February 05, 2015 by The Nation

NIGERIA DECIDES

Newspaper of the Year

•‘Earthquake’ to hit PDP as five governors are set for APC’ •AND •Obasanjo to Nigerians: vote right on February 14 MORE ON •Oba of Benin to Jonathan: God’s choice is our own PAGES •Thugs shoot at Ahmed’s, Saraki’s campaign convoy 2-7,12 &58

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3117 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Nigeria set to lose $466m in arms deal By Simeon Ebulu, Group Business Editor

HISTLEBLOWERS in the defence industry are raising the alarm over a massive fraud of $466.5 million about to be executed at the Nigeria Air Force (NAF) with some arms dealers, using the United States’ refusal to grant export permit for military hardware to Nigeria as pretext. A letter to the government aroused the suspicion. An arms procurement company wrote that in view of the refusal of the US to give export licence to Nigeria, it had reached an agreement with NAF to substitute the initial order for CoContinued on page 4

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Buhari rejects postponement •We are not for interim govt, polls shift, says PDP

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday rejected any attempt by the Federal Government to postpone the February 14 and 28 elections. Its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, also kicked against such plans. APC warned members of the National Council of State,

From Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

which is meeting today, against being involved in a postponement which can damage the nation’s electoral process. It accused the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) of acting a script to deny Nigerians the right to vote for their preferred leader — a charge the ruling

party denied yesterday. The party, which made its position known at a press conference in Abuja by its National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the consequences of poll shift might be unpredictable. Odigie-Oyegun said: “Attempts to rubbish INEC’s Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: SOLUDO INSISTS N30TR MISSING P11 NECO RECORDS 31% PASS IN NOV/DEC P6

Presidency waves security joker to push polls shift 200 Boko Haram fighters killed

Service Chiefs to brief Council of State today

HE Council of State will be told today in Abuja that the February 14 and 28 elections cannot go on for security reasons, The Nation learnt yesterday. The eminent citizens will be told that the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast

•ABN days are here again —Analysis P. 3 will not make the elections feasible. The Jonathan presidency, according to sources, will be seeking to postpone the elections for at least two or three months. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) insists that it is ready for the elections, which its

•Chad, Cameroon troops battle sect

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega has been under pressure to shift. A source said last night that some security chiefs had joined the pressure to make Jega change his mind and embrace the polls shift plot, which many fear may spark a huge constitutional crisis. INEC’s determination to conduct the elections has caused anxiety within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency. All Progressives Congress (APC) governors met in Abuja last night over the matter. The Service Chiefs, it was learnt, will brief the Council of State on security in the Northeast particlularly. They make Continued on page 4

•General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye (right) with All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during a lecture he delivered to mark Pastor Adeboye’s 73rd birthday in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN STORY ON PAGE 6

HREE Cameroonian and 14 Chadian soldiers died and a huge number of Boko Haram militants were killed when the group yesterday morning attacked military camps in Fotokol, a border town in Cameroon's Far North Region neighbouring Nigeria, military sources told Chinese news agency Xinhua. Sources put the number of Boko Haram militants in the attack at around 7,000, adding that they were armed with 30 armored trucks, about 10 ordinary vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles, as well as sophisticated weapons. In their ranks, there were Continued on page 60

•SPORTS P24 •EDUCATION P25 •POLITICS P45 •INDUSTRY P50 •MONEYLINK P55

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS

COUNTDOWN TO FEB.14 ...NINE DAYS TO GO

The ABN days are here again

•From left: Corporate Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Sam Umokoro, Finance Director, Seye Dosunmu and Finance Controller Owoseni Saliu displaying an award on Tax Compliance given to Coca-Cola Nigeria at the ninth edition of the Lagos State Tax Award at The Haven, Ikeja, Lagos.

The stage is set and Nigerians are anxious to go to the pollS. They have a date to keep with destiny. But agitations for the shift of the February 14 and 28 elections are mounting by the day, not minding the dire consequences - as it was in 1993 in the days of the infamous Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), writes Group Political Editor, EMMANUEL OLADESU.

•From left: Vice President, Segment & Usage Retention, Airtel Nigeria, Diresh Balsingh; Chief Commercial Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Maurice Newa; Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria,Segun Ogunsanya; Winner ff the 2015 Range Rover Redhot Promo Prize, Abiodun Adio and Director, Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility,Airtel Nigeria, Emeka Oparah at the Presentation of the Redhot Promo prizes in Lagos...Wednesday PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU.

•From left: Representative of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Usman Shuaibu; Minister of State for Education, Prof Viola Onwuliri; Minister of Education, Malam Ibrahim Shekerau and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Macjohn Nwabiala at the ministry's interactions with the media and public presentation of a booklet on the Facts and Figures’ of the achievement of the Federal Government in the educational sector in Abuja...yesterday.

ISTORY is repeating itself in Nigeria. The hawks are out again. Reminiscent of the inglorious days of the military rule, unpatriotic elements are intensifying their push for the postponement of the February 14 and 28 general elections, sending clear signals that the democratic journey is about to be aborted. For almost 16 years, Nigeria has witnessed political stability through orderly successions. But the most populous African nation is in the eye of the world as its desperate leaders appear set to drag it into a needless pandemonium, which reason can still avert. Already, the polity is suffering from pre-election terrorism. Nigerians are not assailed by collective amnesia. The notorious Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) has reincarnated in the activities of unscrupulous advocates of poll shift. While the administration of military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida gave a tacit support to the ABN, led by Senator Arthur Nzeribe and Mr. Abimbola Davies, it is believed that those calling for the postponement enjoy the blessing of the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). To observers, the agitation is satanic and condemnable. In the Third Republic, the activities of the ABN generated uproar. Nzeribe and Davies claimed that they had collated signatures of Nigerians, who have demanded for the shift of the presidential poll. The political class dismissed their threats with a wave of the hand to their peril. Men of goodwill berated those behind the hatchet job, warning that they were tools in the hands of the military in their plot for regime extension. But, ABN was undaunted. Voters trooped out in large numbers to cast their ballot across the country. The election was globally adjudged the freest, fairest and the peaceful. But, little did Nigerians now that they had voted in vain. ABN ultimately became the ‘June 12’ albatross in 1993. The military confederates succeeded in their plot to deny Nigeria an elected government. Up came an inexplicable Interim National Government (ING), chaired by Chief Ernest Shonekan. Nigeria was the big loser. It became an outcast in the comity of nations. Today, poll shift campaigners are singing familiar tunes. Will those calling for the cancellation of the election time-table succeed in truncating the electoral process, barely 15 and half years after the restoration of civil rule? Are past lessons not instructive? When will Nigeria learn?

Election fever •Founder, Center for Values in Leadership (CVL), Prof Pat Utomi, flanked by the Editor-in-Chief, Business Day (left) and the Guest Speaker at CVL Media and Globalisation Breakfast, Prof. Onwuchekwa Jemie in Lagos...yesterday PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN.

The main issue is the presidential election scheduled for February 14. Before the date was set, two critical issues were considered. The date was set by the Independent National Elec-

toral Commission (INEC) in utter sensitivity to the requirement of the law that polls should be conducted ninety days to the swearing in. Also, it is expected that the period between the contest and inauguration of a new government should be sufficient for the resolution of electoral conflicts in the court. The onus is on the electoral umpire to either reaffirm the date of bow to pressures to announce an orchestrated adjustment to the electoral time-table. Although INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has reiterated the readiness of his commission to conduct credible elections, it is believed that the ruling PDP and forces loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan are kicking against it. The hypocritical commitment to the electoral process is the greatest act of perfidy under the administration. This monumental assault on popular rule has implications for political stability and national survival, more than the heinous crimes of corruption and mismanagement of the economy. The poll postponement, if it ever comes to reality, is definitely an illwind that will not blow the polity any good. But, the proponents are not relenting in their avowed commitment to the wild project. Since the propaganda and other tricks against Gen. Muhammadu Buhari - the school certificate, alleged ill health, old age and past human rights’ records as military leader - have all collapsed like quicksand, the only option left on the card is to postpone the evil’s day. To implement the hidden agenda, proJonathan forces have designed some strategies to scuttle the polls.

Desperate strategies The first strategy was the media campaign. Pseudo-experts and cashand-carry analysts were commissioned to go on air. They invaded television, radio and newspaper houses with their strange mission, but without success. Later, protests against election dates were orchestrated in Abuja and Lagos by paid agents, urging INEC to have a re-think about the dates. Then, the campaigners invaded the Southwest and found a willing ally in a faction of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group - Afenifere. Although the association is now a ghost of its self, the chieftains, posing as legitimate leaders of the race, endorsed the President and backed postponement. Immediately, the organisation was polarised. Some chapters dissociated themselves, saying that they could not go against the wishes of the people. The endorsement was futile. Four days ago, a conference organised to consider the effects of the National Conference on the elections became an avenue for campaigns for election postponement. Instructively, one of the delegates, Pastor Tunde Bakare, had previously called for the postponement to pave the way for an interim government. Criticisms trailed

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

COUNTDOWN TO FEB.14 ...NINE DAYS TO GO

•President Jonathan

• Prof Nwosu

the proposal. It suffered a colossal defeat in the court of public opinion.

Testing the waters Capitalising on the public outcry that greeted the shoddy distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, joined the election shift orchestra. In far away Chatham House, London, United Kingdom (UK), the NSA said the coast was not clear for the elections. But, the commission replied immediately, saying that the cards were available for collection. Dasuki’s comment on the sensitive issue, some observers have argued, was not based on any validated inferences. In fact, after his comment, fears were expressed in some quarters that an atmosphere not conducive for elections may be instigated to achieve the nefarious motive. Warning against embarking on a journey that would herald national doom, a civil right group, the Democracy Vanguard, said: “The social and security costs of such action may be too grave to bear.” When it was obvious that INEC has refused to bow to pressures, based on the controversy generated by the flawed PVCs’ distribution, the campaigners returned to the drawing board. The poll-shift crusaders resorted to litigation. The plot, according to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to force a constitutional crisis that will make election impossible, thereby making an interim administration a compelling option.

Echoes of ABN days This design is not new. In the past, a High Court Judge, Justice Bassey Ekpeme, was instigated to grant a controversial midnight injunction against the conduct of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The ABN claimed that it had the mandate of some Nigerians to halt the contest. Fake signatures were collated, tendered and accepted as exhibits. In justifying the criminal annulment of the historic election won by the candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), the late Chief Moshood Abiola, President Babangida, said that the

•Gen. Buhari

•Prof Jega

•Col. Dasuki

conduct of the election negated a court order. The military’s script is being exhumed once again. ‘Pliant judges,’ who will give outrageous and unpopular judgment at the court that is capable of destabilising the polity, may be procured. Then, the country will be on fire. Amid the violence across the country, the campaigners will leverage on the hullaballoo as an excuse to cancel the timetable and form an interim government. Already, six cases have been filed by the campaign agents. In one of them, which was instituted by Max Uzoaka against Gen. Buhari, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja has given an order for a substituted service. Today, the National Council of State will meet in Abuja. Sources said that, in continuation of the scheming, the campaigners may resort to lobbying some members of the council to support their clamour for postponement. If the consensus of opinion at the meeting is against the agenda, the government is not under any obligation to consider its resolution of a mere advisory body. To forestall international opprobrium, foreign journalists, who are authentic foreign observers in their own right, are being denied visas to come to Nigeria. Many critics see the denial as a systematic move aimed at preventing the international community from beaming a searchlight on the progression or otherwise of the electoral process. The irony is not lost on the Commander-in-Chief, who rode to power more than five years ago, first to complete the term of former President, the Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua and on the back of a mandate conferred at general elections in 2011. A great feature of democracy is free, fair and credible periodic elections, which affords stakeholders opportunities to savour the rare festival of choice, renewal of mandate, change and rejection of the leadership. To many stakeholders, the escape route and avoidance behaviours are devoid of logic. In the last 16 years, controversy has never trailed the election time-table. It is the

•Arthur-Nzeribe

first time INEC will release a time-table and the ruling party will be livid. It is the first time those basking in the euphoria of incumbency will object to poll date without justification.

Dark cloud The signs are ominous. The cloud of uncertainty hovering over February 14 may not fizzle out, until the President speaks out to reassure the beleaguered country. But, a source said that, if the anxious nation expects any further assurance about the confirmation of the election date, the expectation may be in vain. The reason, according to sources, is that the President’s think-tank is not oblivious of the fact that perilous days are around the corner. The handwriting is bold on the wall. Morning shows the day. When PDP chieftains shouted the party slogan on campaign ground and the large crowd responded with: Sai Baba, Sai Buhari, discerning minds knew that the election has been won and lost. The presidential campaign has been a popularity test for the President. Gripped by poll fever, PDP chieftains are seized by apprehension and anxiety on the podium. This may have put a lie to the collation of signatures of people begging the President to re-contest, as claimed by the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN). Many Nigerians yell when PDP leaders carry generators and fuel to campaigns to mitigate power failure. The presidential delivery at campaign locations has also not been inspiring. Quotable quotes are absent. Instead of highlighting his plans for the nation, the President and his strategists are busy abusing the opposition candidate. Indisputably, the incumbent is not ready for re-assessment. Indeed, there is a relationship between the fear of election and low popularity rating based on score card, which analysts cannot ignore.

A note of warning to judges If the court succumbs to the manipulations, Nigeria will be back to square one. While inaugurating the election tribunals in Abuja two days ago, the Chief Justice of the Federa-

•Gen Babangida

•The late Abiola

tion, Mahmud Mohammed, talked tough. He cautioned against vulnerability and urged jurists to shun compromise and resist the temptation to truncate democracy. He said judicial officers should not allow political parties and politicians to compromise their integrity and future. “We must never again be used as tools to truncate our nation’s democracy. Any judge found wanting would only have himself or herself to blame as the National Judicial Council (NJC) will definitely not spare the rod in ensuring that the honour, respect and independence of the judiciary is protected,” Mohammed said at the inauguration of some 242 judges to hear post-election litigations that may arise from the nowthreatened elections. Many have hailed the chief justice for his admonition and warning in the public. But, they also expect him to back it up with solid commitment, even in privacy.

Another doctrine of necessity likely But, what if the judiciary fails the nation? Analysts are building some scenarios. The comrade-at -arms and veteran coup plotters in the National Assembly will swing into action. Reminiscent of how they assisted Babangida to scuttle ‘June 12’ and foist an interim contraption on the country, the National Assembly, which would have become more vulnerable, may be mobilised to stage a coup against Nigerians by invoking the doctrine of necessity. Again, paid agents would be arranged to justify the doctrine. They will decorate falsehood and prevarication in the garment of truth. They will impress it on Nigerians that it has worked in recent times when Nigeria slipped into a succession crisis. They will even rationalise that the novel idea was suggested by key members of the civil society groups to bail Nigeria out of a logjam. They will say, although the option is unfortunate, it is understandable. The election can also be re-designed to fail through a curious subversion of the process, contrary to Jega’s ex-

pectation. Unpatriotic INEC officials may be induced to fall back on the Anambra formula of deliberately frustrating the voting process, thereby jostling Jega out of his delusion that there is no enemy within. The political scientist and former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, has demonstrated courage and independence. He has warded off pressures to change the date. But, can he stand firm till the end? This is a period of trial for Jega. Under the military rule, his distant predecessor, Prof. Humphery Nwosu, was intimidated. When it failed, he was assaulted by senior military officers for insisting that the poll should go on as scheduled. If the election is postponed, there may be no end to postponement. Already, the campaigners are proposing June as the new date for the election. Again, they have two objectives in mind. According to analysts, Jega would have been eased out before the new date as his tenure expires on June 13. Also, if election does not hold before May 29, an interim government will be inevitable. But, the blood of Nigerians will not flow in the veins of the contraption. The interim government will face legitimacy and credibility crises.

Grave consequences What are the implications of these scenarios for the country? The gains of democracy will be wiped off. A bad example will be laid for Africa. The postponement may become a trigger for violence as it lacks justification. The country is already enveloped in tension because people have fixed their gaze at February 14. This may compound the security situation. Also, Nigeria will receive knocks from abroad. It may once again regress into its previous status as a pariah state. Investors will desert Nigeria out of the feeling that the atmosphere is not conducive for investment. Nigerians across the globe will carry the burden and suffer the indignity of being disowned by the world. The judgment of history will be harsh for those responsible for the reversal of the gains of civil rule.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS Presidency waves security joker Falana: Council of State can’t shift polls Continued from page 1

a case for “a few months to car-

•President Goodluck Jonathanand First Lady Patience Jonathan acknowledging cheers during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign in Benin, Edo State…yesterday. With them is Vice President Namadi Sambo (middle). PHOTO: NAN

Nigeria may lose $466m in arms deal Continued from page 1

bra AH-IV with alternate attack platform which it claimed, has greater fire power. The letter detailed the alternate equipment to include six upgraded armed Puma Helicopters with the equivalent attack capabilities of the Cobra; four SU-25KM upgraded ground support/ attack aircraft;2 EU 25 UB for the purpose of qualifying and training NAF pilots for specific mission. To power the pitch further, it offer additional incentive by proposing to build a suitable purpose built storage and hanger for the Puma and SU25 helicopters to accommodate the ground support requirements. Same day, the company initiated a second correspondence with the NAF from its representative office at 1c Barnes High Street, London SW 13 9LB, United Kingdom titled “ Additional Critical Armament Requirement for NAF”. The company put the cummulative charges for the various equipment, including shipping at

$466.5million. Whistleblowers were shocked that in a government parastatal known for slow moving mails and deliberations, the NAF recommended the pitch by the military hardware supply company to the higher echelon of government within 16 days of submitting the proposal. In its recommendation, NAF wrote: “The NAF hereby confirms the letters from the firm (name withheld) regarding platform amendment and additional armament requirement for the NAF. This arrangement became necessary because the United States of America failed to endorse the sale of Cobra AH-IV attack helicopter to Nigeria. Accordingly, NAF has agreed that the said firm (name withheld) replace the Cobra helicopter with six upgraded armed Puma helicopters, four upgraded SU-25KM and two upgraded SU-25UB attack aircraft”. The NAF stated that the technical specifications and

scopes of work for the aircraft types, required upgrade, training and support package as well as the additional armament requirements have been signed by both parties. Stridently painting the urgent need for the supply, the NAF urged the approving authority to consent to the request immediately to address current national security challenges as the equipment were needed in the short term. Curiously, the NAF letter admitted that the equipment being procured was not the appropriate hardware to meet the needs. It noted that the acquisition of new Mangusta 129-Attack Helicopters were actually needed to enhance the Force’s operational capabilities. The contents of the correspondence soon became known to insiders in the Defence industry and led to serious petitions against the transaction on the grounds that it would amount to massive fraud if executed and that the NAF was guilty of negligence

as it did not carry out the mandatory due diligence before endorsing the deal. According to a petition by a military hardware supplier, “ the total cost of $345.05million, including freight in the attached invoice...does not differentiate between the Puma and SU-25. The unit cost for the SU-25 is mentioned as $11million for a new jet on the internet. While the offered SU-25 are not new, the Puma helicopters are heavily overloaded in price of at least $45 million each”. Wondering why the NAF would prefer overloaded cost, the company said it quoted $25 million for the helicopter adding that the $39.45 million offered by the preferred firm for armament to NAF, far exceeded its quotation of $13million. Its conclusion: “This proposed deal being supported by the approving authority is heavily overloaded and considering the probable age of the equipment, is not a fair deal for Nigeria at all”. It addContinued on page 60

ry out a mop up operation” after which they will ask to assume the guardian of security for the nation and thereby direct INEC to shift the election. Members of the Council of State chaired by the president are: Vice President, Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, Chief Justice of Nigeria, governors, former Heads of State, Government, former Chief Justices of Nigeria and Attoney - General of the Federation/Minister of Justice. On the judicial and political plane a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is the arrow head of the postponement campaign.He is being used to talk to people in the judiciary and the political class, many to whom he has shared millions of naira in the hundreds. The 16 parties that have now lined up to request for election postponement were each bribed with a whopping sum of 250 naira million each according to some

Continued from page 1

Continued on page 60

‘Earthquake’ to hit PDP as five governors set to join APC, says Oyegun

LL Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has predicted “earthquake” in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 72 hours to next week’s general elections with the defection of five of its governors. Odigie-Oyegun said the governors will join the APC, saying he had finalised plans to receive them into the opposition’s fold The APC chairman told supporters in Benin yesterday that his party was poised to win the general elections. "Let me reveal to you today that very soon, you will hear of an earthquake that will consume the PDP in this country. As I’m talking to you, I have held meetings with the governors. Let me not release the cat out of the bag. But let me assure you that a few hours to the presidential and national assembly elections, the PDP’s

APC rejects attempts to postpone elections preparations in order to achieve a postponement are being seen for what they are: a desperate ploy by the PDP administration to avoid certain electoral defeat. “Unfortunately, in the process, the polity is being overheated to dangerous levels, with consequences that might be unpredictable at this stage. “Nigerians understand where the orchestrated attempts involving instigation of political parties and other groups, flimsy legal challenges and cynical manipulation of national elders and leaders are coming from. “These are part of the PDP script to deny Nigerians their right to choose their leaders on the 14th and 28th of February. “APC reaffirms its commitment to fully participate in the general elections on February 14th and 28th as planned and will not accept any postponement.” On alleged plot to conscript the National Council of State into the poll postponement, Odigie-Oyegun said it would be a disservice. He said the party was advising members of the council not to be part of any plot to damage the nation’ s hard-earned democracy. His words: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) is aware that the Presidency may attempt to drag members of The Council

members of the parties,” a source said. The Presidential Campaign Organisation of the APC yesterday urged the National Council of state to put the interest of the nation above selfish interest and refuse to be drawn into the controversy of election postponement. Spokesman of the Organisation Mallam Garba Shehu said in a statement that considering the zeal of Nigerians for change and their passion to vote, there should be no excuse to deny Nigerians the right to exercise their franchise. He said since INEC, which is constitutionally empowered to conduct elections is saying it is ready for the elections, there is no basis to contemplate its shift on the grounds of politically-expedient excuses. He said: “The Independent National Electoral Commission is the custodian of the electoral process and should therefore be given a free hand to conduct the 2015

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

canoe will sink. "You can see that our President and his party have engaged in one character assassination and the other; yet we are looking at them, focusing on our campaign of issues and not namecalling. "The hand writing is so clear, February 14 is Lovers’ Day , that is a special day for our party. As from that day, Jonathan will start to pack his belongings out of Aso Rock . "The elections cannot be postponed at this hour and they cannot rig it either. Just go there that day and vote, protect it, it is evidently clear that the PDP and Jonathan are running scared. "Can you imagine a Col. Sambo Dasuki (the National Security Adviser) who cannot advise the President on how to tackle insurgency, calling for elections postponement? " Oyegun wondered.

We are not for interim govt, poll shift, says PDP

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied alleged plots to instal an interim government if President Goodluck Jonathan loses the February 14 election. The party also denied rooting for a shift in the February poll. The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling party of instigating a shift in dates of election and plotting to scuttle the poll, with the view to installing an interim government. But the Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, yesterday denied the allegations, describing them as disingenuous, tenuous and shameful. “This is because it is common knowledge that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not provide for the Interim Nation Government contraption that the APC talks about,” Fani-Kayode said at a news conference in Abuja . The PDP accused the spokesman of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, of building of State into its efforts to postpone the elections during the scheduled meeting of The Council on Thursday, February 5th. “Members of The Council of State are Nigerians who are held in very high esteem, and their involvement in a project that damages the democratic process will be a serious disser-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

up seemingly scary scenarios to create tension, cause panic in the polity and incite supporters of his party and well-meaning Nigerians against the Federal Government, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP. The PDP urged Nigerians to discountenance the APC and Lai Mohammed’s “petty lies”, assuring them that all arms of the government are patriotically committed to discharging their constitutionally-prescribed responsibilities and duties. Said Fani-Kayode: “We believe that the APC’s unconscionable alarm is part of its characteristic and habitual propaganda through which it has over and over again imposed its skewed agenda on many undiscerning Nigerians.” Fani-Kayode said: “We, as a party, will not allow them to damage the good work that the PDP, most especially the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, has done to transform our nation.

vice to our national assets in leaders. “APC has faith in the distinguished members of The Council of State, and advises them not to become tools in the hands of an administration that wants to subvert our fragile democratic process. INEC should be allowed to perform its duties without overbearing interference

“Their plan is to prepare a fertile ground upon which to discredit our anticipated victory at the polls, unleash anarchy and violence on the country after they lose so that we would not be able to enjoy our victory. By the grace of God and the support of a vast majority of Nigerians, their plan will fail,” Fani-Kayode said. He accused the APC of subjecting the nation to what he described as a dress rehearsal of the monumental violence that the APC, according to him, was planning. The President’s campaign spokesman said the decision to postpone elections was entirely vested in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that it’s not within the functions of the PDP or the Government to do so. “INEC is completely independent. We have called on INEC to ensure that everybody has the Permanent Voter Cards (PVC). We have done that public service; but as to whether election is to be postponed or not is INEC’s sole decision.

from other institutions of State and the evil machinations of the PDP.” Odigie-Oyegun said APC believes that INEC is capable of conducting free and fair elections, with its present level of preparedness. He said: “Our party is encouraged by the fact that INEC has restated in clear and unambigu-

ous terms its determination and ability to conduct the elections as planned. “It is the constitutional prerogative of INEC to set election dates which nonetheless should meet at least the minimum threshold of confidence. “We recognise that it had challenges but these are challenges that have been or are be-

•Gen. Buhari

ing seriously tackled by the Commission, and the engineered clamour for postponement is not helping the situation.” Odigie-Oyegun, who responded to questions after the short and sharp briefing, said since INEC had repeatedly claimed that it was ready for the elections, APC had no reason to disbelieve the electoral umpire. He added: “ What I have told you today is that we have confidence in the assurances by INEC that they are ready to conduct free, fair and transparent election. Continued on page 60

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS Coalition alleges plan to remove Jega From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

COALITION of civil society organisations (CSOs) has alleged plans to remove Prof. Attahiru Jega as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The groups also said there were plans to postpone this month’s general elections by using the judiciary The coalition made up of the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and others said it was also aware of plans to declare INEC unfit to manage the elections, thereby leading to its postponement. An activist, Mrs. Saudatu Mahdi, who spoke on behalf of other members of the coalition in Abuja yesterday, cited the alleged lapse in the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as the main reason. Mrs. Mahdi said: “In the last few days, there have been different shades of sponsored agitation. We know that the overall objective is to create an atmosphere of uncertainty to justify shift in the polls. “The enemies of Nigeria’s democracy, we make bold to say, are planning to remove the INEC chairman to pave the way for the appointment of a plaint, submissive and dependent stooge, who will be more willing to do the bidding of the powers that be. “A corollary to this is what we already see playing out in some states, where some INEC’s resident electoral commissioners are going into overdrive in a bid to please the powers that be.” She said the coalition was aware of the existence of some fifth columnists, who were eager to blunt the goodwill of the INEC chairman by recruiting crowds to protest against him. Also speaking, the TMG Chairman, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, while condemning plans to use the judiciary to scuttle the polls, urged well-meaning citizens as well as the intelligentsia to brace themselves to defend democracy.

PDP using police, govt agencies to clamp down on us, says Lagos APC

HE Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using the police and other federal agencies against its candidates and supporters. Its Publicity Secretary Mr. Joe Igbokwe, who briefed reporters at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, alleged that PDP members and supporters were committing atrocities with the aid of policemen. He alleged: “Like a thief in the night, they have waylaid our supporters, humiliate, intimidate, maim and even kill them. We are appealing to the law enforcement agencies to rise up to the occasion before it is too late. “On Thursday, January 22, 2015, in Agege, an APC supporter, Mr. Eyitayo Peter, was shot dead while Lanre Ogunjimi sustained serious injuries after a brazen attack by the supporters of Niyi Raheem, a

•Party: it is not true By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

House of Representative candidate of the PDP. “The matter was reported at Elere Police Station and till now, we are yet to get a clear picture of what transpired on that fateful day. The human rights community in that area has asked the police to unravel the killers of Eyitayo without success.” Igbokwe also narrated another incident allegedly involving PDP and one of his candidates without any caution from the police. He said: “Recently, we witnessed another display of impunity and lawlessness when our governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode grassroots supporters at Musan Okunola Local Council Development Authority (LCDA), who were on a door-to-door

campaign, were attacked, leaving more than 10 vehicles damaged and scores injured. “On Sunday, February 1, 2015, Mr. Segun Adewale, the PDP senatorial candidate for Lagos West, led armed thugs and supporters to the Ikeja office of the APC candidate in the same zone, Solomon Adeola Olamilekan (aka Yayi), and fired shots and in the process, destroyed the rear windscreen of Yayi’s Toyota Land Cruiser and other property.” Igbokwe alleged that the incident was an assassination attempt on the candidate. The APC spokesman said the PDP candidate, however, said that he went to complain to Yayi because his campaign materials were being removed by the latter’s supporters. “This matter has been reported to the Lagos State commissioner of Police and we are waiting police for action,” he

said. Igbokwe flanked by some APC chieftains also berated the police on its comment against the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) in which the Commissioner of Police Kayode Aderanti threatened to arrest LASAA officials, who attempt to remove any illegally pasted political posters. He said the threat emboldened PDP members and their supporters to commit more acts of impunity, thereby making LASAA and other advertising agencies to lose contracts worth billions of naira. Reacting, the state PDP Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, debunked the allegations, saying it was the APC that is provoking and heating up the polity. Gani said: “APC is the ruling party in the state and has all the government apparatus working for it. The APC is only crying wolf because it seemed to be losing relevance.”

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

NIGERIAN voters have been urged not to choose leaders on the basis of tribe, religion and regional interests. The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), gave this advice at a sensitisation workshop on security and violence-free elections in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital. He added that the electorate should elect those they could trust represent their interests as well as constituencies. Dasuki, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office (SSO) in the Presidency, Dr. Habiba M. Lawal, said elections were fiercely being contested due to ignorance of the basic tenets of democracy. This, the national security adviser stated, was why the citizenry should be enlightened. “The workshop is organised to increase the security consciousness of Nigerians in promoting peace and security, before, during and after the elections.”

Police redeploy 16 commissioners From Chris Oji, Enugu

•Igbokwe (middle) at the briefing...yesterday. With him are vice chairman of the party’s publicity committee, Biodun Salami (left) and a member of the committee, Mrs. Yinka Babalola. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

We’ll invest in youth empowerment, Jonathan tells rally RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has reiterated that his administration will continue to invest in youth development, if reelected. He spoke at a campaign rally at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, the Edo State Capital, attended by party faithful and supporters who came in buses from Delta, Ondo and Anambra states. Men of the armed forces, Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) condoned off the airport road leading to the venue of the rally for several hours. This forced motorists and residents to divert to alternate routes to get to their destinations while other trekked long distances. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on Nigerians to reject what he described as the “deceit” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, whom he said will build more prisons than

Dasuki to voters: don’t choose leaders on religious basis

•Benin monarch to president: God’s choice is our own From Osagie Otabor and Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

schools for the people. Jonathan said: “In 2011, when we came to seek your votes, you voted for us and I can assure you that we will not disappoint you. So, when we are talking about transformation, we are talking about real transformation, not a matter of change. Change takes place every day. When you move from your sitting room to your bedroom, it is change. But you have not transformed yourself.” “We are going to transform this country. Look at a country like Singapore. Singapore, which was at he same level Nigeria. But it has changed from Third World to First World country and that as the transformation we are talking about. And that is why we are investing in the education of our people.” According to him, his administration’s commitment in ensuring that youths acquired

‘

God and our ancestorsalready knowyour(President Jonathan) aims; whoever God has chosen is our choice

‘

quality education was responsible for the establishment of 18 universities. “When we came on board, we discovered that we don’t have enough universities and that is why we opened 14 new universities and we also built more primary and secondary schools for our young people. “So, we are encouraging young people with talents in sports, music and comedy so

that they can contribute to development. Our government is interested in encouraging young people, rather than building prisons. Anytime the APC comes to you, ask them how many schools they built? Prison does not develop people and that is why we are different. “When we called on the party to attend the conference, the APC refused to be part of it and these are the same people, who are talking about change? They are deceiving us. Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih assured the President of block vote from the Southsouth, adding that a vote for Buhari is a vote for tyranny and autocracy. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student and Youth Matter, Comrade Jude Imagwe, said youths are ready to vote for the President for according them the opportunity to be part of decision making in governance.

He mentioned the 18 slots allocated to them in the national conference. However, the Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, stated that the Bini would accept whoever God choose to lead the country after the presidential elections. Oba Erediauwa, who spoke when the President visited his palace as part of his campaign rally, said his ancestors and God know who would be the next President. The Benin Monarch, who was represented by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Igbe, called for peaceful elections and campaigns. He said: “God and our ancestors already know your (President Jonathan) aims; whoever God has chosen is our choice.” Jonathan praised the Oba and his chiefs for sustaining the country’s peace. He said he was at the palace to inform the monarch of his presence in Benin for the presidential rally.

THE Police Service Commission has approved the redeployment of 16 commissioners of police. The redeployment is in line with the commission’s drive to reposition the Force for optimal performance, according to a statement by the commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani. Affected in the exercise are the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ekiti State, Fredrick Lakanu, who has been moved to Ogun State Command; CP Ibrahim K. Idris (CP PMF FHQ, Abuja) move to Kano State Command, CP Musa Katsina Mohammed Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Jos - to Oyo State Command; and CP Usman Tilli Abubakar (NIPSS, Jos) to Jigawa State Command. Others include CP Olufemi David Ogunbayode (NIPSS, Jos) to Zamfara State Command; CP Mohammed Sani Usman (CP MS ‘F’ Dept. FHQ) to Nasarawa Command; CP Nyats Nyehsu Jatau (CP Railway Lagos) to Taraba State Command; CP Mohammed K. Mohammed (Dep. CMDT, PSC, Jos) to Bauchi State; and CP Karma Hosea Hassan (CP Anambra State) to Rivers State. Also moved are CP Joshak Habila (CP CTU, FHQ) to Abia State; CP Salisu Fagge Abdullahi (CP Special Fraud Unit (SFU), FHQ) to Sokoto State; CP Damilola Samuel Adegbuyi (CP, SFU, FHQ) to Edo State; CP Adeyemi O. Samuel Ogunjemilusi (CP Interpol FCID, FHQ) to Ekiti State; CP Dibal Paul Yakadi (FC2i/c Anambra State) to CP Anambra State; CP Tonye Ebitibituwa (CP ‘A’ R&P FHQ Abuja) to Cross River State Command; and CP Danladi Mshelbwala (CP EOD FHQ, Abuja) to CP Kebbi State Command.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS

Obasanjo to Nigerians: vote right on Feb. 14

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo refused yesterday to make further comment on the February 14 and 28 general elections, saying he had said enough. But, he urged Nigerians to go out and vote on that day, and vote right. “I will talk after the elections,” the former president said.

•‘No more comments until winner emerges’

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

The former Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke in Abeokuta, the state capital, at a sensitisation programme for traditional rulers in Egbaland (Ogun Central) on the opportunities available in waste and how it could be harnessed for wealth creation.

His words: “If anybody is still looking for me to say something now, the person probably has not been around for some time now. “The fault is not in our star, but in ourselves. I have spoken enough. Our efforts start February 14. We should go and vote that day and vote right. I will talk after the elec-

tions. “You see the stage at which we are now; I have spoken with my mouth, with my eyes and even with my other body languages. Whomever that still has not understood my language, I am still sorry for such a person. “The matter we have at hand now; God has done His

own. It is left for us to do our own. Are we going to say that God has not favoured us enough? Are we lacking in human resources or solid mineral resources? What else do we want?” He added: “I have said I will not speak again regarding the forthcoming election until it is over. After the elec-

tion, then we will talk. But as for me, I have spoke with my mouth, eyes, nose and other body languages. It is now left for your understanding. “Whichever one that you do not understand, I will just put it in prayers for you that God Himself may make you understand all that I have said fully. But I will not say more than this; until after the elections.”

NUC scraps pass degree in varsities

HE National Universities Commission (NUC) has abolished the award of pass degree in the nation’s universities with effect from the 2013/ 2014 academic session. Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, the vice chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, said this yesterday at the 2014/ 2015 matriculation of 4,133 students of the institution. “This has far-reaching implications on the grading system of students in universities. “This means that the minimum pass mark for courses in the universities will now be 45 per cent, that is, D-grade, instead of the previous 40 per cent which was E-grade. “It also means that the minimum class of degree to be earned by students will now be Third Class,” he said.

EFCC declares Nyako, son wanted

HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday declared former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako wanted. Also wanted by the EFCC is his son Abdul Aziz Murtala Nyako, a retired Naval officer. EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren said: “Both are wanted in a case of criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse of office and money laundering.” Nyako was impeached last year by the Adamawa State House of Assembly over allegations of abuse of office.

•National Chairman,All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun (left) speaking at a news conference by the party rejecting the postponement of February elections in Abuja...yesterday. With him from right are: APC National Secretary Mai PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Mala Bunu and a party chieftain, Chief Tony Momoh...yesterday.

Leadership role not for children, says Osinbajo •Buhari’s running-mate speaks at Adeboye’s 73rd birthday

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, said yesterday that leadership roles are not meant for children or those immature to handle them. He spoke in Lagos at the maiden edition of a yearly lecture series in commemoration of the 73rd birthday of the General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch, organised by the Triumphant Elders Consultative Forum. In a lecture titled: “Harmonising virtues to gain heaven and earthly prosperity,” Prof. Osinbajo noted that when leadership role is bestowed on immature persons, they see same as opportunity to enrich themselves. According to him, every believer must have the transformative virtues, which he termed as “serving others, education, hard work and innovation, integrity, caring for the needy, fairness, equality and justice for all, love for enemies, humility and frugality”. He also attributed the failures and challenges befalling the nation in both public and private transactions to the absence of integrity, adding that no one can exemplify the life of Jesus Christ without integrity. Prof. Osinbajo, who used Pastor Adeboye as an example, said true prosperity and significance can only come from a life of selfless committed service to others. “The question that you and I must ask is how does a man

‘ ‘

When leadership role is bestowed on immature persons, they see same as opportunity to enrich themselves from Ifewara… a place not so prominent in the map of his own country in Nigeria - in under 30 years of adulthood become one of the most influential men in the world without holding public office or fighting a war? “Simple - he accepted the overlordship of Jesus Christ. He abandoned all personal ambitions despite the certainty of a stellar and comfortable career, and dedicated his life to helping others to find salvation and spreading the message of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ in every village, city and nation of the world. These are the virtues that make for earthly prosperity and a guaranteed place in heaven. “Heavenly prosperity comes from accepting not a religion, but the truth that Jesus came to the world to pay for the sins of all men by dying on the cross and shedding his blood. Embracing that truth and accepting his lordship,” said Prof. Osinbajo. Reeling out statistics of the challenges facing the nation, Osinbajo stated that poverty was raging about 112 million people because the righteous were not in power, adding that God has given to every believer five cardinal mandates - be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth, subdue it, and have dominion.

He added that God would hold them accountable for their actions and inactions. The APC presidential running-mate said: “Our challenges are poverty– 112 million extremely poor despite being the largest economy in Africa. We are one of 33 of the poorest countries in the world; infant mortality - 3.9 million children have died between 2009 and 2014; maternal mortality - 55,000 women die every year; diarrheal diseases – 110,000 yearly deaths; literacy – 10.4 million children out of school; 80 per cent graduates jobless; corruption; missing funds – N2.6 trillion NNPC petroleum subsidy scam; $7 billion kerosene subsidy scam; $1 billion missing excess crude fund; 400,000 barrels of oil stolen every day… “Our challenges present personal and communal obstacles to prosperity and happiness. Who does God expect to solve these problems? According to Matthew 5:13-14, we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth…we are the solution to Nigeria’s problems. Our environment eagerly await revealing and manifestations of the sons of God. He urged Christians to love their enemies, adding that those who have the powers to influence government policies that will better the

ple should fold their arms. “Some of us have the powers to influence governments and ask why there are no free health services, free education and social welfare scheme for the elderly? It is a fundamental responsibility God has given us. I am a politician today so that I can be able to at that level do things that will influence policies that will change millions of lives,” he said. Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Pastor Tunji Onileaja said their reason for organising the lecture was divine, describing Adebayo as a hero of modern gospel, who at 73 is stronger physically, spiritually and mentally and supervises about 180 countries across the world. In his remark, Adeboye said Jesus was the way forward and the only way, insisting that it was God who turned his life around. He urged anyone who wants to become influential to give his life to Jesus, adding that it is only God who can promote without demoting. He commended the organisers and Prof. Osinbajo, noting that he had thought he would not attend the event and had earlier sent a pre-recorded tape to them. He explained that the forum had wanted to start the lecture since his 70th birthday, but he did not allow them. Adeboye ended his speech by praying for those who surrendered their lives to God as well as a general prayer for the congregation.

