February 19, 2015 by The Nation

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•AND •Senate endorses card reader for general elections MORE ON •Amosun raises alarm over poor PVC distribution PAGES •Police, DSS: we’re investigating Okrika shootings 2-9&52 •Ekiti audio: Reps advise against Obanikoro’s screening

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VOL. 10, NO. 3130 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

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Jonathan sends team to U.S. as image crisis hurts Ex-anti-graft agency chief, others lobby From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ESPERATE to shore up his administration’s image, which has been battered by the sudden shift in the general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a lobby team to the United States. The mission – to explain why the elections were moved from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. The team is expected to: •affirm Dr. Jonathan’s administration’s commitment to the May 29 handover date through a free and fair election; and •correct the impression that President Jonathan plans to sit-tight in office or form an Interim National Government. The team will meet with some members of the Congress, foreign policy experts and some select caucuses, The Nation learnt last night. Besides, all ambassadors and Heads of Mission have been mandated to clarify the circumstances surrounding the polls shift to their host countries. The delegation to the United States is being led by an Ambassador in the Presidency. Other members remained unknown as at last night. It was learnt that some Nigerians, whose views are usually respected by the US, are on the delegation. A former head of an anti-graft agency is believed to be part of the team because he is believed to have earned a good “international profile”. A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “There is so much pressure on the Federal Government as a result of the postponement of the general elections. The element of trust between Nigeria and some countries has become an issue. “The situation was worsened by the fact that Continued on page 2

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15, LAST YEAR EVER RETURN?

•A Boko Haram fighters’ armoured vehicle burning after being set ablaze by Nigerian troops at Monguno…yesterday.

Troops kill 300 Boko Haram •PAGE 2 insurgents, says DHQ •Some of the arrested Boko Haram fighters

•Soldiers inspecting some of the seized ammunition

APC writes President: court says no soldiers for elections Party draws Jonathan’s, Jega’s attention to verdicts

STORY ON PAGE 2

•SPORTS P20 •EDUCATIONS P21 •NATURAL HEALTH P39 •POLITICS P41 •E-BUSINESS P44

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS Troops kill 300 Boko Haram insurgents in two days, says DHQ

•All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu speaking at the APC strategic meeting with its members at the party secretariat in Ogba, Lagos...yesterday. With him are: Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right), APC governorship candidate Akinwunmi Ambode.

APC writes Jonathan: it’s illegal to deploy soldiers for elections

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday got a letter from the the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is insisting that military should be excluded from direct election duties. The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Attahiru Jega also got the letter in which the APC is drawing their attention to the judgement against the involvement of the military in election duties. On the floor of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila moved a motion for the probe of the military’s involvement in the shift of the general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. “Jega has said that the elections were postponed because the service chiefs said they could not guarantee security. “We should look at it critically to see if the military has a role in the postponement of the elections,” Gbajabiamila said. The motion is to be debated today. The APC, in a letter dated February 16, drew the President and the INEC chair’s attention to the January 29 judgment by Justice R.M. Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Sokoto and the February 16 decision of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which

From Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Eric Ikhilae, Abuja and Duku Joel, Damaturu

outlawed the President’s unilateral deployment of members of the armed forces for election purposes. It urged them to obey both decisions. In the letter signed by the Director, Legal, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), the party argued that by virtue of both decisions, it had become illegal for the President and INEC to involve members of the armed forces in electoral matters without the permission of the National Assembly. Justice Aikawa restrained the President and Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces and INEC “from engaging the service of the Nigerian Armed Forces in the security supervision of elections in any manner whatsoever in any part of Nigeria, without an Act of the National Assembly.” Justice Abdul Aboki , in his lead judgment in the Ekiti State Governorship Election appeal on February 16, held that “even the President of Nigeria has no powers to call on the Nigerian Armed Forces and to unleash them on peaceful citizens, who are exercising their franchise to elect their leaders”. “Whoever unleashed soldiers on Ekiti State disturbed the

peace of the election on June 21, 2014; acted in flagrant breach of the Constitution and flouted the provisions of the Electoral Act, which required an enabling environment by civil authorities in the conduct of elections.” The APC wrote that it is obvious that the deployment of armed forces personnel in security supervision of elections and the imposition of such military personnel on INEC remained sources of worry and agitation in Nigeria. “It is therefore imperative your good offices and commission ensure henceforth, and until there is an enabling Act of the National Assembly, the court orders are obeyed and armed forces personnel are never again deployed in any form of security supervision of our elections,” it said. Copies of the letter were sent to National Security Adviser (NSA), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, APC National Chairman and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman. Also yesterday, the Yobe State chapter of the APC alleged a plot by the PDP canvassing for a shift of the election in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Gombe states to April 14 and 11 from the rescheduled March 28 and April 11 dates.

A statement by Yobe State APC Secretary Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe said: “We are concerned with the phony plan by PDP for a shift in the conduct of the general elections in Adamawa, Borno, Yobe and Gombe states from the 28th March and April 11th dateline to 4th and 18th April to pave the way for PDP to rig the election. “The party condemns in strong terms the ill-conceived plan for a serial rape of democracy in Nigeria by a party that foresees ultimate failure and, afraid of facing the electorate at the polls.” The statement added that the plot to shift the election was “to massively deploy security operatives in the states to intimidate, disenfranchise and rig the election reminiscent of the Ekiti State governorship election last year”. The party also alleged that “this obnoxious, dangerous and undemocratic plan was aimed to augment and, make up for the anticipated poor performance of PDP in other states in the election.” The APC urged security agencies to resist being used for selfish political agenda that is detrimental to democracy and national interest. “The APC strongly calls on security agencies in the country Continued on page 52

HE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday said troops have killed over 300 Boko Haram insurgents within two days in 11 Borno State communities. Some insurgents were captured in what appeared to be the greatest “war” harvest recorded since 2009. But two soldiers died and 10 others were injured in the 48 hours encounters with the insurgents. The troops also recovered 50 cases of packed bombs, eight machine guns, five Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and 300 motorcycles. The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, broke the news in a statement in Abuja. He said six Hilux vehicles and 49 boxes of various types and calibres of ammunition were seized from the insurgents. The statement said: “Mopping up operation of some of the communities where terrorists have been cleared in the course of ongoing air and land operations against terrorists has indicated massive casualty inflicted on them within the last two days of the counter terrorism operations. “Over 300 terrorists were killed while a few were captured. Several weapons and equipment were also captured and some destroyed.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“It has been confirmed that that five different types of armoured fighting vehicles, an anti-aircraft gun, about 50 cases of packed bombs and eight different types of Machine Guns, five Rocket Propelled Grenade, 49 boxes of various types and calibres of ammunition as well as 300 motorcycles destroyed in the fighting. “A total of six Hilux vehicles, including those mounted with anti-aircraft guns, were also destroyed. “However, two soldiers lost their lives while 10 others were wounded in the course of the operation.” The DHQ said land and air strikes were going on as of yesterday. The statement added: “The cordon and search operations are continuing along with aggressive patrols by troops who are now dominating the cleared communities, such as Monguno, Gabchari, Abba Jabari, Zuntur, Gajigana, Gajiram, Damakar, Kumaliwa, Bosso Wanti, Jeram and Kabrisungul. “The various phases of the highly coordinated air and land operations is also ongoing in the designated theaters being handled by contingents involved in the renewed counter terrorism campaign in Continued on page 52

Polls: Jonathan sends team to U.S. as image crisis hurts Continued from page 1

the postponement came shortly after assurances were given to the US Secretary of State, John Kerry, by President Jonathan and when many international observers had arrived for the botched February

14 poll. “So, the government is battling with an image challenge and there is need to correct it.” A Presidency source spoke of how the polls shift has become an albatross to the Federal Government. “It is creating a diplomatic challenge and it has become necessary to clean up the stain. Even foreign media are taking advantage of it to bash the government,” he said, pleading not to be named. “It is disturbing that some

countries are seeing the polls shift as a personal agenda of the President when it was obvious that it had to do with INEC. “Definitely, we are reaching out to all our friends. You will recall that last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Aminu Wali, met with members of the Diplomatic Corps to explain the situation of things. “The President also hosted the diplomatic community to a dinner on Friday which afforded him a one-on-one interaction with these foreign nations’ representatives.” It was not immediately clear how much it would cost the nation to effect the lobbying but a source said: “No matter what you may say, this administration Continued on page 52

Senate endorses card reader for general elections

ENATORS yesterday endorsed the use of card readers for the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The endorsement came even as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, warned that any further change in the election dates will be unconstitutional. The Senate invited Jega to appraise it of what informed the postponement of the elections, which would have been held on February 14 and 28, as well as to demonstrate the workings of the permanent voter card reader. The upper chamber also wanted an assurance from the INEC chairman that the commission is prepared to conduct the elections. The INEC boss, who was admitted into the Senate chamber around 11.30 am through a motion by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, told the Senators what led to the shift in the election dates. Jega said on February 5, in response to an invitation, he appeared before the National Council of State (NCS) and

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

made a presentation titled: “Preparations for the 2015 general election: Progress report.” He told the meeting that although INEC was not 100 per cent ready, “we believe that we could go ahead with the scheduled election for February 14 and 28, except for the new development in which INEC received a letter from the National Security Adviser (NSA) conveying a strong advice from the Service Chiefs for a rescheduling of elections for six weeks. He noted that NCS reviewed the situation after his presentation and concluded that INEC should make further consultations and in compliance with its statutory powers, decide on what to do. Jega said on February 8, after broad consultations with key stakeholders, the commission decided to accede to the “strong advice” of the NSA and the Service Chiefs to reschedule the election to March 28 and April 11. Jega said that on February 15, the commission met again, re-

viewed the new development and took a decision on how best to utilise the six weeks extension to add value to its operational and logistical preparations. “We believe that the effective utilisation of the period of extension will enable INEC to have a flawless, near perfect conduct of the election,” he said. Jega said that the commission acquired 182,000 card readers. Of the lot, 500 failed when they were tested. On collection of Permanent Voter Cards, he said the period of collection had been extended for four weeks to March 8. There are efforts to improve collection by voters. The INEC boss said he was pleased to say that as at February 17, the collection rate of PVCs nationwide has averaged 75.94 per cent Jega spoke of plan to organise mock tests of the card readers in each geopolitical zone. He said: “Already, we have conducted some specialised tests with partners in Texas USA and the card reader has passed in all the 13 test catego-

ries conducted in terms of its durability and versatility.” “In summary, it can be noted that INEC has forged ahead with the preparations for the conduct of the 2015 general elections as rescheduled for March 28 and April 11. We believe that the period of extension has offered us an opportunity to further perfect the electoral process for the delivery of free, fair, credible and peaceful elections to the satisfaction of the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. We hope that all stakeholders will continue to join hands with the commission to turn this disappointment into a blessing for our country, Jega said. “With regards to the card readers, the use of the PVCs and the card reader for the conduct of the 2015 election, we believe, are in accord with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended. They were introduced also, pursuant to the powers granted to the commission by the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is empowered by Section 16(4) of the Electoral Act 2010 to and I quote: ‘wherever it considers it neces-

sary, replace or any voter card for the time being by voters’’ “The decision of the commission to replace TVC with PVC is in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act as amended. An election is said to be validly conducted if it meets certain basic requirements, including accreditation of voters. An election cannot be said to be properly conducted, if the steps provided by Section 49 of the Electoral Act 2010 are not complied with. “This section requires that anybody intending to vote shall present himself with his voter card to a presiding officer who shall certify him or herself that person on the person is on the register of voters before issuing such a person with ballot paper.” Jega said that “The use of the card reader for the purpose of accreditation of voters is one of the innovations introduced by the commission to improve the credibility of the electoral process, in particular, the accreditation process. It is not offensive to the Electoral Act or to the constitution. It adds value to the desires of Nigerians to have a

•Mark

credible election in line with international best practice. “Whereas Section 52 of the Electoral Act prohibits the use of electronic voting, the card reader is not a voting machine and it is not used for voting, it is merely an electronic device introduced to improve the integrity of the voting process. It should be remembered that SecContinued on page 52

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola speaking at the 2014 Fourth Quarter Budget Performance Review at at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja...yesterday. With him are: his deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right) and Finance Commissioner Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi. PHOTO: OMOSEHIN

MAY 29 ...99 DAYS TO GO

Who says INEC is not ready?

MOSES

•Kogi State Governor Idris Wada (middle) presenting a cheque to one of the beneficiaries of the Kogi State/Bank of Industry (BoI) SME Fund in Lokoja. With them are: Executive Director, Small and Medium Enterprieses, BoI, Waheed Olagunju (right) and Prof Olubamiro Jegede.

Before the polls’ postponement, there were hues and cries over the shoddy distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Advocates of election shift succeeded in pressuring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to re-schedule the elections. In one and half weeks, the umpire has now achieved 76 per cent distribution. But can the military achieve the feat of restoring security in the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno Gombe and Yobe before March 28? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU asks.

•From left: Member, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mrs. Obey Victoria; NAPSS President, Chief Yomi Otubela; Chief Operating Officer, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Yemi Odubiyi and Group Head, Strategy and Communication, Mr. Shina Arilola at a news conference on the forth-coming NAPPS retreat and unified examination in collaboration with the bank in Lagos…yesterday.

•From left: Director, Resource Mobilisation, National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Dr. Emmanuel Alhassan; Legal Director & Company Secretary, Airtel Nigeria, Gbenga Rotimi; Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; Country Director, UNAIDS, Dr. Bilali Camara and Chief of Office, UNICEF, Sarah BeysolowNyanti at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNAIDS and Airtel to eliminate Mother-to-Child transmission of HIV in Nigeria, at the Corporate Headquarters of Airtel in Lagos...yesterday.

TTAHIRU Jega, political scientist and university don, was not in a happy mood penultimate Saturday. At the press conference in Abuja, where he announced new dates for the general elections, he wore a painful look. He had succumbed to pressures by the Presidency and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reschedule the polls, following complaints that his commission had not issues enough Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to registered and eleigible voters. After postponing the elections, calls for his removal became rife. PDP leaders passed a vote of noconfidence on him, saying that he is incompetent to organise a credible transition. However, in less than two weeks, Prof. Jega has lived up to expectation. He told anxious Nigerians two days ago that the electoral agency has achieved 76 per cent PVCs distribution. According to INEC, 52, 275,367 voters out of 68,833,476 registered voters have collected their cards. This, in the view of analysts, has confirmed that the umpire is ready for the elections. The battle is however not over for INEC. Sources disclosed that suspected paid anti-poll agents have returned to the drawing board to perfect new strategies to frustrate the re-scheduled elections. They have been mounting pressures on Jega again to jettison the use of PCVs and card readers. In their view, the Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs) that were used during the last general elections in 2011 must be used. Again, they are kicking against the use of Card Readers, arguing that it will be risky to test-run the facility in a general election.

Yesterday, All Progressives Congress (APC) senators cried out about fresh moves to put the elections on hold. Senate Minority Leader George Akume alleged that those planning to truncate the electoral process were working in tandem with the government to foist an interim government on the country. The Senate has endorsed the use of card readers by INEC to conduct the polls. This is despite the objection of anti-poll crusaders. In the eyes of the storm is Jega, his National and Resident Electoral Commissioners. The activistscholar has served the country in different capacities before becoming the electoral umpire. He is the former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, former National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and member of the Justice Mohammadu Uwais-led Electoral Reforms Committee. However, none of these previous assignments was as challenging as sitting as the chief operating officer on the INEC chair. Mindful of the historic responsibilities entrusted to him, he swung to action. His media aide, Kayode Idowu, explained that, the cards were available, but many Nigerians were not ready to collect them because they felt that they still have enough time within the sixweek period. In spite of the fears about the relative public apathy, it is expected that, by the time the collection period will elapse, INEC may have recorded more that 80 per cent distribution. In this dispensation, periodic general elections have been held five times. Ahead of 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 polls, the number of registered voters was not an issue. Prospective voters were merely en-

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

MAY 29 ...99 DAYS TO GO Prof. Jega after appearing before the Senate on INEC’s preparation for the forthcoming elections in Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

couraged to register with INEC. But in the run-up to this year’s polls, it has come to the front burner, with the government and the ruling party exploiting it to achieve polls’ shift. The analysis of the distribution across the states and geo-political zones shows that the electoral commission is ready. The only state where the distribution is still low is Ogun. In other states, the percentage is between 62 and 96 per cent. Indeed, 10 states recorded over 60 per cent collection and 15 states have over 70 per cent. In 2011, the total number of votes cast at the presidential election for candidates was 36, 929,745. The breakdown is as follows: President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP 22,195,839; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) 11,897, 000; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) 1,992, 169 and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) 844,737. But, for the March and April elections, INEC has already distributed over 52 million cards. In the 2011 elections, 1,907, 914 votes were recorded for the presidential election in Lagos. But, now, out of 5,905,852 registered voters, 3,685, 322 have collected their cards, representing 62 per cent. The mobilisation is still on in the Centre of Excellence. An INEC official in Yaba, Lagos office, said: “The percentage may go up to 75 in Lagos in the next two weeks. People have relaxed because they believe they still have time to collect them. But, 62 per cent is even above the pass mark.” In Delta, out of 2,275,264 registered voters, 1,728,524 have collected the cards. The figure represents almost 76 per cent. During the last general elections, 1,403, 667 votes were cast in the state at the presidential election. In Kano State, 4,975,701 people registered to obtain the PVCs. INEC has issued 3,487,155 cards, representing 70 per cent. In 2011, 2,633, 861 votes were recorded in the state. In Rivers State, out of 2,537,590 registered voters, 1,923,139, representing 76 per cent, have obtained the cards. Almost four years ago, the state recorded 1,847,327 votes at the presidential elections. In Zamfara State, 1,357,531 prospective voters have collected their cards, out of 1,495,717 registered voters. This represents 91 per cent. In 2011, the state recorded 911,729 votes at the presidential poll. In Borno State, the percentage of distribution is 68. This is despite the security challenge. Out of 1,934,079 registered voters, 1,320,667 prospective voters have collected their cards.

The Card Reader • It is a hand-held device like the gadget used as Point of Sale (POS) machine. • It is capable of storing and displaying data embedded in chips. • It detects a fake card or a card without the relevant chip • It will be used for the elections. • It is mearnt to detect fake Permanent Voter Card (PVC). • It will eliminate rigging, multiple and proxy voting

In Katsina State, 2,620,829 PVCs have been issued. The figure represents 93 per cent. This is the highest percentage. The number of registered voters is 2,827,943. In 2011, the state recorded 1, 154, 705 votes. INEC is optimistic that more Nigerians will collect their cards. Political leaders and the media have not relented in their appeals to Nigerians to visit the polling units and INEC offices in their localities to colllect the cards. According to a statement by INEC Secretary, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the March 8 extension date will avail every registered voters the opportunity to collect their cards in readiness for the polls. Human rights activist and politician Moshood Erubami said that with the 75 per cent distribution, INEC is now more prepared for the critical task. “INEC said it was prepared before. They said no. What can they say again? The six week interval is a blessing in disguise. If INEC is now pressurised, intimidated or blackmailed to tinker with the time-table again, it will not be due to lack of preparation by INEC. Government will find a new explanation for Nigerians,” he added. But Prof Jega told a probing upper legislative chamber yesterday that any further extention of the election dates will negate the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act. APC chieftain Senator Mamora said nothing should delay the elections again because INEC has shamed its detractors. Reflecting on the polls’ postponement, he said it was in bad faith. The former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker warned that any attempt to derail the electoral process could put the country on fire. Mamora alleged diabolical machinations on the part of government, warning that it may back fire.

“The postponement was a fraud, a rape on the electoral process and a conspiracy against the people,” Mamoral said. He recalled that INEC has achieved 70 per cent distribution before the polls postponement, adding that there are more enthusiasms in the Northeast states of Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe and Borno. In his view, the decision to postpone the polls was not based on altruism. A chieftain of the APC in Lagos, Lateef Raji, said those who pushed for polls’ shift have been jolted out of their delusion that INEC could not record the huge success, in spite of the initial shoddy distribution. Raji, who is Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola, said the coast is now clear for the polls. “No complaint will be tenable again after the initial postponement. INEC is ready and Nigerians are ready,” he said. However, the Federal Government and the PDP have maintained sealed lips over the disclosure by INEC that it has now achieved over 75 per cent PVCs’ distribution. There are fears that, despite the 76 percentage distribution of PVCs, the government may hide under the unresolved security challenge to abort the March 28 and April 11 dates. Before the polls’ shift, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, had objected to the previous dates, arguing that many eleigible voters were yet to get their PVCs. But in the National Council of State meeting, the retired Colonel said security agencies would not be able to guarantee security in states where the Boko Haram sect has been on the rampage. Later, service chiefs followed suit, saying that they were handicapped. They even spoke of plans to launch a full-scale war against the out-of-control insur-

gents on February 14, the date originally scheduled for the presidential and national assembly election. Coordinator of the National Infornation Centre (NIC) Mike Omeri raised the alarm that the sect members had perfected plan to detonate Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at polling centres. The President’s aides also said that the military needed six weeks to resolve the security challenge that they have not been able to surmount in six years of the Jonathan administration. Rationalising the shift, President Jonathan said the postponement became compelling to avoid the disenfranchisement of prospective voters, who were yet to collect their voter’s cards. Sources said that, since the presidential election is the main bone of contention, INEC may be influenced again to re-adjust the time-table so that parliamentary and governorship elections can hold before the presidential polls. President Jonathan’s aide, Dr. Doyin Okupe, has spoken in glowing terms the commitment of the government, not to end Boko Haram insurgency, but to make the troubled areas conducive for elections. He said, with specially trained troops and new equipment, the states would be safe for elections. However, Mamora said that terrorism is not an obstacle to holding elections. He lamented the double speak by military top brass. He said it was curious that, in less than two weeks after service chiefs assured the nation that they would provide security for Nigerians during the general elections, they recanted their assurance. Urging Nigerians to learn from history, he said troubled nations, including Niger, France, Syria, Pakistan and Burkinafaso held elections when they were in

turmoil. He said, in their murderous desperation to cling to power, PDP leaders were trying to avoid a popularity contest at the general elections. Mamora said, if the poll is shifted again, there may be further dislocation of the social system. He also said that the move may undermine the credibility of the electoral system and integrity of the umpire. Opposition leaders are also urging vigilance. APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu warned about the danger of taking Nigerians for a ride. He urged the people to get their PVCs ready for change. He said any postponement will be counter-productive because it will be resisted by Nigerians. More importantly, the former Lagos State helmsman said that card reader machines should be used for the polls. He said, if they are used, they will check malpractices. Tinubu, who spoke at the meeting of the APC leaders in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said , although PDP has bought time for itself through the postponement, the party will still meet its waterloo at the polls. He said the APC did not fall into the trap set by the PDP, following the polls’ shift. APC, he said, shunned violence, adding that they would have used it as an excuse to truncate the process. In the APC’s leader’s view, the security situation in the Northeast is not inimical to elections. He buttressed his argument with the successful campaign by Gen Buhari, the presidential standard bearer of the APC in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. He said the incident has put a lie to the Federal Government’s argument that the area is not safe for elections. Tinubu alleged that Jega was cowed to submission when his security was withdrawn. He said his offence was that he was ready to conduct the polls. He said: “They were even advised by the Council of State because INEC said it was ready. They withdrew security from Jega and rendered him unprotected. he had to surrender the electoral date. We are not going to tolerate that anymore." Urging Nigerians to be vigilant, Tinubu said it is dangerous to under-estimate the PDP and the Federal Government. He said: "Don't under-estimate these people. Turn yourselves to great watchmen for freedom, liberty and democratic government in this country." The former governor warned that the Federal Government will incur the wrath of Nigerians, if the election is shifted again. "It is an excuse to postpone the election and they will find another excuse to postpone it again. But, we are going to resist it," Tinubu added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS Gas explosion: 10 injured on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

N explosion from a tanker conveying gas on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway yesterday triggered gridlock for several hours. The ensuing confusion forced motorists and passengers to run for safety.

Ten people, who were injured in the blast, were taken to a hospital in Arepo for treatment. But, it took the combined efforts of police, road safety corps men and others to bring the situation under control.

