Ahamed, said he was excited over the win, adding that he would commence preparation for the next festival, in order to vie for gold. ``I am happy with this bronze and I am excited that I have done the state proud, but I hope to commence preparation for the next festival so that I can win the gold," he said.

Idris Abdullahi, a member of the Langa team who won bronze, said that the victory was hard-earned as the Yobe team was a tough side.

He added that regardless of the opposition's strength, he believed the better side won.

Idris attributed the team's success to its determination to make the state proud and expressed the hope of doing better with the continued support of the Sokoto state government.

ELIGIBILITY SCAM

A

Akwa Ibom State in th professional female league in the 2009/2010 season before moving to Standard Babes of Abia State.

Tournament coordinator of the football event for the festival, Olusola Ogunnowo revealed to NationSport exclusively that investigations have shown that the said player claimed to be of Cameroon descent to raise her stake with the state in terms of remuneration ."We had to go as far

as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ascertain the authenticity of the protest. As you can see (showing our reporters the documents),the player actually featured for the clubs, and as it stands has been banned for life.

"The worst case was that she even told a lie that she is from Cameroon so as to attract higher pay as a foreigner," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the semi final pairing for the football event has been released.

In the men's category, Delta State will be taking on Cross Rivers in the

first semi final, while Kwara State will lock horns with Team Lagos in the second semi final match.

Also, in the women's cadre, while Team Lagos will attempt to go past Osun State to book a final spot, Akwa Ibom having won their protest against Enugu will take on Edo State in the second semi final cracker.

The female matches will take place between 10am and 2pm, while the male category is billed for 2pm through to 4pm.

•Team Enugu’s player

AHEAD 2003 U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

Malian sports minister tips Nigeria ... As Maigari warns Eaglets on fitness

H

•Maigari

AMEYE FOUME Mahalmadane, the Malian Sports Minister, has tipped the Golden Eaglets team as a strong contender for the 2013 African Under-17 Championship in Morocco.

The Self-styled New Nigerian Golden Eaglets recorded the best qualifying results with a 100 percent of six wins in as many wins scoring a fantastic 21 goals and conceding just one goal.

Apart from the impressive record, the Malian sports minister reportedly told the Nigerian Ambassador to Mali that he was pleasantly surprised with the zest displayed by the Nigerian lads against a supposedly stronger

Lagos creates national record in Traditional sport

T

•Team also disqualified

By Innocent Amomoh and Akeem Lawal

K

INGSLEY FORCADOS from Delta has broken the national record held by Digha Baraghawei from Kano in the 200m Individual Medley Men at the Swimming event of the ongoing Eko 2012 National Sports Festival after he returned with a time of 2:20:94.

The record was set in 1993 and about 19 years after a certain Forcados hit everyone at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere by surprise when he swam his way to glory and fame after winning a gold medal for Delta and etching his name in the record books.

Otubodo Owaren another Delta reps scooped the silver medal with a time of 2:21:89 while Gbakemiye Williams of Lagos got a bronze medal with a time of 2:26:75.

By Innocent Amomoh

football player banned for life FEMALE football player Nwachusim Chikodi has been banned for life following protest questioning her eligibility to feature in the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), Eko 2012.

NationSport gathered that the ban came when Team Akwa- Ibom filed in a protest after Team Enugu defeated them in one of the quater final matches played at the Agege Stadium.

The player according to findings adopted the name, Peace Onu to enable her participate in the festival after featuring for Ibom Angels of

By Tunde Liadi

•Wins 4 gold medals in Langa, Ayo

Enugu female

Delta wins gold in women's shot put U C H A R I A OGBUKWE, winner of the women’s shot put event on Wednesday at the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) attributed her victory to prayers and fasting.

Ogbukwe, who heaved a distance of 13.10 metres, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) shortly after the event that she was excited to have won because it was her first

to win more medals

•As Rivers suffer disqualification

Delta swimmer breaks national record

Junior Eagles of Mali.

“I was with the Malian sports minister at the VIP stand to watch the match and he was hugely impressed with your performance,” revealed His Excellency Ilya Nuhu, the Nigerian Ambassador."Based on your performance against Mali, their minister told me you would be one of the best teams in Morocco and we would be happy if you can make the prediction come true.''

Meanwhile, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has warned the Golden Eaglets to preserve their form and fitness as the players would soon embark on

a break after this weekend’s commemorative match for Governor Godswill Akpabio’s Golden jubilee anniversary in Uyo. Maigari who spoke through the NFF’s Director Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme during breakfast on Wednesday, enjoined the players not to get carried away over their qualification for the African Under-17 Championship in Morocco “As a federation, we are delighted with what you have achieved but we want you to know that this is just the beginning,” Maigari was quoted as saying. “We don’t want you to be distracted and get carried away that you have arrived particularly when you go

o n break.

“Please don’t let anybody fool you that you are now as good as Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo and be disciplined so that you can continue from where you stopped when you resume camping early next year,” added Maigari.

EAM LAGOS yesterday created a national record in the Langa event at the ongoing National Sports Festival (NSF), as they increase their medal haul to four gold medals in Traditional Sports with another gold medal in Ayo. Three medals emanated from the Langa event, which is a three in- one wrestling event and the mixed double in the Ayo event which was decided at the National Stadium and the Teslim Balogun Stadium respectively.

In the Langa event, one gold medal each came from Kaoshi, Turenshi and Ruwa wrestling events, while the pair of Rashidi Akande and Folake Hazan clinched the gold of the mixed doubles of the Ayo event.

Excited at the outcome of the events, Chairman of the Lagos State Traditional Sport Association, Bash Agusto said the feat created in the Langa event has never been in the history of the sport, adding that this is an indication that Lagos is raising the bar in Traditional Sport.

“This is a very interesting sport that anybody will want to watch. My athletes may be smallish compared to their opponent but we were able to combine speed and strength and that was what gave the edge.

“I am so happy because this feat will rewrite the history of traditional sport in Lagos and Nigeria at large. We prepared very hard for this competition and I am so happy that we have something to show for it,” an elated Agusto said.

•Wale Edun

25

THE NATION

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

INSIDE

Ebonyi seeks UBEC funds waiver

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

To show that their performance was no fluke, the top four candidates in the 2012 June/July Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) did better in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). They shared their thoughts about their performances and examination malpractices with KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

THE Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Education is seeking a waiver from the Federal Government on the payment of counterpart funds required to effect the release of up to N2 billion grants for its basic education subsector.

-Page 28

I wrote to satisfy my Dad

•Ikenna

UGWUGBULAM Ikenna Ogbonna, a 15-year old pupil of the International School, University of Lagos (ISL), who was the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Foundation essay competition last Tuesday, has said he wrote the essay to satisfy his father.

-Page 39

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

Learning from the masters THEY came from higher institutions across the country for the 10th CAMPUSLIFE workshop and 4th Awards ceremony.

Held in Elizabeth Hall of the Citilodge Hotel, Lekki, the workshop with the theme: The role of media in national rebirth was co-sponsored by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc. For over four hours, the CAMPUSLIFE correspondents listened to seasoned journalists.

-Page 29

•From left: Morenikeji, Chizoba, Sandra and Oghenefego with their plaques

A no mean feat T

HE four candidates who made the best result in the 2012 June/July Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO) may never have met before December 4 when the Learn Africa Education Development Foundation honoured them for their performance.

However, they share similar values about hard work and diligence, and have no tolerance for examination malpractices.

Chizoba Obasi and Sandra Anazor tied for the first position; Oghenefego Ahia and Morenikeji Aina were second and third.

Chizoba and Sandra got N100,000 cheques, plaques and laptops.

Oghenefego, N80,000 and a plaque while Morenikeji, N60,000.

To show that their performance was no fluke, they did better in the 2012 May/June West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), posting higher grades than they made in the NECO SSCE. Chizoba, a former pupil of Stella

Maris College, Life camp, Abuja, posted six Bs and two Cs in the NECO SSCE, he made all A1 in the nine subjects he wrote in the May/June 2012 WASSCE. With eight A1 and one B2, Sandra graduated with the best result from the Federal Government Girls’ College, Onitsha. In the NECO SSCE that won her the joint first position, the 18-year old made three B2, five B3 and one C4.

Oghenefego, who had his secondary education at Brilliant Child College, Akoka, Yaba Lagos, made seven Bs and two Cs in NECO; in WASSCE he made six A1 and three B2.

Sixteen-year old Morenikeji had seven Bs and two Cs in the NECO SSCE she wrote as a pupil of the Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos. In WASSCE, she made five A1 and four Bs. They told The Nation they believed they performed better in WASSCE because the NECO marking scheme is stricter. Some added that they actually expected to perform better in the NECO SSCE. Sandra said many of her peers studied harder for the WASSCE be-

cause they felt their hard work would not be rewarded by NECO. “Generally, students are more serious with WASSCE. Some were not serious with NECO because they thought they may read very had yet get Credit grades. I felt like I must make a difference so I said I will try my best in NECO. I was actually expecting my result to be better than this,” she said.

Morenikeji also thought she would do better. “I think the NECO marking scheme is harder than WAEC because I really was sure of my NECO. I expected a better result. Students are more serious during WASSCE because during our NECO period, many of my mates did not really read,” she said.

While the quartet think the NECO marking scheme may be harder, they said the two examinations seemed to be at par in terms of standards.

Chizoba said he found them to be similar. “NECO marking scheme is harder than WAEC but the examinations were relatively of the same level and standard,” he said.

Oghenefego agrees. However, like Sandra and Morenikeji, he said

NAMES

NECO SSCE

WASSCE

Chizoba

6Bs and 2Cs

9As

Sandra

3B2, 5B3 and 1C4

8As and 1B2

Oghenefego

7Bs and 2Cs

6As and 3Bs

Morenikeji

7Bs and 2cs

5As and 4Bs

students relax when it is time for the examination.

“It is probably the (NECO) marking scheme is stricter. A lot of students do better in WAEC. To say the truth, a lot of my friends read for WAEC but after we didn’t want to stress so much for NECO. But the school was on our necks and kept us busy,” he said.

While preparing for the examination that has now brought them fame and reward, the quartet said they burned the midnight oil, studying and refusing to engage in examination malpractice.

In interviews with The Nation, some said they were treated as pariahs by their peers because of their principles, and recommended that examination bodies should not spare officials that compromise the conduct of public examinations.

They also said NECO, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other bodies should also do all they can to avoid question papers leaking.

The four teenagers said the secondary schools they attended frowned on examination malpractices. However, that did not mean some pupils did not engage in it, though when caught, they faced serious punishment.

Chizoba, who is on the verge of securing a place to study Chemical Engineering at the University of Akron, Ohio, United States, said eradicating malpractice is important so certificates can be worth • Continued on page 26

THE NATION THURSDAY,DECEMBER 6, 2012

26

EDUCATION

Behold...new faces of LASU Governing Council

L

AST week, Visitor to the Lagos State University (LASU), Governor Babatunde Fashola inaugurated a 12-man Governing Council for the institution.

The council has foremost financial expert, Mr Olabode Agosto, as Chairman, while former Commissioner for Education Health and Education, Dr Leke Pitan is one of the members.

Other are: Mrs. Ibikun Awosika, Mr Yomi Hotonou, Mr. Sam Omatseye, Prof Shafideen Amuwo, Mr Jide Adeoye, Mr Karim Olaseinde, Mrs. Fatima WaliAbdulrahman and Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya.

Below are profiles of some of the members as compiled by Adegunle Olugbamila:

Bode Agusto (Chairman) Mr Bode Agusto graduated from the prestigious University of Lagos in 1977 and qualified as a chartered accountant in 1981.

He was Director-General of the Budget Office (2003-2007) and also served as Special Adviser to the President on Budget Matters the same period.

He founded, Agusto & Co Limited in 1992 and served as CEO before resigning in 2003. In 2001, Nigeria's Security and Exchange Commission licensed Agusto's company as the first credit rating agency in Nigeria.

He is also a director in the GTBANK. He is married to Edna and they are blessed with children.

Adewunmi Ogunsanya Adewunmi Ogunsanya is a lawyer and managing partner Ogunsanya & Ogunsanya & Co (Legal practitioners). Ogunsanya also sits atop many organisations as chairman some of which include Cleaner Limited; Clearwave Oil and Gas and Multichoice Nig Ltd. Established in April 1994, MultiChoice Nigeria is one of the first joint ventures to be established

by MultiChoice Africa on the continent, a product of a partnership between MultiChoice Africa Limited and a Nigerian entrepreneur Ogunsanya.

Leo Ekeh Mr Leo Ekeh was born in Ubomiri, Imo State. He read Economics at the Punjab University, India. Ekeh also studied at the Cork City University, Ireland, and later transferred to Nottingham University, UK, where he earned another a degree in Risk Management.

Ekeh who owns Task Systems Limited pioneered desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria for which he has won many industry awards.

15-yr old launches book THE Diplomat Hotel in Maryland, Lagos is set to play host to dignitaries as Miss Ruth Oshone Momodu will unveil her book titled No fault of mine to her friends, families and the general public this Saturday.

The book is a story written in a time where peer pressure seems to be the order of the day among teenagers. It tells the story of a young girl, her struggles and the challenges she faces in the transition from an adolescent into a young woman.

Momodu is a 15 year old student (ABUAD) who developsed her passion for books at an early age, sustained and nurtured same through the years until she was eventually motivated to produce her own work. She spoke briefly about the plot of the book and the main character ,“Eggie” who is caught between a strict father and an over indulgent mother and her own feelings about being exposed to a wider society.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

For over two decades, Ekeh pioneered IT Solutions in West Africa through his company- ITEC Solutions Limited from which he has delivered the largest IT Solutions ever, from an indigenous firm, to the Nigerian Corporate Market.

Mr. Ekeh also pioneered IT Distribution in West Africa through Technology Distributions Limited, TD, which has emerged the Number 1 ICT distribution company in West Africa, winning consistently for 10 years the highest industry awards and recognitions for market penetration, revenue, and preferred partner status to become the most decorated ICT distributor in West Africa.

He is a Fellow of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos; Federal Polytechnic, Idah; Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, as well as Life Membership, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, among others.

Sam Omatseye Mr Sam Omatseye is a journalist with media experience spanning over three decades.

He was the former Editor Thisday Newspapers (Saturday); former Deputy Editor Sunday Concord (now rested); and Reporter, Rocky Mountain News, Colorado USA; Omatseye has won several awards in the journalism profession including the Features Prize of the American Association of Black Journalists; Reporter of the Year, Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA); twotime winner Best Commentary

• Continued from page 25

their face value.

The 16-year old said his decision to study hard for his examinations rather than depend on short cuts means he can defend his grades anywhere in the world.

“Malpractice is bad and the education system should find a way to eradicate it by punishing special centres and closing them down. It is not fair on those who have studied by themselves and write from their heads because those that cheat get undue advantage.

“It is not good for students to be involved in malpractice because they are unable to defend their certificates anywhere. That is the advantage of studying hard. I can go anywhere locally and internationally to defend my certificate,” he said.

Sandra and Oghenefego share his views. They know what it is to be shunned because they do not think it is right to ‘share’ knowledge in the examination hall.

“A lot of students disliked me,” said 17-year old Oghenefego who is now studying Electrical/Electronics Engineering at the University of Lagos. “When they asked me questions in the examination hall, I did not used to answer them so they felt I was selfish. I decided not to answer them because I did not use to ask for help. I felt that if the school authority was doing all it could to stop malpractice, it was not right to do it.”

At FGGC, Onitsha, Sandra said when her peers could not change her stance, they left her alone. The 18year old who is to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan said: “I do not like examination malpractice in any form so I shunned it. I prefer to study and do it myself and I believe I will do better when I read than when I help somebody or somebody helps me. As time went on and my classmates discovered that I am on my own, they left me.”

To check malpractices, Morenikeji, who is studying Biochemistry at the Lagos State University (LASU) said

•Agusto

•Dr Pitan

Award of the NMMA and the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME). He is a recipient of the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship.

He is currently the Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers. His weekly column In Touch is published on Mondays.

•Omatseye

•Awosika

Dr Leke Pitan Dr Leke Pitan was born in 1956 in Lagos State, where he had his primary and secondary education. He studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan between 1977 and 1982, earning a distinction in Anatomy.

He had his Masters in Public Health in 2006 from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.

Dr Pitan is a member of the forum on evidence-based health policymaking of the Nigerian Academy of Science. He also chairs the Project Advisory Committee of the Ford Foundation's Health Journalists' Immersion programme on Maternal, Child and Newborn Health.

He served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Health (June 1999March 2006) and Education (April 2006-June 2007).

Dr Pitan was Chief Medical Director of the Mayowa Hospital, Lagos (1985-1999). He was a medical officer at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, General Hospital Lagos and State Hospital, Sagamu (Ogun State) between 1982 and 1985. He is a mem-

ber of the Lagos Island Club and the Pivot Club, Epe, Lagos, Nigeria. Dr. Pitan is married with three children.

Mrs Blessing Awosika Blessing Ibukun Awosika had her primary and secondary education in Ibadan and Lagos respectively. She is a BS.C graduate of Chemistry from the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University IleIfe. Awosika started her career with Akintola Williams & Co. (now Deloitte) as an audit trainee during her National Youth Service Corps.

Thereafter, she worked at Alibert Nigeria Ltd, a furniture company, as showroom manager. She later resigned her position to set up her own furniture manufacturing company, Quebees Ltd, from which The Chair Centre Ltd later sprang. She is the Founder and Chairman of The Chair Centre Ltd, a foremost market leader in the office furniture and banking security systems industries with offshoots in Accra (Ghana), Tinapa and Calabar (Southeastern

A no mean feat examining bodies should make candidates afraid to engage in malpractice by enforcing the punishments.

“They should put fear in people so they do not engage in malpractice. They should punish those who do it,” she said.

Oghenefego suggests that examining bodies should pay invigilators and supervisors well so they are incorruptible.

“Examining bodies should be stricter. It will cost more money on their part to eradicate malpractice. Maybe they should pay invigilators better and get top officials to pay unscheduled visits to centres. Those caught assisting malpractice should be sent away,” he said.

At the event, Dr Ikechukwu Anyanwu, a Deputy Director at

NECO, said the body stands for excellence and knows how to catch perpetrators of malpractices.

“NECO does not get worried about miracle centres. When you go to a miracle centre, we don’t bother you.

During marking we get you because from the scripts examiners can discover those that cheated and we act on it,” he said.

•Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State with pupils during his visit to Shela Primary Schools in Gombe.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

27

EDUCATION KWASU partners developers to solve accommodation problems •Landmark, KWASU matriculate 2,034

T

•Chancellor of the University, Eze Uzor II, Chief Gibson Nwosu (right) and Prof Okojie presenting documents to Wamakko during the convocation

‘Use intervention funds judiciously’

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has cautioned on the N3 billion special intervention funds, stressing that beneficiary universities should utilise the funds judiciously in conformity with due process to stimulate academic and intellectual excellence.

He said: “The fund is to encourage performance not misapplication.”

Jonathan spoke in Sokoto during the joint 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st convocation and award of honorary degree to six distinguished personalities of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University last Saturday.

According to the President who was represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof Julius Okojie, the funds are aimed at facilitating rapid growth in human capacity for productivity.

However, Jonathan urged stakeholders to ensure a demonstration of commitment to supporting universities through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative by funding and generating revenue to sustain their activities.

While praising governments especially of catchment areas of Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states for their unflinching support to the university, he urged recipients of honorary degrees to see the feat a call to duty to make the nation proud.

Those honoured included Gover-

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

nors Aliyu Wamakko and Rotimi Amaechi of Sokoto and Rivers states, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambawal, former Executive Secretary of TETFund, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu and Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of UDUS, Alhaji Bilya Sanda.

Speaking on behalf of the award recipients, Governor Ameachi who endowed a chair in the English Department said the rapid academic excellence recorded by the university was an endorsement of government efforts and understanding towards tackling challenges in the education sector.

Governor Wamakko and Tambawal made a joint pledge to donate a hostel to ease accommodation problem.

In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, said the university being a second generation institution has been a she to respond to the training needs of sister institutions and the public in terms of academic and productivity in service.

However, Shehu noted that the university has challenges and pleaded with the Federal Government to quickly intervene in the rehabilitation of the 2010 flood ravaged access road to the university.

“The road is the only access road linking the town and other local

governments with the university community.

Chancellor of the University, Eze Uzor II, Chief Gibson Nwosu said within the short period the institution has made significant impact with remarkable achievements to measure up with standards for successfully recording 68.9per cent to qualify for accreditation in the next five years” all programmes have been accredited by the NUC.” The occasion was graced by members of the lower chamber of the National Assembly who came to honour Tambawal. Others were: former President Shehu Shagari, Minister for Youth Development, Inuwa Abdulkadir, Justice Aisha Sani Dahiru and top government functionaries from federal and state levels.

Also not left out of the unique events were emirs of Gwandu, Yauri, Argungu and other numerous title holders, Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Senators Abdul Ningi, Ahmed Muhammad Maccido, Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, Umaru Dahiru Tambawal, Minority Leader and Chief Whip of HOR, Abdulrahman Suleiman Kawu.

Others who were present or sent representatives in solidarity with institution included: Vice Chancellors of BUK, FUT Minna, ATBU Bauchi, Modibbo Adama University, Yola, University of Ilorin, Katsina state University, Kebbi, Sokoto, Kaduna, FCE, Gusau among others.

HE Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, Moro Local Government Area has entered into partnership with private developers to build halls of residence on campus for its students.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof AbdulRasheed Na’Allah told reporters in Malete shortly after the matriculation ceremony for the 2012/2013 academic session.

His words: “We are university for community development. We think government should no longer build houses, accommodation on campus. We now invite community people- investors, developers to come on campus and build houses.

“We have developed a policy of 100 per cent accommodation provision for all undergraduate students on campus. To implement this policy, we have now invited developers to come and build on campus. Right now you will see several constructions are going on, some have just finished, about three that have finished, students have occupied for this semester. By next academic year, we say about 20 more would have finished. So, this is the vigorous way we are going about it. We want the investors to come so that together with government, they would be co-owners of this university and that is what we are doing.”

On cultism, he said: “We have been operating at zero level on cult-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ism at KWASU. We have had course to investigate, we have had course at suspicion but each time we have acted strictly.

“In fact we have not allowed anybody to settle down to anything like that. I am not saying they have not tried but I am saying that at KWASU, we have been on top of it because we have learnt, we had the opportunity to learn from what is happening across Nigeria.

“We therefore have our facts, have our strategy and have our policies to pursue it vigorously and today I am happy to say that we have no official knowledge of any cultist or cultism.”

Earlier, he said that KWASU was matriculating no fewer than 1,525 candidates for the session in question.

He added that “it is on record that over 7,556 candidates applied to KWASU for the current session’s admission exercise with the number of candidates above sailing through.”

Also, the Landmark University, Omu-Aran in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state, at the weekend matriculated 782 students.

Vice-Chancellor of the faith-based university, Prof Matthew O. Ajayi made the disclosure at the fourth matriculation ceremony of the institution.

Prof Ajayi said: “This is made up 95 in agriculture, 407 in science and engineering and 280 in business and social sciences.”

NICO holds children’s cultural fiesta

A

S the holiday season begins, the Southwest zone of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) is organising the maiden edition of Children’s Cultural Fiesta. The event will hold on December 12 at the Senior Staff Club, Alagbaka, Akure from 10.00 am.

It will showcase competition among 18 secondary schools drawn from the public and private sectors. Events include quiz and debate in Yoruba, traditional hairdo, cooking, choral and poetry (Ewi). The aim of the event is to encourage the young ones to take pride in our culture in their formative years so they can live

with it as they grow.

The Ondo State Ministry of Education has endorsed the programme and directed schools to participate.

Expected to be the mother of the day is the first lady of Ondo State, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, while the father of the day is Chief Tayo Oluwatuyi, Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The chairman is expected to be Barrister Deji Falae, Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. The chief host is Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, Executive Secretary of NICO. This event is expected to attract about 300 students and other guests.

Re: Let’s remake Ekiti State University

I

READ the write-up by Dimeji Daniels, published on page 20 of The Nation of Monday, December 3, 2012, in the Editor’s Mail Bag column under the caption; Let’s remake Ekiti State University. The article is spurious, malicious and unfounded. Dimeji Daniels was so economical with truth and his manner of presentation does not show civility. It was not a constructive criticism rather Daniels sounds like someone whose interest is to destroy the good works that have been going on in the university.

Dimeji in his write up revealed that he has not been to that University for a while.

Like he claimed on a social medium in one of his numerous attacks on EKSU, that he passed through the University way back in 2001, he was expected to know that the physical structure and facilities on ground in the past can never be compared with what is on ground today.

EKSU was recently commended for maintaining a neat academic environment while the Management got a pass mark for its vision to move the University towards a World-Class standard by the National Universities Commission’s

panels on accreditation of programmes that visited the Institution. At different fora, the eminent scholars numbering seventy from different universities in Nigeria, praised EKSU for aesthetic nature that greeted visitors right away from the gate leading to the campus. As a matter of fact, there was a comment by one of the teams that what they saw in EKSU was unprecedented,especially in any State University. These NUC panels are made up of reputable Professors and Scholars from several universities including FUNAAB which was a reference in Daniels’ write up. One will rather believe those Professors than Daniels.

Apart from the professional touch of horticulturists on the dual lane leading to the campus, the solar powered light is another beauty to behold.

Dimeji Daniels alleged that nothing has been done to improve the standard of the University since. We have had great Vice-Chancellors in the erstwhile University of AdoEkiti (UNAD) whose contributions are visible to all. It is instructive to put on record that the current ViceChancellor of EKSU, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina, is a seasoned admin-

istrator and respected academic guru. He has since his assumption of office embarked on various reform policies in the institution. The Vice-Chancellor met on ground the non-residential policy of the University. Yet, he has been making efforts to modify the policy and create an environment whereby staff and students live on campus to integrate a full university culture. Hostels will soon spring up while staff quarters are in the process of being built.

Since Professor Aina’s administration, the use of teaching aid otherwise known as “handout” has been outlawed by the Senate of the University, hence, the use of ICT has taken pre-eminence on campus because most of the campus is covered with wireless internet connectivity. Visit the University, you will see academic and non-teaching staff as well as students always with their laptops for teaching and carrying out one assignment or the other. One, therefore, wonders whether Dimeji really visited the university in recent times. Furthermore, under the leadership of Professor Patrick Aina, the University has been able to clear four outstanding convocations and marked the 30th anniversary of the University with organized and

classy ceremonies described as a world class celebration never experienced in the University before.

The convocation attracted many international figures including the President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama. The University has also commenced a biometric data capture of staff and students to meet up with today’s realities in accurate record keeping with electronic access. The school fees and other special charges have been codified to bring about more transparent collection of school fees. In the area of infrastructure, the University administration has embarked on adequate water supply on campus through sinking of two industrial bore-holes, installed solar power infrastructures to light the streets and some facilities, obtained a gear switch to connect the University to the national grid for electricity while several projects are being executed in the College of Medicine.

Professor Aina has also been instrumental to the corporate social responsibility projects being offered the University by First Bank Plc on sports facility development and Google Africa and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc for ICT develop-

ment as well as tarring of the university frontage and embarking on many building projects to elevate the status of the University.

The students of the University have been performing wonderfully well in their academic career and in competitions of various sorts which include sports and academic. The alumni of the University are doing well in their various fields of endeavour. Ex-students of the University are managers of Banks, Directors of various establishments both private and public, Professors in Universities both in Nigeria and abroad. Not minding to be called a sycophant, the merging of the three erstwhile universities (UNAD, TUNEDIK and USTI)

by Governor Kayode Fayemi’s administration has brought glory to Ekiti State. The essence of this response is to show Daniels lack of genuine information on Ekiti State University and to inform the unsuspecting members of public that his (Daniels) write up was full of lies. What we expect from Ekiti indigenes is to support the University financially and morally to move it forward.

•Ajibade Olubunmi ajibade olubunmi@gmail.com Ado-

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

28

EDUCATION FUNAAB FILE FERMA still on road project THE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has assured the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) that the reconstruction of the sixkilometre FUNAAB-Camp Road is still in progress.

FERMA Resident engineer for Ogun State, Mr Alex Mazoya and Progress Officer, Mr Monday Olaogun said FERMA is doing Linegram, which according to him in lay man’s language means “sideway quarter.”

“We are on course. We have not left the road. We are still on it. It is important we concentrate efforts on Linegram, that is sideway quarter for now. Thereafter, we move to the road proper,” Olaogun said.

Responding, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Bandele Oyewole described the reconstruction of the road as topmost priority for the university.

Face your book, not FaceBook THE FUNAAB Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole has advised students not to waste time on social networking sites, especially FaceBook at the expense of their studies.