NECO records 31 per cent pass in Nov/Dec SSCE From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

HE National Examinations Council (NECO) yesterday released the results of the 2014 Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for external candidates. About 30.57 per cent of the candidates passed the examination with credits in five major subjects, including mathematics and English Language. Its Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Promise Okpala, who announced the result at the council headquarters in Minna, the Niger State capital, said the result was an improvement on 2013 result of 28.62 per cent credit pass in five subjects and above. Okpala stressed that only 61,386 candidates of 63,445 that registered for the examination sat for it. A breakdown of the result showed that 59,996 of 63,445 (about 52.39 per cent) scored credit pass in English Language while 29,568 of 59,262 (49.8 per cent) got credit pass in Mathematics. In Economics, 53.01 per cent candidates made credits while 51.62 per cent of candidates that sat for Chemistry also had credits. In Biology, 50.04 per cent of the candidates made credit grades. The registrar, however, said there have been improvements in external SSCE results in the last four years. He put malpractices level at about one per cent, adding that 620 candidates were involved in malpractice cases at the national level. He ascribed the low level of malpractice as an “eloquent testimony of the painstaking efforts the council consistently made to eradicate examination malpractices.”

700 IDPs protest in Abuja •Oritsejafor donates relief materials From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

O fewer than 700 victims of Boko Haram insurgency, who were temporarily camped at the New Kunchingoro, a suburb of Abuja, protested yesterday what they described as inhuman condition in which they were living. They accused the Federal Government of not caring enough about their plight. The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) registered their displeasure when the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, visited the camp and donated relief materials worth millions of naira to them. The IDPs, who are mostly from the Boko Haram-ravaged Gworza Local Government Area of Borno State, said a promise made by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to relocate them to a more secure camp had not been kept. The FCT CAN Chairman, Rev. Israel Akanji, assured the IDPs that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was working had to complete the site that would house all the IDPs in the city. Some of the items donated include bags of rice, clothes, cows, food items, drugs and other basic houses utensils.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS Public holidays in Oyo

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has declared tomorrow and Friday as public holidays. A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Festus Adedayo, said the holidays are to enable the people collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The governor enjoined the people to take full advantage of the holidays by collecting their PVCs and exercising their civic duties.

Oyo APC warns aspirant From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has warned an aspirant, Lawrence Adewale, to stop parading himself as winner of the primary for Oluyole Federal Constituency. The party’s Director of Publicity and Strategy, Olawale Sadare, said: “Our candidate is Mr Olusumbo Olugbemi recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Adewale is on his own and he should stop the jingles that he is an APC candidate. “On the day of the primary, there was a malpractice which was traced to Adewale. As far as our party is concerned, any aspirant involved in malpractice will be disqualified. “There was an individual caught with multiple ballot papers and he was arrested and taken to the Department of State Security (DSS) Office at Aleshinloye and this same aspirant went to bail the person, claiming that he was his brother. “He is trying to sabotage APC’s chances in Oluyole, but we are in control of the situation and we still insist that our candidate in Oluyole Federal Constituency remains Mr Olusumbo Olugbemi.”

‘Election’ll free Nigerians’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has said Nigerians will be liberated through the general polls. He said there would be freedom from current economic recession and under-development plaguing the nation in the last 16 years. Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Ife Federal Constituency, the governor called on all eligible voters to see the elections as a date with destiny. “I want to use this opportunity of our campaign at Ife to tell our people that the elections are as important as the August 9 governorship election in which all of us stood up in defence of truth. “We were not in any way moved by their ploy to intimidate us, we will come out to vote and at the same time ensure that our votes count. We must ensure that all our National Assembly members and the state Assembly members are voted for. “Voting for all our candidates will complement our administration’s policies and desire to continue to raise the level of governance and infrastructure in our state. We must ensure that the PDP fails in the coming election. With this, we will be able to ensure that they have nothing to do in our land.” Earlier, Aregbesola paid homage to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade and presented all APC candidates to the traditional ruler for royal blessings. The governor urged the gathering to encourage people who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards to do so, saying this is the only way to get the much desired change they have been clamouring for.

•ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) CANDIDATES: Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central Senatorial District) flanked by from left Desmond Elliot (House of Assembly Surulere I); Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Federal Constituency I); Hakeem Bamgbola (Surulere Federal Constituency II) and Deji Awobotu (House of Assembly Surulere II) at the APC campaign rally in Surulere Local Government Area... yesterday

Soldiers assault reporter in Ekiti

HERE was panic in Okeyinmi, Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday, where some yet-to-be-identified soldiers assaulted a reporter, Wole Balogun. The soldiers, in a bid to clear the traffic jam assaulted the reporter who they accused of causing an obstruction. Balogun was thrown to the ground by the soldiers who kicked and whipped him. They shunned entreaties from passersby. Narrating his ordeal, Balogun said he alighted from his car to ask a motorist blocking the road to give way when two of the soldiers emerged from nowhere and as-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, AdoEkiti

saulted him. Said he: “Yesterday morning, I was driving to the State University (EKSU) campus for an event of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which I was invited to cover. “As I approached the Okeyinmi roundabout opposite a bank in the area, there was traffic. “I tried to negotiate the bend so I could pass through Okeyinmi Road but a motorist, who was driving down from the same road, blocked my way. “I hooted several times but he was adamant. I came out of my car

to meet him. “Two young soldiers appeared behind me and started beating me with their belts and boots. They whipped and kicked me several times and ordered me to enter my car and drive to anywhere. “All my attempts to explain the situation were rebuffed. They appeared infuriated by my explanation as they continuously hit me in the head. “I ran to my car and drove off. I couldn’t drive far because I was covered in blood and couldn’t see.” The state Chairman, Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rotimi Ojomoyela, in a statement said:

“The NUJ frowns at attacks against any journalist; there is no reason why any journalist should be attacked. “The jackboot approach by security operatives to settle disputes, especially their hostility towards reporters is becoming a daily affair. “Men of goodwill across the country should join the NUJ to protect us from those who are persecuting us daily, especially at the slightest provocation. “The NUJ will not take lying low issues of attack on any journalist any longer, nobody, no matter how powerful his gun is, can beat us to submission. We will fight back with our pen.”

I‘ll improve feeder roads, says Ambode

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has said his administration will open up the local government areas through the building and rehabilitation of feeder roads. At a rally in Surulere, Lagos Mainland, he said it was important to collaborate with the local governments to build good roads to enhance the commercial and living condition of Lagosians. He said: “I know that our feeder roads have problems, but I have a local government plan for you called ‘20-20-57’; through this, we will make each local government build 20 roads and 20 street lights in one year. “If we do that for one year, we will have 1,140 new roads in the 57 councils. When we do it for four years, we will be having over 5,000 roads. “I have a plan to bring back gov-

ernance to the local government.“ Ambode said there will be an empowerment programme that will enable youths access credit facilities. The APC candidate said the APC is very passionate about the welfare of the people, stressing that Lagos has been working in the last 16 years because of the government’s commitment. “All we want in the next four years is to make Lagos work for you. We have decided to continue in this tradition of excellence that the APC is known for. “I have a plan for all our youths; we are going to create more jobs through tourism, hospitality, entertainment and arts. We will create employment trust fund for youths, to be

Communities seek direct dealing

Why I joined APC, by Etteh

Panel on UniOsun crisis

SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has named a five-man visitation panel to investigate the crisis at the state-owned university, UniOsun. A statement by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, listed the members of the panel as Prof Adebiyi Gregory Daramola (Chairman); Prof Jacob Laoye Ladipo; Prof Omotoye Olorode; Mr. Babatunde Adebayo and Mrs. O.O. Kolawole (Secretary). The panel is to investigate the basis of the crisis in the university; investigate the misunderstanding between the management and council; determine the roles of individuals and groups in the crisis and recommend appropriate steps to address the situation and prevent a recurrence. It will submit its report in four weeks.

IVERINE communities in Ondo State have insisted that oil giant Chevron should deal directly with their leaders. Leaders of Awoye and Molutehin communities took the decision after a meeting at Moulutehin Town Hall. The communities have also complained about what they termed the “regrettable experience of the people of Awoye and Molutehin cconcerning the overbearing disposition of the Olugbo of Ugbo, Oba F.E O Akinruntan”. They accused the traditional ruler of attempting to impose oil representatives on Ilaje Regional Development Council (IRDC) against the collective heritage of the people. The communities also accused the government through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government Dr Rotimi Adeola and the Chairman of OSOPADEC, Johnson Ogunyemi of “attempting to politicise an established community driven process”.

•PDP supporters join APC train By Musa Odoshimokhe

ORMER Speaker of the House of Representatives Mrs. Olubunmi Etteh has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Joined by thousands of her supporters from Irewole, Ayedaade and Isokan Federal Constituency, Mrs. Etteh said she joined the APC because of the party’s progressive policies and the love for the masses, saying her decision will allow her contribute her quota to the development of the people. She praised Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the positive change he brought to the state in the last four and a half years, noting that the transformation of the state is glaring. Aregbesola, speaking at a welcome rally, enjoined voters in the constituency to vote for APC candidates.

able to have easy access to capital which will only attract about one or two percent interest. “When you have access to that, you will be able to create jobs and employ more people,” he added. Ambode, who praised Surulere community for its economic impact to the country, said it is the heartbeat of tourism. “Surulere is the heart of entertainment, what I intend to do is to make sure that Surulere is reckoned as the abode of entertainers and ranks as one of the best places of arts and creativity in the world.” He said government will ensure that the physically challenged have access to better life. “We have two stadia in Surulere, these have enhanced sporting life in this community.

“Lagosians are happy with what Governor Babatunde Fashola is doing, but let me assure you that projects that he may not complete I will complete and enhance them,” the APC candidate said. There was a mild drama when many supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ran into the APC campaign train at Alaka Bus Stop, Surulere. Some of the PDP supporters abandoned their train, folded their umbrellas and threw away some of their party souvenirs. They joined the APC train shouting "Change, Change, Change". They said the wind of change had blown away the PDP "to restore the dignity of our people and rescue the masses". The crowd followed Ambode to the venue of the campaign rally, where he thanked them for the show of love and acceptance.

•Mrs. Etteh

The governor said the victory of the August 9 governorship election would be boosted with the party securing all the seats in the National and State Assemblies. He said change could only come when the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, comes to power by May 29.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NEWS Five dead in Ibadan tanker fire From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

IVE people were burnt to death yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, when a fully loaded diesel tanker crashed into many vehicles. The accident was said to have been caused by failure of the vehicle’s brake at Olugbode Junction on the Apata/ Abeokuta Road. It was learnt that there was traffic jam in the area, leaving many casualties. The victims were taken to a private hospital near the scene of the accident. An eyewitness said: “We would have been telling another story if it had been loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol”. Police spokesperson Adekunle Ajisebutu confirmed the incident. He said he got a distress call from somebody and made the necessary contact thereafter. Ajisebutu said he was waiting for an official briefing by the Divisional Police Officer.

Osinbajo: plot for postponement deceitful

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday described the plot to postpone the February 14 and 28 elections as “absolutely devious”, saying there is no merit in all arguments for it. Osinbajo spoke in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he met traders and professional groups. He said: “I think it is an absolutely devious thing to want to postpone the elections. “This administration had four years to prepare for the elections. There is no merit in any argument for the postponement of the elections. “It is a ploy to delay the elections. It is absurd for a country

•Unveils APC manifesto From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

as big as ours that we are conducting elections after four years of preparation, and saying at this point that we want to postpone. It is totally unacceptable.” On the pressure being mounted on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Osinbajo said: “INEC is prepared. Prof. Jega is a seriousminded person. He has been doing this for several years. “If he says: ‘I am ready’, then he is ready. If he is pres-

surised, then we would know it is pressure. We will know it is not because Jega is not ready but because somebody else is not ready or somebody else doesn’t want the elections to hold.” After a road show to the popular Bodija Market where he was received and hailed by jubilating traders, Osinbajo met with professional groups at the Ibadan Civic Centre. He highlighted the various challenges confronting the country due to what he described as “poor governance or leadership”. Osinbajo unveiled the APC manifesto.

It includes immediate creation of 20,000 jobs in each state with the assistance of the APCled Federal Government; controlling and ultimately eradicating corruption; feeding of primary school pupils; tax discounts for entrepreneurs who employ a minimum of 10 workers and pay the minimum wage; ending power problem through privatisation of transmission; developing Independent Power Projects as well as exploring natural gas. The manifesto also includes free education in primary and secondary school as well as technology, engineering, mathematics and education courses in tertiary institutions.

Fuel scarcity looms in Ondo, Ekiti From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Sacked Owena Motel workers protest From Damisi Ojo, Akure

ORKERS of the Ondo State governmentowned Owena Motel Limited, Akure, yesterday protested the non-payment of their outstanding salaries. The protesting workers sang solidarity songs at the entrance of the motel, disrupting its operation. Armed with various placards, the workers alleged that the government owed 20 months’ salaries. Under the auspices of Hotel and Personal Services Senior Staff Association (HAPSSSA), the protestors also demanded proper disengagement letters, gratuities and entitlements from the government after many of them had worked for 30 years in the motel. HAPSSSA State Chairman Ayodele Oguntimilehin alleged that the government was planning to auction the property of the motel. The state Chairman, National Union of Hotels and Personal Services Workers (NUHPSW), Ebenezer Jogbodo, said the government had remained insensitive to the plight of the disengaged workers. “We can’t pay our children’s tuition fee and most of us here are suffering, many can’t even take care of their family because we were disengaged unjustly and government refused to pay our salaries.” Efforts to speak with the Special Assistant to the Governor on Labour Matters, Dayo Fadahunsi, proved abortive.

Health insurance, social security, investment in housing and infrastructure, road network and railway. The APC candidate added that the APC government would revive commodity boards to transform the agriculture sector, adding that the government would invest in rice production and milling and invest in the value chain of common farm produce. To help the entertainment industry, Osinbajo said the APC government would fight piracy. At the town hall meeting were medical doctors, lawyers, artistes, journalists, investors and other professionals.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters at Sabo Ward 5, during his ward-to-ward re-election campaign rally in Sagamu Local Government Area...yesterday.

Mbu: no one can influence poll under me

•Mbu

HE Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone II, Mbu Joseph Mbu, has said no politician can influence the outcome of the polls under his watch. Mbu, who spoke at his maiden visit to the State Police Command, Ikeja, Lagos, warned politicians to desist from taking thugs to polling units, insisting they would be arrested and prosecuted. He also warned officers against partisanship during the elections. His words: “Don’t be intimidated and don’t fear anyone no matter his or her status. Don’t smile at anyone. Arrest anyone who flouts electoral rules and regulations as I am behind you. “If anyone attacks my policemen, we will react violently. That is why I want to advise politicians not to come to polling stations with thugs. They should come as ordinary persons, cast their votes and leave immediately. “I want to warn that no person should be seen with

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Ebele Boniface

• AIG cautions against attacking policemen

weapons. Anyone found with machete, knife or any weapon would be arrested and prosecuted with his sponsor or leader. We mean business this time around. “I have come to make sure that this election is conducted without violence and we must make sure that it will be free and fair. “I assure Lagosians that the presidential election that will be conducted within Zone 2 would be free, fair and peaceful. “We have enough vehicles, manpower from police units ,such as Mobile Police Force,

Special Protection Unit, Rapid Response Squad and we can even seek the assistance of the Army. “Nobody, no matter the position will be above the law. I will shame critics, as we are not afraid of any person.” Mbu also threatened to hold Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Area Commanders liable for the misconduct of their subordinates. “If a DPO is good, his subordinates would emulate his good virtues but if he is bad, his men will equally do same. Any DPO found want-

ing would face my wrath.” Mbu said he had been tagged controversial because he does his job well, adding that there is nothing unusual about his posting. “If your master knows that you can do your duties well you will be posted there. There is nothing unusual about it. When I was commissioner of police I posted DPOs based on merit. “When I was area commander in Suleja, I was the principal actor in that election. My performance will disappoint my critics. I am a very meek person.”

Ekiti APC: we’ve been vindicated

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said it has been vindicated by the alarm it raised a few weeks ago that Governor Ayo Fayose collected N2 billion Ecological Fund from the Federal Government. The party said but for the Freedom of Information (FOI) law, the N2 billion Ecological Fund would have ended up in private pockets. The Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said in a statement yesterday that the latest admission by Fayose’s aides that the government received the money was coming on the heels of the party’s plan to invoke the FOI law to get confirmation that the governor indeed collected the money. He said: “We call the attention of Nigerians, particularly Ekiti people, to the attempt by the governor to shield our people from the true financial standing of the state.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

“This government’s admission only came when the governor was hinted that we were employing the FOI law to obtain the details of what happened to the Ecological Fund.” “Up till last week, Fayose was still saying at rallies and on state media that he did not collect the Ecological Fund. “But information about our move was leaked to him and as we were about to get the document, he quickly owned up. “Is it by coincidence that the N2billion we have been quoting all this while is the same figure the governor has now admitted he collected yesterday? “We knew what we were talking about. The governor and his aides called us all sorts of names, but now Ekiti people have known who to believe between the shady characters who lead the government and the opposition that serves as the people’s friend.”

UEL scarcity is looming in Ondo and Ekiti states, following threats by members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Ore Depot, to embark on a three-day warning strike from today. The strike is hinged on the failure of the Pipeline Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to make products available at Ore Depot since 2013. A communiqué at the end of the meeting signed by leaders of Independent Marketing Branch (IMB) and the Petroleum Tankers Drivers (PTD) Yemi Akinde and Olakunle Ajulo, said the stakeholders made several efforts at addressing the problems. The stakeholders said they would not allow trucks to bring petroleum products to Ondo and Ekiti states from any depot. “We will mount road blocks at all entry points to the two states. We urge the Federal Government and the PPMC to ensure pumping of fuel to the Ore Depot within the three days that the strike would last.”

Amosun: don’t postpone elections

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to postpone the general elections but rather expedite action on the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Amosun, who was speaking at a Stakeholders Sensitisation and Mobilisation Session towards the 2015 General Elections at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, disagreed with the Resident Electoral Commissioner’s, Timothy Ibitoye’s, position that registered voters had not been collecting their cards. The governor said the government would not hesitate to declare a work-free day to enable registered voters collect their cards the moment INEC assures that they are available, lamenting that only 36 percent of registered voters have so far received their cards. Amosun said he would lead the crusade to ensure an even distribution of the cards when they are available. “I believe the PVCs will come as promised by INEC but I will like to disagree with the REC on the notion that our people are not going out for their cards when the cards are not available.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

One injured, N5m goods gone in market fire

•Olajobi (in suit) at the scene of the incident with the traders

ROPERTIES worth over N5million were destroyed when fire razed shops at Afijalo Market in Mafoluku, Oshodi in Lagos. The fire followed an explosion when a trader, Mr Daniel Essie, was mixing chemicals. Essie, who owns shops 78 and 79, was said to have suffered serious injuries. He has been

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

hospitalised. The incident occurred after traders had closed. About 13 shops were razed. Some of the affected shop owners are blaming Essie for their predicament. The Iyaloja, Alhaja Abimbola Oseni, said Essie had been severally warned to desist from mixing chemi-

cals in the market. “We have warned him severally on the issue because of the harmful effect of the act to others around him. That was why he decided to do it at night when everybody had gone home. Had we had prior knowledge of his action, we could have stopped him. See how his greed and recalcitrance led to this loss of valuables worth millions of naira,” she said.

She promised that measures would be taken to avoid a recurrence. The Executive Secretary, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government, Dawood Olajobi, has called to symphatise with victims. Olajobi, who visited with some of his top officials, enjoined the market leaders to be vigilant to avoid a recurrence. He assured the victims of assistance.

‘Save me from my cruel husband’

MIDDLE-aged hairdresser, Kemi Ibrahim, has urged the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve her fouryear-old marriage. She is seeking to be disvorced from her husband, Babatunde Ibrahim, because of battery, cruelty and lack of care. The petitioner, who lives at 2, Idiagbon Street, Alakuko, said her husband once beat her mercilessly in her shop because she refused to leave

By Basirat Braimah

his house. She said: “Our marriage troubles started last December when I returned home late from shop. My husband, who knows how busy I am during festive periods, ordered me back to the shop instead of welcoming me with open arms. “On getting home the following day, he packed all my belongings outside, saying he wasn’t interested in

our marriage anymore. When I refused, he beat me mercilessly.” She said since she left Ibrahim’s house, he has stopped giving her monthly allowance. Denying the petitioner’s claim, Ibrahim, who is a driver, said: “It all started when my wife deprived me of sex because I didn’t give her money. Not just during festive periods, she was fond of returning home late. “I have never complained

of catering for the two children she had before we got married; still she disregards me. She once sent some thugs to beat me. It is very unfortunate; I am fed up and I can’t cope with her ways.” The marriage produced a child. The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered Ibrahim to pay N12, 000, the outstanding balance of their child’s feeding. He adjourned the case till February 26.

Anger over shutdown of electronic billboards

HE Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has come under fire for shutting down all electronic boards on the Third Mainland Bridge. Motorists and commuters are lamenting that the road has been thrown into darkness over the shut-down of the billboards popularly referred to as LEDs by outdoor advertising professionals. A statement by campaign Director of Lagos Commuters Advocacy Group, Mr Fidelis Ojeih, described the shutdown as an unpleasant throw-back on civilisation. He urged people of conscience to prevail FERMA to rescind its action. Last week, the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) protested the alleged impunity by the Federal Ministry of Works and some of its agencies in

By Sunday Omoniyi, Chief Sub-Editor

erecting lamp-posts and billboards in Lagos without following laid-down rules. Following the protest, FERMA officials it was learnt, removed the 7.50KVA generating sets used by the electronics billboards operators to power Third Mainland Bridge and their business.

Ojeih’s statement said the generator was dumped at the Lagos toll gate end office of FERMA. Mr. Greg Osahon, a motorist, accused FERMA officials of playing politics with such an action, adding the development has caused a black out on the bridge. “I will only appeal to the FERMA officials to desist from clamping down on the

LEDs or stealing their equipment because the billboards help to illuminate the area,” he said. Some officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also decried the exercise, saying FERMA should remember it is an agency of the Federal Government and not an arm of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Residents urged to collect PVC

xecutive Secretary, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State Mr Jaiyeola Alabi has urged residents to ensure they collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) following the exetension of the exercise by one week. The Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) last weekend extend-

ed the collection till February 8 following complaints that millions of eligible voters were yet to collect their cards. Speaking on Monday when he addressed leaders of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in his office, Alaba urged the electorate to take advantage of the extension. He said: “The PVC is your

power to elect people of your choice to represent you at the state and federal levels; so, go and collect it as it is your power and your constitutional right’’ Ilamoshe, Ifoshi and Aagbaka residents, he said, could collect their cards at Fadu Primary School, Ile-Iwe; those at Ailegun and Oke-Afa should collect theirs at Low-Cost Primary School, Oke-Afa.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 THE NATION

BUSINESS E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

The government should also support us as much as they can in infrastructure, it will help. Every month, I spend N25 million providing power and in one year, that is over N300 million, this is money that could have gone as profit to my shareholders. -Managing Director, May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Nnamdi Okafor

N250b capital on the way for FMBN

HE managing director of the Federal Mort gage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Mr. Gimba Ya’u kumo, has hinted of the Federal Government’s plan to increase the bank’s share capital to N250 billion. The apex mortgage institution has remained grossly under capitalised over the years, making it handicap in meeting its set objectives of providing Nigerians with affordable houses. Kumo did not, however, give a time frame to when the fund for the capitalisation will be made available to the bank. He however said that tackling the country’s estimated

From Nduka Chiejina (Asst. Editor)

17 million housing deficit remains the reason for the planned capital injection by government. Kumo who spoke at a send forth/ welcome dinner organised for its immediate past and new management team in Abuja, assured that discussions on the planned fund injection by all stakeholders concerned has reached an advanced stage. “We have set an agenda for ourselves and chief among them is the recapitalisation of the bank. We have made substantial progress on that,

in the next few weeks we will see results on the table. We will work hard to continue to satisfy the yearnings of Nigerian workers,”Kumo assured. A new capital base, he further explained, will place the FMBN in a better position to refinance mortgages, as it cannot meet the larger part of demands for mortgage loans from its various stakeholders at the moment. Presently, the only source of funding at the bank’s disposal is the National Housing Fund (NHF) collection which is grossly insufficient to address the housing

needs of Nigerians. Under the NHF scheme, every worker is expected to contribute 2.5 per cent of their salary to the fund. Experts have since said this ratio being contributed is rather too small when compared to the housing needs of Nigerians. The Chairman of the FMBN Board, Chief Bisi Egunjobi, commended the out gone executives for their efforts. He reckons that over the last two to four years various elements have been put in place to allow the institution be on its feet, adding that the bank is ready to attain higher heights.

• (Fourth from left) MD, ATCO, Mrs. Derin Talabi, flanked by (L-R): Planning Manager, Food, Agro & Allied Industries, Anirudh Kumar, Group Accountant, ATCO, Mr. Daramola Solomon, MD, Food, Agro & Allied Industries, Mr. Sudhansu Sinha, Financial Controller, Food, Agro & Allied Industries, Mr. Sunil Sayena and Operations Manager, ATCO, Mr. Kolade Raheem, during the inspection tour by ATCO executive to Food, Agro & Allied Industries Limited’s new factory facilities in Ota, Ogun State.

NNPC loses 60,000 barrels of crude daily T HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC), yesterday said that it loses between 50,000 and 60,000 barrels of crude oil and condensate on a daily basis to pipeline breaks. It also alleged that there appears to be a syndicate behind the economic sabotage. NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ohi Alegbe made this known in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen. The statement deplored the recent increase in attacks on crude oil and gas pipelines stressing that the Escravos-Lagos Gas Pipeline

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

was vandalised with four breaks over the weekend. The Group Executive Director (GED), Gas and Power of the Corporation, Dr. David Ige, who revealed this in a television interview in Abuja stated that the sudden increase in the activities of saboteurs around the TransForcados Pipeline and the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline in the last six weeks has robbed the nation of several billions of naira at to the detriment of the national economy. The GED stated that most of

the power plants including the Calabar Power Plant, Alaoji Power Plant, Omoku Power Plant, and Olorunsogo Power Plant, among others, have been connected to gas and that all the efforts of the Federal Government to construct unprecedented massive gas pipeline infrastructure are being sabotaged by pipeline vandals. He regreted that between January and February 2015 alone, the Trans-Forcados Crude Pipeline was attacked and vandalized four times, adding that none of the Corporation’s gas pipelines have been able to run two straight days without been brought down.

N500m contract suit against Agip begins

FEDERAL High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will today hear a suit filed against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) by some pipeline contractors over an aborted N500million pipeline surveillance contract. Some contractors from Obama, Okoroma Community in Bayelsa State, dragged the management of Agip to court, questioning the rationale behind the company’s alleged cancellation of N500milliom surveillance contract for the pipelines within Nembe Local Government Area of the state. In the suit, the contractors

From Mike a Odiegwu, Yenagoa

claimed that Agip reneged on the contractual agreement it entered with them on the 24th of May, 2014, for a retainer of surveillance services against oil thieves and pipeline vandals on the firm’s pipeline within the Obama, Okoroma Operational area in the state. They named the top management of Agip involved in the signing of the aborted agreement as Mr. Fontana Salvatore (CVR Manager) and Mr. Giovanni Azzarelli (TP manager). The aggrieved contractors in the writ of summons signed on their behalf by Mr. Nyenye

Kuro Matthias, are seeking an order directing NAOC to pay the plaintiff, the sum of N500 million being and representing arrears of monthly remuneration due and accruing to them for their services from June 2014 till October, 2014. They also demanded an order directing that the sum of N3billion damages be awarded against the defendants for a breach of contract and undue interference. They further asked the court to make an order of injunction restraining the defendants by themselves or by their servants or agents, from further interfering or meddling with the lawful commercial transactions or business of the plaintiff.

NAICOM rates “No premium, No cover” huge success By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

HE biggest change that happened to the insur ance industry in 2014 is the enforcement of the “No premium, No Cover.”This is because it has helped raise the cash flow of insurance companies and also helped reduce complaints on non settlement of claims, as insurers now respond to their claims responsibilities because they are now financially liquid. These were the views of the Commissioner for insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, while flagging off this year’s seminar for insurance correspondents in Benin, Edo State. The semionar, organised by NAICOM, is themed: “Transforming the Nigerian Insurance Sector; The Three Years Agenda” organised by the Commission in Benin, Edo State. He said the huge successes recorded has made companies in the sector more liquid and able to meet their claims obligation. He said the policy has been a huge success based on its full year assessment in 2014, and assured that the Commission would this year consolidate on reforms initiated in the past seven years. Ghanaian insurance sector and other Francophone countries have since adopted the policy based on its success.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Hopeforanationinbondage

World Cancer Day

•Increasing numbers of the disease should inspire a special policy in Nigeria

N Wednesday, Nigerians joined the rest of humanity to mark the World Cancer Day, a day set aside by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to raise awareness on prevention, detection and treatment of the disease. Cancer, which describes a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body, is among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2012 alone, approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths were recorded. Of these, more than 60 percent occurred in Africa, Asia and Central and South America – that is 70 percent of the world’s cancer deaths. As one would expect, the statistics for Nigeria is as chilling as can be: an estimated two million Nigerians are believed to be down with the disease. Head of

‘For a nation that aspires to join the league of developed countries less than five years from now, it is a crying shame that it does not have a centre of excellence devoted to cancer treatment and research. Even worse is that most of the radiotherapy machines in the country are said to be obsolete – constantly breaking down due to high patient load’

Oncology and Radiotherapy Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos, Prof Remi Ajekigbe, puts the estimated figure of new cancer cases at 100,000 yearly – with LUTH alone recording no fewer than 3,000 new cases yearly. Of the cases, more than 50 percent are said to occur in women – the commonest being breast and cervical cancer; the cancers frequently associated with men are prostate, lung, colorectum, stomach and liver cancers. What is equally noteworthy is that survival rates from the disease have doubled in the last 40 years owing to vast advances in science and medicine. Even at that, the number of new cases is projected to rise by about 70 percent over the next two decades. This is where the theme for this year – Not Beyond Us –would seem particularly apt. Aside underscoring the challenge ahead, it also underlies the resolve of the global scientific community to tackle the scourge via the avenues of new treatments and solutions within reach, with specific focus on four key areas: choosing healthy lives, delivering early detection, achieving treatment for all and maximising quality of life. Hardly an entirely new approach, this strategy would seem pragmatic; cancer treatments, even where facilities for its management are readily available are known to be very expensive. For most developing countries, including Nigeria, specialised cares for sufferers of various types of cancers are not just limited; the facilities available are overstretched just as the cost of chemotherapy and radio-

therapy treatments are well beyond what most cancer patients can afford. This is where the benefits of the approach that places primary responsibility on the individual in the area of preventive check-ups and while discouraging those life-styles that predispose the individual to the disease, cannot be over-emphasised. Just like in other aspects of our national life where preventive strategy comes highly recommended, we do not think that the government is doing nearly enough to promote behavioural changes that could help cut down the rising incidences of cancer. And to imagine that we are here referring to things as basic as improved diets, routine exercises to avoid obesity and avoidance of alcohol and smoking that can be handled at the primary health care level. The biggest challenge however is in the area of research and the provision of equipment for cancer treatment. For a nation that aspires to join the league of developed countries less than five years from now, it is a crying shame that it does not have a centre of excellence devoted to cancer treatment and research. Even worse is that most of the radiotherapy machines in the country are said to be obsolete – constantly breaking down due to high patient load –which is why affluent Nigerians now leave in droves for treatment abroad. Providing our tertiary health institutions with grants to procure cancer equipment in the circumstance would not be a bad idea. The institutions can then be expected to concentrate on training the requisite manpower.

Embarrassing cold-shoulder •The Jonathan administration should put aside hubris and address the United States’ concerns in fight against Boko Haram

HE seriousness of the Nigerian government to tackle the intractable Boko Haram insurgents can only be gleaned from the degree of trust reposed in her military and the calibre of influential foreign countries willing to give a helping hand. This is why we are particularly not comfortable with the widely touted dwindling defence relationships between the Nigerian government and her militarily powerful United States (US) counterpart at this security fragile period of Nigeria’s history. Our position has been further amplified by recent report in a New York Times publication that the Pentagon now reportedly bypasses Nigeria, preferring to work with security officials in the neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger to resolve the Boko Haram impasse. One quoted senior military official with the US Africa Command, under anonymity, reportedly said: “We don’t have a foundation for what I would call a good partnership right now. We want a relationship based on trust, but you have to be able to see yourself. And they’re in denial.” Sometime in December 2014, the Federal Government cancelled the final stage of American training of a newly-created Nigerian Army battalion. Since then, there has been no official clue or signal in the direction of rapprochement on the issue. The degeneration has even reportedly led to the refusal of the US to sell Cobra attack helicopters and other lethal weapons to the Federal Government to combat the Boko Haram insurgency un-

der the pretext that the Nigerian Army would not be able to use them responsibly. The New York Times also reported that American officials are not willing to share raw data intelligence with the Nigerian military due to their impression that the nation’s military has been infiltrated by Boko Haram, and the need to protect their sources. The corruption and far-reaching human rights’ abuses committed by Nigerian soldiers have equally been serious contributory factors to the sour defence relationships between the two countries. This is a damning verdict casting serious aspersion on the capability of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration to maintain the respectability of the nation’s military and sovereignty. Worse is the fact that such a verdict is coming from the outside based not on frivolous parameters but on empirical evidence gathered during American military trainers and specialists’ close contact with Nigeria’s military personnel. We are still in quandary over why the US, Britain and France, among others, will be working confidently with neighbouring countries to solve a major Nigerian security problem and will not be comfortable doing same with the nation. This might not be unconnected with Nigeria’s military’s uncooperative attitude to serious security issues. For instance, if neighbouring countries mentioned above that are sharing borders with Nigeria have checkmated Boko Haram’s incursions

into their territories, what stops Nigeria from doing same for years that the insurgents have been tormenting her? We want the Nigerian government to note that the panacea to the Boko Haram insurgency is not in undue emotional reaction to cold facts at the disposal of the US. The Federal Government should rather be grateful to the Americans for drawing its attention to this grave anomaly because the real solution to the Boko Haram challenge lies in urgently addressing all the salient issues/fears raised by the US - not in obviously rash diplomatic steps. President Goodluck Jonathan should come clean on this matter since what is at stake is more than the personal ego of an individual but the dignity of the nation’s army as well as the sanctity of the country’s corporate existence.

‘If neighbouring countries mentioned above that are sharing borders with Nigeria have checkmated Boko Haram’s incursions into their territories, what stops Nigeria from doing same for years that the insurgents have been tormenting her? We want the Nigerian government to note that the panacea to the Boko Haram insurgency is not in undue emotional reaction to cold facts at the disposal of the US’

IR: By commission and omission, Nigerians brought this great nation on her knees. So, let us go soul searching before casting our treasured votes. The general elections should not be about filling posts as usual. It should be about redefining who we are, what we want, the challenges of a true federation and above all, how we want the world to perceive us as from the next republic. In 1960, a child of flawed constitution was born, deformed, hydra-headed and still stammering in adolescent and incoherent on her knees at over 50 years of age. Delivered in bad faith for the sole purpose of a sustainable, exploitative, British prosperity and selfish-interest; born of questionable parenthood, kidnapped and nursed in the crib of commanding officers since age seven, nursed mostly by army generals and inept leadership in politics. One of the last generals standing upright, reformed, and apologetic of the rot they left behind, bids a come back to straighten things up. That’s General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB)’s unfinished business in today’s politics. Let GMB come in and infuse sanity, discipline, dignity, not on his command but on the rule of law and justice in a nation yawning for true fiscal federalism. My choice of GMB is informed by the legendary traits of his leadership virtues and discipline. The nation is bursting at the seams with brilliant minds, in all spheres of life but fatally wanting in leadership! Grossly underutilised and wasting like our vast potentials of arable lands, bring in merit and a just social order, and you will harvest bountifully, human resources of immense proportions. That’s what we need to excel, as in the economic miracles of BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia India and China. Although, and most unfortunate but true, even the best amongst of us, when given the opportunity are often converted easily in a land thoroughly wired in corruption. Just take a cursory look at how the high and mighty in governments, politics, business, even our religious leaders; thriving on Alleluyah merchandise, are not spared of this plague, as they often come cascading from the altar of grace to be refurbished on grass. Buhari’s legendary integrity, austere and disciplined life are values our nation’s bankrupt elite can profit from. Ours is a nation in bondage by our own doings. From rural Otueke, to cosmopolitan Kaduna, Jos, Enugu, Port Harcourt and mega city of Lagos, the prognosis is very bad. The pang of birth, the pain of hunger, distress and pleasure are the same in all human beings. Let the truth be told, the same sun that shines its brilliance on the mansions and glittering-marbles in the cosmopolitan cities, hides not its face from our rural dwellings, creeks and oil-spilled-rivers of the Niger Delta or such severally fouled-up-rivers, criss -crossing our entire lands, west, east, north and south. Our needs and wants, though varied, converge at a point of realities in our daily lives. PDP gave us no choice; we must embrace this great opportunity for change, even though we have no faith in our men of straw, called politicans. The privilege few that parades the corridors of power bestriding the land like colossus; haunting down and diminishing our commonwealth with reckless abandon; veiled in legal instruments, concocted by unconscionable but various ingenuity. Amazing, but true. Fate must have ironically, unfairly destined GEJ of the shoeless fame to toy with the need of this famished nation in dire need of good governance. What an irony? Let facts speak, when millions lose their jobs, the economy wanes and commerce goes into comatose as we are witnessing now, the President should lose his job. He should feel the pinch in his now severally acquired golden shoes. • Goke Omisore, Lekki, Lagos.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: As we inch closer to the February 14 poll, the media is being inundated with intense campaigns of calumny from desperate quarters working to suppress the storm of change sweeping across Nigeria’s political landscape! The obvious objective of the uncensored media offensives is to discredit the APC presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and lower his estimation before right-thinking members of the society. Perhaps the most meretricious of these media contraptions is the television advertorial labeled “The Real Buhari”; which has been airing recurrently on major television stations recently, sponsored by a faceless group of political traducers! The masterminds of the pejorative advert intended to leverage on the Direct Effects Model (a media theory which assumes that audiences passively accepted media messages and would exhibit predictable reactions) to hoodwink the electorate into perceiving the retired general and dogged icon of anti-corruption as the devil’s incarnate; especially the younger generation of Nigerians who may not be conversant with Buhari’s antecedents when he served as Head of State from December 31st 1983 to 27th

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Change undeterred by media diatribes August, 1985. They however seem unaware that the Direct Effects Model has a flipside- the Active-Audience Theory (which emphasizes the assertive power of the audience)! Therefore I was not surprised when “the real Buhari” advert fell grossly short of hitting its intended mark. The enlightened citizenry read between the tissues of lies in that montage and rather than impair their perception of Buhari, became irritated at the level of desperation of the sources of the hogwash. The diversionary intent of the advert, to distract Nigerians from core developmental issues, is one of the usual chicaneries of the PDP and the incumbent PDP-led government. Emphasis over the last four years has been more on politics; or ‘politricks’, than on governance! So when they churn out their tales of Transformation, they tend to make us feel like aliens in our own land!