Arik Air investigates theft of aviation fuel at Lagos Airport • ‘Our aircraft not involved’ By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

RIK Air said yesterday that it has begun investigations into the theft of aviation fuel from a truck at the domestic wing of the Lagos Airport. The airline clarified that its aircraft was not involved in the siphoning of aviation fuel at the airport. A statement by its spokesman Mr Adebanji Ola, the three persons arrested at the airport were not siphoning aviation fuel from an Arik Air aircraft but from a fuel tank belonging to one of the major oil marketing companies. He said Arik Air investigations reveal that the three persons carried out the illegal duty in connivance with the truck driver of one of the major oil marketers. The Arik Air official said reports making the round that the three persons siphoned fuel from an aircraft belonging the airline is not true as Arik Air does not have any aircraft with registration number 5N MID . Ola said: “Investigations have revealed that the three people caught at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos in the early hours of Sunday were siphoning JET A1 (aviation fuel) from a fuel truck and not from an Arik Air aircraft as previously reported in a newspaper. Furthermore, the airline does not have an aircraft with registration number 5N MID in its fleet. “The suspects were arrested by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel after illegally draining fuel from the truck belonging to one of the major oil marketers at the ramp. It was discovered that the deal was done in connivance with the truck driver. Arik Air management hereby absolved the airline of any complicity in the theft. The airline has an excellent safety record and will continue to operate with the highest safety standards it is known for.” Aviation minister Osita Chidoka in his facebook wall at the weekend confirmed that three persons were arrested for stealing fuel from an aircraft.

Jonathan, Buhari greet Christians at Lent

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan and All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen Muhammadu Buhari have admonished Christians to be upright as they began this year’s Lent. Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, urged Christians to pray fervently for peaceful, violence-free and successful general elections on March 28 and April 11. He also called on political leaders, Christians and nonChristians alike, to rededicate themselves to the commitment they have made to peaceful, non-violent campaigns and elections, and do their utmost best to ensure that their supporters uphold that commitment. In line with the commitment, the president urged those seeking political office in the elections to eschew hate speech, incitement to violence, divisiveness and the malicious denigration of opponents. Buhari, in a statement by his presidential campaign’s Director of Strategic Communications Mr. Dele Alake, said: “On this most evocative spiritual occasion of Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the 40-day fasting period for all Christians worldwide, I bring you warm felicitations and prayer that the Almighty God shall accept all our supplications to him in this holy season. “Lent is the central aspect of

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

the Christian life, the most important period in the Christian calendar and definitely the high watermark in all the injunctions to the faithful. It is instructive that the Holy Bible teaches that it was after Jesus Christ had observed his fast for “40 days and 40 nights” that the devil came to tempt him. “However, having been fortified by the period of self-denial and sacrifice, he was able to withstand the wiles of the Evil One and to establish for mankind the eternal message of salvation called Christianity.” He added: “I see a parallel in our own national condition today. While the people who manipulated the postponement of the election might have had other intentions in mind, it is doubtful that they adverted their mind to the efficacious utility of the intervening period which now falls, almost entirely, within the period of Lent for the renewing of our faith. “The central message of Lent is spiritual renewal and change! It is my hope and prayer that this period of fasting shall enable us all, to be spiritually fortified to face the challenge that will be presented to us on March 28 - just one week to Good Friday! “I wish all my Christian brothers and sisters God’s abundant blessings all through this season and beyond. I pray that God, in his munificence, will answer our fervent prayer for a positive change in our land.”

National Assembly outlaws presidential assent for new Constitution •President, Governors lose power to withhold assent to Bills

HE National Assembly has outlawed Presidential assent for any alteration in the Constitution to be effective. This is contained in “a Bill for an Act to further alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and for other matters connected therewith, 2014” which the Senate adopted yesterday. Senate Committee Chairman on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, was emphatic that the present alteration is likely to be the last to be assented to by thePresident. The National Assembly also made it mandatory for the President to present a State of the Nation address to its joint session annually. In his motion, Ekweremadu urged the Senate to be aware that Section 9(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, provides that an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution can be passed only when it is supported by 2/3 majority of members of the Senate, and the House of Representatives, and approved by 2/3 majority of State Houses of Assembly; He urged them to recall that the Constitution (Fourth Alteration) Bill, 2014 was passed in the Senate and House of Representatives respectively on October 15 and 21, 2014; and the National Assembly transmitted same on October 28, 2014 to the State Houses of Assembly to fulfill the requirement of Section 9(2) of the 1999 Constitution; He further acknowledged that the thirty-six State Houses of Assembly have forwarded their resolution on the provisions of the Bill. The Senator urged his colleagues to observe that from the 71 Sections and Schedules of the 1999 Constitution altered by the National Assembly in the Bill, the following have

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

been approved by the state houses of Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(2) of the Constitution as required for their passage – Sections: 4, 8, 9, Chapter III, Section 25, 26, 34, 35, 39, 42, New Sections 45A-45D, New Section 50A, Section 58, 59, 65, 66, 67, 68, 81, 82, 84, New Section 84A84F, Section 89, New Section 92A, Section 100, 106, 107, 109, 121, 122, 124(b), 129, 131, 134, 150, 153, 155, 174, New Section 174A-174L, Section 177, 179, 195, New Section 211A-211H, Section 214, 215, 216, New Section 225A, Section 228, 233, 241, 251, 285, 306, 315, 318, Part I of the First Schedule, Part II of the First Schedule, Part I of the Second Schedule, Part II of the Second Schedule, Part I of the Third Schedule, Part III of the Third Schedule, Fifth Schedule Part I, Seventh Scheduleparagraphs 3, 4 & 5; He urged the Senate to resolve that the provisions of the Bill that have satisfied the requirement of Section 9(2) of the Constitution be processed in line with the Acts Authentication Act and transmitted to the President Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his assent, to enable institutions of government prepare for immediate implementation of policies and programmes pursuant to the provisions of the Constitution as amended. The 71 amended sections of the 1999 Constitution were unanimously approved by the Senators when it was put to vote by Senate President David Mark. Also contained in the newly approved sections is a provision that the President will henceforth withhold his assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly to no end because the Bills would automatically become law after 30 days of be-

ing transmitted for assent. Similarly, Bills passed by State Houses of Assembly would become law after 30 days of its transmission to the State Governor for assent. According to the newly passed provisions, Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution was altered by inserting a new subsection “5A”- which reads: “Where the President neither signifies that he assents or that he withholds assent, the bill shall at the expiration of thirty days become law. “Where the Governor neither signifies that he assents or that he withholds assent, the Bill shall at the expiration of thirty days become law.” Also contained in the amended Constitution as passed by the Senate yesterday was a provision that every citizen of Nigeria will henceforth be entitled to free basic education, and free primary and maternal health care services. The Senate however rejected local government autonomy. The 20 states that that voted to reject local government autonomy include, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Borno, Cross-River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. The 16 states that voted in favour of local government autonomy are: Adamawa, Anambra, Abia, Bauchi, Benue, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau and Sokoto. The amended Constitution also granted autonomy to State Houses of Assembly and State Judiciary. According to the approved provisions in the Bill, “The Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State shall be paid directly to the heads of the respective bodies for the use of the institution for which he is head.’’ It could be recalled that state courts are currently on an indefinite strike following the refusal of state governors to

•18th Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Folashade Jaji taking the oath of office at the Alausa, Ikeja, Governor’s office ...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

grant their request for financial autonomy. The amended constitution contains a provision that allows independent candidates to stand for an election as against the current practice where only political parties can sponsor candidates for an election. It also contains a provision that any body who has resided in that State continuously for a period of not less than ten years automatically becomes an indigene of the state. The National Assembly also rejected the scrapping of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs). The amended constitution also created a the Office of the Accountant General of the Federal Government as distinct from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. According to the amended sections, “Any person who has held office as President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be entitled to pension for life at a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.” Section 251 of the Principal Act was further altered by inserting new subsections “(4A)”: thus: “The Federal High Court shall have and exercise jurisdiction for the trial of offences arising from violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act and any other election related Act of the National Assembly.”

One killed in UI students’ cult clash From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

EMBERS of cult groups, suspected to be students of the University of Ibadan (UI), clashed at Agbowo area of Ibadan yesterday, killing a 35year old man identified as Yahaya. The fight, which started at a beer shop opposite the university in the afternoon, took the life of the victim, who was said to be a former student of the university. Sources said the victim, who was believed to be a member of another cult group, was at the scene of the clash for recreation. The late Yahaya sustained several machete cuts from four members of a rival group and died before help could come. It was also gathered that two of his friends, who sustained injuries during the fight, were receiving treatment at a hospital at Agbowo. Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunke Ajisebutu, who confirmed the incident, said: “As soon as the police got a hint about the incident, a patrol team was immediately drafted to the scene. “On sighting the police officers, the perpetrators of the act took to their heels. One Yahaya, 35, was found lifeless in his own pool of blood and the body has been deposited at the Adeoyo mortuary for autopsy”. Ajisebutu, however, said police operatives were on the trail of the suspects.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS

7 ...10 AYS TO GO ...1011 D DA

Democracy is on trial, says Atiku

The Nation bags FRSC media award •Odunuga (left) receiving the award from former Corp Marshal Gen. Halidu Hanaya (right)... yesterday. With them is Oyeyemi.

HE Nation has won the 2014 Media Award of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for outstanding contributions to road safety. The award was presented to the newspaper and other organisations to mark the FRSC’s 27th anniversary. The Nation’s Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital, Yomi Odunuga, received the award on behalf of the newspaper. The Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, at the ceremony, also recognised some officers and marshals for upholding the corps’ integrity during rescue operations last year. Among officers rewarded were those who distinguished themselves in their various duties and others who returned money recovered during accident rescue operations. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Pius Anyim Pius, who was the special guest of honour at the event, said the Corps had embraced and deployed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) towards efficient road safety management system.

PHOTO ABAYOMI FAYESE

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

The SGF, who was represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mr. Ferdinand Agu, urged other ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) to emulate the agency, stressing that the world is divided between digital and non-digital world. Any organisation that wanted to make progress, he added, must be ICT compliant. Oyeyemi recalled with nostalgia when the founding fathers of the FRSC came up

with the idea of the commission 27 years ago. He noted that many Nigerians did not realise that the idea of road safety, which Nigeria pioneered in Africa, was going to be adopted by the global community as a strategy for tackling the menace of road traffic crashes globally. He said the Corps, which was established through Decree 45 of 1988 as amended by Decree 35 of 1992, has become a vital contribution to global efforts at tackling the challenges of road traffic crashes.

Oyeyemi lamented that of the 10, 380 road traffic crashes recorded in Nigeria last year, 5,996 lives were lost and 32,063 people were injured. He added that the scourge has left in its wake the loss of wage earners, active workforce, loved ones and future leaders, all of which subject families to extreme poverty and erosion of the nation’s bright future. He noted that the organisation has become the best example of a road safety lead agency recommended to oth-

er developing countries for emulation in standardising their country’s road safety management by the World Bank. He noted that the organisation’s dreams were anchored on becoming a world class organisation with sufficient capacity to contribute to the realisation of the targets of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety: 2011-2020 as well as Accra Declaration of 2007 with targets of fatality reduction by 50 per cent this year.

THE nation’s democracy is on trial, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said yesterday. But, he was confident that Nigerians would never give up their desire for change. In a statement from his media office, Atiku asked Nigerians to remain calm following Tuesday’s bombings in which several people died in Biu, Yobe State, as well as the explosion in which several more were injured at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign rally in Okirika, Rivers State. “Nigerian democracy can and must withstand terror. Whether the terror is from insurgents or from desperate politicians. In the end, democracy must prevail”, he said. Calling for a strong bipartisan signal or approach against those who were willing to sacrifice the nation for political gain, Atiku said: “Our political elders must lift up their voices against violent desperados within their parties, and anyone found guilty should be punished severely and openly.” He urged Nigerians to continue to remain vigilant, especially during the election period.

‘Promote service to humanity’

‘Elections will hold’ From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

From Faith Yahaya, Abuja

HE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), has said the general elections will hold and parties will respect the results. PFN Chairman in Oyo State Bishop Taiwo Adelakun said this yesterday after the central executive meeting at Victory Chapel International, Ibadan. “There are all kind of plans regarding the election in this country, but God’s counsel will stand for the elections and Nigeria will stand as one. Nigerians should not dance to the rumours that election will not hold, election will hold and the result will be respected by the parties. There will be no violence.”

• Catechist Ifeanyi Christian of the SS. Peter and Paul, Parish Nyanya, Abuja administering ash on members to mark Ashe Wednesday ...yesterday.

THE Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Rev John Cardinal Onaiyekan, has called on Nigerians to shun violence and work towards enthrenching service to humanity in the Lenten period. The cardinal, who spoke yesterday in Abuja through the Director of Social Communications of the Archdiocese, Rev. Fr. Patrick Tor Alumuku, noted that the general elections fell in between the Lenten and Easter periods by providence. He urged politicians to avoid all acts of violence and promote those ideals that would bring about better living conditions for the people”.

ECOWAS to deploy 250 observers for presidential, governorship elections

HE West African regional body, the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS) , is to deploy about 250 observers to monitor Nigeria’s general elections. ECOWAS Commission’s President Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo spoke when he led a delegation to All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. Ouédraogo added that the commission would also deploy a long-term observer mission to monitor the elections, stressing that the subregion was interested in what goes on in Nigeria. He said: “Your Excellen-

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

cy, as you are aware, the mandate of ECOWAS is to monitor and observe all general elections in our member states and for us, elections in Nigeria are special. “They are of great importance for peace and stability of our region and this is the reason why the chairman of the authority together with all ECOWAS institutions are following very closely electoral process in Nigeria. We decided to request His Excellency, John Kuffour, the former president of Ghana to lead a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, which he did. “But we understand that the time he came, you were not around. But he met with

the party chairman and he reported to the chairman of the authority and the chairman of the authority, His Excellency John Mahama, had planned a visit to Nigeria. But he was compelled to postpone the visit. l can assure you he will certainly visit before the elections. “On his behalf and on behalf of my delegation, we want to thank you and express our gratitude to you on the efforts made to have peaceful elections in Nigeria.” He added: “We will be grateful if we can have your views on the electoral process so that we can impute it in the way ECOWAS is going to supports peaceful and stable elections in Nigeria,

because peace and stability are essential for development. And we know that peace and security in Nigeria is so important for the rest of our community. So, we are all engaged in this process and we all wish this electoral process would be successful”. Replying, the APC presidential candidate thanked the subregional body for its interest and concern for political stability in Nigeria. He affirmed that the APC was committed to a violence- free elections. Buhari said: “We thank you very much for your concern for our political stability. I think if Nigeria sneezes, ECOWAS catches cold. We are very much aware of all

that and we are also grateful to the international community, especially the United States (U.S.), the European Union and African Union (AU). “They have shown so much interest in this election and they have been keeping in touch with the presidency and INEC. I believe INEC is working hard and they have now reached 75 to 80 per cent distribution of the PVCs. I think we are all hoping that the elections will be conducted freely and fairly on March 28 and April 11. “Mr. President has made very encouraging commitments or comments that that he will hand over and swear in whoever wins the elections.

“On our part, even before the Abuja accord which Kofi Annan presided over, we read several statements to our supporters that we do not expect our supporters to be rude, not even to take up arms against anybody. We said that several times, even before that accord. “Of course, after the accord, we continued to ask our supporters to show restraint under any provocation and we have successfully toured 35 out of the 36 states. We have also conducted town hall meetings. So, be rest assured that we are extremely concerned about this system and we are going to do our best to make sure that elections hold and hold peacefully.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS

THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

Olugbo cautions monarchs From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, has cautioned rulers to refrain from giving open and tacit support to any candidate. Akinruntan spoke yesterday at the meeting of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Committee at his home in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. “I will implore our traditional rulers to be mindful of the elections and stop endorsing or playing partisan politics. We should not allow ourselves to be dragged into politics. “We are not politicians and what we should be after at this period is how to achieve peaceful elections. We don’t want violence, rancour or crisis during or after the elections. Akinruntan, who chairs the committee, said the conflict among Southwest monarchs could be attributed to egoism. “We will visit Yoruba obas soon. We will sensitise them on how to be mindful of what they say in public because we are second in command to God,” the monarch said. At the meeting were Oniwere of Iwere-Oke, Oba Raphael Olatunde; Oluyani of Iyani; Oba Daodu Joel Sunday; Jowe of Irukorogha, Oba Matthew Olasehide; Gbaluwe of Igbotan, Oba Ajayi Adeniyi; Sabigana of Iganna, Oba Saliu Oyemonla Azeez and Olojodu of Ojoduland, Oba Sikirulahi Adelani Obatula.

AD aspirant quits party By Wale Adepoju

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Lagos State, Dr Abimbola Ajayi-Ojora, yesterday renounced her membership from the party, citing injustice. Mrs. Ajayi-Ojora, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said the party did not allow her to participate in the primaries. She alleged that she was prevented from contesting because she could match the financial contribution of other aspirants. Mrs. Ajayi-Ojora said: “I moved with the understanding that women are crucial to the fulfilment of the country’s dream to greatness. Without us, neither home nor community is complete. Our 35 per cent affirmative action is not only in our best interest but in the interest of national development.”

‘Obanikoro not competent’ By Sina Fadare

GROUP, Nigeria United to Save Democracy (NUSADEM) has condemned the nomination of former Minister of State for Defence Musiliu Obanikoro. It said screening him was a waste of time “because he is not competent”. The group, which stormed the National Assembly, said the former minister did not contribute meaningfully to the development of the country but rather misused his position and used the military under his ministry as an agent of terror. A petition, signed by the joint National Coordinators, Adebayo Adebayo and Toyin Raheem, said: “If a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, can refer to Obanikoro as ‘a desperate sinking man, grasping and thrashing in self inflicted chasm, whose antecedents reek in noisome, vagrant and untidy ruffianism’ then it is obvious that he could no longer be trusted with national responsibilities. “To preserve the dignity of the hallowed chambers, we call on you to refrain from considering Senator Obanikoro as a minister.”

•Oba Akinruntan flanked by Oba Olasehinde (left); Secretary Of Council Oba Oyemonla (second left); Oba Sunday (second right) and Oba Adeniyi...yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Rigging clip: Reps ask Senate to stop Obanikoro’s screening

EMBERS of the House of Representatives have asked the Senate not to confirm Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as a minister, until the scandal of the Ekiti rigging audio clip has been investigated. The lawmakers said due to the weight of the allegations, there was need to ascertain Obanikoro's involvement in the alleged rigging of the last June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State. President Goodluck Jonathan has sent a list of eight ministerial nominees, including Obanikoro, to the Senate. Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in a motion of urgent national importance, said in light of the damning audio clip, it was necessary to probe the involvement of the army in the postponement of the elections earlier slated for February 14 and 28.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

"The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega, said the elections were postponed because the military said it could not guarantee security for the election. We should look at it critically to see if the military has a role in the postponement of the elections." The motion was slated for debate today. In a chat with The Nation after plenary yesterday, Gbajabiamila and Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts Solomon Olamilekan Adeola said the Senate should neither screen nor confirm Obanikoro, pending the conclusion of the probe into the audio clip. Gbajabiamila said: "Part of my

prayer is to have the audio clip of the Ekiti election investigated because it is a matter that this House has to address to determine whether or not the military has a role to play in our elections. "My prayer is to investigate it and then for the government to declare that we cannot use the military in the election. There are two court judgments now. In the last few weeks; the Court of Appeal judgment states that the military has no role in election. "They should fire the Commanding Officer of 32 Artillery Brigade, Brig-General Aliyu Momoh and Obanikoro because you can't have such evidence and a week later you confirm them, it's not done. In another country, he will be facing trial."

Amosun: INEC disenfranchising 800,000 voters

gun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of trying to disenfranchise 800,000 voters in the state. Amosun, who queried about 625,000 “alien and fictitious cards” in the state, urged INEC to return them. He called on other parties to join him in voicing out “this debilitating flaw” before it is too late. The governor spoke at the commission’s state headquarters at Magbon, off IBB Boulevard,

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

Abeokuta, the state capital, where he condemned the shoddy manner the electoral body was handling the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) distribution. According to him, some people were manipulating things, either at the regional office or the Abuja headquarters, to shortchange the state’s voters. Amosun said only 40 per cent of voters in the state had collected their PVCs, wondering why INEC chose to distribute the cards piecemeal. Amosun listed some local

governments; Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Ado-Odo-Ota, Yewa North, Yewa South, Ipokia, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, among others, where voters had been unable to access their cards. “We are appealing to INEC to release our cards. We have demonstrated that if they bring our cards, we will collect them. “And I’m making it clear, we did not support the postponement and I believe that INEC will sort itself out. As at today, the number of PVCs collected stands at 639,000 of 2.9million.”

Court rejects PDP’s application to void Osun poll

HE Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, has dismissed the application by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking an order to nullify the elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, in April 2011. Justice Babs Kuewumi dismissed the application yesterday in a ruling he read based on the application by the PDP. The PDP sued the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former Resident Electoral Commissioner Rufus Akeju, asking for a reversal of all actions taken by Akeju, following a March 28, 2011, order by the court, which restrained him from conducting the 2011 National Assembly and House of Assembly elections. INEC conducted the April 2011 polls and all the seats were won by the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP, represented by Moses Ojo, sought four reliefs: a reversal of all steps taken by the first defendant and second defendant; an order to declare the National Assembly and House of Assembly elections null; an order directing INEC to withdraw the certificate of return given to the winners and an

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

order compelling INEC to conduct by-elections to fill the seats. But Justice Kuewumi held that “only election petitions tribunal can give such orders. The application is hereby dismissed”. INEC’s counsel Mrs. Faith Okoli hailed the ruling, describing it as erudite. Although PDP counsel Kehinde Adesiyan thanked the judge for the ruling, he said the party would appeal the ruling. Adesiyan said: “There was an order of this same court on March 28, 2011, which restrained Akeju from conducting the April 2011 elections but he went ahead and violated the order. “The court did not say anything on this but it is so clear that the order was disrespected. We will test the rulings, we will challenge it before the Court of Appeal. “The sanctity and sacredness of the judiciary must be respected, Akeju violated the order of the same court. “It was a pre-election matter and the election petitions tribunal has no power to hear pre-election matters. So we will challenge it.”

According to him, INEC as an independent body, acted within the purview of the law, adding that there was no need for consultation with the National Assembly before taking such step. "What led to the postponement is the question we need to ask. The commission would only require the National Assembly's approval in case there is need for another postponement. Which they won't get." Adeola described the allegation against Obanikoro as weighty and said there was need for an in-depth probe before the Senate's approval. "We are calling on the Senate to investigate before clearing Senator Obanikoro for any appointment. If he is found wanting, his nomination should be declined by the Senate."

Mimiko inaugurates mega school

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko will, tomorrow, inaugurate a Caring Heart Sub-Urban Mega Primary School in Akure, the state capital. A statement by the Commissioner for Information Kayode Akinmade yesterday, said the governor would inaugurate the school at Famese, Isokan in Akure. The project is one of many provided by the government since Mimiko assumed office six years ago. Over 50 mega schools are scattered across the three senatorial districts. The schools boast free school buses, uniforms, sandals, bags and books, alluring architecture, electromagnetic chalk boards and the computer laboratory with 50 Internetready computers for Type 1 schools.

Body found in Akure market From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE body of a 28-year-old lady was found yesterday near Erekesan market, Akure, the Ondo State capital. The victim was identified as Bose. Some traders said they saw her on Tuesday morning hale and hearty. A trader said: “We saw her on Tuesday in the market full of life, assisting some traders with their goods. It was gathered that her mother sells vegetables in the market. A source said: “At first, she was sick, but got better. She refused to stay in her parents’ house and was sleeping outside.” Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident but said he had not been properly briefed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NEWS Ogun LP candidate dies

ABOUR Party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun West Solomon Olamilekan is dead. He was 54. He died yesterday after complaining of a pain in his neck, according to LP Secretary in Ogun State, Sunday Oginni.

I’m alive, says Adeola

HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee and All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, is alive and well. Adeola took a break from his campaign, following the postponement of the general elections. He arrived in Abuja on Tuesday to resume plenary at the National Assembly. The lawmaker said all those who wished him dead should know that only God gives and takes life.

Lagos to retain death penalty

HE Lagos State government will retain the death penalty in its criminal law to serve as deterrence to criminals. An empirical research that surveyed the perception of Lagos residents also advised the state to execute those on death row. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Ade Ipaye, who said this in a statement yesterday, explained that the decision was taken at a meeting of the State Executive Council, which met and deliberated on the several abolition campaigns and international advocacy, which were addressed to the government.