Speaking at a role modeling lecture for the Girl-Child, sponsored by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD), Oyewole charged FUNAAB students to sustain the university legacy of excellence by doing more of studying.

The Vice-Chancellor, who was represented by one of the university orators and former Head of Department of General Studies (GNS) and Communication, Prof Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale said though internet is good for researches and updating of knowledge, students should stop spending valuable time on FaceBook and other social network sites.

Ebonyi lawmakers seek waiver on counterpart funds

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HE Ebonyi State House of Assembly Committee on Education is seeking a waiver from the Federal Government on the payment of counterpart funds required to effect the release of up to N2 billion grants for its basic education sub-sector.

The state has not been able to access the intervention grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Abuja because it has not paid its counterpart funds since 2010.

The six-man committee discovered this while touring schools and education agencies as part of its oversight duties in the education sector.

While presenting the committee’s interim report to the 24-member House on Monday, its chairman, Mr Chris Usulor, said if released, the money would be useful in improving infrastructure of schools, which they discovered are rather poor.

“In the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) we discovered non-release of grants from UBEC because of non-payment of counterpart fund by the state government since 2010.

Ebonyi State is owing two billion naira counterpart fund which if paid would enable the UBEC release grants to SUBEB for school projects,” he said.

The committee’s recommendation for a waiver was supported by the Speaker of the House, Chukwuma Nwazunku, who urged the Federal Government to help the state by way of considering them for the grants without the payment of counterpart funds.

Also in its report the committee stated that most primary and secondary schools in the state have dilapidated structures, without facilities for conducive learning, while teachers neglect their duties.

“As at 9.35 am when the committee visited, so many students were still on the road instead of being in the school. On inquiry, they complained of not having a single staff to attend to them, worrisome as it is, the committee discovered that it is a regular occurrence,” said

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

Usulor.

However, the report also details efforts by the state government to improve school infrastructure, noting that Governor Martin Elechi has embarked on building of 27 pilot boarding schools and reconstruction of some school buildings most of which it noted were well done but for a few shoddy jobs.

It noted that the Ebonyi SUBEB constructed 176 school buildings in 2011 and that the state government approved waiver for the board to recruit 1,800 tutorial and 200 non tutorial staff through the 13 sub-

B

Pupils get success tips

Y the time the inspirational speaker and Founder of Life Initiative, Obafemi George, was done with his words of exultation, pupils who thronged the Astro Turf Car Park 2000 Osborne,Ikoyi were already on fire. Everyone was waving a miniature Nigerian flag.

They leapt and danced to the song of

Alumni seek Jonathan’s intervention on new VC

T

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

the host community.

Outgoing Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammed Salihu Audu from Kogi State has just completed his tenure.

President Jonathan, on November 27, approved Akanji’s appointment but those against him, who the group claims are neither students nor members of the university community, demonstrated against the appointment, insisting that they wanted an indigene of Minna in the position.

“Prior to the last administration, which was led by Audu, FUTMINNA, established 28years

salary to the state government.

This was based on findings from the committee’s interaction with the Secondary Education Board chairman who was said to have pointed out that some of those teachers were either on maternity leave, secondment, or have died, and 30 other teachers out of the number given by the Auditor were ghost workers whose appointments had been terminated.

The Leader of the house, Mr Sam Nwali moved motion for adoption of the report as a working document, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Mr Enyi C. Enyi and adopted by the house.

•The excited pupils after the seminar

•From left: Director General, Nigeria Fren ch Language Village, Prof. Samuel Aje, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Principal, King’s College, Otunba Dele Olapeju at the 20th annisversary public lecture of the Nigeria French Language Village held at NIIA, Victoria Island, Lagos last Thursday

HE Coalition of Concerned Alumni of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA), Niger State, has pleaded with President Goodluck Jonathan to install Prof Musbau Akinwunmi Akanji as the substantive Vice-Chancellor.

In a press release signed by Abdulrauf Alabelewe, its spokesperson, the group frowned at a situation where some ‘elements’ who parade themselves as eggheads from the ivory taower could condescend to desperate means to clamour for a Vice-Chancellor from

stantive local government councils of the state.

The five-page document of the committee added that, “In adult education sector, the activities are very low because of non compliance of local government chairmen in paying stipends to the instructors or non employment of instructors by the chairmen. Also discovered was that the monthly office upkeep of principals in the state is N5000”.

Meanwhile, the report pointed out flaws in the report of the Auditor General of the state Mr Boniface Ezeagu that indicted some teachers and mandated them to pay back 14 months

ago, had been led by four substantive Vice-Chancellors who include Prof Jonathan Othman Ndagi, Prof Suleyman Adeyemi, Prof Mohammed Daniyan and Prof Hamman Tukur Sa’ad.

“In fact, a critical look at the principal officers line-up during the administration of Prof Audu reveals that Niger State is just one out of seven catchment North-Central States which constitute catchment for the University has consistently had three slots of the six principal officers which represents another 50 percent” he lamented.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

victory Stand up for the Champion by the international artist Right Said Fred.

The seminar was themed: Understanding the three laws of success, under the Life Initiative, an NGO George set up a decade ago to provide inspiration to youths and students who want to succeed in life. The over 1,000 participants that were drawn from public schools in Education District III including: Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School; Akande Dahunsi Memorial High School; Government Senior College; (both Maroko and Ikoyi); and Ilado Community High School, among others.

Interestingly, George’s grass- tograce story was enough to convince any doubting Thomas that preparing for success must start at ones youthful age.

George said: “The law of success is no respecter of any person. It doesn’t matter whether you are in a public or high-flying private school. How you succeed in future is determined by your present mindset-the kind of friends you keep; the cloth you wear; amount of time you spend reading; and how you feel about yourself. If you can design your vision now, I can guarantee that you will succeed.

“I grew up from a single parent and attended public schools that you are attending now. But all the while I never lost sight of my dream. I once lived in an uncompleted house without a toiled in Egbeda area and there again moved to another commoners neigbouhood in Ikorodu. But because of my passion I used to frequent Lekki and Aja at my leisure because I’d always dreamed to live in that upscale neigbourhoods. The journey was tough, but today I live in that posh neinbouhood and in a decent house.

If it can happen to me, then you can also be better of.”

To succeed, George said they must write their dream, set goals and back same with action. An enterprising mind, George stressed, goes after what he believes in and does not wait until it comes to him.

Amilu Corbo, a JSS 3 pupil of Akande Memorial High School told our reporter what intrigued him most was the drama and dance competition that prelude the seminar.

“I enjoyed the dance, the drama and the way the man rose from nothing to something,” Corbo said.

Osang Precious from Ilado Community High School also shared her experience.

“I learned to believe in myself, and that nobody can tell me I cannot make it in life. I also learned that key to success is believing in oneself and being hardworking and determined.”

In a personal chat with George, he revealed the inspiration behind his current crusade.

“Everything I preached was born out of personal experience. I was born like them, grew up from a single parent where I was hardly able to enjoy two basic meals daily. When I turned 18, my mum and I took a walk and she told me: ‘I know you are a good boy who has not joined bad company despite all the challenges’, then she gave me N20 and added “I know you will succeed in life.”

“So, I look back today reflecting on those inspirational words from my mother even though it seemed then that nothing looked like it. So, I’m convinced if same words once said to me are said to them they would turn out well.”

Mrs Titus, Odunsi who represented the district’s Tutor-General Permanent Secretary, Mrs Wonuola Idris, noted that the seminar was inspiring and enjoyable, as participants were taken through real-life experiences.

Mrs Odunsi urged the pupils that they should not merely listen but put the lessons of the seminar into use.

“I believe you all enjoyed yourselves, but listening alone will not help you, ensure you make use of the lesson in order to unleash the dreams in you. Do not give yourselves to laziness. Many students wait until their teachers tell them what to do. Be proactive and carry yourself with dignity,” she urged.

29

Google mapping training for students

*CAMPUSES What *NEWS makes *PEOPLE *KUDOS& students KNOCKS Last week, all hell was letweek loose at the Ekiti State University (EKSU) following the death tick of a final year student of Accounting, Teslim Adebola Ibrahim. OLATUNJI AWE reports.

Page 34

*GRANTS

Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0802-4550-354 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

The second phase of the biennial seminar for CAMPUSLIFE correspondents nationwide was held last weekend. AYODEJI ADESINA, SIKIRU AKINOLA, MUIBAT SALAM, PHILIP OKORODUDU and TAIWO ISOLA write that the workshop was educative.

• Students with Oloja after the workshop session

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HEY came from higher institutions across the country for the 10th CAMPUSLIFE workshop and 4th Awards ceremony.

Held in Elizabeth Hall of the Citilodge Hotel, Lekki, the workshop with the theme: The role of media in national rebirth was co-sponsored by Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc. For over four hours, the CAMPUSLIFE correspondents listened to seasoned journalists.

Editor of The Guardian, Mr Martins Oloja, who was the guest speaker, arrived around 10:50am. Clad in a black suit, purple shirt and a tie to match, Oloja was given a rousing welcome by the student-journalists.

Oloja addressed contemporary issues affecting journalism, saying there was a disconnect between theoretical and practical perspectives of media practice.

Charging the participants to maximise their skills and poten-

PHOTOS: NIYI ADENIRAN

Learning from the masters ‘Reporters do not feel that investigative reports can change career and even fortunes beyond the obnoxious brown envelopes that cannot change anybody's life.

A well-investigated story can bring money through the writing of good books that can arise from the consequences’ tials, Oloja urged them to contribute their quota to nation building.

He said the forces of globalisation had changed the face of journalism, adding that they were more potent than those of insurgents in the North new Niger Deltas. He condemned the education curriculum that made Mass Communication and Journalism students to be taught by teachers, who never practised the trade.

"We are aware that many of you in

•JCI gets leaders-P36

Journalism and Mass Communication schools are being trained by trainers that never practised anywhere. This is a huge challenge to all of you in our media environment where there is a mysterious disconnect between the media industry and the training institution," Oloja said.

He told the youngsters to acquire knowledge that would not only keep them abreast of happenings

around them but also make them to be relevant in the present digital world. "You are what you know.

Expand your mind and read happenings from across the world. You will not be able to manage well if you don't have adequate knowledge. Read books on grammar, read good books to improve the quality of your thinking and communication," he told the students.

Oloja condemned "brown-enve-

lope journalism", saying: "Reporters do not feel that investigative reports can change career and even fortunes beyond the obnoxious brown envelopes that cannot change anybody's life. A well-investigated story can bring money through the writing of good books that can arise from the consequences."

Earlier, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Nation, Mr Victor Ifije, appreciated the students for their commitment, creativity and innovation.

Speaking through the Online Editor, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Ifijeh urged participants to brace for greater challenges of employment.

"Nobody will create a space for you in any industry if you don't •Continued on page 30

•OAU students protest union leaders’ arrest-P36

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The role of Pushing Out the media in with national Agbo Agbo rebirth (1) 08052959489 (SMS only)

W

•aagboa@gmail.com

HILE planning for the just concluded 4th Campuslife Student Award and Workshop for 2012, we struggled with the theme for this year and eventually settled for the title of the column for today. Most Nigerians will agree with the view that the country is in a dire strait today and nearly every facet of leadership and the economy is facing huge challenges. We tabled the theme with our sponsors, Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigerian Bottling Company, collectively referred to as the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria and they felt it is a nice theme to discuss. The Coca-Cola System in conjunction with this great newspaper, The Nation, swung into action to source for credible Nigerians that would do justice to this theme.

In her quest to ensure that students are thoroughly equipped to face the challenges in a rapidly changing world, the visionary of this noble idea, late Mrs. Ngozi Agbo often organised two workshops and an award ceremony annually. The first workshop, which is held last May, focused on entrepreneurial and other skills that will help them to look inwards and not depend on the government to provide them with jobs. The second workshop, which always comes with award, discusses issues of national importance which centers more on leadership, ethics and values.

The last year's edition, the distinguished speaker was Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a lady who has, and has continued to impact the youths of this country positively. She spoke on The Place of Vision and Values in Leadership.

At the end of it all we settled for two gentlemen who have proven their mettle in more

ways than one. Dr. Austin Tam-George, who spoke at the Award ceremony, is a communication and Industrial Relations strategist who consults for blue chip companies like Chevron, Shell, Mobil Oando, NLNG, Petrogas and a host of other companies. Mr. Martins Oloja is the recently appointed editor of The Guardian newspaper, a distinguished and thorough bred professional journalist who has spent years in a profession he loves dearly. And what a time it was for the students and guests! Participants were given a head start on what to expect in the immediate and long term Nigeria. I will share a recap of the papers here for the benefit of those who could not make it because of its relevance to our youths.

Tam-George started his lecture with the roles of the media in society especially the fact that it serves as a platform for the sharing of ideas or where ideas meet and clash. Media practitioners, he argues, go beyond the headlines to investigate issues pointing out that not all information from the media represents the totality of reality; in essence, there are certain things in the media that may not be factual. "The information" he stated "may be shaped by personal or group ideology, location, experience, structure ownership of the medium itself, class, ethnicity etc." In order to sift through this he argued that "a great deal of media literacy is often needed on our part to know the open as well as the hidden motivations behind the news or other forms of information."

Since the theme is on national rebirth, our speaker used two definitions of a nation to qualify his lecture. The first was that of former

Soviet strongman, Joseph Stalin who said; "A nation is a historically constituted, stable community of people, formed on the basis of a common language, territory, economic life, and psychological make-up manifested in a common culture." He also quoted Otto Bauer, author of Social Democracy and the Nationalities Question who says "A nation is an aggregate of people bound into a community of character by a common destiny."

The elements of a nation, according to our lecturer include: unity in diversity, the rule of law, democracy, cultural freedom, protection of minority rights, the principle of egalitarianism and justice for all. He concluded by saying the media has a role to play in nation building by doing the following: Exposing injustice, insisting on the rule of law by scandalizing instances of impunity, holding public office holders to account, encouraging debate on issues of popular interest, encouraging an acceptance of diversity/difference and holding media practitioners to the highest ethical standards.

In his 14 page lecture, Martins Oloja took a different path by urging the students to first realize that journalism is still considered the best profession in the world, according to a World Bank Institute publication and the legendary Larry King of the famous Larry King Live programme aired on CNN before his retirement. While charging the students to brace up, he drew their attention to the fact that the forces of globalisation have significantly changed the face of journalism - and it is irreversible!

"The relevance of the message here" he noted "is that we are discussing in the context of our very old tertiary education curricula being used to train and teach undergraduates we expect to fit into the 21st Century industry and market that forces of globalization shape daily! Besides, we are aware that many of you in journalism and mass communication schools are being trained by trainers that have never practised anywhere. That is a huge challenge to all of you in our media environment where there is a mysterious disconnect between the media industry and the training institutions. We practitioners should be part of the teaching and training on writing and working for the mass media."

He drew our attention to some of the facts we

have to face in this context which is instant news as readers; listeners and viewers can no longer wait till tomorrow before getting the details of the newsbreaks. "So, sooner than later, market forces will tell our proprietors that they may not be able to rely on regular streams of incomes to pay salaries and allowances and even run their operations".

The hardest hit is the printed word as print journalism is in trouble already all over the world. Even the world's best English language newspaper, New York Times, is not healthy at the moment. By the end of the year, one of the most influential news magazines, Newsweek will migrate to a digital platform as only an online journal. Not too long ago, a Mexican billionaire, Carlos Slim, had to rescue the NYT paper about around 2007.

Today's news consumer can no longer be satisfied with the old style of journalism: what happened, where, when, how and who was involved? Now social media, Bloggers' news feeds even from Yahoo, Google, The Huffington Post, Sahara Reporters, Premium Times, etc and others have taken over the news business! Even Twitter has opened up its site for anybody anywhere in the world to report events as they occur. There is trouble already for every journalist.

According to our speaker, the United States is the most affected. Every day, journalists lose jobs there. In September, this year (2012) the New Orleans, in Louisiana, joined the infamous league of old cities in the U.S state without a daily newspaper. The Times Picayune, the only daily newspaper there is no longer able to publish daily. There are many others like that. In the U.K, telephone hacking scandals in the media business family of the man who owns the news, Rupert Murdock, has added to the challenges of the news business there. Judicial inquiry on this has put the British Prime Minister in the dock.

It is only in India and Nigeria, among others that newspaper business still 'booms' and there is complacency, but thanks to absence of broadband Internet service in these countries. The social media have killed interest in the old style of investigative journalism: the social media even publish outright lies that are sometimes believed by gullible consumers. What is more, there are websites such as Wiki-leaks that publish what used to be noted as classified documents.

Contributors to the Campus Life pages were rewarded last weekend in a ceremony held at Bespoke Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos. TOMIWA BELLO, ADEBISI ADENIJI, OLIVIA USHIE and MABEL OPARA report.

FUTO graduate is CAMPUSLIFE reporter of the year

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HE road to Bespoke Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos was not smooth for CAMPUSLIFE correspondents last Friday. There was a down pour at the Matori, Lagos corporate headquarters of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation where they had converged in the morning. The traffic gridlock from Lagos mainland to Lekki was something else.

By the time they arrived at the venue, guests were already seated.

One after the other, the students alighted from the white Coaster and two Hiace Big Bumper buses that conveyed them.

Welcome to the fourth CAMPUSLIFE award ceremony, an annual event organised to recognise and rewards the contributors to the eight-page pullout.

No sooner had the students gently filed into the expansive hall than the programme started. Basorge Tariah, a popular comedian, was the compere. He opened the ceremony with a joke about the National Anthem.

Afterwards, a minute silence was observed for the departed Campus Life Editor, Mrs Ngozi Agbo, who died during childbirth in a Lagos hospital. In an emotion laden voice, Mr Agbo Agbo, eulogised his late wife, who he described as a complete woman.

In his welcome address, the Communication Affairs Manager of Coca Cola Nigeria Limited, Mr Peter Muruiki, said the company believed in the future of Nigeria, and as such as would continue to sponsor the youth-oriented programmes. He praised the students for using their pens to dig into pertinent campus issues to rid

their schools of crime and immoral conduct.

Muruiki, charged the students to impart the values they had acquired through the platform to other youth in the society. He reiterated the company’s resolve to continue to partner with The Nation to deliver a responsible generation that will develop Nigeria.

The Online Editor, Mr Lekan Nation’s Otufodunrin who represented the managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr Victor Ifijeh, said management would continue to nurture young Nigerians to the positive side of life. He praised the students for sharing in the newspaper's philosophy, which is to defend the freedom of the citizens through credible reports from campuses across the federation.

A Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) expert, Mr. Jamiu Badmos, delivered a lecture on stress management. He highlighted many ways through which stress could lead to unhealthy life and death. He urged, through the lecture, the audience to always take time away from active work to relieve the body of pile-up stress, which he said may lead to untimely death.

Delivering a lecture entitled: The role of media in national rebirth, Dr Austin Tam-George, Executive Director, Institute of Communication and Corporate Studies (ICCS), Lagos, described media as a platform for an endless traffic of ideas and opinion.

He said: "The information we get might be shaped by personal or group ideology, location, experience, structure ownership of the medium itself, class and ethnicity. Therefore, a great deal of media literacy is often needed on our part in order to

•Gerald

know the open as well as the hidden motivations behind the news or other information."

The media, he said, must play its role in exposing injustice, upholding the rule of law, encouraging debate on issues of popular interest, be in the vanguard of the fight against corruption and hold media practitioners to the highest ethical standard among others.

After the lecture, it was time for the presentation of awards. The atmosphere became charged as Otufodurin stepped out to read the modality through which the winners were selected by the panel of judges headed by the Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation, Mr Sam Omatseye.

The award was divided into eight categories, which included Culture Report, Campus Sport, Personality Profile, Opinion Writing, Campus

‘The information we get might be shaped by personal or group ideology, location, experience, structure ownership of the medium itself, class and ethnicity.

Therefore, a great deal of media literacy is often needed on our part in order to know the open as well as the hidden motivations behind the news or other information’ Politics, Investigative Report, Entertainment Report and Campus Life Reporter of the Year. He said the winner in each category was named after the aggregate of scores from the judges was done.

The Culture Report was won by Emeka Attah and Ngozi Emmanual, both of whom graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK). Chisom Ojukwu, a 500Level Chemical Engineering student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), won the Sport category.

Others were Gerald Nwokocha, a Corps member serving in Abuja, won the Campus Politics; Gilbert Alasa, 400-Level Foreign Languages, University of Benin (UNIBEN), won Opinion Writing; Habeeb Whyte, 500-Level Law University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) won the Personality

Profile; Uche Anichebe, 500-Level Law, UNIZIK, won Investigative Reporting and Esther Mark, a graduate of Mass Communication at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) won the Entertainment Category.

Gerald, who graduated from the department of Information Technology, FUTO, was adjudged as the Campus Life Reporter of Year. His investigative report on a Corps member killed by soldiers, who mistook the victim for a Boko Haram member, was rated high by the judges. Gerald said he was happy that his efforts paid off but urged well-meaning Nigerians to help the parents of the victim to get justice.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, Chisom urged the campus journalists not to let the dream of the late Mrs Agbo die.

At the event were officials of Coca Cola Nigeria Limited led by the Community Affairs Manager, Mr. Emeka Mba, his NBC counterpart, Ms Yomi Onakoya, Editor of The Nation, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, member of the paper's Editorial Board, Mr Olakunle Abimbola and the News Editor, Mr Adeniyi Adesina.

Others were the representative of the Rector of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) and the Dean of Students' Affairs (DSA), Mr O.T. Raheem, representative of Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor's Office, Lagos State, Mr Kunle Ajayi, Prof Segun Adekoya of English Department of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and Prof Kate Omenugha, immediate past Head of Mass Communication, UNIZIK, who represented the Vice-Chancellor.

Others were officials of SIFE Nigeria led by Mrs Elizabeth Okwoho and lecturers from Lagos State University (LASU) and University of Lagos (UNILAG).

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

• From left: Gotodok Lengshak (TV College, Jos), Mabel Opara (FUTO) and Francis Egwuatu

• From left: Olivia Ushie (Kogi State varsity) and Uche Anichebe (UNIZIK)

have a bright idea. You have to be innovative to succeed in this changing world," Ifijeh said.

A Public Relations practitioner and husband of the late CAMPUSLIFE Editor, Mr Agbo Agbo, charged the campus journalists to be agents of change. He urged the students to stick to the values they learned from his late wife.

Mr Joe Agbo Jr., a reporter with The Nation, engaged the students on the benefit of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He urged participants to see NYSC as

• Otufodunrin

• Cross section of students listening to the guest speaker

• From left: David Osu (FUT MINNA), Mark Orgu (YABATECH), Princewill Jacob (PTI) and Damilola Olayemi (Redeemer’s University) •Continued from page 29

• Oloja

• Hannah Ojo (English, OAU) during the question time

Learning from the masters an opportunity to contribute to national development.

Students said the session was educative. Zeenat Ibrahim, a Corps member, described the seminar as captivating, praising Oloja’s choice as guest speaker.

She said: "The role of media is being examined at a time the nation is passing through a phase in profligacy and corruption. This lecture is indeed captivating because it deals with the fundamental of the problem affecting our country."

Another student, Msonter Anzaa,

200-Level Medicine, who attended the seminar for the first time, thanked Coca Cola Nigeria Limited and NBC for their sponsorship.

After the lecture, the students visited Campos Square Stadium on the Island to watch a novelty football match between ex-Super Eagles' players and Nollywood actors.

The match was in partnership with Coca Cola Nigeria Limited to eliminate discrimination against HIV/AIDS victims.

The students had an opportunity to interact with former Head of

State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who was the chairman of the game.

Among the ex-international that participated in the game were Austin Okocha, Kanu Nwakwo, Daniel Amokachi and Celestine Babayaro.

In the celebrity team were Segun Arinze, Fred Amata, Sound Sultan, MI, Dr Sid, Mike Ezuronye, John Njamah, ID Cabasa and popular movie actor cum comedian, Saka.

Tomiwa Bello, ND II Wolex Polytechnic, said: "This is the happiest moment of my life. I couldn't have believed that I could see the likes

of Gowon, Kanu and Okocha in my life. I appreciate the sponsors of this workshop for this opportunity."

Yinka Olatunbosun, 200-Level Industrial Chemistry, Ibrahim Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Niger State, said: "Meeting Gowon is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Coca-Cola and NBC have done a great job for supporting this platform of young intellectuals, who are poised to change the condition of not only their immediate environments but also the nation at large."

The students took photographs with the music artistes.

32

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

33

CAMPUS LIFE

CAMPUS LIFE

• Habeeb (left) receiving the prize for Personality Profile category from Prof Adekoya

• Gilbert being presented the plaque for Opinion Writing category by Mr Abimbola

• Engr. Badmos

• Ms Onakoya (right) presenting prizes to co-winners of the Culture Report category, Emeka Attah (middle) and Ngozi Emmanuel

• From left: Prof Omenugha, Prof Adekoya and Mr Raheem observing a minute silence for the late Ngozi Agbo

• From right: Michael Adebayo (UNILORIN), Ayodeji Adesina (NYSC, Onitsha) and Muhammed Kamaludeen (NSUK)

• Overall winner, Gerald Nwokocha (middle) being presented with grand prize by Muruiki (second right), Onakoya (second left), Emeka Mba (left) and Agbo (right)

• SIFE Nigeria media official, Mrs Lizzy Okwoho (right) and Michael Ajayi, Programme Director

• Emeka Ugwu (right) and Lawrence Daniel

• From left: Wale Ajetunmobi, Vincent Nzemeke and Otufodunrin

• From left: Taiwo Isola (UNIMAID), Awwal Mijinyawa (ABU) and Ekene Ahaneku (IMSU)

• Dr Tam-George...delievering the lecture

• Bisi Aweda (NBC)

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

34

CAMPUS LIFE

Google mapping training for students

F

OR two days last week, three ambassadors of the giant online search engine, Google, trained selected students of the departments of Computer Science and Geography and Environmental Management of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in a programme tagged "UNILORIN Google Mapping event".

The initiator of the programme, Tayo Fagbohun, is a 300-Level student of Home Economics. He is the Google Student Ambassador on the campus.

The training was divided into practical and theoretical classes.

Participants started with the theoretical aspect while they were required to carry out the practical lesson, which was dedicated to the online mapping exercise, with what they learned the previous day.

Facilitators included Faith Adegboye, a graduate of the university, who spoke on entrepreneurship and a project called "I live in Ilorin". Other were Ayo Adesokan, a serving Corps member and Google map maker, who talked on A crash course in map making; Damilare Oyinloye, Kwara State University Google student ambassador, spoke on Tips and Tricks in Google Map. In attendance included a lecturer from Geography and Environmental Management department, Dr. Y. A. Ahmed. He tutored the students on Cartography has gone digital.

A Google Map Advocate of Nigeria, Abiodun Adepoju, also deliever a lecture during the session.

The e-Learning Centre, UNILORIN, was used for the practical class. Thirty students were prepared for the mapping exercise,

• The trainees after the seminar From Michael Adebayo UNILORIN

which lasted for almost four hours. The students were made to realise that the mapping exercise was continuous and they could do it during their leisure.

At the end of the entire exercise, Tayo told CAMPUSLIFE the rationale behind this project was to make students contribute to the development of Nigeria's electronic map. “Students may not be able to construct roads but they can contribute their quota to the development of the country by specifying strategic locations on Google map.

This will help ease navigation by visitors to the community. We have a fantastic training by involving the students and encouraging them to see the importance of technology to the development of the university and the country as a whole. With the mapping by thirty super mappers in-

• Facilitators of the programme after the event

cluding the trainers, UNILORIN is on the global map and my Google team members and I have made history by this,” he said.

Fatimah Adedoyin, a participant from Geography and Environmental Management, com-

mended the programme. “It is a good thing that my university can be located easily on the Google map. I am happy that I am part of this feat. At least, I have a legacy when I pass out from this institution.”

Peter Makafan, Computer Science, said the training would add to his curriculum vitae. “I learn much outside the class today. The certificate will speak well for me in future. It is a worthwhile experience,” he quipped.

How do students view their cultural week? Is the week celebrated by unserious students? Is the cultural day celebration in line with religious teachings? MSONTER ANZAA (200-Level Medicine, Benue State University) writes.

What makes students week tick

• Contestants for Kumashe during the Tiv Day

T

HE crowd covered the road linking the two campuses of the Benue State University (BSU). In their colourful attires Torn jeans, Agbada, Ankara wrappers, crazy shorts and those not falling into any class of attires - the reveliers displayed artistic skills as the procession moved on.

Hair styles and dance performances varied.

It was Rag Day of students of The Theatre Arts Department. The students danced round the two cam-

puses, with music blaring from mobile sound systems. The Rag Day was part of a week-long activities culminating into the crowning of associations’ beauty ambassadors.