Think about it, do we really need the minister of agriculture to expend taxpayers’ money in order to inform us via sponsored adverts, of the giant strides in the sector? I believe we are in a position to testify to agricultural transformation when we observe the relative availability of foodstuff across the country, a boost in farmers’ income and commendable reduction in food prices. The Jonathan administration and its multifarious mouthpieces are vocal about power sector transformation, but after over four years, our bulbs are getting dimmer and our communities darker! Industries and small businesses are rapidly closing shop due to epileptic power supply! So it appears that the arrowheads of the incumbent government and their supporters are living in utopia, completely isolated from current dystopian Nigerian state! A state of ravaging insecurity; where

an estimated 50% of employable youths haplessly roam the streets or fend from the salaries or pensions of their parents, pensions which are not regularly forthcoming due to sharp practices at the pension offices. Ingrained corruption and wanton mismanagement has brought Nigeria to the verge of a bottomless pit! Graduates are currently exposed to the most debilitating conditions in their quests for employment! And just when we thought that employment racketeering was restricted to dubious private sector operators, the public sector gave us a rude shock with the shoddy Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment exercise of March 2014, in which about 18 graduates lost their lives, with scores more injured! Let’s remember that the jobless graduates paid N1,000 each for the recruitment exercise! But till date, not one graduate has been recruited

Political delinquency in Osun IR: A dangerous trend is taking shape in the politics being played by the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State. Or, how else does one describe a situation, where a political party, seeking to be an alternative in the quest for power in a state takes hooliganism to the next level? As a party in power from 2003 to 2010, the PDP demonstrated the worst form of violence on the then hapless people of Osun. Even when as at that time, there was no serious opposition to its lacklustre rule, violence was its second name as any mass gathering of the party always ended in violence, with death and broken limbs in trail. This was why the people felt the

need for change, culminating into their voting overwhelmingly for Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola of then Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. This was unfortunately, an election that was marred with lurid violence and not allowed to count, which led to a very prolonged legal battle before his victory was restored at the courts. Why must winning an election in a democratic dispensation be a door-die affair even when it’s obvious that you are not wanted, based on your sordid records of criminality and ineptitude? As if the above aren’t bad enough, you now go on to accuse the other party or person of doing or planning to do what you are known for, and that

which you are even intending to do. A typical and most recent example of this kind of behaviour is the unfortunate incident at the High Court sitting of the Election Petitions Tribunal in Osogbo, on Friday January 23. The camp of the candidate of the PDP in the August 9, 2014 governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore, had raised an alarm that the state government was planning to make use of the State Boys to disrupt the tribunal’s proceedings of the next day. The government denounced the allegation as baseless. Again, it was ridiculous, but not surprising that on the day the tribunal was meant to take final statements of both petitioners and re-

spondents, known thugs of the PDP stormed the venue to foment trouble and to even celebrate what they regarded as victory, even when there was no judgment! The poser on the lips of wellmeaning Nigerians is: when would the camp of Omisore learn to behave honourably and desist from political shenanigans? Somebody ought to tell them the home truth that incumbent governor Rauf Aregbesola is, today, by popular will of the people of Osun and through the wish of the Almighty, a statesman, who will never engage in indecent acts. • Ayo Akinola, Osogbo, Osun State.

from that slapdash exercise! Not a penny has been refunded to any of the over 600,000 graduates that allegedly applied for the vacancies meant for only about 4,000; yet not a single public official has been sacked, or has voluntarily resigned following the ignominious incident! Therefore if cleansing the Augean stables qualifies Buhari to be described as a monster, then Nigerians need him now more than ever, to unleash his monstrosity and salvage the nation from the brinks of cataclysm! • Joshua Otene, Asokoro, District, Abuja.

Calling on Tetfund

IR: One of the success stories of this current government is the introduction of the Tertiary Intervention Fund. Not too long ago, the presidency told the nation that many universities were not accessing the large pool of fund set aside for training and infrastructural development of tertiary institutions. But as I write this letter, I am aware that very many academic staff on training may lose their studentship, while those who just secured admission may not be able to meet registration deadlines if funds are not released urgently by Tetfund, Abuja. I therefore use this medium to appeal to whom it may concern in Tetfund Abuja to please urgently release the approved funds to universities that have done the needful. I personally do not want to believe the rumour that the delay in release may have been as a result of diversion of the fund for political campaigns. I beg those in charge to please help save our studies and career. May God bless you as you do this. • Lanre Akinola North West university Mafikeng, South Africa.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

COMMENTS

Witness to elections in Nigeria

HE first election I witnessed as a small boy in this country was in 1956. I was in form one in Christ School in Ado-Ekiti . Ordinarily I should not have been interested but for the fact that Chief Joseph Oduola Osuntokun, my brother was running for the House of Assembly in Ibadan . He had been a member of the House since 1951 and in 1955 he was appointed Minister of Works in the old Western Region which stretched from Lagos to present Delta and parts of Bayelsa states. To be a minister of such a huge region that was almost autonomous of the centre in those days was not a small job. I also had special interest in the election because after the death of our father, Chief Osuntokun as Dawodu stepped into the shoes of our father and that included paying my school fees. I was not quite conscious of the Election in 1951 which sent him to the Western House in the first instance. What he later told me as an enquiring academic was that it was not based on universal adult suffrage but on divisional electoral colleges throughout the region. The political parties were organizationally inchoate. What our people did was to choose three or four graduates or professional people all over the regions. This is why the first crop of politicians were top class educated people in full employment while politics was seen as vocations. A reading of the Hansard of the period either in the regions or at the centre will confirm the quality of their minds. My brother became Minister of Finance in 1956 at the age of 32. Subsequent elections in 1959 to the federal parliament and in 1960 to the Western House were fought on highly debated and well articulated manifestos. The elections were well fought and well run and conducted. We usually sat by the radio throughout the night as election results trickled in. Western regional elections were usually keenly fought between the Action Group, the ruling party and the NCNC, the party in opposition. Even the much more keenly fought 1959 federal election provided a lot of drama with Chief Obafemi Awolowo taking on the forces of the NPC (jamiyar mutanen arewa) or Northern People’s Congress and those of its coalition partner the NCNC. These two parties were led respectively by the aristocratic Sir Ahmadu Bello, scion of the Usman dan Fodiye dynasty in Sokoto and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, a cosmopolitan Igbo republican. Elections to a reasonable extent were conducted with finesse and solid planning. Awolowo’s party represented the best face of serious planning and perhaps because of this and the rather more prosperous condition of his region, the other two leaders treated him with suspicion. In spite of official British partisanship, elections even on the eve of independence still continued to be a civilized operation. It was not until the Action Group crisis of 1961-1962 that

HEIR wish was that he would not emerge as his party’s candidate in the February 14 presidential election. But when the All Progressives Congress (APC) picked Gen Muhammadu Buhari as its standard bearer, the bottom fell off the plan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters. Since Buhari picked his party’s ticket in a keenly contested primary in Lagos last December 10, they have been running from pillar to post to run him down. Rather than the trouble envisaged by PDP, APC has been waxing stronger and stronger since the primary. The image of its candidate has also been soaring. What is the magic that has made Buhari a phenomenon all over the country today? Where two or more are gathered the topic is usually the forthcoming election. And the discussions normally end with this poser: ‘’who will you vote for?’’. Even though Buhari and PDP’s President Goodluck Jonathan are not the only ones contesting the February 14 election, Nigerians have reduced it to a contest between the duo. Surely, to all intents and purposes, it is going to be a twoman race. So, when people ask: ‘’who will

297 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

things changed for the worst simply because the coalition government at the centre used the opportunity to fish in troubled waters. Instead of responding to minority demands all over the country for creation of states, the Western Region was singled out for the purpose of weakening it when the Mid-West region was created out of it in 1963. The much louder demands in the North for a Middle-Belt state and Calabar/Ogoja/Rivers state were ignored. Through meddling in the affairs of the West, the Action Group party was manoeuvred out of power. This was the prelude to the Western election of 1965 which was flagrantly rigged by the Akintola’s government. The federal elections of a year earlier had suffered the same fate. The Western election of 1965 was therefore seen as a do or die affair by the two rival alliances of UPGA (United People’s Grand Alliance) and the NNA (Nigerian National Alliance) formed respectively around the NCNC and the NPC with the old two factions of the now destroyed Action Group lining behind their major partners. Attempt to resolve the national question centring on the division of spoils of office by the election failed. Following campaigns of incendiary nature in Tiv-land in the North and farmers revolt in the West, young army officers who had been watching the events and whose members were being increasingly used to put down rebellion decided to intervene and change the government. The coup d’état of 1966 did not quite succeed but it decapitated the leadership of the NNA leaving the leadership of the other party unscathed. The much internationally respected Prime Minister Sir Abubakar was brutally killed. Worst still, the top hierarchy of the officer corps from the West and the North was eliminated. Reaction swiftly followed six months later. These events eventually led to a fratricidal civil war the aftermath of which is still with us till today. After years of military rule we transited to democratic rule and surprisingly enough, it was like we did not learn any lesson from our history. The parties of the First Republic came back with different names with their leadership intact and unchanged except for the northern leadership which had had to make an adjustment following the loss of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar This Second Republic collapsed under the weight of corruption of the ruling party the NPN. The military rode back on the wave of public disenchantment and brought draconian decrees to teach the ruling class one or two things about the need for discipline. Muhammadu Buhari was the popular face of the new junta which was supported by the vast majority of Nigeria’s suffering masses. The regime promptly said it was a continuation of the Obasanjo/ Muhammad popular regime of the 1970s. If there had been a referendum the regime would have won by landslide. This

writer dislikes nondemocratic forms of government but my observation is a record of history. The government made things difficult for all politicians without discrimination. It even made Nigerians proud when it tried to bring home in a crate from London, the boastful and Jide garrulous Umaru Osuntokun Dikko who publicly challenged the government. The regime deliberately stepped on many toes without looking inwards for fifth columnists among its hierarchy. When the free sealing and free dealing Badamasi Babangida struck in 1985, it was good bye to discipline and Nigerians went back to their pastime of cutting corners and general and generalized irresponsibility which the new regime allowed to fester in order to remain in power for as long as possible. The regime began a costly transition regime that was programmed to fail. It however tried to create two political parties, one a little to the right and another a little to the left! But when these two parties took on character and life of their own and produced a winner in Moshood Abiola in the best election in independent Nigeria, Babangida moved to truncate the process. We finally ended with the thieving regime of Sani Abacha who confused outright looting of the national treasury with governance. The damage this man did to Nigeria remains to be assessed. Since 1999 we as a country have soldiered on as best as we can holding elections that were adjudged fraudulent and lacking in integrity not only by the international community but by Umaru Yar’Adua one of the beneficiaries. We are now on the eve of an election that may decide the future of Nigeria. In spite of the negative campaigns, I believe we can hold a reasonably credible election if we can trust INEC and allow it to conduct a free and fair election. If the election is openly fair and transparent, everyone will abide by the result. I am not pessimistic at all about what will happen after the results are in on February 15. There is so much to lose that I believe politicians who are leading us to the edge of a precipice will make a round about turn at the last moment

The fear of Buhari... you vote for?’’ they accompany the question with: ‘’Buhari or Jonathan?’’ In most instances, you find people answering: ‘’Buhari”. The APC candidate has become larger than life. Even little children, who are not eligible to vote, have joined in asking eligible voters to ‘’vote for Buhari’’. What do you make of the frontpage photograph in the Sun of Tuesday, where Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola carried a small boy to his bosom for shouting ‘’APC, Sai Buhari’’ during a rally in the town of Apomu? Such little boys can be seen in rallies across the country, whether held by APC or PDP, singing the praise of Buhari. If children, men and women are this crazy about Buhari doesn’t that say something about the presidential election, holding nine days from today? I have heard some people say unequivocally that Buhari will win, if the election is free and fair. Our people are afraid that their votes may not count, that is why they add the caveat, if the election is free and fair. They believe that the government is desperate to remain in power and would do anything to win the forthcoming elections, beginning with that of the president on February 14. Though the president has given us his word that the elections will be free and fair, many do not believe him. To them, it is dangerous to take the president’s statement at face value; so, they are asking Nigerians to remain vigilant so that their votes will count at the end of the day. If the elections are going to be free and fair, they posit, this must be seen in the way the president’s supporters are going about campaigning for him. You do not drum support for your candidate by beating

the drums of war. You do not root for your candidate by maligning his arch opponent. You do not campaign for your candidate by tearing down some of the institutions of state as the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation tried to do over Buhari’s School Certificate result. Of course, back then, Buhari could not have joined the army in 1961 without the prerequisite qualification, which is the school certificate. The army admitted that Buhari had the certificate, but added rather shamefully that it could not be traced in its records. Does that mean that Buhari’s school certificate which he tendered along with other documents on joining the army is missing? According to former Director of Army Public Relations Brig Gen Olajide Laleye, ‘’records available indicate that Major General Muhammadu Buhari applied to join the military as a Form Six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, on October 18, 1961...the entry made on NA Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the West African School Certificate in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects.’’ If this entry was made in Buhari’s form, it follows that he must have submitted his school certificate to authenticate his claim. Moreover, the Selection Board would have asked for the original, at least, for what we today call ‘’sighting’’ and copies kept in his file. Those copies are what the army is today telling us are missing. We do not want to join issues with the military over this matter, especially regarding the aspect of its record keeping, which has given some people in PDP the munition with which to attack

Buhari, its former Commander-inChief. These PDP soldiers went haywire in their bid to paint Buhari black. They claimed that Buhari is not qualified to stand for election because the army could not produce his result. How could the army produce his result when it was not the examining body? From the outset, these henchmen made it known that they won’t spare Buhari even when their principal, the president, had promised issues-based campaign. nfortunately, the presi dent’s agents are not inter ested in issues; they are more interested in disparaging Buhari. But the more they do that the more they draw support for the general from the mass of the people. Certificate or not, they say, it is ‘Sai Buhari’. This is what the president’s men want to stop at all cost. Yet, the harder they try, the harder they fall. The controversy over Buhari’s certificate has been laid to rest with the release of his result by his alma mater some two weeks ago. Yet, the PDP is not satisfied. In a saner society, the certificate issue would have been dead and buried by now. But we are dealing with people with no moral scruples. Rather than bury their heads in shame and apologise to Buhari, they have resolved to feast on a dead issue. To them, the certificate saga remains a live issue; that is why they have the audacity to say it was forged. With its bogus claim, PDP is not calling to question Buhari’s reputation, but is challenging the integrity of the Katsina school and Cambridge University. PDP and its men do not know the meaning of the word, integrity. This is why they are going about telling barefaced lies. To give their lies a

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

veneer of truth, they tampered with the certificate to meet their ulterior motive. If they could do this, what will they not do to win the election? They claimed that Buhari forged his certificate. Who is a forger in this case? What do you call those who tampered with a document sent from a school? Artful forgers? Should we still be talking of this certificate or their plans for the country, if they have any? Since they have nothing to offer, they have found it difficult to talk about issues.

‘Certificate or not, the electorate are saying it is ‘Sai Buhari’. This is what the president’s men want to stop...yet the harder they try, the harder they fall. You do not drum support for your candidate by maligning his arch opponent’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

COMMENTS

S February 14, the day of reckoning for President Jonathan and PDP draws nearer after 16 years of barefaced stealing by indicted PDP stalwarts, periodic rigging of elections and PDP stranglehold over our people through exploitation of their secret fears and human frailties, there is palpable panic and desperation in PDP family. This is why for the sake of millions of our unemployed youths, the memory of over 12,000 victims of Boko Haram’s mindless killings, hundreds of helpless women and children brutally murdered in their sleep in the Middle Belt region by those the government is yet to identify, in solidarity with thousands who have been turned to refugees in their own country, in protest against the theft of about $20 billion according to Lamido Sanusi and the mismanagement of our economy to the tune of N30 trillion according to Chukwuma Soludo, patriotic Nigerians who care about the future of our children cannot afford to sit on the fence. Nigerians must join hands to end their 16 years nightmare and six years of national disgrace. President Jonathan who publicly declared he wanted to be a one-term president now wants another term of four years after six years in office. He has been moving around the country selling his achievements which include the introduction of cassava bread, available only in Aso Villa seat of government, local rice at four times the cost of imported one when available, increase in federal roads from 5,000 to 25,000 even when those roads critical to our economy like Apapa Tin can Island Port road, Murtala Muhammed International Airport road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lokoja-Abuja Expressway, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, some of which have remained ‘work in progress 10 years after they were flagged off by ex-President Obasanjo; power generation, even when by the account of the minister of power, just about 20% of Nigerians have access to power and less than 4500MW is generated after an injection of over $50 billion into the sector. His administration, he claims, has fought insurgency into a standstill even with 20% of the territory he inherited as president in 2011 is now under the control of Boko Haram. He wants our impressionable children to hail him for his railway transformation, a rail system slower than what we had 60 years ago and a cover up for the derailment of Obasanjo rail modernization scheme for which multi-billion contracts were awarded to Chinese firms on two different

IS driver dropped me at the door with his official SUV registration number “Sen 98” of his magnificent residence in the high-brow Asokoro area of Abuja at exactly 9:45 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. I would be meeting him for the second time. The first was at the APC Presidential Convention in Lagos where I had a brief chat with the senator representing Ondo North Senatorial district, Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice. The convention meeting was a chance encounter because he had stopped to greet his colleague, Ganiyu Solomon with whom I was having a discussion. I had called him a couple of days after the announcement of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s running mate for an exclusive interview for a special publication currently in the works. It took the driver a few more minutes to get someone’s attention from the inside that he had arrived with yours truly. His daughter eventually came and slightly opened the door to verify. Prof. Boroffice subsequently came and ushered me inside. He quickly led me through a short labyrinth into an obscure small room. In the room, it dawned on me why it had taken a little longer for someone to come out and why the senator had asked me, briskly, in the foyer, that he hoped I was a Christian. The senator, with his army of three that included himself; his wife and his young daughter were in the midst of their morning devotion. His wife (also a professor) had apparently put her prayers on hold for her husband to let his visitor in. They all took turns to pray. Sitting beside him, the senator signaled that I pray. My prayers, in Yoruba, my preferred language for communing with the Creator effectively rounded up the family’s morning devotion. You probably would be disappointed if your idea of having a good and quality time with Senator Boroffice was to gulp choice wines and exotic spirits with such a man of means. He doesn’t drink and could not take you to an exclusive club specially created for his kind because he doesn’t belong to any. Aside his family and his senate duties and reading, the only other frills in the life of the senator are

No time to sit on the fence occasions with huge mobilisations paid without result. In 2011, Nigerians were able to make a distinction between PDP that had nothing to sell to Nigerians beyond mindless stealing and confiscation of our national patrimony and the shoeless boy from Otuoke that identified with the plight of most Nigerians. They gave him a landslide victory even without any coherent agenda as to how to address the multi-faceted problems confronting the nation. Today, Nigerians know Jonathan loves no one but himself and his PDP. This is why if he must survive the February 14 hurricane, he must first lay to rest the ghosts of some demons that have haunted his administration in the last six years viz: his character, Boko Haram, the elusive Fulani herdsmen and corruption. In 2011, with little help from ex-President Obasanjo, President Jonathan undermined the PDP constitution. Obasanjo who aided and abetted the infamous act saw it as a patriotic undertaking to give the minority a chance so as to end the myth that Nigeria belongs only to the dominant ethnic groups, their parties and their political leaders. He has also claimed publicly that that part of the bargain which was sold to northern governors was that Jonathan will serve one term of four years in addition to two years of Yar’Adua. With the clips of his public acknowledgement that his presidency ends in 2015 now in the public domain, he owes Nigerians an explanation for reneging on an agreement. Calling Obasanjo a motor park tout is not a substitute for his moral obligation to Nigerians. Of course, President Jonathan is also haunted by the ghost of Boko Haram. Only

last Thursday, the lot fell on neighboring Chad to help us liberate a Nigerian border town earlier taken over by Boko Haram insurgents. Chad’s victory was considered an embarrassment to mighty Nigeria whose once invisible military has been hobbled by politics and corruption. The following day, Saturday January 31, Samil Chergui of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, announced the agreement of African leaders to send 7,500 troops to fight the Boko Haram insurgency in north-east Nigeria. This is coming under a Jonathan administration that had the luxury of deploying 12,000 security personnel led by Musliu Obanikoro, then junior minister of defence, and Adesiyan, the police Affairs minister, both of whom had never visited Borno either to motivate our outgunned soldiers or identify with the plight of the parents of the abducted 276 Chibok girls, to intimidate and arrest opposition leaders during Osun State governorship election last year. The besieged northeast controlled by the opposition has little to offer the President in terms of electoral fortune. But all the same, the President has just about 10 days to tell Nigerians what he would do differently to change our fortune on the battle front beyond his soap-box rhetoric of “they did not buy anything, they did not buy attack helicopters” even after presiding over N3.1 trillion defence security budget in four years in addition to a $1 billion foreign loan he took last year. Nigerians are also waiting for the President’s explanation as to why, with awesome apparatus of coercive power of the state at his disposal, he has not been able to identify those behind brutal murder of women and children in the Middle Belt in the last three

years. We all understand conflicts and clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the region predate President Jonathan. These conflicts according to MIYETTI Allah, Muhammad Bello, the Secretary General of an Association of the Herdsmen, have always been about resource use: Pasture and water, which PDP politicians have exploited using religion and ethnicity factors as well as Nigeria’s inability to regulate influx of foreign herdsmen. President Jonathan had six years to make a difference. If there is the political will, he did not need the National Assembly to create massive grazing zones in all the troubled areas in view of the existence of Land Use Act. Unfortunately for the president, his appointment of the immediate past Inspector General of Police who was indicted by a probe into the Jos crisis and the president’s lack of political will to implement the recommendations of the government probe, it is seen by many that the divisive politics of religion and ethnicity in the Middle Belt between the Fulani settlers and their host communities work to the advantage of the president whose only block support outside his South-south and South-east is the troubled Middle Belt for whom the fear of the Fulani and Muslim is the beginning of wisdom. Surrounded mostly by indicted corrupt men, the president is known to be weak in the war against corruption. While still being haunted by the non successful prosecution of his party leaders accused by EFCC of stealing N1.7 trillion under the fuel subsidy regime, while Nigerian anxiously awaits the publication of the forensic investigation to the disappearance of $20b ($10b by government admission) from the NNPC account, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, a former CBN Governor has now also accused Jonathan administration of mismanaging the economy to the tune of N30 trillion. As the clock tickles towards the day of reckoning, it does not appear that President Jonathan and PDP are interested in addressing these weighty issues. As defeats stares those who say the only thing they know how to do is ‘win election’ in the face, desperate PDP family members seem to searching for ways to truncate the electoral process either through sponsored protest to shift the date for the election or create instability by using the judiciary to disqualify the leading opposition presidential candidate. These are indeed desperate times for the PDP. And for those who care for our nation, this is not the time to sit on the fence.

The Boroffice doctrine By Femi Odere the two Christian fellowship centres he had helped to establish, which takes the remainder of his time. But what you would have missed in the frivolities of drinking would no doubt be made up in deep and robust intellectual discourse with him, enough to get you dazed for days and more compelling to wake you up in the middle of the night to ponder over. His vision seems timeless. Since he had told me that he really didn’t plan to go anywhere that day, my strategy was to let the discourse take us wherever it wanted but would discreetly drop what I wanted him to speak more about in form of a statement rather than a question. This was to enable me to see through the man inside the white apparel. He did not disappoint. I always believe that you tend to know the real person not necessarily by the quality of the interview s/he gives you but from an atmosphere of general conversations that would give you a good view of his worldview and his values, if you’re discerning. Just the two us in the comfort of his living room (his wife had left almost immediate after the morning devotion), the senator and I conversed, from the mundane things of human existence, the intrigues behind the intrigue of Nigerian politics to the serious issues of our time in the first six of my nine hours of being with him. With Boroffice, you are under no illusion as to where he stands on issues. He is atypical. I found out during our discussion that three things would make his eyes glow with passion and these are science, the Nigerian nation and his Ondo State. It never occurred to me how hopeless we are as a nation until he analyzed the state of science in our national development. With his lucid explanations, I came away that our leaders – and the people themselves – see science and technology as integral to the cultures of other countries and alien to us. Therefore, whatever happens (or didn’t happen) in the scientific ‘stratosphere’ is

for them to worry about. One also gets the feeling that our leaders act as if they’re scared of this inevitable developmental tool. After all, you tend to be afraid of what you don’t understand. I couldn’t agree more with him when he declared that “No nation can advance technologically without addressing science and technology because science is the engine room for growth, economic development and technology advancement…And if we’re not prepared to invest in that sector, we’re only going to be consumers of technology and not its creator. And there’s a big difference.” You cannot fail to recognize how versed this senator is with his ready answers to the myriad of problems confronting the Nigerian nation that you wonder whether researching the nation’s problems was all he ever did. However, his passionate advocacy for the introduction of Genetically Modified (GM) foods into the country’s food supply was discomfiting to me. Although his position on this issue is no doubt driven by his unflinching desire to have science, his first love, to be, and rightly so, in the epicentre of all aspects of our national development but I cannot see why we should be in haste for GM foods when there’re hundreds of thousands hectares of our land yet to be cultivated for organically grown foods. Do we have our own scientists to genetically modify our own seeds? Are the country’s healthcare system and the drug manufacturing concerns sophisticated enough to handle the unintended, health-related consequence of GM foods? How do we make sure that the GM seeds by either Monsanto or Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) were not intentionally injected (I remember the Tuskegee Airmen) with something far more detrimental, if not lethal, to our health and future? Why are we being asked to think GM when the people with the wherewithal in Europe and North America are suspicious of GM foods? These are some of the questions that made me feel uncomfortable with the

senator’s position on GM foods. As a research scientist of international repute, a consummate administrator, a lecturer that spanned many years, a senator, a devout Christian and philanthropist, I can now see why Boroffice’s name was shortlisted as a running mate from the South-west to General Mohammadu Buhari. While one is not oblivious of the intense, high power political intrigues that usually characterizes national political contests, which may have been responsible for his being dropped as Buhari’s running mate, it beats my imagination that Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice was not the candidate of the then ACN in the 2012 governorship election in Ondo State. On whether he might consider running for governor in the post-Mimiko government, which is being anticipated by the people of the state to be sooner rather than later, Boroffice said he’s happy being in the senate. But he quickly added a rider: “It would be a social contract between me and the people. We would reach an agreement that they would cooperate with me in prescribing the right medicine, which might sometimes be bitter for their liking. I will declare my assets. My wife and children will declare their assets. My close associates will declare their assets…At the end of my tenure, my wife and I and my children and my close associates will again declare our assets so that the people can see what has been stolen and what has not been stolen. The proceedings of the state Executive Council meetings would be published on a weekly basis…” so that “anyone who has something contrary to what is published can come forward to challenge us.” This is what I called “The Boroffice Doctrine.” How I wish this senator is the next governor of my state after the profligate Mimiko administration. • Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

COMMENTS

EAR, Gen. Buhari, I feel duty-bound to write this one more letter to you before the presidential election which is due in only two weeks. My hopes and fears for Nigeria compel me. You and I can remember that our Nigeria at independence was taking strong steps towards success, prosperity and greatness in the world. Since then, it has slumped and relentlessly declined. And now that we are senior citizens, our country has reached an absolute bottom – with fears that it can implode and disappear. Because I see that your chances of winning this election are good, I believe I have a duty to speak to you. Honestly, I must say that, ordinarily, I should not be speaking like this to a Nigerian leader from the North. By the time I came into Nigeria’s politics in the 1970s, I had studied and taught African and Nigerian history in universities for years, I had travelled extensively in Africa, and I was well informed about the reasons why Nigeria was declining. Of the man-made factors in those reasons, the most potent was the deliberate design of our northern controllers of federal power at independence to use all and every means to make their own nationality dominant over Nigeria so as to rule Nigeria forever. By the mid-1970s, that design had produced an agenda for using federal public money to corrupt, emasculate and subdue the elites from all parts of Nigeria. I served in the leadership group of the UPN and in the Senate during the Shagari presidency, and I watched this agenda as it virulently weakened other political parties in the National Assembly, fomented division and discord in many state governments, and ultimately destabilized many state governments. I watched it as it inculcated unbridled greed and corruption into our country’s politics and public service – and as it gradually destroyed the moral foundations of our country. But, in spite of all this, I must, in duty, talk to you. All things about you considered, I believe that you are different in a way that is good for our country; I believe that, in spite of your origin, ethnicity and religion, you are very able to envision, independently, a clear picture of what you believe to be right for our country, and you are exceptionally able to follow what you believe to be right. Very few human beings, coming from your background in 1983, would have dared to take the steps which you took on December 31 of that year – namely, to shut down the Shagari

OW that the presidential election campaign has entered the home stretch, the contest has become a make or break for the parties, with the main contenders - President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) - throwing all into the battle. There seems to be a three-pronged strategy by President Jonathan’s political machine to snatch victory, which ever way: Railroad Buhari into a presidential election debate ambush and deliver a devastating knock-out punch that makes February 14 election outcome a foregone conclusion, stampede a judicial political castration and if all else fail, call out the warlords of the Niger Delta to scare the daylights out of us all. Now, the Swamp Boys, aka militants, have apparently lost patience with the legalistic approach and are trying to steal the show – providing us side attraction with their bombastic boast at Government House in Yenagoa on January 23, of annulling Nigeria’s nationhood if we the people become such ingrates as not to renew Aso Rock Villa tenancy of the Big Swamp Boy (BSB), given Jonathan’s ‘great achievements’. But, really, what yesterday’s ‘gunmen’ were saying is that Nigerians will be committing political suicide to vote out the finger that feeds them – with Niger Delta’s oil. So for the warlords -Forget the vote, it’s the oil, stupid ! And what better excitement than waiting for the premiere showing of the Rumble in the Delta as the young Swamp Turks seek to wrestle down the old warrior, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma in a ‘roforofo’ fight for daring to call for their arrest consequent on their vow to break up the country if Jonathan loses the February 14, presidential election. To imagine Government House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State was the Show Stage with Governor Seriake Dickson as the cheer leader, a Dickson supposedly in a do-or-die duel with the Jonathans, it gets curiouser and curiouser in Swampland. The kingpin warlord, Government Tompolo Ekpemupolo, even reiterated the threat on January 30. But Asari Dokubo, the most voluble, vocally and physically, of the warlords looks to me as being so over fed with oil money that his ability for fast movement, a survival necessity in war, cannot be guaranteed. That boy will break the reading on a weight scale! Well, I am priming

One more letter to candidate Buhari presidency, and to tell the world that you had done it in order to save the ordinary citizens of Nigeria from a boundless corruption that was bringing poverty, suffering and sadness into their lives. Of course, when you hounded into prison folks like me, Chief Ajasin, Chief Fasoranti, Alhaji Jakande, Chief Bola Ige and others who had been fighting the corruption in our own ways before you came, I thought you were confused and I despised you. But even in prison, I could not help wondering that a leading Fulani person had dared to pull down the system of government by corruption which his own people had very adroitly choreographed. I could not help admiring your guts. Out of prison some months later, and back to my task of studying the affairs of my country, I was not surprised that many among the northern elite (your own people) regarded you as a traitor and an enemy. Many of such persons still regard you as a traitor, rebel, and enemy today – and Nigeria has been hearing trenchantly from some of them in recent weeks. But, happily, in the same vein, the masses of the common people of the North see you as a friend who can revamp their country, and who can give them a chance to share in the prosperity that you can usher in for Nigeria. The pauperized masses of the South share the same enthusiasm for you, and the same hope in you. It is therefore on behalf of these poor masses of Nigerians in all regions of Nigeria that I hereby offer you the following thoughts. First, I know you will fight corruption. Be assured that you will enjoy very strong support as you do it. But, please be aware that subduing corruption per se would be no more than only a Pyrrhic victory. After you leave the presidency, if the presidency still controls all the limitless powers it controls today, with the limitless financial resources, and the limitless freedom to access the finances, your successor can simply revive the corruption. Remember that after Babangida replaced you in 1985, he simply revived and enhanced corruption – and even constructed corruption into an avowed system of governance.

Secondly, therefore, you must lead our country towards appropriately restructuring our federation. I am aware that some of your most eminent Arewa kinsmen want the federation to remain in its present form, with the federal government controlling all powers and resources, with states too impotent to achieve meaningful development, with the federal government able to barge disruptively and obstructively into any state, with the states operating as clients of the federal overlord, and with controllers of federal power presuming that it is their right to decide election results all over Nigeria and to enthrone persons of their choice in all states. Essentially, what we now have is not federalism at all. Restructuring it should have three objectives – to affirm respect for, and promote harmony among, our indigenous nationalities; to establish strong and development-capable states; and to ensure a federal government competently managing the commanding heights of our country’s economy, defending our country, and managing our country’s relations in the world. I believe that even against your own kinsmen’s objection, you have the strength of character to do this. That strength of character, I repeat, is what is now endearing you to very many Nigerians. Thirdly, you must lead us to redirect and enrich our economy – by developing dependable infrastructures; and by investing in our common people to build a strong modern economy (through expansion and improvement of education, modern job-related skills, entrepreneurial, small-business, and modern farming development progammes, and promotion of export orientation). As I have written before in this column, we can learn a lot from a small country like Singapore. This expanding economy will nurture a strong modern labour force, create businesses, expand employment, de-emphasize our people’s dependence on politics as a means of livelihood, rapidly increase efficiency, decrease poverty, and systematically help to banish public corruption. Fourthly, you must lead us to review our

Gbogun gboro governmental system. Our present presidential system, with presidents and governors seeing themselves as dictators, has been a disaster. It is one of the reasons why impunity and corruption have grown so strong in our country. We need to return to the parliamentary system with its principle of shared responsibilities at the top of government. We need to infuse discipline and respect for laws into our politics and governance. And we need to infuse integrity into every department and position in our governments. In summary, the masses of our people are saying that they hope you can recreate Nigeria for them (and downsize the political barons and kleptocrats). Will you fulfil their hopes?

‘We need to return to the parliamentary system with its principle of shared responsibilities at the top of government. We need to infuse discipline and respect for laws into our politics and governance. And we need to infuse integrity into every department and position in our governments’

Presidential election debate: In whose favour? By Bisi Olawunmi myself for ringside seat when the General takes on the boys. The parallel running show is the presidential election debate, which has spawned a debate of its own. In an election year, several actors muscle in on the action – so enter Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG) chaired by my former boss at the Voice of Nigeria, Aremo Taiwo Alimi, with a reputation of being a wiz kid – smart guy. He was chairman of Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) for about four years –till 2005 – as VON DirectorGeneral and handed the position to his successor at VON, Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa. In his latest attempt at selling the presidential election debate to the main opposition candidate, Gen. Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alimi’s savvy seem to be of no avail. The dominance of federal government-owned media in BON and the commanding positions being held by officials of these media organisations in BON and the NEDG create a perception of government ‘arrangement’ (apology to Fela Ransome-Kuti) about the debate. Hence, APC officials apparently see the NEDG as a set-up to trip the opposition. The NEDG has been trying, mightily, to disabuse the minds of APC leaders as to its being fair in the conduct of the debate, but the rather aggressive posture of a combative Femi FaniKayode, the director of media and publicity of the Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation smacks of efforts at blackmailing the APC into participating in the debate. The NEDG put an altruistic face on the debate when it declared in a press statement that the debate is a “unique opportunity provided (the candidates) to engage the citizenry on their plans for leadership of the country”. But Murray Levin, a political scientist, debunks that notion about debate, noting that : “The rational candidate makes a strategic decision in terms of political expediency, not civic duty” of educating the electorate. Although it is political expediency that makes debate attractive for President Jonathan today, Fani-Kayode projects

a boycott of the debate by. Buhari as chickening out of a contest, conveniently forgetting that his principal dodged a debate with other contestants in 2011 when he was a clear front runner. This takes us to the posers: What is the electoral value of a presidential election debate ? What is in it for the candidates and the electorate? Studies show that accepting to debate an opponent in a presidential election is a matter of strategic calculation of potential outcomes – the advantage to be derived in terms of vote harvest. The push for debate by NEDG and PDP has apparently been anticipated by a scholar, Evron M. Kirkpatrick, with regard to taking decision to debate or not. Kirkpatrick in the book : The Past and Future of Presidential Debates, had stated: Media spokesmen typically support debates, and their voices, added to that of a challenger, can create a great deal of pressure on a candidate to meet his opponent in a verbal duel’. To resist such pressure, Robert MacNeil advised that the skillful campaign manager must devise a technique to keep his candidate out of harmful debates without losing face while Murray Levin, author of the book - Kennedy Campaigning: The System and Style, stated that while “it is wise for the candidate who is behind to debate unless he is hopelessly inept, stupid or physically repulsive, it is unwise for the favourite to accept the challenge”. In the current circumstances, Buhari is perceived to have an edge over President Jonathan, which perhaps explains the reluctance of his handlers to agree to the debate. When President Jonathan saw himself in a position of electoral advantage in 2011, he refused to debate his opponents. It is, however, noted that sometime the pressure could be so intense that a candidate yields to debate, against better judgement, as was the case in the disastrous Ted Kennedy –Ed McCormack senatorial primary debate in Massachusetts, USA, in 1962. McCormack was demolished by a telegenic Ted in that debate and his campaign organization was to admit later that accepting to debate was “courting a little bit of danger “, but that they didn’t want

to create the perception ”of running away” from the debate. It turned out a strategic error of judgement. As pointed out by Levin, a trailing candidate has much to gain and little to lose in election debate confrontation: “It is always possible that a witty remark, a pointed barb, a flurry of statistics or a startling revelation can turn the tide or that the front runner may ‘blow the election’. Apparently, the APC people do not want to ‘blow’ what they see as a chance to clinch the presidency. In three American presidential election debates, style and wittiness, have been a factor in victory: the Richard Nixon – John Kennedy debate in 1960, which was the first presidential debate ever; the Ronald Reagan – Jimmy Carter debate in 1980 and the John McCain- Barack Obama debate in 2008. Obviously, a younger President Jonathan who seems to have recently become energized on the campaign trail, would see in the debate an opportunity to deliver a killer punch. Also, reports that the other nine presidential candidates are aligning with President Jonathan gives the impression of a gang-up against the APC candidate. There are those who hold that televised debate is more of razzmatazz, lacking substance on issues and should not be allowed to be dominant in elections. The American Political Science Association had declared : “The choice of presidential candidates must not be limited to those who are masters of appearance on television… emphasis must be placed on strengthening methods of campaigning that enable citizens make judgements on other bases”. Surveys on American presidential debates indicate that “it was the image of the man, not the issues that most impressed viewers”. If APC’s Gen. Muhammadu Buhari maintains his stand not to be stampeded into a presidential debate, and given the reported alliance of other opposition candidates with President Jonathan, the 2015 Presidential Election Debates - February 3 and 8 - of the Nigeria Election Debate Group may turn out as non events. • Dr. Olawunmi, lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Bowen University, Iwo, is former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

• A mother reprimanding her daughter. source: Internet.