By Adebisi Onanuga and Miriam Ekene-Okoro

Ipaye said: “In taking its decision, the state commissioned an empirical research that surveyed the perception of Lagos residents and elicited their opinion on the abolition debate, including whether or not they believe the death penalty deters violent crimes. “The objective of the survey is to develop a state policy on capital punishment that relies on empirical evidence and is based on consultation with citizens and stakeholders. “The survey was undertaken in two categories: public survey (ran-

dom selection of 2,000 members of the public) and the experts’ survey (selected 100 persons who have close contact with the criminal justice process and systems). “Over half of the respondents (51.1 per cent) advised the government to execute convicts on the death row. Only 38. 5 per cent maintained otherwise; 9.7 per cent were undecided; 0.8 per cent did not proffer any opinion. “Whilst 61.9 per cent of the respondents believed that the death penalty is a necessary retributive tool; as much as 59 per cent opined that the death penalty does not bring a sense of happiness to the family of the victim(s).

“A majority of the respondents (67.2 per cent), however, recommended that Lagos State should retain the death penalty.” According to him, the study found that gender, age and religion played important roles in understanding the orientation of Lagos residents on the issue of capital punishment. In the light of the results of the perceptions and expert survey, the commissioner said: “The state Executive Council adopted the position that the death penalty should be retained in the Criminal Law of Lagos State to serve as a deterrence against violent crimes, such as murder and robbery.”

Osun panel holds public hearing From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

HE Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Osun State government to investigate the cause of the land dispute between Ashipa and Ipetumodu communities in Ife-North Local Government yesterday held its first public hearing. But the two warring communities refused to yield ground on their demands. The crisis, which occurred on January 13, resulted in destruction of property, including burning of houses and destruction of farm lands worth several millions of naira. However, no life was lost in the communal clash, which lasted for days. Addressing the Justice Oyejide Falola-led panel, counsel to the Ashipa community Funminiyi Adeyemi asked the commission to recommend the removal of Akinola Market from Ashipa, identifying the location and time of the market as the cause of the crisis. But counsel to Ipetumodu community Afolabi Adedeji faulted Ashipa’s call to relocate the Akinola market. Adedeji asserted that the power to relocate the market was beyond the discretion of the panel.

I’ll care for teachers, says SDP candidate From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

HE governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has promised to alleviate the “suffering” of primary school teachers and train them to improve their productivity, if elected. Makinde made the promise at an interactive session with teachers in Ibadan, the state capital. He said most teachers age fast and lack constant in-training to make them better at their jobs. The SDP candidate said: “The best teacher is one with the basic tools to do the job; hence our desire to provide our schools with the necessary tools, if we have the opportunity to rule the state.” The leaders of the teachers, Oyedele Adelaja, said teaching, which is the mother of all professions, has remained the most neglected and the least catered for by successive governments. The gathering was attended by the teacher who taught Makinde in Primary Six, Pa Onaolapo Fantola, who was also a pupil under Makinde’s late father.

•Faleke (third left) , Eze Dimgba (fourth left), Eze Laz Okeke Oof Ikorodu (second right) , Igbokwe (third left) and others…yesterday. PHOTO DAYO ADEWUNMI

Igbo leaders endorse APC candidates

GBO leaders in Lagos have dissociated themselves from the purported endorsement of the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Igbo council, which comprises Igbo speaking community, Igbo community and Ohaneze group, said it has adopted the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The spokesperson of the group, Eze Uche Dimgba, called on all Igbo in the state to vote for the APC. He said: “Some people came from outside Lagos and meet with few titled holders. They issued a statement supporting PDP candidates in Lagos. That is not our position. “We are supporting the APC and

By Musa Odoshimokhe

this is the party we are going to vote for. We are calling on all Igbo people to support APC and vote for the party at all levels in the general elections. “Every election year, Igbo in Lagos run after the PDP but the APC usually wins the election. “If our host does not vote for PDP, we, Ndigbo, must support them so that we can enjoy dividends of democracy with them. “If you vote for the PDP, it’s going to be a waste of time; they can never win here, so we are going to vote for the APC.” He called on all Igbo people to discard any information telling them to support the PDP.

“The people claiming to be members of this council that endorsed PDP candidates are frauds. “The group does not belong to the Eze Ndigbo community in the state,” he added. Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe said the political calculation does not favour President Goodluck Jonathan, considering that the North and Southwest, which have the largest number of voters, have thrown their weight behind the APC presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. He urged the Igbo to support APC for the zone to actualise Igbo presidency in future. Igbokwe said an Igbo presidency

Obasanjo: Lagos PDP elders blast George

LDERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State have blasted a party chieftain, Chief Olabode George, for his comments on former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In a statement by Prof Tunde Olayinka, the elders said: “Whilst we are shocked at Chief Obasanjo’s action since an elder statesman is expected to be politically matured, we condemn in totality the words of Bode George, who called the former President an ingrate. “Bode George is the ingrate not Obasanjo. He lacks the moral right to insult the PDP’s National Leader, his benefactor and former godfather. “The Yoruba have a saying that a river that forgets its source will dry

up forever. Obasanjo made Bode George who he is today. “We want to recall that Bode George met us in PDP. He did not attend the April 1999 Jos convention, which delivered Obasanjo. “When Bode George joined the PDP, he was not recognised. At that time, Sarunmi was the PDP arrowhead in Lagos. “At the PDP Congress in October 1999 held at 1, Akilo Street, Ikeja, Obasanjo sent a directive to the delegates that Bode George should be imposed as the National Vice Chairman (Southwest) and Alhaji Murtala Ashorobi should be the Lagos State Chairman. Sarunmi became a minister at the time and Obasanjo told everybody

that Bode George was his eyes and ears and anybody who did not want him should leave the PDP. “Had he risen through the party hierarchy as required, he would not disrespect or misunderstand democratic norms. “He presides over the Lagos PDP affairs with military precision. “Why does Bode George try to play god all the time? He has deceived Jonathan and is still deceiving him. “Bode George is not our arrowhead and we reject him as a leader. He does not represent our views. “He is a beneficiary of the crisis between Obasanjo and Jonathan so he should stop fanning the embers of discord.”

can never be realised without the Igbo working with Hausa and Yoruba people, because they are the three major tribes in Nigeria. A member of the House of Representatives and Lagos State Coordinator Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, James Abiodun Faleke, assured the groups of government’s support. “If you show your support to us openly, there’s nothing you will not get in the state; you will be part of the government.”

Yoruba groups want new constitution

TAYESE, a Yoruba socio-cultural group, has called on the incoming government to draft a new constitution that would take cognisance of the peculiarities of the various ethnic groups. The chairman of the group, Tokunbo Ajasin, made the call yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, at a news conference. He said while the group had no political affiliation, it however believed that whoever won the presidential election should make the drafting of the new constitution a priority. “Our observation since the electioneering campaign began, have more than confirmed our belief that without a new constitution that effectively restructures our federation, we are more or less postponing the apocalypse.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

What does corporate governance do? It ensures that you have set up a structure and a culture within the institution that can drive the business in line with given rules. That’s what corporate governance does. -Seplat Petroleum Managing Director Mr Austin Avuru

$20b missing oil cash: Reps to probe Pricewater Cooper’s Report

XCEPT there is a lastminute change, opposi tion lawmakers in the House of Representatives will today demand that the forensic report of Pricewater Coopers on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) be investigated. The forensic audit report by Price Water House Coopers on the missing NNPC $20 billion oil money submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan whittled down the alleged missing sum to $1.48 billion. The motion, it was gathered, will be moved under urgent national importance and the APC is depending on its new found powers as the majority party in the House to push through the demand for a speedy investigation. The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola yesterday said the manner of appointment of PriceWater Coopers and the submission of its report was

• House to engage Okonjo-Iweala on 2015 budget From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

fraught with irregularities. According to him, the “chain of the appointment of the independent audit firm (PriceWaterHouse) and the submission of the report were wrong. “Auditor General did not know about the appointment of the PriceWaterHouse. He didn’t know of the terms of engagement, it was done by the ministry (Finance). So when they now brought the report, the Ministry of Finance now said don’t give it to me, go and give it to the President because the Auditor General is independent according to the Constitution. If they give it to her (Minister), it will be seen as if the office of the Auditor General is subsumed under Ministry of Finance. “They now took PriceWaterHouse to submit

it to the President and directed the President to give it to the Auditor General to present it to Nigerians. The House must cause them (Federal Government) to lay the report before us,” Adeola noted. The lawmaker reiterated his conviction that the whole report is a charade, wondering how out of $20billion, “NNPC was only indicted for $1.48billion. “We need to know where the balance of $18.52billion is,” he said. He said if need be, the House will appoint an independent consultant that will ascertain the forensic report on NNPC account to know the truthfulness or otherwise of the skeletal report put in the public domain. Meawhile, the House of Representatives is to engage the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala over the 2015 budget, it emerged yesterday. Due to the declining global crude oil price, lawmakers are to keen to resolve issues of benchmark and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) to enable early passage of the Appropriation bill. The Finance Minister had on December 17, 2014 presented an adjusted estimate of N4.357 trillion from the earlier proposed N4.661 trillion in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in which the benchmark was pegged at $73 per barrel. However, in a revised MTEF that was forwarded to the National Assembly a day before the presentation of the budget, the benchmark was put at $65 per barrel. Global oil price is currently hovering around $60.

• From left: Outgoing Director of UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Mr. Mike Purves; President Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Prince Adeyemi Adefulu and new Director of UKTI, Mr. Chris Maskell during a send forth luncheon organized by Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) in honour of the outgoing Director of UKTI, Mr. Mike Purves in Lagos...yesterday.

BPE to partner stakeholders for passage of bills

HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has said that it is prepared to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders for the early passage of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (Anti-Trust) Bill. This was contained in a press statement issued yesterday by the BPE’s Acting Head, Public Communications, Alex Okoh. The Bill is among the eight approved by the Federal Executive Council

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

(FEC) last Wednesday for onward transmission to the National Assembly for passage. The other Bills are: the National Transport Commission Bill (2015); ýNational Roads Fund Bill; ýFederal ýRoads Authority Bill; Nigeria Ports and Harbour Authority Bill (2015); ýNational Inland Waterways Authority Bill (2015) and the Nigeria Railway Authority Bill

(2015).ý BPE’s Director General (DG),Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, while receiving the DG of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs. Catherine Dupe Atoki in his office last Tuesday, said an interagency Project Delivery Team (PDT) would soon be set up to achieve the goal. He said the PDT which will be led by the Ministry of Industry, Trade & Invest-

ment would have other relevant ministries and government agencies. Dikki disclosed that the Bureau had already drawn up a roadmap, specifying the role each stakeholder would play and said it would recommend to government that CPC formed the nucleus of the agency that would emerge as a regulator in the sector, similar to the role the Shippers Council is playing in Ports regulation.

Lagos records 83 per cent budget performance

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, yesterday took a retrospective look at the performance of the state’s 2014 budget, revealing that it recorded an impressive 83 per cent cumulative performance. Fashola, who spoke to journalists after a budget review meeting held at the Lagos

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

House, Ikeja, noted that the fourth quarter performance was 77 percent and the cumulative percent was 83 percent. According to him, “We have started work on 2015 budget while some people are still unable to present their budget for 2015. That is

the difference between us and them. “Our budget is all about service and some of the impact of the fourth quarter performance would be seen in the completed court buildings in Epe, Ikeja and the solar powered projects in the primary schools and PHCs. Also, progress made on Road

construction across the stateAgiliti, Isheri-Oshun and others.” Fashola said the Gbagada Cardiac and Renal Centre has been completed and would be commissioned very soon, assuring that the state government will strive to complete many of the on-going projects.

The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, while disclosing the decision of the lawmakers reached at a three-hour closed-door session said the lawmakers were in agreement that a special Committee be raised to engage the Finance Ministry and the Budget Office. Chairman Appropriation Committee, John Eno and his Finance Committee counter-

part, Abdulmumin Jibrin were expected to co-chair the Committee that included Banking and Currency Committee Chairman, Jones Onyereri, and Bimbo Daramola. Others are Yinka Ajayi, Jerry Manwe, Linus Okorie, Ibrahim Babangida, Yakub Dogara, Tajudeen Yusuf, Nnenna Ukeje, Pat Asadu, Nicholas Ossai, Babatunde Adajare, Sokonte Davis, Isa Gusau, Rep Abubakar Momoh and Dan Akpan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Our foxy president

Okrika : A violence foretold

•The first lady and her supporters should rein in the bloody tempest in her hometown

S the home town of Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Okrika, in Rivers State ordinarily ought to be one of the safest and politically secure places not only in the state but in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Okrika has become one of the most insecure, intolerant and violence-prone towns in the country. For instance, a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) members from the town were ambushed, shot and injured on their way to Port Harcourt, the state capital, last month, to attend the party’s presidential rally. Indeed, the APC in Rivers State had repeatedly alleged that Dame Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had vowed that the party would not be allowed to campaign for votes in Okrika. As if to confirm the party’s claim, the APC Secretariat in the Abam-Ama part of Okrika

‘What transpired in Okrika at the APC rally was an assault on two cardinal freedoms: of movement and association. They are critical ingredients of democracy. It also raises serious questions again as regards the role of Dame Patience Jonathan in the politics of Rivers State’

was bombed on January 11. On January 16, the party’s secretariat at Ngo, Headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area was the target of explosives. The APC gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Mr Dakuku Peterside, had to cancel his campaign in Okrika scheduled for January 24 when bombs went off on the playground of the National School in the town where the event should have held. It is instructive that the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr Nyesom Wike, had earlier campaigned at the same venue on January 22, with Dame Jonathan in attendance. There was no violence. When it was Mr Peterside’s turn to campaign at the National School field, all hell broke loose. It was a violence foretold. Before the arrival of the APC candidate at the venue, three explosives had been detonated ripping off parts of the school building. Neither the candidate nor his supporters were deterred. Thousands of APC supporters thronged the National School grounds to attend the rally. We salute their resilience, courage and commitment to democracy. Obviously determined to prevent the campaign from holding at all cost, unidentified gunmen opened fire on the crowd, causing a stampede. At the end of it all, one policeman was shot dead and four others critically injured. A Channels Television reporter, Charles Eruka, was stabbed. At least 50 people were injured. It was another sad day for democracy in Nigeria. We commend the police who did their best to contain the ugly situation even though they were outnumbered by the

gangsters. What transpired in Okrika at the APC rally was an assault on two cardinal freedoms: of movement and association. They are critical ingredients of democracy. It also raises serious questions again as regards the role of Dame Patience Jonathan in the politics of Rivers State. The APC has pointedly accused her of being responsible for the violence. It will be very difficult for her to credibly deny this given her well-known roles in the series of crises designed to cripple governance in the state. The First Lady has never disguised her contempt for Governor Rotimi Amaechi and fervent support for Mr Wike’s ambition. Of course, she is perfectly entitled to her political choices as a Nigerian citizen. However, a genuinely popular party or candidate has no reason to exhibit the kind of political nervousness responsible for the desperate attempt to prevent the APC from campaigning in Okrika. We consider it curious that the First Lady was in Okrika at the weekend before the APC rally, holding political consultations. Indeed, 11 members of a delegation that visited her from Bayelsa State perished on their return journey. We thought she and her supporters should still be in a mood of mourning and sobriety. Even though we doubt their ability and will to do so in this season of anomy in Nigeria, we still call on the security agencies to thoroughly investigate this dastardly occurrence and bring the culprits to book.

Nine percent Capex •It reflects a failure of government and imagination

EPORTS that the Federal Government has reduced capital expenditure (capex) to about nine percent of the N4.357trillion 2015 budget should depress not only economic experts but anyone with a little understanding of budgeting, vis-à-vis its implications for the economy. The revised budget submitted to the National Assembly indicates that capex for the current year is now pegged at N387 billion ($2billion) or exactly 8.9 percent of the entire budget. Against the 23.7 percent projected for capex last year, this year’s capex budget outlay is a significant drop. Indeed, it is now only slightly more than half of the N634billion that the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, proposed for capex and related items in her budget presentation last month. This drastic reduction would no doubt have profound effects on the badly needed investment in infrastructure. Although it was necessitated by the collapse in the price of crude oil, Nigeria’s mainstay, it remains to be seen if this is the best way to handle the shortfall in the country’s revenue. Budgets generally consist of two parts: recurrent and capital expenditure. Recurrent expenditure has to do with wages and salaries as well as statutory transfers, debt service and purchase of goods and services. Capital expenditure, on the other hand, has to do with investments in schools, bridges, hospitals, etc. It is therefore no gainsaying the fact that it is recurrent expenditure that keeps government going even though its benefits to the larger economy is neither long-lasting nor com-

prehensive. Civil servants it is that profit mainly from recurrent expenditure. Capital expenditure however has long-lasting impact and it is the one that touches many people directly because it has effects on quality of living. When, for instance, government constructs roads and bridges, they may not put money into people’s pockets directly but they help facilitate movement which ultimately saves the cost of doing business. Their multiplier effects are enormous. This is why it should worry us that successive governments in the country, even since the return to civil rule in 1999, have devoted more resources to recurrent expenditure at the expense of capital expenditure. With the reported commitment of only about nine percent of this year’s budget to capital expenditure, it means the chunk of 91 percent would go to making civil servants happy because they are the ones that benefit most from recurrent expenditure. In a country with an acute deficit of infrastructure - roads, good schools, power, etc., this is not something to celebrate. Unfortunately, most governments in the country cannot reverse the trend because of possible political backlash. Of course, our public functionaries too cannot justify the stupendous money they cream off the system by way of allowances and other emoluments. So, asking civil servants to downsize becomes a moral issue. It becomes particularly knotty in a crucial election year like the one we are in, when governments fear treading on workers’ toes.

This problem has lingered because successive governments failed to plan. It is a challenge that they could have been reducing gradually over the years if the political will had been there. By not addressing it, we are merely postponing the doomsday because it ultimately would continue to haunt the country. The reason why we have been having so little development is because we have been committing so little to it. A situation where the government is the largest employer of labour is not good for any country. That is why government must invest heavily in infrastructure in order to stimulate economic activities, especially by the private sector. Power supply is key here. Moreover, the time to stop paying lip service to diversification of our economy is now. It is worth it if that is the only lesson we can learn from the current downturn in our fortune due to dwindling crude prices.

‘This problem has lingered because successive governments failed to plan. It is a challenge that they could have been reducing gradually over the years if the political will had been there. By not addressing it, we are merely postponing the doomsday because it ultimately would continue to haunt the country’

IR: Nigerians will recall that barely six months into his first term, President Goodluck Jonathan broached the idea of a seven-year single term for president and governors in office. Thank God, Nigerians quickly saw through the bait and vehemently rejected the idea. Then came the second brain-child of the president: the National Conference that he set up early last year, ostensibly to fashion out a better constitution for this nation, but was actually one of those tricks from the president’s bag to pave way for his treasured hope of selling another tenure elongation dummy to the nation for himself. Again Nigerians raised their voice vehemently against the proposal. Mercifully for Nigerians, the National Conference overwhelmingly voted against it, and as Nigerians would say, “they died the matter”! Not yet done with his obsession to stay in power forever, two weeks to the general elections, the president through his acolytes, started flying the kite of elections postponement when the National Council of State failed him in the quest for election postponement. He then called on his military chiefs to subtly muscle the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to announce that the elections could not go on as scheduled because of the Boko Haram war that the military has suddenly woken up to realize that elections were very very near and has to fight and win! Six weeks to do what they have failed to do in a long period of almost six years! Fellow Nigerians, if the president truly has a clean and clear heart for this elections, is it not now that our forces with those of Chad, Niger and Cameroon should rain bullets and bombs on the insurgents and finish them off once and for all? The Chadian forces alone as reported in the papers drove the insurgents from the border town of Gamboru recently. So why can’t one half of our military stave off the rebels for two weeks while Nigerians perform their constitution duties of casting their votes to elect their president, governors and representatives? The answer very clearly, lies in the heart of the president. On Wednesday February 11, it was announced in the media that Femi Fani-Kayode, the president’s campaign media chief, revealed the real reason Prof. Jega asked for the extra six weeks to hold the elections: purported INEC’s inability to be ready for the February elections. Has the military not stated earlier on that it was not ready to provide security during the February elections now rescheduled? All this means that the military doesn’t want to seen as the agency responsible for stalling our democracy. Somebody has to be blamed for it, hence, Fani-Kayode has shifted the burden from the military and heaped it all on INEC chairman, Jega. Poor Jega! The PDP is doing everything possible to make a jest of him in a matter that has dire consequences for the nation if not properly handled. But nobody can be fooled. President Jonathan’s antecedents and body language have shown clearly that he is acting a Maradonic script. He should be reminded however about the fate of all those who travelled this way before. They have all come to grieve! A word they say is enough for the wise! It is really sad to hear our president say that Jega did not consult him before announcing the elections postponement. It is baffling. Was it Jega that convened the National Council of State meeting to deliberate on elections postponement? Is Jega in charge of the military and the security forces that said they were not available for the election on February 14 and 28? The tail sadly, is now certainly waging the dog! Our foxy president. He came in like a lamb. He soon turned a lion. And now, he has become a law unto himself! God have mercy! • Olu Ajayi Ibadan

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

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Numerous reactions, domestic and foreign, have trailed the monumental event of Saturday, February 7, when Professor Attahiru Jega, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the postponement of the general elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. Numerous questions have also been asked, including the following: • Was INEC truly ready to conduct the general elections from February 14 as previously scheduled? • Why had over 700,000 ad hoc INEC staff not been fully mobilized and trained for the elections, prior to the postponement? • Why had the card readers not been fully procured, pre-tested and made ready for the elections, a few days to the e-day? • What accounts for the obvious lopsided distribution and collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) as have been widely reported in the media – with a mega-state like Lagos recording barely 38% while Kaduna State recorded 87%, and strife-torn Borno State, with thousands of internally displaced persons, achieved 80%? These questions – and many more like them – cannot simply be swept under the carpet. Indeed, getting the elections right on March 28 and April 11 will depend a great deal on how these critical questions are addressed by all concerned persons, agencies and institutions. The reactions of the international community have also been varied – and should also be evaluated dispassionately. Apart from the United States which expressed its deep disappointment over the decision to postpone the general elections due to security concerns, and condemned what it called political interference with INEC, other major countries, global organizations and regional blocs showed more understanding of the circumstances

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The world is watching Jega surrounding the postponement of the elections. To underscore the strategic importance of Nigeria – and of happenings in Nigeria – in the comity of nations, the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, reportedly telephoned both President Jonathan and General Buhari after the rescheduling of the Nigerian general elections. The Secretary General noted the decision of the Nigerian Independent Electoral Commission to postpone the general elections and urged the elec-

toral authorities to take all necessary measures, such as the rapid distribution of the remaining Permanent Voter Cards, to enable all eligible citizens, including those displaced, to exercise their right to vote in a timely manner. The Secretary General hoped that the elections would meet the high expectations of the Nigerian people and the international community. These reactions of the international community have been generally positive – underscoring the

need for all stakeholders to accept the postponement in good faith and use the intervening period to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible general election, while maintaining fidelity to the presidential inauguration date of May 29. Overall, apart from the serious security concerns in the North-east, it is obvious that INEC was ill-prepared to conduct the elections on February 14 because over a third (34%) of all registered voters were

yet to get their permanent voters cards prior to the postponement. In addition, as widely reported in the media, the training and simulation exercises for INEC officials and thousands of ad hoc staff on how to use the card readers for the permanent voters’ cards during the polls had not been conducted. The training manuals were not ready while simulations for the card readers had not been conducted. Professor Jega has built a solid reputation for integrity over the years, especially with the widely acclaimed successful conduct of the 2011 general elections. Jega should not allow himself – and his previous achievements and reputation – to be rubbished by the obviously shoddy preparations for the 2015 general elections. • Kelechi Onyemaobi Abuja.