During the second semester in all institutions, departmental and indigenous associations hold their weeks. Major events held during the period include a football match, cultural display and dancing. Many students have questioned the reason for the week.

But Civirter Ambu, 400-Level stu-

dent and Benue University Theatre Art Students Association (BUTASA) president, told CAMPUSLIFE: “It is because students love themselves and this is why we show to the world that our campuses are not about cultism alone. We are happy and celebrate by showing the world what we have got in term of beautiful heritage.”

Luke Ikyaator, 300-Level Mass Communication, said: “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.

After a stressful academic week, stu-

dents should socialise and relieve the body of stress in order to prepare for exams. They have fun and this helps to free their minds to be able to accommodate academics.”

But it is not only departmental associations that hold celebrations.

Indigenous associations on the campuses also hold their annual weeks.

In BSU, for instance, the National Association of Idoma Students (NAIS) and the Community of Tiv Students (CTS) always hold colourful week celebration.

Sewuese Iwar, 400-Level Psychology and the Torkwase (women leader) of the CTS, told our correspondent: “The essence of Tiv Week is to promote the Tiv culture so that students will still retain the knowledge of their culture and norms. This whole thing is not just about being in school. It is necessary to inculcate these values and represent them here.”

There is however, a huge interest in the beauty contest usually held as the grand finale of the week.

When our correspondent attended CTS pageant penultimate Friday, the venue was filled to the brim.

Indigenous Tiv songs were played and the crowd – dressed in the traditional white and black Tiv colours with accessories – danced on the densely packed stage.

Ladies had their ankles, necks and waists adorned with beads of different sizes. If they bought the form, one of them could be the Kumashe (Most Beautiful) of the Tiv students. Outside, spectators gath-

ered and crowded the road in front of the auditorium. Along the road, other students heading towards the venue mimicked elderly people, putting on Babanriga with traditional caps.

The winner of the Kumashe, Comfort Ajem, 200-Level Mass Communication, told CAMPUSLIFE that mastery of traditional dance, greeting mode and cultural knowledge of Tiv were part of the test for contestants to the position.

“It is not by dressing and exposing yourself that you can get anything. It is the adoption of cultures of your people that stands you out. Dress decently and people will respect you,” she said.

Henry Loho, 200-Level History and Prayer Co-ordinator, Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), rather went spiritual when CAMPUSLIFE sought for his opinion on pageant. “When you look at the way it is carved out, for some of us who fear God, we feel it is not in consonance with the word of God. If we are going to be partakers, we must reconcile it to be in line with the word of God.” Civirter, however, expressed a contrary opinion. He said: “You know people’s perceptions can’t stop you. The perception about us is that we are nude and we dance naked. But that is not so. Instead, we reconstruct society by giving it a new image. It is our duty to do this, and what they say cannot stop us.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

Stars in a distressed generation

Y

OUTHS of today are, according to the Mrs Ngozi Agbo of blessed memory, "stars in a distressed generation". 'Stars' because of man's discovery which has made what would have been difficult to get 20 to 50 years ago at the grasp of the youths of today and 'distressed' because the scenario in which we find ourselves presents us with lots of opportunities to deviate from what is right for that which is wrong.

In her last write-up, leaders in a new media, in which Aunty Ngozi painted a picture of the ideal candidate that should lead Nigeria come 2015, she gave us probably one of the best definitions of a leader which we all as 'stars in a distressed generation' should try to imbibe and inculcate.

She noted: "good leaders are made, not born; they develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training and experience."

At this point in the history of Nigeria, people with exceptional qualities, training, education and experience are needed in key positions to restore the lost glory of our country. The time is ripe for the youth of today to look beyond the "lost generation" that we are presently in and begin to create jobs for

ourselves.

The youths of this modern era Generation Y - can no longer wait for the older generation to create jobs for us. The youth of this era are youths with a difference; youths with a positive mindset, who are determined to excel, the obstacles notwithstanding. We are the youth ready to tread the paths that the older generation dreaded to pass; youths that are ready to bequeath a good legacy to the next generation.

According to James Allen, the author of As a man thinketh, as a being of power, intelligence and love and the Lord of his own thoughts, man holds the key to every situation and contains within himself that transforming and regenerative agency by which he may make himself what he wills. This in essence means that because the older generation have branded us 'lost' does not in any way mean that we are lost.

We are lost only when we accept that we are lost. Because of the improved technology that we are privileged to have, the youths of today have more potential than those before us, it is high time we took advantage of what lies before us and change the older generation's perspective about what lies ahead of us.

Ours is a generation in which only a few have enough resources to cater for themselves and their immediate needs. Therefore we must create wealth for ourselves.

To create wealth, we must first imbibe the "I Can" principle as stated

by Chris Widener in his book, Live the life you have always dreamed.

For us to be stars in our generation, we must not allow ourselves to be used by those in positions of authority, we must refuse to be thugs and militants, we must refuse to accept false doctrines which is aimed at the destruction of our fellow human beings and toe the part of unity, faith in our leaders, peaceful co-existence and the overall progress of our fatherland.

The 2015 general elections is still far away but as Aunty Ngozi noted, we must not vote for neophytes, we must watch all those in positions of authority and be able to point out their antecedent to see whether they can lead us come 2015. We must not go back to the days when the youth vote for someone simply because of his place of origin.

The questions we should be asking ourselves as youth come 2015 should be who among the men or women vying for leadership positions is a Moses? This is because the

Nigerian state is seriously sick and we need a deliverer like Moses. For us to be on the right path, we must first get out of our Egypt and for us to get out of Egypt, we need a Moses to lead us across our 'red sea', our 'red sea' being unemployment, poverty and corruption.

The qualities of the 'stars in a distressed generation' discussed above is not for all youth. It is for youth who have refused and still continue to refuse to be used as elements in the achievement of selfish goals. It is for those youth who do not belong or support any cultrelated activities, youths who strive for excellence in every field of human endeavour, youth who condemn in strong terms the unwarranted destruction of lives and properties, youths who do not involve themselves in violent protest to drive home their points but embrace dialogue as a means to resolve their disputes I believe in Nigeria and I believe that many of the youth of today have the potential and what it takes to bring out the stars in them notwithstanding of the events in the past few weeks vis-Ă -vis the attack on tertiary institutions have shaken our faith of a better tomorrow for Nigeria. In the midst of all these

By Philip Okorodudu

unwholesome acts, the stars in a distressed generation remain resolute in his or her desire to bequeath a good legacy to those behind. I enjoin all the stars in this distressed generation to remain steadfast in times like these and for all those who believe in the youths of today and a better future for Nigeria not to lose faith for 'after every storm, there is calm'.

Philip, 400-Level Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, DELSU

On growing number of unemployed graduates

I

By Abiola Solanke

T is just about time we started considering the essence of our universities vis-Ă -vis the number of unemployed graduates in the labour market. Our higher institutions keep churning out thousands of graduates yearly with no commensurate increase in employment opportunities, a situation which has swollen the rank of frustrated youths.

The graduates of polytechnics and colleges of education are roaming the streets everyday for greener pasture. But the pasture didn't turn green.

Two things may have resulted to this. It is either our universities are no longer in tune with the philosophy of tertiary education or that students did not want to learn again.

Students who are not acquiring basic knowledge for survival in their disciplines are making other serious graduates to be useless to themselves and to the society.

So many factors have been linked to this abysmal state ranging from defective academic curriculum, underfunding of our universities, and poor reading culture on the part of the students to the incessant strikes by staff unions in the universities.

A good number of students in our higher institutions are after the certificates they may not be able to defend after completing their studies instead of what they stand to gain from the school thus making them irrelevant in their chosen field. The SIWES programmes in our univer-

sities are not meeting the purpose for which it was instituted.

Students are not monitored and they are made to do all sorts of jobs outside their field which is defeating the purpose of its establishment. As a result of this, we keep producing graduates who are finding it difficult to fit in and compete in the field.

Funding is another problem. Our universities are grossly underfunded and thus do not have the facilities expected of an ivory tower. Even the payment of tuition in our state-owned institutions has not helped because the standard keeps falling and yet we feel the solution is to establish additional universities to the list of higher institutions.

There needs to be an urgent repositioning of tertiary education in Nigeria especially the universities.

Nigerian universities' curricula need to be reviewed to reflect challenges faced in the field.

The presence of many unemployed graduates on the streets portends a great danger for a country that hopes to become one of the top twenty economies by the year 2020.

This is because education is key to achieve the set goals. Students should strive for the best of in whatever condition they find themselves in the university. All hands must be on deck to reposition our Ivory towers to meet the need for which they were created.

Abiola, 500-Level Veterinary Medicine, FUNAAB Abeokuta

Good governance as panacea to Nigeria's problem

T

HE desire of most Nigerians, at home and in Diaspora, is to see good governance in motion. But the realisation of it has remained a dream. For years, good governance has eluded us and it is becoming an illusion to even think of the possibility of experiencing it in present day Nigeria. This largely may be attributed to the galloping rate of unemployment, corruption, tribal cum ethnic clashes, among other factors militating against the nation.

No doubt, our journey to nationhood is full of trials, travails and troubles. Several military governments over the years failed to promote people-oriented programmes and policies; they instead created an atmosphere where corruption, nepotism, misappropriation, mismanagement and violation of human rights thrived. Good governance was a dream and least expected.

The 13 years of uninterrupted democracy has been an exciting period yet our nation is still far from development. Internal 'terrorism' is on the increase. Over 1,000 people have lost their lives through the activities of the dreaded Boko Haram sect since it commenced operations in some part of the North.

Media houses, churches, mosques, schools and public infrastructures have been destroyed in the process. The terrorists have in-

troduced a dangerous dimension to their struggle - suicide bombing!

Corruption, which is another scourge ravaging the nation, has continued to grow fat. From the police pension scam, to the fuel subsidy swindle among other abuses of office by politicians, many people are fasting losing hope that Nigeria may still back to its feet in terms of good governance.

One would have thought our leaders would learn from the humiliation of some of the first and second republic politicians who were clamped into detention for fraud and embezzlement. Sadly, not too many people have learn even from the fall of contemporary politicians like the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Solomon Alamieyeseigha who was sentenced to 12 years for money laundering; former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Tafa Balogun, prosecuted and indicted for obtaining N13 billion through money laundering and theft; former Governor of Delta State, Mr James Ibori who was jailed for 13 years in London for stealing $250 million from the Delta State purse among others.

There are still scores of politicians and civil servants who have stole huge sums from government pause and are still walking freely.

In political circle, the quest for power at all cost has been brutal.

Lives of some politicians have been cut short. The recent victim is the Principal Secretary to the Edo State government, Mr. Olaitan Oyerinde, who assassinated by yet to be identified gunmen. These are clear indications that the quest for power appears to be more important than our oneness; and that the cost of human life equal to the worth of wining an election into offices.

All these socio-economic and political problems show our systemic approach to governance is faulty.

What we have is far from good governance. This is because public institutions conduct public affairs in secrecy and resources are often mismanaged and lack of good governance is the bane of these problems.

Good governance is situation where the government can provide basic amenities and make life worth living is still a dream. The government has roles to play in providing lasting panacea to the nation's problems. It must initiate programmes aimed at providing employment opportunities for the growing number of youth.

There must be respect for the fundamental human right. The concept must be institutionalised in our system as it will preserve human dignity.

The good governance concept also connotes that public office holders must live exemplary lives worthy of emulation. The action

and inaction of those in power speak volumes. The government must also pay utmost attention to the welfare of the people. People must feel and know that the government cares. A welfare packages for the aged can be put in place to ensure that such people don't live a frustrated life or result to crime as the case may be.

The people must keep people abreast with government programmes and policies. This will project the government as transparent, accountable, responsible and open. Justice and equity must be allowed to take their courses and the high cost of running the government must be checked.

Aside the roles expected of the government, individuals also have roles to play in our quest to institute good governance. Citizens must be responsible for the successes and shortcomings of their actions and not put the blame on government all the time.

Individuals must assist the government in relevant areas. Information that will enhance the works of the law enforcement officers should be made available. Concrete and constructive criticisms that will keep the government on their toes should be readily made available too.

My grouse with the present administration is that it appears the government is not paying so much

By Ayodeji Adesina

attention to the core issue. I must say where good governance is at work, it would be difficult for people to even resolve to militancy, bombing and other crimes. As Ms Hillary Clinton rightly opined last August in Abuja, "What Africa (Nigeria) needs is not more strong men, it needs strong democratic institutions that will stand the test of time.

Without good governance, no amount of oil or no amount of aid, no amount of effort can guarantee Nigeria's success. But with good governance, nothing can stop Nigeria".

Ayodeji is a Corps member, NYSC Onitsha

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE

JCI gets leaders From Lawrence Eleme RSUST

M

EMBERS of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) in Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) have elected new leaders to run the affairs of the club for another year. The ceremony also witnessed the induction of new members.

Joshua Horsfall was elected the president.

The ceremony, which was conducted at the Students’ Parliament chamber, was attended by government officials, JCI national officers, the club’s collegiate council members in Area B, which comprised Southsouth and Southeast.

In line with the club’s programme, the session also witnessed a training sessions with the theme: The role of young people in a crawling economy.

The lecture was presented by the Public Relations Officer of Eleme Local Government Area, Johnson Emere Mba-Ngel.

The second lecture entitled: Insurance policies and its benefits, was presented by an official of the First Bank Nigeria Life Insurance Ltd. Other highlight of the occasion was a time out with the Executive Vice-President, Area B, A.I. Uchechukwu from Imo State Polytechnic. The convention ended with a party as the officers celebrated their successes.

•Joshua being inaugurated by members of the club

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

OAU students protest union leaders’ arrest

P

ANDEMONIUM broke out late on Saturday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) following the alleged arrest of some former union leaders by the school’s security operatives.

Many students in their numbers took to the streets. The ex-union leaders had come to sensitise the students on how sustain their union.

Hassan Taiwo, Adeola Soetan and one Yahaya were, according to reliable sources, allegedly stopped by the security operatives after which the Chairman of the OAU Security Committee, Prof Joseph Fabayo, met them at the campus gate. The source said Fabayo told the unionists that they should go out of the campus.

Fabayo, allegedly ordered the security men around to beat all of them after which they were taken to Floor ‘O’ for interrogation. Conscious of the implications, the students immediately around 10pm mobilised themselves and besiege the Senate Building to release the arrest unionists.

Afterward, they moved to the Students’ Union Building, which had

From Sikiru Akinola OAU

been under lock since the union was proscribed last year. About 3am on Sunday, the protesters broke the chain with which the union building was locked and gained entrance into the building. The opening was greeted with the recitation of the OAU anthem.

Students were seen jubilating, saying that the forceful re-opening of the Ken Saro Wiwa Students’ Union Building symbolised freedom and liberation.

Students, who spoke to our correspondent, said there should not have been any protest since those arrested had been released.

At the time of filing this story, students were seen barricading roads while a security patrol van moved round the Students’ Union Building.

The incident happened 24 hours after students protested three-day blackout, which, according to a statements by the management and Directorate of Works and Maintenance, caused by faulty transformers.

• Members of the Association of Medical Students of University of Lagos during their awareness programme on HIV/AIDS last week

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

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EDUCATION

B

LRCN to promote institutional repositories

Y the end of next year, libraries of at least 100 tertiary institutions and research institutes will have their intellectual outputs published online.

The Librarians’ Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN) will be assisting the institutions to achieve this.

LRCN Registrar/CEO Dr Victoria Okojie broke the news at the opening of the national workshop on application of free and open source software in libraries.

UNN introduces i-transcript

A

LUMNI of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) can now access their transcripts from anywhere in the world from an online transcripts portal just launched by the university.

A statement by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bartho Okolo said this means graduates need not travel physically to the institution to get a transcript of their academic records for graduate studies or employment.

He noted that graduates can access the UNN “i-transcript” from the university website alumni.unn.edu.ng/itranscript after filling a form with their names, matriculation as well as email address and providing details of the institution to which they want the university to send the document.

He said UNN i-transcript service draws from on-going work to digitize academic records in the institution.

The first part of the exercise involves digitization of records of the last 30 years up to 1980.

The school has digitized records of students’ academic work for the last 20 years.

In the second phase, the institution would compile records up to its inception in 1960.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

She said the programme is part of the efforts to infuse Information Communications Technology (ICT) into library operations.

The institutional repository, as the collection is called, will collect, preserve, and disseminate the research work of an institution in digital form Dr Okojie also said the workshop organised by the Council in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) at the e-Library of University of Calabar, would equip library and information science professionals with skills required to develop the repositories.

“As part of deliverables of this workshop, LRCN will monitor,

evaluate and support libraries to ensure that by the end of 2013, about 100 libraries in Nigeria would have developed institutional repositories. We want to see libraries share information seamlessly; package outputs from organisations, especially intellectual products in a digital and online format and make same available across the world,” she said.

She said librarians will play this role to promote local content development, learning how to package information in a more visible format and make it available globally.

Underscoring the importance of the workshop, the Registrar also said participants would learn how to access free and open source software (FOSS) so that libraries that cannot afford proprietary software

would be able to get useful academic resources.

Director-General of NITDA, Prof Cleopas Angaye, represented by the agency’s Director, Corporate Strategy and Research, Mr Emeka Ezekwesili, said the agency is focusing on local content creation in the ICT sector and collaborating with willing stakeholders to achieve this.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof James Epoke in his remark noted that building the capacity of librarians to utilise ICT productively is germane as it would help in pushing out works done privately to the public domain.

“If you do not know how to upload content, how will the world know what you are doing,” he asked.

G

EKSU obtains horticultural tools Horticultural tools worth millions of naira have been procured for the Works and Services Department of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), AdoEkiti.

Among these are a tractor with slasher, hand mowers, wheel barrows, pulmic sprayers, rakes, rain boots, cutlasses, sharpening files and herbicides.

Inaugurating them, the ViceChancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina remarked that the procurement was in line with the road map of making the university environment clean and conducive for learning as in any world class university.

According to him, cleanliness is next to Godliness. He charged the workers in the Works and Services Department to use the tools effectively to achieve the goal. The Co-ordinator of Works and Services, Mr M.O. Akomolede, an engineer, expressed gratitude to the university management for providing the equipment which he said would greatly enhance duties of the unit.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development, Prof. E.Y. Aderibigbe told those who would handle the equipment to always maintain the tools.

AUN waives application fee

•From left: The Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, The Revd Peter Jasper Akinola, with the ProChancellor, Prof Ayo Banjo and the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kolawole Jaiyeoba during the 4th convocation of the university in Oyo. PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

Fashola urges employers to assign challenging duties to corps members

OVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola has implored employers to assign challenging duties to corps members and not see them as birds of passage to be used and discarded.

He spoke during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Batch C orientation course at the NYSC orientation camp, Iyana Ipaja last Tuesday.

Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed, Fashola praised them for cooperating with the camp officials in ensuring a successful and hitch free orientation course.

He said he was optimistic that the training received during the ori-

BRIEFS

By Medinat Kanabe

entation would make a great deal of difference and good in their lives during and after national service.

Fashola told them that people of Lagos State are loving, peaceful and very hospitable assuring them that as they move into the various communities of the state, they will find the environment right to live and work in.

“Fellow compatriots, I urge you to be diligent, dedicated and law abiding in the discharge of your duties. You should shun truancy

and other forms of anti-social behaviours, such as cultism and drug abuse rather be good ambassadors of the NYSC by engaging yourselves in productive activities,” he said.

Ahmed advised the corps members to be role models to pupils of schools they will be teaching.

He said: “Contribute your quota irrespective of your magnitude to the overall development of Lagos and for those posted to schools, I urge you to be role models to the pupils you will be teaching.

“It is important to mention that

•Mr Joseph Abosede, Director General, Special Services, Lagos State, Mrs Adeyemi and Mr Ahmed

your posting for primary assignment was strictly in line with the new NYSC posting policy of corps members to four areas of national needs, I hereby advise you to receive your letters of posting with open minds and proceed immediately to your various places of primary assignment.”

Also speaking the Lagos State NYSC co-ordinator, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi said the 3, 394 corps members underwent various training such as military drills, martial arts, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development, leadership and managerial techniques as well as career building sessions.

She said various awareness lectures were organised in collaboration with organisations, such as UNICEF for Peer Educator Training, crusade facilitators for Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), FRSC for Road safety awareness and relevant agencies for emergency management and security purposes.

“It is my utmost conviction that the training will enable the corps members discharge their duties at their places of primary assignment and host communities with high degree of diligence, decisiveness and professionalism.

“The NYSC has focused on skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development as a major component of the orientation course and answers the question “After NYSC, what next?” the answer facilitates employment generation and wealth creation from the various skills introduced and which will be undertaken throughout the service year,” she said.

THE American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, has announced it will no longer charge application fees beginning from the Spring semester of 2013.

The Assistant Vice President of Marketing & Recruitment, Mr Linus Ikyurav, said the decision was meant to facilitate access to the university. AUN accepts applications via the Web and through paper-based applications.

AUN President, Dr. Margee Ensign said: “We wanted to make sure that every student can easily present one’s credentials and have equal access to the application process. We are seeking to educate the brightest potential leaders of our country.”

Founded in 2005, the AUN has a goal to meet the professional aspirations of students and the demand for well trained and highly motivated workforce and entrepreneurs for the 21st century.

YABATECH Rector bags award THE Rector of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Dr Margaret Ladipo will be declared Rector of the Year 2012 at the fifth Annual African Leader Par Excellence Award 2012 scheduled to hold next week Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The awards programme, an initiative of Accolades International in collaboration with The International Centre for Comparative Leadership for Africans & Blacks in The Diaspora (a Pan African Development Organisation ), will also feature a lecture on the topic Leadership, Strength and Quality for National Growth and Development.

Dr Luke Okojie, Chairman of the award committee, said the awards are for the beaconsof hope, whose zeal for excellence, passion and commitment aid the progress of Nigeria and indeed Africa.

38

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

39

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

EDUCATION

I wrote to satisfy my dad, says UBA essay winner

U

GWUGBULAM Ikenna Ogbonna, a 15-year old pupil of the International School, University of Lagos (ISL), who won the United Bank for Africa, UBA, Foundation essay competition last Tuesday, has said he wrote the essay to satisfy his father.

Ikenna said he heard about the competition last year, but did not bother to write because he was not interested. “But this year, my dad encouraged and pushed me to write it. I didn’t believe I would win. I just wanted to satisfy my father and I was going to be satisfied with just being among the finalists.”

The SS2 pupil said his father writes a lot and always encourages him to write even though he is always reluctant.

The teenager, who wrote on what his plans would be as an African president for the educational sector, said he started his essay by writing about improv-

By Medinat Kanabe

ing the funding of schools and inculcating science education into the school’s curricular.

“I also wrote about employing qualitative teachers into the schools and setting up machineries to tackle examination malpractices, I wrote about bringing up inter-schools competitions to make students read more, and many more.”

Ikenna believes that applying all these will go a long way to help the education sector, especially in funding and examination malpractices.

The lad, whose school won the competition last year, said he felt very elated and delighted that his school has won again, saying it has shown how good his teachers are, especially the English teachers.

He advised the young ones to always try to write and “get involved in things like this because you never know what will

‘I also wrote about employing qualitative teachers into the schools and setting up machineries to tackle examination malpractices, I wrote about bringing up inter-schools competitions to make students read more, and many more’

•From right: Deputy Managing Director, UBA, Mr Kennedy Uzoka, Ms Aso, Ikenna, Managing Director, UBA Assurance, Mrs Tomi Shomefun and Managing Director , Financial Derivatives, Mr Bismark Rewane

happen.”

“Keep on writing; it brings out your talents. I wrote twice; my dad checked; then I wrote the final essay and entered,” he added.

One of the judges, Prof Raphael Akinfeleye of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), summarised the process used in selecting the winner. Given the difficulty the judges encountered in assessing an entry by a visually-impaired pupil, they advised the UBA Foundation to make provisions

for the physically-challenged, and recommended that a special prize be given to the pupil.

Managing Director, UBA Foundation, Miss Ijeoma Aso, said they got 28,47 entries – over 2,000 more than the 800 they got last year indicating that the entries have increased by 120 per cent within a year.

She said she was happy to see that the foundation is making a difference.

Another judge, Sam Onuigwe, Director Institute of Africa Studies University of Nigeria, said the competition was contributing to the 2015 Education for All goal in its own way.

“There was health for all 2000. I just wish that education for all

2015 will not be like a mirage of the past and with the kind of thing UBA and others are doing to improve our reading culture and with support from parents and even the students I think we are making progress towards realising education for all,” he said.

Arokoruba Cheetam-West of University of Calabar International Secondary School, Calabar, Cross River State emerged the first runner-up while Nwaezuoke Anastasia of Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos, came third. They won N750,000 and N500,000 as educational grant to study in any African university.

The 12 finalists got laptop gifts from the Foundation.

Kwankwaso wants investors in education

K

•The Nigerian contingent (left, displaying Nigerian flag) with other representatives in Malaysia

Nigerian students rank best at international contest

F

OUR African countries: Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa featured in the World Robotics Olympiad (WRO) 2012, hosted by the Ministry of Education Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Two outfits-The Century Group in collaboration with Arc Lights Limited co-sponsored the Nigerian contingent, tagged Mindstorms Nigeria, to the annual international competition.

Three teams represented Nigeria at WRO 2012; South Africa had 11, Egypt had seven, while Ghana had two teams.

The Nigerians - Mfoniso Moses, Mercy Ingibina Benjamin and Dapreye Zidafamor were from the Winners Academy, Bayelsa State; while five other pupils –Adeniyi Talabi, Opeyemi Egunjobi, Abeeb Olawale, Mariam Ojo and Shoremekun Simileolowa were selected from public schools in Lagos.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Interestingly, the Nigerian contingent ranked the highest African Team in the Junior High – Regular Category.

The puzzle for the junior category challenged participants to build a robot that is capable of exploring rough terrain in search of useful resources. Also, the Nigerian pupils from Winners Academy team were ranked second highest African team in the Elementary – Regular Category. The elementary (primary) school level game challenged pupils to build a robot that is capable of organising objects back into their respective storage cells.

WRO which began with four pioneer countries China, Japan, Korea and Singapore at the first contest in 2004, today attracts participants from no less than 30 countries who have emerged winners of their respective national competitions.

The WRO provides participants with the opportunity to gain multidimensional knowledge through innovative use of technology and creative problem-solving, as well as providing a platform for preparing students capable of facing global challenges.

They develop a greater appreciation ofthe real world. Learning through designing, building and operating robots can lead to the acquisition of knowledge and skills in high-tech electrical, mechanical and computer engineering areas that are in high demand in industry.

Since the study of robotics cuts across several disciplines, such as applied ICT, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, it then makes it an effective teaching tool for introducing students to the science, technology and mathematics curricula.

ANO State Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has appealed to citizens of the state, especially the well to do to invest more in the education sector in view of its importance to socio-economic advancement.

The governor made the call while receiving members of the caretaker committee of the state chapter of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, in his office.

He said: “People should come and invest in all sectors of the state for mutual profit. But in my opinion, those who invest in education are the best because of the connection between education and progressive living.”

He said the state needs more private schools and even tertiary institutions in view of its huge population, adding that for every child in the state to attend school, it is a collective responsibility.

Governor Kwankwaso assured that his government will do its best to ensure that every worthy investment in education flourishes in the state. He added that the only way to salvage education in Kano is to work hand-in-hand with the private sector.

The governor, who noted that private institutions provide jobs besides rendering academic services, however, stressed the need for such institutions to abide by government approved standards in their activities.

To achieve this, he stated that the government should set up a task force on private schools so that children in the state get the best of services in terms of knowledge and character.

Earlier, the chairperson of the caretaker committee of the associa-

From Kolade Adeyemi Kano

tion, Hajiya Tabawa Abdussalam who described the government’s task force on private schools as a welcome development, appealed for the setting up of a board to manage the affairs of private and voluntary agency schools in the state.

Hajiya Tabawa also urged the government to provide the association with a vehicle and a plot of land to build a secretariat which will comprise a conference hall, vocational centre and other facilities.

In another development, Governor Kwankwaso has promised to partner with any organisation that is determined to promote peace and stability in the state. He spoke while receiving members of the Experts Committee on Peace-Building and Social Security, (EXCOMPSS) led by Ambassador Mahmud Al-Bashir in his office.

•Kwankwaso

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

The straight and narrow

I

MET some fantastic teenagers on Tuesday. Despite the rot we lament has eaten deep into the fabric of our education system, we still have some bright stars - may be many more than we think.

We still have schools that do not tolerate examination malpractices; we still have genuinely hard working and intelligent students who do not think it is okay to cheat.