Saints at home, villains in school To teachers, many pupils have dual character. But parents do not like to hear that their children who look like saints at home are something else in school. This flaw in character is more obvious when there is a lacuna between the home and the school, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

EARS have passed since Mrs Bolaji Salau (not real name) was beaten by thugs because a pupil lied against her. The truth has since been known, but the wounds have not healed despite the intervening years. Last year, at a Parents' Forum organised by the Lagos State Education District I to prepare Senior Secondary School (SS3) pupils for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), Mrs Salau shared her story, starting like this: "Parents, don't always believe what your children tell you; they lie a lot." The pupil in question had skipped

school that day and gone to play football. However, like it happens in such escapades, he was hit in the eye by a shot that left his face swollen. He needed to explain the swollen face at home so he came up with the story that Mrs Salau beat him. His parents were enraged and they followed him to school the next day, with thugs in tow. On sighting the teacher, the thugs did what they had

been paid for. It was after the dust settled that they found out the truth: the boy had not been in school the previous day. Many school administrators and teachers complain that parents believe their children are angels who can do no harm. On the contrary, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Bells University of Technology (BELLSTECH) in Ota, Ogun State,

‘

Most parents don't know their children. They (students) live dual lives. At home, they are like angels; outside, they do what they like. That is why we need cooperation between parents and the school

INSIDE

Pupil puts Africa on ICT map -Page 28

Prof Isaac Adeyemi says many children have dual character. "The challenges we are facing should not be left in the hands of those of us who manage them. So parents have key roles to play. Most parents don't know their children. They (students) live dual lives. At home, they are like angels; outside, they do what they like. That is why we need cooperation between par-

‘Govt should pay WASSCE fees for private schools too’ -Page 39

CAMPUS LIFE Students: elections must be free and fair -Page 29

’

ents and the school," he said. Otunba Dele Olapeju, Principal of King's College can identify with that as a parent. He told The Nation that he was shocked to see another side of his son on the social media. He said: "Take myself as an example. My son is in Babcock; and he wanted me to send money to him. I looked at his Facebook photographs. I saw two of those photographs as showing him as wild and wane - you know some of these cosmic and horror types of pictures. And I said 'I will not send money to •Continued on page 26

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION

UNILAG shines at varsities’ debate

HE University of Lagos, (UNILAG) represented by the duo of Nathan Odiase and Temitope Ojelade, has won the Second All Nigerian Universities Debating Championship (ANUDC). University of Calabar (UNICAL) emerged second while the Imo State University (IMSU) came third. The one-week competition, which ended last Thursday at the MultiPurpose Hall of the university, featured 17 universities across Nigeria. In the debate, the UNILAG team opposed the topic: "The House will ban Political Parties in Nigeria". The team argued that the eradication of political parties in Nigeria’s system of government would only result in chaos. Supporting Speaker for UNILAG, Temitope, a 500-level student of Physiotherapy said she was not surprised that her school won because she was really prepared, coupled with the fact that she had gained experience from past competitions, "I was the training coordinator for my team. I realised that training people actually made me better because I could actually see the way they analysed issues. Also my partner and

By Jane Chijioke

I, apart from the training we do together, set time aside to work on our own research and argument analysis. Then we decided to put in our best and it was actually a wonderful experience," she said. Nathan, a 200-Level Psychology student of UNILAG, who won the Public Speaking category, said it was a dream come true having been forced to accept second position in many competitions he had participated in previously. "The tournament was really competitive. I knew for my speech to stand out I had to put extra effort. I was expecting to be among the best but certainly not the first. I never saw it coming. This particular competition was quite special to me because I could be very pessimistic when it comes to my performance; I have a very high standard of judging how I perform; I am not always happy after my performance. "I worked very hard. I had sleepless nights to be here. When my name was mentioned, seriously it was just strange because I have been to series of competitions where I came second

or third; I had never come out first. But this time around I broke that record, so I feel really happy and fulfilled.” David Ogbokiri, who represented IMSU, had mixed feelings about his performance. He won the Best Debate Speaker and came second in the Public Speaking category. He had hoped to go home with the overall trophy but to his dismay, his school came third. "From my performance, I knew I was going to be the winner. I came out second in the preliminary stage and it was obvious for me that I would emerge the best debate speaker. I was very happy when my name was called out but to my dismay, my school came third. "It is painful because I was prepared enough to get to the top. But all the same it is a good thing that my school

came this far in the competition. This competition has really harnessed my ability to prepare myself for the future," he said. Mr Ndubuisi Osagwu, a UNICAL lecturer, and former Director, ANUDC, said he was happy that his institution made it to the final. He said debating is a culture in his school. Speaking on the ideals behind the contest, he said it is to inculcate the culture of discussion as a solution to resolving conflicts in the Nigerian youth. He said: "Where you have difficulties is where one person is talking and not giving the other person an opportunity to talk; there is no discussion, no dialogue, all you have is monologue; and there can't be peace in that kind of situation. We believe that if we catch the Nigerian youth through the universities, and these

‘I worked very hard. I had sleepless nights to be here. When my name was mentioned, seriously it was just strange because I have been to series of competitions where I came second or third; I had never come out first’

• From left: Lagos State House of Assembly member, Hon Hammed Omisore; Mrs Bunmi Jimoh; Executive Secretary Ojokoro Local Council Development Area; Mrs Fausat Hassan-Olajoku; Council Manager Mr Rasheed Pedro and Mr James Oshatuyi during the inauguration of school materials for the schools in the council.

Akure monarch pledges to support HE Regent of Akure, the new Provost Ondo State Capital, Princess

Adetutu Adebiyi Adesida, has pledged the support of Akure Community to the Federal College of Agriculture (FCA), Akure and its new Provost, Dr Samson Adeola Odedina. The monarch made the pledge when the new management of the College led by Odedina visited the Palace. Princess Adesida said she could not but support the college following the innumerable contributions it has made to agricultural development of Akure and its environs over the years. The traditional ruler observed that the college had boosted the image of Akure in the comity of other towns within and outside the State.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

The new Provost promised to consolidate on the college's achievement and introduce more programmes so that its host communities would benefit even more. He pledged that the scope of the existing ones such as the Cassava Adding Value for Africa and Adopted Villages programmes would be sustained and widened. The provost was accompanied by the Registrar, Dr Pius Adebisi; the Librarian, Mrs A.M Akomolafe; Head, Department of Animal Production, Dr O.A Olowu; Internal Auditor, Mr A. Idowu; and Principal Assistant Registrar, Mr O. P. Owolabi to the palace.

Saints at home, villains in school •Continued from page 25 you until you go and delete those photographs from your Facebook', and he did. That is the extent to which a son of a principal is another person in school. " Mr Emmanuel Adedayo Ojo, Proprietor of Jextoban Secondary School in Ketu, Lagos, said parents must make efforts to know their wards. He explained that many children have dual character because of peer pressure. "Parents must know their children. Many children have double personalities. At home, they may look like angels. In school, maybe because of peer pressure, they are totally different. If parents are not very close to their children, they may not know who they are rearing. So it is important for parents to know their children and be ready to follow them up," he said. Lack of parental supervision damages children in the long run, making them to turn to vices, says Dr Dokun Adedeji, who runs a nongovernmental organisation that rehabilitates drug addicts. He was the keynote speaker at a seminar organised by the Bells University Parents Forum on drug abuse. Adedeji said 90 per cent of teenagers that do drugs are aged 15-29, when most are still under their parents. He shared a story of how a rich couple's only son was lured into drugs at the age of 11 by an older

relative who was staying with them. The parents only detected years later after the boy had been expelled from secondary school. He urged parents to be friends with their children in order to know when things go wrong. "Parents, I plead with you to be friends with your children. You better be alert to things happening in their lives," he said. He said parents must be alert to changes in their children’s behaviour such as withdrawal, locking rooms. He said children doing drugs can deceive their parents by covering up their deeds. "Marijuana leaves are used to cook jollof rice, garnish noodles, brew drinks or cook soup and they will look like vegetables," he said. Adedeji added that children could be driven to do drugs or other vices because of unmet needs at home. "Many times, children give signs of unmet needs through rascality. When they are unsatisfied, they can do wrong to get their parents' attention," he said. Mrs Veronica Akhaine, senior boarding house mistress at The Ap-

are the future leaders of this country, we should then be able to get to a point where we shall not be relying on thuggery and other vices; we should then get to a point where we discuss our problems and resolve it without having to go to war. Once one engages in discussion and we listen to each other we will be able to resolve our problems." He advised universities to key into the competition and urged the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to fund it so as to give students a more-rounded education. The UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, congratulated the participating schools and declared them winners for participating in the contest. Also, the Dean, Students' Affairs, UNILAG, Prof Tunde Babawale, expressed joy that UNILAG successfully hosted the competition. He noted that the Championship provided a platform for UNILAG students to sharpen their skills within the limited available resources. Mr Victor Onuoha, who represented the NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, underscored the importance of the championship. He applauded the adjudicators, participants, and UNILAG for being wonderful hosts.

ostolic Secondary School in Anthony, Lagos said children have unmet needs when parents do not spend adequate time with them. "The first and foremost thing that comes to my mind is that parents should give their children time. Many of our parents, these days, do not have time for their children. By the special grace of God I have worked for over 10 years as a hostel officer and interact with parents on a daily basis. I have discovered that so many parents do not have time for their children and because of that those children have developed a way of living dual lives, yet parents can come to school and almost fight you swearing, 'my child can never do this', but we in the school and hostel we see them better and we know the children better." Mr James Akpan (not real name) found out recently that he did not really know his son. He was angry with the school for suspending his son, a Primary Two pupil, for two weeks for fighting. This was especially so when he learnt that his opponent got a lighter sentence.

Recounting the shock the man received when he got to the school, his friend (name withheld) told The Nation: “The teacher took him to the class and asked the boy’s classmates to tell Akpan about his son. That was how he learnt that his son was unruly and usually distrupted the class. He left the school ashamed,” he said. Rather than cover up when their children do wrong, Dr Temitope Akpelishi, Medical Director, Bells Varsity Health Centre said parents should seek help. "Parents, please do not cover up your children. A parent withdrew his child because he had been caught taking marijuana four times. If that child is taken to a new school but not fully rehabilitated, the problem will reoccur," she said. Dr Fatiregun Olamijulo, of the Federal-Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Yaba, Lagos Mainland also said living in denial helps neither parents nor the children. Narrating a story, he said: "Many of us live in denial. About six months ago, two professors brought their last born who had low blood

‘Many of us live in denial. About six months ago, two professors brought their last born who had low blood pressure, which is a symptom of drug use. He denied using drugs. His mother too denied and said the boy was a choir leader in the church’

pressure, which is a symptom of drug use. He denied using drugs. His mother too denied and said the boy was a choir leader in the church. "Parents, stop living in denial; be there for your children. They need some mentoring. When it fails at home, they come to school and find mentors - the big boys and girls." Adedeji added that If parents provide a firm foundation for their children, they would be able to overcome the challenges youths face. "The ability of students to withstand peer pressure depends on the foundation you lay. You cannot take away the internet, phones from them but you can give them a firm foundation," he said. Mrs Titilayo Odutola, proprietress of Rockleft School in Surulere, Lagos said building such foundation takes careful nurturing. "If you don't take time to nurture your future today, then tomorrow there is going to be a lot of problem because these children are the leaders of tomorrow. We don't have a choice. We keep complaining about Nigeria; we can make Nigeria what we want, through grooming the children. Through nurturing them the way we want them to be tomorrow. Like the saying goes, once a child is broken, then that child is broken; it will take the grace of God to bring back that child to life," she said. After doing all they can, Mrs Akhaine said parents should also pray for their children. "I think parents need to go along with prayers because parenting is a task from heaven, and it's only God that can help parents.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION AAUA FILE

Union seeks NECO registrar’s exit

HERE is tension at the headquarters of the National Examinations Council (NECO) in Minna, Niger State, as members of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) seek the removal of the Registrar, Prof Promise Okpala. They are demanding that he should proceed on terminal leave in line with the status guiding the tenure and operations of the organisation. Chairman of the NECO chapter of the union, Comrade Abdulrasheed Rabana, alleged that

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

Okpala refused to comply with the directive of the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, that he should proceed on three months’ terminal leave before the expiration of his tenure. Rabana said: "The Minister of Education directed through a letter on the 12th of January that Prof Promise Okpala proceed on terminal leave and hand over to the most senior Acting Director in NECO. Rather than comply with

directive, he chose to start lobbying some highly-placed government officials, particularly, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, to perpetuate himself in office as Registrar of NECO". He accused the Registrar of ignoring the basic rudiments of public service to satisfy his personal interest, ignoring decency, due process and accountability as stipulated by the public service regulations. Okpala could not be reached for comments.

Alumni pledges support

• Prof Okpala

Alumni to check poor WASSCE results

LD students of Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, where former President Olusegun Obasanjo had his secondary education, are not happy about the state of their alma mater. They are worried about the poor performance of pupils of the 92year old college in public examinations, particularly the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The past administration of Ogun State returned schools to the missions about five years ago. However, a section of BBHS is being run by the government, while the other is managed by the Baptist mission, the owner-church. Today, the total population of the school, whether under public or mission, is 2,254 pupils, comprising 1,334 juniors and 920 seniors. The old boys regret that the BBHS, which takes pride in its motto, Nulli Secondus (second to none) and which has also given Nigeria a president, governor and some of the best professionals in medicine, engineering, science and education, has degenerated so much as evidenced in its examination records. Principal, Senior School, Mr Folabi Lampejo, said only 38 percent of the 272 candidates who wrote the May/June 2014 WASSCE made credits in at least five subjects, including Mathematics and English, the minimum benchmark. He said the result was a significant improvement compared to 2013, where about 28 percent passed and earlier years. When they gathered in the school for the 92nd Founder's Day-cum annual congress last Saturday, the old boys argued that though the national average in the WASSCE is not up to 30 per cent, pupils of BBHS ought to stand out. They said measures should be taken not only to reverse the poor performance but also sustain the school's tradition of excellence. The immediate past National President of the BBHS Old Boys Association, Ven. Sola Ladipo-Ajayi, in identifying the causative factors, said the school’s environment had completely changed from what they were familiar with many decades ago. He said with the present situation, it would be difficult, if not impossible for the teachers and pu-

VC visits community

• Entrance to the school. From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

pils to give their best. Ladipo-Ajayi noted that though the government claims to provide free education, for about two years, textbooks and other writing materials were not supplied to BBHS and other schools. He wondered how a school could be run without books. However, efforts by the old boys to rescue the school are already yielding results. One of them, the Dr Olatunde Olusesi Scheme, has been credited for the improved performance in the 2014 WASSCE. The scheme named after its initiator, Olatunde Olusesi, president of the USA/Canada chapter of the association, was adopted after an online debate involving over 1,000 old boys. Olulesi recommended that teachers in core subjects (English language and mathematics) be employed to prepare the SS3 pupils for WASSCE and NECO SSCE at the expense of the association with the pupils being fed during the tutorials. The Principal said the 38 per cent passed recorded by the school in 2014 WASSCE was still better than

the national average. He added that performance in the 2014 NECO SSCE was even far better - all thanks to the scheme. "In the same period, the school presented 22 students for NECO examinations and all of them passed and can enter any tertiary institutions with their results," he said. In addition to the scheme, the old boys have introduced a one-on-one mentoring scheme called the Global Mentoring Program. It involves each pupil being paired with an old boy. Olusesi, who is a lecturer at the New York University, said the BBHS mentoring programme would provide guidance and support to current pupils, promote discipline, culture of excellence, and increase the pupils' motivation to succeed as well as create opportunities for the old boys to give back to their alma mater. "The mentors are expected to serve as positive role models for their assigned students; develop enduring relationships with them; instil hope and confidence in the assigned boys; provide academic and career guide; as well as voluntary financial assis-

‘The mentors are expected to serve as positive role models for their assigned students; develop enduring relationships with them; instil hope and confidence in the assigned boys; provide academic and career guide’

•Ven Ladipo-Ajayi

tance to them in furtherance of their career growth," he said. Olusesi explained that the intervention became necessary as some of the pupils live in the host communities - Sage, Kugba, Adatan, among others in Abeokuta North Local government, where their parents are petty traders, taxi drivers and artisans who rarely care whether their children do well in school or not. Other old students seeking support for the school include the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun and Muiz Olalekan Mudaishiru (Lagos chapter). Prof. Ajao Adelekan emerged the new National Predident of the association during the event; while Otunba Yomi Ajayi-Smith, Managing Director of Ijebu-Ode based Rolak hotel and Suites, was one of the recipients of the association's distinguished merit awards.

Crawford varsity matriculates 2nd PG set

•Prof Ayanlaja

THE alumni association of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, has assured the university management of its commitment to adding value to the university through lofty projects. National President of the association, Mr. Patrick Oluyide, gave the assurance when he visited the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajaibefun. Oluyide, who was accompanied by members of the executive, said the association has planned many programmes. "We have outlined programmes, including Annual Alumni Week, all of which are targeted at adding value to the university community," he said. Congratulating Ajibefun on his appointment, Oluyide said he was optimistic of a brighter future for the university. Oluyide urged the Vice Chancellor to prioritize the students' welfare and carry the alumni along. Responding, Ajibefun thanked the alumni body for the visit and acknowledged the importance of the association to the development of the university. "I am happy that you are here today. I am sure that you are aware that you are very critical to the development of your alma mater," he said.

RAWFORD University, Igbesa Ogun State has sworn in its second set of Post-Graduate students. Speaking at the matriculation held at the university's multi-purpose hall, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Samson Ayanlaja, congratulated the 68 students and urged them to live up to the university's high academic standard. "Examination malpractice would not be condoned. You must attend

By Medinat Kanabe

classes up to 70 per cent of the total number of classes; all assignments must be expertly completed; and we expect a high level of morality, honesty, loyalty in the university," he said. Challenging them to develop novel economic principles and management theories, he explained that the MBA programme has options and is affiliated with the Galilee International Management

Institute in Israel where students offering International Business would take some modules of their study before the end of their programme. All together, he said that there are 19 students for the MBA programme, eight for MSc Economics, 22 for MSc Business Administration, five for PGD in Business Administration, eight for MSc Accounting and six for PGD Accounting.

AKUNGBA Akoko, AAUA's host community, hosted the new Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, and other principal officers at the Alale palace. The Regent, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon, and chiefs of the community, received them. Ajibefun thanked the community for the warm reception and the cooperation the university has enjoyed over the years. He also called for its support. "I am here as Vice Chancellor to add to the work on the ground. I want to solicit your continuous support. The way you have supported my predecessor, Prof. Femi Mimiko that he succeeded, I am also seeking your support so that I will be successful in office too," he said. Princess Omosowon thanked the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, for not holding back resources from the university; and prayed for the outgone Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mimiko, for the judicious use of the institution's funds. She prayed for a successful tenure for the new Vice Chancellor, assuring him of the community's support.

VC chairs board THE AAUA Vice Chancellor, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has been inaugurated chairman, Board of Trustees of the Business Development Centre, BDC, Federal Science and Technical College, Ikare Akoko. Other members of the board are Assistant Inspector General of Police (Rtd.) Bayo Ajileye; Member, House of Assembly, Ganny Dauda; Federal Commissioner, Federal Civil Service Commission, Victor Olabimtan; Dean, Faculty of Law, AAUA, Prof. Olubayo Olududro; Chief Segun Adagunodo; and Mrs. Comfort Chukwurah. Inaugurating the board, Acting Director, Technology and Science Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Abuja, Mrs. Tina Eyaru, expressed confidence that the board would deliver on its mandate. Mrs. Eyaru, who was represented by Mr M. Udu, thanked the college authorities for selecting credible people to make up the board. She said the BDC, an initiative of the FME, would provide a practicum centre for students to relate theory to practice in trade and entrepreneurial subjects; and serve as a business incubation centre to help local entrepreneurs, workers and students.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION

LBS alumni lifts school •Furniture gift a relief, says prefect

HE era of four or five pupils sitting on a three-seater bench with only half of their buttocks has ended at Lekki Community High School, Lekki, thanks to the 150 desks and chairs donation by the alumni of the Lagos Business School (LBS) Advanced Management Programme (AMP) last week. The Set 26 of the AMP also provided 10 sets of teachers' furniture, all of which are worth over N3 million to the school. The 41-member set embarked on the project after graduating last year to give back to the society. The school has the Onilekki of Lekki, Oba Liasim Olumuyiwa Ogunbekun, to thank for being the first beneficiary of the AMP 26 largesse because it was he who nominated the school when he got wind of the set discussing likely projects to implement. The President of the group, Mr Abidemi Sonoiki, said the group formed their charity on November 22, last year during their first reunion. The committee, saddled with the project, raised the funds within two months. Represented by the Vice President, Mrs Funmi Omo, Sonoiki said the AMP26 Charity Project has adopted the school and would meet other needs as well. He said: "Sequel to the rigorous needs assessment carried out to ascertain areas where help is most needed in the school, chairs and

HE Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) has organised a two-day workshop to train members of the School Board Management Committees (SBMC) in all the Local Government Education Authorities (LGEAs) of the state. The committees were set up as watchdogs of the government in schools to enhance teaching and learning. The SUBEB Chairman, Mrs Gbolahan Daodu, said the group has assisted greatly in making education a collective responsibility rather than leaving it solely to government. She said at its inception, members where elected to monitor schools,

By Medinat Kanabe

tables for both students and teachers, ICT room, library, science laboratory, completion of the school hall with a capacity for 200 students, home economic laboratory were discovered to be most needed. "Our commitment is to work towards a three to five-year plan to mobilise resources within and outside our group towards delivering the other needs identified thereby closing the gap wherever it exists. It is our hope that we will begin to see improved performance in West African Senior School Certificate Examination." The Principal, Mr Abayomi Olusanya, thanked the AMP26 for adopting the school. "Barely two months ago, the alumni came to Lekki to look for a school to adopt. The Kabiyesi overheard them and told them about this school, so they came and adopted the school. We thank you for this and promise that the school will not disappoint in the WASSCE," he said. On his part, the Tutor General/

• The AMP tables and chairs

Permanent secretary Education District III, Mr Olaniyi Yinka, represented by Mr Raji Mudasiri, expressed gratitude to the group for living up to their promise. He said many people come to the education district saying they want to adopt

‘Four to five pupils used to sit on a chair and it was very inconvenient for us. Some of us stand in class, some of us sit with half of our buttocks; some don't even come to school at all because of lack of chairs and tables’

schools, but never showed up after seeing the schools that need assistance. "So, when this NGO responded in two months I was surprised. It is a good thing that people now realise that government cannot do it alone. They have tried to provide the basic needs of the school and pupils. But we welcome NGOs to assist in other areas," he added. Speaking on behalf of the pupils, the Assistant Senior Prefect, Miss Aderibigbe Adedamola, said they are all very happy. "It is like a miracle. When we first saw the chairs and tables, we were

Lagos SBMC members get training By Jane Chijioke

ensure that pupils go to school regularly, check absenteeism of teachers and also contribute to the growth of schools. However, this was not effective as the membership was low. But in 2012, she said, the membership increased and now stands at 14,000. "When you talk about SBMC members, not only do they sacrifice their time, energy and even money; we have many of them assisting to provide furniture in schools, repair bore holes, administrative blocks and others.

Since the inception particularly in 2012, we had more members joining and we have re-classified them base on each school. They have assisted in checking truancy by students in schools, also absenteeism of some of the teachers which they report to us. "Most of our SBMC members are very effective. They are in charge of community mobilisation, sensitisation of the public about what government is doing; and on the other hand, getting feedback from the public." The members were taught how to raise funds, familiarise with teach-

ers and pupils, indentify challenges facing the schools, and record keepings among others. In one of the schools (Methodist Primary School, Oshodi) where the training was held, SBMC members highlighted their own contributions. Mr Oluwole Sule, SBMC chairman for the school, said: "We are really proud of the organisation. There are a lot of challenges that we are facing. Then there was no gate and all these sellers around will just litter the whole premises with dirt; but since we attended the SBMC meeting, things have changed. Apart

wondering if they were for us because we needed them very badly. When we asked and they confirmed that they was ours, we rejoiced. We are so grateful. "Four to five pupils used to sit on a chair and it was very inconvenient for us. Some of us stand in class, some of us sit with half our of our buttocks; some don't even come to school at all because of lack of chairs and tables," she said. Others at the event included Oba Ogunbekun, represented by his Personal Assistant, Prince Bamidele Ogunbekun; the Vice Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT) Mr Ayeola Wasiu. from that, we meet community leaders and they have been assisting us. The head teacher's office in this school is an evidence of our effort," he said. Mrs Joy Irubor, SBMC member in Ajao Estate Grammar School, said she enrolled five children in the school. "It has been well in my school thanks to the SBMC. You will see children roaming the streets. At least I have five students that I have brought in the school. We are monitoring them to know how they are coping. These children do not have parents but the school is really looking into their problem.”

Pupil puts Africa on ICT map •Delta Airlines to fly eight for MOS competition

ANAGING Director of Readmanna Ventures, Mrs Edna Agusto, had reasons to be excited at the national awards programme for last year’s Certiport Microsoft Office Specialist National Championship held at Queen's College, Lagos. One reason was that the firm secured a significant sponsor for this year’s edition of the competition. The other was that her daughter, Olubunmi, became the first African to win on the global stage of the 13year old competition last year. Olubunmi, a pupil of Day Waterman College, Abeokuta, won second place in the Microsoft Word 2007 category of the Certiport Microsoft Office World Championship after earning the highest score of 967 in the national edition of the competition last year. She won $2,500 for her effort in the competition held at Disneyland, Carlifornia, United States. Mrs Agusto described the success as a victory for Africa. She was particularly happy that Nigeria got recognition on the world stage after so many years of the national winners being denied visas to compete. "When Agusto's name was called, all Africans in the hall became Nigerians and they started shouting 'Africa, Africa'. Thank you Bunmi for making us proud," she said. Following Nigeria's performance, Delta Airlines has offered eight return

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

tickets to the 2015 edition of the competition holding in Dallas, Texas. An excited Mrs Agusto said this would allow the organisers fly all the six winners of the three categories (Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint) that would emerge from the national contest in Nigeria, as well as two teachers for the competition. Representatives of the airline were at the awards programme to assure that the promise was real. Seasoned Banker and Chairman of Main One Cable, Mr Fola Adeola, who chaired the occasion, added $500 more to Olubunmi's prize money, bringing it to $3,000. He challenged other pupils at the event to enter for this year's edition of the competition and excel on the global stage so they could also win extra money like Olubunmi. "I will increase the $2,500 to $3,000. That amount is to encourage the next African champion," he said. At the event, Olubunmi got a laptop and printer for winning in Word 2007 category and a laptop for coming third in the Powerpoint 2007 category. The 17 other winners and runners up in the Microsoft Word 2007/2010; Excel 2007/2010 and the Powerpoint 2007/2010 categories were also presented with laptops and printers. For the next edition, Mrs Agusto said candidates would only contest

• Olubunmi (third left), her ICT teacher, Mr Samuel Odeleye, and her classmates celebrating her award.

in the 2010 and 2013 versions of the Microsoft Office software applications as the 2007 versions have been phased out globally. She admonished secondary schools to register their pupils, as well as university undergraduates to participate in the competition, which is open to 13-22 year olds, so they can win Xbox One video games next year. The event also featured a talk by Mr Olalekan Olude Co-founder of Jobberman, an online search engine

for jobs, and an ICT quiz competition in which the secondary school participants won the latest edition of the Guinness Book of World Records. Olude urged the pupils to think out of the box and be the best - like he did as an undergraduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University and was selected for an internship to work with Goldman Sachs. He said he earned up to N1million working at the firm during his holidays. He said the MOS competition

would equip the pupils with skills that would separate them from the crowd. “What they are doing now will definitely stand them now. One of the major problems that we see is that people lack soft skills and these are some of the soft skills required - ability to use presentation software, ability to be able use Excel and Microsoft Word. And this would be a plus for them," he said

Behold the First Class pharmacist

Challenging youth to dare

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS

Page 34

Page 31

*GRANTS

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerians will go to the polls February 14. Students want the process to be violence-free and devoid of the ugly incidents of the past, report TOYIN ALI (300Level Law, University of Ilorin) and EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (400-Level Pharmacy, University of Benin).

Students: F elections must be free and fair

•Some students of the Lagos State University on the highway

EBRUARY is like every other month. But on many campuses, it is when students engage in social activities. For Nigeria, this is the month of elections. The presidential election comes up on February 14, the day many campuses bubble with activities to mark Valentine’s Day. But the celebrations may have to give way for the election. The students believe that the elections can be peaceful. They have vowed not to be used as agents of violence, but to participate constructively in the elections. In the past months, some civil society groups and pro-democracy organisations have been going round campuses to sensitise students on how best to conduct themselves to ensure credible elections. Students have also engaged in constructive discussion over the elections.

For instance, at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), a newsstand close to the Students’ Affairs Division remains a hot spot for political discussions. Students stop by for discussions, especially on the sustainability of democracy. At the University of Benin (UNIBEN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last December, held a symposium for students in the Southsouth to galvanise them to get involved in making the electoral process peaceful and credible. Hundreds of students attended the event and pledged to ensure peace during the elections. But as the elections draw closer, some politicians are heating up the polity through their actions. Students are warning such politicians to sheathe their swords. Anthony Adinya, a 200-Level Electrical

Engineering student of UNILORIN, wants parties and their candidates to eschew violence and focus on issues affecting the nation. He said: “The dimension of political campaigns is baffling. People who want to lead us left the issue and attacked the personalities of their opponents. This does not augur well for our democracy. We need to do away with this mentality and as youths, we must demand issue-based campaign.” Halimah Akanbi, a 300-Level Law student of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), wants the election to be free and fair. “I cannot envisage winners of these general elections but I hope the poll would be free and fair enough to produce the right leaders that would develop our nation. Anyone who emerges the leader should promote quality education and resuscitate the •Continued on page 30

•Falana advises students on media ethics-P32 •Dean, students sweep classroom -P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Leadership on my mind (II) A

S the countdown to the February 14 presidential election begins, the critical issue of leadership is on the front burner now more than ever. The election is widely seen - and rightly perceived - as a referendum on the leadership qualities of the President and ruling party. As I mentioned last week, leadership plays a fundamental role in providing direction and focus to families, clans, kingdoms and nations. After the horrific and barbaric 1994 genocide in Rwanda in which close to a million people were slaughtered, Paul Kagame who became the president after leading a successful rebel movement - knew that the first step toward recovery is to de-emphasise the word “tribe” and downplay ethnic sentiments. He placed emphasis on “Rwandese” against “Hutu” or “Tutsi,” the country’s two ethnic groups. He was smart enough to know that the utmost goal of citizens of any nation is peace and prosperity; if these are guaranteed friction would be less likely. He was also smart to know that if the economy of any nation is robust citizens’ care less about which leader or political power is in power. Today, Rwanda is one of the preferred tourist destinations in Africa. Those who are opportune to watch Television commercials (TVC) of most African countries portraying their nation’s images to the world on satellite TV would notice one common thread, the emphasis is now on promotion of tourism and investment drive, but unfortunately, anytime you see something on Nigeria you are taken back to images of ethnic colouration. Our penchant of allowing charlatans to dictate our commonwealth is beyond imagination at a time intelligent people are studying and aligning with global trends and seeking the best for their people. Today, the borders are becoming fluid which is why a Mark Carney - a Canadian citizen - can become the Governor of the Bank of England (Britain’s CBN). The world has moved on and it’s time we move forward as well.

Pushing Out

In my years of study, I’ve taken the pains to research on political and economic systems; why some with fail and others succeed. During my university years, it was the norm to belong ideological camps. If you 08116759750 find five students, there is the prob(SMS only) ability of four of them leaning to the left. From that period – the •aagboa@gmail.com 1990s – till date I’ve been fascinated with China and have been probing why Socialism/Communism failed in the erstwhile western sense, still has lessons to teach NiSoviet Union and Eastern Europe, but it is geria on leadership. Why is this huge counstill in place with modifications in China. try courted by the west though it runs an It is instructive to note that China – during “oppressive” socialist system? What is China the global economic crisis of 2008-2010 - pro- doing right that we can learn from? With a posed to bail out Europe from its years of large rural population, what are some of the depressing economy, but the complex chal- lessons in poverty reduction we can imbibe lenge in accepting such an offer was more from China? ideological than economic. Should European Nigeria has a lot to learn from the Chinese nations who cherish the “freedom” that capi- experience and one of these lessons is never talism and free enterprise brings take bail to miss a chance to excel when opportunity out money from a socialist regime? That was knocks, China did not. Why did I say this? the dilemma. Following the 9/11 attack on the twin towSo how did the Chinese get it right on leaders of the World Trade Centre in New York ership? From the inception of communist in 2001, the United States of America went rule in 1949 led by late Chairman Mao on a vengeance mission to destroy the base Zedong, China has in place a deliberate proc- and launching pad of Al Qaeda in Afghaniess of leadership grooming and selection. The stan. Because of its unparalleled military grooming of its next generation of leaders might, it believed that this would be quick started as far back as 2007. The new set of and decisive, but it turned out to be a long leaders – which is the fifth generation – is war lasting eleven years with billions of dolalready in power. The next generation that lars down the drain. would take over in the next ten years is alDuring this period, it neglected domestic ready work in progress. affairs, especially the state of its industries Under the Chinese model, the process of and economy. This was the opportunity grooming of leaders has two dimensions: China cashed in on hence the Chinese manuFirst is the active participation of young per- facturing resurgence; China suddenly besons in existing governance structures, par- came the new hub of manufacturing activiticularly on matters which directly affect ties with most countries - including Amerithem. This takes place through appropriate can companies - trooping there to manufacrepresentation of youth bodies and young ture goods at cheaper rates because of the persons in agencies of government and pub- abundance of cheap labour. Today the Chilic enterprises. Secondly is a deliberate nese economy is the second largest in the grooming through the political and admin- world, next only to that of the US. We should istrative systems, for youth participation in not forget that they were able to do this bepolitics and administration now and for the cause of purposeful and disciplined leaderfuture. ship structure. The crux of my argument is this: LeaderTo get a further handle on this, I’d like to ship selection and grooming is planned and quote from an interview granted Time magaserious nations embark on it to ensure conti- zine by Lee Kuan Yew, former Singapore leader nuity of socio-economic and political who transformed an underdeveloped colonial progress that serves the common good. outpost with no natural resources into a “First China, even though some will say runs a World’ Asian Tiger. political system that is not “democratic” in The Singapore elder statesman said; “Chi-

Agbo Agbo

nese leaders followed American lead in putting people in space and shooting down satellites with missiles. Their culture is 4,000 years old with 1.3 billion people, a huge and very talented pool to draw from. They have raised their expectations and aspirations, every Chinese wants a rich China, a nation as prosperous, advanced and technologically competent as the USA, Europe and Japan. This reawakened sense of destiny is an overpowering force.” This overpowering force is what is propelling this huge nation forward. Would anyone say we don’t have such overpowering force in Nigeria? We do, it’s just that our leaders always fail to make good use of opportunities just like they failed to positively exploit the opportunity presented by the high global oil price of 2011-2014. A rising power on the international stage in the post-global economic crisis, China, manages its power transition well to carefully match its philosophy of life. The west will see this as “undemocratic” and a stifling of citizen’s rights, but the flipside of the coin points to the fact that anything in life taken to the extreme oftentimes turn out problematic. Excessive and unbridled freedom also has its own drawbacks that is why leadership grooming and selection is needed; a leadership that will be in tandem with a nation’s uniqueness. If Singapore and Malaysia had followed the laid down “economic blueprint” of the Bretton Woods institutions they wouldn’t have been the success story they are today. Another lesson for us is power continuity. It doesn’t depend on who’s in power as laid down policies continues because they are for the national interest. The rise of Xi Jinping – the current president - and his compatriots was built on a combination of political acumen, and ideological dexterity. They are graduates of the best universities in the country with specialties in Political Science, Political Economy, History, Law and Economics. The lesson is this: the university plays a fundamental role in leadership grooming. I will end with this: a friend recounted a story to me which speaks volume of the leadership lacuna in Nigeria. A group of volunteers from the US paid an unscheduled visit to a Local Government Chairman in one of the South West states where they wanted to site a project, to their dismay they found the Chairman and his Councilors drinking beer in his office at 11 am! The volunteers did not leave with a good impression about Nigeria. Are these the type of “leaders” we have “groomed”?

Students: elections must be free and fair •Continued from page 29

education sector,” she said. Eddy Uwoghiren, a 200-Level Medicine and Surgery student of UNIBEN, urged students to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He said he wanted an atmosphere where every voter would be free to vote without financial inducement or threat to his life. Eddy said the popularity of any candidate on social media does not mean such candidate is favoured to win the election, cautioning youths not to be used to foment violence if their candidates do not win. He said: “My expectation from INEC is to conduct an election that would satisfy the curiosity of all contestants and reduce doubt about its credibility. This means all voters must be free to cast vote in a free atmosphere that must be devoid of inducement or threat. Election is not war but a process to societal development. If we admit this view, then youths must ensure they don’t take to violence if the outcome does not favour their preferred candidates.” Eddy also advised the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to be non-partisan, saying this would restore the association’s credibility as the true voice of students. His words: “NANS should be neutral; they should stop giving

•Eddy

•Newera

•Halimah

•Esosa

unnecessary awards to undeserving politicians and desist from paying dubious courtesy visits to public officers for pecuniary gains. They must allow every student to decide who he wishes to vote for.” For Abdulazeez Al-mubajal, a 200Level Law student of UNILORIN, the greatest disservice to the future of Nigeria is to use the youth for electoral violence. Rather than being paid to cause trouble, Abdulazeez urged students to use their vote to enthrone good governance. “What we need is a government that would support youth-oriented

programmes, create employment opportunities and ensure sustainability of our existence through adequate security. There is no other time to play our roles as change agents than now. We must stand up to advocate for peace and progress of our nation.” Solomon Alabi, a 200-Level Business Education student of UNILORIN, said: “Youths should defend their rights by voting for their desired candidates without fear or favour. Religion or ethnicity should not play any role in this election. It is a tradition that politicians sponsor thugs to disrupt the electoral proc-

ess. Let them engage their own biological children this time around.” Newera Aiyamekhue, final year Law student of the Ambrose Ali University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, said the nation needs help and the only people who could bring Nigeria out of its present challenges are the youth. “If we miss this opportunity by engaging in violence, we will compound our tribulations. We cannot effect the needed change in this country if we are being used as thugs. We must not engage in violence but preach credible election that will lift our country away from its current

woes,” he said. Hameedat Adeleke, a 100-Level Health Education student, said: “The roles of the youth remain vital in ensuring that the election is free and fair. We can only be part of this process by exercising our right to vote peacefully. We need a government that is ready to meet up with the demands of the citizens. We need an end to the challenges facing us, such as unemployment and economic crisis. We must contribute our own quota without dancing to the tune of politicians who seek to induce us with worthless materials for our votes.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) held its 44th Convocation last weekend. Miss Nkiruka Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmarcy emerged the best graduating student. INYA-AGHA EGWU and CHOICE EWERE report.

•From left: Ukala, Deputy Senate President Ekweremadu, Dr Azinge, Dr Babayo, Mallam Shekarau and Prof Ozumba at the convocation

ISS Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) was the cynosure of all eyes at the institution’s 44th Convocation last weekend. She bagged all academic awards and honour at the ceremony. She had over 10 distinctions. Nkiruka graduated with a First Class, beating 84 others to become the overall best graduating student. Over 14,015 students got their first and post-graduate degrees at the ceremony. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said Nkiruka’s achievement showed the extent women could go if they got education. With the feat, the VC said Nkiruka has made herself a pride for women. In his address, the Pro-chancellor and chairman of Governing Council, Mr Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, reminded the graduates their certificates indicated that they had been found worthy in character and learning. He advised the graduates to be conscious of their conduct, urging them to be good ambassadors of their alma mater. He advised them

•Nkiruka

Behold the First Class pharmacist to use their knowledge to conquer the world. Ukala praised the university administration led by Prof Ozumba for what he called “spirit of excellence” and for initiating innovative ideas designed to take the institution to higher level. He Praised the effort of the University of Nigeria Alumni (UNA) for its support and effort to improve facilities and standard of learning in the school. He praised the UNN Chancellor and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, for his fatherly role to the university. In his goodwill message read by the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, President Goodluck Jonathan urged tertiary institutions to harness their potential to improve their InternallyGenerated Revenue (IGR). The move, Jonathan said, would complement government’s effort in improving infrastructure in higher institutions. The President said his adminis-

tration had injected billions of naira into education through intervention by educational bodies, such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). He said government alone could not provide all the funds needed to solve challenges facing higher institution. He said: “The universities themselves must make concrete efforts to complement government’s funding by generating their own resources. It is expected that universities should ensure that funds accruing to them are prudently managed.” The President expressed satisfaction with the administration of Prof Ozumba, saying the VC had brought prudent management of resources and vigorous pursuit of ideas to bear in maintaining the values and excellence for which the institution is known. The university honoured some distinguished personalities with honorary doctoral degrees, among whom was Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

Other honorary awardees included Dr Musa Babayo and Dr Valerie-Janet Ogonna Azinge. Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Sen. Ekweremadu thanked the management for finding them worthy of the awards. He said: “I have had several of similar awards in the past, but I cherish this particular award because it is coming from the first indigenous university in the country.” He promised that he would partner with the university management to upgrade infrastructure in the institution. Ekweremadu challenged universities to conduct studies on the challenges facing the country and proffer solutions on how the problems could be solved. He called for concerted efforts by Nigerians to work together and make the country overcome its myriads of challenges. Prof Ozumba said the graduates worked hard to deserve the degree of the institution. A total of 14,015

graduates were awarded first degrees, among whom 3,717 graduated with Second Class (Upper Division), 7,275 Second Class (Lower Division), 2,294 Third Class and 227 Pass. Distribution of the First Class among faculties showed that Education produced 45 First Class graduates, Engineering 14, Agriculture, five; Social Science, five; Biological Sciences, four; Arts, three, Health Sciences and Technology, three: Physical Sciences, two: Environmental, two; Law, one and Business Administration, one. Also, two professors, P.N. Okeke and Paul Akubue, received the titles of professor emeritus for their contributions to scholarship and development of the university. Nkiruka, who spoke on behalf of the best graduating students, urged their junior colleagues to always strive to excel and pursue their studies with dedication. She urged her colleagues to identify with the alumni association to give back to their alma mater.

At their matriculation, freshers of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, swore to promote excellence and peace on the campus. EMEKA ATTAH, EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA and FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO report.