Buhari: Facts and fallacies IR: Of all the lies being peddled by the PDP to blotch the personality of General Muhammadu Buhari, labelling him a religious bigot is most particularly damning and fraudulent. At the slightest opportunity, the PDP and its cronies resort to the religious card as part of the ploy to present him in bad light. What the PDP promoter of the lies are yet to tell Nigerians is how a man who ruled the nation as a military dictator and didn’t Islamize the country would do same as a civilian president, with all the democratic checks and balances in place. The truth of the matter is that Gen Buhari is a practicing Muslim and there is actually nothing wrong with this. The Nigerian constitution permits every Nigerian to practice the religion that he/she believes in and in the way he chooses to. President Jonathan has been hopping from one church to the other across the country. He was once in Jerusalem with some Christian leaders and a few Chris-

tian members of his cabinet and party. He is actually free to do this as guaranteed by the constitution of the country. But then, why is General Buhari being unnecessarily vilified for his faith? Till date, no one could actually lay claim to any instance when the General has acted in ways that hinder others from practicing their religion. As it is often said, opinions are free but facts are sacred. When General Buhari took over as the military Head of State in 1984, out of the 19 military governors, he appointed, 11 of them were Christians. The record is there for whoever cares to corroborate. The fear of the PDP as expressed by President Jonathan that Buhari would send some Nigerians to jail for corruption as soon as he becomes the president is no surprise. His government courts corruption, and deserve nobody’s sympathy. Corrupt public officers and their accomplices belong nowhere but jail houses. However, the truth is that under democracy, and the rule

of law, due-process will be guiding principle. If the General, like any rational leader, is going to fight corruption, he would have to do that within the confines of the law. Nigeria is not a banana republic. The constitution remains the guiding document of faith in the country. It is true Dr. Jonathan has been treating this sacred document with impunity, and believes this would be the same under Buhari. What the country needs presently is a leader with the anti-corruption stance of General Buhari. Our major problem has been the mismanagement of our resources by a crop of visionless and selfish leaders. At the last count, the Jonathan administration could not account for over $100bn! Corruption remains the bane of the country and any leader who can tackle corruption headlong could actually move the nation to the Promised Land. What we have now is a government that has turned corruption and deception into instruments of governance. The end results are the

several woes that have befallen the country. When sane and patriotic economic analysts in the country were cautioning our leaders about an impending economic woe, the all-knowing economic managers in Abuja simply shrugged it off as the ranting of ants. However, Nigerians now know better as a regime of austerity measures have been forced down our throats. For the PDP, corruption is a way of life. Fuel subsidy rip-off linking sons of ex-PDP chairmen, the Halliburton scam, the pension scam, the national identity card scam, the electricity scam, the NPA corruption scandal, to mention just a few are some of the complex corruption cases through which the PDP has thrown the country into a mess. What stands Buhari apart is the very element that is lacking in the current crop of leadership we have in this nation today – INTEGRITY! • Lateef Raji Lagos

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

COMMENTS

The fall and fall of the Naira

N 1973 when the Yakubu Gowon post-civil war government introduced the Naira, it was at par with the West African currency board pound sterling that we were then using along with The Gambia and Sierra Leone. Ghana as an independent country under Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah had withdrawn from the West African common currency in 1957. This was one of the regrettable but understandable decisions of Nkrumah to assert his country’s independence and new status but which from privilege of hindsight set West African economic integration years back. The pound sterling we were using until 1973 when we changed to the Naira was at par with the British pound. The result was that there was no reason in the world for Nigerians to have foreign accounts as a hedge against the fluctuating local currency. But how things have changed . The increase in national revenue following stupendous growth of the oil industry after the civil war in 1970 guaranteed the strength of the Naira. Even though there was corruption in the Yakubu Gowon admnistration, it did not reach the current prevailing epidemic, endemic and industrial level of today. For years after the introduction of the Naira, it remained stable to the extent that the mad drive to have foreign money by Nigerians was not there. I remember when I was Director of the National Universities Commission’s office respectively in Ottawa, Canada and later in Washington DC in the United States from 1978 to 1982, I refused to take my salaries in dollars because there was no advantage or benefit from availing myself of that opportunity. I was merely living on my foreign service allowance. The point I am making is that the Naira remained strong and respectable and convertible. I remember that while recruiting Americans and Canadians for our then new universities in Jos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Benin, Sokoto, Bayero Kano, Ilorin, Yola and Bauchi, we used to just multiply the Naira salaries paid to Nigerian professors by two to get the American equivalent. In other words, one Naira converted to two American dollars. A professor in Nigerian universities then earned N16,000 per annum which was respectable US$32,000. The national currency of a country is a symbol of a country’s power and pride. When as in post-First World War Germany, the Reichmarks became worthless as a result of Germany’s humiliating Versailles diktat, it led directly to the rise of Adolf Hitler and his determined campaign of righting the wrong of Versailles. We are in this country reaching a point where the national currency is becoming an embarrassment and a symbol of our current weakness in the face of internal and external challenges to our sovereignty. I remember the late 1980s when after ruining the country, the Shagari regime was overthrown because of its spend-

Y heart aches over what is happening in the military today. Our armed forces, which used to be the envy of their counterparts in sub-Sahara Africa, have turned to something else. Our military, sorry to say, has become one of anything goes not because it does not still have thoroughbred professionals in its rank, but because of its top echelon's new found romance with the nation's leaders. I write with a heavy heart because I never thought that a day like this would come in the life of our military. What is happening in the military calls for concern. As stakeholders in the Nigerian project, we cannot afford to keep quiet while a few people are toying with one of the institutional fabrics that holds the nation together. We agree that for the military to function well, it must not distance itself from the corridors of power, but such relationship should not turn to that of master-servant. Its top brass must know where to draw the line so that the military does not become the foot soldier of the government of the day. Many believe that this is what is happening today. As an institution, the military is bigger than its leaders. It is even

311 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

thrift nature and uncontrolled corruption, the Naira began its downward spiral. When Babangida took over government from the duo of the no-nonsense Idiagbon and Buhari, the International Monetary Fund moved in with its oneremedy-fits-all policy of structural adjustment programme which the Buhari regime had refused. It was during the Babangida regime that the exposed nature of Nigeria’s economy became apparent. Babangida was forced first to float the Naira which was then changing at four Naira to a dollar when he took over government. I remember the personal financial loss I suffered when in 1991, I left Nigeria to assume duty as ambassador in Germany, my savings suffered a depreciation of almost 100 percent. The Naira by 1991 was changing at 10 to a dollar and by the time the Structural Adjustment programme imposed on the country had run its full course, the economy of the country had been destroyed and with it the middle class had been wiped out. Those who had money before were then reduced to penury and there began the fashion of owning foreign accounts against the future. If the situation were stable this would have been totally unnecessary because in most cases these accounts earn little or no interest at all. From this period onwards, the Naira continued to reflect the inherent weakness not just of the Nigerian economy, but of the Nigerian state itself. The use of the American dollar as a reserve currency in the world is a symbol of American hegemony in the world, a hegemony that has made the last century the American century. The Chinese Yuan may in course of time and all things being equal rise to the same prominence in the world’s economic medium of exchange. There was a time in the 1970s when the naira was acceptable all over West Africa and also in the bazaars of Sheperd Bush in London! Gone are those days when Nigeria, victorious from a civil war and loaded with wealth was not only helping Africa’s fighting forces of colonialism in Southern Africa, but was also dispensing monetary largesse in the West Indies. We can only remember those halcyon years with nostalgia. The precipitous fall of the naira is always during the time of crisis at home when those who feel they may lose out in the struggle for power resort to carrying their loot abroad and therefore were ready to change their unearned income to foreign currency at any available rate. This phenomenon is not unique to Nigeria; it is simply a manifestation of under development. This is why black or parallel markets of currency exchange are only found in underdeveloped economies. We have now more or less reached a point of no return in the destruction of the national currency when it crossed the 200 to a dollar mark. It is not just because the price of oil has

fallen, serious as this is, it is because of total mismanagement of the economy by the so-called expert from the World Bank whose contribution in a time of plenty was publishing what states and local government earned as if this was neuro science! This so-called World Bank expert Jide continued telling her Osuntokun employers in Abuja what sacrifice she was making without telling them the benefits that were accruing to her. Now, the chicken has come home to roost and it is dead silence from the guru of World Bank who has now ensured that we are again prostrate for another Bretton Woods institutions treatment. This World Bank Trojan horse has delivered. If we survive the current economic and political problems, we will again be dictated to by outsiders masquerading as dogooders on the way out of the woods and we may by then be so economically weak that we we would have no choice than to bite the bullet. It is then that social Armageddon may be visited on this country and saints and sinners may be swept away in the blind fury of people’s uncontrolled anger. We may yet avoid this if we defend the naira through disciplined management of our foreign trade. We are importing too many things we do not need. Why are we importing all these wines one sees in every corner of our our country? Why are we the second largest consumer of champagne in the world outside France? Why do we allow our plutocrats to indulge themselves in buying planes and we are boasting that it is a sign of how big our economy is? This shows complete disconnect between us and our rulers. We can half our import bill, encourage local production of rice and substitute wheat with other cereals and generally assist efforts of imports substitution and local industrialization. The result of this will be reduction of our need for foreign exchange and even at current earnings, we would have surplus and be able to defend the naira at a respectable exchange rate. If and when we transit to a much more disciplined regime with no tolerance for rampant corruption, we should have a currency that reflects our aspiration as a medium power in the world and one that is dominant in our continent.

Can we still trust the military? bigger than the sovereign leader, the president, who is its Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C) because presidents come and go, but the military will remain forever. This is what our military leaders should bear in mind at this critical juncture of the nation's life. Should we destroy the military in order to help some people to realise their inordinate ambition of retaining power? The military is there to protect democracy. At least, this is what the armed forces of nations, which appreciate democracy, do. Our military cannot afford to be different in this age and time. Despite its claim of impartiality, the truth is the military has not been neutral in the countdown to the forthcoming general elections. It has been working hand in glove with the government, which fished for excuses in order to postpone the elections from February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11. If the military does not know, I think we should let it know that the Jonathan administration used it to get the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the elections. INEC was set for the elections despite its challenges with the ongoing distribution of the Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs). Those seeking polls postponement were initially asking that the elections be shifted because of INEC's inability to ensure 100% distribution of the cards as if there is anywhere in the world where 100% distribution of voter's card is achieved before elections. National Security Adviser (NSA) Sabo Dasuki was among those seeking postponement on that ground. Having lost that argument, he came up with the issue of insecurity in the Northeast. Insurgency has been part of Northeast since 1999, yet elections were held there in 2011 as

noted by President Goodluck Jonathan during his media chat last week. If elections were held as scheduled in the Northeast in 2011, why can’t they hold as scheduled in 2015? The NSA does not have an answer to that, but to satisfy his masters, who do not want the elections to hold as scheduled for reasons best known to them, he came up with the insecurity gambit and the military brass fell for it. If the military had stood its ground the first in the series of elections would have been held last Saturday. The six-week postponement they got would soon run out and the elections will come and go, but the military’s role will long be remembered and it may in future become a research topic. Although the military denies its involvement in politics, there is ample evidence that it is neck deep in it. It was used to malign its former C-i-C, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate during the orchestrated noise over his school certificate. Now, it is being used to also abuse another former C-i-C, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. What is Obasanjo’s offence? He accused the military of plotting tenure elongation for Jonathan by using the insecurity ploy to get INEC to postpone the polls. In an unsigned statement posted on its website, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said Obasanjo’s unguarded utterances were becoming an embarrassment to the military. The DHQ took Obasanjo to the cleaners, saying : ‘’Much as the military desires to respect the old General and his views, it has become necessary to point out that his conduct…of late has fallen short of the standard of discipline expected

of an individual who has had the privilege of service in the military and risen to the status of a general. The behaviour of General (Chief) Obasanjo has been so unbecoming and continues to constitute a serious embarrassment to the military…we feel constrained to remind the old General that the world has moved beyond that parochial and self adulating reasoning and mindset, which he seems stuck to. ‘’Indeed, he needs to be told that by virtue of their better training , exposure, education, assessment and environment the military personnel of today are already far beyond his level in their appreciation of democracy and its indispensability for the stable and prosperous society which Nigerians cherish’’. It is, however, curious that nobody signed the statement. It was like the June 23, 1993 statement annulling the June 12 election, which was not signed by the Babangida administration because it knew it was embarking on a wrong course of action. If the military knew that it had a strong case it would have signed that statement to prove that its heart is in what it is doing. How are we sure that it was not handed that statement by superior authority and asked to issue the release? he military has a lot of self cleansing to do. What does it make of the revelations of Army Captain Sagir Koli, an Intelligence officer, who was lately of the 32 Artillery Brigade in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on how the military was used to rig the Ekiti State governorship election last June 21? To borrow DHQ’s words, does that show a military that appreciates democracy and its indispensability for the stable and prosperous society which Nigerians cherish? Is that a military which

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

conduct has not fallen short of expected standard and discipline? Is that a military which behaviour is not unbecoming? Koli was an insider, who knew all that transpired during the Ekiti poll. Because he cannot in good conscience continue to live a lie, he spilled the beans. As the captain rightly noted the military has a role to play in the sustenance of democracy. We agree with him totally. This is why the military should not be a party to the killing of democracy with the kind of rigging it purportedly lent support to during the Ekiti election. There is no gainsaying the fact that our democracy is in the military’s hands. If it thrives, it will be to its glory, but if it fails, it will be to its eternal shame.

‘There is no gainsaying the fact that our democracy is in the military’s hands. If it thrives, it will be to its glory, but if it fails it will be to its eternal shame’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

COMMENTS

AST Monday, after several months of bitter war of words, Obasanjo finally dumped the PDP. He had justified his exit with a Yoruba idiom. “They said they want to expel me from the PDP…We have been trying to run away from a mad man but he pleads we wait for him at the other side of the river.” That in itself is probably indicative of close affinity between the duos. Obasanjo and PDP are like Siamese twins. Separation is often not advisable. In most cases, one has to die for the other to live. The game of death has started in earnest with Ayo Fayose, a man who ordinarily does not place much value on integrity saying “the former President was a man without honour” and describing his exit as “a good riddance to bad rubbish”. By virtue of EFCC’s outstanding case of Fayose’s alleged mismanagement of N19 billion on failed poultry project before his impeachment in 2006, I think he is better placed to know how PDP’s leading lights convert public funds to personal use. He is therefore eminently qualified to insist that “Obasanjo shouldn’t just tear his PDP membership card, he should relinquish the ownership of Bell University, Obasanjo Farms, Obasanjo Presidential Library, and other financial benefits he got during his eight years as President.’’ But an alert and ever calculating Obasanjo knew when to throw in the towel. He has been out-witted by his foxier godson, a grandmaster of political intrigue who has traded him off with the likes of Buruji Kashamu, Ayo Fayose, Jelili Adesiyan, Gbenga Daniel, Musiliu Obanikoro whose antecedents are well known to Nigerians. He is also conscious of the difficulty of claiming any moral superiority over his associates like Tony Anenih, ‘Mr. Fixer’ of election results; Tom Ikimi, Bode George; Ojo Maduekwe, (fiery campaigner for ‘Abacha for ever’, Jerry Gana (inner circle member of all PDP governments since 1999 who recently donated N5 billion on behalf of his unnamed friends towards Jonathan’s re-election bid}, and Ahmadu Alli who as chairman of PPPRA, presided over an alleged theft of N1.6 trillion by fraudsters otherwise described as fuel importers. Obasanjo as the father of PDP also provided an umbrella cover for his PDP family members as they embarked on ‘do or die election’, a euphemism for rigging, the wrecking of the economy through illimplemented privatization programme, which resulted in the sales of once viable companies such as Nigerian Airways, The Daily Times, Nicon Insurance, banks, Nicon Noga Hilton, PHCN, mostly to PDP members

OUR recent publications in several national dailies illustrate various dimensions of discipleship which has become a topical concept not only in Nigeria but globally. They are: The chance of prosperity versus poverty of austerity by Bola Ahmed Tinubu; PMS pump price reduction and the economy: My take-away by Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN; Buhari vs. Jonathan: Beyond the election by Charles Chukwuma Soludo; and Buhari has not satisfied the constitution – Adebanjo being an interview of Chief Ayo Adebanjo. These publications addressed several current national issues, and gave insight into the perceptions, priorities and prejudices of the respective authors, and illustrated the various manifestations of discipleship. Tinubu’s article is a well-researched critique of the macro-economic policy of the federal government, and a spirited articulation of his preferred strategy for the creation of wealth and jobs. Fashola similarly presented a constructive critique of the government’s policy on the price of fuel. Soludo critically reviewed the economic policies of the Jonathan government as well as the proposed policy of the opposition party, APC. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the views expressed in the three articles, it cannot be denied that each addressed issues, and articulated researched, reasoned, balanced arguments; they criticized extant policy and practice, and presented alternatives. To that extent they were in the tradition of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Indeed in his article Soludo acknowledged this hallmark of the sage. In his interview, Chief Adebanjo declared his preference for President Jonathan and his aversion to General Buhari’s candidature in the imminent presidential elections; he admonished the people of the South-West to support Jonathan in order to avoid “making a big mistake and digging their own graves”; he emphasized that his position was based on “principles”; he explained that, because he and his colleagues in their faction of Afenifere are “strictly Awolowo’s disciples”, they do not “modify Awo’s principles for

Obasanjo vs. Jonathan and PDP and their fronts at give-away prices according to the House of Representatives report. Obasanjo also presided over the sharing of our national patrimony through an ingenious PDP creation called monetization policy through which physical assets in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Port Harcourt Ibadan etc inherited from our colonial masters were sold at give-away prices to privileged members of the ruling elite. As part of the conspiracy to ensure our refineries did not work, cashstrapped PDP men came up with an ingenious creation called Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) to give patronage to party members as fuel importers under the phantom subsidy regime which ended in alleged theft of an estimated N1.6 trillion according to a House probe. We must not forget to add that it was also under Obasanjo as PDP leader we had unresolved political assassinations of prominent PDP members involved in intraparty feuds and those they invited ‘to come and chop’ like Bola Ige and Sunday Afolabi. To cover up all his sins against our nation, Obasanjo has chosen this moment when our nation is under siege by a Boko Haram insurgency that has already killed over 16 million mostly innocent Nigerians while rendering about 1. 6 million homeless in the north-eastern Nigeria and when PDP has brought the nation to its knees through inept leadership and monumental stealing which they claim is not corruption. He has accused President Jonathan of an attempt to prolong our nightmare by trying to play Laurent Gbagbo - perpetuate himself in office or cause chaos if he loses the rescheduled March 28

presidential election. But rather than address the issues, empty and self-serving Jonathan aides are claiming Obasanjo who has governed Nigeria at different periods for about 11 years, an eminent international personality whose opinions count for much outside our shores was out to ‘maliciously impugn the integrity of President Jonathan for the primary purpose of self-promotion’. They forgot Boko Haram has already stripped the administration of integrity. They also claimed “it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for Chief Obasanjo, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by ‘hook or crook’ even when PDP’s leading lights had said they would do anything to ensure PDP holds on to power and in fact projected they would rule for 60 years. The problem is that the spokespersons for a government facing crisis of integrity are themselves facing credibility crisis because of their antecedents. The medium, as they say, is the message. It is also not too long ago, Obasanjo told Nigerians that the president undermined his party governorship candidates in Ondo and Anambra as trade-off for their support for his candidacy in the 2015 election. Ex-Governor Peter Obi of Anambra and Governor Segun Mimiko of Ondo have since dumped their parties to become campaign managers for the president’s re-election bid. Besides, the President and PDP are dealing with an Obasanjo who does not hide behind one finger. He crudely told Awo the best man didn’t have to win the 1979 election. He went

out of his way to favour Shehu Shagari, daring his Yoruba people who later ensured he lost election even in his ward during the 1999 Presidential election. But he was not ashamed to campaign for Shagari’s ouster after he and his NPN wrecked the economy in four years through profligate consumption and went on to award themselves ‘landslide and sea-slide’ victories in the 1983 elections. Obasanjo literarily chased Babangida and his government and ‘army of anything is possible’ out of office following his fraudulent eight years ‘transition without end’. He installed Umaru Yar’Adua as president by rigging him into office but was not hesitant to tell him to hand over to someone else when he fell ill. And today as the nation is brought to its knees by PDP buccaneers desperately pushing for four more years for Jonathan to enable them continue with massive stealing which they believe only Jonathan can condone, Obasanjo is smart enough to know it is time to dump PDP and identify with beleaguered Nigerians. And finally, the much hyped good luck of Jonathan pales in significance when compared with Obasanjo who has been buffeted by good fortune all his life. During the civil war, it was his good fortune to take the glory for the work done by Benjamin Adekunle, the ‘Black Scorpion’. Murtala Muhammed set out the transition programme in 1976, Obasanjo took the glory by becoming the first African military leader to voluntarily hand over to civilian administration. MKO Abiola his Egba kinsman won an election but died in detention defending his mandate while Obasanjo, condemned to death by Abacha came out of prison to wear the crown. As PDP’s President Jonathan and his prosperity prophets set out in this war against an Obasanjo, who has always had fortune smiling upon him, they must be wary of ‘the ides of March’.

‘The much hyped good luck of Jonathan pales in significance when compared with Obasanjo who has been buffeted by good fortune all his life. During the civil war, it was his good fortune to take the glory for the work done by Benjamin Adekunle, the ‘Black Scorpion’.

Meaning of discipleship By Kayode Oyediran our(their) own interest”. He did not elaborate on the “principles”. Chief Adebanjo’s choice of candidate – indeed the choice of any Nigerian – cannot and should not be questioned, and he need not proffer any reason for it. However if, as in this case, he decides to give reasons for his choice, it is legitimate to examine the reasons proffered. Therefore I wish to comment on four of the reasons presented by Chief Adebanjo namely: implementation of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference, the character of General Buhari, the qualifications of Buhari, and the suitability of Professor Osinbajo as Vice-Presidential candidate. Chief Adebanjo stated that he is supporting Jonathan “because he is the only man who can implement the recommendations of the national conference which was set-up to bring equity to Yoruba land and Nigeria”. He asserted that the conference produced the panacea for Nigeria’s problems, and “—that is why I am insisting that all the recommendations of the confab should be implemented before the elections because the inequality this country has been suffering all this while has been rectified with the recommendations of the confab. All the things that could cause us conflicts have been rectified.” It is rather simplistic to suggest that, by itself, the recommendations of the 2014 conference – or any other conference for that matter – constitute a magic wand to sweep away all the problems of Nigeria. It is also internally inconsistent to insist that the recommendations of the conference must be implemented before the elections and simultaneously affirm that Jonathan, who is yet to submit the conference report to the National Assembly six months after it was presented to him, is the only man who can implement the recom-

mendations. Could it be that those who described the conference as diversionary are correct? Could it be a repeat of a similar exercise during the second term of President Obasanjo? Chief Adebanjo asserted that “as a NADECO man” he cannot support a former military dictator like Buhari. He described Buhari as a “fundamentalist” whose tenure as the boss of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) was tainted with corruption. I share Chief Adebanjo’s aversion for military dictatorship. However it is possible for a Saul to become a Paul. Buhari’s track record during the current political dispensation demonstrates that he believes in and submits to democracy and the rule of law. Furthermore, Obasanjo was a military dictator who became President in a civilian democratic dispensation. His re-election in 2003 for a second term was supported by Chief Adebanjo and his colleagues. Obasanjo, who set-up two panels to probe the PTF, stated publicly that Buhari’s hands are clean, but Chief Adebanjo asserted that “— Obasanjo was trying to cover him (Buhari) up” because “—the issue of the N25 billion — is all in the report”. People like me who have not seen the report would have appreciated it if he had quoted the relevant parts. Corruption is a major endemic problem in Nigeria which should be fully exposed and condemned when and as opportunity permits. It is therefore unfortunate that Chief Adebanjo stated: “When they talk of corruption in Jonathan government, I won’t say the government is clean, but those who are talking about corruption, how clean are they themselves?” Chief Adebanjo described the selection of Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s runningmate as “a gimmick”. He stated that Osinbajo: “—is a distinguished lawyer and a nice gentleman…has no political experience…Tinubu brought him in as Attorney General, he was never in politics…he is from Ikenne but does he know the politics of

Ikenne?” This is most amazing! Chief Adebanjo knows that Osinbajo is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who became a Professor of Law at the University of Lagos over two decades ago, served as Adviser to Prince Bola Ajibola when the latter was Attorney General of the Federation in the late eighties, and gave widelyacclaimed meritorious service as Attorney General of Lagos State for two terms from 1999. In addition, he has served with distinction in several capacities nationally and internationally, including the United Nations. He is clearly a distinguished lawyer who has cognate experience of governance by virtue of his eight-year membership of the cabinet of the Lagos State government. The point is not that Adebanjo should support the choice of Osinbajo. Rather it is his implied belief that knowledge of the politics of Ikenne –whatever that is – constitutes an/the important criterion in the selection of a candidate for the post of Vice-President! Chief Adebanjo is well-known as a longstanding political associate of the late Chief Awolowo, and proudly asserts that he and his colleagues are disciples of the sage. The contributions of the sage to public discourse were always characterized by focus on issues, constructive criticism, and clear articulation of well-researched balanced arguments. The statements in the interview reviewed do not reflect these hallmarks. A disciple is a follower of the doctrines of a leader, teacher or school of thought. The quality of discipleship is a function not only of loyalty but also the disciple’s perception or understanding of the doctrines. It is a blessing that the books written by Chief Awolowo, as well as lectures which he delivered and his contributions in parliament are readily available. They make it futile for any individual or group to claim proprietary rights to the sage. • Professor Oyediran, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, lives in Ibadan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