I have always believed that no matter how a person

•From left: The Olu of Agege, Oba Oyedeji Ayinla Isiba, Mr Okoro, Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, and Ms Ugboma, at the inauguration

MTNF renovates labs in 22 schools

T

EACHING and learning of science subjects have changed in four public secondary schools in Lagos where the MTN Foundation has rehabilitated laboratories and trained teachers and pupils.

The four schools-King Ado Senior High School, Isale-Eko, Oshodi Comprehensive High School, Oshodi, Newland Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle and Vetland Senior Grammar School, IfakoIjaiye- had their Physics/Chemistry/Biology laboratories repaired and fitted with necessary furniture and equipment, and a 5KVA generator. They will also be supplied consumables for experiments for one year.

They are among the 22 schools across the country that the foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of MTN Nigeria, adopted in the first phase of its science and technology laboratory project.

As the foundation handed over the laboratories at the Vetland Senior Grammar School, penultimate

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

week, Executive Secretary of the foundation, Ms Nonny Ugboma counselled the pupils to use the opportunity of the project to seek knowledge in the sciences, and take good care of the facilities.

“You are all our future scientists.

It is a lot of responsibilities for every single one of you to reach for the stars. You should be responsible in the laboratories. Take good care of the lab and make sure you learn,” she said.

Chairman of the MTN Foundation, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu, in his speech, read by Mr Dennis Okoro, a Director in the foundation, said the aim of the project is to improve teaching and learning of the sciences.

He said: “It is a project that we believe will contribute to the national efforts to give Nigeria a solid foundation in the very important area of science and technology. It will help to make the teaching and learning of the key science subjects, physics, chemistry and biology, easier, participatory and en-

joyable for our children.”

Teachers and pupils have praised the project, saying it will impact positively on performance in the subject.

In addition to the endowment, a Chemistry teacher at Oshodi Comprehensive High School, Mr Yinka Ogunsola said the training for teachers was an important plus to the project.

“It will enhance effective teaching and learning of sciences in school and improve performance of students in science subjects. The training was on effective classroom teaching and learning, use of equipment and effective safety measures,” he said.

Thanking the foundation, a pupil, Ngozi Leonard said an equipped foundation means pupils will undertake practical sessions more often.

“The laboratories will help a lot.

It will help in conducting experiments for practical. Before, teachers used to teach without practical, but with this we will understand better,” he said.

Kofoworola

Belo-Osagie Kofosagie@yahoo.com 08054503077 (SMS only)

cheats he cannot be the best. That position is always reserved for the person who works for it. Even though sometimes falsehood may prevail, ultimately truth outshines all manner of pretenses.

Well, these youngsters were rewarded by Learn Africa Education Development Foundation for making the best grades in the 2012 June/July Senior School Certificate Examinations (NECO SSCE). In the course of interviewing them, I found they shared similar views about engaging in examination malpractice. One even said it belittled her intellect. She is sure she can do better on her own than any assistance she can from the back door. Her peers may not like her for it but that is her stance. And she is not alone. All four of them know they can do well if they work hard.

I hope other students will learn from their example. Since the main reason they are in school is to learn, then facing their studies should be their primary focus. If it is, then they would not need 'help' in the examination hall. They will go in confidently.

Attending classes, completing assignments diligently and studying are the activities that should occupy 98 per cent of their time. But for many students, it is the opposite. They spend more time gossiping with friends, going to parties or other social activities - any other fun activity but school work. Then, when it is very close to exams, they find they are unprepared and out of desperation choose malpractice as a short cut.

But I must warn, engaging in examination malpractice is a short cut for only a while. When the 'while' expires, usually when it is time to defend the scores in the world of work, or elsewhere, owners of such dubious results fail. Diligence and hard work pay.

‘Attending classes, completing assignments diligently and studying are the activities that should occupy 98 per cent of their time. But for many students, it is the opposite. They spend more time gossiping with friends, going to parties or other social activities - any other fun activity but school work’

From my Inbox Re: What can govt get right? (Thursday, November 22) Take the Federal Government Academy, Suleja, their scholarship included books and uniforms but they were not given. Their feeding is poor. Did the government not provide funds for them or someone pocketed it? Please confirm what I have said and ask questions.

Form 08160859---.

Re: Coping with horrid hostels (Thursday, November 29)

•Dr Mary Iyayi, Executive Director, Cayley College. Agidingi (right) with (from left), representatives of Lara Day School (1st position), Tomobid School (2nd position), Scholars Crest School and Fasta International School (joint 3rd Position), winners of a quiz competion organised by Cayley College.

Alumni decry poor standards

T

HE Alumni Association of the Government Army Day Secondary School, Bida has decried the falling standard of education in secondary schools, as it rises to the challenge of rebuilding infrastructural inthe school.

The Chairman of the Alumni, Mr Akeen Adebalogun, said the objective of the alumni group is for old students to know there is an association on ground through which

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

they can contribute their own quota and give back to their alma mater.

Adebalogun, who disclosed this during the Alumni meeting in Abuja, lamented that the school has lost its glory, saying, “it is not what it used to be at all.”

He said: “The association started in 2001, but in 2012 the alumni de-

cided to take stock and see where they can be of assistance to the school and students that are still coming in, they did this by buying some blocks for the rebuilding of the dilapidating structures of the school.”

Speaking, an alumnus who passed out of the school in 1988, Mrs. Nanchim Phillimon, expressed dismay at the lack of seriousness of pupils in school, lamenting that discipline is at its lowest.

I read your piece titled "Coping with horrid hostel facilities" in the Nation newspaper of Thursday, November 29, 2012. Your assessment of the report of the committee on Needs Assessment of Nigerian Public Universities was a painful reading and your summary of our University hostels as "ugly, overcrowded and unhygienic" points to the conclusion which I have always drawn about our university environment today as nothing more than intellectual ghettos. This sadly is the misery to which we have condemned our successor generations. While we cement the falling standard of education in Nigeria we all forget the inevitable link between the state of squalor you describe and the crash of intellectual standards. We the elders saw better and happier times. We had some in single rooms with spear beds, larger wardrobes; we had eggs, chicken and salad in Ibadan, Ife, Zaria & Nsukka. I enjoyed these luxuries in ABU Zaria.

These sound like fairytales from dreamland now.

But things have been getting worse. Not because nobody cares, but because those will care and are troubled are simply too few and have been unable to make the majority turn their attention to this unfolding tragedy.

But we will not give up. Someday, sooner than later, some leader will come and do the needful. Between now and then, please keep reminding us we are failing. From efugofarms@yahoo.com Re: The long road to the VC's quarters (Thursday, November 08) Kofo, thanks for reminding us of what goes on in the system. I must confess to you it is not happening in the higher institutions alone. Even in the federal parastatals, ethnicity and religion form the basic things used in appointments in this country. Dapo, Lagos.

Re: A day with Mrs Ponnle (Thursday, November 01) Kofo, please get a diary to record your daily activities. It is mandatory in some environments. 08053940---.

EKO 2012 IN PICTURES

•Team Ogun Gymnasts getting ready to compete

•Amputeee athletes during 100m race at the Eko 2012

Thursday, December 6, 2012

42

•Gold medallist, Delta's Eachark Ogbukwo competing in the Shot put event.

•Soccer time as Plateau team (Yellow) trade tackles with Lagos team (Red)

•Female Para powerlifters at the Eko 2012

•Gymnastics action with Bayelsa's Tekena Erede •Track and field officials

Photos: BOLA OMILABU •Team Delta (white) competes against Rivers in Volleyball

•Team Rivers athletes celebrating their gold medal after winning the female volleyball game against team Delta

•Rivers' female volleyball fan

NTTF bans another player for violating festival rule

T

HE Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) on Wednesday banned Bisola Asaju of Team Kwara from the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Lagos and subsequent Games for cheating.

Ranti Lajide, an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) certified umpire, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos

that Asaju was ineligible to participate in the Games, having featured in three past editions.

Lajide, who is officiating in the table tennis event, said the NTTF had vowed to disqualify any player found violating the rules of the NSF. ``The player was trying to be faster than her shadow, but the NTTF is very particular about such persons and once we identify them, he or she

is automatically disqualified,’’ he said.

Lajide said that such a tough step would discourage others from getting involved in such, because the festival was designed for talent discovery. ``We cannot allow athletes who have had their times at previous Games to deny upcoming talents from showcasing their skills, so we have to put a stop to it,’’ he

added.

Also speaking to NAN, ACP Anderson Bankole, expressed satisfaction with the performances of players at the festival and described them as the hope of tomorrow.

Bankole, an NTTF board member, said that ``I am highly impressed with the brilliant performances of the athletes and we are actually

identifying talents as the competition progresses,’’ He said that coaches had more work to do so that the future of identified talents could be tailored in line with the techniques of the pingpong game. The NTTF board member also said that the federation was committed to developing table tennis at the grassroots.

43

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Last Saturday’s elections into the 23 local councils in Kaduna State have led to protests by supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) who contend that the polls were rigged in favour of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). For two years, officials appointed by Governor Ibrahim Yakowa have run the councils and the alleged malpractices at the polls are threatening the fragile peace in parts of the state. TONY AKOWE reports.

Council polls stir agitation in Kaduna T

WENTY-ONE months after elected of ficials were sacked in the 23 local government councils of Kaduna State, grassroots democracy is being restored in the state. Caretaker committees were appointed to administer the councils in August last year, five months after the last set of elected officials had been sent packing. Indications that the councils could have elected leaders before the end of this year emerged shortly after the first anniversary of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa when he asked the Caretaker Committee to compile a list of their achievements as well as revenue profile.

Shortly after that order, the State Independent Electoral Commission (KADSIEC), released a timetable for the election. Political parties immediately swung into action. But a clog on the wheel soon developed when the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) went to court trying to stop the conduct of the election. But the election went ahead as the courts refused to stop it.

However, the conduct of the election has been described by political observers as an exercise that left much to be desired and fell short of expectations of the people. Before then, the governor had made promises that the state would conduct the best local government elections in the country and available information suggested that the governor made available to the commission all that was required.

However, election observers, political activists and opposition parties’ leaders said the first indication that things could go wrong emerged as pre-election publicity was very poor as not many people knew there was going to be elections last Saturday in the state.

The Nation gathered that in spite of that, there was training for all those involved in the process and many expected the election to further bring to the fore the rivalry between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the state.

However, the first sign that most of the local government areas in the state may go to the PDP began to emerge when only 53 chairmanship candidates were cleared to contest the election, with seven out of the eight seats in Southern Kaduna Senatorial District almost unopposed with the only contest in Sanga local government. Comfort Amwe, a former chairman of the local government defected from the ACN to the PDP but was denied the chairmanship ticket. She allegedly moved to sponsor a candidate for the election on the platform of the CPC. Even though this could not be confirmed, the CPC candidate who many expected to emerge the winner lost the contest to the PDP, while the party was able to win only three councilorship seats out of the 10 wards.

However, the PDP had a near clean sweep of all the local government councils in the state, leaving only Kaduna North which incidentally is the home local government of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo to the CPC. The CPC won all available seats in the local government, but lost in its main stronghold, Zaria. The CPC members in Zaria and surrounding local governments of Soba, Giwa and Sabon Gari staged a peaceful protest against the election results to the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who despite his ill health, came out to address the protesters, commending them for the peaceful nature of their protest, while telling them to take their grievances to the Election Petitions Tribunal which has the sole right to adjudicate such issues.

Despite the protest in the three local government areas, the State Independent Electoral Commission believes that it has done well and has conducted a credible election. The SIEC Chairperson, Mrs Hannatu Biniyat, told newsmen that “we are confident that we have conducted free, fair and credible local government elections. We are confident that we have pro-

• Yakowa

• Map of Kaduna State

vided a level playing ground for all the candidates and the political parties to campaign and contest the election. From the inception of this journey, we have been honest and transparent with the people of Kaduna State and all the stakeholders in the electoral process regarding the preparations for the election, the prospects, the difficulties and the challenges.

“At each time, we called stakeholders meeting and explained the extent of the preparations and solicited the support of all and sundry towards the success of the election. I must say that we received the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders and the security agencies.

We deployed sufficient electoral materials to all the polling units across the state. We deployed trained personnel to all the polling units both as presiding officers, supervisors and returning officers.

“Our commission has never claimed perfection. We cannot claim perfection as the process of organizing election involved massive deployment of personnel and materials. Infact, organizing election is a complex and intricate web and unless properly planned and managed can fall off the radar.

“Sometimes, delivery can fall short of projections but in the few polling units that had challenges, we rallied round quickly and made sure that the people exercised their franchise within the time allotted and prescribed for the exercise. We are confident that we remained within the ambit of the law and the constitution both before and during the elections. We will still remain resolute on the part o the rule of law and due process until all the post election issues are resolved”.

Local observers who monitored the election said they were satisfied with the conduct of the election despite the logistics challenges that almost mar its conduct. Spokesman of the ob-

servers, Danjuma Sarki said that despite the challenges of logistics and late arrival of materials, SIECOM conducted a peaceful election despite the tense security atmosphere in the state.

He admitted the late arrival of materials, saying, “there were logistics challenges in some local government areas, especially Kaduna North, Kaduna South and Chikun, pointing out that accreditation and voting in these local government areas started late because of late distribution of materials”. Also, Mr. Festus Okoye, National Coordinator of the Independent Election Monitoring Group, told The Nation that even though people have the right to protest, only a duly constituted Election Tribunal can upturn the election results already announced.

According to him, “while we recognise the right of people to protest if they perceived that their electoral preferences have been tampered with, we also appreciate the fact that these are very unusual times. A large majority of the populace are nervous and apprehensive given the complex and complicated security problems and challenges facing Kaduna state and the country.

“This complex security situation has led to slow economic growth, capital flight, slow down on new investments, migration and ethnic nationalities. This state of affairs therefore demands a high level of caution, rational thinking and discipline in the ventilation of grieviances.

“We therefore urge persons and parties that are aggrieved to consider the plight of persons already traumatized from the security challenges facing the state. they should have faith in the electoral process and the dispute resolution mechanism already in place. It is by so doing that peace and stability will have

‘The PDP had a near clean sweep of all the local government councils in the state, leaving only Kaduna North which incidentally is the home local government of Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo to the CPC. The CPC won all available seats in the local government, but lost in its main stronghold, Zaria’

a pride of place”.

Okoye ,who had earlier cried out about poor logistics arrangement for the election, however, said that while the pre-election matters were well dealt with before the election, the major challenge was the distribution of electoral materials within the three local government within the metropolis. These challenges could eventually lead to cancellation of the election is Barnawa ward of Kaduna South local government area where it was evident that there was no election at all”.

Meanwhile, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has already inaugurated the newly elected council chairmen with a warning that the government will not condone their constant absenteesm from the councils and making the state capital their base rather than sitting back and fulfilling their electoral promises.

He told the chairmen that: “I expect you all to stay with your people at your respective local governments. You asked them for their votes and they gave you, and so I don’t expect you not to stay with them and listen to them.

The just concluded elections wasn’t so much about who won or who lost, it is more on what development you are ready to impact on your councils. And because you are the closest tier of government to the people, you have a big burden on you not to disappoint them. Their eyes will be on you and my own eyes will also be on you.”

The elected chairmen are Idris Musa Alhassan (Birnin Gwari), Aliyu Waziri (Chikun), Kabiru Tsoho Yakawada (Giwa), Shehu Abubakar (Igabi), Alhassan Mohammed Datti (Ikara), Barrister Musa Yahaya Suleiman (Jaba), Dan Amos (Jama’a), Peter Agite (Kachia), Bala Isah Idris (Kaduna South) and Akuso Danjuma (Kagarko). Others are Ibrahim Gajere (Kajuru), Kumai Badu (Kaura), Shehu Usman Ibrahim (Kauru), Khalid Yelwa Kubau (Kubau), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim (Kudan), Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Lazaru (Lere), Abdu Bala Gangara (Makarfi), Abubakar Mohammed Master (Sabon Gari), Emmaneul Adamu Dan Zaria (Sanga), Hon. Kawu Ibrahim Yakasai (Soba), Christopher Haruna (Zangon Kataf) and Hon. Lawal Balarabe (Zaria). Samaila Suleiman (Kaduna North) is the only chairman elected on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), while the remaining 23 local government councils were won by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

44

POLITICS Professor Moses Akinola Makinde spoke with journalists on the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the establishment of the Obafemi Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance which he now heads. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN was there.

Qualities of true Awoists, by Makinde Y

OU are linked with the establishment of Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance. What is the aim of the centre?

The fact is that Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola is a true Awoist. He simply found me out and gave me the job. What he did was what Chief Awolowo would do: Seek out competent people and give them the job. The centre wants the legacies of Chief Awolowo re-enacted; that is what it is out to achieve in Osun State first and foremost, and in the old Western Region, including Edo and Delta. The centre’s name is Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance. Awolowo has a philosophy, ideology and you should know that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is the only party with an ideology. You want to rule, you must have an idea what you want to do. Other political parties don’t have an idea of what they want to do! All they want to do is share positions and make money, and that is what I mean by “job for the boys.” If you have an idea, you search for people who would make the idea work and I mean a brilliant search.

In few months, what should Nigerians expect from the centre?

Everything depends on funding. We are waiting for a bill to be sent to the state House of Assembly for a law. Right now, we are not independent. The governor has been the one funding the activities. We will soon, later this month, hold our maiden lecture in which we want public figures to come and deliberate. Then early next year, we will follow exactly what we have in the blueprint. The centre will be having conferences and workshops. The conferences, will centre on the theme: Awolowo’s philosophy, ideology and good governance. We have an editorial committee which I will head and we will scrutinise all the papers and those that are good for publication, we will publish in the centre’s proceedings. We have a Journal for Awolowo’s Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance.

How are things turning up at the centre?

We are just starting. Right now, I am the Director General while Mr. Mustapha is the Head of Planning, Media and Linkage. We have a Secretary and an Administrative Secretary. Very soon, we will have other staff like the Director of Training who must have a doctorate degree. I am following the pattern of appointment which Awolowo laid down and of course which is what Aregbesola did by appointing me. I didn’t apply for this job. He said this is what I want to do, he gave me the name, of course I modified it and set up the centre. He said I should cost it and I said what about the buildings? He said I’ve got the buildings. So, I was searching for somebody who would be in charge of planning and so on.

I was told that somebody who is very good in that area works in The Gambia. I contacted him and I wooed him and brought him here on October 1. When he was coming, he had a very good recommendation from the Nigerian High Commission in The Gambia. I saw a profile of what he had done and I said I must get this one. If I had wanted a job for the boys, I could have taken anyone and I have been talking with the governor that appointments at the centre is not job for the boys.

Despite your being an Ekiti man, how did you come by the job?

Chief Obafemi Awolowo surrounded himself with competent people. He went to every corner in search of people who were very competent, diligent and thorough. He was a diligent, thorough and competent person, so he would look for such people to work with him.

Aregbesola’s appointment reminds me of what Chief Awolowo used to do. I am from Ekiti State, but I think I can work anywhere in Nigeria. In the United States, the President would go anywhere to search for competent hands. It’s not job for the boys who are your wife’s relatives or your friends or things like that. You don’t just want to give jobs to people because they are your friends, and if we keep on doing that, Nigeria will not make any progress. There is no reason why Mr. President should not look everywhere in the country and seek out somebody who is good for any job and give him the job, even if he is not a member of his party.

What have you done for Awolowo that qualified you for this job or were you just picked?

When Dr. Kayode Fayemi was a governorship candidate, he invited me to deliver a lecture because he knows the work I have done on Awo. In fact, I was late and they were all waiting for me. Aregbesola was there. There must have been

‘The centre wants the legacies of Chief Awolowo re-enacted; that is what it is out to achieve in Osun State first and foremost, and in the old Western Region, including Edo and Delta. The centre’s name is Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance.

Awolowo has a philosophy, ideology and you should know that Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is the only party with an ideology.

You want to rule, you must have an idea of what you want to do.

Other political parties don’t have an idea of what they want to do!

All they want to do is share positions and make money’ • Prof. Makinde

some discussion among them about me. So, by the time Aregbesola was being sworn in as governor, he did something that made me say ah, this is Awo incarnate! In 1979, I was a member of the think-tank; Professor Sam Aluko was the chairman. In the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) anthem, there was something about egalitarianism and when Aregbesola spoke and he mentioned things about egalitarianism, it reminded me of those days. Then I decided that this is a good man, a man after my heart. I sent a text to congratulate him and for bringing back the Awo legacy to Osun State. I was so excited.

On this job, I just got the text that “I want you to put up a centre on Awo’s ideology for me in Osun State.” I said. Well, that must be the most interesting job I have ever got because of my own interest in Awo, too, then I was still in the Obafemi Awolowo University on contract. I came up with the name and a blueprint and he said I should cost it. Then I said I don’t know anything about costing when building is involved. He said I should forget about buildings and I said that is alright. I gave him my publications on Awo. Awo as a Philosopher he said he was seeing it for the first time. Awo’s Last Conversation and others and he knew this is a man who had spent most of his time on Awolowo.

There is no other Nigeria, who has got such a rigorous and engaging conversation with Chief Awolowo for three and half hours. Now they have published another one. Professor Osinbajo has even suggested that the book should be recommended for secondary schools because here, we do not know our heroes. We do not read about our heroes. They know about Chairman Mao, the Chinese hero; they know about Maoism. Here, people who never grew up when Awolowo was alive never knew Awolowo. And history is very important. In Nigeria, we know a lot about Winston Churchill, we know about the Victorian era but here we don’t know about our own heroes. I introduced the Awo philosophy in the United States. I introduced a course on Social Philosophy. When I was in the US as a scholar, they called for papers on Afro-American philosophy, on social and political philosophy. The Africans there mentioned Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Kwame Nkrumah, and Julius Nyerere and said they should write about them. When I got the invitation to present a paper, I wrote back to say what they gave me was intellectual bankruptcy of African political writers. I told them that more than all the people mentioned, the greatest and the most prolific Obafemi Awolowo, was not included. I said because Awolowo was never head of state, you left him out because al the people you have included had been Head of State. I said all these pople had not written anything compared to Awolowo and I said I am writing on Awolowo and they apologised to me. To really tell them I knew what I mean, I wrote to Chief Awolowo and he sent me two sets of his books, all his books. It arrived a day before I was to present the lecture and on the day I presented a box of the books to the community after my lecture. I gave it to the university. Already, I had established a course on Social and Political Philosophy in the univer-

sity. I taught Awo, Nyerere and Awo has become a permanent feature there now. Maybe when the governor read all these things, he was convinced I could do the job and he had no doubt that this is the man that could do this job.

Awolowo was an international figure but fate had it that he was a Nigerian and he never really emerged as a head of state. Is Aregbesola not limiting him further by making it a state idea?

Somebody has to start something; all Nigerian governors cannot say they want to fund this.

Anywhere in the world, ideas are initiated by one person and if they are good , he sells it to others and they will take it. What Aregbesola has done is to start the idea then others who are interested in what we are doing will join us. We expect that the parliamentarians, the civil servants and others who have come to the workshop and learn about ethics, social and political philosophy, discipline, transparency and good governance and learn to eliminate all the evils Awo called “negative emotions”; when we set out to eliminate all that, then we would have lived up to the philosophy of Awo and John Dewey. John Dewey is an American philosopher and he came up with “Learning by Doing.”

We learn by doing. So, we expect that having learnt all these things, go and do it. After some years, any state that still remains corrupt, not transparent and still has not imbibed the ethics, I think the governor of such state himself should declare his state a failed state because it has refused to learn. If you are a reasonable person, tell me who does not like good ideas? Everything was developed through ideas, either of one man or a group. Einstein’s idea of Relativity that has shaped the whole world is an idea of one man. When Aregbesola gave the idea, I’m sure all the governors would like it.

What relationship would the institute have with some of the universities in the South West? Is it going to stand on its own or would affiliate with a university?

It will not be an affiliate of any university because by such, it would be under the control of such university. Rather we are going to have

linkage. That is, we are going to have resource persons. Very soon, we will go to some vice chancellors and request that we want to teach ethics. As far as Ethics is concerned, we want them to learn Kantian Categorical Theory and Utilitarianism of Bentham and Mill, which brought out “the greatest good for the greatest number.” These theories would be taught by academics. Do you know Awolowo was a great academic? He was a great academic.

When you bring academics, they bring theory.

How can we relate what they will bring to reality?

Philosophers often say that Africans are incapable of knowing what inconsistency means. I used to argue that this is not true. I used to attack them but now I agree with them because we are very inconsistent in our thought. That is why you have somebody in Party A today, tomorrow you find him in Party B. Today, he is in PDP, tomorrow ACN and the next day, Labour Party.

That is inconsistency and that is not part of what Awolowo taught. If you are going to be an Awoist, you must be consistent. I want to say that if there is any person or politician who has been inconsistent, cut that person out. That person is not an Awoist. If people who are inconsistent are calling themselves Awoists, they are not and Awo himself will judge them.

But we have some personalities with that trait…

We have 150 million Nigerians. Such personalities are not Awoists because they are inconsistent.

But they claim that they are Awoists...

Yes. You can tell me that you are the Queen of England or the King of Idanre.

So, you are with the intent of re-shaping such people...

Yes, if they can come back to being consistent because they have no patience. Inconsistency in some cases exists because of economic reasons.

If they don’t get money here, they get it there, and there are many of such people all over the country. Awolowo was the consistent type. I know that in 1979, NPN came to Awo to woo him; gave him plenty of money, but he refused.

The other parties were bought and they said it was an ‘accord’. But they could not buy Awolowo, he refused to join them. Of course, it was an accord of folly because they dumped them later. We have to be consistent, it is very important. And we want to make this intellectual. I know many people in this country who have been very consistent. The younger brother of a presidential candidate was with me on the board of NAL Merchant Bank and he would say I have a brother who wants academics and intellectuals, and he will give them plenty of money. I knew many professors in Ife who were coming to our meetings because we were for the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and when they got plenty of money and went away. They became very big shots but that’s not my own style.

So, if I want to be inconsistent, I could have been but I was always thinking of Chief Awolowo’s ideals.

You cannot be consistent if you are not disciplined. Awo said that you must be self-disciplined if you want to discipline others. You can’t call your commissioner and sack him because he embezzled money when you yourself are culpable. There are many ministers now; when they steal money, the President cannot sack them because if he does, he will be in trouble. You cannot discipline others unless you are self-disciplined.

• From right: Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, his wife Judith, and his Oyo State counterpart Senator Abiola Ajimobi (left) his wife Florence (second left) inspecting the Oral Surgery Operating Theatre in the new Amaechi built ultra modern Dental and Maxillofacial Hospital in Port Harcourt when Ajimobi visited Rivers State.

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

THE NATION

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

CLINIC DAY The Product Manager, Artepharm Limited Nigeria, Jeremy Hu, who markets Artequick, the artemisinin herbal-based malaria drug, writes on the product. A not-for-profit organisation, Mayo Clinic, answers the second question.

Treating malaria with herbal drugs M

ALARIA is one of the biggest threats to human health, especially in Africa.

Though some patients can afford and access effective anti-malaria drugs, malaria still causes great harm to people because of its special transmission characters. Therefore, a new strategy of malaria control is urgently needed in these countries to change the current situation.

Prof Li Guoqiao, the inventor of Artequick, is engaged in promoting a new strategy of malaria control. Fast Elimination of Malaria by Source Eradication (FEMSE) in malaria epidemic countries, such as Cambodia and Comoros and the pilot projects of FEMSE conducted in these countries have achieved significant successes.

The decreasing amptitude of population parasite carriage rate in Moheli, Comoros was 98 per cent and the parasite positive rate in mosquito vector decreased to zero after fourmonth administration of FEMSE project. Furthermore, malaria mortality decreased to zero after the commencement of the FEMSE project.

Arteqquick is the main drug used in the FEMSE project.

How to prevent malaria?

• Wear long sleeved clothes such as long pants and long sleeved shirts to cover as much of your bare skin as possible. It can go a long way to prevent being bitten by the malaria carrying mosquitoes.

• Avoid being outdoors at night when malaria carrying mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite.

• Use mosquito repellents or patches that can be bought without any doctor’s prescriptions. These will

•Hu

keep the mosquitoes away from you and avoid any bites.

• Burn insecticide oils or electrically heated insecticide tablets in the bedroom at night.

• Sleep under a mosquito net. You can also spray your linen with proper mosquito repellent aerosols.

• Clothes and nets impregnated with pyrethroid could be used.

Quick action: Result of multi-centre clinical trials in China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Comoros showed that Artequick control the malaria symptoms rapidly.

Fewer Clearance Time (FCT) and Parasite Clearance Time (PCT) are 1630 hours and 36-60 hours respectively.