How to be a good student, by VC

“I

SOLEMNLY and publicly declare that I will, to the best of my ability, pursue my course of instruction in Nnamdi Azikiwe University and abide by the rules and regulations of the university. I hereby resolve to uphold the principles for which this university stands and hold myself in honour bound to serve the university always and to work for the enthronement of truth and excellence. So help me God.” With the above oath of loyalty, freshers admitted into the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, were formally welcomed into the institution amidst pomp and ceremony. The matriculating students took the oath last Friday at a field in front of the School of Postgraduate Stud-

ies. They beamed with smiles as they turned out in their sparkling matriculation gowns. It was the first matriculation to be conducted by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, since he assumed office last June. The VC led a procession of Deans of faculties, Heads of departments and other administrative officers to the arena. At exactly 12:10pm, the ceremony began, with the rendition of the university song. The Registrar, Mr Christian Okeke, presented the freshers to the management. Prof Ahaneku congratulated the students for scaling the admission hurdle among over 40,000 applicants. He said his administration had a mission to transform the university and make it one of the best 500 universities in the world and the best

•Some of the students in ecstatic mood after ceremony

in Africa at the end of his five-year tenure. Ahaneku said his vision could only be realised if he harnessed human and material resources within the university. He urged the students to work hard and pursue excellence, noting that the indolent would not be rewarded. He said various schemes, such as Work-Aid to assist indigent and physically challenged students, and Group Personal Insurance Schemes and conducive hostels had been provided to ensure a conducive learning environment for the students. The VC hinted that the university had increased its faculties to 14 from nine, adding that it has

•Prof Ahaneku

97 departments and 94 academic programmes, which are all accred-

ited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and other relevant regulatory bodies. He warned the freshers against joining unlawful associations and engaging in malpractice, stressing that the institution has zero-tolerance for vices. Any student caught would be expelled, the VC said. Prof Ahaneku said: “On our part, we will do our best to give our students the best exposure we can and provide the facilities that they need both in their studies and accommodation. Even the university Senate has resolved to give the students the shortest turnaround time for their results and academic work. •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE UNILAG matriculates 8,601

•From left: Dr Lawal, Falana and chairman of the ocassion, Mr Nurudeen Olatunde at the event

•Participants at the event

Falana advises students on media ethics

FRONTLINE lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, has urged the media to stick to objectivity in reporting the coming general election. The human rights activist spoke last Tuesday at the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), where he was the guest speaker at a lecture organised by School of Communication and Liberal Studies. Falana, who spoke on the theme: 2015 Elections: Legal and ethical issue in media reporting, said the admonition became necessary to caution the youth from reporting falsehood about electioneering on the social media. The activist said it was time to

From Ademola Fagbemi LASPOTECH educate students and youths using social media on the ethics of journalism and law guiding reportage ahead of the general election to ensure peace of the country is not jeopardised. Falana said: “One of the ethical objectives of the media is to present a balanced and fair reporting to the members of the public. The reporting of the coming election should also conform to these codes of responsible journalism.” To report the conduct election, Falana said anyone disseminating

information through any medium must also be guided by Constitution and Electoral Act. He urged the students to engaged social media in a positive way, saying the responsibility to choose credible leaders rested on the youth because of their population. He urged INEC to allow anyone who could not get the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to vote for the candidate of his choice, rather than being disenfranchised to exercise his right. The event was attended by students from various department and top management officials of the institution, including the Rector, Dr Abdulazeez Lawal.

Department mourns student

T was all gloomy at the Department of Mass Communication of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHI POLY) in Edo State last Friday. Students gathered to say prayers for one of them, Princess Kereotubo, who died in an accident on Auchi road penultimate week. The department was quiet as members of Broadcasting Students Fellowship, who were clad in black shirts, held a requiem to mourn the late Princess. The deceased, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, had just completed a fourmonth industrial training and was returning to school when she had an accident at Ewu Hill on Auchi road. Our correspondents gathered that the driver of the bus in which the deceased was travelling survived with three other passengers, who are receiving treatment in a hospital in Benin City. A senior lecturer in the department, Mr Momoh Usman, said he got a distress call from the Head of the Department (HOD), Mrs Clara Ogbiti, notifying him of an accident involving a student of the department.

From Sampson Unamka and Richard Obote

AUCHI POLY He said it took days for the deceased’s parents to retrieve her body from the mortuary of Saint Lazarus Hospital where the victims were taken to. On how he felt when he heard the news, Momoh said: “I became sad. It was a feeling that touched me to the heart, because it involved one of our students. It was a terrible experience for me and I wish it did not happen.” When CAMPUSLIFE contacted the deceased family on telephone, her brother, Realis, said the late Princess had been buried in Bayelsa on Wednesday. President of the Mass Communication department, Odior Uwaize, described the death of Princess as tragic. He said: “I was in Lagos, when I got the call, and had to rush down to school and make sure things were put in order. On Tuesday, her body was moved to Bayelsa State but I could not mobilise students to attend the funeral. In line with our tradition, we urged students to put on black

•The late Princess

and walk round the school with the deceased’s picture but I wish we could do something different.” Odior advised his colleagues to be careful whenever they want to travel home, urging them to assess vehicles before they get on board. The late Princess, 20, was a National Diploma II student and sixth in a family of seven. She hailed from Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) was a beehive last Friday when the institution held matriculation for freshers. Over 8,600 students took the oath at the ceremony held in the university auditorium. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahman Bello, while congratulating the students, urged them to be ambitious and work hard to leave the school with good grades. He said the university has a reputation for excellence and intellectualism. Bello, a professor of Chemical Engineering, said: “Let me inform you that, gaining admission into UNILAG is not only noble but also glorious. Completing the matriculation process is not the end of your journey to get tertiary education; it is just the first step of a journey that will determine your future. “It requires determination, diligence, focus and resilience for you to be successful in your career. You must show the zeal to acquire academic excellence for which this university is reputed. Shun cultism, indecent and immoral behavior and vices that can abruptly end your sojourn here, because the university has zerotolerance for all forms of misconduct and misbehavior,” he advised. The VC admonished the students to distinguish themselves in their academic pursuit, noting that there would be reward for their hard work. The VC reiterated the management’s plan to restore Students’ Union activities on campus. He said: “You are the leaders of tomorrow and as such, opportunity for leadership development should be unrestricted. In this regard, having been satisfied that students’ unionism has regenerated itself to maturity after the unfortunate incidents of 2005 that led to the suspension of Students’ Union activities and with the recent endorsement of UNILAG Students’ Union Consti-

•Prof Bello

From Kelechi Amakoh UNILAG tution, the management has approved the restoration of Students’ Union activities in the university.” The atmosphere on the campus was ecstatic as the freshers hosted their friends to mark the ceremony. Some of them, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said the ceremony gave them a sense of fulfillment. Lewis Akintola, 100-Level Psychology, said: “I am happy this day and grateful to God. I hope to be the best in my field of study.” For Elijah Oluwaseun admitted into Department of Mathematics, the matriculation day has set the tone for greater achievements in his life as he vowed to focus on his studies. About 66,247 apply for admission into the university out of which 26,641 scored 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). However, only 8,601 in the UTME and Direct Entry categories could be offered admission.

Students’ leaders get leadership training TUDENTS of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) have undergone a leadership training organised by Competency-based Economy for the Formation of Enterprise (CEFE), a non-governmental organisation (NGO). The three-day workshop with the theme: Building the future leaders had participants drawn from the leadership of the institution’s Students’ Union Government (SUG) and winners of last year Vice-Chancellor’s Cup. Declaring the event open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Musbau Akanji, represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof Abdullahi Bala, hailed the organisers for the training, saying it would inculcate leadership traits in the participants. He admonished the students’ leaders to apply the knowledge they gained from the training to enlighten their colleagues on the purpose on leadership and cooperation. He urged them to bring the training to bear in making impact on the lives of students they are leading. Speaking, the CEFE co-ordinator, Prof Zinash Osunde, said the training was timely to help the students’ leaders to build a viable union through their innovation. She said facilitators at the workshop used a practical training methodology to enhance the participants’ communication skills, networking, compe-

From Ekwueme-Duru Uchechukwu

FUT MINNA tency building and organisation. The SUG president, David Madaki, praised the management for bringing the training to students, promising to apply the knowledge learnt to improve welfare of students. Cynthia Malik, a 400-Level Electrical and Electronics Engineering, shared her experience. “I learnt a lot from this training. As a member representing my block in the SUG, I learnt how to be diplomatic in carrying out my duties.” Daniel Babajide, a 500-Level Industrial Technology Education student, said: “I am happy to be part of the training. I have not only been educated, I have also been groomed to take up leadership position.” Certificates were presented to the participants after the session.

‘I learnt a lot from this training. As a member representing my block in the SUG, I learnt how to be diplomatic in carrying out my duties’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

•Freshers at the orientation

HE University of Lagos (UNILAG) chapter of Nigerian Economics Students’ Association (NESA) has held an orientation for freshers admitted into the department. The event with the themed: Cultivating success was held at the Faculty of Social Sciences building and was attended by lecturers, among who included the sub-dean of the faculty, Dr Babatunde Adeoye, and Dr Olufemi Shaibu, the association’s Staff Adviser Adeoye told the students to see themselves as being lucky to be among those who scaled through the admission process. He urged the freshers to stay focused and take

•Dr Adeoye speaking to the students as Dr Shaibu looks on

Acquire vocational skills, freshers told From Charles Agu UNILAG their studies seriously. While noting time is a resource, Adeoye urged the students to work hard and strive for good grades. He said they must draw a line between academic and social lives. He said: “Economics is solely for students, who take their studies seriously. Whatever you want to be in future, you must start from now.” Dr Shaibu, who represented the

Head of the Department, told the freshers to determine their peculiar goals and work towards attaining the goals. He advised them to evaluate themselves based on their targeted goals. Gift Festus, a 400-Level student of the department, who is set to graduate with First Class, shared his story with the students, urging them not to engage in unprofitable relationships and excessive social activities. Casmir Idekwulin, the Managing Director of an accounting firm,

said the discipline gave high prospect of employment to its graduate, noting that there was no firm that did not require the service of an economist. He advised the freshers to acquire skills that would complement their academic qualifications, stressing that it would give them edge in competitive labour market. Michael Emmanuel, a young entrepreneur and a 300-Level Psychology student, said that skill acquisition was part of education,

noting that focus was being shifted to vocational skills and entrepreneurship. Highlight of the event included demonstration to the students how they would calculate their Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). According to the NESA Public Relations Officer (PRO), Babatunde Phillips, the orientation programme was intended to give the students their first knowledge of department’s activities. The president of the association, Oghenetega Odioko, urged the students not open up whenever they face challenges in the course of the studies.

Osun students honour scholar HE personality lecture organised by the National Association of Osun State Students (NAOSS) brought high profile dignitaries to the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) last week. The lecture with the theme: Intellectualism, moralism and humanism: Focus on Prof Rasaq Deremi Abubakre was attended by the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, who represented Governor Rauf Aregebsola, Grand Qadi, Kwara State Shariah Court Appeal, Justice S.O. Muhammad, his predecessor, Justice Idris Abdullah Haroon, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nahimat Ijaya, who represented, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali and representative of the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University. The guest lecturer, Dr Abdulraheem Hamzah, said meeting the honoree at Markaz, an Arabic institution founded by the popular Islamic preacher, Sheikh Adam Abdullah Al-Ilory, was a blessing to him. He said although Abubakre experienced a delay in education but the setback turned out to be blessing for him. Hamza described Abubakre as a man of impeccable character, moral integrity and decent manager of men, money and material. He said the honoree’s integrity could not be questioned, saying Abubakre remained one of the incorruptible Nigerians alive. Justice Mohammed, who described the honoree as his teacher, said: “I have learnt from my teacher to be honest, humble and hardworking and tolerate no non-

•Dr Aliero joining the students to sanitise classrooms

Dean, students sweep classroom

EMBERS of Junior Chamber International (JCI) at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) on Sunday embarked on environmental sanitation tagged: Keep UDUS clean. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Adamu Aliero, who flagged off the exercise to sanitise the campus, led the club members to sweep classrooms and clean the boards. The club members were led by JCI National Vice-President in Area C District II, Ayokunle Omowaye, 28th chapter president of JCI

From Halimah Akanbi UDUS Abdulhammed Mustapha and past Collegiate Vice Chairman of Area C, Kazeem Adeyemi. Other lecturers who participated in the exercise included the club’s Staff Adviser, Dr R.F. Atata. All the participants visited some lecture halls on the campus to clean the white boards with ethanol, making it sparkling clean and swept the classrooms. They also provided waste bins to lecture halls.

The JCI president in the school, Abdulkadir Bashir, told CAMPUSLIFE: “The sanitation exercise is borne out of our desire to ensure we study in a clean and disease-free environment. This is in line with our aim to serve humanity. We deem it fit to take the lead as we have seen the need to maintain cleanliness, which is next to Godliness.” He added that the club would donate more sanitation materials to the school to ensure the campus remained hygienic for learning.

•Prof Abubakre

From Ridwaanullah Abimbola, UNILORIN sense. The only thing that makes me hate my teacher is that, he does not give his students bonus mark.” This remark attracted laughter from the audience. Prof Ijaya said the event was recognition of the honoree’s integrity and contribution to the development of the nation. The event also featured the launch of the association’s magazine and presentation of award to the honoree for his scholarly works and contribution to development of Iwo town in Osun State. Other awardees included Governor Aregbeshola and UNILORIN Chief Imam, Prof Abdulganiy Oladosu, among others. Prof Abubakre described the honour as “heartfelt joy”, appreciating his family and friends for gracing the occasion. He was born on January 20, 1948 in Iwo and received basic education under the tutelage Sheikh Al-Ilory.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

“Y

OUTHS must drive sustainable development and explore their minds to shape their future.” With these word Prof Nasiru Yauri, one of the facilitators at the British Council Active Citizens Training held last Wednesday at Youth Friendly Centre of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), challenged the youth to dare. The training was organised with the aim of engaging the youth in building trust and sustainable development. It started with globingo, an interactive game in which about 40 of the participants asked one another questions and competed for the first position. The ability to answer questions faster was the key to survive in the game. It was also an avenue for the organisers to know the participants. As the contestants introduced themselves to the facilitator, one of the participants, Sherifah Ahmadu, said: “We need to know our identities as well as that of others in order to know what people hold dear to their hearts.” Each participant explained his views on the “tree of expectations”, a method used by the organisers to recognise everyone’s strengths and the positive results they could get using those strengths. The participants learnt how to interact with people from various backgrounds after the first day’s training ended. The Day Two training started with a game titled: “Four Words”, which was aimed at fostering dialogue and enabling people to reach agreement on controversial issues. A story was told of how people see things differently and express different views about a subject matter. “A dialogue is not necessarily a consensus, neither is it an argument,” Prof Yauri told the participants. The attendees were divided into groups, with each having a task to tell a story using illustrations to describe dialogue. It was a creative session as the different groups came up with interesting stories that explained the true essence of dialogue and why it must be constructive. The training ended with the participants leaving with understand-

Students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) participated in a leadership training organised by the British Council to drive sustainable development and innovation. SARAT ALABIDUN (300-Level Chemistry) reports.

Challenging youths to dare

•Participants with some of the facilitator

ing of working together and sacrifice. On Day Three, participants were led in a procession to a serene environment within the campus, where they reflected on challenges facing their communities and the social action projects they could carry out to help solve those problems. The students came up with practicable ideas that could be introduced to reduce the challenges. They learnt about community mapping, which the organisers described as the first steps in project planning.

The participants were divided into groups for discussions; each group presented its strategy to solve identified problems. The final day activity was on project planning and how the participants could actualise their social action projects in their communities. Each group thought of social action plan it could carry out and engaged other groups in implementing the objectives. They were also taught problemsolving skills and final evaluation of projects through record keeping and recognising its success and fail-

ures. Prof Yauri said: “We have trained you, and we are now going to let you go out into the society to make positive impacts. You have become tributaries from which other tributaries can be formed.” Participants spoke about their experience after the training. Enitan Adekunle, a 300-Level Education and Extension Services student, said he learnt the virtue of selflessness and mutual respect. He said: “I learnt that everything should not always be about me, but everyone in the society. I learnt how to inter-

act with people and how to engage in dialogue. The training has opened my eyes to the virtue of selflessness and mutual respect.” Another participant, Abdulmajeed Abdullah, a 300-Level Modern and European Languages student, said: “I was taught how to start a dialogue and the importance of constructive dialogue. I learnt problem-solving skill through the group discussion and I have already started my social action project on the internet to practicalise what I have learnt from the training.”

Students of Niger Delta origin have held a rally and seminar in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to drum support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. EMMANUEL AHANONU (Corps member, NYSC Enugu) reports.

Niger Delta students root for Jonathan

HE leadership of the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government (NIDSUG) has urged students from the oil-producing region to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. The NIDSUG held a seminar and a rally, where the students adopted the president as their candidate in the February 14 election. Obada Akpomiemie, the NIDSUG president, led about 1,000 Niger Delta students from some higher institutions in a threehour rally in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, last weekend. The students moved from Arium Hall to Azumini Ezimgbu and to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office on Aba Road. They were clad in a white T-shirt with the inscription: “The role of students in consolidating the Transformation Agenda”. Riot policemen trailed the students’ procession to prevent a breakdown of law and order. After several minutes of proJonathan songs at the NDDC of-

•Niger Delta students at the rally for Jonathan

fice, the students were addressed by an official, who did not mention his name. He said: “The support for the president’s re-election, which you have taken as a cause is good. But, our principal is not on seat to speak to you.” The rally was preceded by a seminar, where Obada urged the students to vote for their kinsman. Speaking on the theme: The role of students in consolidating the Trans-

formation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, Obada said the leadership of the union supports Jonathan because he stands for peace and development. On why Jonathan should be reelected, the pioneer president of the NIDSUG, Genesis Idikibiebuma, said the country has been transformed under the present administration. He said despite the problems inherited by Jonathan, the

nation is waxing stronger. He said the president had given voice to ordinary Nigerians and is fighting their cause. Genesis urged all Niger Delta students to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to enable them exercise their right at the polls. Tonbara Yalah, immediate past president of NIDSUG, who spoke on Welfare of Niger Deltans, said no administration achieved what

Jonathan had achieved in six years, stressing that the youth must support leaders who care about their welfare. “I charge you all not to cast your vote for any political party or individual because of what you will get immediately but because the person has something to offer to the entire nation and generations unborn,” he said. A member of the union, Edward Odum, dismissed the notion that youths of Niger Delta would foment trouble should the election outcome did not favour the president. He said Niger Delta students are not violent but added that the students would ask questions if the exercise is rigged against anyone. He said: “Niger Delta comprises merely nine states while Nigeria has 36 states. So, the possibility of Jonathan’s re-lection lies on our ability to convince our colleagues in other states to see reason why the president should be re-elected. If we cannot convince people to buy into this idea, we may have failed,” he said. Obada said the event was not sponsored or financed by any politician. He said the union embarked on the project to enlighten students. He also expressed dissatisfaction with what he called “anti-student policies” of Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, calling for change of programmes and promotion of Niger Delta students’ welfare.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Technical education as panacea to unemployment S

IX years after graduation without employment, the only viable option for Igwe Odo was to start up a business, but there was no start-up capital to pursue this. The plight of Igwe, who is a Bachelor degree holder in a management courses, is similar to challenges being faced by millions of graduates whose courses of study have rendered them unemployable, not because they are incapable of defending their class of degree but because they lack the requisite skill set as demanded by the prevailing socio-economic situation in the country. Despite the growing level of unemployability of graduates, it is disturbing to observe that many youth still scramble to acquire entrepreneurship skills. The dream of many secondary school leavers is to go to higher institutions and study one of those lucrative courses which they feel can confer a sense of pride on them. They do not bother to analyse economic and social variables to know if their choice discipline is relevant in the contemporary time. All they want to be is a graduate of any discipline as if the course of study is a guarantee of employment after graduation. The reality of the situation dawns on them after National Youth Service. When they could not get job, it is then they know their courses of study have not equipped them with skills that would make employers require their services. Many of them would

consider a different discipline if given a second chance as undergraduates. With technological advancement, nature of work is changing. There have been changes in skills and methods of work in many professions. Nigeria’s transition towards a market economy is placing demands for new skills and trades, making it difficult for people with obsolete knowledge, skills and work attitudes to retain their jobs. Rapid technological changes make certain skills go into extinction and demand higher levels of initiative and retraining. As technological changes occur at unprecedented speeds, it becomes increasingly important to develop mechanisms that can foster skills highly demanded in emerging careers. There is no gainsaying the fact that Technical and Vocational Education Technology (TVET) is what Nigerians need to keep pace with employment demand in a technologically-driven economy. TVET is a comprehensive term referring to the aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupations in various sectors of economic and social life.

The curriculum of TVET is designed to help people develop their talents, interests and skills which would help them secure employment in various sectors of the economy. Its scope is not only limited to preparing people for employment and equipping them with the right skills that would make them self-reliant, it stretches to retraining people that are already employed, helping them acquire the latest skills introduced by technology, and providing them with the training needed for adaptability. TVET is borderless in its approach; it offers everybody an opportunity to earn a living and contribute to societal growth. It provides formal and informal trainings to people of different backgrounds in the society, including the physically challenged, rural and urban women as well as young people. Despite the great importance and prospects of TVET in developing manpower for the growth of economy, it is disappointing to observe that very little is done to encourage its growth and popularity in the country. Educational system in the country is skewed to favour conventional formal education. Secondary schools that offer technical

education in the country do not get the attention they deserve; very few of them exist. Where they exist, they suffer lack of equipment needed to make their education technical. The awareness level of the place of technical education in the country is so low that even parents dissuade their children from acquiring TVET even when a child has the natural ability to become a technician. In the tertiary institutions, students of TVET are often seen by their peers as second class students whose course of study is not worthy of identifying with. But the table turns after graduation. TVET graduates can easily create employment for themselves and stand a chance of benefitting from0 employment opportunities because of their high technological skills. More so, many government policies in the area of TVET are not based on rigorous and reliable, research-based evidence. Instead of carrying out skill mapping to discover relevant skill sets needed in the society with a view to making policies that will address them, policymakers base their policies on what they think should exist instead of what is really existing. It is high time Nigeria paid attention to technical and vocational education in order to solve the problem of unemployment. Technical secondary schools should be given more attention. A carefully sequenced and flexible curriculum

By Chukwunonso Chikwendu is needed at the secondary level to prepare pupils for skilled careers. Policymakers and TVET curriculum developers should ensure that instructions in technical education are delivered through use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as it is expected in the 21st Century teaching and learning. There is urgent need to establish a healthy link between the academia and industry to ensure that graduates acquire the desirable skills needed in the labour market. Solution to Nigeria’s problem of unemployment lies in making every graduates acquire skills that will prepare them as employers and make them employable. Chukwunonso is a Post-graduate student of Vocational Training Education, UNN

Of propaganda, issues and candidates

By Jennifer By JoannaUmeh Olis

T was Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States, who famously said: “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” The first time I read an

OWADAYS, it is becoming understandable why many people do not feel a sense of patriotism whenever our National Anthem is being recited. Rather than being patriotic, many people tend to question the lines of the anthem. This may be because of the way the affairs of the country are being run. What has become of the country from the way and manner the government treats the citizens have given valid reasons for some people to ask questions about the continuous existence of the nation. Like all emotions, patriotism comes from within. Whether we are rational or not, we are reaping the benefit of some people’s sense of patriotism. These are our founding fathers and soldiers who fought to keep this country united. From my observation of happenings in the Nigeria today, most people no longer respect our national anthem and the national flag. In some cases, I have seen citizens sitting, walking, moving or even danc-

advertorial in a newspaper, ‘advising’ the electorate not to vote for a particular presidential candidate, I was appalled at the extent to which some Nigerians had gone just to ‘sell’ their choice candidate in any political party they support. Many groups have sprung up to publicly support their preferred candidates and convince people to vote for them. They have been spending large amount of money daily to place adverts in national newspapers, all with the aim of ‘bringing down’ the opponent of their candidates. In the words of Dennis Adonis, voting is a method used to determine which politician was able to brainwash you the most. It is popularly said that desperate times require desperate measure. Some Nigerians are literally taking desperate actions in the bid to stop ‘unwanted’ candidates. Notable among these actions is a recentlypublished advertorial sponsored

by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, which has been described by Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) top official, Lolu Akinwunmi, as “unconventional, shocking, and controversial”. According to the National Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the advert “reflected the desperation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).” Leadership is about service. Every candidate should banish thoughts of personal gain, pride and desire to stop opponents and begin to focus on the main issue of delivering the dividends of democracy and proffering solutions to the myriads of challenges plaguing the nation. Talking about dividends of democracy, necessity is upon politicians to provide them because the electorate they claim to represent is so desperately for the reward of voting in them party of their choice. Politicians must not resort to mudslinging; this insults the sen-

sibilities of the people. So far, prominent issues being reported in the media are propaganda messages and insulting adverts against candidates vying for public offices. We hear such irrelevant words, such as stomach infrastructure, fake certificate, age and suchlike. But in the wake of all of these events and scandals that have trailed the electoral campaign period, the major thrust of the forthcoming elections remains that the welfare of Nigeria and its citizens in the next four years should not be relegated to the background, because it is the most important issue that must be brought to the fore. Nigeria is faced with challenges of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and mismanagement, among others things that need to be addressed. Whoever emerges leader should go into office with the interest of Nigerians at heart. Candidates and their supporters should desist from the bad attitude of casting aspersions on their op-

ponents. They should start to reflect deeply on the battered state of the country and maybe when they have done that, they can begin to think up ways in which they can help to heal this already bruised nation. The electorate must also be careful in order not to be swayed by bogus campaign adverts and empty promises some politicians have employed to get their votes. The fate of the country in the next four years lies in the hands of the electorate. We should insist on voting the candidate that possesses the capability to deliver on his electoral promises. The best man in our opinion regardless of party or who is more powerful to churn out mendacities against another in campaigning, should win the race. If we elect a wrong leader, we will be left with no choice but to sit on our blisters. May the best man win! Joanna, 400-Level Mass Comm., UNILAG

Making a case for patriotism ing while the national anthem is been played or recited. While the first stanza of the anthem urged us to rise up whenever it is being recited, most people would rather want to sit or do something that would be in anathema to aim of the anthem. I believe this attitude of our fellow citizens toward the national anthem and the national flag can be traced to bad governance and corruption in the system. The country’s resources have been mismanaged and kept away from the majority by a few privileged countrymen. Since the masses do no longer benefit from their God-given resources, many are of the opinion that they don’t need to feel the urge to believe in government and the country. In advanced democracies, such as the United States and the United

Kingdom, citizens are ready to die for their countries. It is not an expression of thoughtless patriotism that is making them to stand up for their countries, but because their countries and their leaders protect their interest wherever they may be on earth. This makes these citizens to be loyal and willing to do anything to protect the interest and integrity of their countries. I cannot imagine the anthem of the United States being played anywhere and an American citizen will pay no attention or disrespect it. Our countrymen must know that it is high time we began to respect to our national anthem and flag. Let us drop all acts that have made us to show a great disrespect to our identity. Let see this as a contract. We feel safe at our homes, office and trans-

act businesses freely because some people were patriotic enough to defend us and territory. These people swore to protect our lives with their lives, whether the threat comes from burglars, armed robbers, terrorist or even natural disaster. The one and only thing that would make them take such a drastic oath is patriotism. When we treat our national anthem and flag with utmost respect, we are somewhat satisfying our side of the contract. Therefore, when we stop respecting our nation while still expecting to be protected like any other citizen, we are nothing but a hypocrite. Let us patriotic and promote patriotism through our actions and spoken words. Tolulope is a Corps member, NYSC Birin Kebbi

Tolulope Ogunleye

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Pledge for peace and excellence •Continued from page 31

So, for us, we are very much committed to bringing out excellence in our students and train them to become job creators and not job seekers. “We are optimising entrepreneurship studies and we want every student to graduate as somebody that can stand the test of time and become mentors to others. God helping us, these young ones will key into our concept of following the rules because we have to endure in whatever we do to survive as a people.” The VC also disclosed that the university had the plan to admit more students after an evaluation of its facilities by the NUC. He said more hostels would be built to address the persistent accommodation challenges being experienced by students. The Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA) administered the matricu-

lation oath on the students. He urged them to report anyone engaging in acts that could distabilise the campus. Some of the freshers, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, could not hide their joy after taking the oath. They described the ceremony as the beginning of a journey to excellence. Oliver Okechukwu, 100-Level Chemical Engineering, said he was grateful to God for the admission. He said that he learnt lifechanging lessons during the orientation earlier organised by the management and expressed optimism that Ahaneku’s administration would bring improve the rating of the institution. Chinenye Eze, another fresher, said the admission had opened a new vista in her life, praising management for providing facilities to help students get the best education out of the school.

•From left: President of the Students’ Union Government, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Akwa, Anambra State, Noble Eyisi; Analyst, Customer Care at Etisalat Nigeria, Olanike Faroun; Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Kenneth Nwogu; winner of brand new Hyundai i10 car, Somtochukwu Obiekwe; Head, Youth Segment of Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel and Analyst, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Micheal Nwoseh during the presentation of the brand new car to Somtochukwu at the Etisalat Cliqfest in Awka at the weekend

Graduate marks birthday with orphans

ATHER than throwing lavish party to mark his birthday, Akintan Akindele, a graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA)

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

•Gives UTME forms to indigent students From Dayo Ojerinde AAUA in Ondo State has marked the day with orphans at Ilu Ireti Motherless Home in Akure. Akindele donated food and toiletries to pupils in the orphanage. He also bought three Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) form for some indigent students. Akindele, who was president of the National Association of Business and Administration Students (NABAMS), was received by Mr Richard Ogunleye, at the orphanage.ý Ogunleye hailed the gesture, not-

ing that the celebrant took a deep thought for settling to celebrate with the orphans. “Many people will rather throw a big party to show their wealth when they celebrate their birthdays, rather than remembering the less privileged. This will remain indelible in the minds of the children,” he said. Akindele donated items, such as bags of rice, noodles, groundnut oil, palm oil, detergent, packs of bar soaps, packets of toothpaste and brush and writing materials. The beneficiaries of the UTME forms were: Kemisola Olaosebikan and Modupe Babalola and the best student in Ikoya Grammar School in Okitipupa Local Government.

Don delivers UNIBEN’s 149th inaugural lecture

ROFESSOR Ambrose Isah has delivered the 149th inaugural lecture of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) last Thursday. The consultant of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics spoke on: The Clinical Pharmacologist: Sentry, ombudsman, arbiter, and custodian of therapeutic care in health care system in the lecture held at the Akin Deko Auditorium. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Friday Orumwense, represented by his deputy on Administration, Prof Lawrence Ezemwonye, congratulated the lecturer, noting that inaugural lectures were avenue through which scholars educate the public about their achievements in research. Prof Isah said he took interest in clinical pharmacology after he read a journal titled: Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin at the Prof Latunde Odeku Memorial Library at the University of Ibadan (UI) in 1977. He said as an arbiter, clinical pharmacologist served as a gatekeeper on the drugs entering market. The role of the clinical pharmacologist, he said, is important if people must have safe drugs. He said the clinical pharmacologist should act as an ombudsman to regulate movement of drugs in the society. The lecturer urged government to address cost of drugs and tariff of medicine. He said drug information must be made available to people, while charging government to support the National Agency for Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) with workable legisla-

•Prof Isah

From Eddy Uwoghiren UNIBEN tion and fund to carry out its function as required by law. Prof Isah told the audience that his involvement in drug research led to the establishment of the Pharmacovigilance Center at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), which he said was the first of its kind in the Niger Delta region. He was decorated with a medal for the lecture. Nwaobi Oge, president of the UNIBEN Medical Students Association (UBEMSA) hailed Prof Isah for the lecture, saying: “The lecturer just proved that he is scholar in the field of drug regulation; government should wakeup to its responsibility because the challenge is beyond legislating laws but implementation that matters.” Prof Isah studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of Ibadan and proceeded to the University of Newcastle for training in clinic pharmacology. He was the Dean and Head of Department of Medicine at the UNIBEN and a fellow of the West African College of Physician and the Royal College of Physician.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION

ASUU workshop tackles ethical questions

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) has urged lecturers to be mindful of their behaviour while discharging their duties. The union organised a workshop titled: “Academic ethics and principles of ASUU”, to address issues of ethical behaviour of lecturers on the campus. Its national president, Dr. Nasir Fagge, in his address, said the union faces a moral challenge regarding the conduct of its members, which may not tally with the ideals of the group. Fagge, who was represented by the Vice-President, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, said: “You people are always asking government to put more money into the universities. You don’t monitor how the money is spent. Despite the review of your

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

salaries, you still go ahead to exploit your students and some of you still sell scores for favours.” He underscored the need for members of the union to maintain their integrity. “We, as a Union, our greatest asset is our integrity. The moment we compromise our integrity, the respect for the Union would diminish,” he warned. At the event, FUNAAB ViceChancellor (VC), Prof Olusola Oyewole said issues raised at the workshop went beyond the requirements of ASUU to extend to the expectations of the university concerning lecturers’ conduct. He said lecturers should seek answers to the following questions: “What are the dos and don’ts of this community and this profession? What are my rights and privileges? What are the things I need to avoid

as a lecturer? How can I operate with integrity as an academic staff? How can I meet with the demand of this profession of research and teaching?” He also appreciated the ASUU FUNAAB Branch for organising the workshop and engaging renown academics such as Prof Omotoye Olorode and Prof Ololade Enikuomehin. Oyewole said Olorode was already an established academic when he (Oyewole) was an undergraduate student at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. He also said Enikuomehin was forthright. “I have been in this University for so many years and I have had great interactions with many people and one of the people that I know stand for that which is right or good is Prof Ololade Enikuomehin,” he said. On his part, the ASUU-FUNAAB Chairman, Dr Festus Adeosun, said the workshop was organised to

enlighten members on their roles as lecturers so they could align with the union’s desire for members to live above board, and the university’s vision as it expands. “As a fall-out from this workshop, we expect that we would individually and jointly adopt the outcomes of this deliberation with the seriousness and the gravity they deserve and come out with concrete means and suggestions to implement and evaluate the outcomes,” he said. He said after the training the union expected that “breaches hitherto observed, will be a thing of the past”. Meanwhile, Fagge said the last national strike of 2013 achieved its objectives. As a result of the federal government’s agreement with the union, he said, no Nigerian university would have less than N3 billion in its coffers in the next three years.

Scholars seek review of journalism curriculum By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

GROUP of scholars and journalists have called for a review of the training curriculum of journalism and mass communication to include conflict reporting. At a consultative forum hosted by the Department of Mass Communication of the Covenant University (CU) last Friday, they said Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast has exposed the gap in the training of journalists in covering conflicts. They, therefore, called for a review of the curriculum used in journalism schools. They also underscored the need for re-training of practicing journalists in this area and in the coverage of this month’s general elections. A communiqué signed by the participants stated: "We observe that journalists face numerous challenges in covering the 2015 elections and the unfolding insurgency. We, therefore, recommend enhanced, coordinated and inclusive training of communication practitioners; a review of the curriculum on mass communication and journalism, with specific consideration for the introduction of special courses on conflict reporting." The forum also called for a review of the entry requirements into the profession, which is currently a high school diploma. They argued that to defend their call for improved welfare for journalists, those employed should be adequately qualified. Other recommendations by the participants included the need for

•from left: Prof Ayo, Prof Amuwo and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Taiwo Abioye at the event. Inset: Prof Blake PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

improved welfare and security for journalists; the need to tell Nigerian and African stories from local perspective; regulation of hate speech; verification of information on the social media and the need to strengthen professional ethics of journalism. Regarding security, they called on the government and the society to provide security for journalists in the course of their assignments. They said: "In order to ensure the protection of journalists, media organisations and security agencies should collaborate to ensure the safety of journalists in the course of their assignments; members of the public should contribute to the protection of journalists on duty; media owners should urgently enhance the provision of insurance packages for all journalists; journalists operating in high risk security zones should be covered by life insurance. They should also be

well remunerated." On ethics, they recommended public enlightenment about the existing code of ethics, sanctions for erring journalists and media houses that violate the principles and a review of the journalism/mass communication training curriculum to capture conflict reporting. Convener of the forum, Prof Cecil Blake of the Mass Communication Department, CU, said the forum was organised to help the media to play its role appropriately in building the society. "If you look at what in African countries, whenever there are elections, there is automatic tension. The fourth estate has been guilty in creating aspects of that tension. The concern is to ascertain that the media, both practitioners and owners, should really work towards the promotion of social cohesion in a nation rather than contribute to its collapse. And elections have the

Jakande promotes Yoruba culture

ORMER Lagos State governor, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, has urged a socio-cultural group, Isokan Omo Yoruba Association, to promote the value of Yoruba culture in all they do. He spoke at the first annual lecture and award of the group's branch domiciled in the Distance Learning Institute (DLI) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) held at the Afe Babalola auditorium of the university. To achieve this, he implored the audience to be trustworthy in all their dealings for people to see that it is the way and culture of the Yoruba. He said: "The Yoruba culture is what we should always keep in mind. We should learn our culture and show a straight path to anyone

By Alexandra Esther

regardless of their tribes. We need a new nation, a great nation that will carry the Yorubas to the next level. Regardless of what you see remain calm and focused." Speaking at the event, the Dean of Students' Affairs, Prof Babatunde Babawale, said before Nigeria can progress, her citizens must first be progressive in their ways and culture. "The Yoruba future is bright, but for it to be brighter we Nigerians need to motivate and teach our youth the truth," he said. Babawale told the students that the Yorubas are among the most educated in Nigeria, adding that first Nigerian lawyer, medical doctor and many others were Yorubas. The Isokan Omo Yoruba

• Jakande

Association brings Yoruba Indigenes in tertiary institutions and outside campuses together to promote the understanding of the Yoruba culture, customs and best practices, and to provide assistance to members and reward deserving Nigerians.

tendency to provoke that," he said. Participants at the consultative meeting were drawn from the Department of Mass Communication of the university as well as the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), represented by Prof Danjuma Gambo of the University of Maiduguri; Association of Communication Scholars and Practitioners of Nigeria (ACSPN), represented by Prof Nosa OwensIbie and Dr Odion Odibo; and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), represented by Mr Demiji KayodeAdedeji, Mr Dele Atunbi, and Mr Kunle Idowu. Meanwhile, a professor of political science at the CU, Kunle Amuwo, has underscored the need for the Nigerian state to be the centre of public welfare. Amuwo, who delivered the 39th Public Lecture of the university, said doing so would end corruption and other vices. Speaking on the topic: “Bullet Versus Ballot: Interrogating Nigeria's 4th Republic's Electoral Consultations", he said: "The most critical political struggle in the aftermath of the forthcoming polls irrespective of the party that wins at the centre and the presidency should be centred on bringing the state back into the public sphere and space where it really belongs. Why we are where we are today, with all the shenanigans of the political elite the Nigerian people routinely put up with, is because the Nigerian state ceased long ago…to be a public agency that gives happiness and welfare to Nigerians.” The university’s Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Ayo Charles, urged Nigerians to choose the ballot over the bullet - just as the Israelites were admonished to choose life over death in the Bible.

FUNAAB FILE

VC counsels freshers THE Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof Olusola Oyewole, has told new students to consider themselves fortunate to have been admitted. Oyewole told the 2,997 students at the university's matriculation for the 2014/2015 academic session that among the 6,337 candidates that sat for Post-UTME in the university only 3,631 were offered provisional admission - 82.54 per cent of whom were lucky to be registered. He admonished the students to strive for academic excellence and be good ambassadors of the university. "By virtue of your admission, you have become a vital stakeholder in the history of the University", he said. Oyewole, who is also the President of the Association of African Universities (AAU), said the university had zero tolerance for academic indiscipline, disrespect for constituted authorities, rascality, irresponsible unionism, cultism, laziness, truancy and vandalism. In the third lecture that featured as part of the matriculation, the lecturer, Mrs. Folusho Olaniyan, spoke on "Promoting Youth Entrepreneurship in Nigerian University: Students' Choices, Nigeria's Legacy". She enjoined the students to display their solving problems skills and show passion in anything they do in order to bring about positive change in the society.