COMMENTS

ECAUSE of the troubling picture of our country at this time, I believe that the nations, or at least the largest nations, of our country, should speak up now. I hope that some will. Some force must rise up to try and save this country from self-destructing. Individual eminent Nigerians at home and abroad have shouted and screamed, and some of the most influential persons in the world have stood at our gate, or even come into the house, to sound desperately serious warnings and admonitions. None has made much difference. Since independence, we Nigerians have willfully and stubbornly built a superstructure for disaster. Now, we seem determined to reap at last the fruits of that disaster. No serious discussion is taking place concerning the disastrous superstructure. A National Conference recently made some recommendations, but those recommendations hardly feature in the on-going presidential campaigns. At the same time, because the superstructure built for Nigeria has raised the stakes of presidential authority irresistibly high, contestants for power and their chief backers seem resolved now to trample down all barriers and to break all legitimate bounds in order to reach the presidency. Violent clashes are being enacted on the campaign trails. Terroristic threats are sounding from many directions. And preparations for mayhem and war are being more or less openly carried out. From some actions that we have seen in the past week, it seems that, when the storm of actions finally comes, even governmental agencies (such as the Nigerian military and police) will be fully engaged in fully partisan, and unlawful, mold against some Nigerians or groups of Nigerians. Many leading politicians obviously think that once their side wins the presidential election, all of Nigeria’s trouble will end. But from the way things look these days, such political barons may be grossly deceiving themselves. I repeat therefore, let some of the main nations of our country speak up now. They owe the historic debt of speaking out clearly and boldly now. They need to speak up above the cacophony of politicians’ voices. Of these nations, I am fairly confident of the desires of one – namely my own Yoruba

T may not be politically correct to respond to every insipid and dubious critique of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu’s electoral 30prospects at the forthcoming Abia governorship elections. More so when such appraisals emanate from the spin-doctor of an APGA candidate encumbered with nativity issues and intra-party challenges from a factional leader, arising from a botched primaries, it should be treated with the derision it deserves. Writing recently in a tabloid notorious for its conversational terrorism, owned by an Abia born politician, one Ndubuisi Orji, futilely struggled to juxtapose the strong points between the two contending tendencies he glibly characterized as ‘old and new orders’. Bandying words such as ‘entitlement politics’, lechery tendency’ ‘traumatic citizenry’ Ndubuisi resorted to some logical fallacies, and argument by generalizations in a desperate attempt to cast a slur on the integrity and pedigree of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu. In the context of his discourse, any candidate espousing continuity and consolidation is a non-starter. For him it is the untested, grapevine peddled achievements of a money market operator, Abians should vote for. This is patent chicanery which cannot fly because what constitutes the core essence of a credible politician is the sum total of his functional public service track records. We are not swayed by the mumbo jumbo of ’financial engineering’ in some bank which did not impact on the economic fortunes of the average ‘Aria Aria’ market trader. Poser is: what is the quantum of loans, overdraft, working capital, if any did Diamond Bank under his watch made available to Igbo nay Abia customers? What money market instruments, did his bank package to facilitate enterprises in the state during the period under review? For Ikpeazu, his antecedents can be tracked. His background check is in the public domain. For 19 years, he has been a key player in the corridors of politics as a home baked politician who understands the nuances of the average Abian. During this period, his activism and services had been domiciled in the trenches with our people, fighting and battling with the various administrations for

Let Nigeria’s nations speak up! nation. We Yoruba are strong believers in Nigeria – in a Nigeria that is stable, prosperous and advancing towards greatness in the world. We are united in the strong belief that the only way to achieve such a Nigeria is to abide by principles. We are sure that nothing of great or permanent value can be achieved without seeking strength through reasonable and well-considered principles. We came to these beliefs from our 1000-year history of living in orderly kingdoms and thriving cities and towns. Ends desired and sought by individuals and groups in a polity must bow to the polity’s high principles of stable order, otherwise disorder and chaos will result. Every Yoruba child grows up knowing these things. Looking carefully at Nigeria from that perspective, we Yoruba have always been sure about the principle to employ in organizing Nigeria. That principle goes as follows: Because Nigeria is made up of many different nationalities, Nigeria should be organized into a rational federation, according careful respect to the various nationalities. If there is to be order and prosperity, this position is not negotiable. Our most prominent fathers in Nigerian politics in the late 1940s, the group in Egbe Omo Oduduwa, stated the principle very soundly. Then one of their captains, our father Awolowo, wrote books and political statements to make it clearer and clearer throughout his life. There is hardly any prominent Yoruba alive today who has never made at least some little contribution to the statement of this principle. We Yoruba may be spread out into many political parties, yet we are all certain that, for Nigerian peoples to live harmoniously together in one country, and for Nigeria to be stable and successful, Nigeria must be ordered as a reasonable federation. Whenever the government of Nigeria has convened any kind of national conference, members of the Yoruba elite, though belong-

ing to different political persuasions, have always come together to produce proposals based on the same principle for presentation at the conference. A leading Yoruba intellectual in the Diaspora once put it simply as follows: “The simple answer to the question “What do the Yoruba want?” is this: The Yoruba want a Nigerian state which respects its multinationalcharacter and gives adequate recognition to the inviolability of its federating nationalities, no matter how small or big, a Nigerian state that promotes equal justice for all its citizens and makes a sacred commitment to the secularity of its character…The Yoruba have always wanted a Nigeria that practices and is committed to the principlesof true federalism”. This is the only way to make the peoples of Nigeria live in reasonable harmony together, by giving each people some leeway to manage much of its unique needs and concerns in the Nigerian federation – so that each people will thus be able to make its own kind of contribution to the overall progress and prosperity of Nigeria. This principle is not directed at hurting, and it cannot possibly hurt, any of the peoples of Nigeria. On the contrary, it is a principle that can be very beneficial to every Nigerian people and to Nigeria as a whole. At the 2014 National Conference, some of the main details of the Yoruba Position were presented as follows: 1. Make Nigeria’s existing six zones into regions – with minor boundary adjustments to make sure that none of the nationalities in Nigeria shall be split up between regions. 2. Re-adjust the balance of powers between the federal authority and the regions – so that the regions should have more powers, more resource control and more funding than hitherto to promote and implement development. This would shift the burden of development mostly to the regions while assigning sufficient power and money to the

Gbogun gboro federal government to direct the commanding heights of the Nigerian economy, regulate interstate relations, defend Nigeria, and speak for Nigeria in the world. 3. The regions should control the development of their resources, with the federal authority charging taxes thereon. In revenue allocation, more should go the regions than to the federal centre. Revenue generated by a region (such regional business taxes, sales taxes, etc) should belong to the region. Most of the VAT derived from a region should return to the region. 4. There should be a federal police, regional and local police. Police functions are, by nature, rooted in their localities. In summary, we Yoruba nation want a Nigeria that works – a Nigeria of harmony among peoples, of regional and local virility, of progress in development, and of constantly improving quality of life for all citizens. We Yoruba are not used to living in poverty; we are depressed to be part of a country that is wracked by instability, constant conflicts, terrorism, poverty, hopelessness, and fears. We are displeased that the central issue of a well-structured federation is not occupying the central place it deserves in the ongoing presidential campaign. We hereby state our minimum demand. Let the candidates know that our assessment of their views in this matter will determine how much of our votes they will get.

Abia 2015 & lamentations of a banker By Chinyemike Torti the elevation of Abia State. Ikpeazu is at home with all the political gladiators of Abia State and has served diligently. The greatest challenge of our economy, not only in Abia State, is that the economy has shut down the middle class, to the extent that we now have two classes of people - rich or poor. The renaissance of the economy cannot be predicated or leveraged by the socalled Alex Otti’s affiliations with the International Finance Corporation- an offshoot of the discredited Breton Woods institutions, (IMF& World Bank) whose deleterious prescriptions and reforms brought the mess on Third World economies including Nigeria. Recall that these institutions have been sorely implicated as anti-people, anti-labour, anti- industry. The collapse of the Nigerian economy, nay Aba, was tripped off by the acceptance of the IMF conditionality in 1985 by the General Babangida regime which in its wake crippled the SME’s and industries. In 2005, these institutions were tellingly indicted by the Breton Woods project, and I quote inter alia; ‘’With the World Bank, there are concerns about the types of development projects funded. Many infrastructure projects financed by the World Bank Group have social and environmental implications for the populations in the affected areas and criticism has centred on the ethical issues of funding such projects. For example, World Bankfunded construction of hydro-electric dams in various countries has resulted in the displacement of indigenous peoples of the area. The World Bank’s role in the global climate change finance architecture has also caused much controversy. Civil society groups see the Bank as unfit for a role in climate finance because of the conditionalities and advisory services usually attached to its loans. The Bank’s undemocratic governance structure – which is dominated by industrialized countries – its privileging of the private sector and the controversy over the performance of

World Bank-housed Climate Investment Funds have also been subject to criticism in debates around this issue. Moreover, the bank’s role as a central player in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts is in direct conflict with its carbon-intensive lending portfolio and continuing financial support for heavily polluting industries, which includes coal power. There are also concerns that the World Bank working in partnership with the private sector undermines the role of the state as the primary provider of essential goods and services, such as healthcare and education, resulting in the shortfall of such services in countries badly in need of them. As an increasing shift from public to private funding in development finance has been observed recently, the bank’s private sector lending arm – the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – has also been criticized for its business model, the increasing use of financial intermediaries such as private equity funds and funding of companies associated with tax havens.’’ The politically astute Abia electorate are not about to swallow the International Finance Corporation vomit, being regurgitated by a clueless economic model. It failed everywhere and Abians are not ready to be any body’s guinea pig. Rather than playing casino with the fortunes of God’s own state with some new fangled economic paradigm, Okezie is a firm believer in sustainable development planning which lays much store in continuity and consolidation. He is on firm grounds, because the bane of developmental framework in Nigeria has been the practice of neglecting and abandoning previous contracts, projects and visions by successor administrations. Since independence in 1960, we have had a litany of developmental plans which were always jettisoned for other models as soon as new managers took over the reins of government. Between 1962-1985, 1962-68, 197074, 75-80 and 1980-85 developmental plans

were marked by gaps, leakages and fragmentation. Fast forward to 1986, we embraced the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs) and its Rolling Plans in 1986. Next was Abacha’s VISION 2010 that was thrown away and replaced with Obasanjo’s NEEDS 2004. Today we are grappling another initiative branded VISION 2020. The challenges of these processes, is that we have been achieving growth without development which Okezie Ikpeazu seeks to disavow by building on Governor T.A Orji’s legacy projects not only in Umuahia but in the wider Abia polity. Okezie’s blueprint for development is a clear headed, well defined manifesto that takes its motive force from a bottoms-up all inclusive community based approach with Aba as the center-piece and hub of enterprise and production. Fundamental to this is the enactment of policies for planning and housing to facilitate access to land, service, and investment codes realistic, flexible and compatible with local conditions. In the informal sector, he will address rigidities, corporate governance issues and widening inequalities vis-à-vis employment/wealth generation. His administration will review laws and practices that discriminate and frustrate the organized private sector. The state under his watch will act as a buffer sector manager in creating the milieu that promotes access to credit, financial and business services. This is a panoramic snapshot of Ikpeazu’s economic bouquet as space and editorial constraint will not permit a fully blown narrative. The issue of down ‘playing’ the existence of Ukwa component is neither here nor there, as the critical Ukwa political stakeholders led by Senator Adolph Wabara are in amity with the choice of Ikpeazu as the PDP flag bearer. Except some rabble rousers being used by APGA malcontents, the issue of Ukwa marginalization is otiose. • Torti is a public policy analyst and management consultant

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

Eight-year-old Osun State University (UNIOSUN) is facing its first major crisis since inception. The suspension of three principal officers, including the Vice Chancellor, Prof Bashir Okesina, by the Governing council is causing ripples in the university, reports ADESOJI ADENIYI Osogbo.

• The administrative block of the university.

Disquiet at UNIOSUN as VC, council clash

S the visitation panel constituted by Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola to investigate the crisis at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) undertakes its assignment, an uneasy calm pervades the multi-campus institution. Workers are unwilling to discuss the problems that have pitched the Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, against the management - led Governing Council by the Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Bashir Okesina. The crisis peaked following the council’s suspension of Okesina, the registrar, Dr Julius Faniran, and the bursar, Mr Fatai Lassisi, in one fell swoop on February 3. Before then, Olawoyin, who is also the Pro-Chancellor, had written to Aregbesola complaining about what he called Okesina’s excesses following a cold war alleged to have started in 2013. In the September 11, 2014 letter, Olawoyin accused Okesina of nepotism, insubordination to higher authority and drawing unauthorised allowances. In his October 2, 2014 letter to the governor, Okesina denied the allegationsagainst him. In a five-page January 22, 2015

• Prof Okesina

• Prof Olawoyin

memo titled: "Request on information on vital issues," Olawoyin gave Okesina 72 hours to clarify actions he took on 14 issues. These down procedures include approving

spending over N1 million on projects without the approval of the council and presenting programmes to the National Universities Commission without no-

‘

It has never happened in the history of any university that a vice chancellor was sacked by the council. The governance crisis in UNIOSUN, no doubt, is taking a dangerous dimension

INSIDE

Students seek justice over murder of Ogoni leader -Page 33

tifying the council. Aregbesola, and his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori were copied. The workers are divided over the VC and others suspension. Some are supporting the council; others

N1.6b salary arrears worries teachers

THERE is disquiet among Kogi State teachers over unpaid salaries, close to two months into 2015. The Kogi State government has put unpaid salaries of teachers for the months of November and December last year at N1.6 billion. -Page 35

CAMPUS LIFE Students kick as Open Pavilion goes -Page 25

’

the VC. The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is supporting the VC and has condemned the council for suspending the principal officers. Addressing a press conference in collaboration with the UNIOSUNASUU Chairman, Dr Oluseye Abiona, last week in Osogbo, the National ASUU President, Prof •Continued on page 26

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

Student bags proprietor’s scholarship •Varsity hosts his First-class sister

100-LEVEL Mass Communication student of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Taofeek Temitope Gawat, son of the missing Muslim cleric/broadcaster, Alhaji Rasak Gawat, has been awarded the Proprietor's scholarship. Taofeek is third Gawat sibling to attend the university. His elder sister, Rafiat recently graduated from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland with a distinction in Marketing Communication (master's level). She had also graduated with first class from Crescent University in 2010. Taofeek was given the scholarship in recognition of his father's contribution to the growth of the institution and as a gesture of support the family during its trying period. The Proprietor of Crescent University, Judge Bola Ajibola announced Taofeek's scholarship to the university management and

family members when Rafiat was hosted by her alma mater for her sterling performance in academics, morals and employment. Ajibola said the university was established to support all those coming after his generation. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibraheem Gbajabiamila, described Rafiat as exemplary alumna who deserved the rare publicity she got. He urged her to grace the 10th anniversary of the institution to motivate the undergraduates. "What our university wants is for you to be exemplary to other students," he said. Responding, Rafiat lauded the head of department of mass communication of the university, Dr Kola Adesina, whom she said had made a lot of impact since he joined Crescent University in her second year. "I felt good to be among the first set of mass communication of

•From left: Adesina, Alhaja Gawat, Judge Ajibola, Rafiat and Prof Gbajabiamila at the event.

Cescent University and I felt proud to be part of this university," she said Also speaking, Adesina attributed the quality of the mass communication programme to the

right calibre of people and standard equipment in the department. Thanking the university for the gesture to her wards, Alhaja Fatimat Gawat said that his husband had pledged years back that

Council, management clash at UNIOSUN •Continued from page 21

Nasir Fagge, flayed the council for setting up a committee to investigate the VC, saying in the spirit of fairness and equity, the council could not probe a case in which it is a party. Fagge, represented by the coordinator of ASUU, Ibadan zone, and chairman, University of Ibadan branch, Prof. Segun Ajiboye, also called for immediate reversal of the indefinite suspension of the VC and others. The council, it said, acted beyond its power as contained in the law establishing the university. The ASUU President insisted that only the visitor, Governor Aregbesola, could suspend or sack Okesina. Rather than create a crisis in the institution, the union urged the council to focus on its role of improving workers welfare by ensuring that their salary arrears are paid to boost their morale. He called for the status quo to remain while the visitation panel, which has four weeks to complete its assignment, does its work? He said: "Since the crisis is between the management and the council of the university what should be done is for both parties involved in this problem to submit themselves to the visitation panel and wait for recommendations from the reports of the body. It has never happened in the history of any university that a vice chancellor was sacked by the council. The governance crisis in UNIOSUN, no doubt, is taking a dangerous dimension and what message are we sending across to the world about governance structure? "The pro chancellor and the chairman of the governing council, Prof. Gabriel Olawoyin, is laying a bad precedent in this case. Olawoyin is diminishing UNIOSUN, the office of d Vice Chancellor and the person of Prof. Basir Okesina. What if after the conclusion of work of the visitation panel, the man was not found guilty what becomes of his person? So, ASUU is demanding immediate reversal of suspension and let the status quo ante remain while the visitation panel carries out its assignment. In the spirit of equity and fairness, the suspended vice chancellor should return to his office since the governing council is a party in the issue. "Let the Commissioner for Edu-

cation, who in this case, is the deputy governor, Chief Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, take over and save the university from further crisis and ensure there is sanity in the system. Let the law establishing UNIOSUN be respected." The press conference was attended by some ASUU leaders, including the national treasurer, Dr. Ademola Aremu; and the ASUU chairman for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Dr. Oyebamiji Oyegoke. However days later, the secretary and financial secretary of UNIOSUN-ASUU, Mr Wende Olaosebikan and Mr Alabi Banwo, ?addressed a press conference where they dis-credited the first one for being illegal. They complained that the UNIOSUN-ASUU branch did not invite the national body to intervene as the matter is between the management and the council and not the concern of the workers. Olaosebikan said: "We have read with utter disappointment in the newspapers the report of a press conference which was floated by the Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Ibadan Zone, Prof. Olusegun Ajiboye, on the suspension of the Principal Officers (VC, Registrar and Bursar) of the Osun State University by the Governing Council. Our branch of ASUU dissociates itself from the reported press conference because we had resolved at our meeting of January 20, 2015 that we would not take side in the issues concerning the Council-Administration and Government. "We are also disappointed that the said press conference on the issues concerning our university was held without any input or clearance from our branch. We wish to state that this is not part of ASUU principle. Our branch reserves the right to know whenever the zonal or national body wishes to discuss our university on the pages of newspa-

pers. In fact, since our branch congress had not yet reported any matter to the Zonal-ASUU, the zonal ASUU has no right to take the matter to the press. Our union is known for thoroughness in dealing with issues and we wish to state that in holding the press conference, our right as branch was grossly violated by the zonal ASUU. We are dismayed that lecturers who should face the real academic duties are now aligning with political parties and have directly turned the University to a home of partisan politics." The splinter group also supported the governing council's investigation committee. "Our University Law allows the Council to set up relevant committee/panel to investigate any staff of the University on any case of misconduct. We call attention to the fact that the Council set up an Investigation Panel on January 22, 2015 while the Visitor's Panel of Enquiry was set up on February 4. This shows that the Council Panel predates the Visitor's Panel. In fact, the setting up of a Panel of Enquiry by the Governor does not negate the power of the Council to conclude its own investigation of the allegations against the Principal Officers. Indeed the report of the Council Investigation Committee will hasten the operation of the Panel of Enquiry that was set up by the Governor," Olaosebikan said. Also among the lecturers there is now a sharp division as some are on the side of the suspended vice chancellor and others are for the council. Some of the lecturers are saying the indefinite suspension of the Vice-Chancellor by Pro-Chancellor is alien to the Nigerian System. They said that the Council can only recommend appropriate disciplinary measure against the ViceChancellor; that the suspension letter given to the Vice-Chancellor and signed by the Pro-Chancellor

•Dr Abiona

is an aberration and clearly illegal. The lecturers, who do not wish to be named, claimed that this is so because the Pro-Chancellor is external to the university community. He does not have the power, under any law to sign the letter of suspension of the Vice-Chancellor. They said the power to sign such letter belongs to the Registrar/Ag. Registrar and Secretary to Governing Council. They said: "It is pertinent to state that there is an established procedure in the Nigerian University System for the appointment of an Acting Vice-Chancellor whenever there is a compelling need for one. At the expiration of Prof. Sola Akinrinade's tenure, for instance, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunde was appointed as the Acting Vice-Chancellor by the Visitor to the University, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. In 2015, the same process ought to be followed. Under UNIOSUN Law 2006, it is very clear that the ViceChancellor/ Ag. Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Visitor upon consultation with Council. This process has been violated by Prof. Olawoyin's led Council." For lecturers on the side of the council, they said they stand with the decision reached at the January 20, 2015 congress of the UNIOSUN-

‘Our University Law allows the Council to set up relevant committee/panel to investigate any staff of the University on any case of misconduct. We call attention to the fact that the Council set up an Investigation Panel on January 22, 2015 while the Visitor's Panel of Enquiry was set up on February 4’

all his children would attend Crescent University because of the respect he had for Judge Ajibola. She said she was elated when she received letter of invitation from the university.

‘Our primary assignment is about teaching and research. The ranking of UNIOSUN among best universities in the country has dropped from 24 to 30 last year. It might further drop beyond that if an urgent intervention does not come to establish sanity in the system’ ASUU, where they claimed to have resolved to be neutral on the crisis. They said their immediate concerns are their welfare and their academic duties. They said: "Our primary assignment is about teaching and research. The ranking of UNIOSUN among best universities in the country has dropped from 24 to 30 last year. It might further drop beyond that if an urgent intervention does not come to establish sanity in the system." Meanwhile, Prof. Jelili Oguntola Alamu has been appointed the acting vice chancellor by the Governing Council while the accountant of the university now acts as bursar and another senior office in the registry unit has taken over as the registrar. But issue being raised about the acting vice chancellor is his status. Some workers believe that Alamu would not be able to assert himself because he became a professor less than a year ago. It is feared that most of his senior professors would not want to take instruction from him.? But with the inauguration of a visitation panel by the state government it is hoped that peace will soon return to the university because the government has charged the panel to discharge its duty without fear or favour. The panel is chaired by Prof. Adebiyi Daramola of the Federal University of Technology, Akure. Others are: Prof. Jacob Laoye Ladipo, Prof. Omotoye Olorode (Department of Plant Science and Applied Biology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State), Babatunde Adebayo and Mrs. O. O. Kolawole, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology, to serve as secretary.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

College to get fund

HE Federal College of Education (FCE), Obudu in Cross River State, has been selected as one of the federal institutions in the Southsouth zone to access the yearly intervention fund and budget implementation facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME). This was disclosed by the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Ahmed Suleiman, when the committee visited the college. Suleiman noted that the aim of the visit was to get acquainted with the goings-on in the college and verify the relationship between the college and the various government agencies, especially the Ministry of Education on the implementation of the yearly budget and possibly amend some grey areas. He said it will no longer be business as usual whereby claims and counter claims are made by either the Finance Ministry or the school authorities concerning release of funds. He said both the finance ministry

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

and the heads of the various tertiary institutions would be invited to brief the committee on their various transactions. He said FCE Obudu and the University of Calabar (UNICAL) were the only Federal governmentowned institutions selected in the Southsouth zone of the country. Meanwhile, the first round of accreditation exercise for the degree programmes run by the college in affiliation with UNICAL has been conducted. Speaking during the exercise, UNICAL Vice Chancellor, Prof James Epoke, said the college’s facilities met the criteria to run degree programmes. Epoke, who was represented by Prof. Florence Obi, noted that though the college was capable of running degree programmes, a few adjustments in the course content and credit workload have to be made to meet the benchmark of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

•Proprietress of Diamonds Mine Nursery and Primary School, Ifako-Ijaiye, Mrs Romoke Aderibigbe, leading pupils of the school on community service to mark this year's Valentine Day.