This drug stops the parasite development within two hours and more than 95 per cent parasites are killed

• General Manager, Dr. Pan Longhua

within 24 hours after the drug administration. Due to its quick action, Artequick could reduce the occurrence of severe malaria cases and the malaria mortality.

Short regimen: Two-day regimen, two tablets as the initial dose and another two tablets after 24 hours.

High efficacy and prevention of drug-resistance: Artequick has high efficacy even in multi-drug resistant p. falciparum epidemic areas. twentyeight day cure rate is above 97 per cent. After two-month observation, it is found that the relapse rate of the product in treatment of vivax malaria is two per cent. The combination of artemisinin and piperaquine delays the development of drug resistance of plasmodium falciparum.

According to the clinical trials,

Artequick causes much fewer clinical side effects than any other artemisinin-based combinations.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain and diarrhea are selflimited and only occur in less than three per cent patients. No abnormal laboratory results of haematology, biochemistry or ECG were reported.

Malaria has been eliminated from some formerly endemic regions of the world, mainly in more temperate zones including countries in Europe, North America, some of the former Soviet Republics and some island nations. Improvement in public health, efforts in treating malaria patients and mosquito control measures were some key factors for the success of malaria elimination.

Unfortunately, malaria control programmes have been less successful in many developing countries in the tropics and subtropics. Lack of resources for disease management and the emergence of drug resistant parasites and insecticide resistance mosquitoes contributed to the failure of many malaria eradication programmes during the era of the Global malaria Eradication programme initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1955.

Similarly, the goals of the 1988 Action Plan to Roll Back Malaria have not been fulfilled in many countries.

In China, integrated malaria control programmes, such as mosquito and transmission control, have been in place to eliminate the disease since the late 1950s. However, it took over 30 years to control Plasmodium vivax malaria in endemic areas along the Yangtze River. Although Plasmodium falciparum malaria has

QUESTION: 1. I understand there is a 24-hour herbal based malaria drug, do tell me about it?

Ifeyinka Pariola, Oyo State.

2. My son has taken to smoking. Please how do I handle this situation?

Nnenna Onu, Enugu State been eliminated in many endemic regions in China, the parasite is still present in Hainan and Yunnan provinces in Southern China after more than 50 years of disease control efforts.

To reduce or totally eliminate malaria parasite infections from a population, interruption of parasite transmission is critical. One strategy for achieving the goal is to interrupt parasite transmission through mosquito vector control such as insecticide spraying and large-scale distribution of insecticide-impregnated bed nets.

Although some successes have been achieved through these efforts, vector control in most endemic regions has had limited success at sustained interruption of transmission, especially when applied in isolation without aggressive drug treatment and prevention strategies. A second approach is to eliminate parasite from the human reservoir with antimalaria drugs.

Unfortunately, many anti-malaria drugs cannot kill sexual stages in a human host and, therefore, cannot block parasite transmission even when blood stage parasites are eliminated and the patient is successfully treated for malaria symptoms. Additionally, the emergence of parasites resistant to anti-malaria drugs has contributed to resurgence of malaria cases in recent decades.

How to help your child quit smoking

W

ANT to stop teen smoking?

Follow this no-nonsense approach, from setting a good example to making a plan and celebrating success.

Teen smoking is a big deal. After all, teens who smoke are likely to turn into adults who smoke.

If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously. Stopping teen smoking in its tracks is the best way to promote a lifetime of good health.

Set a good example As a parent, you’re one of the most powerful influences in your teen’s life — and your actions speak louder than your words. If you smoke, don’t expect your teen to stop smoking. Your teen likely interprets your smoking as an endorsement for the behavior.

Instead, ask your doctor about stopsmoking products and other resources to help you stop smoking.

In the meantime, don’t smoke in the house, in the car or in front of your teen, and don’t leave cigarettes where your teen might find them. Explain how unhappy you are with your smoking, and why it’s so important to you to quit.

Start talking

You could simply tell your teen to stop smoking. It’s an important message. But commands, threats and ultimatums aren’t likely to work. Instead of getting angry, be curious and supportive. Ask your teen what made him or her start smoking. Perhaps your teen is trying to fit in at school, or maybe your teen thinks that smoking will help relieve stress. Sometimes teen smoking is an attempt to feel cool or more grown-up.

Once you understand why your teen is smoking, you’ll be better equipped to address smoking as a potential problem — as well as help your teen eventually stop smoking.

Encourage your teen to share his or her concerns.

Although the consequences of smoking — such as cancer, heart attack and stroke — are real, they’re probably beyond the realm of your teen’s concern.

Rather than lecturing your teen on the long-term dangers of smoking, ask your teen what he or she considers the negative aspects of smoking. Once your teen has had his or her say, offer your own list of negatives. Consider appealing to your teen’s vanity: • Smoking gives you bad breath.

• Smoking makes your clothes and hair smell.

• Smoking turns your teeth and fingernails yellow.

• Smoking causes wrinkles.

• Smoking leaves you with a hacking cough.

• Smoking zaps your energy for sports and other activities.

Of course, smoking is also expensive. Prompt your teen to calculate the weekly, monthly or yearly cost of smoking. You might compare the cost of smoking with electronic devices, clothes or other items your teen considers important.

Help your teen make a plan Teens can become addicted to nicotine surprisingly quickly — sometimes within just a few weeks of experimenting with smoking. While many teens who smoke think they can stop anytime, research shows this isn’t usually true.

When you talk to your teen about stopping smoking, ask if any of his or her friends have tried to stop smoking. Consider why they were — or weren’t — successful. Then ask your teen which stop-smoking strategies he or she thinks might be most helpful.

Offer your own suggestions as well:

Put it on paper. Encourage your teen to write down why he or she wants to stop smoking. The list can help your teen stay motivated when temptation arises.

Set a quit date. Help your teen choose a date to stop smoking. Avoid placing the stop date during a stressful time, such as final exams.

Hang out with friends who don’t smoke. Would your teen’s friends support your teen’s stop-smoking plan?

Would they try to stop smoking, too?

If your teen feels pressured to smoke, encourage him or her to get involved in new activities. Making new friends who don’t smoke could make it easier to avoid friends who aren’t willing to stop smoking.

Practice saying no. Peer pressure to smoke might be inevitable, but your teen doesn’t need to give in. Help your teen practice saying, “No thanks, I don’t smoke.”

Be prepared for cravings. Remind your teen that if he or she can hold out long enough — usually just a few minutes — the nicotine craving will pass.

Suggest taking a few deep breaths.

Offer sugarless gum, cinnamon sticks, toothpicks or straws to help your teen keep his or her mouth busy.

Consider stop-smoking products. Although nicotine replacement products — such as nicotine gums, patches, inhalers or nasal sprays — weren’t designed for teens, they might be helpful in some cases. Ask your teen’s doctor which options might be best for your teen.

Seek support. Contact a tobacco-cessation specialist. A tobacco-cessation specialist can give your teen the tools and support he or she needs to stop smoking. Some hospitals and local organizations offer stop-smoking groups just for teens. You might look for teen groups online, too. Web-based programs can also provide support for your teen whenever he or she needs it.

If your teen slips, remain supportive.

Congratulate your teen on the progress he or she has made so far, and encourage your teen not to give up. Help your teen identify what went wrong and what to do differently next time.

Above all, celebrate your teen’s success. You might offer a favorite meal for a smoke-free day, a new shirt for a smoke-free week or a party with nonsmoking friends for a smoke-free month. Rewards and positive reinforcement can help your teen maintain the motivation to stop smoking for good.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

46

NATURAL HEALTH

Why some people get fatter while eating less (1) W

HEN fat or overweight people climb the steep pedestrian overhead bridge at Palm grove in Lagos, they can be a great spectacle to behold. Even my friend, Danson Sunday Danson, who likes to trot up when he can, as a testimonial that, at over 50, his manliness is beyond reach of the aging process, admits that the bridge is a monster. Many overweight people screw up their faces as they ascend the stairs. Some hold the rails with both hands for support, panting. Some stop on the way to catch some breath.

It sometimes affords me an opportunity to poke one or two jokes at young people of both genders .I ask such people to have their doctors check their hearts for enlargement or other problems would stand on the first landing, smiling or laughing at a woman laboriously dragging herself up, offer a hand to help her up, sometimes grabbing her hand, if she was reluctant to give me, and as we quicken our pace up, roll out the good health riot drill…. No sugar, no bread ,no milk, no fried food…. These are some of the reasons your weight is slowing you down’’. I have made great friends in these encounters, and the experiments many of them have carried out on themselves have helped immensely. Danson Sunday Danson, who is sometimes my company in these engagements, thinks I have lots of guts. I tell him I remain a shy person in public. Engaging people is a principle I learned in network marketing, into which I plunged about 10 years ago. When you help people out of a health logjam and you follow, lovingly, them up with a view to encouraging them to help other people the way you helped them, you are growing a huge active family in the health sector which is crucial for success in network marketing. It starts from small encounters as described above, and may balloon into parlour health talks and public health speeches which may involve hundreds of listeners in town halls.

TODAY, I assume I am addressing such a town hall gathering, and I am listening to questions fat people often ask. Really, I meet fat people from time to time who ask these questions and more. These questions are sometimes asked at public speeches on weight management.

Question Time 1) Why, literally, do some people eat mountains of food and it does not show on their bodies, but some people eat so little or literarily starve themselves unto death and they balloon embarrassingly?

2) Why do some people lose weight when they are ill, making them happy, but regain the lost fat so soon after convalescence?

3) What are Brown fat cells and what are White fat cells, and what roles does each type of cell play in whether a person is fat, slim or thin?

4) What is the fat set point?

5) What percentage of fat should a person have in the body content, vis-à-vis other tissue, to be considered not overweight or obese?

6) What roles do the various body organs play in weight gain, weight loss or normal weight?

7) Is it true that thin and slim people live longer than fat people?

Certainly, more questions will pop up in the course of attempting to answer these questions, such as how water, hormones and enzymes affect these matters.

To start off, we are not just what we eat. A few decades ago, the slogan rang out: YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT. By this, it was meant that when we eat garbage, our bodies grow into garbage bodies. Another way of saying it is that when we eat fattening food, we can’t help getting fat. But this idea became untenable when some people ate fattening food but didn’t get fat, and other people ate the right stuff and nevertheless became fatter. So, the idea that we are what we eat got modified to include what we failed to digest, absorb and excrete.

For if the food is right and the digestive system is not working well, the food may decay in the tract and become poisons which may damage vital organs once they get into the blood circulation. For this reason, the body enlarges fat cells to imprison the poisons. Thus, the more the poison in the body, the fatter or more obese the body may get. The concept of weight control has since gone beyond this scenario, as answers were found by researchers to such questions as the ones which appeared above. Thus, today it would appear that hardly does anyone have all the answers to all the questions of fatness and obesity, as KEVIN TRUDEAU would canvass in his NATURAL CURES, ‘THEY’ DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT. By “they”, he means the kingpins of mainstream or orthodox medicine. Following this thought, I would, like him, also say the following suggestions or answers can only be part answers in a whole terrain which continues to unfold itself.

Why do some people eat so little or starve and still get fatter?

Y head was really reeling to find a starting point. But, happily, the flag has come down on the PITUITARY/ THYROID/ ADRENAL GLANDS axis. The pituitary is located somewhere in the middle of the brain; the thyroid surrounds the neck; the adrenals [two of them] sit one on top of each kidney. The thyroid gland determines the metabolic rate of the body. This is the rate at which the body converts food into energy and does other work. If the thyroid is slow, the metabolic rate will be slow, and that means digestive and absorption rates will lag behind the body’s rate of making and using energy, for example. This will lead to hunger spells and cause compulsive eating, although there is still food in the body which has not been digested to make energy. This situation may end up flooding the body with more energy than it requires. The result will be what happens to us when we have more money in our hands than we need to spend. Of

M

course, we save the excess in the bank. Similarly, the body converts its excess calories or energy into saving as fat, which is stored around major organs.

Many diet formulas and slimming medicines are based on the need to suppress appetite for compulsive eating, or to make the thyroid gland to work optimally and, thereby, improve the metabolic rate. Some of them aim, also, to prevent the absorption of excess fat into the bloodstream as a way of blocking the manufacture of new fat cells. The use of sea vegetables such as Kelp and Dulse helps to make the thyroid work faster, thereby increasing the metabolic rate.

But it doesn’t work with some people whose problem with fat may not directly be the thyroid. In such cases, using kelp may help for as long as kelp is used. The thyroid falls back to status quo-ante once this stimulant is withdrawn. In such a case, it is better to examine the roles of both the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands on activities of the thyroid gland.

Some secretions of the pituitary gland are responsible in part for the rate at which the thyroid gland will function. Similarly, adrenal glands play a serious role in thyroid work pace.

I have a tendency to be a low thyroid person. That’s why three square meals a day, unaccompanied with food supplements aid digest, may make me gain weight easily, although not to the point of supplements to aid digestion becoming overweight or obese. I learned many years ago to support the thyroid with Kelp and, sometimes, with IODORAL, a propriety thyroid improving formula. I learned, also, to take Apple Cider Vinegar at least once a day. I learned from Dr Norman Walker, one of the world’s leading authorities on nutrition, that the adrenals profit from a drink of the following juices… carrot- lettuce- alfalfa and carrot- parsely … or green juices generally.

T wasn’t until I developed low blood sugar and low blood pressure that. I really appreciated the functions of the adrenal glands in these matters. They are to us what the shock absorber is to motor vehicles. They do not let us easily realise the impact of stress in our lives. But if we keep driving the body hard, simply because the adrenals are functioning well, a time will come surely when these organs will become exhausted, as surely as the car’s abused shock absorbers pack up or require a refill. When they becomes tired, the adrenals fail to pep up the thyroid and the thyroid, not kept on its toes, goes into slow or low mode. Any wonder the thyroid gland has been blamed for more than 300 diseases, including erectile dysfunction and infertility? Unfortunately, not many physicians think of bringing up thyroid function or of treating adrenal exhaustion. Treating the adrenal with plant Sterols and Sterolins, Borage Oil, Licorice and Ginseng helped me bring them back to life and ended these frightening spells from low blood sugar and low blood pressure which, for months, dropped from 110/70 to about 90/55 and a fasting blood sugar which came down from about 70to 60 or 65.

Orode , one of the readers of this column, who picked up interest in it from her father, teases me not to worry about low blood pressure, because her doctor tells her it doesn’t kill. I always reply that it. Copy low blood pressure is better not experienced. How else does the pituitary gland come unto the picture? I like to explore the leptin factor in answering this question. Leptin is a fat burning hormone also sometimes called the fullness hormone. It helps us to suppress the feeling of unnecessary hunger. If you observe fat or obese people critically, you are likely to discover that they are always eating, perhaps because their thyroid glands are underfunctioning or over-functioning. The effect of leptin was observed in a study of mutant mice following massive death in a mouse colony at the Jackson Laboratory in 1950. The mice became massively obese and were excessively voracious. But when such mice were given leptin, in later years they lost weight and returned to normal body sizes. Mice deprived of leptin in other experiments grew so huge they couldn’t move…and died It wasn’t until about 1994, however, that leptin was discovered by Jeffery M.friedman of the Rock feller University from the study of such mice described above.

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The Pituitary/ Leptin Connection EPTIN, as stated, is a hormone- like chemical substance similar in its effects to insulin, which sweeps blood sugar and chromium from the blood into the cell to burn sugar

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e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

into energy. Leptin is made from amino acids. This means we must eat good amounts of proteins to get good amounts of leptin or take amino acids food supplements. In the pituitary gland, leptin enters the appropriate receptors for it to activate those sections of this gland and of the brain which give us a sense of fullness without which we would always feel hungry and wish to eat. Leptin is also manufactured in the adipcytes of the white cells as well as in many other parts of the body. Even in this other parts of the body, leptin relays signals of fullness, makes the body burn fat for fuel and reduces or eliminates stored body fat. Dr. Ron Rosdale M.D., says: “A diet excessive in carbohydrate rich foods and refined white grains and bread leads to the release of too much leptin into the bloodstream.’’

“This overexposure’’, he says”, inhibits the body’s ability to understand leptin’s, messages and leads to obesity as well as diabetes.

This sounds very much like insulin resistance in which the body gets oversupplied insulin to burn blood sugar because of excessive refined carbohydrate intake. But the body’s 100 trillion cells, fatigued by excessive driving by the insulin flood, literally locks its doors and windows against insulin, thereby keeping sugar in the blood and ultimately causing diabetes. It is like a friend whose frequent visits disturb your peace of mind. With time, you learn to keep him at arm’s length. In other words, fat and obese people have high lepin blood level because the body, harassed by too much leptin, shuts it out from the cells.

Incidentally, a Mayo Clinic study examined two African tribes for their blood leptin level. One group ate vegetables a lot. The other ate fish a lot. At the end of the study, the fish eating tribe was found to have five times lower blood leptin levels than the vegetables eating tribe. The conclusion of this study was that the essential fatty acids in fish help to lower blood leptin levels. This would not make leptin flood the blood to harass the cells and cause leptin resistance which will lead to obesity and diabetes. Fish recommended by the Mayo Clinic study include tuna, titus, halibut and sardeines.[ After reading Dr. Norman W. Walker’s VIBRANT HEALTH, I suspect this conclusion is not ALL the FISH STORY. Dr. Walker says the body is made up of 53.atomic materials. Only 19 of these are found on the land. The remaining ones are at the bottom of the oceans, many washed down there by erosion of top soil and weathering of rocks for millions, if not billons, of years. Thus, land food is unbalanced by or with sea food is unbalanced food or incomplete. By the routes of garbage –in- garbage- out , eating incomplete food means an incomplete body! incomplete body is a sickly body.!Yet the Law of Balance, which ensures equilibrium in all things, is crucial also for sound, radiant health. That may be why the fish eaters had a health edge over vegetable eaters!

White and brown fat cells EPTIN is related to the cells. It is found chiefly in white fat cells and less in the brown.

Some people have more white fat cells than the brown, while some others have more brown fat cells than the white. It would appear that the brown fat cells burn faster and with less prodding than the white. Some researchers say that, even at rest, that is when we are asleep, for example, the brown fat cells keep burning, to provide energy, whereas the white fat cells require exercise to make them burn. In healthy men, white fat is about 20 per cent of body weight. It is about 25 per cent in healthy women. Babies have about five per cent of brown fat cells per body mass to keep them warm. The process of fat cells burning to produce energy is named thermo genesis. You can almost predict that a person has more brown fat cells or an hyperactive thyroid gland by touching his or her body. It is warm. Such people do not have malaria or any other fever, but they are so warm that it embarrasses them. Brown fat cells burn easily because they have more energy making factories called mitochondria. Actually, it is the concentration of mitochondria which gives them their brown colour! A long time ago, when I did not understand this concept, a woman sought my advice on the condition of her daughter who was an acquaintance of my wife. The suitors of this woman were complaining and some were afraid that the warmth could be one wooled warning about something not so good. But this woman was hardly ill. I was later to meet many such people. Two things I noticed about them were that (1) they hardly fell ill and (2) they were never fat. One of my references points in this matter is a grandfather in his eighties.

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OW, we come to an intricate part of leptin work. Lisa Russell says: ‘Insulin levels are determined by leptin. Leptin also controls thyroid levels, body temperature, fat accumulation in the mid section and the ability to burn that fat. Inflammation plays a role in the progression of diabetes. Leptin controls the effect of potent inflammatory drugs from our fat cells. Obesity has long been associated with the cause of Type 2 diabetes. But the reason wasn’t fully known. Recent research regarding leptin’s inflammatory effects on body has left scientists to suggest that leptin may be the missing link. Apple shaped bodies are linked to diabetes. Leptin tells your fats where to go. Therefore, if your body is resistant to leptin, your fats will accumulate in your belly, giving you the apple shape that is linked to diabetes.

Some fat is soaked into the liver to control healthy insulin function. Leptin controls the portion of the brain that regulates the thyroid hormones. It affects the nervous system, blood pressure, adrenal stress response, cortisone levels, osteopersis and diabetes. Normal leptin secretion after a meal will suppress hunger, burn fat and reduce fat. However, if you are leptin resistant, that message doesn’t get through to the brain and mimicks low leptin levels. Consequently, you remain hungry and store (rather than burn) more fat. In addition, your sugar will be elevated and your insulin resistance will.

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

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THE NATION

e-Business •Aladekomo

•Mrs Johnson

•Ekeh

Many have described as laudable the Federal Government’s initiated Student PC Ownership Programme.But there are challenges toward the realisation of the scheme, writes LUCAS AJANAKU

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ESULTS of surveys about PC and Internet penetration in the country are frightening. The report of the “Annual Socio-Economic Report: Access to ICT,” an outcome of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)/Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Collaborative Survey in 2011 showed that more than 95 per cent of Nigerians have no access to PC and Internet.

The 11th edition of the Global Information Technology (GIT) Report launched by the World Economic Forum ranked Nigeria low on Networked Readiness Index (NRI) placing it 112th out of 142 countries.

Sweden topped the global index; Nigeria trailed other African countries, such as Rwanda (82nd), Botswana (89th), Kenya (93rd) and Senegal (100th).

The report laments that African countries suffer from severe weaknesses in components of the index, from poor connectivity caused by expensive and poor-quality ICT infrastructure to very low basic skills and a weak framework for technology-rich activities to flourish.

The Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson, who was unhappy with the development, said: “The three per cent PC (personal computer) penetration for Nigeria is disgraceful. That is not acceptable to us and we need to address it.”

Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Eugene Juwah said for Nigeria to attain the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the country must achieve a minimum of 12 per cent PC penetration, setting 2014 as target to achieve this milestone.

Perhaps, it was against this backdrop that the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in collaboration with its Education and Youth Development counterparts, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and in partnership with Diamond Bank, FirstBank, GTBank, Skye Bank, Sterling Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA), launched the Students PC Ownership Programme.

The scheme will be driven by five indigenous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), comprising Zinox; Omatek Computers; Brian; Beta Computers and Veda.

Bayero University, Kano, University of Jos, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola; Gombe State University, Usman Dan Fodio University, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Ebonyi State University, University of Port Harcourt, Ambrose Alli University, University of Lagos, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State are the 12 universities selected from the six geo-political zones of the country to start the programme.

The minister warned programme partners against failing to contribute to the success of the programme.

“The process you have seen today is a chain, a weak link in the chain will compromise the integrity of the entire chain.

“The sustainability we brought into this scheme makes it different from previous and similar schemes that failed. That is why we are not leaving any link behind at ensuring that we succeed,” she warned.

According to her, the government has moved from a contracting entity to an enabling one, which makes it, the ‘honest broker’ that brought parties together to ensure that the scheme succeeds.

“This programme should transcend anybody else that has contributed to it, because we have made sure that the gov-

Will student PC ownership scheme become reality? ernment is playing the role that it should be playing and that is an enabler, a catalyst and not a contracting entity,” the minister said.

On the rationale for the scheme, she said it is targeted at deepening PC ownership penetration in Nigeria, empowering local brands by creating an active market for them and aiding students to achieve better certificates through integration into the digital and information community, adding that it also hopes to create a brand loyalty and patronage for local computer assemblers through a minimum nongovernment subsidy but with quality assurance from Intel and Microsoft as active partners to sustain the programme.

Also, Johnson said: “We want our students to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and graduate students that use PC to learn and interact and contribute well in the global community. Again, we want to increase local capacities and create jobs. For every local original equipment manufacturer, OEMs, so that any young person can start up his own company and compete with the rest of the world; building capacity and creating jobs for young Nigerians is our goal,” she said.

She decried Nigerians’preference for foreign brands most of whom have much better marketing, research and production capacity. This has led to the poor capacity utilisation of these assembly plants, making the federal and state governments their biggest customers, which means that they are dependent on the most uncertain world of the government supply contracts.

To bridge this gap, Johnson said the government “saw a very clear window to kill the two birds of poor PC ownership by students and poor acceptance of local brands and

‘We want our students to participate meaningfully in the digital economy and graduate students that use PC to learn and interact and contribute well in the global community. Again, we want to increase local capacities and create jobs.

For every local original equipment manufacturer, OEMs, so that any young person can start up his own company and compete with the rest of the world; building capacity and creating jobs for young Nigerians is our goal’

poor capacity utilisation of our PC assembly plants with one stone.

Director-General, NITDA, Prof. Cleopas Angaye, said the student PC ownership scheme was borne out of the dire need to increase PC penetration among the students of higher learning, adding that it was also a means of challenging the licensed OEMs to boost their productive capacities, which is expected to have a multiplier effect in job creation, poverty reduction and increase their market share in the global competitive economy.

Stakeholders in the IT industry have commended the move by the Federal Government, hoping that, like other laudable programmes, the government will muster the political will to see it through.

Executive Secretary, Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) Prof. Julius Okojie described the scheme as a laudable project and pledged the willingness of NUC to partner with the stakeholders to ensure the success of the scheme.

He however, called for the expansion of the scheme to other tertiary institutions in the country to boost the PC penetration and enhance learning process.

General Secretary, Computer and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria (CAPDAN), John Oboro, said the Federal Government’s move would boost growth of local OEMs, and inevitably lead to job’s creation of jobs.

“The policy is not only for the Fderal Government. It is for all Nigerians. The only fear now is whether the government will be able to enforce the policy. It is a beautiful policy on paper but will it not remain a paper tiger?” Oboro asked rhetorically.

President, Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) Lanre Ajayi, said requesting public institutions to patronise indigenous OEMs was the appropriate thing to do in the light of obvious challenges confronting the industry.

“It is the right thing to do by the Federal Government.

Why should we prefer imported computers to the ones locally made? Ajayi, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Pinet Informatics Limited, asked.

The first effort at encouraging patronage of locally-assembled PCs was made in 2006, when, through a circular endorsed by the former Secretary to the Federal Government, SFG, Chief Ufot Ekaette, the government directed minsitries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and public institutions to patronise made-in-Nigeria software and assembled PCs. More than five years after, the directive has not been observed. Rather, many public institutions are filled with imported PCs. The domestic PC industry has been battling to survive the stiff competition from offshore computer firms. In the last one decade or two, over seven PC assemblers have started

•Continued on page 48

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

e-Business Sweden eyes Nigeria’s ICT sector

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HE Swedish Secretary of State for Trade Mr Gunnar Oom, to Lagos and Abuja has led a business delegation to Nigeria.

Organised by the Swedish Trade Council and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for Swedish firms to see and seize some of the many business opportunities Nigeria, the visit was the first step of a threeyear Information Communication Technology (ICT) venture in subSaharan Africa – a new effort by

the Council and the Ministry to highlight the huge potential that the region has to offer.

“Swedish companies have for a long time been active in Africa, but I am sure that what we have seen so far is just the beginning.

The Swedish government is working to further develop and strengthen the economic ties between our countries. It is with great pleasure I lead the Swedish business delegation to Nigeria,” Oom said.

‘Why improved broadband services remain illusion’

D •From left: Head, Regulatory Affairs, Etisalat, Ikenna Ikeme; Director, Customer Care, Globacom, Maria Svensson; Head, Legal & Regulatory Services, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Josephine Amuwa; Coordinator, Mobile Number Portability, Glo, Mr. Vimal Menon and GM, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, Oyeronke Oyetunde, during the Inter-Operator Steering Committee meeting by Globacom in Lagos.

NigComSat bill won’t kill private sector, says Ahmed-Rufai

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HE passage of the NigComSat Corporation Bill will not suffocate private sector operators, Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Satellite Communications (NigComSat), Timasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, has said.

In a statement Sonny AragbaAkpore, head, Corporate Communication of the firm, quoted Ahmed-Rufai as saying: “The downstream sector should benefit immensely from the increased availability of bandwidth, and opportunities to partner with NIGCOMSAT for the delivery of services”.

He added that NIGCOMSAT has no domestic competitors, as there are no other indigenous communication satellite operators. However, NIGCOMSAT is in competition with foreign satellite operators, such as YAHSAT, INTELSAT and SES NEW SKIES, who also

provide bandwidth for the Nigerian market.

Rather than being called competitors, the private sector players are partners, “so such fears are, indeed, misplaced.”

Ahmed-Rufai said the international equivalents of NIGCOMSAT include INTELSAT, EUTELSAT, China SATCOM among other satellite operators.

“These are commercial satellite operators that had legislation backing their creation in all their respective countries.

“NIGCOMSAT Ltd is a commercial satellite operator; it is concerned with the management and operation of communication satellites on a commercial basis. To this end, NIGCOMSAT is mandated to procure communication satellites from any source for its business operations whereas National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) is a

research agency mandated to implement the National Space Policy and develop indigenous capacity in basic space sciences.”

Ahmed-Rufai said there are no provisions in the Bill or elsewhere that elevates NIGCOMSAT to the position of a regulator.