Invest in your alma mater THE National President FUNAAB Alumni Association, Prof Lateef Sanni, has urged members of the association to look for avenues to invest in the university. Sanni, who is also the Dean, College of Food Science and Human Ecology (COLFHEC), said this during the 18th annual convention and 17th annual lecture series of the association. "What I am calling for is that you need to come back to the university and invest either as individuals or as groups," he said. Sanni said they could invest in the International Scholars' and Resources Centre (IS&RC), the Zoological Park and the various crop and livestock projects on the campus. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oyewole, praised the association for its contribution to the overall development of the university through its yearly scholarship awards for indigent students and other initiatives. The convention's lecture entitled: "Improving Rural Livelihood for National Food Security", was delivered by Prince Adetokunbo Ogundipe, Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ibarapa Local Government, Eruwa, Oyo State. Highpoint of the event was the conferment of distinguished awards on two personalities, the first VC, Prof Julius Okojie, and the Pioneer Registrar, Princess Adebisi Gbadebo-Soboyejo, for their contributions to the development of the university over the years.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE EKSU FILE

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE

Fayose pledges funds THE Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has promised funding support to the Ekiti State University (EKSU) towards achieving full accreditation for programmes in its new medical college. Fayose made the promise while receiving the accreditation panel of the National Universities Commission (NUC), which visited the college to assess its readiness for accreditation. The Governor, who extolled the leadership values of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Aina and the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Mathew Araoye, described the medical school as a worthy initiative. He said his administration would leave no stone unturned to ensure adequate funding of the college.

NUC team visits BACK at EKSU, the NUC accreditation panel assessed the facilities of the medical college. It was the second team in two weeks to access the college. The Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria had visited earlier to check the infrastructural facilities as well as human resources required for the accreditation. The NUC Team was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Patrick Aina and his principal officers at the Council Chamber. Prof Aina informed the team that the people of Ekiti State were anxious to have their own College of Medicine. The Provost, Prof Araoye, said the college was prepared for the accreditation exercise. The leader of the NUC team, Prof. James Odia, promised to carry out the assignment in the best interest of all, without bias.

EKSU wins grant A SWITZERLAND-based organisation, AZTRASZENECA, has selected EKSU as one of the five beneficiaries of a research grant of above $11, 835. AZTRASZENECA received about 80 applications from top universities and research institutes across the globe and selected five on merit. Speaking on EKSU’s successful application, Prof. Diran Famurewa, a Microbiologist, said as the Principal Investigator, he would lead a team of virologists to conduct a research into “Contribution of Saffold Virus to Acute Flaccid Paralysis of Unknown Origin”. Receiving members of the team in his office, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Aina praised their commitment, especially the responsible leadership of Famurewa. He urged other academics to improve their ability to attract global funding and attention to the university.

Bocconi Scholarships in Italy for International Students Bachelor's/Masters Degree Study in: Milan, Italy Course starts September 2015 Brief description: Bocconi University offers need-based scholarships to international students enrolling in any Bachelor's Program or Master of Science Program at Bocconi. Host Institution(s): Bocconi University in Milan, Italy Field(s) of study: Eligible Bachelor's Program or Master of Science Program offered at the University Number of Scholarships: Not specified •Target group: International students Scholarship value/inclusions: Full tuition waiver worth up to • 11,500 per year (maximum of 3 years) for Bachelor's Program and up to • 12,000 per year (maximum of 2 years) for Master's of Science Program. •Eligibility: Applicants for the first year of a Bocconi Bachelor's or a Masters of Science program in specific admission sessions who are neither a resident or citizen of Italy nor have earned an Italian High School diploma/ Undergraduate Degree in Italy or abroad are eligible. Please check the official website for specific eligibility criteria. Application instructions: Applicants must complete and submit the online Bocconi Scholarship online application form. The application must be submitted online by the same date as

the online admission's application. The specific deadlines can be found in the scholarship guidelines but falls around January to May 2015. It is important to visit the official website (links found below) to access the online application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship. Website: Official Scholarship Website (Undergraduate): http:// www.unibocconi.eu/wps/wcm/ connect/Bocconi/SitoPubblico_EN/ Navigation+Tree/Home/ Campus+and+Services/Services/ S t u d e n t + A s s i s t a n c e / Bocconi+Scholarship_Bracco +2010+03+26+03+29 Official Scholarship Website (Graduate): http:// www.unibocconi.eu/wps/wcm/ connect/bocconi/sitopubblico_en/ navigation+tree/home/ campus+and+services/services/ student+assistance/bocconi+ scholarship+for+international +students+graduate

CIAPS Postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarship for School Leaders, 2015 Applications are invited for CIAPS Postgraduate Commonwealth Scholarship for 2015 entry. There are a total of twenty (20) scholarships available, worth a total of Five Million Naira (N5 000 000). Every successful applicant can receive up to Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) towards his or her tuition fees at CIAPS for the duration of the recipient's one-year International

Postgraduate Certificate in School Management study. The application deadline is 21 February, 2015. Study Subject(s): Scholarship is awarded in School Management study. Course Level: Scholarship is available for pursuing one-year International Postgraduate Certificate programme. Scholarship Provider: Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) Scholarship can be taken at: Nigeria Eligibility: In order to be eligible to apply students must: •Hold a first degree of at least lower second-class standard, or higher qualification. •Have been offered and accepted his or her offer of a place at CIAPS, 2015 International Postgraduate Certificate in School Management programme. •Be Commonwealth citizens or be residents in a developing Commonwealth country. •Refugees or people working with organisations linked with developing Commonwealth countries are also considered. Scholarship Open for International Students: Citizens of a commonwealth country including Nigeria, can apply for this Commonwealth scholarship. Scholarship Description: The Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) is pleased to announce the establishment of these awards, as part of the CIAPS Scholars schemes for 2015 entry. CIAPS is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, learning and understanding in the service of society. For this scholarship scheme, they are looking for teachers and school managers who are pursuing higher learning so that they can play a part in making their school

Elizade varsity offers N6m scholarship

N fulfillment of his promise that no brilliant student would be thrown out of the University on account of financial incapability, the Founder of Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade Ojo has awarded scholarship of N5.5 million to brilliant, but indigent students. The award went to the overall best student for 2013/2014 academic session, students with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.5 and above, as well as indigenous students with proven financial need. The overall best student with 4.89 CGPA, Williams Oluwapelumi John (200L Electrical Electronics Engineering), got N700,000. Other beneficiaries on the basis of good academic standing are Aladetuyi Ayomide (200L Information Communication Technology) with CGPA of 4.81; Ogunmola-Daomi (200L Accounting) with CGPA of 4.78; Takeme Stephanie (200L Business Administration) with 4.78 CGPA; Shola-Shittu Iyimide (200L Automotive Engineering) with CGPA of 4.76; and Jaiyeoba Oluwadamilola (200L Biochemistry) with 4.71 CGPA. Each of the beneficiaries in this category got N460,000. Beneficiaries under the Founder's corporate social responsibility to the host community are Fajuko Michael Gbenga (200 Level Information Communication Technology), Alli Blessing Anuoluwaseyi

(200L Accounting). These beneficiaries got N550,000 each. Other beneficiaries under the corporate social responsibility of the Founder to Ilara-Mokin community are Fakinlede Oluwafemi Joshua (300L Business Administration), Fakinlede Temidayo Helen (300L Business Administration) and Onifonboyede Temidayo Mary (200L Computer Science), who went

home with N460,000. Speaking while handing the scholarship letters to the beneficiaries, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the university, Prof. Valentine Aletor underscored the readiness of the founder to assist any student that demonstrates academic and moral excellence. Aletor said the scholarship was a continuous gesture to encourage

By Adegunle Olugbamila

erated Revenue (IGR). Majekodunmi, who lamented that the dwindling financial state of the country is taking its toll on the college financial capability, described the retreat as an avenue for the ASCON management to redouble its effort towards greater strides. "The financial pattern in the country today calls for creativity on the part of parastatal due to the reduction of oil price worldwide and dwindling economy situation. The board of ASCON is concerned about the finances of the college and how it has been struggling to make ends meet," he said.

other students to work harder and serve as incentive for the beneficiaries to keep their focus on excellence. The don commended Chief Ade Ojo for his passion for the educational development of the younger generation. The VC revealed that the award was free of ethnicity and tribalism as beneficiaries are from various parts of the country.

• Participants at the retreat

ASCON battles economic downturn at retreat OW to survive the current economic crisis occasioned by drop in oil prices was the focus of the 2015 Top Management Committee (TOMAC) of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Topo, Badagry, last week. The three-day retreat tagged: “Sustaining ASCON Transformation in the Period of Austerity” was attended by top management staff and the Chairman, ASCON Governing Board, Dr Femi Majekodunmi and two members. At the opening of the retreat, Majekodunmi urged members to, among others, strategise on ways to jerk up the college's Internally-Gen-

and society a better place Number of award(s): There are a total of twenty (20) scholarships available. Duration of award(s): Scholarship is awarded for the duration of the recipient's one-year International Postgraduate Certificate in School Management study. What does it cover? A total of twenty scholarships worth a total of Five Million Naira (N5 000 000) will be awarded. Every successful applicant can receive up to Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N300,000) towards his or her tuition fees at CIAPS for the duration of the recipient's one-year International Postgraduate Certificate in School Management study. Selection Criteria: Students will be selected on the basis of a Personal Statement and Interview. A good personal statement must not exceed 1000 words and it will be a chance to tell us about yourself, why you think you deserve this scholarship and how you think it will help you serve yourself and your school once you graduate. Notification: Successful applicants will be notified of results by SMS, emails and notice posted on CIAPS website. How to Apply: Step 1: Complete the CIAPS Scholarship Application Form online. Step 2: Carefully compose your Personal Statement (remember the 1000 word limit). Step 3: Email your carefully composed Supporting Statement to scholarship-at-ciaps.org. Only electronic copies of the Supporting Statement and Applications will be accepted. Don't forget to send both. Scholarship Application Deadline: All applications should be submitted by 21 February, 2015.

Majekodunmi said the management intends to create a situation where virtually every state and local government would enroll their workers for training and development at the college. With the available facilities in ASCON, Majekodunmi assured that the college would stretch its tentacles into the private sectors for more training of their personnel. "ASCON has a role to play in management development of any institution and we want to see thousands of Nigerians benefiting from our mandate. Though most banks and multinational companies have their internal training firms, we can key into the management, entrepreneurship and

retirement programmes," he said. Speaking with The Nation, ASCON Director-General, Mr Ajibade Peters, said the cash strapped state of the college is not unconnected with cutbacks in government subventions to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He added that poor statutory allocations to state government had also translated into declining patronage of the college. "As of today, our quarterly recurrent subvention cannot support our requirement for one month. Our overhead subvention does not get to the knees, as such we have piles of unpaid claims and bills," he said. The retreat, therefore, Peters said,

would help the college chart a path on how to depend less on government and be financially independent. Peters said among other things, that ASCON would consider a cost reduction strategy, re-order its priorities while evolving innovations and programmes to shore up its finances. He said the college would also strengthen its relationship with the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME's) by running consultancies for them, while maintaining collaboration with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), relevant agencies and state governments to institutionalise systematic training nationwide. A participant at the retreat Dr Ajoke Ashiru is optimistic of its success.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION ‘Govt should pay WASSCE fees for private schools too’

• Mrs. Bimbola Fashola (middle) inaugurating the block, flanked by Ms Ugboma (left), Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu, Chairman, SUBEB (right) and Mrs. Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, Chairperson, COWLSO Building Committee.

New structure brightens school

OPE has brightened for pupils and teachers of Hope Nursery and Primary School, Ikoyi, with the inauguration of a seven-classroom block constructed by the wives of Lagos State officials. Executive Secretary of Ikoyi Obalende Local Council Development Agency (LCDA) Ms Toyin Caxton-Martins, said at the event that pupils of Corona School located next door would have been envious had the fence between both schools not been concretised. The structure, which has four toilets, in addition to a borehole and renovation of a two-classroom block, cost the Council of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) N24,751,480. This does not include the cost of the high-class furniture produced by Halibut and donated by the MTN Foundation to the school. The school’s Head Teacher, Mrs Shakirat Habibu, said the new structure is like the icing on the cake for the school, which has recently received an avalanche of support from foundations and philanthropists. The donations include toilets constructed by some corps members, a library from the Zacchaeus Ozumba Memorial Libraries (ZODML), an Art and Music Resource Centre from the Marinho Foundation, and play ground equipment from an unknown source. Mrs Habibu was overjoyed about the school's good fortune, describing COWLSO/MTNF's gift as the best of all. "I am so excited. I am so happy because this is the first time of doing something like this in my school. I really appreciate Dame Abimbola Fashola for her moral and financial support concerning the school. I really appreciate her because she is a lover of education. Whatever I ask her to do for the school she always welcomes me and do it," she said. Mrs Fashola also praised Mrs Habibu for been proactive and persuasive in attracting the intervention to the school because the initial plan was to build only toilets. "When we got to this school, she showed the building committee the dilapidated seven-classroom block. Mrs Habibu, you have really been a leader because you have been able to speak out for your school. After renovating the school, she also asked for white boards. I told her we do not have the money, but when we came, we learnt that someone else gave the school white boards. This shows that we should learn to ask; it does not matter if they say no; but you must speak out," she said. Mrs Fashola said under her dispensation as chairman, COWLSO decided to intervene in the education sector to improve public schools that

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

would not be immediately reached by the State Universal Basic Education Board. She said the body gets funding for its projects from the fees it raises from organising its annual National Women's Conference, which was started by Mrs Oluremi Tinubu. Thanking MTNF for partnering with COWLSO, she said she was delighted when the foundation offered to furnish two schools. She also praised the foundation for providing furniture she would not have been able to afford considering that it was produced by an exclusive furniture firm. "I thank the management of MTN Nigeria for partnering with us to support the commitment of our state government in providing a conducive learning and teaching environment for our leaders from the basic

education level," she said. MTN Foundation Executive Secretary, Nonny Ugboma, said Lagos State has benefited from the foundation's initiatives because of Mrs Fashola's determination to make the state better. "The Foundation is glad to be part of this initiative, especially in partnering with the First Lady of Lagos State, who has always been supportive of MTNF's initiatives. Lagos State has benefitted from a number of MTNF initiatives like the Medical Support Project, wherein the Foundation donated Dialysis and Mammography machines to two General Hospitals, Community Health Screenings, Voluntary, Counselling and Testing Centres, Sickle Cell Screenings and Counselling, among other initiatives. Anytime the foundation calls for a bid, Mrs Fashola makes sure the relevant agencies respond," she said.

HE Executive Director, Doregos Private Academy, Ipaja, Mr Tokunbo Doregos has said it is the responsibility of the federal government to pay the West African School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for all SS3 pupils, including those in private schools. He said parents are not supposed to pay for any mandatory examination. “Are they not citizens? The fact that they are in private school does not mean their parents must pay. It is a general examination that is mandatory. So, I feel the government should pay. The worst is that every year they increase the fees and we pay annual dues as well,” he said. Speaking during the 25th Founder’s day celebration of the school, Doregos said with all the dues private schools have to pay, the school does not compromise on standards. This culture, he said, has paid off in the performance of the pupils. “There are certain rules that the Ministry of Education has put in place for us and we try as much as possible to follow them. One of such is examination malpractice. It is important here that every child writes their own examination. We don’t admit children to write examinations in our school and the law says that we should not admit children in the second year so we don’t and that is what has kept our results in the standard it is now. “When you bring in people to write examinations at that level, it is almost as if all what you have worked for is a waste. It is not just about teaching them in class; it involves moral, ethics and these are things that we are not sure a child coming from other schools has; and at SS3 level, you cannot teach

• The renovated clinic.

HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Israel Assembly Area, has renovated a clinic at the Agidingbi Senior Secondary School in Ikeja, Lagos. The Pastor-in-charge of RCCG Israel Assembly Zone, Pastor Dapo Awosika, inaugurated the upgraded clinic in the school last week. He said the project was a result of the church's policy to focus on Corporate Social Responsibility programmes in order to be more relevant to its host communities. "One of the cardinal visions of the church is not to only minister to the spiritual needs of members, but minister to their welfare and social needs," he said. Working with this mandate from the RCCG Headquarters, Awosika said the Israel Assembly Area decided to refurbish the sick bays of the schools in its immediate envi-

•Mrs Doregos By Medinat Kanabe

that in just six months. It is something that they have been taught for the six years in the school,” he said. Doregos has managed the school for eight years under the supervision of his mother, Mrs Clementina Doregos, who founded the school 25 years ago. With Mrs Doregos announcing her retirement during the programme, Doregos will now be fully in charge He said the school has excelled because of his mother’s passion for education. “The person that started the school has passion for education. She read education; she has taught for many years. She didn’t come from any other industry to set up a school like most people do and she understands the importance of educating children,” he added. On her part, Mrs Doregos said she has decided to take the back seat because of age. “No matter how strong you are when you are moving close to 70 years, you will get tired. “The age of retirement for a woman is 60, but I am 68. I have done extra eight years of hard work. I made him Executive Director when I was 60 so he could start learning. I know by the time I am 70 he would have mastered what to do in the school. And in a school, you just need good management and teachers,” she said. She said the need to build a college arose on January 21, 1990, when it became difficult to get into the federal unity colleges. “We actually started Doregos Academy to celebrate the 10th anniversary of St Bernadette Nursery and Primary School. I used the college to celebrate them. We had two Nursery and Primary Schools then and our pupils needed them to get into good secondary schools so we started the school,” she said.

Church renovates school clinic Everistus Onwuzurike and Dorcas Imah

ronment. He said though Agidingbi Grammar School had a dedicated room for the sick bay, it was not in use. To transform it, he said, the church refurbished the room taking care of electrical and plumbing works after which it was furnished with clinical equipment and medical consumables.

Awosika hoped that the clinic would help to meet the medical needs of students and members of staff during school hours. Reacting to the gesture, the school principal, Bakare Olufemi thanked the church for upgrading the clinic from it deserted condition. He assured the church that it had fulfilled its CSR in the right place, and promised that the school would maintain the equipment

‘One of the cardinal visions of the church is not to only minister to the spiritual needs of members, but minister to their welfare and social needs’

and make use of the clinic. The Tutor General/Permanent Secretary, Mrs Iyabo Osifeso, however, urged the church not to relent in giving back to the society. She said the government has really tried in putting things in place, but cannot do all alone since there are over 600 public schools in Lagos being offered free education. "If you have 10 loaves of bread you would actually cut it into bits and pieces for all your children to be able to get," she said. Addressing the pupils, she advised them to improve on their learning outcomes because success is achieved through hardwork. The Senior Prefect of the school, Chidiebere Wisdom, promised that the pupils would make good use of the sick bay.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EDUCATION EDUTALK with Accommodation is our major problem, Arming says VC D

ESPITE the N2 billion 2014/ 2015 NEEDS Assessment fund released by the Federal Government for hostel intervention, the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMinna) is yet to address accommodation challenges, said its Vice Chancellor, Prof Musbau Akanji. Akanji spoke after the matriculation of 4,250 students admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session at the Gidan Kwano campus of the institution. He, however, said the university would be tackling the hostel deficiency through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach with private developers to construct halls of residence under the Build, Occupy and Transfer (BOT). Akanji said only 2,250 students out of the population of 15,000 are accommodated in the available halls of residence in the institution

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

with the remaining 12, 750 living off campus. "We are hoping that, if this programme works out, it will substantially address the issue of accommodation of students. We have about 15, 000 students, but currently, we are only able to accommodate 2,250 students," he said. He called for more funds for university education to enable the various institutions increase their intake. About 25 per cent of the 1.6 million applicants that applied through the Joint Admission Marticulation Board (JAMB) for 2014/2015 academic session were given admission by various public and private universities.

"With increased funding from the government, more number of students can be admitted by universities," Akanji said. The VC said out of the 10, 000 that applied for admission for 2014/ 2015 session , 6,650 sat for the PostUTME. 4,743 were offered admission among whom 4,250 students finally scaled through. He urged the students to shun all acts contrary to the rules and regulations of the institution, such as examination malpractice, frauds of all kinds, financial racketeering, cultism, fighting, theft, assault, rumour mongering and illicit drug dealing. Against this backdrop, he said a Commitee Against Anti-Social Activities (CASA) has been put in place to counsel and monitor students' activities on the university’s two campuses; Bosso and Gidan Kwano, where they could seek guidance.

‘Why we run British/Nigeria curriculum’

HE Crownland International School, Mowe, Ogun State, has said it runs an integrated curriculum to produce students who can compete globally. The proprietor, Joel Adepoju, said the school was committed to raising the standard of education in the country by producing balanced students in terms of learning and character. He said the school's British-Nigerian curriculum exposes its pupils to resources that meet international standards. Adepoju, who spoke during a meeting with the parents, guardians and teachers, said the school was committed to quality teaching and learning.

By Joseph Jibueze

"I wish to restate that we have not deviated from our core values. Our integrated curriculum (British/Nigeria) still remains a great asset; strict use of only certified teachers and provision of befitting and conducive learning environment greatly inspire our students in their learning process. "In the last one year, we have striven to deliver a mode of academic instruction that is driven by mentoring methodology. This kind of instruction mode gives room for more close relationship and deep involvement in the students' affairs.

"This, in turn, has opened up the students by way of making them more receptive to instructions, both academically and morally. This is reflected, no doubt, in the way the students conduct themselves and in their academic performance," he said. The school runs a crèche, playgroup, pre-nursery, nursery (I and II) and basic 1-6. "Our fees are reasonable," Adepoju said. Managing Director, VIP Management Services Limited, Ademola Oladimeji, who chaired the meeting, expressed satisfaction with the school's academic performance and praised the management's determination to maintain high standards.

• Mrs Oladunjoye (third right) and the winners, Habeeb (left) and Mariam (right) with (from left) Mrs Omolara Erogbogbo, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education; Hon Alawiye-King, Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Education; and Otunba Fatai Olusoga, Special Adviser on Education at the event.

School lifts Lagos quiz trophy

HE hardwork teachers and pupils of State Senior High School, Ikeja, put into their preparation for the Brighter Rewarding Future (BRF) Quiz Competition, Season VI, was rewarded with the star prize last week. The duo of 14-year old Habeeb Musa and 16-year old Mariam Lamidi displayed outstanding brilliance and were crowned champions of the senior secondary school category competition after defeating Mubarak Mohammed and Qudus Alabi, both 15 years old of Sanngo Senior Secondary School, Agege, by two points. Ismail Quadri and Tunde Olowu of Angus Memorial Senior High School, Somolu, came third in the competition. In the Junior Secondary School category, Festac Junior College, Festac Town, represented by 14year-old Michael Abasi-Ifkere and 13-year-old Jimoh Iyanu-Oluwa scored 20 points to emerge win-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

ners of the competition beating Government Junior College, Ketu -Epe, represented by 13-year-old Patricia Imarhia and 11-year-old Adetayo Adefarasin. The third place was won by Government Junior College, Ikorodu represented by Elizabeth Adekunle and Oluwatobi Ajetumobi. Community Nursery and Primary School, Ojo, represented by Rachael Ayodele and Stella Ogugua, emerged winners in the Primary Schools Category beating the pairs of Chisom Anyigor and Samuel Salami, both of Maidan Primary School, Kosofe, while Hussey Military Primary School, Yaba, represented by Khadri Adekanbi and Great Ofotokun, came third. In the Best Individual Mathematics Category, Master Mubarak Mohammed of Sango Senior Secondary School, Agege, won, beating Martins Ogundele also of

Sango Senior Secondary School, Agege and Master Habeeb Musa of State Senior High School, Ikeja, to the second and third places respectively. In the Special School Category, Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care and Treatment Home, Bariga, represented by 17-year-old Jadesola Mogaji and 15-year-old Taiwo Omotosho, beat the duo of Solomon Omere and Eke Aleshi of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Nigeria and Adaobi Nwobi and Raiwi Uche of National Orthopaedic School, Igbobi, to the second and third positions respectively. Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, in her remarks, explained that the contest was organised to help develop the minds of the pupils to make them competent, effective, responsible and promote healthy rivalry among them.

teens against blackmail

ape and sexual abuse of minors is on the increase. There are more reports of such abuses against babies, toddlers and teenage girls nowadays Kofoworola than in the past. The perpetrators are usually much older men who have carnal knowledge of them, Kofosagie@yahoo.com robbing them of their innocence, 08054503077 (SMS only) and perhaps scarring them for life. The latest victim is a 13-year old JSS3 pupil (name not supplied), who unfortunately got pregnant. She recently gave birth to a baby boy. Her son is fathered by a 41-year old church member, whose family were friends with hers. Unfortunately the confidence, on which that friendship was built, supported by a spiritual platform, has been destroyed. It was that confidence that made her mother, Mrs Oboh, to accommodate the rapist's family's meals in her freezer. (The man's wife used to cook and preserve in their freezer for future use.) It was that confidence that made Mrs Oboh send the 13-year old to his home to drop food on the day she was raped. As rapists are wont to do after their cowardly acts, he threatened her with death so she did not report the matter. It was over five months later that her mother found that she was pregnant. Being in the early stage of puberty, the teenager had to be delivered by Caesarean Section. What business does a 13-year old have with motherhood? What does she know about breastfeeding and a newborn's constant demand for attention when she is still a child herself? Sadly, that is the fate she is resigned to and has to live with for the rest of her life. This story raises a lot of questions: how come her mother did not know on time? How well do the home and the school prepare pupils to be streetwise? As the first teachers, parents cannot leave sexuality education to the school alone, or to chance. They must be involved. Gone is the era when talking about sex with children was a taboo. Gone is that time too when our mothers told us that once menstruation starts you get pregnant if a man just touches you. It was terrible misinformation that had negative consequences. Today's parents have to educate their wards about how to manage advances from the opposite sex. Minors should be made to understand that there are more important and exciting things they could do with their time rather than getting entangled in amorous relationships that would likely hurt them at the end of the day. They should be taught how to be assertive, sensitive to danger, and deal with blackmail. Regarding assertiveness, young people should be able to politely voice their objections to advances from the opposite sex. If, for instance, a male teacher, neighbour or older relative asks a young girl to spend time with him alone, she should politely decline. Parents/teachers can role play various kinds of situations so that youngsters know how to deal with them. It could be a class activity in school where pupils are told to come up with likely uncomfortable questions that adults ask as well as appropriate answers to them. When it comes to being sensitive to dangerous situations, teenagers should be advised to avoid risky behaviours such as moving at night, walking in lonely places unaccompanied, giving strangers too many details, and generally acting against their instincts. They should learn to be very observant. If something looks out of place, they should become alert; and if trouble is brewing wherever they are, they should get out as fast as possible. They should also learn that they are safer when their families know where they are and what they are doing at any point in time. For blackmail, the best remedy is to speak up. Many rape victims suffer in silence, sometimes for years, because the rapists threaten them. However, if educated about how blackmail works - that a blackmailer will come back for more; that he/she is unlikely to carry out the threat once their victims cry for help - they will be better equipped to take informed decisions about their safety. I say this from experience. I would have been a victim of serial sexual abuse at about the same age but for the fact that I recognised how blackmail worked - because I had read it from books - and not because my parents told me. However my mother was the one who saved the day. She saved me by noticing that something bothered me. She probed until I opened up. I do not know what she told the blackmailer, but I know that he never bothered me again. If I did not speak up, perhaps I would have ended up like the poor girl that inspired this piece. Children must be taught to speak up; and when they do, adults must help, not shut them up. While parents must be alert at home, investigating every change in attitude and behaviour, teachers must not be complacent in school. They should be concerned if they notice changes in their pupils or students. And if they are unable to help, they should get the guidance counsellor, parents or other relevant professionals involved. That way, they help to bridge the gap between the home and the school. To any teenager reading this piece and facing similar problems as Mrs Oboh's daughter, I advise you to speak up. Seek out a trusted person to talk to. If you are not the victim but know someone who is suffering in silence, help the person by reaching out to the authorities. Perhaps when more people speak out, the incidence of rape will drop.

Belo-Osagie

‘When it comes to being sensitive to dangerous situations, teenagers should be advised to avoid risky behaviours such as moving at night, walking in lonely places unaccompanied, giving strangers too many details, and generally acting against their instincts’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

A 2015: Review of Nature’s Friends (5)

HEN I was a pig farmer in the 1990s, rearing about 250 pigs and piglets for a living, for one year, after Gen. Sanni Abacha’s military regime shut The Guardian newspaper where I worked, I learned a few things about herbs through these animals. Not only would a pig pen be dirty and stink and infested with fleas and germs and worms, these animals would mess up their food and drinking water with their waste. Thus, the pig pen is, often, a breeding ground for germs and disease, including diarrhoea and the dreaded African Swine Fever (ASF), which may pass for the pig’s equivalent of the human Ebola fever. African Swine Fever rapidly destroys the liver of the pig. In the 1990s (and perhaps even now), there was no reasonable pharmaceutical drug against it. At Oke-Aro, near Iju hills, a border suburb of Lagos and Ogun States, thousands of pigs were wiped out at the pigs co-operative farm reputed to be one of the largest in West Africa. To my surprise, I discovered that those pig farmers who could not afford the bills of veterinary doctors and gave their animals leaves of all sorts cut from the bush and served fresh as food lost the least number of animals. Diarrhoea, too, was common in the pig pen. If it happened overnight, the farmer may walk into the pen in the morning only to behold the corpses of infected pigs. I knew that diarrhoea was caused by the spasm of nerves and muscles, and that it could be eased or curbed by medicinal plants which possessed antispasmodic powers. Two of the ones I could easily grow in my garden at home and regularly take to the pen were Vervain (verbena histata) and scent leaf, (Basil), which the Igbos call nchianwu, and the Yoruba’s Efinrin. It is one of the recipes of pepper Soup. This is hardly surprising. Hot pepper soup in some people induce rapid hiccups, which is a spasm of the muscles and nerves of the diaphragm. When pigs suffering from diarrhoea were given either the fresh raw leaves of vervain or a brew of either or both in their drinking water, the stooling eased and stopped. I still remember vividly my venture into healing human health problems with herbs. I lived then at 34 Ajanaku Street, Awuse Estate, Opebi, Lagos. It was a bungalow with generous space at the back for a garden. Where, as you can guess, I planted vervain and Basil for use in the pig pen. Then, one day, I was told of a gentleman on Salvation Road, which formed a Tjunction with Ajanaku Street, who hadn’t been able to tolerate as little as a spoon of food or water for about three days. I went to the herbs store in the boy’s quarter, got out dried Vervain and Basil, ground them to powder and, with the compounded formula, went to see this sick man. He was lean and almost lifeless. I asked his sister to infuse half a teaspoonful of the compounded powder in a glass of hot water and give it to him in tables spoonfuls, one tablespoonful at a time, every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the tolerance level. The idea was that, since the stomach was rejecting almost every intake, it may reject a gulp or sip of this tea as well, unless it was “fooled” or deceived that nothing was coming in. One tablespoonful every 10 or 15 minutes could fool or deceive a stomach in “war mood”. My visit to the gentleman was on a Saturday evening. On Sunday morning, I left home early for worship and didn’t see him. I was too tired for a visit when I returned in the evening, but my wife persuaded me to see him when he sighted me, he sprang to his feet screaming...It’s a miracle, it’s a miracle...”. I was glad the recipe worked for him. His sister told me afterward that, surprisingly, he tolerated some rice and stew before midnight and, encouraged by this, asked for a “swallow” meal. Since then, I have used vervain and basil for many ailments and included them during parlour talks or public lectures on herbs that can be grown around the house garden or in flower pots and used in times of need. One of such references to Vervain in the 1990s is reproduced below...

Vervain VERVAIN (Verbana officinalis) is reputed in herbal pharmacopeia as a mild sedative and digestive herbal tonic that will also strengthen the nerves and gently ease nervous tension. It is, besides, credited with some dental health attributes. The warm water infusion is indicated as a diaphoretic (sweatpromoting herb) especially in the early stages of fevers. It is said to bring high temperature down by encouraging moisture and heat loss through the skin. Vervain may be found soothing, also, to the nervous system in conditions such as nervous headaches, sleeplessness, mild depression and melancholia. As a digestive tonic, it is believed to stimulate the production of some digestive juices, including bile salts, for proper digestion of fats; it cleans up the stomach and awakens the sluggish liver. As a galactagogue, it would encourage and increase the secretion of mother’s milk. And, as an emmenagogue, it would promote menstruation. For this reason, it may not be taken during pregnancy as it may stimulate uterine contraction. As an anti-spasmodic, Vervain has been reported to ease spasms of muscles, whether in the airways, stomach or intestines. For upset stomachs, Vervain is more effective in easing the spasms if the tea is sipped rather than gulped or rushed. According to Mellie Uyldert in THE PSYCHIC GARDEN: “The effects of vervain is multifarious; and very powerful Nervine, antispasmodic, febrifuge, hepatic, astringent, tonic, sudorific, diuretic, emollient, healing cleansing and anodyne. Special applications are the following. Ailments of the bronchial passage and coughing, particularly whooping cough are helped by it. It improves the blood and all other vital juices, the powers of sight, are strengthened by it appreciably. All ailments of the head, particularly colds, are cured

widespread among the Nigerian population, are commercially produced from the red, yellow and golden petals of marigold flower. I developed cataract in the eye lens about three years ago, and, along with eye herbs and medications from my ophthalmologist, Prof. Bukola Adefule-Oshitelu, I took 50mg Lutein every day, the cataract disappeared. I wonder even now why we cannot have farm estates (see article below) which would grow marigold or Bitter leaf and give us marigold tea or bitter leaf or vervain tea in Nigeria. Maybe the crash in crude oil prices will open our eyes! In those parlour and public lectures mentioned earlier, I also tried to summarise information on marigold which is presented below:

Marigold

S by Vervain. The plant is particularly useful for complaints of the spleen and against stitch in the side. The fresh juice of the plant is used as an eye wash and is taken to remove mucus or stone and against blood in the urine. It cures anaemia and pleurisy. On mounds and sores, it promotes healing, infection of the skin beneath the hair of the head are cured by it. It improves the circulation, particularly among old people. It cures infections of the throat and makes breath pleasant by gaggle. Infused in warmed, honeyed water, it is food for bronchial passage, rheumatic pains are healed by a poultice of the leaves of verbena boiled in vinegar...” In recent times, many young people have been reported to be dying in their sleep. The cause of this may be sleep apnea which many people, in this superstitious environment, attribute to witchcraft against which they seek “deliverance” in churches. May be their bronchial and other breathing disorders which led to such deaths would have been averted if, regularly, they took vervain. In modern scientific studies, Vervain chemical fractions have been found to validate many folklore healing claims for this herb, including possible aphrodisiac and anti-tumour activities.

Marigold

Avid readers of this column will remember marigold. I always wonder why we cannot have plantations of it, and have to depend on gathering it from the wide or waiting on imports. Many years ago, I sold a product called LUTEIN EYES. Lutein, like zeazanthin, its cousin, is an antioxidant found in the human eye lens and other parts of the eye where together, both protect the eye against oxidation by the blue spectrum of the rays of the sun. I was shocked one day when I discovered that lutein and Zeazanthin, which are needed for the prevention and clearance of eye cataracts, which are

INCE the healing powers of Marigold (calendula officinalis) were recognised again in the latter part of the last century, many health – enhancing capabilities have been ascribed to them. As a tea, Marigold is said to possess alkalizing, antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and other prized health – promoting properties, which aid in the relief of digestive system and menstrual cycle disorders. It cleanses the blood and stimulates its circulation, promotes the healing of wounds, including gastric and intestinal ulcers, and relieves heart burn. It improves eyesight through its abundant store of carotenoids from which the body makes vitamin A. Recently, Marigold has been positively mentioned several times in eye care researches. Its reputation in this area has been promoted by two anti-oxidants found in its flowers and abundantly in the human eye. These are LUTEIN and ZEAZANTHIN. They are found far more concentrated in the eyes than in any other organ of the body. Researchers believe they protect the eyes against light and oxidative damage by free radicals. LUTEIN and ZEAZANTHIN extracted from the flowers of MARIGOLD are the principal substances in many proprietary eyes - care herbal product, including LUTEIN EYES and VISUAL EYES, which are imported into this country. Ulyldert’s Psychic Garden says of marigold: “the ointment of marigold calendula salves is not so much used for ordinary accidental wounds. Arnica is better for this, but rather, for dirty wounds, with inflammation and suppuration and on cancerous wound and swelling that emits a bad smell. with its moon force, Marigold creates new cells which replace those damaged and lost”. With its sun force, it creates a plan for new structures, the pattern for making new cells. It cleans at the same time. There is a psychic side to marigold as, indeed, there is for all healing plants. As human spirits we emit radiations. All around us, even if we can no longer see them because of our obtuse attitude to life, there are elemental beings or Nature beings. When nature beings see in our radiations a weakness which indicates future illness or current illness, they cause to grow around us plants which will supply us with those aspects of radiation which are weak or deficient in our system. But, seeing we always see without perceiving, as the scriptures say. Marigold grows around people who have cancer or are likely to have it, without anyone planting it. And once the ailment is resolved or the sufferer has died, the marigold plants die, too, for there is no longer a need for them. This is an interesting subject that I should find time for before this review closes.

2015: Jonathan, Buhari, the Rich and the poor (6) Buhari’s health

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) began by saying Buhari was too old for the job, but backed down when the ploy did not appear to work. It was probably unknown to the arrow heads of this campaign that, in the United Kingdom for example, the retirement bar has been moved upwards as longevity improved to over 100 years and old people were found to be more mentally and physically astute than they were a few decades ago. Later, this age campaign was enlarged to capture his health. In one of such attacks, he was said to be suffering from cancer. Who would hear that a Presidential candidate was suffering from cancer and waste his vote on him? The campaigners diagnostic report produced a letter purported written by a medical doctor. But the campaign was botched by three different hand-writings. And, in any case, the hospital purported to have issued it said Gen. Buhari was never its patient. This campaign shows how empty the architect can be. Any one who has been close to a cancer sufferer would know Buhari doesn’t look like one. For the sake of argument, why make merry over an opponent health? Who from 40 or 50 doesn’t cover up one condition or other with clothes? Such conditions may range from hypertension and diabetes to drunkenness. President Bill Clinton had 95 percent blockage in his coronary (heart) arteries and had to have “coronary bypass” surgery to survive and carry on in office. A well known former Nigerian President was diabetic. Another had a pace maker (battery) in his heart. Didn’t Ibrahim Babangida suffer from “radiculopathy” while in office? Ayo Fayose assault not to be left out of the Buhari bashing party, this Governor of Ekiti State who enjoys being described as a dirty fighter has just added a real dirty twist to this smear campaign. He caused to be published in the Punch, one of Nigeria’s integrity conscious newspapers, an advertisement which details Heads of State of Nigeria from the Northwest region who died in office and suggested that Buhari, like them, would die likewise. The goal of the advertisement is to dissuade voters from investing their vote and hope on this man. It is an insult to all Nigerian people

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who come from the Northwest region, to say the least. And it has been roundly condemned nationwide. Even the PDP has condemned it. Fayose comes from the Southwest of Nigeria, a civilised, compassionate and justice seeking region. The forebears of this region have captured in proverbs the wisdom of the Ages for even generations unborn. One of these proverbs says: ... ti a ba nja, bi ti kaku ko. This means “... when we quarrel or disagree, our differences are not to cause death.” Thus, the opponent is not wished death, and we do not speak ill of the dead. The Southwest is well-known for maturity, civility, accommodation, respect for human life, pursuit of justice and fair play and robust condemnation of omo ita (street child) lifestyle. So, such an attack on Buhari’s person as Fayose, can only weird together Buhari’s supporters in the Southwest, his Northwest region and elsewhere. Such attacks as stated can only be born out of fear and desperation. Fayose suspects Buhari’s victory may see him out of office if the courts become free again to do their jobs unmolested. Some of the indicators of fear and desperation are to be found in the mathematics of the 2011 Presidential election, in which President Jonathan defeated Buhari by about 12 million clear votes, and the emerging shifting landscape. • Jonathan 22 million • Buhari 10 million There were votes for other candidates, including that of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The bottom line was that President Jonathan beat Buhari by about 12 million votes. That was a whopping landslide which President Jonathan may have replicated on February 14, had the APC presented a candidate of lesser integrity than Buhari. Between 2011 and 2015 the landscape 12 million winning or differential votes of President Jonathan may have become significantly fractured in many states, and this probably accounts for the fear and desperation in the PDP to destroy Buhari’s person at any cost. The south-west region voted overwhelmingly for President Jonathan in 2011.

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MONDAY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

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ANAMBRA POLITICS In the 2011 general elections, the Anambra Central Senatorial District was a straight fight between Dr. Chris Ngige of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the late Prof Dora Akunyili, who contested on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Now Ngige’s opponents are Chief Victor Umeh of APGA, Hon. Uche Ekwunife and Senator Annie Okonkwo, who are both laying claim to the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). NWANOSIKE ONU x-rays their chances.