UAM signs MoU with NUGA

•From left: David Oguyemi, overall best student in the 2014 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (second left); flanked by his parents - Tunde (left) and Aderonke (right) and Sir Leo Babarinde Da-Silva, former secretary to the Lagos State Government who chaired the 2015 Speech and Prize Giving Ceremony of St. Gregory's College, Ikoyi Lagos, where David was rewarded. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

King’s College rewards teachers

FTER serving meritoriously at King's College for many years, it was a thing of joy for retired and transferred teachers to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication at the school's annex on Victoria Island, Lagos. Special awards were also presented to outstanding teachers, who distinguished themselves in their various subjects, as well as teaching and nonteaching members of staff, who were recently promoted. Among the retirees celebrated was the former Vice Principal (Academics), Mrs Comfort Uduehi, who described the last two years of her career at the King's College as pleasantly different. Mrs Uduehi was celebrated for her contributions to the college life despite spending only 24 months before her retirement. The VP, who retired as a Deputy Director, said her posting to King's College from the Federal Government Girls' College, Benin City, came as a surprise because she had been told to choose where she wanted to go. However, it turned out to be the icing on the cake of her fruitful career as a unity school teacher. She described the boys as angels and praised the teachers for their commitment. She said: "I thought that with two years to go I could have some respite. But, it was not to be. Working in KC was pleasantly different and quite tasking. “I have worked in nine Federal Government Colleges. Compared to other schools the boys in KC would readily hearken to correction - except when it comes to the cleaning of their classrooms. Many of our teachers are not only experienced, but committed." Other retirees and teachers transferred to other unity schools also

HE Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) to host the 25th edition of the competition later this year in Makurdi, Benue State. The MoU was signed at the council chambers of the university by NUGA President, Prof. Stephen Hamafyelto, and the Vice Chancellor, Prof Emmanuel Kucha. Hamafyelto also inaugurated the main organising committee (MOC) for the event. The committee, which he chairs, has six other members made up of the NUGA Secretary-General, Mr. A. Orudele, and representatives of the Committee of Vice Chancellors (CVC), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Sports Commission (NSC), Federal Ministry of Education (FME), and a member of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the host university. Hamafyelto congratulated Prof

By Jane Chijioke

Kucha for winning the hosting rights of the games and expressed happiness with the university's commitment. "It is our tradition that after granting you the hosting rights, we come back to see how prepared you are and also inaugurate the main organising committee. On this note, I want to affirm with all seriousness our support and willingness to partner with the university in making sure that UAM host the best NUGA ever," he said. Responding, the Vice Chancellor challenged the university community and Benue people to take advantage of the opportunities the games present. As part of his support to the university for the successful hosting of this game, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Choice Leisure Ltd. Chief Felix Akiga, donated some sports materials and promised to do more during the games.

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

spoke on their King's College experience. They all described their time at the King's College as their best, and also praised the principal, Otunba Dele Olapeju, fondly called the PKC (Principal, King's College) on how he drove them to work hard and introduced many laudable initiatives. Mrs Uduehi said: "PKC is a man of many parts; uniquely endowed, versatile, very intelligent, and ever welldressed. Your wealth of experience and leadership skills and all your bashes made me work harder." Mr H.A. Hussein, who retired as a history teacher after eight years at King's College, described the PKC as the luckiest one, who was not upstaged by workers because of his shrewdness. "I enjoyed my service at KC best. Of all the schools I have been to, Otunba Olapeju is the luckiest principal that the workers did not plan coup against because he is shrewd and tactical. Otunba has been able to balance the act. He knows how to reprimand and reward," he said. Mr Adewale Raji, who is now the Vice Principal (Academics) at FGGC, Ipetumodu in Osun State after 17 years at King's College, said Olapeju introduced so many useful programmes to the college that other schools are now copying. Olapeju, in his address, said despite the economic downturn in the country the school decided to reward the teachers to demonstrate how much they are valued by the school. He urged them to accept the token gifts with love and wished them well in their endeavours. "We called the King's College family today to celebrate some of us. This is a team. However good a leader is, without others he cannot succeed," he said.

• From left (standing) Mrs Idowu Fagbemi, Counsellor, Sasa Senior High School, Egbeda, Lagos; Mrs Bolanle Ogunmefun, Vice Principal (Academics); Mrs Olukemi Ogunbayode (Education District I officer); Mr John Fagbemi, Facilitator; Mr Sola Binuyo, Principal; Dr Doyin Hassan, Guest Speaker; Mrs Silva-Ope, Vice Principal (Administration); Mr Isaac Alagbe, Mrs Feyi, Afuye Counsellor; and pupils during the 2015 Counselling and Career Day of the school.

Centre marks Internet Day

NTERNATIONAL Centre for Leadership Development Nigeria (ICLDNG), has joined millions of Internet users in the world to celebrate Safer Internet Day 2015. ICLDNG is an affiliate of the International Center for Leadership Development, United States (US). Last week, the centre organised a talk, tagged: "The risk and consequences of getting involved in cyber crime", at Aunty Ayo International School, Ikoyi, Lagos, where pupils were orientated on how to fight cybercrime and consolidate on internet and mobile devices. Participants were exposed to how they can understand the risk and con-

By Ibrahim Adam

sequences associated with cybercrime and therefore, protect themselves. Director of the ICLDN, Mr Felix Iziomoh, in his address, said the programme aimed at promoting safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children and young people across the world. "Let's create a better internet together. It offers the opportunity to focus on both the creative and positive things that children and young people do online," he said. Principal of the school, Mr Femi

Agbede, underscored the need for the pupils to be up to date about happenings around them. A pupil of the school, Ibukunoluwa Awoboon, who spoke on the benefits of the programme, said: "I learnt that cyber bullying is not good, I also learnt about the consequences of getting involved in cyber crime and how people have been jailed as a result of it." Another participant, Princess Nwawodu, felt cyber criminals should be punished first and thereafter given orientation on the positive ways of applying the internet. The event also featured a documentary on cyber bullying virus; a quiz session to test participants' knowledge on internet safety while gifts were being distributed to them.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

NASU-AOCOED members warned

EMBERS of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Otto/Ijanikin whose signatures were forged to support the sacking of the current executive and endorsing a caretaker committee in its stead, have been advised to formally write to the management withdrawing such signatures. This warning was given by the national leadership of the union which met with members of NASUAOCOED to clarify issues of polarization within the union. At the peak of the industrial strike embarked upon by workers in the institution over certain demands from management last year, some elements within NASU had accused the executives led by Comrade Femi Adebayo for not mobilizing members to join other workers in the strike. The development resulted in their removal and the setting up of a caretaker committee, which further deepened the crisis. The national NASU leadership however wrote to the college management to disown the committee and uphold Adebayo's leadership. When they visited the college led by Deputy General Secretary (11), Tunji Caroll, they told members that the committee is illegal for not follow due process. For the committee to be legal, Tunji said any disgruntled member need

Publisher promotes culture at 80 By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

By Adegunle Olugbamila

to formally complain to the national body of the union, which would set up a committee to look into their grievances if need be. "But they (caretaker committee) did not lay any complaint," Caroll announced to workers. "They only wrote to us that they are the new leadership. They also hired a lawyer who wrote to us but we replied that we do not recognise them. "If any of them is aspiring for any position, they should obtain a form from the union secretariat free and wait till March 26 when another general election will hold." He advised those whose signatures were impersonated to quickly make amends before it is too late. The Deputy General Secretary Sec (11) Adetunji Ademisoye, warned members not to make themselves tools in the hands of desperate people. The union, he said, is well organised, with internal mechanism for dealing with erring members. Ademisoye noted that henceforth, whoever parades himself as a member of any caretaker committee should be ignored. The NASU team also met with the college management represented by the Deputy Provost, Mr Wole Ajose, Registrar Olumuyiwa Coker, Librarian Omotayo Oluwole, Dean School of Preliminary Studies, Dr Aderopo Owoso, and his counterpart in Students Affairs, Mr Henry Ogunsanya, among others.

•Otunba Lawal-Solarin

O adequately prepare today's children who are tomorrow's leaders to govern Nigeria well, the Chairman, Literamed Publications, Otunba Olayinka LawalSolarin, has urged Nigerians to teach their wards the nation's history. Speaking to The Nation at a lecture to mark his 80th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary last Wednesday at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos,

Lawal-Solarin advocated for education about the culture and history of the Nigerian people even before colonization. "We should start educating our children and let them know the history of our nation and how we started…we had a history before we were colonized," he said. The publisher wants Nigerians to embrace candour, which he described as honesty of purpose, rather than acts of dishonesty that can divide any nation. He advocated that intermarriage is a way to move the country forward and keep the nation as one. In addition to conventional education, the guest speaker at the occasion, Akin Oyebode, a Professor of International Law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), called for cultural education and personal empowerment that would enlighten people about their rights, such as the right to vote, in order to achieve the change Nigerians desire. He also advised the guests to imbibe the attitude of the celebrator,

Be focused, polytechnic students told TUDENTS have been enjoined to maintain a high standard in their academics and shun cultism, to achieve their ambition. The Oniwasinmi of Wasinmi, Oba Emmanuel Osuntogun, gave this advice while delivering a lecture at an orientation programme organised by the D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic,

Ewekoro in Ogun State, ahead of the institution's ninth matriculation. He said cultism, hooliganism and other vices would tarnish their image and prevent them from attaining their goals. The traditional ruler said character deficiency has been identified as a plague among students. He said they

class; take part in their research. Seek help when you need one - it is a sign of strength to ask for help. Obong University seeks to develop in you bold entrepreneurial spirit - think big, think outside the box - you can do what had previously been considered impossible." Congratulating the students for scaling through the admission process, Ekanemesang also announced plans by the university to get the approval from the National Universities Com-

mission, (NUC) for the introduction of seven new programmes - Political Science, International Relations, Business Administration, Sociology, Peace and Conflict Management, Public Administration and Marketing, in the first semester of the 2015/2016 session. Highpoint of the ceremony was the administration of matriculation oath on the over 200 freshmen admitted into the Faculties of Management and Social Sciences and Natural and Applied Sciences.

VC advises students on hard work, discipline

UNDREDS of new students admitted into Obong University, Obong Ntak in Akwa Ibom State for the 2014/2015 academic session have been charged to imbibe the virtues of hard work, discipline and dedication to their studies in order to excel in their academic pursuit. Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Udoudo Ekanemesang, gave the charge at the 8th Matriculation of the institution. Ekanemesang called on the students to take optimum advantage of the conducive environment for teaching and learning complemented by a team of dedicated lecturers and administrators in the institution to further their pursuit for valuable knowledge that will ensure their success. The VC advised the new students to eschew cultism, truancy, plagiarism and other vices capable of derailing their dreams of a university education. He said: "As a student in Obong University you must consciously seek to change for the better. In manners you must become more refined, in knowledge you must have acquired fundamental principles which will make it possible for you to be successful in your chosen ca-

•Cross section of the matriculants. From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

reer and make your approach to life problems and challenges, realistic. "Your critical thinking and analytical faculties must be developed; you must be able to tolerate and consider the viewpoints of other people. Choose your friends carefully avoid irresponsible behaviours drugs, cultism, and alcoholism are not tolerated; take your Matriculation Oath seriously. "Ask questions in and outside of

Otunba Lawal-Solarin by being humble but resilient in their pursuit of success. Responding to Oyebode's admonition, a guest, Mrs Titilola Johnson, said that promoting the reading culture in homes, as well as educating youths about the current state of the nation, would help to improve Nigerian’s future. Also celebrating Lawal-Solarin at the occasion was his wife, Bjorg, a Norwegian, who said that what kept her marriage going for 50 years was "togetherness". Beaming, she said: "We do everything together all the time. Togetherness is what has kept us going and that is what marriage is truly about." Lawal-Solarin's Literamed Publications has published over 200 titles of storybooks and educational books for the different categories of readership. Going forward, his youngest son, Olatunde, who will take over the publishing business, said there are plans for Literamed Publications to produce musicals and other forms of entertainment for children to make learning fun.

paid more attention to social activities and illicit acts than their studies, describing this as worrisome. Oba Osuntogun urged the students to work harder and be good ambassadors of their schools and families. He noted that besides being a monarch, he was the proprietor of Premier Group of Schools. The royal father said some students had forgotten that their parents sent them to school to make life better for them in future. "You are the models of your schools and families. Strive to be hard working and be of good behaviour. Shun thuggery, violence and cultism. They lead to self-destruction," he said. The monarch advised students to engage in vocational skills training that would promote self-employment and enhance the building of the nation. The Rector, Dr. Oyekunle Olalekan, represented by the Senior Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Oyedele Foluke Olubunmi, said the orientation programme was organised to provide essential guide about the workings of the institution to the new students. He congratulated the new students and urged them to be hard working and well-behaved. Mrs. Oyedele said: "The institution has zero tolerance for indiscipline, cultism, smoking, partying and indecent dressing. Management will not condone any act that can tarnish the image of the school. Anyone found flouting the rules and regulations will be punished. Work hard to attain your objectives." The Dean, School of Management Sciences, Dr James Oladipo Folorunso, advised the students to desist from examination malpractices, noting that besides being against the ethics of the institution, it has negative effects on the students. He noted that any student who indulged in examination malpractices would be sanctioned and sentenced to 21 years imprisonment according to the law.

Akwa Ibom Education College Provost advocates digital revolution

HE Provost, Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Dr Patrick Uko has called for a digital revolution in Nigeria to aid development. Uko made the call in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the inauguration of state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), which he chaired. In a lecture entitled "Training and Development in a Digital/Transformation Economy: The Case Study of Akwa Ibom State", the Provost noted that the world is now driven by the

From Uyoatta Eshiet, Uyo

forces of Science and Technology where countries referred to as first world or advanced are those countries whose governments have invested heavily in science, technology and education generally. On the other hand, he said that third world countries are characterized by minimal investment in education, with myth, superstition and witchcraft having a domineering influence on their citizens and the affairs of their countries. As a result, he said the advanced

countries fare better. He said: "The entire world is now in a dispensation of knowledge economy. It is only the advanced countries that can breakthrough in science and technology. They are the ones always coming forth with solutions to global challenges. They are the ones we can quickly look up to for cures on Ebola virus pandemic, HIV/AIDS, Avian Influenza, Bird Flu, successful kidney transplant and other major health problems". He attributed this to the extent of researches and robust training programmes they conduct on

daily, weekly monthly and continuous basis." He observed that the concept of knowledge management or knowledge economy as it relates to intellectual and human development have been a serious challenge in global digital transformation. He charged NITAD to find the best way to respond to the most critical challenges in skills development for digital economy and how the digital economy can impact the learning system in Akwa Ibom State. "Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and Africa

generally must embrace digitalization and become economically transformed as it is the only way of remaining at the forefront of development," he said. NITAD focuses on human resource training, learning and development in Nigeria. NITAD is a member of International Federation of Training and Development organization (IFTDO). The inauguration, which took place at Entry Point Hotel, Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo was conducted by Ms. Mofesola Akinbanji, Registrar.

Students protest teachers’ ‘solidarity strike’

Debate for ‘learned’ minds Page 30

Page 27

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

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Students kick as Open Pavilion goes Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are not excited about the planned transformation of Open Pavilion, a multi-purpose field where they unwind. The university is converting the field to a car park but the students are kicking, saying they were not consulted before the project started. EMMANUEL SHEBBS (Graduate School) reports.

•A portion of the land being scraped by a tractor

T was a multi-purpose venue for major events. From matriculation to convoca-

tion and Students’ Union Government (SUG) election, the Open Pavilion at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) was the place for big events. On many occasions, it was used for the passing out parades of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and seminars of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). At weekends, it served as a place for students to unwind. They would play game and hold social events there.

PHOTO: EMMANUEL SHEBBS

All these are now in the past with the ongoing development of the field. Students returned to campus after a break to discover their favourite rendezvous is being turned into something else. When CAMPUSLIFE visited the site last weekend, the grass was being scraped off by earth movers and tractors. When CAMPUSLIFE sought to know if the Open Pavilion was being upgraded, the construction workers declined comments. But the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Eyo Bassey, told our correspondent that the university had decided to convert the pavilion to a car park. Bassey said

the management responded to complaints by staff and visitors about inadequate parking lot on the campus. This is the reason, he said, the pavilion had to go. He said: “There have been complaints from various quarters about the inability to get space for car park in the academic area on the campus. You know there is no other place that we can park cars; people park indiscriminately. But, you cannot tell them not to come into the school with their vehicles. It is not wise enough. So, because of its strategic location, the Open Pavilion is best option for this task. This is why it is being converted to a car park.”

When he assumed office, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof James Epoke unveiled a development master plan aimed at returning orderliness to the campus. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that construction of a central car park was contained in the plan to give the environment an aesthetic outlook. But, students are kicking against the conversion. SUG President Emmanuel Ajang, said students are not happy with the development, noting that the management did not inform them before bringing bulldozers to the field. He said: “I was in Abuja for a conference when I received information that bulldozers •Continued on page 26

•OAU students disrupt INEC training•Poly honours ex-Rector Ajibefun -P28

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Pushing Out

Strangers’ touch

IFE in our country can be chaotic and busy, we hustle from one place to another, engrossed either in our electronic devices – for those who have them, or we struggle to “make ends meet.” Most of us aren’t awake for the sunrise and are not truly present at important (or even ordinary) daily happenings. We miss life as it passes us by and wonder what we did with the daylight. We continue on this treadmill, this sprint, this exercise in getting it all done – but seem to have little to show for it. Time is, however, all we have on this earth. Politics, economy, football, friends, lovers, money, and experiences all come and go, leaving only memories – if you are lucky enough to remember. The good, the bad, the remembered, the forgotten, the happy, the sad, the ordinary, the extraordinary makes us as individuals. As a Nigerian, I was caught up in the intrigues that led to the postponement of the February 14 and 28 elections and wondered why we always shy away from putting our best foot forward. While I couldn’t make sense of the whole drama, three stories that happened outside our shores caught my attention in the last two weeks. They are human angle stories that touches the heart and bring to the fore our humanity. The first was a story from Detroit, United States of America where a 56-yearold man, James Robertson, whose 21-mile walk to work daily inspired a $350,000 pledge which enabled him move to a temporary home. More than $350,000 was pledged for Robertson through a crowdfunding campaign launched by Evan Leedy, a 19-yearold college student who read the story in a local newspaper, the Detroit Free Press, and wanted to help a stranger in need. According to the paper, Robertson has yet to see any of the money raised and is expected to meet with financial advisers to discuss how the donations will be managed. The newspaper first broke the news about how Robertson walks 21 miles daily

to get to work. But after receiving news of his new found fortune, he decided he did not feel safe in his old neighbourhood anymore! He approached the police and requested to be moved to a temporary home after consulting with local law enforcement officials. with The newspaper quoted Detroit Police Capt. Aric Tosqui who said “We had a meeting with him and 08116759750 he expressed interest that he did (SMS only) not feel safe…people were actually asking him for money.” On •aagboa@gmail.com why he took such measures even though he had not been given the money, Robertson said: “I wanted to get it years, Bedwei used computers leading to a over with. There were so many factors in- passion for technology. volved.” Featured in CNN’s “African Voices,” It turned out that in December 2014, an Farida said disability doesn’t mean disad86-year-old Detroit man went missing af- vantage. Born in 1979, Bedwei was diagter reportedly winning $20,000 in a lottery nosed with cerebral palsy at the age of one game. The police said he was found stabbed - cerebral palsy is an incurable neurologito death and a 20-year-old was charged with cal disorder that affects body movement his murder. and muscle coordination but does not in“Robertson knew about that story,” terfere with the ability to learn. Tosqui said. “And I also know about an inBedwei steadfastly refused to let her discident in the 1st Precinct where a gentle- ability affect her career trajectory. Today, man was killed after he allegedly won as the co-founder and chief technical ofsome money. In those two examples, no ficer of software company Logiciel, she is one approached the department. But if considered one of the most powerful somebody won the lottery tomorrow and women in financial technology on the concontacted us, we would look at the situa- tinent. In 2013, South Africa’s CEO Magation in the same way and see what we could zine named Bedwei the most influential do,” he said. woman in business and government in AfRobertson told the paper he plans to stay rica for the financial sector. in the temporary residence until he finds a How did this beautiful and remarkable permanent home, possibly closer to his lady rise above her disability? Her great$10.55-an-hour factory job in Rochester est achievement, Bedwei says, is the develHills. “Don’t get me wrong,” Robertson opment of a cloud software platform that who has lived in Detroit for more than 15 is being used by 130 micro-finance compayears was quoted as saying, “It’ll be hard nies nationwide. These institutions adminto leave the city that I love.” ister loans to their customers by sending a The story did not end there. A week after code to their mobile phones via SMS. That the money was pledged, Robertson - who code can be exchanged for money at any said he was unable to afford to replace his branch, making small loans available imcar after it broke down more than a decade mediately. ago - was surprised with a new $35,000 Ford Because of the challenges of Cerebral Taurus that was donated by a suburban car Palsy, Bedwei was home schooled until the dealership. On his new car he told Reuters, age of 12, and then continued her educa“I don’t like it, I love it.” tion at a government school where she was The next inspiring story that made my able to socialise with other children. Her week was the amazing story CNN cap- family noticed her passion for computers, tioned: “Inspirational tech guru who’s own- so it was decided for Bedwei to skip senior ing cerebral palsy like a boss.” It is the high school and enroll in a one-year comstory of Farida Bedwei, a software engi- puter course at the St. Michael information neer from Ghana. Diagnosed with cerebral technology center. At 15 years old, she was palsy at one, she has refused to let her dis- one of the youngest in the class. A chalability hold her back. Throughout teen lenge we may think? But one she took in

Agbo Agbo

her stride. She told CNN she was “sure most of my classmates were wondering what I was doing with them,” stressing that was how she started her career as a software engineer “because through that course I realised what aspect of IT I was going to specialise in. I loved the idea of solving problems and creating things,” she says. Next is the story of Ashley McIntyre and Danny Robinson. Ashley McIntyre, a 26year old Kentucky lady did not expect her act of kindness to blossom into romance. She was inspired to help a fellow human being after hearing about Danny Robinson’s struggle with kidney disease which necessitates regular dialysis. But what happened thereafter reads like a story from a fairy tale romance novel. Robinson, 26, had been diagnosed with Berger’s disease at 16. He reportedly spent two years on a transplant waiting list because none of his family members who were willing to donate a kidney matched. McIntyre’s mother told her about Robinson’s plight after hearing about it on local WHAS radio show “Terry Meiners & Co.” The next day, Ashley reached out to Meiners on Facebook and soon got in touch with the transplant program at the University of Kentucky’s Center for Transplantation and Organ Failure to offer up her kidney, according to a Louisville paper. She held off on meeting the Robinsons until doctors concluded that they could move forward with the donation, so as not to disappoint Danny. Once the operations were nearly locked in, the soon-to-be couple and their families reportedly met at a nearby Cheesecake Factory. Thereafter, Ashley McIntyre and Danny Robinson’s loved ones set up a fundraiser to help raise money for the transplant. An elated Ashley told the Courier-Journal that, “we all clicked immediately, and they told me I would always be a part of their family.” Ashley and Danny spoke on the phone and texted often, leading up to the April 17, 2014, operation. They say they started a romantic relationship after a Memorial Day barbecue, and it got serious pretty quickly. They got engaged on Christmas Day 2014. Ashley later became pregnant with a baby girl they will name Berkli, who is due on June 9, 2015. These were the strangers’ touch that made my week.

Students kick as Open Pavilion goes •Continued from page 25

were excavating the Open Pavilion. I was surprised because there was no prior notice from the management that such a work was coming up. And you know the pavilion is a place the students love so much because of its multi-purpose nature. “I have met with the VC to raise that issue. I expressed students’ disapproval of the project to him, especially the fact that the union was not informed. The VC apologised for such lapses and said the development plan, which he submitted to the Federal Government years ago, had just been approved. The VC said the construction work had to start after money was released for the project.” Chris Udoh, a student in Faculty of Education, said: “The Open Pavilion was a place we relax after academic engagements. There is no other place where we can unwind again.” Some welcomed the project, urging the management to create another space for leisure, which should not be far from the academic area. After the completion of the car park, Christian Anyanwu, a Science student, said the management should make it mandatory that it is cleared

•

•Emmanuel

•The Open Pavilion being used for SUG elections before the development

of vehicles before 6pm for students’ activities. This may not be; but the school is considering other options. Emmanuel, who unveiled the school’s plan, said: “We have been holding meetings with the management. We have reached an agreement that they will build three recreation centres for the students. The VC said we should go round the campus and recommend choice places for the management to build recreation cen-

tres. We have recommended an area close to second gate, another open field close to the staff quarters and a field behind Hall 6. These places have not been used for anything for years; so we want the management to develop them for sports and relaxation.” Solomon Okon, an Arts student, said having a car park is good, urging the management to ensure the project achieves its goal.