NIGCOMSAT operates a Direct-to Home broadcasting centre, which is a transmission centre and subject to the regulation of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

NIGCOMSAT is also subject to the regulation of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) as a satellite operator and that is it, he added.

He emphasised that there is no duplication of functions with other government bodies, because NIGCOMSAT provides a medium to commercialise any of the research products derived from NASRDA.

Will student PC ownership scheme become reality?

•Continued from page 47 business in Nigeria. Leading the pack are Zinox and Omatek. Others are Beta Computers, Briam Computers, UNITEC, Pragmatic, and the more recent ones, Geniac and Veda Computers. However, many of these firms are not visible because they have been swallowed

by HP, Dell and others that have become entrenched over the years in the country.

A self-employed petroleum engineer, Tony Bestman, said local OEMs are not doing well in the market because of “brand loyalty’, arguing that foreign brands have established a very strong foothold in the country.

“These foreign brands have been with us for so long. People have used and trust them. Local OEMs should invest in research and development, then marketing so that Nigerians will get to know them.

They should also improve on the quality, aesthetics of the computers they assemble here,” he said.

For Ayodele Momodebe, a computer engineer, the preference for imported PCs would continue until local OEMs improve on quality.

He said indigenous OEMs have failed to improve on hardware, battery life and other accessories of the PCs. “The software used by imported brands are original, the battery life is usually two hours minimum

while they subscribe to original windows operating system. Local brands have very low memory capacity and short battery life. You cannot aesthetics away from offshore brands too,” he said, adding that the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should do more.

Group Head, Electrical/Electronics at SON, Adewumi Richard, appears to agree with Momodebe.

He explained that the agency was introducing “Mandatory Assessment” programme in the industry, which, he said, would see officials of SON pay assessment visits to the factories, test products to ensure that they are in line with international standards. He is optimistic that before the year runs out, appreciable result would have come the way of the agency.

But President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Sir Demola Aladekomo, disagrees with the quality issues attributed to OEMs. Aladekomo, who spoke with The Nation, said the operating systems and chips used by the so-called ‘big players’ were sourced from the same place indigenous OEMs source theirs, insisting: “There is no basis to insinuate that PCs assembled in Nigeria are of inferior quality.”

Chief Executive Officer, Zinox Technologies, Leo Stan Eke, said talks about the quality of the products of local OEMs are mere balderdash. He explained that

Zinox received ISO Certification from SON many years ago, adding that its products do not suffer patronage hemorrhage.

“Zinox received ISO from SON many years ago. We don’t have patronage problem. We are the only local company rated by IDC. If you look at the IDC report, we have been sharing number one position among international brands like HP. We are bigger than Samsung, Dell, Toshiba, Acer in Nigeria. We are Microsoft and Intel’s only authorised OEM partner and we are the largest in subSahara Africa. “Zinox is not part of (the OEMs that produces substandard computers) that. IDC cannot rate you unless they know you. Intel cannot rate you except you are using genuine equipment, we are nto the cheapest in the market at the moment,”he said.

Another challenge may be the price of the PCs. Fixed at N48,500; N70,500, N85,000 and N100,000, it is adjudged to be too expensive in a country where the average citizen lives below $1 per day.

A student of the University of Lagos, who simply identified himself as Kenneth, said the prcing is too high. “When I can get a complete set of fairly used penton four PC for between N18 and N20,000 at Computer Village, Ikeja, why bother myself?” He said the government subsidised the products.

ESPITE the launch of the State Accelerated Broadband Initiative (SABI), Wire Nigeria Initiative (WIN) and the Open Access Modelby the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) targeted at driving broadband penetration in the country, access to broadband infrastructure to drive telemedicine, e-learning, agriculture and effective security remain an illusion.

MainOne, Glo1 and the West Africa Cable System (WACS), financed

by MTN and SAT-3, are expected to provide respite, but to no avail.

MainOne has, however, identified the absence of distribution infrastructure and last mile portion of service provision from infrastructure owners to end users as factors responsible for poor broadband

services in the country.

This, according to the cable company, has compelled service providers to either embark on developing its backbone network infrstructure or buy access from existing last mile providers at costs that don’t make economic sense.

An official of MainOne Kemi Adeyanju said the firm operates in the data sector in the provision of wholesale bandwidth, adding that the geometric growth of the market in the last 10 years has proved the product and service’s appetite for activities, such as mobile TV, social networking, download of music and video files and other bandwidth consuming applications as well as an increasing amount of business activities now being conducted by end users on their connections, utilising mobile devices, desk and laptop computers.

HP unveils Indigo 5600

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NITED States multinational technology firm, HewlettPackard (HP), has launched the Indigo 5600 printer in the country, saying the printers will redefine the concept of printing business in the country.

Speaking at the event, Jignesh Mehta, regional product manager, MFI Office Solitions Africa Limited, HP partners, said Nigeria is one of the biggest economies in Africa, adding that the product is targeting the first top tier 50 offices in the country.

According to him, it is a new concept of commercial printing where items can be printed on demand while giving room to personalisation. He said it plays an end to end role, adding that it is not meant to replace the offset

printers but to improve upon its works.

Mehta explained that the printer can print books, photo albums, complimentary cards which can all be personalised, adding that Nigeria youth are dynamic and always ready for change. He added that what HP has done was to change the face of digital priniting in the country.

He said in quality, it matches that of offset with seven colour sataions, special inks such as light cyon, light magnento, and digital matte. He explined that it has the widest substrate range with over 2500 certified substrates including thick, metallic, folding catons and ecologicaly accredited with new sensor enable printing on dark and transparent substance.

Firm introduces ‘fastest UTM’ appliances

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YBEROAM, the leading global provider of network security appliances, has unveiled the NG Series appliances for future-ready security in IT networks.

The Cyberoam NG series appliances come with best-in-class hardware, along with software to match, offering up to five times the industry average throughputs for Small Office Home Office (SOHO) medium-sized businesses (SMB) SOHO/SMBs, making them the “fastest UTM appliances” in this segment.

The NG Series enables SOHO/ SMBs networks to become futureready as they move towards gigabit network infrastructure and high Internet speeds.

However, their network security is not ready for these trends as no security vendor offers them secu-

rity throughputs or gigabit ports required for such networks. This is resulting in security becoming a bottleneck for the SOHO/SMB networks.

Abhilash Sonwane, Senior VP – Product Management, Cyberoam, said: “Today, SOHO/SMBs are unable to fully migrate to gigabitready network infrastructure because of lack of security solutions with gigabit performance in this segment. ‘’To cope up, they either have to compromise on security or need to expand their security budgets to buy enterprise-level security.

Cyberoam NG series for SOHO / SMB meets these needs by offering the best-in-class firewall and UTM throughputs along with Gigabit ports. In fact, the entry-level appliance in the NG series comes with Gigabit firewall throughput.”

Obasanjo, Imoke, Ovia get NCS awards

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and former Managing Director Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia, have been shortlisted for this year’s National Information Technology Merit Award (NITMA) which holds on December 14, 2012 in Lagos.

The awards organiser the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS)

said the three have been found deserving of the Honorary Fellows having contributed to the development of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

NCS President Sir Demola Aladekomo said the awardees emerged based on their track record of achievements in the ICT sector.

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MISSING LETTERS SHOWblitzz Japan’s Lady of Eternal Youth

SIMPLY WEIRD

All the words in the grid have lost their first letters. All the first letters when correctly filled will form a 9-letter word meaning ‘

Dead man’ wakes up at own funeral Mourners at a funeral in Egypt swapped tears for cheers when the ‘dead’ body they were burying woke up.

Hamdi Hafez al-Nubi, a 28-year-old waiter from Naga alSimmanm, near Luxor was declared dead after suffering a heart attack at work.

His body was being prepared for burial when a doctor, sent to sign his death certificate, discovered he was still warm.

Queen’s knickers’ for sale The undergarment, which has already attracted bids of more than £3,000, is embroidered with the letter E – presumably for “Elizabeth” – and a picture of a crown.

They are purportedly being sold by the estate of Baron Joseph “Sepy” de Bicske Dobronyi, described as an aristocrat, art collector, traveller and Playboy.

Russian man jumps in chute to escape girlfriend

A few people have started to wonder about the authenticity of Masako’s online photographs. They say that there’s a marked difference (of at least 10 years) between her TV self and internet self. Photoshop, much? Well, there’s no real way to tell. Even so, Masako does look pretty youthful on TV. There’s also a saying that Asian women look great and youthful until menopause – which is when they seem to age almost instantly, overnight.

Some of you may say she doesn’t look that good for her age, but it’s important to note that Masako also has a 20 year old daughter. This is important to consider because it’s a known fact that raising kids takes its toll on the body. Still this Japanese housewife could pass as her daughter’s sister any day.

PepTalk

A man in central Russia had to be rescued by emergency workers from a rubbish chute after he jumped into it to hide from his girlfriend.

He plunged three floors from the eighth floor of an apartment building in Tyumen, Siberia, before getting stuck. Residents then heard the 31-year-old man’s cries for help.

Rescue workers had to use tools to cut him free. He was not seriously hurt.

Did you know...

This Cuban Ignacio Kubilla Banos previously worked in a sugar factory in Havana.

He has already been more than 45 years of his retirement.

Surprising? Ignacio Banos recently celebrate his 111 years.

He has 11 children 40 grandchildren and 25 greatgrandchildren.

HUMOUR Dangerous Alphabet WHICH IS THE MOST DANGEROUS ALPHABET OF ALL? “ W “!!

B’COZ ALL WORIES START WITH “W” WHO? WHY? WHAT? WHEN? WHICH? WHOM? WHERE? WAR! AND FINALLY Woman and WIFE....!

Juggler A juggler, driving to his next performance, is stopped by the police. “What are those machetes doing in your car?” asks the cop.

“I juggle them in my act.”

“Oh, yeah? says the doubtful cop. “Let’s see you do it. “The juggler gets out and starts tossing and catching the knives.

Another man driving by slows down to watch.

“Wow, “says the passer-by.”I’m glad I quit drinking. Look at the test they’re giving now!

Idiot A man joined a big Multi National Company as a trainee.

On his first day, he dialed the kitchen and shouted into the phone: “Bring to me a cup of coffee, quickly!”

The voice from the other side responded: “You fool; you’ve dialed the wrong extension! Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“No” replied the trainee. “! It’s the Managing Director of the company, you idiot!”

The trainee shouted back: “And do you know who YOU are talking to, you IDIOT?” “No!” replied the Managing Director angrily.

“Thank God!” replied the trainee and put down the phone.

The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear. -

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-12-12

NSE Index rises further •Omatek retools to meet shareholders’ expectations A T the end of the midweek transactions on the floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), market sustained uptrend with additional 20 basis points gain. The uptrend was boosted by value appreciation recorded in some mid and large capitalised stocks such as Cadbury, Diamond, PZ Cusson, Zenith, UBN and Chemical & Allied Products.

Despite the good outing, the market on the price movement tables had a lower turnout compared to Tuesday’s performances. The breadth dropped in the weak zone with a record of 17 advancers against 22 decliners, a direct opposite of Tuesday’s figures of 22 gainers and 17 losers.

In summary, lead indicator, NSE-ASI gained 53.35 points, representing 0.20 per cent appreciation, to close higher 26,435.89 points. Similarly, market weight indicated by Market Capitalisation gained N17 billion, also representing 0.20 per cent growth, to close higher at N8.447 trillion. Recall that both indicators gained marginal 0.01 per cent in the previous session.

Thomas Wyatt Nigeria Plc reported its Q2 unaudited results for the period ended September 30th, 2012. Turnover dropped from N122.45 million in 2011 to N60.86 million. Moderate reduction to cost of sales boosted profit after tax at N4.15 million compared to loss after tax of N11.41 million in 2011.

Volume of shares transacted dropped marginally to 230.904 million valued at N2.137 billion in 4,132 deals, compared to 239.44 million shares worth N1.88 billion exchanged in 4,010 deals on

By Tonia Osundolire

Tuesday. Volume dipped by 3.56 per cent while value grew by 13.82 per cent.

The Financial Services sector led with 187.382 million shares worth N1.063 billion across 2,563 deals. This was followed by Consumer Goods, Services, Industrial Goods, Agriculture, Conglomerates, Oil & Gas and health Care.

Meanwhile, the management of Omatek Ventures Plc has said that its various strategies and new introductions into the market is aimed at rewarding both new and old shareholders of the company. This also she said will help to boost its performance in the next few months.

This were the words of the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mrs Florence Seriki during the formal inauguration of the new factory In Lagos yesterday.

Quoted in the Information Technology and Communications sector of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Seriki noted that its teeming shareholders will stand to benefit from the various strategies that it has put in place to grow the business and improve its earnings.

She said, “The good news is that we have a lot of new things in store for our shareholders, and we can assure you all that your company would begin to turn in more impressive performance in the coming months. We have put things in place and introduced new products that would attract more investors into the business.

“Our factory, which is fully equipped is a pioneer in the production of Completely Knocked Down processes, and is involved in the pro-

duction of Omatek brands of casings, speakers, computers and notebooks, with its locations in Nigeria and Ghana.”

“Also your company has also pioneered the 24 hour Alternate Power Solution using Solar, UPS/Inverter, battery, Led Bulb Hybrid and providing 24-hour lighting with no generator or Diesel; whilst reducing power and energy consumption by 85 per cent.

Seriki, who is the founder of the company, added that the company was involved in the massive production for both the Nigerian and Ghana government under the Omatek e-Xpress Consumer Scheme Initiative that assisted public servants, teachers, lecturers and students to own computers with ease whilst paying over a period of time.

She explained that before the meltdown witnessed in the market, the company was in partnership with some banks and financial institutions. Seriki stated that the company was still seeking the partnership of more banks to assist students in Nigerian secondary and tertiary institutions towards providing practical hands-on and technology transfer to students and providing research and development platform to the schools.

On the financials, she explained that with funding instruments from offshore and local partners, Omatek recorded over N1bn turnover in 2011 from not just its existing computer products, but also from its newly innovative products such as the 24 hour Solar/ inverter/battery Hybrid Solutions which are being sold to schools, offices and homes.

Seriki stated that the company, the factory, which is expected to gulp billions of naira, is aimed at developing the nation’s ICT sector, addressing unemployment, as well as consolidating on the company’s achievements and extensive presence in the country.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 6-12-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

55

MONEY LINK

M

NDIC to liquidate ailing microfinance banks

ICROFINANCE banks (MfBs) that fail to live up to regulatory requirement will be closed next year, the Managing Director, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Umaru Ibrahim, has said.

Speaking yesterday at a media briefing in Lagos, he said that some MfBs operating in the country have not lived up to expectation and have refused to pay their pre-

Stories by Collins Nweze

miums to the corporation.

He said 698 MfBs and Primary Mortgage Institutions (PMIs) paid N980.79 million as premium to the corporation as at September 30, 2012 as against N1,06 million collected from 765 of them same period of 2011, representing a decline of 8.02 per cent.

As at the same period, 130 MfBs and 20 PMIs could not

market.

According to Ibrahim, NDIC paid N6.68 billion insured deposit to 527,950 depositors of liquidated commercial banks as at September 30, 2012 as against N6.63 billion paid to 527,942 depositors as at December 31, 2011, representing 0.70 per cent increase.

The NDIC boss said the corporation conducted a joint risk assessment examination of commercial banks

be assessed for premium collection as they failed to submit their certified deposit statements as well as call reports since December 31, 2011. He said the corporation is still prevailing on the banks to ensure that it obtains their certified deposit liabilities statements or call reports.

He said the regulators are also considering issuing new licences to microfinance banks that want to enter the

RenCap says oil exporting countries are more corrupt O IL exporting countries are more corrupt than they ‘should be’ than non exporters, Renaissance Capital (RenCap), an investment and finance firm has said.

A report from the firm said the oil exporters constitute 18 of the 25 countries that are measurably more corrupt in the Transparency International (TI) survey than per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measures suggest they should be.

The worst performers it said, include Equatorial Guinea and Kuwait, with scores at least 30 points lower on the 100-point scale than their peers. The next-worst include Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Greece, Italy and Afghanistan, each has 20 to 29 points lower than their peers.

The remaining countries in the 25 include Iraq, Kazakhstan, Russia,

Kazakhstan and Ukraine.

“These are countries in which debt investors may feel more comfortable, as they can bypass corruption problems by dealing in international courts when things go wrong. But there has been improvements in Russia, which was on the verge of being in Italy and Venezuela’s group, but in the past, year it has clearly moved into the middle of the “slightly more corrupt” group,” the report said.

It said the TI’s recent survey showed that Russia is up 10 places, Kenya is up 15 places, Nigeria is up four places and Turkey is up seven places on corruption index.

Only South Africa dropped five places.

It said that Ease of Doing Business reforms may be helping these countries by

Put very simply, if you are rich, you get a high transparency score (low corruption) and if you are poor, you suffer from a lot of corruption,” it said.

RenCap added that the average score for the 10 richest countries with per capita GDP in 2011 of $50,000 or more in current 2011 dollars is 82/100. It said the average score for the 32 poorest countries with per capita GDP of less than $1,000 is 28/100.

cutting bureaucracy – and helping explain good scores from Georgia to Singapore and Rwanda. Mexico and Argentina have edged out from the slightly more corrupt group into “average” status.

“We believe these rankings are misleading, as they fail to account for their strong link to per capita GDP.

A

STUDENT from Niger State, Umara Ugochukwu, has won a brand new Nissan Almera Car in the Verve Double Offer Promo. Other winners have gone home with iPad notebooks, LED television sets, washing machines and DVD players.

According to a statement, Ugochukwu won the car in the monthly draw held at the

office of Interswitch and supervised by a representative of National Lottery Commission (NLRC), Mr. Obi Iregbu, in Lagos on Friday.

The annual Verve National Consumer promo tagged Verve Double Offer Promo is part of Interswitch plans to encourage more Nigerians to adopt cards as their preferred means of payment, as such

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

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 6-12-12 SYMBOL

CONTINSURE HONYFLOUR ETERNA GUARANTY CAP PZ TRANSCORP CADBURY LIVESTOCK NEM

O/PRICE

0.66 1.99 1.38 18.96 26.94 27.98 0.94 27.00 1.45 0.51

C/PRICE

0.69 2.08 1.44 19.74 27.98 29.00 0.97 27.80 1.48 0.52

CHANGE

4.55 4.52 4.35 4.11 3.86 3.65 3.19 2.96 2.07 1.96

O/PRICE 8.40 0.64 0.93 0.98 1.35 1.54 1.89 58.99 11.28 6.41

C/PRICE 7.98 0.61 0.89 0.94 1.30 1.49 1.83 57.51 11.00 6.26

CHANGE -5.00 -4.69 -4.30 -4.08 -3.70 -3.25 -3.17 -2.51 -2.48 -2.34

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

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 6-12-12

SYMBOL FO UTC MCNICHOLS IKEJAHOTEL RTBRISCOE STERLNBANK MANSARD WAPCO ETI NASCON

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

the integrated payment and transaction processing company, is rewarding Verve cardholders in the third edition of the Verve National Consumer promo.

To participate in the draws, three or more transactions must be initiated by a Verve cardholder on the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) among other conditions.

Estate, Actis, said that as a business, the firm has always been about bringing people in the business community together to talk about highly topical issues.

The firm’s West Africa Chief Executive, Ngozi Edozien, said: “In business, risks are usually the simple things happening all around us. The challenge is identifying these risks and implementing effective strategies to curb or mitigate them.”

She stressed the importance of monitoring risk, stating that what you don’t monitor, you don’t manage. According to her, when risk is actively managed, profit losses and regulatory breaches are avoided.

Actis has $1.7 billion invested in Africa and its current investments in Nigeria include Diamond Bank, Mouka Foam and Seven Energy. Actis is also the developer and owner of Ikeja City Mall.

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

MANAGED FUNDS

Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

A

CTIS, the pan-emerging markets private equity investor, has reiterated its commitment to building Nigerian businesses and harnessing human potential with its latest CEO breakfast with the theme ‘Understanding and Managing Business Risk’.

In a statement, Funke Okubadejo, Director, Real

DATA BANK

Tenor

OBB Rate Call Rate

Nigeria (AMCON). The banks are Mainstreet Bank Ltd, Enterprise Bank Ltd and Keystone Bank whose examination was carried out

by NDIC. Ibrahim said the assessment was meant to determine the regulatory compliance and financial condition of the banks in the first five months of their existence.

Also, out of the 291 MfBs and PMIs assigned for examination by the NDIC, a total of 207 had been examined.

Actis advocates better understanding of risk

Verve rewards customers

FGN BONDS

NIDF NESF

with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during which the later led 11 banks and while it led seven banks.

The exercise, he said, was meant to find out the asset quality of the banks so as to determine provisions required which is also a precondition for approving their accounts for publication.

The CBN also conducted an examination of the three banks acquired by the Asset Management Corporation of

Offer Price

Bid Price

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 KAKAWA GUARANTEED 1.00 STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE 129.24 AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 124.61 LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL 0.79 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.11 BGL NUBIAN FUND 0.96 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 8,829.17 THE DISCOVERY FUND 193.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND

9.08 1.00 128.96 123.81 0.76 1.11 0.94 1,739.08 10.75 1.33 1.80 8,604.30 191.08 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

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

56

NEWS

M

Bianca, lawyer playing games with Ojukwu’s Will, says son

R Emeka OdumegwuOjukwu (Jnr) yesterday accused a lawyer, Emeka Onyemelukwe, and his stepmother, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, of playing games with the will of the late Biafran leader, Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

Ojukwu (Jnr), the senior son of the late Biafran leader, denied that the family was invited to the reading of the will.

He also said Onyemelukwe never wrote the will as he claimed.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Nnewi, the junior Ojukwu said:

“The issue is not about struggling for property. We the children are doing well.

It is about a blatant attempt to subvert the wishes of my father. It’s a matter of principle. I will not take up issues with Onyemelukwe again in the media. If it becomes necessary to issue statements, they will be issued as appropriate. I did not say that I don’t know him (Onyemelukwe). I said he is not the lawyer that wrote Ezeigbo’s will.

Ojukwu (Jnr) explained that whatever changes Onyemelukwe allegedly introduced into the original will was what he was ques-

tioning.

“He claims to be the family lawyer, yet it is on record that he is attacking members of that family in the media. When he claimed that I was lying about Ezeigbo’s condition, the events of last year proved that I was right.

“Furthermore, he claims to be the family lawyer, yet he apparently does not have our phone numbers, based on his own statements.

“If I did not receive the socalled text message, what of the other family members?

Did they also not receive their text messages or are they lying also? When he sent the text message, did he re-

ceive any acknowledgment that they were received by anybody? If he did not receive the acknowledgment, what effort did he make as the so-called family lawyer to reach out to family members? Were they invited to make sure they attended? Did he send them registered letters? Did he visit them?

“When in court that morning he did not see any of Ezeigbo’s children or any of his direct family members, did he not have the option of adjourning to make sure all who needed to be there to have the opportunity to be there? They are obviously playing games,” Ojukwu Jnr said..

Strange disease kills five in Adamawa

F

IVE people have been reported dead and 70 others hospitalised following the outbreak of a strange disease in Saranyi village in Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Alhaji Usman Lamorde, the member representing the constituency in the House of Assembly, spoke yesterday at the plenary of the Assembly.

Lamorde, who raised the issue under “Matters of Urgent Public Importance”, said at least 200 people were affected with five dead, while 70 were hospitalised.

• 70 hospitalised

He said: “Up till now, nobody knows what this disease is all about, except that my people in Nduku Ward of Saranyi village are victims.

“Something urgent needs to be done by the authorities to check the outbreak from further spreading.”

The lawmaker explained that the outbreak started four days ago.

Deputy Speaker Kwamoti Laori said the matter was serious and needed urgent steps to address it.

2,000 teachers to sit for promotion exam in Kwara NO fewer than 2,000 teaching and non-teaching staff of the Kwara Teaching Service Commission are to sit for the 2012 promotion examination.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Ezekiel Olaoye, the Press Secretary of the commission and made available to reporters in Ilorin yesterday.

According to the statement, the examination will hold on December 8, noting that any staff that missed the 2011 promotion examination should also come for a make-up examination.

It said: “after this, no makeup examination will be toler-

Council chief in court over ‘forgery’

•From left: Sales Operations Manager, North, UAC Foods Limited, Mr. Bako Austin; Regional Manager, Grand Cereals Limited, Dr. Yomi Okunola; Public Relations Manager, UAC of Nigeria (UACN) Plc, Mr. Mike Asuquo and Director of Administration, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Zanna Mohammed, during the donation of UACN products to NEMA for distribution to flood victims across Nigeria, at the NEMA office in Abuja…yesterday.

Tension in Anambra over kidnap of businessman

T

HERE was tension yesterday in Awka, the Anambra State capital, following the abduction of a businessman, Raph Azolo, and the shooting of the police officer in charge of the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB), Chukwuma Omeri, a Superintendent of Police (SP).

Azolo is the owner of Radopin, the biggest supermarket in Awka.

He was reportedly abducted on Tuesday night in the town.

The abductors have not contacted anyone since the incident.

Omeri was also shot same day when he was driving in

• Police officer shot

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

his Mercedes Benz car on Zik Avenue at 8pm.

He was said to have run into a five-man armed gang who stopped him and dragged him out of the car.

The assailants reportedly shot him in the legs, though he did not resist them.

He is receiving treatment at a hospital in the town with a heavy security presence around the hospital.

Police spokesman Raph Uzoigwe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), con-

firmed the incident yesterday.

He said the abductors had not contacted anyone since the incident happened.

Uzoigwe said the command had deployed more men on the roads, especially the flash points, to rescue the victim.

Omeri was said to have been called to the Bar last week after successfully completing his Law programme.

It was learnt that since the transfer of the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Central Police Station in Awka, Kingston Irozuru, crimes, especially

kidnappings, have increased in the town.

The wife of a former Anambra State AccountantGeneral was kidnapped on Monday at Umuokpu Awka.

She has not been released.

A source, who spoke in confidence, noted that “since the removal of the former DPO, crimes have increased in Awka and the police seem to have lost the city to criminals. This area needs a crack team, like we had when Irozuru was here”.

No ransom had been demanded by the abductors of both victims.

THE newly-sworn in Soba Local Government Chairman, Kawu Yakassai, yesterday appeared before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court, Daura Road, Kaduna, over alleged certificate forgery.

The case, which was earlier filed by two complainants, Musa Mustapha and Ubale Telan-Matasa through their counsel, Garba Shehu, accused Yakassai of certificate forgery.

The case was first mentioned on November 29, and suffered three adjournments, leading to the issuance of a bench warrant by the court for the arrest of the accused.

When the case was mentioned on Monday, the counsel to the accused, Mr D. I. Habib, told the court that the accused had won the local government election and needed the court’s permission to be sworn in.

The counsel to the complainant, Shehu, did not object to the application while the court granted the request before fixing the matter for yesterday.

When the case came up, the accused appeared before the court for the first time after being served with bench warrant.

Abdullahi adjourned the case to December 13 for continuation of hearing.

FCT budget: Reps fault Jonathan for ‘violating’ Constitution

T

HE Presidency has breached the Constitution for failing to provide one per cent of the total national budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it was learnt yesterday.

This is coming as the Budget Office of the Federation was denounced for slashing the territory’s N401billion budget proposal for 2013 by more than half.

House of Representatives members said the “deliberate limited funding of FCT” is inimical to its becoming a world-class city as envisaged

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

by its founding fathers.

The lawmakers became agitated during the 2013 budget presentation of the FCT by the minister, Senator Bala Mohammed.

They said the Budget Office gave the FCT an envelope of N64billion for its 2013 fiscal year.

The lawmakers said the Executive contravened the 1999 Constitution and the FCT Act, which mandate the Federal Government to give at least one per cent of the national budget to the FCT.

Falana faults Okonjo-Iweala, Sanusi on subsidy loss, workforce reduction

A

CTIVIST-lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has described as misleading, the claim by the Finance Minister Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala that the country lost N400 billion last year to fuel subsidy payment.

He also faulted the recommendation by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido Sanusi that the nation’s workforce be reduced by half to reduce government’s expenditure.

He said Sanusi’s recommendation was part of the well- designed anti-people policies of the ruling class targeted at impoverishing the poor.

Falana argued that the

By Eric Ikhilae

various investigations conducted into the deployment of the subsidy fund, after the last fuel price increase protest, showed that the country lost N1.7 trillion, which Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala as the Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy should be made to account for.

The lawyer said he wondered why Sanusi was not bothered by the entrenched culture of waste among public officers and the huge cost of funding the government and its alleged frivolities, as reflected in the huge sums allocated to funding the Federal Government and some of its institutions.

Falana, in a statement he issued yesterday in commemoration of the celebration of 100 years of trade unionism in the country, hailed the nation’s labour movement for its struggle against oppressive and anti-people’s policies of the leaders.