Big four in big battle for Senate W

ITH the calibre of candidates lined up by the various political parties, the Anambra Central senatorial race promises to be a battle of the titans. In the race are the incumbent Senator Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Victor Umeh of the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the duo of Annie Okonkwo and Hon. Uche Ekwunife laying claim to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket. With the exception of Umeh, all of them have won elections in the constituency at one point or the other and are capable of clinching the senatorial slot. Even at that, Umeh is not a pushover. The former National Chairman of APGA decided to take the gauntlet against Ngige to prevent the APC, which has no doubt become a formidable platform all over the country, from establishing itself in the state. Observers say the Anambra Central race may be a replay of the 2011 contest, where Ngige squared up against the late Information Minister Dr. Dora Akunyili in a fiercely-contested election that could not be concluded in the first ballot. It was eventually decided in favour of the APC flag bearer at the second ballot. The Ngige versus Akunyili contest attracted the attention of the international community not only because of the calibre of the contestants, but perhaps also because it was the first keenly contested election in the state since the return to civil rule in 1999. Akunyili had contested on the platform of APGA, while Ngige flew the flag of then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), one of the opposition parties that came together to form the APC.

Ngige

• Ngige

• Umeh

• Ekwunife

• Okonkwo

has proved that she is equal to the task.

Umeh’s quest to occupy the senatorial seat is believed to have been prompted by Obi’s decision to quit APGA for PDP, where he has been made President Goodluck Jonathan’s Deputy Campaign Director General in the Southeast. Another is Umeh alleged role during the primaries, where the ambitions of many aspirants were shattered. But, some p[arty stakeholders insist that Umeh had no hand in the injustice that were meted out to virtually all the aspirants. They say Governor Obiano, who has taken over as the leader of the party in the state with the exit of Obi, is to blame for what transpired at the primaries. Following the declaration of Umeh as the party’s flag bearer in the Anambra Central senatorial race, some of them vowed that it was payback time. But, the effects of such threats remain to be seen, as the former National Chairman is be-

Ekwunife

Ekwunife, popularly known as Iyom, is the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Though, her name is not on the final list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), but the Amazon of Anambra politics has been campaigning vigorously for the contest, believing that the court would eventually award her the ticket. Senator Okonkwo is the PDP candidate recognized by INEC. But, political analysts believe that Okonkwo will not make much impact in the race, given the calibre of candidates fielded by the APC and the APGA and that Ekwunife would have been a better option. Okonkwo’s name appeared on the INEC list because the Ejike Oguebego-led faction of the party is the one recognized by the court. For now, the PDP still parades other acclaimed candidates for the senatorial race, including Sylvester Okonkwo and Dikeora Obiora Okonkwo in the same Central zone, alongside Ekwunife. The division within the PDP may be its undoing. There is a consensus among observers that Ekwunife has all it takes to defeat any of the candidates, but her major headache is the crisis tearing the PDP apart since she dumped APGA for the party. She is believed to be the anointed candidate of the national leadership of the party. But, INEC keeps insisting that it had no hand in the party’s primaries that produced her. In spite of this handicap, she continues to soldier on, traversing all the wards in the district to sensitise her supporters that she is still in the race. Indeed, Ekwunife has been meeting with all traditional rulers, market leaders, the youth, women groups and faith-based associations in the seven local government areas that makeup the zone. Her billboards and posters adorn all the nooks and crannies of the state. Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano and the state House of Assembly have done everything humanly possible to stop her, but all to no avail. The Assembly even went to the extent of passing a law, which was given accelerated hearing by going through the first, second and third readings same day, to discourage her. But, Ekwunife

lieved to have become a moving train in the politics of Anambra State. So far, his campaign has been attracting overwhelming crowd everywhere he goes. He has accorded a rousing welcome in all the communities he visits within the district in the course of the campaign. In fact, he has been offered chieftaincy titles by traditional rulers of most of the communities. Before now, he has acquired more than 25 chieftaincy tittles from different states and communities. Another factor that has worked in his favour is the APGA battle cry of protecting the interest of Ndigbo. Hate him or love him, many people believe that Umeh is the type of person who will not allow what belongs to Ndigbo to elude them at the Senate.

Umeh

For Umeh, the election is like navigating in uncharted territory, not having contested election at any level within the constituency before now. He has been at the helm of affairs in APGA for over 10 years. But, his long reign as the National Chairman of the party has been punctuated by one controversy after another. Some of the APGA faithful in the state believe he has done well for the party as its leader, while others insist that he has ruined their party. The two biggest obstacles standing before Umeh and the senatorial seat are former Governor Peter Obi and Chief Sylvester NwobuAlor, the former APGA National Chairman’s uncle, who is also the national coordinator of APGA Elders forum.

With the exception of Umeh, all of them have won ’elections in the constituency at one point or the other and are capable of clinching the senatorial slot. Even at that, Umeh is not a pushover ‘

Since he mounted the saddle of leadership in Anambra State as governor between 2003 and 2006, Ngige has not looked back. Today, he represents Anambra Central on the platform of the APC. The battle he fought in 2011 to clinch the senatorial seat at the expense of the late Akunyili is still fresh in the minds of the people. Indeed, some people refer to him as Anambra’s political oracle. He is one of the leading lights politically in Igboland today. He was one time the president of Aka-Ikenga, an Igbo socio-cultural organization, in Lagos. His followers see him as prudent, but his opponents describe him as “tightfisted”. He is still very popular among the masses. As one of the pillars of the APC in Anambra State, Ngige is a beneficiary of the growing popularity of the party in the state. The recent presidential campaign of the party in Awka, the Anambra State capital, was an eye opener to many about the growing popularity of the party. The crowd was awesome, even those who do not belong to the party marvelled with many others from different parties wearing the APC colours, singing and praising the APC standard bearer, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. But, Ngige’s only challenge is that his popularity appears to be limited to Anambra Central. Nevertheless, one of the things he has going for him, as he campaigns for his re-election in the Senate is the life scholarships he gave to over 5,000 students in secondary and tertiary institutions in the zone. He is also credited as being instrumental to the near constant power supply in Awka and the communities within the Central senatorial district. This was made possible through the provision of transformers to several communities. Besides, many people still remember how Ngige opened up and linked many communities with good roads during his reign as governor of the state. Many political analysts believe that he has done well for Ndi-Anambra and should be backed by the electorate for a second term. Thus, the APC strongman stands the chance of retaining his seat, with many of the aggrieved members of other political parties working underground for him.

Okonkwo

The business mogul-turned politician grabbed the PDP senatorial ticket in the zone as published by INEC. But, observers believe he is merely playing the role of a spoiler in the race. Such observers say his mission is to split the Idemili North and South votes with Ngige and that he still bears grudges against the APC chieftain, following the manner he left the APC. Okonkwo’s candidacy does not appear to have the backing the masses, who prefer the more colourful and charismatic Ekwunife. They believe that the PDP would have been better off, if it were her that is on the INEC list. Many of the stakeholders are disenchanted with Okonkwo’s snobbishness attitude, which has led to some of his ex-allies working against his ambition. He is leaning towards the enfant terrible of Anambra politics, Chief Chris Uba, to assist him. Given the presence of Ngige and Umeh in the race, Okonkwo is not likely to make any appreciable impact.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

What are the plans of the leading presidential candidates, President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the real sector, which is the key economic growth driver? Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA asks.

RESIDENT of National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) Comrade Oladele Hunsu is despondent. The labour unionist is angry with the ongoing campaigns, which he said are not issue-based and have not offered much hope, if any, of a possible turn-around in the fortunes of the real sector. Comrade Hunsu noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to come out with concrete roadmap on how to strategically position the real sector to play a leading role in the diversification of the economy. The situation, he lamented, is a pointer to the fact that irrespective of the candidate that wins the election, succour may not come the way of operators in the real sector anytime soon. “I feel highly disappointed; it’s unfortunate,” he said, adding that rather then tell Nigerians how they intend to fix the economy, the candidates are busy throwing mud at each other. The unionist argued that the situation is a departure from the past when political parties were identified for what they stood for. “It goes beyond casting ballots. Electioneering campaign should be about ideas, it’s about issues. Give us something to talk about with regards to the economy, something we can hold them (candidates) on,” he pointed out, adding that Nigerians are not asking questions. He said at a time like this when emphasis is on how to unlock the massive potential in the nation’s manufacturing sector in view of the drop in oil revenue as a result of the slide in crude oil prices, candidates ought to be telling Nigerians in concrete terms their plans to increase the productivity of the manufacturing sector. Comrade Hunsu is not alone in his frustration and disappointment over the candidates’ obvious lack of clue on how to bring the economy out of the woods if elected. The National President of Covenant Group, Dr Kola Afolabi, is also worried, insisting that rather than engage in campaign of calumny, the candidates should tell Nigerians what they have in store for them. He said: “What we expect the two parties to be telling us now - especially the PDP - is what they have done in the past 16 years in power. We want to hear issues of public value. They should be able to tell in practical terms what they have achieved so far. We want to hear is issue-based campaign not personality attack.” Dr. Afolabi, in an exclusive chat with The Nation in Lagos, said what Nigerians want is regular power supply. His words: “What the public is interested in is regular power supply. And for the 16 years, they (PDP) have been there what we have been hearing is billions upon billions of naira that they have put into the power sector and we have not seen improvement in power supply. This is what they should be telling usissues of public interest. For six years that Jonathan has been there plus the other 10 years of PDP, we can still not boast of stable power supply, we are still importing fuel and this is an oil-producing country. What have they done on housing? What has education become during their term and before then? Is education more accessible now? What’s primary and secondary education like? What was it like when they came in and before the advent of democracy? For the APC, Dr. Afolabi said: “Having noticed that the PDP has not been able to achieve all this, what concrete steps did they want to take to fight corruption. It is not the issue of if elected I’m going to fight corruption. The issue is how do you intend to fight it? What is the roadmap to fighting corruption? All these legislatures- either PDP or APC- we don’t know how much they are collecting as salaries and allowances. Are they going to be transparent on how much their take homes are? We also want to know how much the ministers are collecting as salaries and allowances because if the job is not juicy how would a lawmaker want to jettison his work for ministerial appointments. So, we want to know what they want to do about transparency and accountability.” The Director-General (DG), Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr. Emeka Okereke, is no less worried over the direction of the campaigns, which he said do not inspire hope. “The campaigns are

Will the real sector regain its teeth?

•Dr. Jonathan

‘

•Gen. Buhari

What we expect the two parties to be telling us now - especially the PDP - is what they have done in the past 16 years in power. We want to hear issues of public value. They should be able to tell in practical terms what they have achieved so far. We want issue-based campaign, not personality attack

‘

choked up more with baseline issues and personal attacks instead of addressing core industry issues with facts and figures,” he told The Nation, pointing out that “A weak economy cannot support democracy”. While noting that attention appears to be focused more on the presidential election, he said candidates for other categories of elections such as governorship election, state Assembly, Local Government, and House of Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) are also important and that each of the candidates should be telling Nigerians the different steps they intend to take to bring about the required change. Mr Okereke said virtually all the candidates in the forthcoming elections are merely playing on the intelligence of Nigerians, especially industry operators and stakeholders by refusing or failing to address the issues agitating their minds. He said in doing so, the candidates probably forgot that Nigerians are now more enlightened and would not be taken in by the antics of politicians, who do not demonstrate sufficient understanding of how to run the economy when voted into power. He said, for instance, that while it is easy for a candidate to promise Nigerians that he would create five million jobs, such candidate should be able to tell Nigerians what steps or strategies he intends to deploy to achieve same. He noted that without a clear-cut approach towards achieving set objectives, as currently the case, Nigerians may have to prepare for another vicious circle of ineptitude.

The ECCIMA Director-General is right. President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidential candidate of the PDP, promised Nigerians that he would create two million jobs yearly if reelected into office. The president, who spoke recently in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he met party supporters ahead of the February 14 election, however, failed to say how he intends to make that happen. Although, the present administration has always pointed to its Small and Medium Scale support programme, YouWin, which gives grants to only 1,200 people yearly, and that the programme has engaged hundreds of thousands, the figure has failed to impress labour, who argued that it does not reflect the reality on the ground. For instance, the General-Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Peter Oso Ezon, said labour is not comfortable with the number of jobs the Federal Government said it has created in the third quarter of last year, noting that the employment figure did not reflect the reality on the ground. The figure, he said, could not be verified hence, it was better to treat it with the desired circumspect. According to him, no one was privy to the framework the government used to collate figures for the employment profile during the year in view. He said if the government was sincere, all its policies should have employment content, adding that the three million yearly job creation targeted by the federal government was an illusion.

However, candidates’ lack of clue on how to tackle the challenge of rising unemployment is not the only thing real sector operators are apprehensive about. Some of them, who spoke with The Nation, are also worried that the candidates are not coming out with strategies to revive dead or ailing industries. According to Hunsu, the only candidate, who came close to offering hope in this regard, was the presidential candidate of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari who promised to revive the textile industry if voted into power. That was when Buhari’s campaign train berthed in Kaduna State. At the party’s presidential campaign at the Okpara Square, Enugu, the APC presidential standard bearer also promised south easterners that he would revive the coal industry in Enugu to help generate electricity and boost the economy of the state and the Southeast. He noted that the provision of stable electricity would discourage the massive importation of electric generating plants and reduce cost of production for industries. Regular electricity supply, he said, would make it easy for skilled self-employed artisans such as welders and barbers, who depend on it to earn their living. But that’s as far as promises go. The APC candidate did not disclose the steps he would take to revive the dead and moribund industries. The PDP presidential standard bearer, President Jonathan, appears to be relying on his administration’s claim of igniting a silent revolution in the industrial sector to secure votes. For instance, the administration claims that on the strength of various intervention funds implemented through the Bank of industry (BoI) many of the textile mills in Kaduna, Kano and Lagos have roared back to life, creating new jobs for thousands of Nigerians, while several others are getting set to resume production. Several dying companies are said to have been rescued through such bailout funds. There are also claims that operators in the real sector most of who are bogged down by infrastructure challenges especially power, have breathe a sigh of relief in the form of improved power supply following the administration’s power reform agenda. The Jonathan administration also claims that rigorous implementation of the backward integration policy in the cement industry resulted in increased local production and more jobs for Nigerians, and that Nigeria now looks good to become a major exporter of cement. This is aside from claims of massive improvement in industrial capacity utilisation and aggressive infrastructure provisioning. The claims are to some extent verifiable. For instance, Mr. Okereke described the unbundling of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) as ‘a major milestone.’ According to him, “There has been marginal improvement in power supply in Enugu state and its environ” He also said that for the first time the railway system is working. He also disclosed that the building of a cargo airport in Enugu witnessed for the first time the landing of a cargo plane weighing 20 tons from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) into Enugu on December 20th 2014. He however, pointed out that more still needs to be done in the area of infrastructure. “The real sector will blossom when we see 50 per cent improvement in infrastructure,” he told The Nation. Unfortunately however, the President, in the course of his campaigns, failed to say how he hopes to close the infrastructure gap and address other challenges that have continued to hold the sector down if elected. He could not do so either when he held an interactive forum with members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and leaders of professional bodies recently. This is why many industry operators are now crest fallen. Their worry is that with the plunge in oil prices, compelling the Federal Government to shift its focus to the real sector, the candidates ought to be telling Nigerians how they hope to ride on the back of the sector to reverse the trend where oil revenue accounts for more than 75 per cent of government’s revenue and close to 90 per cent of foreign exchange income.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

NUPENG, others vie for NLC presidency W

ITH a total of 3,119 delegates, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and

its 43 affiliated industrial unions are set to elect a new president at its 11th Delegates’ Conference scheduled for Abuja, between February 9 and 12. The three contenders for the position of the NLC president are the President of the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Ayuba Wabba, President of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Igwe Achese and the General-Secretary, National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), Joseph Ajaero. Members of the congress will also elect other members of the National Executive Council (NEC) at the conference, slated for the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. The new president will take over from Abdulwahed Omar, whose tenure comes to an end after spending two terms of four years.

Stories by Toba Agboola

Though, seven positions will be filled by 16 people during the conference, the real battle will be for the presidency, for which three labour leaders will be contesting. Other available positions are: deputy presidents with three seats; vice president, four seats; treasurer, financial secretary and trustees, one seat each; auditors, three seats and ex-officio, two seats. The conference’s Credentials Committee, headed by Dr Nasir Fagge Isa, has already released the names of contestants duly cleared for each position, while the Secretary of the Committee, Emmanuel Ugboaja, said all is set for the election. The three candidates were all nominated by their respective unions, as the NLC constitution stipulated. However, the chances of any of the candidates emerging president would depend on the number of his union’s delegates to the conference

and how he would be able to garner enough support from other affiliate unions. The number of delegates of each union is also determined by the financial standing of the union and certified monthly average contribution to the NLC over the 46 month period since the last delegates’ conference. According to the provisional list of delegates sent to all the union’s 43 affiliates by the GeneralSecretary of the congress, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, a total of 3,119 delegates will participate in the conference to elect the president and other members of the executive. Among the 43 unions, MHWUN, which nominated Wabba, has the highest number of delegates with a total of 526 delegates. The NUEE, which also put forward Ajaero, has a total number of 471 delegates in second position, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has the third highest delegates with 383. NUPENG, which is also aiming at

producing the next president through Achese, has 182 delegates. The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), has 210 delegates, while the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), parades 187 delegates. Other unions with reasonable high delegates, are the Nigeria Civil Service Union, 131; the National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives 123 and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), with 91 delegates. Among the unions with the least number of delegates are, Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, with five delegates each. The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PSAN), Nigeria Welders and

Lagos harps on training

•From right: Asst General Secretary, Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE,Comrade Olusegun Babatunde, General Secretary, NUEE, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and National Auditor, NUEE, Christian Omoneyi, at a press briefing in Lagos.

NUEE’s asset hits N1.5b

LECTRICITY workers under the aegis of National Union of Electricity Employees

(NUEE) has announced that its asset base has hit over N1.5billion. The asset grew due to the association’s investment in hospitality business and other high-net worth concerns, which yield considerable returns. General-Secretary of the union, Comrade Joe Ajearo, said at a press briefing in Lagos that his union would not rest on its oars to bolster its investment drive and give its members the voice to survive.

He called on organised labour and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the country to invest in human capacity building to advance their position and interests while engaging with employers and government. Ajaero said as part of his campaign for the position of President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), he would replicate the transformation in NUEE if he emerges as the new helmsman of the Congress at its elections in Abuja. He said NLC under his leadership would consider investment in schools, hotels and other busi-

nesses with a view to reducing the spate of unemployment in the country. He also said if he emerges as the next President of the Congress, he would strengthen its budgetary process in a way that it would create the needed value to workers and the labour centre. Ajearo also promised to revive the anti- casualisation unit of the NLC so that it could gather enough strength to fight bad labour practices and entrench a system where labour matters would be given prime consideration by employers.

Association plans pension scheme for members

HE Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) is mapping out ways of caring for old members of the association who have served the movies and entertainment industry diligently in their productive years, through its planned retirement and social security scheme. According to the National President of the Association, Prince Odubamidele Odule, the best way to appreciate elderly practitioners who can no longer practise is to put in place a retirement/pension scheme for them. “One of the most dangerous fears in life is that of uncertainty. Many

of our elders who have given all their lives to the profession on a full time basis are now getting old and weak. Had they been in a more regulated service, they would by now be on monthly pension. “We must device a strategic work plan to ensure that a social security scheme through which our living legends will sustain themselves is put in place. The joy and assurance of the scheme will definitely translate into a longer and healthy life for them,” he explained. Besides the social security scheme, Odule said his administration is also planning a world class annual carnival to honour

Fitters Association (NIWELFA) and Nigeria Union of Mine Workers (NUMW), with six delegates each. The other two positions to be contested are the Trustee with one seat, and Auditors with three seats. While there are two candidates for the position of the Trustee, eight will be contesting for the three seats for Auditors. Dr. Ozo-Eson, however said the congress is ready and adequately prepared for the election, despite the challenges. He said: “We think that we are reasonably prepared. The hosting of a conference of this magnitude certainly has a lot of challenges. We noticed that we are going to have the largest number of delegates in our history at this conference. The delegates are in excess of three thousand. ”We have set up a number of committees that are working. We are on top of the situation. Other than those, things crucial for the conference are constitutionally regulated.”

and immortalise deserving members. The departed like Chief Hubert Ogunde, who started and popularised theatre arts practice in the county in the 1940s, Kola Ogunmola, Duro Ladipo, Oyin Adejobi and many others would be appreciated post-humously. Also working towards protecting the jobs of movy producers, the TAMPAN President said the association would work with the Yoruba Video Film Marketing, Producers Association of Nigeria (YOVIPAN) to redesign new techniques and also improve upon the existing ones to reduce the menace of piracy to the barest minimum.

HE Lagos State Government will continue to train and retrain its workforce as this remains the path to sustainable growth and economic development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Coker, has said. Coker spoke at the closing ceremony of a training for middle level managers as well as Departmental Training Officers (DTO) held by the state’s Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) at its Magodo office. Coker, who was one of the resource persons at the event, said for the state to continue to push the frontiers of development, all its workforce must be armed with requisite skills needed for efficient service delivery. He said the state in the past eight years embraced training its workers to change from the traditional public service known for its bureaucracy to modern management practice which is time saving and promotes efficiency. He said: “For the state to continue to excel, there is need to continue to train and re-train workers on new management techniques aimed at sustaining its growth. You must be equipped and sufficiently knowledgeable about the solutions to tomorrow’s challenges.” He challenged the participants to return to their offices with determination to utilise the lessons learnt during the one-week training while also urging the centre to continue to arm itself with requisite information needed to make the state’s workers relevant and to compete favourably with their private sector contemporaries. Presenting their communiqués, participants urged the centre to make the training available to the high echelon and policy makers.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

Among others, the Management Bridge programme class representative, Mr Ismail Sowunmi recommended that: “the training be opened to not only all middle-level cadre officers, but also directors if the objective of reducing bureaucracy in the service must be realised.” Sowunmi, who described the training as enriching, said all participants are determined to apply the new management concepts on the job. Presenting her class’ recommendations, Mrs Azeezat Oghuma urged the government to follow statutory recruitment procedure for senior management level officers and allow civil servants compete with their private sector colleagues for such offices. She urged a more pragmatic timing that would see the training coincide with the state’s annual submission of training needs by the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA), and the involvement of training officers in their MDA’s budget preparation. Responding, the PSSDC’s Director General, Mrs Olubunmi Fabamwo applauded all participants for committing themselves to the training and urged them to be change agents in their respective offices. She said the PSSDC would continue to offer cutting-edge training services to all cadres of workers in its bid to ensure that all workers key into the state’s marshal plan to remain the best service-oriented state in the federation. Fabamwo expressed happiness that workers in the state are now jostling to compete with their private sector colleagues, adding that this is an indication that the workforce is imbibing the new model of entrepreneurial management.

ASUU chiefs in road crash

HE President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Nasiru Isa Fage and a member of the union’s board of trustees, Dr. Dipo Fashina, have survived an accident on the Anyigba - Enugu road in Kogi State. The duo, who along with other leaders of the union, including Prof Suleiman Abdul of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Univer-

sity, Bauchi, were on their way to Abia State University, Uturu, for the union’s National Executive Council meeting in Fage’s bus when a commercial vehicle ran into them. Though Fage and Fashina escaped unhurt, Prof Suleiman Abdul sustained a dislocation on his shoulder and was rushed to an orthopaedic specialist hospital in Abuja.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 04-02-15

Investors scramble for banking stocks as equities gain N199b

ANKING stocks were the toasts of the investing public yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as the upswing that started this month gathered momentum. For the third consecutive trading session, key market indices at the NSE rode on the back of increased demand to reach new recent highs. Banking stocks dominated the top activities and gainers’ charts with the banking sectoral index, the NSE Banking Index, also recording the highest gain by any index. Largely regarded as undervalued, analysts said investors were taking positions in banking stocks ahead of the impending release of the audited report and accounts for the 2014 financial year. Banking stocks generally operate the Gregorian calendar as their business year. Quoted companies with Gregorian calendar as business year are expected to submit their audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2014 on or before Tuesday March 31, 2015. Post-listing rules at the NSE require quoted companies to submit their periodic earnings and financial reports within three months after the end of the reporting period. FBN Holdings was the most

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

active stock with a turnover of 77.22 million shares valued at N541.19 million in 882 deals. United Bank for Africa (UBA), which has a subsisting rights issue, placed second on the activity chart with a turnover of 44.96 million shares worth N161.78 million in 270 deals. Diamond Bank recorded a turnover of 35.93 million shares worth N140.03 million in 150 deals. Access Bank, which also has a subsisting rights issue, trailed with a turnover of 32.68 million shares valued at N179.49 million in 172 deals. Zenith Bank placed fifth with a turnover of 27.36 million shares worth N488.21 million in 466 deals. Altogether, financial services stocks accounted for 306.81 million shares valued at N2.0 billion in 2,995 deals. Aggregate turnover stood above average at 466.05 million shares worth N4.75 billion in 4,886 deals. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies rose by N199 billion from N9.999 trillion to N10.198 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted companies, also rose by 2.0 per cent from

30,018.35 points to 30,617.96 points. The uptrend further moderated the negative average year-to-date return to -11.7 per cent. With nearly two gainers to every loser, Dangote Cement Plc, NSE’s most capitalised stock, led the 29-stock gainers’ list with a gain of N5 to close at N162. Nigerian Breweries followed with a gain of N2.50 to close at N148.50. UAC of Nigeria rose by N1.85 to close at N38.85. Unilever Nigeria rallied N1.62 to close at N35.70. Zenith Bank chalked up N1.31 to close at N18.11. Guaranty Trust Bank gathered N1.07 to close at N22.58. UACN Property Development Company garnered 98 kobo to close at N10.97. Flour Mills of Nigeria rose by 95 kobo to N38. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated rose by 80 kobo to close at N16.80 while Diamond Bank added 36 kobo to close at N4.01 per share. On the negative side, Conoil recorded the highest loss of N3.53 to close at N32.68. Guinness Nigeria declined by N1.44 to close at N128.46. Presco dropped by N1.05 to close at N29.99. Stanbic IBTC Holdings lost 89 kobo to close at N25.11 while Okomu Oil Palm dropped by 81 kobo to close at N26.64 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 04-02-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

MONEYLINK

Soludo insists N30tr missing under Okonjo-Iweala

ORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Prof Charles Soludo yesterday insisted that more than N30 trillion is missing from the treasury under the watch of Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. However, Soludo said he had declared a ceasefire following Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala’s decision not to respond to the allegation that N30 trillion cannot be accounted for under her watch. He announced the ceasefire yesterday in a three-paragraph statement titled: ‘I stand by my statements.’ Soludo said he was withholding parts two and three of his articles because the minister was no longer ready to join in the war of words. His letter reads: “My attention has

• Ex-CBN boss announces ceasefire been drawn to statements credited to the Hon. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in response to my latest article and call for a structured debate on the issues. “According to the report, she no longer wants to join issues with me. In the circumstance of the moment, I therefore withhold parts two and three of my promised three-part response. “Let me also state for the avoidance of doubt that I stand by every statement I made in the two articles viz: ‘Buhari Vs Jonathan: Beyond the Elections’ and ‘Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Missing Trillions’. “ In particular, I insist that over N30 trillion has either been stolen or un-

accounted for, or grossly mismanaged over the last few years. This figure does not include the estimated $40.9 billion (N8.6 trillion at parallel market exchange rate or nearly two years’ Federal Government budget) which the African Union’s (AU) recent report claims to be “stolen” from Nigeria each year. “I wish to thank Nigerians all over the world, who have been contributing to this timely debate. This is election time and it is expected that some vested interests will either choose to live in denial or attempt to politicise the issues. “But from the debate so far, I am convinced that our economic management won’t be the same again. Once our managers know that the citi-

FCMB begins promo to reward customers

IRST City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited is set to reward more of its customers as the bank commences another promotion tagged, ‘FCMB Millionaire Promo,’ which will run from February to July 2015. This follows the huge successes recorded in the first and second phases of the FCMB 30th Anniversary Promo held between 2013 and 2014 across the country. In a statement, the bank announced that the millionaire promo is targeted at all segments of the society and for existing as well as potential savings account customers. The eligible products/accounts for the promo include FCMB basic savings, kids account, Nairawise, e-savings, premium savings, third party and vibe accounts. During the promo, various exciting prizes will be won by qualified customers. While three customers of the Bank will each win the star prize of N5million at the grand finale of the

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

By Collins Nweze

promo scheduled for August, 3 others will each be rewarded with N1million at the regional draws in April, June and August. Other fantastic prizes to be won at the regional draws include 120 LED televisions, 120 generating sets, 1000 decoders, 300 tablets and 600 smart phones. On how to participate in the FCMB Millionaire promo, all an existing or new customer of the bank needs to do is to Save N10,000 in any of the eligible savings account of his or her choice for 30 days to qualify for the electronic selection of winners where the star prize of N1million and other fantastic prizes will be won. Multiple savings of N10,000 will increase chances of winning. To qualify for the grand finale draws in August, where three customers will each smile home with N5million, existing and new customers are to save N50, 000 in any of the eligible accounts

126.59 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,741.41 1,106.55 113.25 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

126.46 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,741.41 1,105.78 112.64 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

C/PRICE 4.01 10.97 0.73 18.11 6.28 16.80 38.85 22.58 3.67 3.30 35.70 2.88 3.34

CHANGE 9.86 9.81 8.96 7.80 5.72 5.00 5.00 4.97 4.86 4.76 4.75 4.73 4.70

LOSERS AS AT 04-02-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

CONOIL UBN STANBIC PRESCO LIVESTOCK OKOMUOIL INTBREW DANGSUGAR CUTIX CUSTODYINS FIDSON GUINNESS OANDO

36.21 9.50 26.00 31.04 2.28 27.45 21.09 7.52 1.58 3.90 3.29 129.00 15.70

C/PRICE 32.68 9.03 25.11 29.99 2.21 26.64 20.50 7.31 1.54 3.83 3.25 128.46 15.60

CHANGE -9.75 -4.95 -3.42 -3.38 -3.07 -2.95 -2.80 -2.79 -2.53 -1.79 -1.22 -1.11 -0.64

CCESS Bank Plc is a platinum sponsor in the ongoing GTR sixth Annual West Africa Trade & Export Finance conference in Lagos. The GTR, the global financial services information providers hosting the two-day programme which started yesterday, said the event attracted over 300 business leaders and providing expensive networking opportunities for domestic and international financial institutions, local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). GTR Managing Director, Peter Gubbins said the annual West Africa trade and export finance conference has rightly become a flagship event within the GTR calendar. “Many delegates and supporters return year after year and have helped develop this key industry gathering into a hotbed of contemporary discussion and unrivaled networking. We look forward to facilitating business in the region for many years to come,” he said. Also in attendance are global cor-

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

•Prof. Soludo

Access Bank sponsors GTR export finance conference

Transaction Dates 13/01/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

By Collins Nweze

porate, lawyers, policy makers and specialist trade finance risk analysts. As the biggest trade and export finance gathering in West Africa, the conference brings together decision makers from some of the country’s biggest corporate players, including Kola Karim, Group Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Shoreline Energy International-as well as other niche industry specialists to give their unique insights in today’s market. Karim said Nigerian banks have come of age and are funding key projects that are supporting the economy. The conference also attracted many local and international delegates from the banking and financial services sectors to discuss liquidity challenges, corporate demand for capital, the impact of changing global trade flows and specific industry case studies. Producer of the event, Paul Greetham said Nigeria’s economy has flourished of late with optimism growing in many sectors.

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

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

CBN EXCHANGE RATES January 14, 2015

Monetary Policy Rate

GAINERS AS AT 04-02-15

SYMBOL O/PRICE DIAMONDBNK 3.65 UAC-PROP 9.99 RTBRISCOE 0.67 ZENITHBANK 16.80 CHAMPION 5.94 ETI 16.00 UACN 37.00 GUARANTY 21.51 UBA 3.50 DANGFLOUR 3.15 UNILEVER 34.08 AFRIPRUD 2.75 IKEJAHOTEL 3.19

for 30 days. Multiple savings of N50,000.00 increases winning chances. According to the Divisional Head, Retail Banking at FCMB, Mr. Olu Akanmu, ‘’the Millionaire Promo is in response to the excitement recorded among our customers about the success and rewards they received during the first and second phases of our 30th Anniversary promo’’. He added that, “our customers are the reason why FCMB exists. And as a Bank committed to continually satisfying their needs, this promo is to further empower them, encourage savings culture, engender the desire to establish small businesses with limited capitals and show appreciation through the fantastic prizes on offer’’. Mr. Akanmu pointed out that, ‘’the chances to win are quite high. We therefore encourage everyone to take advantage of the reward opportunities of this promo”.

zens will rigorously and vigorously challenge them to account, the welfare of the citizens will be better for it. “Whoever wins has his job cut out for him, and to the extent that this debate has challenged the respective teams to seriously re-examine their blueprints to guarantee the security and prosperity of every Nigerian, my objective is accomplished. I love my country Nigeria, and as I said before, I won’t keep quiet again. “Once more, Nigeria must survive and prosper beyond Buhari or Jonathan!,” he stated.

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

167

168

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$35b

US Dollar

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$45

Pounds Sterling

261.9395

263.508

Euro

206.2617

207.4968

171.546

172.5732

Yen

1.3838

1.3921

CFA

0.2944

0.3144

242.3484

243.7996

Yuan/Renminbi

27.1505

27.314

Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Swiss Franc

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

WAUA Tenor

13-01-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 14-01-15

Overnight (O/N)

10.54

11.17

Riyal

44.4906

44.757

11.94

12.18

SDR

243.2856

244.7424

13.08

13.33

14.03

14.17

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

FOREX RATES

R-DAS ($/N)

165.29

Interbank ($/N)

162.75

Parallel ($/N)

185.50

Jan. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

13.65

T-bills - 182

13.88

T-bills - 364

13.65

Bond - 3yrs

13.81

Bond - 5yrs

13.85

Bond - 7yrs

13.83

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS Suspected thugs snatch 3,366 PVCs in Ebonyi

USPECTED hoodlums in Izzi and Ikwo local government areas of Ebonyi State have snatched 3,366 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, spoke yesterday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. He decried the incident. Azubuike said: “In the last three days, 3,366 PVCs have been snatched from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) workers. At Eka Awoke in Ikwo Local Government, suspected thugs snatched 302 PVCs from INEC officials, who were distributing them. “At Igbeagu III in Izzi Local Government on Tuesday, 3,064 PVCs were snatched. In Ohaukwu Local Government, INEC workers

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

were attacked when distributing PVCs. However, no card was snatched.” The REC condemned the act, urging the masterminds to desist. His words: “PVC in the possession of a wrong owner is a useless piece of card. You cannot use any PVC that is not your own to vote. A card reader has been introduced to ensure this. Disenfranchising others by preventing them from collecting their cards does not help candidates’ chances of being elected.” Azubuike advised the people to ensure that the elections were not marred by violence and irregularities, saying the extension of the collection of PVCs is to ensure that eligible voters collect theirs.

Community leader passes on

HE death has occurred of Chief Samuel Sunday Idowu Sodiya, the Otun Baale of Ewekoro land. He died on December 15, last year. He was 85. The deceased’s family said there would be a Christian wake today at his home at 18, Irepodun Street, Ikereku Ojuolona, Abeokuta, Ogun State at 5pm. Tomorrow, there will be lying-in-state and funeral service at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikereku, Abeokuta from 10am. Interment follows at the church cemetery at Iberekodo, Abeokuta and reception holds at Olumo Rock (Tourist Complex), Ikija, Abeokuta. He is survived by children, grandchildren and relations.

Lagosians mobilised for Ambode

EMBERS of the Akinwunmi Ambode

Kommittee of Friends (AA’KOF) yesterday mobilised residents of Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State to vote for the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. They embarked on houseto-house campaign, telling the people that Ambode was the best among those vying for the Lagos governorship seat. AA’KOF’s spokesman, Elder Cornelius Olopade, said the APC administration had transformed Surulere Local Government, adding that to ensure the continuity of the transformation, residents should vote Ambode on February 28. Said he: “We urge Surulere residents and other Lagosians not to allow cashand-carry politicians to en-

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

tice them with money. They should not sell their votes. They should vote for Ambode to enjoy the dividends of democracy. “We embarked on houseto-house campaign to spread the good news about Ambode to Surulere residents. He is the best man for the Lagos job. Lagosians should install a dynamic government.” Speaking at the APC rally at Shitta in Surulere, Ambode said continuity of good things mattered in life, adding that to ensure the continuity of good governance, Lagosians should vote for him and other APC candidates. His words: “APC is a progressive party. We are after the welfare of Lagosians. I enjoin residents of Surulere and others to give us their mandate at the polls. They will not regret doing so.”

Patriarch dies at 82

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Drama as oil theft suspects refuse to be arraigned by EFCC

HERE was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday as two suspected oil thieves, Alakinde Wale and Boniface Onuabuchi, objected to being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The suspects were charged with stealing 70 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). When the case was called for the charges to be read out so that the suspects can take their plea, EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo stood, announced his appearance and informed the court that the suspects were in court to be arraigned. But after entering the dock, the second suspect, Wale, raised his hand and interrupted the prosecutor. He alleged foul play, saying he was not ready to face trial because he had been denied, among other fundamental privileges, the right to le-

By Joseph Jibueze

gal representation. He added that since the past six months that he had been in the custody of the EFCC he had neither been able to speak with his family nor his lawyer because his phone was seized. In an emotional outburst, Wale said: “I have been detained in the EFCC custody for the past six months. I have been denied access to my family, to my phone, even to a counsel. “They only briefed me about 3pm yesterday that I was coming to court today and asked me to contact my lawyer. “How can I call my lawyer when they have seized my phone? How can I take a plea when I don’t have a lawyer?

All the effort of the EFCC is just to crucify me even before the trial.” But the prosecution counsel said he was surprised at the suspect’s claim as he had enough time to get a lawyer for himself having been made aware of the charge since last year. “If someone was given notice since last year, how can he say he was not aware?” Oyedepo asked. Justice Ibrahim Buba said the right of an accused to have legal representation is non-negotiable. He assured both the accused and the prosecution that justice would be done. The judge said: “An accused has a right to object to a charge. But stealing of 70 metric tons of PMS is a serious allegation; I understand that you were intercepted by the

Navy. “You will get justice, the prosecution will also get justice and we have to also make sure that Nigerian oil does not get stolen anyhow.” In the charge numbered FHC/L/310C/14, EFCC accused them of conspiracy, unlawful dealing in PMS, adulteration of petroleum products and storage of adulterated petroleum products against the suspects. They were charged alongside their vessel, MV Zara and one Edwin Akibor, said to have jumped bail. The alleged offences were said to have been committed on June 19, 2014 in violation of sections 18 (a) and 19(6) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014. Justice Buba adjourned till Monday after the suspects undertook to bring their lawyer to court that day.

Court dismisses firm's bid to restrain bank over assets

HE Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed an application by Dana Group of Companies Plc seeking to restrain Sterling Bank Plc from enforcing court orders on the management of the company's assets. The bank had appointed Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN) as receiver/manager over Dana Group following the company's alleged inability to pay its debt to it. But Dana had sought an order of injunction restraining the bank from enforcing or executing any of the interlocutory orders made by Justice James Tsoho on November 11, last year, pending the determination of its appeal. It also sought to restrain the police and other security agen-

By Joseph Jibueze

cies from enforcing the orders, as well as an order staying their execution. Dana Group said if the Sterling is allowed to execute the orders, "the over 5,000 staff of the defendant/applicant will be out of job, the business of the defendant/applicant will be irredeemably damaged and the defendant/applicant will become extinct." Justice Tsoho had made interlocutory orders which allowed the receiver/manager to carry out his duties of managing Dana Group's assets unhindered. Sterling Bank, through Ogunba, argued that Dana Group's notice of appeal does not raise any substantial issue of law deserving the court's

exercise of discretion. "In line with the orders of this honourable court, the plaintiff executed the said order in company of some policemen so as to enable the receiver/manager carry out his duties unhindered and/or unimpeded in accordance with the interlocutory orders of this Honourable Court," Sterling said. The bank said despite executing the receivership orders, the defendant through its representatives carted away over 100 cars which are part of the assets under the control of the receiver/manager. Besides, Sterling Bank said Dana Group has alleged turned down its overtures for a meeting with its receiver/

manager over the company's management. It, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application. Ruling, Justice Tsoho held that Dana Group's application is without merit. "The application is unfounded and is hereby refused," he said. He said what Dana was asking him to do, in effect, was to reverse an already completed action. "The receiver/manager having already had execution of the interlocutory orders, it can be deemed completed," he said. Dismissing the application, he said it seemed to be "an ingenious way to make this court reverse its orders." Sterling Bank claimed that Dana Group is indebted to it.