Josephine Nwankwo, a 300-Level Management Science student, said the car park would make the academic area to become busy. She said management would need to prepare for the vehicular traffic that may arise and improve security in the car park. A professor of Social Science, who did not want his name in print, urged students to embrace the change, noting that the car park would bring

orderliness. He said: “The car park would bring sanity back to the campus. Everything will be organised. I applaud the Vice-Chancellor for coming up with the initiative to make the school look good.” The SUG president urged students to remain calm, saying the VC would not renege on his promise to build recreation centres on the campus. He said: “Prof Epoke cannot disappoint us. The agreement is that the areas chosen by students for the recreation centres would be constructed before the car park project is completed. I will make sure I hold the university on this promise. I want to assure the VC that we are strongly in support of him.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE A protest rocked the Federal Polytechnic in Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State, last week, following a warning strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in sympathy with their colleagues at the Federal Polytechnic, AdoEkiti (ADO POLY). JENNIFER UMEH (ND II Mass Communication) reports.

Students protest against teachers’ ‘solidarity strike’ T

HE three-day warning strike by lecturers of the Federal Polytechnic in Offa (OFFA POLY), Kwara State drew students’ ire. The lecturers downed tools in solidarity with their colleagues at the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti (ADO POLY), who have been quarrelling with the institution’s management over suspension of workers’ unions. The OFFA POLY students kicked against the Association of Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) strike, describing it as a waste of time. Activities were paralysed on the campus, following ASUP solidarity strike. Lectures and other academic engagements were suspended. Students deplored the action, saying it is uncalled for. The students, rising from a congress called by the leadership of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), held a peaceful protest at the Aluta ground to show their displeasure. The SUG President, Festus Adedeji, a HND II Mechanical Engineering student, pleaded with the aggrieved students to remain calm, saying the strike would not last more than three days. Tawakalitu Toye, a ND II Mass Communication student, said their

lecturers must consider the students before disrupting academic activities. She said: “The lecturers should always consider our feelings before embarking on such strike. We are yet to come out of the problems created by the 11-month strike of the ASUP last year, I don’t know why our lecturers are going on another strike again. This strike will not be accepted because we don’t want to go back home.” Khalil Ayinde, a ND II Accountancy student, said: “The so-called solidarity strike does not even concern us. The lecturers are in solidarity with their colleagues in ADO POLY who have been suspended by the school management. We are told that our lecturers are going on solidarity strike to force the ADO POLY management to bring restore the suspended unions before Friday. In view of this, our lecturers are not supposed to go on strike before identifying with their colleagues elsewhere. There are ways they could do that but they just want to waste our time with their solidarity strike. We will not accept this.” A HND II student of Business Administration, who craved for anonymity, said: “Our lecturers are always fighting a wrong battle. Why should OFFA POLY go on solidarity strike

•A student displaying a placard during the protest

for a different institution? Will be our school gain in fighting for the people we don’t know? If ADO POLY finally restores the suspended union, what will be our own gain? “They are just suffering students because of their personal demands. Some students are supposed to be on Industrial Training now are still in school for lectures. Part-time students admitted in 2011 have spent four years in school instead of three years. All these do not concern them, but they are moved by events happening in other school. I think the strike is senseless.” Mustapha Fashola, a ND II Mechanical Engineering student, said he opposed the strike because it would waste students’ time. “I am not in support of the solidarity strike, because it is a new pastime of our lecturers. If anything, it is a way of wasting students’ time. As a part-time student, I have spent three years instead of two years and still don’t know when I will graduate. The lecturers should consider our future.”

•The students’ leaders addressing the protesters

Students of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have sensitised secondary school pupils and residents of the institution’s host community on the need to fight cancer. The campaign was organised in commemoration of the World Cancer Day. EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (400-Level Pharmacy) reports.

Rally against cancer •The Pharmacy students displaying banners to mark the World Cancer Day

HE notice for the rally was short and sharp. Their eagerness to be part of the campaign was driven by their desire to ensure a cancer-free society. This was the motivation of Pharmacy students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), who organised a health awareness in the institution’s host community to commemorate the World Cancer Day. For over four hours, the students, under the aegis of Anti-Drug Mis-

use and Abuse Programme (ADMAP), moved round some notable areas in Ugbowo, the university’s host community, educating people on how they could stop cancer. They displayed placards with various inscriptions to share information about the disease. During the campaign, the students visited Uselu Market and secondary schools in Ugbowo. They spoke to traders at the market in Pidgin English.

Kingsley Isibor, a 500-Level student, explained to market women what could cause cancer and how it could be prevented. He advised the traders to go for regular medical checkup, noting that early detection remained the best way to cure cancer. His words: “I go beg una to chop many fruits. Also make una no drink alcohol, e nor good for body. I wan advise you make una dey do light exercises like walk and you need to move

away from where somebody dey smoke cigarettes.” Demonstrating to the market women how to carry out Breast Self-Examination (BSE), ADMAP chairperson, Chinenye Ihejirika, advised nursing mothers to breast feed their children adequately, saying it would reduce the risk to cancer. Chinenye said: “Make una dey check una breast as I dey do so, at least every month, so that una go fit

sabi wether something dey swell up for there. If una feel any pain or anything swell at all for the breast area or under your armpit or if your nipple soft well well, make una quick go hospital go meet doctor. Them go check am well for una.” She urged the traders to maintain hygiene in the market, stressing that dirty environment could cause many diseases. •Continued on page 32

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE NANS warns politicians against incitement

HE legislative arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged students to be vigilant, following the postponement of the general elections. The NANS Senate President, Odoh Ochai, said students should support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in conducting free and fair election, warning politicians against subverting the electoral process. In a statement, Ochai urged students to use the opportunity of the polls shift to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). He said NANS would always support the activities of the electoral body provided they comply with the laws. He said: “We have a substantial number of the voting population. We can say that 27 per cent of our members are yet to get

•The protesters being addressed by an official

•

Club trains students

T •Students moving into the school premises to disrupt the INEC training

OAU students disrupt INEC training

TUDENTS of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ile, Osun State, have disrupted activities at the Ife Central Local Government Area over the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to exclude them from the ad-hoc staff being trained for the general elections. The protesters also disrupted the training for the selected adhoc staff held by INEC at Baptist Secondary School, Ile-Ife. The protesters claimed their names were removed after undergoing screening by the commission. But, a worker of the commission, who addressed the students, said INEC did not discriminate against them, noting that a few ad-hoc staff were weeded out of the large

From Afees Lasisi OAU number of people who showed interest. The officer said: “In Ife Central Local Government, we needed less than 800 ad-hoc staff, but more than 5,000 people applied, including the students. But we got a directive from Abuja that we should engage ex-Corps members and the one serving for the elections. We have 700 personnel being trained for the exercise. This means we will no longer need service of students to conduct the elections.” A protester, Kehinde Oyeleke, said he was disappointed when he could not find his name on lists

after he has spent money and time to be part of the ad-hoc staff. “When they knew that they would not require our service, why did they ask students to register online for ad-hoc personnel training,” he said. Another student, Sola Adeoye, said: “I have information that students are employed to be part of the ad-hoc staff. It is only in local governments in Ife they are telling students to go away.” The protesters did not allow INEC officials to continue with the training, urging them to allow students to be part of the exercise. The demonstration led to the indefinite suspension of the ad-hoc personnel training.

HE Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) chapter of Junior Chamber International of Nigeria (JCIN), a humanitarian organisation, has held its yearly officers’ training, with the theme: Venture creation and healthy living. The event took place at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Centre. The participants included members of the club and representatives of students’ associations. During the training, the JCIN president, Bashir Abdulkadir, a 300-Level Applied Chemistry student, took participants through the preliminary stages in the production of liquid soap. The participants were also trained in fish farming business by Yahaya Mallam of the Fisheries Department. He showed the trainees rudiments of fish farming, technicalities and challenges involved, as well as distribution of the fish product. The JCIN Staff Adviser, Aishah Umar, who is a lecturer at the Department of Modern European Languages and Linguistics, engaged the participants on how to

From Temitoe Yakubu ADO POLY their PVCs, which are prerequisite to exercise their franchise. We cannot but appreciate Prof Attairu Jega for deeming it fit to give room for a level playing ground for all candidates, more so for giving us the opportunity to reach out to our members who are yet to collect their PVCs. “We shall continue to sensitise the youth and students on the need to allow a violence-free election, knowing that we are the harbingers of peace in any society. As such, we feel the urge to orientate students on the need to shun violence in the electoral period.” He also warned politicians against using students for violence, saying the association would not hesitate to mobilise students against such politicians. From Halimah Akanbi UDUS earn living from their bedroom. She explained how the students could use their leisure time to make extra cash. She said “bedroom business” could solve financial burden on the students, recounting how she started her own “bedroom business”, and gave them tips on how to start and manage such business. A member of the club, Asmau Badaru Usman, a 200-Level Zoology student, took participants through a practical class on the making of royal pancake, which she said involved a lightly fried pancake garnished with a palatable sauce made with a variety of ingredients. There was also a training conducted by Dr Razak Atata, a lecturer at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, who took the participants through hygiene training. He enlightened them on the dangers of not being conscious of cleanliness and discussed various ways of maintaining such, including regular washing of hands, adequate care of the environment and one’s body. The training ended with presentation of certificates to participants.

Poly honours ex-Rector Ajibefun

LL roads led to the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State for the send-off of the former Rector, Prof Igbekele Ajibefun. Ajibefun has been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko (AAUA) to succeed Prof Femi Mimiko. The New Millennium auditorium venue of the event was filled with members of the academia, top government officials, traditional rulers and family members of the honoree. During his four-year at the polytechnic, the institution was rated the best state polytechnic in Nigeria by a United States-based agency, Transparency International Standards. Also, his tenure witnessed the building of modern facilities. The Acting Rector, Mr Boniface Ologunagba, described Ajibefun as an innovative leader, noting that he left enduring legacies in the polytechnic. He said: “Prof

From Richard Adura-Ilesanmi RUGIPO Ajibefun is a symbol of excellence whose nature radiates integrity, discipline and fair play.” Ologunagba, who was Ajibefun’s deputy, noted that the honoree inherited an administration which had been brought to its kneels by protracted crises, shortage of classrooms and a declining academic culure, noting that the former rector brought the school back from the brink. He said: “Prof Ajibefun handed over a polytechnic with a good academic image and modern infrastructure before leaving the office.” The immediate past chairman of the polytechnic’s Governing Council, Dr Olaoye Adegoke, described Ajibefun as a “courageous man with a spirit of humility”. The VC of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Prof Adebiyi Daramola, said Ajibefun was an outstanding scholar, who brought dynamism

to academic task. Congratulating the honoree, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, who spoke through the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Steve Awosika, hailed Ajibefun for his good work, pledging to support him in his new assignment. Responding, Ajibefun thanked the institution for the honour. He attributed successes recorded by his administration to the robust cooperation from the government, staff and students. He called on staff and students to extend same support to the present management. Highpoints of the event were the cultural display by the school troupe and presentation of gifts to the honoree to appreciate his success at the institution. Ajibefun was appointed rector of the polytechnic in November 2010. After completing his four-year tenure last November, the government granted him an extension, before he was appointed as VC of AAUA last month.

•Ajibefun (middle) being supported by his wife, Bosede, to receive the Council’s gift from Dr Adegoke

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Hostels’ renovation excites IBB varsity students

MTN’s surprise gift for Best Lecturer

OR his selection as Best Lecturer of the Year by students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Dr Baba Alafara of the Department of Industrial Chemistry got a surprise gift from MTN Nigeria. He was presented with a 7.5KVa generator by MTN in its season of surprise promo. The representative of the telecoms giant, who simply gave his name as Mr Sanmi, while presenting him the prize, said students were asked to nominate their best lecturer and the nomination was followed by online voting. Sanmi said the voting was done in different universities; three winners emerged from the draw in each university, with two students of the institutions also rewarded for being the best. While receiving the prize, Dr Alafara, who is also the Deputy Director of UNILORIN Central Research Laboratory, said the gift was a manifestation of the conducive environment created by the management for research and development. He said: “The gift will serve as a motivation for me and other lecturers to continue to give our best to students.”

•Dr Alafara (right) receiving the gift from the MTN representative

From Zainab Yusuf UNILORIN He hailed the mobile network firm for the gift, and praised the university administration and students who voted for him. Two students of the institution, Sunday Olubukola and David Samuel, both of the Department of

Industrial Chemistry, were also rewarded with Iphone 6. They were chosen randomly in the draw. At the gift presentation are the President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Ahmed Ishowo, his deputy, Titilope Anifowoshe and members of the union’s executive.

O improve the well-being of students, the management of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) in Lapai, Niger State has started renovating hostels. The work started under former Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo whose five-year term ended last December. The incumbent, Prof Nasiru Maiturare, on assumption, pledged to continue the renovation, hailing his predecessor for laying a good foundation. The VC said his administration was ready to partner with landlords in the institution’s host community to find lasting solution to accommodation challenges in offcampus location. He said he would plead with the landlords to lower rent for students willing to stay in Lapai community. Maiturare said: “We are going to partner all relevant associations in our host community so as to ensure that there is a drastic reduction in off campus rent fee. This will go a long way in solving the accommodation problem facing students in Lapai.” Students, who returned to campus to see their hostels being upgraded,

From Joy Hananaya IBBU could not hide their excitement. Some of them spoke with CAMPUSLIFE. Adebayo Obamoh, a 300-Level student, said Prof Kolo did the right thing before leaving office. “This is a signal of good leadership; at least, new students can enjoy the facilities. I contemplated about getting accommodation off-campus as I returned to school, because the condition of the school hostels. But, when I got here and saw the massive renovation work, I changed my mind.” Muhammad Abdulkadir, an English student, said the renovation would make students to be comfortable and attract development to the campus, hailing the VC for the project. A fresher, who pleaded for anonymity, said the hostels were in deplorable state when she came for her clearance before resumption. This, she said, informed her decision to stay off campus when the school resumed. “But, my decision was rather fast and I think I am not going to be comfortable in my off-campus residence. I did not know the renovation would be immediate,” she said.

•Some of the freshers with their parents after the oath-taking

Be of good character, VC tells freshers

V •Some of the pupils with the Corps members after the campaign

Corps members sensitise pupils on exam malpractice

EMBERS of the Editorial Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, have embarked on a campaign to secondary schools on the evil of malpractice. The campaign with the theme: The evil of examination malpractice took the Corps members to Government Day Secondary School in Salihu Dogo area of Jalingo. The leader of the Editorial Board, Fineface Welechi, described exam fraud as a cankerworm that portended danger for the nation and the future of education. He en-

From Philip Okorodudu NYSC JALINGO couraged the pupils to join action against malpractice by ensuring they report their colleagues indulging in it to their teachers and other stakeholders. The NYSC Coordinator, Mr T.K. Freeman, encouraged the students to shun distractions that would endanger their future and concentrate on their studies. He

praised the group for the programme and pledged the support of the NYSC directorate for such initiative. The principal of the school, Mr Haruna Ezra, hailed the Corps members for the “good programme”, appealing to them to extend the sensitisation to other local governments and higher institutions in the state. Some of the pupils, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, said they were well-informed on the dangers of indulging in exam malpractice.

ICE-CHANCELLOR (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Prof Benjamin Ozumba has advised students to be of good character. This, he said, would help them in their academic pursuits. Ozumba spoke during the 49th Matriculation of the university last weekend. The ceremony, which was held across faculties, started at 10 am with procession of freshers and deans of faculties into the designated halls. In a message, the VC told the freshers to face their studies, saying the management would give responsible students opportunity to contribute to administrative and academic discussion. “We don’t train nuisance here,” the VC said, adding: “This is why the university is yet to lose its integrity since inception.” At the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Ngozi Nnam, the Dean, told the students that higher institutions are meant for the mature, who are expected to adopt civilised approach in channeling their grievances. She urged them to heed to the VC’s advice and be good ambassadors of

From Oladele Oge UNN the university throughout their period of studies. At the Faculty of Arts, Prof Patrick Okpoko, warned the students not to join bad gangs, but to rather face their studies to make their parents and guardian happy. He hinted that the faculty provided best classrooms and other facilities for the students to help their academic pursuits. The Dean of Faculty of Education, Prof Uju Umo, said the faculty had built good academic records over the years, charging the freshers to sustain the trend. Prof M.I. Madu, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, said the faculty now emphasises research, tasking the students to prepare for rigorous academic work. He said only quality academic research could be used to tackle problems facing the nation. He congratulated the students for their success in the entrance examination and screening exercise conducted by the institution for applicants. He said: “Many are called, but a few are choosing.” Miss Gloria Ani, a fresher at the Department of Mass Communication, promised to use the advice given by the VC and the dean as a guide for her to achieve excellence. The ceremony was attended by the parents and guardians of the freshers.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Debate for ‘learned’ minds The 20th National Law Students Debate was held last Thursday at Africa Amphitheatre of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. CALEB ADEBAYO (500-Level Law) reports.

T was a sight to behold. The contestants wore sparkling white shirt, black trousers and jackets to match. They faced the audience to present their arguments. It was reminiscent of a court session. But this was not a courtroom; it was the 20th edition of the National Law Students’ Debate held at Africa Amphitheatre of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The event, organised by Prima Strata Club, started with the introduction of the panel of judges, led by the Dr Chijioke Uwasomba. Other members are Dr Babafemi Odunsi, Mr Sola Adegbite of OAU and Dr

•The OAU team being presented with the plaque

Tete Adams, a Law lecturer at Babcock University. The participating schools included the host institution, Lagos State University (LASU), Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Babcock University. Three speakers from each university spoke for 20 minutes for or against the theme of the debate: Insecurity in Nigeria: An exposure of youth neglect. During the first round, Olayemi Omolaja, who led the LASU team, argued for the topic. She said insecurity was a result of neglect of the youth by successive administrations. She supported her claims with what she called failed youth policies. Kayode Adekunle, who led EKSU team, spoke against the topic. Using Machine Theory of social engineering to open his argument, Kayode stunned the audience with his com-

pelling accent. He cited the successes of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Ibramovich, who he said had deprived beginning yet affected the world positively with their youthful energies. Kayode said the action of Farouk Abdulmutallab, who was convicted of terrorism in the United States, could not be used to interpret the cause of youth violence, noting that Abdulmutallab was born in affluence but chose to be wayward. The second speakers of both EKSU and LASU teams also supported their stance on the discourse. The Babcock team spoke against the topic, but the OAU team spoke in favour of it. Odjeni Emuesiri, who led OAU team, explained how insecurity stemmed from neglect of youths by

•Law students at the debate

the leaders. But Babcock team opposed her claims. At the end of the first round, the EKSU, OAU and Babcock teams had the highest scores. They qualified for the final, where the two teams spoke in favour and against the topic: Two party system: A panacea for Nigerian electoral flaw. Each team had five minutes to prepare. Babcock team mistakenly fielded a debater, who was not part of the team in the first round. Members of the audience called for disqualification of the team for the laxity but the judges nullified the points scored by the team. The debate started all over again with the original team members. As the judges prepared the final score after the debate, Olusola Amusan, Citizen Manager of Microsoft in Nigeria, spoke on job

opportunities and how students could make themselves productive. Senator Babajide Omoworare, who represents Ife East Senatorial District, told the students that though, a two-party system was good, Nigeria needed a multi-party system to sustain democracy. When the results were announced, the OAU team had 73.7 per cent, winning the contest. The Babcock team, secon; EKSU, third. Odjeni got the prize for Best Orator. She also received N100,000 cash prize on behalf of OAU team for winning the debate. Other winners also got cash prizes. The OAU team coach, Adebiyi Ajayi, said the debaters were participating in the contest for the first time, stressing that the feat was achieved by the team’s quality presentation.

A Law graduate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, David Agu, has organised an entrepreneurship training and contest for students. EMEKA CHUKWUEMEKA reports.

Running with a vision

•Chinonso (second left) being congratulated by Agu (right) and Prof Eyisi (middle) after he won the contest

•Some of the objects designed by participants on display

NTREPRENEURSHIP is becoming popular among the youth, but many of them may not have the enthusiasm and relentless spirit for business. These traits, David Agu, the Publisher of Aluta magazine believes, are key to making a successful entrepreneur. Agu, who has just graduated from the Faulty of Law of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, spoke at the grand finale of an entrepreneurship seminar, which he organised to encourage students with vocational skills to improve their business. The theme of the workshop held at the university’s auditorium was: Entrepreneurship: A tool for repositioning the Nigerian economy. Agu said he was worried by the economy, which cannot absorb graduates willing to use their skills productively. He said the growing unemployment showed that there were no ready-made jobs for the youth, stressing the need for them to acquire skills to make them self-reliant after school. He said: “Our youths should learn to be job creators instead of job seekers, because creating wealth out of their skills is the only way to salvage the country from the entrenched unemployment. This seminar was initiated as my own way of developing entrepreneurial skills of students, who are on the verge of joining the labour market upon graduation.” Agu recalled his experience in establishing the magazine. He said despite investing much more than what he was realising in the venture, he kept on publishing because of his passion for journalism. He added that the magazine had grown and fetching him wealth. The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, represented by Dr Emma Ezenyilimba, said entrepreneurship was the fastest way to escape poverty. He hailed the graduate for what he described as a “wonderful initiative”. The VC was optimistic that

ideas that would be generated during the seminar would be useful to participants. Prof Joy Eyisi of the English Department said Agu deserved commendation for the gesture and his efforts in sensitising students to embrace entrepreneurship for them to be job creators after school. Eyisi said: “Our youths have taken us over and above the height of our dream. It is fantastic when you see good number of things our youths can do by themselves, and then you know that Nigeria is aspiring for the zenith. I want to tell you to keep working hard and you should go for excellence.” The seminar featured an entrepreneurship contest during which participants used their skills to produce various objects, including bread, beads, bags made from woven palm fronds, and art works. A panel of judges assessed contestants’ work based on originality of the products and creativity. Chinonso Okolie, an English Education student, who designed Igbo scrabble, a word-game, won the contest. Chinonso said he was motivated by the growing concern for the revival of Igbo language, noting that the scrabble would make Igbo students develop interest their language. He said: “That prediction about Igbo language would go into extinction by 2025 unsettles me. It disturbs me a lot, because Igbo is a major tribe in the country. Moved by that prediction, I conducted a research of how best to restore the lost glory of the language. And that was how I came about the Igbo scrabble, a game that involves word formation in the language.” When asked how the scrabble could be played, Chinonso said: “The scrab table contains all Igbo lexicon. Igbo alphabet is 36 letters while we have 26 in English. The scrabble contains 130 letter tiles which includes three •Continued on page 32

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Role of youths in nation building

By Innocent Abah

HE leadership cadre is filled with aged politicians who think nation building is their exclusive preserve and as such youth should not be given a chance. Perhaps, their stand explains why though youths are said to be leaders of tomorrow, that future never comes. This is the unfortunate mind-set that has informed the pattern of successive leadership in Nigeria. This cliché in some way has sedated almost all youth and created in them a sense of reluctance in participating and taking up roles and responsibilities that will help in nation building. Youths in the Nigeria Constitution refer to persons between ages 18 and 35. So, how come the youth leader of the largest political party in Africa is above 50 years? This question and

many more are part of the problems facing the youth that has incapacitated him to fully partake in issues of nation building. In a broader sense, youth refers to people who have energy, vigour and enthusiasm to get things done. It is a state of mind not a function of Age, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity and an insatiable appetite for progressive reasoning. Youths are the building blocks of every developed nation. The stronger the youth of a country, the more developed that country. For a country like Nigeria with about 70% youth population, one wonders why we are where we are but why would this not be so when the future of the youth has been mortgaged for selfish gains; when we have been denied the benefits of good education, when our minds have been chronically infested with low morality and loss of values, when the leadership class is riddled with notoriously corrupt individuals which the justice system has helplessly fail to punish. Why won’t it be so when government’s plans and readiness to revive youth un-productivity is but a mere lip service? They only engage us during election and turn us into electoral thugs instead of building enough schools and creating adequate employment opportunities. I am glad the young people missed the horror of the Civil War as well

as the hardships and depression that came with it but I also regret that we missed the leaders, the true heroes who told our fathers sincerely when things will be tough and the need to make sacrifice beginning with themselves. They brought our fathers together and gave them a sense of national purpose, which our present leaders are bent on destroying. On the other hand, the youth are the architect of our misfortune because we have internalised the wrong precedence of corrupt politicians. We are ideologically bankrupt and in a state of delirium. We chose violence instead of peace and mutual coexistence. We chose the comfort of the moment instead of striving for selfsacrifice that will guarantee the freedom of this country. We chose the highway for robbery instead of class rooms. We chose guns, knives and axes instead of pen, paper and hard work. We avail ourselves all kinds of dirty jobs during election. We lack character and morality. The qualities of tomorrow’s leaders lie in the characters of today’s followers. Our thoughts are ominously perilous, non-productive and self-renegading. According to Mahatma Ghandhi, “A man is but the product of his thoughts, what he thinks he becomes.” We learn from the bad examples of our leaders as evident in violence and fraud that characterise students’ union election and

large scale embezzlement of funds in our unions and youth forums. To really enhance the youth and make him or her contribute meaningfully to nation building is a duty for all, the government, parent and youth themselves. The energy and brightness of the minds of youths act as torch bearer for national development. The countries which utilise their youth in positive direction are more developed. The youth of nation are the trustees of posterity. Good education prepares one to impact positively on self and society. Government must provide this and youth must seek and desire to be educated at all levels. Nelson Mandela said “no country can really develop unless its citizens are educated”. For the philosophy of the classroom in one generation is the philosophy of government in the next generation. Provision of jobs and employment opportunities are leverage for the youth to properly and conscientiously channel their energy and talent towards nation building. Service and sacrifice to country and fatherland in the spirit of true patriotism must be a front burner in the heart of every youth. This means the country’s peace, sanity and orderliness should be the utmost desire of every youth. We must be agents of change and