“The main finding of the probes is that whereas N245 billion was appropriated in 2011 for fuel subsidy, the Central Bank illegally paid out N2.3 trillion to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and other fuel importers on the recommendation of the Federal Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources.

“Up till now, the lousy officials who committed such

grave economic crimes have not been brought to book. In a very arrogant manner, the indicted officials are trying to divert attention of Nigerians by making reckless statements on the state of the economy.

“The statement credited to the Finance Minister two days ago that Nigeria lost N400 billion last year through fuel subsidy is misleading.

“If the genuine fuel imported into the country in 2011 was not more than N800 billion, it is submitted that the country lost N1.7 trillion which has to be accounted for by the Finance Minister and Coordinator of the Economy.

“Mr. Stanley Reginald, the

Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), has just disclosed that from January to October 2012 fuel subsidy payment was N679 billion as against the N1.3 trillion paid within the same period last year,” Falana said.

He argued that the CBN under Sanusi, rather than encourage commerce and investment, allegedly initiated dubious monetary policies that have kept interest rates beyond the reach of genuine investors.

“These anti-people’s policies constitute the cornerstone of the Jonathan Transformation Agenda.

“No doubt, Mr. Sanusi’s

•Falana

call is designed to cover up the looting of the economy.

Not less than N3 trillion has been channelled to bail out banks which were run down by bank executives with the connivance of the corrupt inspectorate division of the CBN.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

57

NEWS Defectors to PDP were sacked from Kwara ACN, says lawmaker

By Oziegbe Okoeki

T •Kano State Governor Musa Kwankwaso (middle) receiving the Governor of the Year 2012 for Housing and Urban Development Award from Senator Bukar Ibrahimn, Chairman, Senate Committee on Lands, Housing and Urban Development, on behalf of Circuit Maga in Kano. With them is the Minister of Housing, Ms. Amal Pepple (third left).

A

Gunmen kill lawyer in Taraba

lawyer, Aliyu Chiroma, was killed yesterday by unknown gunmen in his home on Palace Way, Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.

The gunmen reportedly stole his car and mobile telephones.

The incident occurred at 7pm, his family said.

Chiroma’s murder is coming a few weeks after a taxi driver was allegedly killed by military men. Besides, nine others were abducted; six of them were killed in Jalingo by unknown gunmen.

Many of Chiroma’s clients

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

were said to have stormed the lawyer’s home when they heard about his death.

His relations said they were sitting outside when four strange men entered the house and invited the lawyer to his room for a discussion. They said they presumed the visitors had a business to transact with him.

But the visitors reportedly shot him several times in the head and left.

One of Chiroma’s relatives said: “When the gunmen came, we thought they were new pa-

trons looking for his services.

We didn’t know they were enemies.

“They invited the lawyer for a discussion inside his room.

The lawyer obliged. But what followed immediately after were gun shots. They shot him several times and left. They went with his car and handsets and collected our phones.”

Police spokesman Amos Olaoye confirmed the killing.

He said the police command was investigating the matter.

Olaoye added: “We have swung into action to investigate

it. When an incident of this nature occurs, the police investigate. That is what we are doing right now.

“However, for the police to succeed in their investigation, people living in the area must make themselves available with useful information.

“If the people around cooperate with us, we shall track down the culprits.”

The police said the gunmen may have used sophisticated weapons, including an AK 47, as live ammunition. Used shells were found on the floor of the deceased room.

Kwankwaso launches free medical mission, mobile clinics

K

ANO State Governor Musa Kwankwaso yesterday launched a Free Medical Mission and 16 ambulances for the state’s Mobile Clinic Programme tagged: Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach.

At a ceremony in the Government House, the governor said the medical mission was in fulfilment of his campaign promise that he would provide pro–poor services to the people.

He said the mission would not only provide affordable

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

medical services to the residents but ensure that local health personnel learn innovative techniques and procedures from the foreign partners.

Kwankwaso thanked the United States based medical mission for its sacrifice and humanitarian disposition.

The governor assured that his administration would work with them to make life better for the people.

He said his administration was renovating hospitals and providing them with facilities to reduce health-related suffering, restore health and save lives, especially in the rural areas, where poverty is high.

The government has established a “buoyant” drug revolving fund to ensure steady supply of quality and affordable drugs to health facilities besides waging a war against prohibited and counterfeit drugs.

The governor said the am-

bulances would cover major routes and strategic referral centres to reduce the suffering associated with accidents and other emergencies.

The team leader of Sustainable International Medical Mission, Dr. Chukuemeka Onwenu, said the mission was started by four Nigerian physicians in the US. Dr. Onwenu said the mission, which has 36 professionals, would offer services in general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, urology and treat eye cases.

Suleja bombing: ‘Suspects promised 72 virgins each’

A

N Army officer yesterday told the Federal High Court in Abuja that four suspects of the Suleja bombing were promised 72 virgins each as incentives.

The officer, whose name was not given for security reasons, was testifying in the suit filed by the State Security Service (SSS) against the six accused Suleja/Madalla bomb attack.

He testified in his evidencein-chief that the information was contained in a cell phone confiscated from the suspects when they were arrested at Gumel Junction, Kachia, Kaduna State.

The suspects are: Salisu Ahmed, Umar BabaganaUmar, Mohammed Ali and Musa Adam.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umar Ibrahim and Shuaibu Abubakar are also on trial for al-

•Suspects in court...yesterday.

leged multiple bombings and killings in Suleja and Madalla, both in Niger State.

He explained that four mobile phones were ceased from the suspects.

The witness also said one of the mobile phones carried the promise of incentives and the secret code to arrange and detonate an explosive.

NAN reports that the witness read the first message from a cell phone: “Do a deed by which Allah, by His grace and mercy, will save you from the punishment of the grave and a dangerous bridge with a speed of light.

“He will save you from the greatest fear and save you from Hell fire. Seventy members of your family shall marry you 72 virgins in Paradise, Allah will give you a crown of respect, which even the Prophet will be impressed with.

“He will keep your soul in the green birds of Paradise and your wish to return to the world and die as he died because of the good blessings and reward you after such noble last deed.

“I pray for you to do such a noble deed.”

The witness read the second message: “Breast swelling cap clous 500 qds, tap flag.”

Addressing the court, the witness said: “I suspect this second message could be a code to arrange and detonate the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) material in their possession.”

He explained that another mobile phone contained the picture of the late Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, and three blindfold persons carrying AK47 rifles.

The witness said the suspects were arrested on July 28, 2011, in Kachia, on their way to Kaduna, where Vice-President Namadi Sambo and other dignitaries were to attend a sporting function on July 29 at the township stadium.

Mr Emeka Okoro, the counsel to the accused, applied for a short adjournment to enable him to assess the officer’s statement, which was not before the court.

Justice Bilkisu Aliyu adjourned the crossexamination of the witness till December 6.

HE member representing Offa in the Kwara State House of Assembly, Olayonu Tope, has said the four aides of the chairman of Offa Local Government, who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were sacked by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) for alleged anti-party activities.

Tope spoke in a telephone interview with our reporter.

He said: “It is true these are names of the aides to the chairman of Ofa Local Government, but they are not of any benefit to the party.

Their exclusion from the party makes no difference because the party keeps going.”

The sacked aides are: Alhaji Mufutau Adeyemo, Secretary to the Local Government; Sarafa Bakare, Supervisory Councillor for Health; Rasheed Amotolo, Supervisory Councillor for Works and Alhaji Salihu Mustapha, Special Assistant on Poverty Alleviation.

Tope stressed that ACN has not lost anything with their departure.

According to him, their leader “is a political prostitute who believes in political propaganda and wants nothing for the electorate but just for his pocket”.

The lawmaker said ACN is a party for the community and Kwara State, adding that its manifesto and agenda engender positive change among the people.

Tope added: “Even in the 2011 election, the aides never added any value to the politics of Offa. By expelling them, ACN has not lost anything; rather it is like removing the bad eggs from the good ones.”

Two injured in Kano blast

A

N early morning explosion yesterday injured two persons at Zoo Road, near the Filin Hockey Area in Kano.

A resident, who pleaded anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bomb exploded on the road at 7.30am.

He said two unidentified persons were rushed to the hospital in a fire service am-

bulance for medical attention following the injuries they sustained in the blast.

“I saw two persons being conveyed to a hospital in an ambulance belonging to the state fire service,” he said.

Members of the Joint Security Task-Force (JTF) had cordoned off the area.

Police spokesman Magaji Majiya confirmed the incident.

Baptists hold revival

F

IRST Baptist Church (FBC), 12, Oremerin Street, Itire, Lagos, a member of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, will hold its fourth revival in 2012 from December 9 to 13.

The minister-in-charge of the church, Pastor A.P. Oyeyemi, said the revival, which is organised to prepare members spiritually for 2013, will be rounded off with a vigil on December 14.

Church holds 15th anniversary

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HE 15th Anniversary of Saabo Zonal Headquarters of Foursquare Gospel Church has begun in Lagos yesterday.

The celebration will end Sunday.

The church’s zonal superintendent and Senior Pastor, Rev. Albert Aina, said the anniversary was inspired by great things that have happened since the inception of the church.

According to the cleric, what is being celebrated is the great grace of God, and his mercies upon his people over the past 15 years, rather than achievement or building.

While reflecting on what to expect during the programme, Revd Aina said the grand finale will have in attendance: the General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Rev. Felix Meduoye; the Akute District Overseer, Rev. Idowu Alawode and other anointed servants of God, ministering grace to the people.

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

I, Obiagwu Marcel C., declare that LATE MRS. VERONICA U. OBIAGWU who passed on, on the 25th June,2011 at UPTH choba was my wife. That this publication is made for the purpose of the execution of her will. General public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss AKINTUNDE OLUWATOBI DEBORAH, now wish to be known and addressed as, MRS AKINYEMI OLUWATOBI DEBORAH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINTUNDE

LOSS OF DOCUMENT I, MR. AWONIYI CLAUDIUS OLAOYE HEREBY NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT MY LETTER OF ALLOCATION ISSUED BY LSDPC ON BLOCK 29, FLAT 2, LSDPC MEDIUM HOUSING ESTATE, ALAPERE, LAGOS GOT LOST ON TRANSIT AND EFFORTS TO LOCATE IT PROVED ABORTIVE. LSDPC TAKE NOTE.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

58

FOREIGN Syrian clash spills to Lebanon GUNMEN loyal to opposite sides in neighboring Syria’s civil war battled yesterday in the streets of a northern Lebanese city where two days of clashes have killed at least six people and wounded more than 50, officials said.

The Lebanese army fanned out in the city of Tripoli in an attempt to calm the fighting, with soldiers patrolling the streets in armored personnel carriers and manning checkpoints. Authorities closed major roads because of sniper fire.

The fighting comes at a time of deep uncertainty in Syria, with rebels fighting government troops near Assad’s seat of power in Damascus.

In Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton reiterated concerns that “an increasingly desperate Assad regime might turn to chemical weapons” or lose control of them to militant groups.

She also said NATO’s decision on Tuesday to send Patriot missiles to Turkey’s southern border with Syria sends a message that Ankara is backed by its allies. The missiles are intended only for defensive purposes, she said.

Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, was quoted Wednesday in the Turkish newspaper Sabah as saying that Syria has about 700 missiles, some of them long-range.

“At this very moment we know where those missiles are, how they are being stored, whose hands they are in,” he said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday also urged Syria’s regime against using its stockpile of chemical weapons, warning of “huge consequences” if Assad resorts to such weapons of mass destruction.

Republicans call for talks with Obama

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•Members of the Muslim Brotherhood and supporters of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi scuffle with an anti-Morsi protester during clashes outside the presidential palace PHOTO:AFP

Protesters clash over constitution in Egypt

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IVAL protesters have clashed outside the presidential palace in

the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as unrest grows over a controversial draft constitution.

Petrol bombs were thrown and a number of people were injured, amid reports of shots being fired.

Supporters of President Mohamed Morsi dismantled tents set up outside the presidential palace by Morsi critics.

Three advisers to Morsi have announced their resignations to protest his handling of a crisis over the country’s new constitution.

“We have failed to convince President Morsi to reverse his decree,” Ayman alSayad, Seif Abdel Fattah, and Mohammed Esmat said in a statement.

“He has rejected all our suggestions and initiatives that may have avoided the cycle of violence we are witnessing today.”

•Three aides quit With yesterday’s resignations, five of the president’s panel of 17 advisers have quit since the crisis began on November 22, when Morsi issued decrees giving him sweeping powers and putting him above any oversight.

He later called a December 15 referendum on a disputed draft constitution adopted by his Islamist allies.

The only Christian assistant to the president — one of four presidential assistants — has also quit.

Two of the aides announced they were quitting on their Twitter accounts and the third on live television.

State-run Nile TV reported that masked men set fire to the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood in the town of Zaqzig in eastern Egypt.

Morsi was a leader of the brotherhood before he officially resigned from the party after winning the presiden-

Death toll in Phillipines rises

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HE death toll from a powerful storm battering the southern Philippines has risen to about 200, as rescue teams arrive in affected areas.

At least 156 people are known to have died in Compostela Valley province alone when Typhoon Bopha struck eastern Mindanao, local officials told the BBC. Rescuers have reached most areas, but have had difficulty getting to some isolated communities.

Many were evacuated ahead of the storm, now over the western island of Palawan.

The typhoon is expected to

move out into the South China Sea on Thursday.

Compostela Valley province was said to be the hardest-hit area. Neighbouring Davao Oriental province was also badly affected, with reports of about 50 people killed.

In Andap village, in Compostela Valley, water and mud rushed down mountainous slopes to engulf a school and a village hall serving as evacuation centres.

At least 43 people were killed there, with more reported missing and injured - including soldiers sent to help with evacuations.

“The waters came so sud-

denly and unexpectedly, and the winds were so fierce that compounded the loss of lives and livelihood,” Compostela Valley Provincial Governor Arturo Uy told Reuters news agency.

He said water catchment basins for farms on top of the mountains had given way because of the torrential rains, sending down large volumes of water.

He added that the cost of damage to agriculture and infrastructure in Compostela Valley province could reach at least 4 billion pesos ($98m), with the typhoon destroying 70-80% of plantations - mostly bananas for export.

Explosion in Nairobi N explosion has rocked a mainly Somali neighbourhood in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, police say.

Nairobi police chief Moses Nyakwama told AFP news agency that at least five people were reportedly injured in the blast in the Eastleigh neighbourhood.

Last month, a grenade blast in Eastleigh left seven people dead.

Kenya accuses neighbouring Somalia’s alQaeda-linked al-Shabab group of trying to destabilise the country.

Reuters news agency reports that its correspondent at the explosion site has seen pools of blood on the ground, as the wounded were

A

NITED States Republicans have asked for a face-to-face meeting with President Barack Obama to discuss the looming socalled fiscal cliff.

“We can’t negotiate with ourselves,” House Speaker John Boehner said.

Lawmakers are deadlocked in efforts to avert steep spending cuts and tax rises due to take effect on January 1.

The president told business leaders yesterday that a fiscalcliff deal could pass quickly, if Republicans agreed to tax rises on the wealthy.

He rejected any attempts to gain concessions from the White House through congressional brinkmanship.

“I will not play that game,” Obama said.

The president said he did not wish to see a replay of his 2011 standoff with Republicans that brought the US close to defaulting on its debt and resulted in an embarrassing credit-rating downgrade.

“Nothing is going on” with the negotiations, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said, following a meeting with fellow Republicans yesterday.

“We ask the president to sit down with us.”

Speaker John Boehner added: “I’ll be available at any moment to sit down with the president.”

The White House rejected a Republican counter-offer on Monday, because it did not include tax rises on the wealthiest.

swiftly moved away.

Ambulance sirens have wailed through Nairobi’s congested streets, it reports.

Nyakwama said details about the latest explosion were still sketchy, AFP reports.

“We do not know exactly what happened...

Police are currently heading to the scene to get more details,” he is quoted as saying.

Al-Shabab has not yet commented on the blast.

Last month, Kenya accused the group of launching a grenade attack on a bus in Eastleigh, killing seven people.

The attack triggered riots in the area, as angry youths burnt and looted Somaliowned shops.

tial election.

Vice-President Mahmoud Mekki has said a referendum on the draft will go ahead on 15 December despite the unrest.

But he indicated that changes could be made after the vote, saying the “door for dialogue” remained open.

He urged critics of the draft document to put their concerns in writing for future discussion.

Critics say the draft was rushed through parliament

without proper consultation and that it does not do enough to protect political and religious freedoms and the rights of women.

The draft added to the anger generated by Morsi passing a decree in late November which granted him wideranging new powers.

Yesterday afternoon, supporters of Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood movement rallied outside the presidential palace, where the mainly secular opponents of the president were already staging a protest.

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

59

NEWS

Over one million with HIV/AIDS lack access to drugs

M

ORE than one million persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria lack access to antiretroviral drugs (ARDs), the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Prof.

John Idoko, has said.

According to him, only 500,000 out of the confirmed 1.5 million people infected in Nigeria are accessing antiretroviral drugs due to gaps in financial resources.

Idoko spoke at the Pre-World AIDS Day briefing in Abuja.

Idoko said this is despite the increase in the number of testing sites in the country in the past three years.

He said the agency aims to test between 20 million to 24 million persons yearly to establish their HIV/AIDS status.

With the theme for 2012 World AIDS Day being National Response towards Getting to Zero AIDS Related Deaths, he said, the agency is adopting various strategies to meet the target.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

“Treatment is a key thing. For two to three years, treatment has been used as a potent weapon for prevention. The number of people on drugs has rising to 500,000 from 400,000 last year. About 1.5 million presently need the drug in the country, he added For next year, he said, the agency will continue to intensify Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV programme in 12 plus one states in the Federation and prevention of the disease among Most-At-Risk Populations (MARPS).

While it will strengthen operational research in 2013 in HIV service provision, he said, the agency will continue on advocacy to governments at the three tiers, private sector, communities and donors for resource mobilisation.

According to him, NACA in the past three years has received $151.6 million under the Phase I Global Fund HIV grant and $228 million recently approved for

Phase II for the period 2013 to 2015.

“World Bank credit of $225 million for HIV for four years was approved by Nigeria in 2011 and a grant of N40 million to support the National Call Centre for HIV and related diseases from DFID of the British Government,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chevron Nigeria Limited and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) have trained 20 selected Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to fight HIV and AIDS in Abuja.

The 20 SMEs from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa and Kogi states took part in the phase two of the Chevron/NACA work place wellness training.

The first phase was held in Lagos, in 2010.

Chevron’s General Manager, Policy Government and Public Affairs (PGPA), Deji Haastrup, represented by Senator Gbenga Aluko, said the company was partnering with NACA to train

Health Bill, fund‘ll tackle maternal mortality

T

HE quick passage of the National Health Bill and creation of National Health Fund will reduce maternal mortality, Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Development Agency (PHCDA), Rilwan Mohammed, has said.

The bill, which was passed last year by the last session of the National Assembly, was returned to the lawmakers by President Goodluck Jonathan few weeks ago for additional legislative work.

Mohammed lamented the controversies that stalled the signing of the bill into law when it was passed by the lawmakers.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

He spoke to reporters at the inauguration of Karu centre of Marie Stopes Nigeria.

The controversies, he said, has deprived Nigerians from benefiting from the provisions of the bill.

According to him, the services being introduced by Marie Stopes would greatly assist in addressing the problems of poor primary health care (PHC), which are responsible for the high maternal and infant mortality.

The services, he said, include reasonably cheap access to basic health care through cheap, high quality drugs and services and outreach

programmes by way of social marketing.

The Country Director of the company, Richard Boustred said the outfit hopes to provide such services as family planning, which he described as fundamental to the development of any country, at affordable rates.

He said although the Federal Government wants this to be free, private health institutions charge as much as N40, 000 for it, while Marie Stopes is charging only N2, 000.

“Once family planning is available, it is the key to lifting the nation out of poverty. It is the key to development,” he added.

the selected small and medium scale entrepreneur to further compliment the national efforts in the response to HIV pandemic in Nigeria.

According to him, in July this year, “Chevron launched a new partnership in Nigeria with Pact, mothers2mother and the Business Leadership Council to aggressively combat crisis-level motherto-child transmission of HIV. “Our partnership with Pact will help build the capacity of civil society organizations to increase PMTCT practices in Bayelsa state through education, raising awareness and reducing stigma.” he

added Idoko said with the commitment and support demonstrated by Chevron and global partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS, every baby in the world would be born HIV-free by 2015.

He said: “As one of the beneficiary of the Chevron’s Global fund for the fight against AIDS, Nigeria has set in motion actions to combat the disease.

In addition to the provision of easy access to anti-retroviral drugs to HIV patients, we are also focusing on Prevention to Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT).”

Counterfeit anti-malaria drugs reduced to 20 %, says WHO

T

HE World Health Organisation (WHO) has said fake anti-malaria drugs in sub-Saharan Africa have been reduced by 20 per cent.

This was contained in a recent study of the Quality of Anti-Malaria Medicines in Sub-Sahara Africa (QAMSA) including Nigeria.

Its Director, Dr. Margret Chan, who spoke during the first meeting of the New Member State Mechanism on Spurious Substandard, Falsely labelled, Falsified and Counterfeit Medical products (SSFFC) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, said the study revealed a 20 per cent failure rate within the region.

Chan said a similar study undertaken by WHO in Asia showed about 38 per cent failure rate of anti-malaria medicines within that region.

A similar study carried out by WHO in 2008 put the failure rate of anti-malaria medicines in Nigeria at more than 64 per cent.

NAFDAC Director-General, Dr. Paul Orhii observed that there was

a strong correlation between the agency’s 2012 National Survey on Quality of Medicines using TRUSCAN device and Laboratory analysis which puts the failure rate of anti-malaria drugs in the country at 19.6 per cent.

“A comparative analysis of the two different QAMSA studies within three years shows a massive reduction of counterfeit antimalaria medicines in Nigeria from 64.9 per cent in 2008 to 20 per cent in this year,” he added.

Dr. Orhii said these results are clear attestations to the agency’s successes in the fight against drug counterfeiting through the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and other multilayered, well coordinated and innovative approaches.

“Chan’s pronouncement is a positive development for the agency and the indigenous pharmaceutical companies who are currently striving to bring the quality of their medicines to international standard through WHO pre-qualification,” Orhii said.

‘Medical laboratory science key to effective treatment’

M

EDICAL laboratory scientists can make or mar the outcome of treatment, the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Prof Wale Oke, has said.

According to him, medical doctors and other health professionals rely on results generated from the laboratory to treat patients effectively.

Oke spoke at the maiden Medical Laboratory Science week of the hospital. It was themed Showcasing a new era in medical laboratory diagnostic.

He said a well-equipped laboratory will aid the outcome of treatment, which was why

By Wale Adepoju LASUTH laboratory was upgraded to meet international standards.

“Apart from equipping the laboratory, the scientists themselves needed to be encouraged and motivated. This we did to spur them on in the hospital,” he added.

Misdiagnosis, he said, can be prevented if the medical laboratory scientists are ade q u a t e l y r e m u n erated and provided necessary equipment to work with.

Guest speaker and Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof Anthony Emeribe, said the dy-

namic complexity of health care environment reinforces the need for an infrastructure that provides the highest levels of quality and patient safety.

He identified quackery, unethical practices and inadequate equipment as bane of the profession.

Lack of prosecution for professional negligence or malpractice has also contributed to low quality of the profession, he added. This, he added, allows professional to practice with impunity, adding that the council is on top of the situation.

Emeribe said scientists also indulge in unethical practice by using substandard laboratory

equipment, expired or improperly stored reagents and chemical among others.

He alleged that the science laboratory technician have brought the profession to disrepute.

On the free medical check-up by the association, the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon Hodewu Avoseh said regular check-ups is necessary as lawmakers and the state staff often find it difficult to visit hospital for such.

He assured the association that relevant laws that will be positive change to the profession will be

made “We will work together with the association to look into the laws and see the areas that need to be retouched.

It is good for the profession to be autonomous so that their work can be fast tracked. They should be getting their equipment and materials to use in effectively discharging their duties,” he added.

He said there is the Health Reform Law in which every law is being subjected to amendment if the need arises.

The reason for the reform is to ensure that hospital function effectively without the former bureaucratic bottleneck in handling issues affecting the people, Avoseh added.

Ogun to spend N14.7b on health next year

O

GUN State government has earmarked N14.7billion for the health sector in its 2013 budget.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun made this known in his 2013 budget presentation to the House of Assembly in Abeokuta.

Amosun said the governement had constructed a standard medium sized hospital and upgraded the primary health centre at Totoro, Abeokuta.

He said his administration would construct more hospitals in each of the Federal Constituencies of the state next year while the general hospitals will see significant changes to support the influx of new personnel.

Speaking on the renovation of primary health care (PHC) centres,

By Olatunde Odebiyi

the governor said, more would be upgraded in Local Government Areas (LGAs) with the provision of equipment, water and power supply, adding that the government will continue with the child and maternal health (CMH)programmes and further roll out conditional cash transfer schemes.

Amosun said the community based health insurance schemes will be expanded to ensure affordable health care of the people, especially in the rural areas, saying the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital would be restored to its status as one of the leading teaching hospitals in the country.

•Hon Avoseh being checked by Miss Ramat Saliu at the Secretariat Alausa, Ikeja

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

60

NATION SPORT

PREMIERSHIP ...PREMIERSHIP ...

QPR cancels Christmas party R

ANGERS are seven points adrift of safety after 15 matches and are still searching for their

first win of the campaign, despite spending heavily during the summer.

It is understood that the

decision to shelve plans for the traditional end-of-year party was made by the players.

New manager Harry

Mancini: City needs to work on scoring goals

R

OBERTO MANCINI cannot disguise the fact his Manchester City players have hugely underachieved in the UEFA Champions League, but has vowed they will bounce back.

City’s dismal campaign in Europe’s elite competition came to an underwhelming conclusion with a 1-0 defeat at Borussia Dortmund. It left them bottom of Group D with just three points - the worst return by an English side in Champions League history and without even the consolation of a place in the UEFA Europa League.

It had been a tough assignment for City, with Real Madrid and Ajax the other opponents in a group comprised of domestic champions, but the disappointment after such high expectations was clear.

Mancini said: “I think that we

had a difficult group. It was [difficult] last year but we had also a good team. We had a good team and we got only three points - this is not good for us.

“We are disappointed we didn’t go into the second stage of the Champions League, and we are also disappointed because we didn’t stay in the Europa League. But it is clear the season is not finished. We have the Premier League and the FA Cup. “I think that we need to work more now to improve this problem we have with [scoring] goals. What we continued to do is not enough.

We need to work more.”

Mancini has bemoaned the lack of goal output from his principal strikers in recent weeks and was again frustrated as they failed to find in the net at the Westfalenstadion.

AC Milan considers Balotelli bid

T

HE former Inter Milan player’s future is uncertain in England after starting just one of his club’s last eight matches in all competitions, including only making a substitute appearance in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund.

City boss Roberto Mancini has been a long-term fan of Balotelli but it appears his trust in the £24million summer 2010 signing is slipping after several negative headline-grabbing incidents.

And Milan could be ready to offer the Italy international a return to his homeland with a bid when the transfer window opens in less than a month.

Speaking before Milan’s Champions League defeat

by Zenit St Petersburg on Tuesday night, boss Massimiliano Allegri said of

Redknapp, who replaced the sacked Mark Hughes last month, oversees his third match in charge at Wigan on Saturday.

Balotelli: “He is an important player with extraordinary physical and technical qualities.

“I believe, however, given his qualities, he threw away a few years of his career.”

Allegri has also hinted current Milan star Stephan El Shaarawy and Balotelli would make a lethal attacking combination for the club.

“I think they have done good things with the Italian national team,” said Allegri.

“But I want to talk about AC Milan and the players I have.

Then, in January, we will see what happens.”

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has also suggested a move for Balotelli is not just a fantasy after giving a teasing response when asked about the 22-year-old.

Berlusconi told Sky Sport Italia when questioned if Balotelli is a dream: “No, it’s not a dream. I never dream.”

• Balotelli

• Harry Redknapp

Man United duo stay with HE duo joined the Foxes Leicester at the start of November and will

T

now remain with the power Championship promotion challengers until January 2 2013.

Lingard played for United’s Under-21 side on Monday and helped create Federico Macheda’s goal in the 1-1 draw at Southampton before he was sent-off for handling the ball on the line. The 19-year-old has made four appearances for Leicester.

However, Keane’s spell at the King Power Stadium was curtailed by a hamstring injury he sustained making

Santos heading for Arsenal exit

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RSENAL want to offload Andre Santos, despite the defender insisting he wants to stay.