Move to stop Buhari: Third suit filed before Abuja court

HE patriarch of the Olatunji family in Iree, Osun State, Prince Pius Ajibade Taiwo Olatunji (JP), is dead. He was 82. A statement by the family said Prince Olatunji, a community and Christian leader, and a business tycoon would be honoured with a Christian wake today at his home, Oba Ajisegiri compound, Iree. There will be a requiem mass tomorrow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Oke-Padre, Iree. Entertainment of guests follows at Baptist High School playing ground on Iree-Ikirun Road, Iree. The deceased is survived by

•Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Adefulire (second right); King Sunny Ade (left); son of the late Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, Ayodeji; Mr Kunle Taiwo, Mrs Tosin Bakare (daughter), Mrs Yinka Taiwo (daughter) and Jumoke OkoyaThomas (daughter), during the condolence visit to the family of the late Okoya Thomas in Lagos… yesterday.

•The late Prince Olatunji

children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, among whom are Gbenga, Adewale, Sunday Olatunji, Mrs. Toyin Loremikan, Folake Faramade, Niyi, Bolatito, Sola, Ronke, Yetunde, Deola, Taiwo and Kehinde Olatunji.

FRESH suit seeking to prevent the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari, from contesting the February 14 elections was filed yesterday before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The suit marked, filed by a businessman, Ayakeme Whiskey, brings to three such cases filed in the last two weeks by different individuals. The three suits are seeking Buhari's disqualification on the ground that the Form CF001 he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

incompetent because he (Buhari) allegedly failed to accompany the form with his certificates of academic qualifications as required by law. Beside the three suits, a group have also filed a direct criminal complaint against Buhari before a Federal Capital Territory Magistrate's Court in Abuja asking the court to direct that Buhari "be brought to book" for allegedly claiming on oath that he had a certificate he did not obtain. Already, Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court in Abuja has already fixed February 9 for hearing in two suits earlier filed. He

has also ordered that processes in the suits be served on the defendants through substituted means. The first suit, filed by Max Ozoaka is marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/14/2015. The second was filed by Chukwunweike Okafor and marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/01/2015. Whiskey argued, in the fresh suit, the APC candidate's alleged failure to accompany his form with copies of the certificates he referred to has rendered him ineligible to participate in the poll as he failed to comply with provisions of sections 131 and 318 of the 1999 Constitution and section 31(3) of the Electoral Act, 2010. He stated, in a supporting

affidavit, "That the documents submitted 2nd defendant did not show evidence of school certificate, whether first or secondary. "That by not providing and attaching his certificates as required, the 2nd defendant has left the question of his qualification for the election to conjecture. "There is no way to know whether or not the 2nd defendant has the requisite educational qualification necessary to contest for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria." The fresh suit has not been assigned to any judge.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014

NEWS

1000 Presidential guards, DSS men for Bayelsa PDP rally

HERE were strong indications yesterday that 500 specially trained Presidential guards and 500 crack team of the Department of State Security (DSS) are warming up to take control of the Bayelsa State presidential campaign rally venue of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday. It was learnt that the Samson Siasia Sports Complex and its environs where the event is scheduled to hold in Yenagoa would be under the surveillance of the special security detail. The event was initially scheduled to hold today but was shifted to Friday in unclear circumstances.

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenegoa

The villa was said to have reached the decision after the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, failed to yield to pressure from close friends not to show up in Bayelsa for the event. The villa was said to have been rattled by threats by some youth groups to publicly disgrace the First Lady if she accompanied her husband to the rally. Two groups, the Bayelsa Youth Vanguard (BYV) and the Mangrove Boys of Bayelsa (MBB), had issued stern warnings to Mrs. Jonathan on different occasions ordering her to stay away from the rally or

face ugly consequences. They accused her of meddling in the politics of the state, destabilising the state using the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) and plotting to remove Governor Seriake Dickson. A source from the villa said security agencies were not treating the threats with kid’s lives low. The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said the villa was working on the theory that key elements of the opposition were backing and sponsoring the youth. They were said to be wary of the global shame stoning or booing Mrs. Jonathan at the event

would bring to the first family. He said: “They are of the opinion that the real intention of persons behind the threats is to embarrass the President and give the world the impression that even at home Jonathan is not wanted. “The threats have rally rattled them and they are not living anything to chance. Some close friends of the first family are prevailing on the President to stop the wife from coming to Bayelsa to avoid embarrassment. “The first lady’s refusal to yield to the pressure not to show up in Bayelsa gave rise to the decision to deploy the Presidential guards. Right now 500 specially trained Presidential guards with additional 500 crack team of secret service agents from DSS are on standby. “They know that any attempt at stoning or booing the First Lady will send a strong message to the rest of the world”.

Court to hear N500m contract suit against Agip

HE Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will today hear a suit filed against the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) by some pipeline contractors following an aborted N500million pipeline surveillance contract. Some contractors from Obama, Okoroma Community in Bayelsa State dragged the management of Agip to court questioning the rationale behind the company’s alleged cancellation of the N500milliom surveillance contract for the pipelines within Nembe Local Government Area. In the suit, the contractors claimed that Agip reneged

Row over Ogoni monarchs’ decision on oil wells

ROW has broken out over the plan by Ogoni monarchs in Rivers State to allow an indigenous oil firm, Belemaoil, to prospect for oil in the area. The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) and the Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF) have rejected the move. Speaking yesterday in Port Harcourt, OSF Coordinator Celestine Akporbari described it as a joke taken to a sad level. Akpobari said: “Ogoni oil is not like a ‘trebor’ that you can just get from a shelf. For a few people to just get up, this is no longer community oil, this is Ogoni oil whether there is oil on your community or not because we are all in the struggle so everybody in Ogoni must come together and agree that oil extraction should commence before. “But again this is a time we are still begging the federal government of Nigeria and Shell to commence imple-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

mentation of UNEP report. “There is no way you can commence another operation without clearing up the mess the 30 years oil theft generated. We are going to resist it. It is a case of 419. If they have taken one kobo from anybody it is their headache. No oil company will take out one drop of oil from Ogoniland without first addressing the legitimate demands of Ogoni people as enshrined in the Ogoni Bill of Rights Bill of Rights. “I know how many calls I have received this morning from the students, from the youths, from everybody. There is palpable anger in the land. In fact, the government of Nigeria needs to deploy security people to Ogoniland to guard the area because the anger that has swelled up after this report this morning is high.” MOSOP said it was not part of the decision of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional

Rulers. Media Aide to MOSOP President, Bari-ara Kpalap, said MOSOP was surprised and disappointed over the decision of Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers. Kpalap said: “We were surprised to hear this morning that certain selected chiefs met somewhere and said they have approved that immediate oil production should commence in Ogoni. Well we were not there we don’t know exactly what happened, but the truth remains that Ogoni people have not taken such a decision. “There are quite a number of things that have to be looked at and resolved before oil production can commence in Ogoni. One of which is to find out ; If the company is taking over the Ogoni oil protection what about the liability? Is the company taking over the liability?” A pro-Ogoni land organisation, the National Ken Saro-Wiwa Associates, said it would resist plans to bring an-

other oil company to commence oil exploration in Ogoniland. The Coordinator of the association, Gani Toba, said Ogoni are not part of the decision of the traditional rulers. “It is laughable. When certain persons because of certain greedy interests try to bring down the image of the land in a matter that is not accessible to any Ogoni person that, what happens to our collective struggle or the crusade of late Ken Saro-Wiwa. “We the members of National Ken Saro-wiwa Associates, we will resist, we will do everything possible within the law to stop any company that does not have the capacity. We have issues with Shell. Those issues have not been addressed.” Also speaking, the Spokesman of Eleme Youth Council, Mr Godspower Igwe, described the development as “a rape and an ambush on the conscience of the people.” Igwe said: “We woke up this morning just for us to

Eleme community backs Peterside, APC candidates

HE venue of the inauguration of a borehole in Kenkoro, Eleme, Rivers State was used by the people to endorse the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates. The inauguration was done by the senator representing Rivers South-East Senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe. Abe also pledged 50 bags of fertiliser to farmers in the community. Kenkoro is a highly populated farming settlement in Rivers State under Ward 4 of Eleme Local Government Area. Abe and his entourage had challenges accessing the community as a result of the abandonment of the N18 billion NDDC Trans-Eleme- •Peterside with Eze A. A. Orlu Oriebe, Nye-We Ali of Akpor Kingdom during his courtesy call at Oyigbo road initiated to ease the palace the movement of farm proFrom Precious Dikewoha, duce. fertile ground for your re“The vehicle for change is Port Harcourt The people of Kenkoro election and other APC can- All Progressives Congress promised to vote en-masse want to assure you that we didates”. (APC) and our agents are for APC candidates in order will vote for you and all APC Abe, while pledging to do Muhammadu Buhari for to get more reward. candidates because of your more if re-elected, thanked President, Dakuku Peterside The community, in its po- care and concern.” the people for their continu- for Governor, I, Senator sition, delivered through the Eleme Local Government ous support, informing them Magnus Abe for Senate, paramount ruler, Chief Fri- Caretaker Committee Chair- that the outcome of the forth- Hon. Barry Mpigi for Reps day Barisere and former man, Awalanta Ejire, de- coming elections will show and Hon. Josiah Olu for AsWard 4 Chairman, John scribed Kenkoro people as whether there would be im- sembly. If we don’t vote Chinwi, said: “During the very reliable, assuring Abe provement in the Nation or right, we will all suffer the forthcoming elections, we that “Eleme communities are not. consequences.”

hear from the news that these oil fields from part of Eleme and every other part of Ogoni has been granted to one Belemaoil. As a people we are not happy with the news. “We want to think that this is a rape on our conscience. We thought that the traditional rulers had met to discuss matters on this Belema oil, we would have unanimously come up with a stronger voice and pressed for the implementation of the UNEP report by the Federal Government that is giving it to Belemaoil that will take over oil exploration.”

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenegoa

on the agreement it entered with them on May 24, 2014 for a retainer of surveillance services against oil thieves and pipeline vandals on the firm’s pipeline within the Obama, Okoroma Operational area. They named the top management of Agip involved in the signing of the aborted agreement as Mr. Fontana Salvatore (CVR Manager) and Mr. Giovanni Azzarelli (TP manager). The aggrieved contractors in the writ of summon signed on their behalf by Mr. Nyenye Kuro Matthias, are seeking an order directing NAOC to pay the plaintiff, N500million as arrears of monthly remuneration due and accruing to them for their services from June 2014 till October, 2014. They also demanded an order directing that N3billion damages be awarded against the defendants for a breach of contract and undue interference. They further asked the court to make an order of injunction restraining the defendants by themselves or by their servants or agents, from further interfering or meddling with the lawful commercial transactions or business of the plaintiff.

Dickson 100 per cent in support of Jonathan, says PDP

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State chapter, has declared that the Governor Seriake Dickson is 100 per cent in support of the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan. The party spoke while reacting to an advertorial questioning the loyalty of Dickson for Jonathan by a group under the aegis of the Niger Delta United for Jonathan (NDUJ). PDP, in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), described the contents of the advertorial as fallacies and product of a faceless group. He said the party would not have joined issues with the non-existing group had the group made its allegations at normal times. “However, these are no ordinary times. We cannot pretend to be ignorant of the reality that with the increasing desperation of the opposition at the national and state levels- there is no telling how low certain elements will stop in order to satisfy their paymasters”, he said. He said as a responsible state chapter of the largest political party in Africa, the Bayelsa PDP would not allow a few jesters to deceive party faithful and the general public that political leaders were at war. He said: “These opposition elements apparently think they can exploit the liberty of running to the media with tales of an imaginary crisis to drive a wedge between Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson. They are dead wrong. “We in Bayelsa PDP are way too informed to be igno-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenegoa

rant of the devices of the opposition. As a people-oriented party, we want to assure the general public that the state is peaceful, united and solidly behind our amiable governor.” Urging the public to disregard reports of crisis in the state, Inokoba said no amount of blackmail, mudslinging or propaganda against the governor could set him on collision course with Mr. President and the first family. He said the first family is wiser than the antics of the opposition and the objectives of such campaign of calumny. “The loyalty of our dear governor to Mr. President and the PDP is without par. We are proud to say that Governor Dickson’s enviable records in the past three years are a testimonial to what good leadership is all about. “Governor Dickson has, beyond doubt, provided the desired leadership for PDP in the state. He has tirelessly, successfully and satisfactorily mobilized people within and outside Bayelsa State for Mr. President’s re-election on February 14, 2015. “So intimidated is the opposition by Governor Dickson’s rising profile that they have resorted to scratching and clawing at everything, thinking such would dent his sterling performance. “Mr. Governor, we in Bayelsa PDP thank you and urge you to disregard such annoying agencies. We urge you to continue to work as you have always done to ensure that we celebrate on February 14 and beyond.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

NEWS

Thugs shoot at Ahmed’s, Saraki’s campaign convoy S USPECTED Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) thugs yesterday attacked the convoy of Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and the senator representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Bukola Saraki. The thugs were said to have shot two members of the All Progressives Congress (APC); scores of others were injured. The attack took place at Isapa, Ekiti Local Government Area. Isapa is the home town of PDP’s governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

The APC campaign train was on tour of the local government area, with Ahmed and Saraki, among other APC leaders, conducting peaceful rallies for votes. It was learnt that one of the victims of the attack was shot on his left leg and the other had his ear lobe chopped off with a machete. The hoodlums, it was gathered, ambushed the advance team of APC members going to Isapa. They attacked the support-

ers and destroyed the party’s campaign vehicles. The situation caused panic. People ran for safety. Despite the attack, Saraki and Ahmed addressed a large crowd of supporters in the community. The governor described the incident as unfortunate, adding that he was committed to peace. He said: “We have remained committed to a peaceful campaign everywhere we have gone to and we have been to virtually all the communities in this state without any prob-

lem. “However, it’s quite unfortunate that as we were coming here, our advance team was met with resistance by some misguided youths. Some of our people were shot at; they have been rushed to the hospital. One of them was very critical. We don’t know what will happen to him. But we are praying that he survives it. “It is very unfortunate. It was not expected, because we have been carrying out our campaigns peacefully and we intend to continue to do so. We would not allow any misguided group to truncate our record of peace in the state.”

Governor confident of APC’s victory at polls •‘Election debates unnecessary’ From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

WARA State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed is confident that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be victorious in this month’s general elections. The governor said APC would defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by a wide margin. The PDP, during its governorship campaign, vowed to wrest power from the APC and liberate the state. But Ahmed said: “I don’t know how they want to liberate us. They are the ones that require liberation. All activities today are hinging towards change. So, they require liberation. “I want to assure you that APC is going to win the elections by a landslide victory.” The governor addressed reporters in Odo-Owa, Oke-Ero Local Government Area, when his governorship campaign train toured the area. He explained why APC boycotted election debates. According to him, a debate is not the key issue.

Adeboye to pastors: Return N6b bribe if …

HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yesterday talked tough on the allegation that some pastors collected N6billion bribes from politicians. In his facebook page: the pastor is quoted as saying: “I read in the newspapers this morning (yesterday) that one of the serving governors in Nigeria said that some pastors in Nigeria collected N6bn from politicians for the purpose of influencing their members to vote a certain candidate in the coming elections. “May I humbly request that if there be any pastor or pastors who collected such money, they should please return such as quickly as possible before the fire of the Almighty consumes you.” The allegation was made by Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi on Monday at a campaign rally. He also urged the pastors to return the money so as not to desecrate their religion.

Mimiko, Yakubu, Iwu, Chukwuani, may succeed Jega Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (third right), his wife Dame Abimbola (second right), Deputy Governor Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (left), All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (second left), Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Oluremi TInubu (right), Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale (third left) and party chieftains at the All Progressives Congress (APC) PHOTO: OMOSEHIN Governorship Campaign Mega Rally at Shitta Under Bridge, Surulere...yesterday MOSES

•The scene of an accident at Odo-Ona,Apata in Ibadan...yesterday.

Disregard PDP lies about Tribunal’s judgment, says Osun APC

HE All Progressives Congress in the State of Osun has urged citizens of the State to stay calm and disregard the bizarre news the People’s Democratic Party is spreading that it has won the Election Tribunal case. Judgment on the case between the PDP, its gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Iyiola Omisore and APC, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola and the state INEC has been fixed for Friday (tomorrow). But for some time now, the PDP and its gullible and impressionable supporters have been spreading false rumour that Omisore has

won the case. The APC in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi? said last night, ‘the PDP’s action is both criminal and an attempt to slander the integrity of the honourable Tribunal’. According to the APC, ‘ what the PDP is telling the people of Osun is that it is already privy to the Tribunal’s judgment which cannot be the case, because the honourable judges of the Tribunal cannot be part of such travesty of justice’, the APC declared. ‘Most importantly’, the APC argued, ‘nothing,

absolutely nothing in the case of the PDP proves any infraction of the electoral process, or miscalculation of votes that could upturn the last August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election which Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won convincingly. ‘For PDP to run amok onto the streets of Osun, few days ahead of delivery of judgment, claiming victory? is a sad commentary on the mental health of these people and the level of their desperation for power.’ The APC therefore, assured the people of the state that justice will be served by the judiciary, and

that there is no way the people will be betrayed by our justice system, simply to massage the desperation of PDP power mongers. ‘We have every reason to believe that justice will be done tomorrow when the Tribunal finally makes a pronouncement on this case’ the APC said adding that. ‘PDP lawlessness and it’s reprehensible addiction to impunity in the state will be decisively curtailed adter Friday’s judgment. ‘And hopefully, our peaceful state will then be spared the continual incitement to mayhem which has become the stockin-trade of the PDP.”

•INEC begins distribution of sensitive polls materials •Jega addresses Council of State today From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

S the National Council of State meets on the general elections today, there were strong indications yesterday that four candidates have been short-listed to succeed the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega. But the adamant chairman will brief the Council on the extent of preparation for the election. Jega and his team have decided to go ahead with the conduct of the poll. The electoral commission yesterday began the distribution of sensitive materials to some states. The materials were ferried to the state offices of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN). The INEC chairman and his team were busy collating facts and figures yesterday to convince the Council that there was no basis for polls shift. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some forces, who are opposed to the conduct of the February 1428 poll, have recommended that Jega be eased out before any general election. Those strongly being positioned include: are Prof. Femi Mimiko(a brother to Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko who had just completed his tenure at Adekunle Ajasin University as Vice Chancellor); INEC National Commissioner (Operations), Prof. Nuru Yakubu, a former INEC chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and a former National Commissioner of INEC, Mr. Victor Chukwuani. The number could increase because of alleged vested interest in who emerges as Jega’s successor. A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “These forces are determined to ease Jega out by citing shoddy preparation, poor distribution of PVCs, some technical incompetence and other sundry issues. “They have been shopping for candidates to replace Jega if they could wield influence to allow the poll delay or if they could frustrate Jega to pave the way for a new hand to manage INEC during the general election. A source in INEC, however, said: “We are going ahead with the poll, we are already distributing sensitive and nonsensitive materials to states. “The INEC chairman shifted his scheduled briefing yesterday to collate more facts and figures to present before the Council of State to prove that the poll could go on without hitches. “Jega will appear before the Council and make the presentation on the commission’s plans. The noise you are hearing is coming from Fifth columnists who do not want the elections to hold.” The Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said: “The INEC chairman will go and brief the Council on the level of our preparation.” In another statement, Idowu alluded to the fact that INEC will neither shift nor delay the February polls. He released a statement refuting a report in Reuters claiming that INEC might delay the polls.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Islamic State: Jordan’s King Abdullah vows ‘severe response’ to IS J ORDAN’S King Abdullah II has promised to fight back hard against Islamic State, saying that the death of a Jordanian pilot at the militants’ hands will not be in vain. The remarks were made as the king held a crisis meeting with security chiefs. He cut short a US trip after IS posted a video showing pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh being burned alive. Jordan executed two convicts, including failed female suicide bomber Sajida al-Rishawi, in response. Lt Kasasbeh was seized af-

ter crashing during a bombing mission by the US-led coalition over Syria in December. Jordan had sought to secure Lt Kasasbeh’s release in a swap involving Rishawi, but IS is believed to have killed him a month ago. The BBC’s Paul Adams in Amman says talk of an exchange appears to have been an IS tactic to string Jordan along and foster doubt among Jordanians over its role in the US-led coalition.

Why Jordan’s tribal system matters - in 60 seconds The king was greeted by a crowd of several thousand people at Jordan’s main airport on his return from the US, with many holding up pictures of the monarch and the country’s flag in a show of support. After a meeting with security chiefs, AFP news agency quoted him as saying in a statement: “The blood of martyr Moaz al-Kasasbeh will not be in vain and the

response of Jordan and its army after what happened to our dear son will be severe.” Meanwhile government spokesman Mohamed alMomani said a collaborative effort was needed between members of the US-led coalition to “undermine, degrade and eventually finish [Islamic State]”. “This evil can and should be defeated,” he said, adding that Jordan was “more determined than ever” to fight the militant group.

COURT in Egypt has sentenced prominent liberal activist Ahmed Douma to life in prison along with 229 other defendants. Douma played a key role in the 2011 uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak. The activist was convicted of rioting, inciting violence and attacking security forces. He was also fined $2.2m (£1.4) for setting fire to a science academy housing rare manuscripts. Douma reacted to his sentence with an ironic round of applause, the BBC’s Orla Guerin reports. In response the judge said: “Are you in Tahrir Square? Don’t talk too much or I’ll give you three

Taiwan TransAsia plane crashes into river

PLANE carrying mostly Chinese tourists has crashed into a river in Taiwan, killing at least 31 people. Dramatic video footage emerged showing the TransAsia Airways plane clipping a bridge as it came down shortly after take-off from a Taipei airport. The plane, carrying 58 people, broke up as it plunged into Taipei’s Keelung River. The fuselage was later salvaged by crane. There were 15 survivors pulled from the wreckage but 12 people remain missing. Television footage

showed some passengers wading clear of the sunken wreckage and a toddler being pulled out alive by rescuers. The dramatic moment a toddler was rescued from the wreckage of the jet Emergency teams cut open the plane while it was in the water but were unable to reach the passengers trapped in the front section of the fuselage. As night fell, a crane was used to lift the wreckage on to the bank. The death toll was expected to rise as rescue teams searched the fuselage and the river for the 12 missing passengers.

“ INEC has not changed its mind and they are the only authority authorised and recognised by law to so do. Until they recant themselves and they give us reason for recanting, we will also sit down as a party and consider. But right now, INEC says we are ready and we believe them.” He dismissed the call by 16 mushroom parties for the postponement of the general elections. Odigie-Oyegun said: “This election involves two main parties. I don’t want to run down any party, but you know as much as I do that there are only two parties in real serious contention and that is the situation. “It is not a matter of 16 versus 3 or whatever. We are not even counting numbers. Let us be serious about this. The very foundation of this nation is at

stake. Let us not start a playing games with numbers. The country is fired up for change. The country is prepared for election.” On the plan to use poor or slow distribution of PVCs as excuse for poll shift, the APC chair said it should not affect the conduct of the poll. He said over 90 per cent of PVCs had been distributed and no laws compel any Nigerian to vote. He announced that APC states will declare two workfree days for the collection PVCs. He said: “People are falling over themselves to collect their PVCs every single day. The APC governors are going to help the process by declaring two work free days in all APC states to make it easy for everyone to get that PVC. “Tell me what other reason there is to postpone election. In

U •The fuselage of the plane is hauled from the river by crane

“At the moment, things don’t look too optimistic,” Wu Jun-hong, a Taipei fire department official coordinating the rescue effort told reporters.

The ATR-72 turbo-prop plane had just taken off from Taipei Songshan Airport and was heading to the Kinmen islands, just off the coast of the south-eastern

any case, our law does not compel people to vote. Over 90 percent of the PVCs have been distributed and it is left for everybody to go collect. That should not be made a precondition for election because it is not part of our laws.” On the boycott of presidential debate by the APC, OdigieOyegun said the party’s candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, was already spending quality time with stakeholders through Town Hall meetings. He said: “ For the Presidential debate, ask the Presidential candidate. If you have been watching what is going on, you will discover that he has set out his own agenda. He is talking directly to the people who are involved and the various stakeholders. “In Lagos, he met with the Organised Private Sector. In Kano, he dealt with the more lowly middle level business

people and market people. He is going to have a third one with the civil society and student groups. He is engaging with the real people at every level. “The grammar you talk in this debate and the fact that electricity is down to over 2000 MW, how many people watch these debates? He is spending quality time with those who make this country thick either economically or otherwise. There is no magic about debate, but that is his decision.” Others at the briefing were one of the national leaders of the party, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, National Secretary, Mallam Mai Mala Buni, former Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh, National Vice-Chairman(SouthSouth), Prince Hillard Eta, National Auditor of APC, Dr. George Moghalu and an Adviser to the National Chairman of APC, Prince Hilliard Eta.

Presidency waves security joker to force elections shift Continued from page 4

general elections in line with the laws of the land.” He explained that since postponement of the election is a serious national issue, the Council of State members should vote according to their conscience when the issue of election postponement comes up for consideration. Shehu reminded members that their honour and integrity are at stake, and therefore, they must weigh the implications of an election postponement. Lagos lawyer Femi Falana yesterday said the Council of State has no power to postpone elections. In a statement Falana said the council was one of the federal

executive bodies established by Section 153(1) of the constitution. He said the role of the council is merely advisory. The council is constituted by the President, with him as the Chairman, Vice President as the Deputy Chairman, all former Presidents and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation, all former Chief Justices, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Governors of the States, and the Attorney-General of the Federation as members. The council is vested with the power to advise the President in the exercise of his powers with respect to: •National population census and compilation; publication and keeping of records and other in-

more years.” A life sentence in Egypt is 25 years. Wednesday’s ruling brought the heaviest sentence yet against the secular activists who led the mass protests four years ago. Douma was a leading figure in the revolution that forced former President Hosni Mubarak to step down. He was a symbol of the revolution and has become a symbol of the repression that followed it, our correspondent says.

Gunmen kill four oil field guards in Libya

NEWS APC rejects attempts to postpone elections Continued from page 4

Egypt: Ahmed Douma, 229 others gets 230 life sentences

formation concerning the same •Prerogative of mercy; •Award of honours •The Independent National Electoral Commission (including the appointment of members of that Commission). •The National Judicial Council (including the appointment of the members, other than ex officio members of that Council), and •The National Population Commission (including the appointment of members of the Commission); and advise the President whenever requested to do so on the maintenance of public order within the Federal or any part thereof and on such other matters as the President may direct. He said: "From the foregoing

it is crystal clear that the council has no power to take a decision on any national policy but to advise the President in the exercise of his powers in the aforementioned matters. "With respect to the INEC, the council may advise the President in the exercise of his powers to appoint the Chairman of the INEC, the National Commissioners and the Resident Electoral Commissioners. "Since the power of organizing and conducting the general election including the fixing of dates for the election is the exclusive responsibility of the INEC the council of State is not competent to advise the President or direct the INEC to postpone the General Election."

Chinese city of Xiamen. It is the second TransAsia ATR-72 to crash in seven months, following an accident last July which killed 48 people and injured 15.

NKNOWN gunmen have seized control of a defunct Libyan oil field in an attack which left at least four guards dead. The attackers, possibly Islamist militants, also took four foreigners hostage, including three Filipinos. The assault happened on Tuesday night at the remote al-Mabruk oilfield south of the city of Sirte. The oilfield, which is partowned by the French company Total, has not produced oil for more than a year after it closed following rebel attacks. In 2013, Total said they had withdrawn all their staff from the oilfield.

Nigeria may lose $466m in arms deal Continued from page 4

ed that the proposed training for the pilots and the building of a new hanger are out of place since the pilots are adequately trained and there exisits a subsisting hanger. Defence industry sources believe that the transaction is a smokescreen for massive

fraud as the proposed equipment are no longer being produced and those being refurbished for supply under this transaction cannot deliver on their functions. Efforts to obtain the reaction of the NAF at the time of going to press were not fruitful as the official lines of the media department were switched off.

200 Boko Haram fighters killed Continued from page 1

Libyan, Sudanese and Malian mercenaries and fighters of non-African origin, the sources added. Pushed back to Makari, another town in Cameroon's Far North Region, the Cameroonian army was preparing yesterday to carry out an offensive, supported by Chadian troops based in the same region, to recapture Fotokol from the terrorist group. The attack came three days after an attempted attack by the terrorists in the same area was repulsed by Cameroonian and Chadian troops. Dozens were killed and a mosque was destroyed as Boko Haram attacked the Cameroon town. "They burnt houses and killed civilians as well as soldiers," a source told Agence France-Presse. According to local residents, the throats of civilians were "slit". Regional security forces have reportedly repelled the attack. The sect’s fighters went on a rampage killing nine Chadian soldiers and injuring 21 others at Fotocol. The town on the Nigeria- Cameroon border, serves as the base of the Multinational Joint Taskforce - a coalition

of Chad, Nigeria and Cameroon - in its fight against the Islamist group. However, Chad's 2,500strong army was successful in pushing back the Islamist Boko Haram militants. "The insurgents have been driven out. They tried to surprise us because the Chadian troops who were in Fotocol had crossed over to Nigeria," Cameroonian Foreign Minister Issa Tchiroma told Reuters news agency. The onslaught occurred one day after Chadian troops killed 200 alleged militants in a major offensive to counter the terror group. "Our valiant forces responded vigorously, a chase was immediately instituted all the way to their base at Gamboru and Ngala [in Nigeria], where they were completely wiped out," army spokesman Colonel Azem Bermendoa announced on national television on Tuesday. Nigerian and Chadian war planes have been bombing Boko Haram's hideouts since Monday African Union politicians are now meeting in Cameroon to finalise a mandate for a 7,500strong multinational force to confront the extremists.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015

HERE seems to be a kind of bond between a reporter and his audience. A routine visit to a pepper soup joint down the road becomes a referendum on the newspaper he works for. Even a doctor’s appointment turns a session for reviewing his work. “I read your editorial; good, but I disagree with your conclusion.” “That was a good one, but you guys are partisan.” “How sure are you of this your story?” Such comments flow quite often from our bosses, the readers. The taxi-cab driver expects the reporter to know the ABC of politics. Who is likely to do what, when and where? He is invested with some omniscience that is seldom proven, a big responsibility that belies the weight and colour of his bank balance. Oh! The life of a reporter. But, I confess, that is just by the way; we are not in for an ode to reporting. No. Nor am I thinking of a farewell to the trade, despite its troubles. But, what would I have loved to do now, if I wasn’t a journalist? Gone are the days when doctors were revered, like some local deity, when teachers were deified, when engineers were adored and the mere sight of a soldier in his crisp, starched khaki and gleaming boots got kids marching and singing: Awa soja kekere…(We young soldiers). Those days when a lawyer was ako niwaju adajo,”the bold one before the judge” and pilots were angels. Not anymore. All these, no doubt, still have their various attractions, but there are some exciting vocations, especially in this season of politics. Lawyers reap bountifully from their legalistic exertions. Those well grounded in election disputes are, particularly, quite busy as losers seek the big ones, the ones called SANs, to help them revert their fate after claiming that they have been robbed. The lawyer needs no sleepless nights. The complaints are the same – over voting, violence, false signature, non display of the register and all that. So, he deploys a onesize-fits-all template and awaits the judges’ verdict. The bill? A fortune, like a bag of cement dropped from the balcony of a twostorey building. Gbam! Statisticians also have their hands full now. It is the season of figures and data. Facts no longer matter; it is all figures. Just check out the campaigns going on in town as President Goodluck Jonathan fights the battle of his life to retain his job. All of a sudden, we now know that there are “130m active phone subscribers under Jonathan as against 81,000 in 2010”. “Under Goodluck, 20,000 km of new roads have been built.” “Did you know25,000km? The length of federal roads made motor able by President Jonathan, compared to less than 5km in 2010.” “Did you know 53%? Percentage reduction in national poverty since 2010; 70% of Nigerians were rated poor then, compared to 33% today.” Oh! The power of figures. The way politicians are using and abusing figures, you will think there are no saner ways of wooing the electorate. Many are asking: Are these figures really from the Federal Bureau of Statistics? Who is sure of Nigeria’s population?

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 10, NO. 3117

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘Certificate or not, the electorate are saying it is ‘Sai Buhari’. This is what the president’s men want to stop...yet the harder they try, the harder they fall. You do not drum support for your candidate by maligning his arch opponent’ LAWAL OGIENAGBON

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (DAME)

Jobs for the season

•Dr. Okonjo-Iweala

•Prof. Soludo

Former Central Bank Governor Prof Charles Soludo has just accused Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of cooking up some figures to give the impression that the economy is in fine fettle. He lashed her for incompetence, saying she was crying like a baby whose lollipop has been snatched by an inconsiderate adult when former President Olusegun Obasanjo removed her from Finance. Being one who is not afraid of a fight, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, I am sure, will not turn the other cheek, not after the world has been told that N30trillion was either missing or misappropriated under her watch. She may soon order a forensic examination of Soludo’s tenure at the CBN. The cost? I leave that to your imagination. Since lying is not one of my talents, I do not wish to be a political statistician, despite the fortune such experts are hauling to the bank now. You may have noticed some guys standing behind politicians on the podium, gesticulating frantically as they use their fingers and faces to communicate. They are sign language experts who facilitate dialogue with the deaf and dumb. I admire their skills, but I often wonder how many of them are genuine? Besides, that they are now regular at rallies shows that our politicians have suddenly realised that our deaf and dumb compatriots are, after all, as important as every other person. Despite its seeming simplicity – I guess it pays too - I won’t jump at sign language. What happens if I am discovered to be confusing my audience? Remember that chap who was accused of

faking it all at Nelson Mandela’s funeral after collecting his pay? Can I be a conflict resolution expert? President Goodluck Jonathan was in N’Djamena the other day to see President Idris Deby, who reportedly facilitated ceasefire talks between the Federal Government and some Boko Haram commanders, who turned out to be scammers. It was based on the expected success of the deal that the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, announced excitedly that the days of Boko Haram’s madness were set to end. It all turned out to be a big scam, after so much cash had gone down the drain. Before then, Austrian hostage negotiator Dr Stephen Davis had failed to crack the nut. He accused some prominent Nigerians of being the godfathers of Boko Haram, setting off a big legal battle with one of those he so branded. Being a hostage negotiator in a hostile environment like ours is fraught with so much danger, despite the huge financial gains. I won’t venture into that. So, of all the exciting jobs of this season, which one would I have loved to grab if I had the skill? The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is applying every means –fair and foul – to stop General Muhammadu Buhari from running. The more the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate tries to extricate himself from the web of intrigues and lies, the more inventive the PDP and its town criers get. The other day in Abuja, the spokesman for the Jonathan Campaign, Femi Fani-Kayode, took some time off the legal battle to free his neck from charges of laundering a hefty sum of money – the charge, I must stress, was not stealing, which is also not to be misconstrued as corruption - when he was Aviation minister, to allege that Gen. Buhari had no

Yobbish Yobo

OR those who have been wondering where former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has been, an answer has come. There he was last week on the podium as President Goodluck Jonathan campaigned in Port Harcourt. And what a fitting appearance, especially now that yobbery has replaced wit in politics. Yobo, a ball in hand, was screaming: “APC

“D

Chad to the rescue? reassuring. Cheery news, of sorts too: according to news reports, foreign armies from neighbouring countries -- Chad, Niger and Cameroun -- have now fully joined the anti-Boko Haram column. But that is no altruism. It is only strategic thinking that Boko Haram be checked before spreading its fatal doctrine into these countries, and contaminating their peoples. Besides, it is the decision of the African Union (AU) to raise a regional army to contain this menace. That is just as well, for an injury to one is injury to all. Still, from this cheering news would suggest some jeer: "Chad captures Gamboru from sect", was a headline in the February 4 issue of The Nation. Gamboru is a Nigeria-Chad border town, which Boko Haram had earlier over-run,

we no go gree! APC, we no go gree!”, like an overfed ex-Niger Delta militant. Not a word on Jonathan’s achievements in sports. The last time he played for Nigeria, Yobo scored an own goal. And so he did for his former club, Everton. His adventure into politics seems an own goal. So, a big welcome to the “own goal specialist”. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

HARDBALL ADA is a weakling," a Yoruba saying direly warns, "but he boasts a mighty younger sibling". That would appear the story of (once almighty?) Nigeria, vis-a-vis the latest cheery news from the Boko Haram front. First, cheery news. At last, Boko Haram's nose appears finally being bloodied -- and about time too! -- with Nigerian troops' reported crushing victory, in the ill-fated Boko Haram raid on Maiduguri, capital of Borno State; and epicentre of the Islamists' insurrection. Boko Haram attacked twice; and twice it was put to the sword. That is the sort of news Nigerians want to hear -- and Hardball says Bravo to our brave troops, including the volunteer militias that joined to repel these blood thirsty anarchists. Though it is still audacious Boko Haram must attack and our military defend (it should have been otherwise), the victory is no less sweet and

secondary school certificate. The army was distracted from fighting Boko Haram to organise an elaborate press conference where it proclaimed Buhari’s certificate missing. When eventually Gen. Buhari got his former school to release his results, FaniKayode was enraged. He pointed out many things that, in his view – I am told he is a lawyer – invalidated the paper. He said the picture attached to the paper shouldn’t have been a recent one. He had a problem, also, with the signature and the letter head. FaniKayode vowed to call in a forensic expert. I agree. A forensic expert would have pointed out that the result sheet did not contain Gen. Buhari’s height; how tall he was when he took the exam? What was the colour of his eyes? Did he have a gap tooth then as he now does? Of what complexion was he as at the time of writing the exam? What was his shoe size? Should the report have been written on a white paper? What is the difference between Mohammed and Muhammadu? Just before he became the Emir of Kano, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alleged that $20billion oil money was unremitted to the treasury. Mrs Okonjo-Iweala moved in to say, after some investigation, that $10b was not accounted for and that a forensic examination was coming. We are yet to hear what the forensic examination discovered. Perhaps more than $20b was unaccounted for. Perhaps not a farthing was missing. Perhaps. To date, nobody has an answer to how N469b police pension funds – by the way, where is Maina? – disappeared. We need a forensic expert to tell us what happened. In July, last year, President Jonathan secured the National Assembly’s nod to borrow $1b to fight Boko Haram. How has the money been spent? Do our soldiers have weapons now? New arms and ammunition and not some old stuff good enough for village squabbles? Are they well fed? Only a forensic expert will find out – at a handsome price, of course. Some of those guys who creamed off a substantial portion of what was voted for fuel subsidy over the years are no longer busy in the courts; they have joined the Transformation Ambassadors’ rallies. We may never know how much went down the drain in this dubious venture until we call in a forensic expert, whose bill may be about 5% of whatever figure is discovered to have been carted away by these guys. Does anybody know where forensic experts are trained? I’m signing up right away.

after putting Nigerian troops on the run. Indeed, it is good news that Gamboru is free. If the lunatic boasts and taunts of Ibrahim Shekau, and the Stone Age savagery of his band of Islamist lunatics are anything to go by, the liberation of Gamboru is very good news. But by Chad? That is not so good -particularly that, within four days, Chad is reported to have liberated other towns in Borno State like Baga, Dikwa, Malam Fatori, Damasak, Ngala and part of Bama! So, to use the Yoruba saying as metaphor, is Nigeria now the elder weakling, relying on the muscles of Chad, its younger sibling? That must be very traumatic to a people who have always worn a chip on the shoulder as "the giant of Africa"! Sure, the Defence Headquarters has pooh-

poohed the reported Chadian military driving seat story, insisting the Nigerian military was in control, busy directing affairs and calling the shots. That might well be. Still, results are results: even if Nigerians were indeed in charge, the Chadian troops' intervention would appear clearly fatal for Boko Haram. Besides, if Nigerian troops had earlier attained the reported Chadian level of success, the intervention of neighbouring countries would have been needless. It would appear, therefore, that the onceupon-a-time lion of West Africa, imposing peace and order in Liberia and Sierra Leone, after those countries' civil war; and favourite peacekeepers in global trouble spots, has now become a mere lamb, to be rescued by Chad! But what if Chad suddenly develops appetite for territorial ambitions? That should trouble every patriot; for a country unable to defend itself leaves itself open to foreign domination.

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