The Brazilian only joined the club in 2011 for £6million but has come under fire this season for a string of below-par performances, as well as asking for Robin van Persie’s shirt at half-time of their 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.

But speaking to Globo Esporte in his homeland, the 29-year-old said: ‘I received calls from interested clubs in Brazil, Turkey and Italy, but it is just speculation.

Nobody handed me anything.

‘The coach, who is also a manager, never said anything to me. I know he is very transparent and I am focused on staying at Arsenal, winning a title, doing well in the Champions League, and I have three more years of muy contract. I’m happy here.

‘I hope to play more and more opportunities. I’m at a top club in Europe, living in London, my family is well structured, and I’m well adapted.

‘I have much to give at Arsenal and I will still run after that. I have many goals in his career.’

his debut for the Foxes against Bolton on November 6.

The England Under-19 centreback will link-up with Nigel Pearson’s squad when he reaches full fitness.

West Ham named preferred bidder

T

HE news means the Hammers have taken a giant step toward becoming the first tenants of the Olympic Stadium though some contractual matters still need to be resolved before the deal is confirmed.

The Hammers could still be held up by legal challenges, with Leyton Orient potentially appealing against the decision as they want to share the stadium with their Premier League neighbours.

To win preferred bidder status, West Ham had to agree to include the construction of retractable seats over the athletics track.

West Ham would be moving two miles from the 35,000capacity Upton Park to a stadium downsized from 80,000 seats at the Olympics to 60,000.

A football business college and a group hoping to stage Formula One races were also in the running to take over as the stadium’s tenants.

West Ham United’s joint Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold issued a joint statement, saying: ‘’We believe that this move, together with the realisation of other key goals that the Board set out to achieve from the outset, will play a huge part in helping to realise our ambitious vision to move the club to the next level on behalf of our fantastic and deserving fans.

“Our absolute priority is to take them with us, as well as enticing those supporters that have previously eluded us due to barriers such as affordability and accessibility.

“We also wish to extend our social inclusion agenda to encourage greater community cohesion and expand our equalities and diversity work to make both West Ham and football as a whole more accessible to key target groups.

“We realised our lifelong ambition upon becoming Chairmen of the club we both so passionately support. We are dedicated to West Ham United and the Stadium for the long haul.

“We are now committed to working with the LLDC in full consultation with our supporters to finalise our plans to make the Stadium our home.”

West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady added: “For the last three years it has been my firm, unwavering belief that the Stadium can truly become a multi-use destination of which east London and the nation as a whole can be proud.

“I have never lost sight of our vision to play our part, along with the Stadium’s major stakeholders, in ensuring it grows into a global asset. It is the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Park, watched by the world.

“Our vision for the Stadium has always been about standing up for the promises made for London back in Singapore in 2005. We are committed to delivering our promises as set out in our bid. The hard work really does start here and work is already well underway to ensure that we really bring our community, which includes 500,000 supporters in east London and Essex alone, with us.

Nolan jumps to defence of team-mate Carroll W

EST HAM players have leapt to the defence of Andy Carroll after the striker was accused of assaulting a photographer during the squad’s Christmas party.

The £35million England star, on loan at Upton Park from Liverpool, has found himself in hot-water after the incident outside a nightclub in Dublin in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Carroll is said to have lashed out at 33-year-old snapper Paddy Cummins, who was trying to take a shot of him without his leg-brace.

The centre-forward is expected to miss the next two months with a knee injury and is required to wear the brace.

But in a show of team solidarity, Carroll’s teammates will vouch for the 23year-old when questioned by club officials about the incident.

The players will insist the striker was provoked and showed no aggression towards the photographer.

Team-mate Kevin Nolan, who joined Carroll on a trip to Whipps Cross Hospital in Essex on Tuesday to hand out presents to sick children, said: ‘Someone is trying to fabricate a story and that is the disappointing thing. It is part and parcel of what we do and we understand that.

‘We have had a fantastic weekend away and you think you have come back with no problems but someone has made something which was

nothing as far as I was aware.’

Photographer Cummins alleges he was eye-gouged, pushed to the floor and that Carroll attempted to bite him during fracas.

On Tuesday West Ham released a statement backing Carroll.

‘Andy agreed to have a number of pictures taken at the request of a photographer who was waiting on the street.

‘Despite this, the photographer then carried on taking photos in the close proximity of Andy and was politely asked to stop by the private security team working on the trip.

‘When he then continued taking more photos he was restrained by the security

• Andy Carroll

team for Andy’s safety.

Eyewitnesses state at no point was there any physical contact between Andy and the photographer.

‘The Garda took statements from the group back at the hotel and no further action was taken.’

Speaking about the disappearance of the leg brace, Carroll’s agent Mark Curtis added: ‘The leg brace was outside his trousers inside the club because he wanted people to see it so they wouldn’t knock into him.

When he left he put it under the trousers.’

‘He can’t walk without it. He isn’t a daft lad and he wouldn’t be able to put weight on his leg without it.’

Carroll now looks likely to escape recrimination from police and West Ham over the incident.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

Lagos beats Ondo to Imhoaperamhe wins Men’s 100m, gold in men’s volleyball dethrones defending Champion T •As Ukoh wins women's race T HE much awaited 100 metres racein the athletic event of the ongoing National Sport Festival (NSF) was decided yesterday at the main bowl of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, as Nicholas Imhoaperamhe emerged winner of the men’s race.

To win the race, Imhoapermhe finished time of 10.51 seconds to dethrone compatriot and defending champion, Chukwuma Onyaku to the second position, who finished 10.65. In the third place was Victor Ikhazobor of Edo State at a time of 10.72 seconds.

After the feat, an excited Imhoaperamhe said he expected the outcome, adding that he hopes to continue improving on his performance subsequently.

By Innocent Amomoh and Akeem Lawal “I am so happy. My coach told me I can do it and it was so. I am a village farmer, who came to the city and today I am finding my way to stardom. I

Baribote declares: I’m still in charge of NPL

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed receipt of the 16 Nigeria Premier League club bosses’ letter of impeachment of their Chairman Rumson Baribote but told NationSport that a final decision would be made on Friday when the Board of the Nigeria Football Federation meets in an emergency

Eagles to play Cape Verde in Faro

S

•As NFF seals Angola friendly

UPER Eagles would be lacking no tune up matches as the Nigeria Football Federation sealed a friendly against Angola national team and almost concluded another one against Cape Verde.

Many prominent football administrators and soccer loving Nigerians have expressed their preference for African opposition to be able to make the Eagles feel the gritty and hard African style of play which the football house has now concurred with.

NationSport has exclusively gathered from close sources to the football house that the match against Palancas Negras of Angola is already a done deal and the match would definitely come up in Faro, Portugal between January 10th and 15th.

“The Super Eagles would lock

wish to thank the Rivers State Governor and my coach for their encouragement and support. I will also want to appreciate the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp, for taking me while I was 17 years,

encouraged me until I was 18 years old and they enlisted me,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the women’s category, Peace Ukoh of Ondo State won in a time of 11.59 seconds, while Magret Benson of Delta State and Meriam Edet Bassey of Rivers State finished 11.61 and 11.71 respectively.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja horns with the Angola’s National team in Faro, Portugal between January 10th and 15th.

This match has already been sealed by the NFF Match Agent and would definitely hold after the full squad of the Eagles expected in the Faro camp must have reported.

“Another friendly match the Eagles would play is against the senior national team of Cape Verde. This match would be played before the Eagles play their first match at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup. The discussion has been in advanced stage maybe we put it at 70 percent concluded. These may be the last two matches the Eagles would play after the first one against Catalonia in January 2nd, 2013”, the competent source told NationSport.

•As NFF vows ro resolve crisis by Friday From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja meeting at the Glass House Secretariat in Abuja.

The club chairmen and owners had met at Denis Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday where they pronounced impeachment on their Chairman, Baribote. They also followed it up with the announcement of a Six-man Interim Board with Mike Idoko representing South West as the Chairman, while Aloy Chukwuemeka (NorthCentral), Alhaji Sabo Babayaro (North-West), Tony Ogola (South-South), Suleiman Chindo (North-East) and Oscar Keke (South-East) are members.

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu who confirmed receipt of the letter, however, disclosed that it is only the Executive Board of the NFF that could rule on the case.

“We got a letter from the clubs that participated in the meeting. We got the letter around mid-day today.

Clearly the Nigeria Premier League has a lot of issues to be resolved. The meeting that took place yesterday is part of the issues that need to be resolved by the Nigeria Football Federation. It is our responsibility as the national

governing body to look into the issues and see how we can resolve them within the shortest possible time.

“Let us not forget that the Nigeria Premier League itself supposed to have commenced and the (NPL) Congress that was supposed to come up on Thursday will no longer hold until the issues are resolved.

“We are deeply concerned that these issues are still there and we have not been able to resolve them at the NPL level.

That is why the Nigeria Football Federation would meet in an Emergency section.

The Executive Committee of the NFF would meet on Friday (tomorrow) and come up with decisions at to resolving the issues that have brought us to this state, and also making sure that within the shortest possible time commence the 2013/2013 Premier League season.

RESULTS Chelsea 6 - 1 FC Nordsjaelland Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - 1 Juventus Bayern Munich 4 - 1 BATE Borisov Lille 0 - 1 Valencia Barcelona 0 - 0 Benfica Celtic 2 - 1 Spartak Moscow Braga 1 - 2 Galatasaray Manchester U. 0 - 1 CFR Cluj

EAM Lagos on Tuesday finished its fine form in the men’s volleyball event of the ongoing 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 beating Ondo 3-2 in the final played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The match watched by capacity crowd was tensed with both sides testing each other strength

throughout the encounter.

It was the Ondo team that took a 2-1 lead before the Lagos motivated by the fans rallied to level up and won the match to the admiration of the fans.

With this victory, Lagos has wrestled the title from Ondo, who were champion in 2011 at Garden City Games.

FOOTBALL SEMI-FINAL

Team Kwara vows to beat Lagos

A

S the battle for gold medal in the men’s football event of the of-going National Sports Festival hots-up, Kwara State will today take on Lagos State in the semi finals

EKO 2012 MEDALS TABLE G 1 Delta 64 2 Rivers 46 3 Lagos 27 4 Edo 17 5 Bayelsa 16 6 Ondo 10 7 Plateau 6 8 Ogun 5 9 A/Ibom 4 10 Oyo 4 11 Ebonyi 4 12 Niger 4 13 Imo 3 14 C/River 3 15 Kano 3 16 Nasarawa 3 17 Jigawa 3 18 FCT 2 19 Kaduna 2 20 Bauchi 2 21 Abia 1 22 Benue 1 23 Kwara 1 24 Osun 1 25 Kogi 1 26 Kebbi 1 27 Enugu 0 28 Anambra 0 29 Zamfara 0 30 Yobe 0 31 Borno 0 32 Taraba 0 33 Ekiti 0 34 Adamawa 0 35 Gombe 0 36 Katsina 0 37 Sokoto 0 TOTAL 234

S 58 31 26 10 12 6 8 13 10 6 2 1 9 8 4 1 0 6 2 2 4 2 1 1 0 0 3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 233

B TOTAL 41 163 38 115 40 93 23 50 13 41 12 28 15 29 23 41 13 27 9 19 3 9 1 6 11 23 9 20 10 17 2 6 5 8 2 10 6 10 5 9 7 12 10 13 6 8 2 4 3 4 0 1 5 8 1 3 0 2 4 5 2 3 1 2 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 335 802

scheduled to host at the Agege Stadium.

Team Kwara have however been charged not to exercise any fear when they took to the pitch.

Chairman, Kwara State House Committee on Sports, Hon Adamu Ibrahim charged the team during a courtesy visit to the team at the Jaja Hostel of the University of Lagos Akoka.

“Our visit to the team is part of motivation. As a representative of our people and the Kwara State House of Assembly, we are here to give them our moral support.

By seeing us they will know that the government of Kwara State is behind them and that is why we said they should work harder and make sure they are able to scale through. Meeting Lagos as a host in the semi final is not any problem. I want you to be fearless and stick to you play pattern.

Don’t be intimidated by the large crowd that might be supporting your opponent at the stadium”, he urged.

He however believe that Kwara will definitely increase their medal haul this at the festival despite just having one gold, one silver and six bronze at present.

“The game is not yet concluded, we still have some few day to go and some of our athletes are still in some of the events. So until it is concluded we can’t say we only have one gold medal, between now and Saturday, anything can happen.

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012

63

NEWS Govt to build new Abuja City for centenary celebration Continued from page 4

other persons of similar importance when they visit the Presidential Villa’ He also argued that “the existing banquet hall is not user friendly as there are so many components that are absent and we are trying to procure some things to add to the facilities that would be available in this proposed mini multi-purpose hall that would be close to the President’s office” The minister said contrary to public held view, the budget for the banquet hall was in the statutory budget of the FCT, saying that it is not true

that the project was not in the FCT budget.

“I wish to clear the misconception that we don’t have a provision in the budget and to explain that the FCT operates two budgets. One, the National Priority Budget, certainly that item is not on that.

The development of Abuja can be done either from the National Priority Budget or FCT Statutory Budget.

“It is in the FCT Statutory Budget and we have quoted all the subjects, I don’t have them up head and that is why we do the procurement and we got the no objection and everything. So, it is not true that this is not in the FCT

budget.”

On the development of the new City”, the FCT Minister said this was in line with government policy of unbundling the FCT to private initiative.

He said about 16 companies would be investing about 4billion dollars in the development of 10 districts in the smart city.

Also, the council approved the contract for feasibility studies for two new standard rail lines.

Transport Minister Idris Umar said the feasibility studies which will be awarded to consultants are the Coastal rail line will take off

from Benin to Sapele, Warri, Yenegoa, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Akamkpa, Ikom and Obudu cattle ranch with 673km at a feasibility cost of N334 million.

The second rail line of 280km at a feasibility cost of N144 million and it will be from Ajaokuta through Lokoja, Abaji and to Abuja.

He added that the scope of work to be carried out by the consultants are extensive and will include among others a detailed survey of the alignment of the tracks and also to provide a platform for a private, public partnership on the project

Federal character breeds mediocrity, says Sanusi Continued from page 4

how many of them can we really remember?”

Because there are too many ministers in the cabinet, Sanusi said, “their jobs are so poorly defined and you cannot remember what they did because the only way to remem-

B

ber a man is based on what he did”.

Using himself and his state as an example, Sanusi said Kano State “used to be one state”. “But now it is Kano and Jigawa. When it was one state you had one governor and maybe nine or 10 com-

missioners. I went to King’s College and Ahmadu Bello University on Kano State government scholarship. My parents didn’t pay. I was in King’s College and the state government even paid for my rail ticket from Lagos to Kano and back and I wasn’t the only

one.”

However, that one state, Sanusi said, has become “two states , two governors, two deputy governors, 40 commissioners, maybe 80 legislators and only God knows how many special advisers and assistants”.

‘Federal road contracts lopsided’ Continued from page 4

why Yobe State, where he hails from, should be “completely omitted in the allocation of projects”.

The former Yobe Governor noted that the only road project in his state had been abandoned.

Gemade wanted to know why some on-going projects in the 2012 budget disappeared from the 2013 project proposal.

The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman also complained about a mix-up in location of projects.

He said a road in Zamfara State was listed for Northcentral. Another in Benue was said to be in the Northwest. Another in Edo, he said, was listed to be in Cross River.

Ojudu wondered why roads in Edo, Ondo, Lagos were listed for Ekiti State.

The Ekiti lawmaker told the minister to take particular interest in the road that link Ado Ekiti and Akure

Gunmen throw explosives at transformer in Kano

ARELY 24 hours after an unsuccessful attempt by unknown gunmen to bomb a luxury bus from the hinterland, near Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, a fresh attempt by unidentified gunmen on a motorbike to bomb innocent citizens on Zoo Road have also failed.

According to an eyewit-

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

ness account, at about 7.30 yesterday morning on Zoo road, two unknown gunmen, riding on a motorbike hauled Improvised Explosive Device (IED) into a nearby transformer, which promptly exploded.

However, the source said no one was injured, when the blast occurred as there

was no soul around the transformer, located at a popular junction, which leads to the residence of an ANPP chieftain, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Rogo.

The gunmen reportedly shot sporadically into the air, while escaping from the scene, a situation that caused panic and confusion on Zoo Road, as resi-

dents in the area fled to different directions to avoid been caught in the cross fire.

Moments after the gunmen made good their escape, according to our source, Security personnel, including operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) arrived and immediately cordoned off the scene.

Spokesman of Kano Police Magaji Majia said no life as lost; adding that bomb disposal unit of the police were dispatched to the scene, at the end of which they successfully defused the bombs, adding that investigations into the failed bomb attack had begun.

No arrest has been made by the police.

067

and the one that goes from Ekiti to Abuja which, he said are in a terrible state of disrepair.

Abaribe wondered why 25 roads meant for the Southeast geo-political zone were allocated to Enugu State alone. Only three were given to Imo State, two to Abia State and two to Ebonyi State.

Abaribe said: “Mr. Chairman, there is no way I can accept this. I can’t even comprehend this. How can we go home? What do we tell our people that all the projects meant for the Southeast were allocated to Enugu State? It is completely unacceptable.”

The Minister explained that the priority of his ministry was to complete on-going projects as directed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said Jonathan directed that all the roads, especially trunk A roads, must be made motorable.

He insisted that new roads were not accommodated in the budget proposal.

Onolememen said most of the projects the senators complained about were constituency projects.

But Abaribe faulted the explanation, insisting that constituency projects were shared equally to lawmakers.

The session almost degenerated into a shouting match between the lawmakers and the minister.

Sensing danger, Mohammed, who acted on behalf of Senator Ayogu Eze, said the committee should go into a close-door session to iron out some issues.

6-12-2012

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012 The following article on public corruption in Nigeria was first published in this paper in June, 2011. It is being repeated as public corruption has since grown worse.

NE of the major sources of discontent and outrage in Nigeria today is the widespread and growing public corruption in the country. Many high profile public figures, including about a dozen federal ministers, and several former governors, are under investigation by the EFFC, the anti-graft federal agency, for alleged financial crimes. The former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and his deputy, Mr. Usman Nafada, have been arraigned in an Abuja High Court on multiple charges of financial impropriety, ranging from the award of inflated contracts, in breach of the Procurement Act, to borrowing money illegally from a commercial bank to fund unauthorised and outrageous increases in the allowances of the members of the House. The total sum involved in the charges is about N42 billion. This was done despite the public complaint of the Governor of the CBN that payments to members of the National Assembly constituted over 25 per cent of the recurrent budget of the Federal Government. Bankole and his deputy are now on bail and have both denied any wrongdoing in the matter. We must presume they are innocent until the court determines otherwise.

The case has fuelled widespread discontent and cynicism about financial probity in public expenditure in Nigeria. Last week, it was reported in some local newspapers that former President Obasanjo had declared flatly at a meeting of the ILO in Geneva that, since he left office, public corruption had grown worse and that he did not think President Jonathan, his former protégé, was capable of dealing with the monster. It would have been better if that damaging criticism, from a former president, had been made at home, rather than abroad where it received wide publicity. It was President Obasanjo who had set up the EFFC and the ICPC to fight public corruption. It had appeared that some progress was being made initially in the fight against corruption. Two presidents of the Senate and a Speaker of the House of Representatives had been removed for fraud. But he was himself so overwhelmed by the large scale fraud in the public sector, involving some of his aides and close political associates that he virtually gave up on his fight against public corruption. His unconstitutional and unsuccessful bid for a third term, in which bribes were openly and freely used, also undermined his credibility and commitment to the fight against corruption. His own daughter, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello, now being considered for appointment as a federal minister, is believed to have been implicated in some financial scam in the Federal Ministry of Health where funds intended for official use were simply diverted into private pockets. The scandal was swept quickly under the carpet. It was never brought to a conclusion by the EFFC. Many of Obasanjo’s critics thought him to be rather selective in determining those who were to be probed.

It is a matter for deep regret that many senior officials and public servants get away with their loot without the government being able to do much about it. In some cases, such as the Siemens affair, or the Tarfa Balogun affair, the government accepted plea bargaining to let the culprits off the hook. Some Nigerian lawyers have expressed

O

TODAY IN THE NATION

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO.2,331

‘To prove its claim that ‘’Nigeria is safe’’, the government should hold the 53rd Independence Day anniversary at Eagle Square on October 1, next year..’

COMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

The growing discontent with public corruption

•President Goodluck Jonathan

serious doubts that plea bargaining has any place in Nigeria’s legal system. But this despicable tactic has become the trend now among major public figures being charged for fraud to avoid their prosecution in the courts. Far too many culprits are being treated with kid gloves instead of being made to bite the bullet if found guilty of financial impropriety. And once the dam broke it was inevitable that financial scams would continue to flourish in the country. It is significant that in the campaign before the 2011 elections corruption did not feature as a major issue. The candidates were too afraid to speak openly about it. Most of them had soiled their hands.

The grave concern about public corruption is not confined to the country. Our major trading partners and potential foreign investors are just as concerned. Nigeria’s financing gap, currently estimated at over $40billion annually, is large and still increasing. We will need to continue borrowing abroad for the foreseeable future.

But we are accumulating foreign debt all of which might not have been necessary if we had managed our economy and finances with greater probity. When President Obama met recently with President Jonathan in Washington he expressed grave concern about corruption in Nigeria. Most foreign observers doubt whether our leaders are really committed to fighting corruption vigorously and courageously. In fact, the perception of foreigners who wish to invest or do business in Nigeria is that it is impossible to do good business in the country without getting involved in the prevailing public corruption. Foreign reporting about Nigeria has been generally negative and has centred largely on the mass public corruption in the country with many of these re-

ports placing Nigeria in the bottom league of corrupt countries.

I recall how in 1981, thirty years ago, at a meeting in Harvard of American and Nigerian businessmen, which included Chief Ernest Shonekan, then Chairman of UAC, the late Chief Jerome Udoji, then Chairman of the Nigerian Tobacco Company, and the late Chief Adeyemi Lawson, their American counterparts complained bitterly and angrily about corruption in Nigeria. As the guest speaker on the occasion, I was obliged to assure the Americans that the Nigerian government was doing something about the problem. I was wrong as the problem has become worse since then.

In a recent article on Nigeria at page 18 of its edition of May 28- June 3, the influential and respected British weekly, The Economist, observed that ‘Nigerian leaders are so greedy that they have subverted the entire machinery of the state to serve their needs. Every policy is a scam, every regulation a source of rent”. The article went on to say that “Freed from kleptocrats, Nigeria could be an African giant”. This is a devastating and vivid description of the scale of public corruption in Nigeria which we may not like. But very few people here will disagree with the disturbing report of the paper. In most cases, these damaging reports are based on reports in the Nigerian media, particularly the newspapers, the only watch dog on public corruption.

To further complicate matters, there was some press speculation in the local media last week that the former Speaker of the House, Dimeji Bankole, and his deputy, may not face prosecution in the court at all over the alleged N42 billion scam, and that the government may decide to withdraw the charges against them; not for lack of evidence, but as a sort of political deal. I was with some friends recently and many of them had expressed the view that a deal would be made by the government on this matter, and that the whole thing would be swept, as usual, under the carpet. I had said I considered the idea absurd and improbable, and that I believed the case would be fully prosecuted. As may well be imagined I was truly horrified by press reports that the authorities might be contemplating such an absurd idea. If Bankole and his deputy are innocent of the charges against them, then let them prove this in court. It is not for the authorities to withdraw the charges against them.

HARDBALL

E

ARLY in the week, newspapers regaled their readers with an indescribably unrealistic statement from government describing the country as safe, notwithstanding relentless terrorist attacks. Unfortunately, suspected Boko Haram militants timed their attacks on churches and a border post in Gamboru Ngala, Borno State to coincide with the government’s statement. In the past few years, terror attacks have been so massive and dispiriting that Nigerians do not require anyone to tell them how to place their country on the safety index. It is instructive, however, that the government statement was issued by Dr Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, probably the most thoroughgoing contrarian the country has produced in recent times. Variously described as an attack dog or a battering ram, Okupe is a man who enjoys needling Nigeria’s humourless public and their harassed media with startling statements.

Except Okupe and his bosses, there is hardly

Living in denial anyone who thinks Nigeria is safe. Either at home or on the highway, by day or by night, Nigerians do not consider themselves safe.

That perception, it must be pointed out, has nothing to do with whether they support or oppose the government. Okupe even admonishes the media, which he flatters as being nationalistic, to be more positive about events and developments in the country. As he put it: “It is in times like this that we need the fire of patriotism naturally within us as Nigerians, as individual citizens, organisations, including the media, to bring us together as a nation and rally round the government in its efforts to root out the criminal elements within our society.”

A day later, the Director-General, State Security Service, Mr. Ekpenyong Ita, partially advanced the same thesis while declaring open a workshop for media professionals at the In-

stitute for Security Studies, Bwari, Abuja. His explanation is that “Publicity is the oxygen craved by terrorists. When they carry out attacks, they want as much publicity as possible, and when the media sensationalise such an attack, the terror groups have achieved their objectives of getting wide media publicity which is aimed at intimidating and installing fear into people.” How Okupe and Ekpenyong hoped the media would underplay reports of terror attacks is hard to understand. It is true the media are patriotic, and that they also understand that news of terror attacks could gratify the vanities of terrorists, but they would be failing in their duties if they underplayed serious issues to, as it ironically seems, gratify the vanities of a complacent government. Let the issues come out in bold relief, and let the government and people of Nigeria know what giants lurk in the bushes.

It does seem that what Okupe and Ekpenyong are expecting is for Nigerians to live in denial.

But even if they want to, they can’t, for the problems are of such magnitude that they feel it

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

When this sort of thing occurs, the public is left with the conclusion that financial crime pays and that the culprit, if well connected, will be let off the hook. Some years back the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Ette, was accused by her colleagues of fraud and was forced to step down from office. To clear the way for her possible appointment as a minister the same House that had adjudged her guilty has now reversed itself on the matter and declared her innocent. How does this encourage or promote financial probity in government?

How can we convince potential foreign investors that we are committed as a nation to fighting public corruption in our country? A deal over this matter will be reprehensible and morally indefensible. What kind of legacy are we leaving our children with?

With the exception of Lagos State, many of the state governments have said they are not in a position to pay the new minimum wage of N18, 000 per month. How can these state governments convince the workers that they are truly unable to pay when the workers read reports in the media about the hefty salaries and wages of public officials, particularly the members of the National Assembly, as well as the huge financial scams in which they are involved? As I write this, thousands of pensioners have not been paid their pension for up to a year, or even longer, on account of the large scale scam in the Pensions Office, where funds meant for pensioners were simply diverted into the pockets of senior officials of the Pensions Office. A former Director of Pensions has been arrested by the EFFC and is now under investigation for salting away some N12 billion. In fact, before his arrest he was rewarded for his alleged misappropriation of such huge public funds by being made a Director in the Petroleum Ministry.

Regrettably, public corruption is not confined to the public sector. It has spread its tentacles to the private sector, including the banks, many of which are on the brink of collapse, the Stock Exchange and stock brokers, the oil sector, the Universities, and the judiciary. In fact, virtually every facet of life in Nigeria has been badly infested with corruption, the economic consequences of which are very clear. Nigeria’s target of becoming one of the top 20 industrial economies in the world by the year 2020 will not be realised unless we manage our resources better by tackling the problem of public corruption. The wanton disregard for the rule of law and the inability of the government to come down heavily on public corruption is directly responsible for the violence and tension in our country.

In a poor country such as Nigeria, corruption breeds mass poverty and this, in turn, creates widespread social discontent that spills over into social crimes such as armed robberies, kidnappings, and terror bombing in the country. The dire security situation in the country will not be resolved by creating additional units of law enforcing agencies, many of which have been badly compromised by corruption.

Instead of that, we should take practical measures to create more jobs by spending more on health, education, and infrastructure. We need to assure our youths of a better future, a better society that will reward hard work and punish fraud and other social crimes.

• For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above much more than public officials who live behind the high walls of government reservation areas. Worse, Okupe even advances the illogicality of linking the increasing rate of attacks to the decline of terror groups. Likening recent Boko Haram attacks to the dying days of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Okupe suggested that terror activities in Nigeria could soon begin to wane. Even if that were true, he must by now have recognised that Boko Haram has become, as Ekpenyong colourfully put it, a big business. It has become a franchise spawning adventurous and autonomous terror cells. More than this, terror attacks are not the only reason for insecurity in Nigeria. Robberies, kidnapping, assassinations and murders, not to talk of the nefarious activities of security agents themselves, have all combined to make life a hellish one for Nigerians. No amount of media restraint, government whitewash, or living in denial can mitigate the feeling of insecurity unnerving the entire country.

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