Tears for my country A

S Nigerians eagerly await the rescheduled elections, I find it inevitable to air my view on the political situation. This is not because the elections are topical issues, but for the fact that Nigeria is at a turning point. This is so because fate lies in the election. Any mistake made during the elections could turn out to be harmful to the country. So far, the way our politicians campaign have not changed considerably over the years. Yet we have refused to learn from our past mistakes. These politicians could go to the extent of promising heaven and earth knowing fully well that they are not in possession of either. This reminds me of one of my lecturers while in school who is of the opinion that it is only in Nigeria someone will gather a group of people and talk to them with both knowing that his words are lies. Yet at the end, this same group of people will clap for him. The question is who is then fooling who? When I sit down and meditate on

the future of my dear country, I tend to feel sad more often as a result of the poor and dilapidating state we still found ourselves in. It is a known fact that the generation of our fathers have failed the present generation by not providing us with the type of life style their own father’s generation gave to them. Yet these are the same set of people we rally round during campaigns after they have given us a few wad of naira notes. The youth of today, who are supposed to be agents of change, have unfortunately turned to political thugs. This alone is worth many tears for the nation as have decided to join hands with those jeopardising the future of our great country. For instance, there were dusts surrounding the eligibility of General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB) with allegations of human right negligence, ‘slamisation’ of the nation and so on. I believe those saying such have failed to know the difference between military regime and democracy. How can someone who

did islamise the nation during the military junta when both he and his second-in-command were both Muslims now do so in a democratic dispensation? There is hardly any military regime that is perfectly free from human right abuses. We all know that the regime of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd) from 19761979 was quite different from the way his tenure was as the civilian president from 1999-2007. Why do people see GMB’s case in another light? It is my view that the PDP-led government is trying all its best to discredit GMB at the expense of the common Nigerians and yet, we accept to be fooled. Of course, this is not the first time he is contesting. Does it mean that his clearance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to contest for the previous elections did not include his educational qualifications? I see this as a deliberate attempt to divert the minds of the electorates at all cost. This is a clear testimony to one of the statements of Sen

By Mubarak Ibrahim Ahmed Makarfi who once said “if the truth be said, Buhari reBymust Jennifer Umeh mains the only real threat to PDP whether he runs for presidency or not due to his wider followership among the masses that now hit the elite circle”. When I see some Nigerians coming out for elective posts, I couldn’t help but shed tears for the future of my country, wondering how the

the change we desire in others must start from us. We must use all of our talent to serve country and fatherland. We must also help government at all levels in the implementation of policy. We must resist all forms of exploitation by individuals and groups for in this they take away our voice and right and take us away from the big picture. Youths must seek to participate in government, politics and policy formulation. We must shelve aside our responsibilities of joining mainstream politics and forming healthy and progressive alliances among ourselves and participating in all issues of national interest. This way, our voices will be heard and our views considered. We must have a change in character and value; we must purge and cleanse ourselves of all qualities inimical to national development. For a man who wants equity must come with clean hand, so goes the saying. In conclusion, we need the wisdom of the old because if the energy of youth is left unchecked, it portends imminent danger. It is time for the young generation to stop seeing themselves as too young. We all have something to offer this great country. •Innocent, 600-Level Medicine and Surgery, BSU same people who looted the nation to stupor would have the guts to still tell us to vote for them. But the same youth immediately the election is over, these same youth turn around and start complaining about poor performance of the administration. The Nigeria I dream of is such that its citizens will be able to say NO to a politician and stand firm on that. A country with positive focus will never give chance to people like Ms Oduah, the former minister of aviation and others who had been involved in financial misconduct at one time or the other. If people like her could have Senatorial ambition, I will not be surprised if the likes of Chief Bode George also aspire for elective positions. All said and done, as we move towards the election period, I enjoin all not to sell their vote either for material gain or sentiment. A vote should be casted to whom we have believe that will save us from the dilapidating state we’ve been subjected to. As we go into the election period, we should all vote according to our conscience. •Mubarak Ibrahim, Fresh Graduate of General Agriculture, UDUS

Unending cases of indecent dressing I

NDECENT dressing remains a major problem, especially among women. One of the notable values of Africa is its rich cultural background, and as such, there is no time in our history that indecent dressing can be linked to our heritage. The depth of this ungodly and morally-repugnant attitude is sunk deeply in tertiary institutions. Youngsters often think that indecent dressing is a fad of the age. Due to the bug of westernisation, many have gone haywire just to belong. Indecent dressing has no link to religion, because modesty is preached in various divine statutes. Over exposure to foreign culture through various channels such as internet, videos, and music among other medium, contribute majorly to the spread of uncouth dressing. However, there also exist some external factors ranging from poor

parenting, peer pressure and other societal complexes capable of undermining morality. It is as well noteworthy that the kind of messages passed by those we tagged role models, are nothing to write home about. This greatly reflects in the home videos and movies that dominate the Nollywood scenes in Nigeria. For instance, at the University of Ilorin, the management condemns such act of immorality. As indicated in the school motto, the university only award degrees to only those that are worthy in learning and character. Thus, discipline and modesty serve as the university’s watchword. As it is generally presumed that forewarned is forearmed, the university authority, during the yuletide break, sent messages to every student, specifically to disseminate information to students as to the form of dress

codes allowed while on campus. In a similar vein, this was extended as part of the themes for orientation of fresh students of the university. Pamphlets were also distributed to students at the venue of the orientation programme. The university believes that proper dressing is an act which is necessary to excel in one’s field, and needed in life after graduation. There is a fine and a form of warning to ignorant first-time offenders and more stringent disciplinary actions await those that occasionally violate the dressing ethics. The way one dresses determines the way one is addressed. Dressing decently enables one to gain respect from lecturers, fellow students and even in the entire academic community. It is also a proactive measure that reduces prevalent societal problems such as sexual assault.

This development, despite the advantages, does not go down well with some students. “Dress code is just a way to restrict the freedom of students”, argued a student who claimed anonymity. However, for the greater good, there is existence of laws. Aggrieved students have no choice other than to comply with the university rules and regulations. A university is designed to be an institution offering academic literacy and a platform for moral training. UNILORIN is known to train students in character and learning. Thus, only students proven to be successful in both aspects are awarded degrees. The university therefore sets record and model to other institutions of learning as to definition of graduates. Some students clearly see nothing offensive in dressing indecently to displease their creator.

By Aminat Afolabi Addressing the problem of indecent dressing on campus is a task for all. •Aminat, 400-Level Chemistry, UNILORIN

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

‘How paramedics help society’

EDICAL Students from the South converged on the Uli campus of Odumegwu Ojukwu University for a four-day conference tagged: “The expected role of paramedics in Nigeria” The event, held in partnership with Mobile Paramedic Initiative of Nigeria (MPIN), was to expose the young medical practitioners to the profession’s challenges, and what is expected of them. Speakers included Dr Kennedy Emejulu, Dr Ernest Obienusi, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Abel

•From right: Guest of honour, Philip Umeadi, Bob Manuel and Nwachukwu at the event

From Victor Oguaju ANSU Nwachukwu; the founder of MPIN, movement of paamong others. tients to hospital Emejulu, who spoke on the impor- without unnecestance of Paramedics, explained that sary delay,’’ he •Some of the members of the association in uniform they are trained to resuscitate and said. He emphasised the need for of the initiative, urged the governstabilise patients using sophisticated private and public sectors to help the ment to adopt and support as a techniques, equipment and drugs. health sector. parastatal so as to make its services ‘’They are responsible for managing Abel Nwachukwu, the founder of the pre-hospital treatment, care and MPIN, talked about the challenges

spread faster to the society. The event also featured trainings, workshops, and sporting activities.

‘Why NUC cancelled Pass degree’

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

RESHERS admitted by the Usmanu Danfodiyyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) have been urged to be of good conduct and face their studies. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, gave the advice during the institution’s 36th matriculation. Zuru, who congratulated students, said 4,133 scaled the admission hurdles. He urged the freshers not to indulge in vices that could make them lose the opportunity. He said: “The university degree of this great institution would only be given to students who have been confirmed worthy in character and learning.” Speaking on the National Universities Commission (NUC) decision to cancel Pass degrees, the VC urged stu-

From Sarat Alabidun UDUS dents to read to graduate with good grades. He told them to shun bigotry, intolerance and vices that could cause disturbance on the campus. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Adamu Aliero, urged the students to eschew violence and acts that could terminate their admission. He said they must deal with one another with respect and understanding. Some of the freshers spoke to CAMPUSLIFE after the event. Kabiru Umar Galadima, admitted into Economics Department, described the matriculation as a “dream come true”. He said: “I want to make sure that I graduate with a First Class, I know it won’t be easy but by Allah’s guidance, I will work hard to achieve it.”

Running with a vision •Continued from page 30

blank tiles while that of English is 100 letter tiles with the inclusion of two blank tiles. “Players will draw eight tiles from the bag, unlike in English scrabble where players can draw seven letters. There can be four or two players and by so doing, they understand the language better just as we have in English scrabble.” The winners of the contest were presented with start-up funds totaling N1 million. Participants also witnessed the

launch of Aluta Entrepreneurs Market, a building of shops and offices for young entrepreneurs who cannot afford expensive office. Mr. Eloka Egbunike, a politician, pledged to sponsor five of the contestants to entrepreneurship exhibition in South Africa later in the year. Awards were given to people who excelled in entrepreneurship in different fields. The awardees included a former Vice-Chancellor of the school, Prof Pita Ejiofor and chairman of Orient Communications Limited, Mr Godwin Ezeemo.

Rally against cancer •Continued from page 27

A trader, Mrs Joy Osayi, said the awareness changed her belief about the cause of cancer. She said: “I did not know the cause of cancer. I thought it has to do with spiritual affliction, because I had a friend who died of cancer after she returned from her village. We suspected someone in the village for her death. But, now I know the cause and it could be prevented.” A graduating student, Emmanuel Egbroko, said widespread ignorance about the disease made the rally imperative. He educated the people on how cancer cells grow and the organs that could be affected by the disease. “Cancer does not discriminate against any gender. There are other types of cancer afflicting human being. We have prostate and skin cancer. Men should avoid alcohols and cigarettes,” he said. The students did not stop in the market. They visited Russell International School, where they sensitised pupils in senior secondary classes. The young girls were shown how to detect a breast cancer. They were told to avoid the use of contraceptives as this would

increase the risk of having breast cancer. Addressing the pupils, Chinenye said: “Abstinence from intercourse is the key to avoiding all sexually-transmitted infections. This is because the use of contraceptive doubles the risk for breast cancer.” The proprietor of the school, Mrs Gloria Ejiroghene, said the sensitisation was timely to make the information about cancer and other diseases available to the pupils to save lives from being lost because of ignorance. Ejiroghene said: “We appreciate the visit of Pharmacy students for this awareness to mark the World Cancer Day. We are grateful that they came to educate our pupils and staffs on the different kind of cancers and ways to prevent them.” The UNIBEN chapter president of Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Student (PANS), Darry Emazor, praised his colleagues who participated in the health campaign. “We embark on the rally to increase awareness about cancer, which has cut short many lives, including reputable people. I enjoin people to try to go for regular checkup, because early detection of the tumour gives a better chance for survival,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

Another crisis looms for polytechnics

NLESS the Federal Government moves swiftly to avert the impending strike by polytechnic workers, students may be heading back home soon as the unions in the sector brace up for another round of confrontation with the government. The three unions (Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) are accusing the government of refusing to honour agreements reached and doing nothing to address the grievances that led to its protracted strike (11 months) which was suspended in July 2014 to enable the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, settle down and look into the issues. The immediate cause of their agitation is the suspension of the payment of the CONTISS (Consoli-

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

dated Tertiary Institutions Salary Scale) 15. A statement signed by the General Secretaries of the three unions, Usman Nda-Umar (ASUP), Monday Jegede (SSANIP) and Peter Adeyemi (NASU) and made available to The Nation in Abuja also wants the government to call the Governing Councils of the federal polytechnic, Oko and Ado Ekiti to order. Apart from their anger over the suspension of CONTISS 15, they also accused the government of failing to release the reports of the visitation panel to all federal polytechnics five years after the exercise, and dumping the NEEDS assessment report of polytechnics nine months after the exercise was concluded. The statement reads: “The attention of the unions have been drawn to a circular FME/S/66/C.2/11/

270 dated 26th January, 2015 emanating from the Office of Honourable Minister of Education purported to have suspended the implementation of CONTISS 15 in Polytechnics without recourse to the spirit and letters of agreement with the unions in the sector. “Recall that the unions in the sector were on strike throughout the preceding year following the refusal of government to act responsibly and honour agreements signed with the unions. In deference to the then newly appointed minister’s plea for time, and to his strong assurances that the thorny issues would be resolved within three months, the unions resolved to give the government a benefit of the doubt and suspended the strike in July 2014. “Unfortunately and sadly, six months after, and despite repeated assurances in several meetings with the Honorable Minister of Education, what we get is the suspension

of a statutory salary structure (CONTISS 15) approved by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’dua, which implementation dates back to 2009. “Characteristically, we have maintained the highest standards of diligence, patience and due process in our engagement with government and its agencies. But let these virtues not be misconstrued for fragility. “We, therefore, call on the minister of education to without delay reverse the purported circular suspending the implementation of CONTISS 15 and cause the Governing Councils and management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko and AdoEkiti to reverse their purported proscription of the unions. “We strongly caution that our goodwill should not be taken for granted. Failure to reverse this retrogressive and illegitimate directive will leave our unions with no other choice but resort to the last option.”

Students seek justice over murder of Ogoni leader

THE students of Rivers State Polytechnic (RIVPOLY), have protested the gruesome murder of one of them, Comrade Nfiri Sabastine, who was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen while standing at a filling Station located at Bori, the capital of Ogoni. The late Nfiri who was the Financial Secretary of Ogoni Students Network (OSN) and a National Diploma I student of Medical Laboratory Science, was shot on Sunday afternoon and buried on Monday by the family.

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Speaking on Monday after a protest in Bori, the spokesman of Ogoni Students Network, Comrade Legbaris Yamaabana described late Nfiri as a peace loving youth. Condemning the murder, he said that the students would continue to protest until the police unveils those behind his death.

Legbaris said: "We condemn in strong terms and in its totality the brutal killing of our student and an Ogoni student for that matter. We are calling on the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Civil Liberty Organization and other law enforcement agencies to do something fast. "As a matter of urgency we want them to launch a full -scale investigation and to leave no stone unturned until the murderer are arrested. The students will continue to protest on daily basis except the killers are arrested."

Seminar for new teachers THE Federal Polytechnic Offa (FEDPOFFA), has organised a one-day seminar for newly employed lecturers at the main campus of the institution. Chairman, Organising Committee of the programme, Mr. S.A. Adeyemo, Dean, School of General Studies said the orientation is to enlighten the new lecturers about their duties; ways to establish good relationships with students and colleagues, as well as ways to develop themselves for high productivity and career advancement. Adeyemo thanked the Rector, Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo, for supporting the programme. Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr. Ayodele Olaosebikan, spoke on the 'Ethical Behavior in Workplace', while the Deputy Rector (Academics), Dr. A.D. Okonta, spoke on 'Lines of Communication and Staff Discipline in the Polytechnic'. The Polytechnic Librarian, Dr. Femi Quadri, spoke on the importance of publication for career development and admonished the new lecturers to focus on research and publish to boost their efficiency and productivity.

Lecturer wins grant

•Late Nfiri

British Council rewards enterprise winners

HE next few months will be busy for Ese Odiete and Nasir Yammama, winners of the Enterprise Challenge, an entrepreneurship competition organised by the British Council. While Ese, a Mass Communication graduate of Covenant University, Ota, will be expecting to take delivery of machines to improve the finishing of her fashion products ( locally produced bags and shoes) for export, Nasir a graduate of Middlesex University, UK, will be preparing to pilot his farming App, Verdant, with 300 farmers in Nigeria. The duo were presented with N1.5 million each as cash prizes for presenting the best business ideas that provide solutions to local problems in the maiden competition. Before the awards programme held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island recently, they had enjoyed a mentoring session with Virgin Atlantic boss, Sir Richard Branson in London and attended a one-week skills development training at the Branson Centre for Entrepreneurship in South Africa last year. The organisers, British Council, and sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc and Virgin Atlantic, were full of praise of the young ones, both 25-years old, for their creativity and foresight and the quality of entries received in the competition generally. Director of Programmes, British Council, Louisa Waddington, who thanked Zenith Bank and Virgin Atlantic for their partnership, added that the winners selected were the best that met the criteria. "We looked at the creativity that was encapsulated in people's essays and the way they talked to us; we looked at the relevance of their concepts to the Nigerian situation. We looked at the energy those individual people had and made our decisions based on those we actually thought that had the best prospect in

FEDPOFFA FILE

A LECTURER in the Department of Computer Engineering, Dr. Samuel Obaje has won a grant to conduct a research on the "Viability of Soleprints and Toe Prints of Lepers for voting purposes" from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund). Obaje said the research will shed light on how lepers would be more relevant since they have no fingerprints to perform their civic rights. Obaje said since lepers do not have fingers due to leprosy, he decided to research into how possible it is to make use of their soleprints and toe prints. To do this, he intends to collect massive data of lepers' soleprints and toe prints and get them analysed to see if these prints can be used as their own personal identification and possibly for voting. He added that accident victims who have lost their thumbs can also benefit from this research as well as people whose job involve chemical production and have lost the prints on their fingers.

Dean re-elected • From left Ese and Nasir with Mr Peacock, Rachel Coffey (Country Manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways), and Sola Oladipo (Executive Director, Zenith Bank) at the event. By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

being successful; and also create opportunities for other young people. The winners that we selected were definitely the best that came out most strongly in those areas," she said. Tomi Soyinka, Director, Education and Skills, said the competition attracted high quality ideas from over 2,000 youth living in Nigeria, United Kingdom and elsewhere. "We got over 2,000 applications from very talented people from all across Nigeria, UK, and even Ghana and Cyprus even though we had restricted the entries to only Nigeria and Uk. It was overwhelming. 1,883 applications were short listed and 10 finalists selected to face the panel," she said.

Presenting the cheques, Andrew Peacock, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, said their success story gives hope for the future. "To see young people and hear their story makes one feel so worthwhile," he said. For the winners, participating and winning the competition has been a life changing experience. Ese said the trip to UK to spend time with Richard Branson made her meet people she would not have dreamed of meeting. She also said the training exposed her to changes she needed to make in running her business. "I had the awesome opportunity to travel to the UK and I flew first class. And it was beautiful. Sir

‘We looked at the creativity that was encapsulated in people’s essays and the way they talked to us; we looked at the relevance of their concepts to the Nigerian situation’

Branson was loving and humble. I met very big people - people we thought we won't meet in our lives - people we meet in the media. "I started my business after school. I have not been to any proper business school. Attending the centre was like a mini MBA in one week. I saw so many things I had been doing wrongly in my business," she said. On his part, Nasir said winning the competition transformed them into celebrities. He added that he now has a responsibility to be successful. "I don't only feel I have been equipped to be successful but I feel a great responsibility to succeed," he said. Nasir hopes to have five million Nigerian farmers using his Mobile App by 2018 to access information about farming - weather, types of crops to sow on particular soils, how to access fertilizers, loans, etc; while Ese hopes to compete with the top designers around the world producing Nigerian shoes and bags with local ankara fabrics, leather and other resources.

THE School of Applied Science and Technology (SAST), has re-elected Dr. Moshood Fowomola as dean for a second term. Although Fowomola was unopposed, the election was conducted to confirm that two-thirds of the workers wanted him to return. He emerged the winner with 100 per cent votes. Fowomola said he was able to implement all the promises he made while seeking office for the first time in 2012 - one of which was the part payment of the annual conference fees for all. He added that, throughout his tenure, incentives were given to workers, both Christians and Muslims during the festive periods, while some laboratories and offices were renovated without putting all the burden on the management. Mr. Mufutau Usman, Head, Micro Biology Unit of the school, he described Fowomola as a 'man of integrity’. He said paying part of the conference fees for all workers was a feat that had never been accomplished in the history of the school. He said each worker paid N3,000 instead of N68,000, which was a great relief for them.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE UNILORIN FILE UNIILORIN apprehends exam cheats TWO students have been apprehended for examination malpractice in the ongoing first semester examinations in the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). Secretary of the Computer Based Test (CBT) Committee, Mrs. Olubunmi Eyinla, spoke of her disappointment in the two students, who were caught cheating during examinations. She pointed out that the high level of invigilation afforded the CBT committee the opportunity to uncover the manipulations of the students. Mrs Eyinla expressed gratitude to the management for the provision of infrastructural facilities on the campus, particularly increase in the number of computer systems. She disclosed that the university had always placed high premium on the welfare of students including the physically challenged.

Former DVC speaks on HCD THE immediate past Deputy ViceChancellor (DVC) of (UNILORIN), Prof Raheem Lawal, has called on university authorities nationwide to develop a formal mentoring programme for their workers to boost human capital development and guarantee unbroken chain of worthy successors from generation to generation. Lawal, who made this recommendation at the UNILORIN management retreat in Omu-Aran, Kwara State, said mentoring is at the core of sustainability of the academic culture and ethical orientation of any university. He said: “A mentoring programme is a sine qua non in any university aspiring to continuously discharge her mandate as faithfully as possible from one generation of academic managers to another.”

‘Bad road designs cause road accidents’ PUBLIC Education Officer at the Kwara State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr. N.N. Ndem, has attributed most road accidents in the country to bad road designs. Mr. Ndem, who made the observation while delivering a lecture at the annual get-together of the UNILORIN Drivers’ Welfare Association (UDWA), said road safety guidelines encompass all road users including pedestrians and vehicle drivers. He said: “Always keep in mind that the person you kill in an accident might be one out of one billion, but for his family he might be the only bread winner and the dearest.”

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE Heinrich Boll Scholarships in Germany for International Students Masters/PhD Degree Study in: Germany Next course starts 2015 Brief description: The Heinrich Böll Foundation awards scholarships to international students who gained their university entrance qualification from a school outside of Germany who wish to study a Masters or PhD Degree in Germany. Host Institution(s): State or staterecognized Universities in Germany Field(s) of study: The scholarships are awarded for all subjects. Number of Scholarships: Not specified. Target group: The scholarship program allots scholarships to international students. Special focus

regions are: central and eastern Europe, the EU's neighbouring states and the CIS, the Middle East and North Africa (especially Syria, Egypt, Tunisia, Israel), transition and newly industrialised countries, and conflict regions worldwide. Scholarship value/inclusions: •750 per month for Masters Students or •1000 per month for PhD students, plus • 100 mobility allowance per month, plus various individual allowances. Tuition fees are not funded. Eligibility: International students on a MASTERS course in any subject who earned their university entrance qualification outside Germany (Bildungsausländer/innen) and are studying, or wish to study, in Germany: •You may apply before beginning your Masters programme or at any time up to the end of the first semester of the Masters programme. •Applicants must have completed a

first degree. •Good or very good knowledge of German (at least B4 Level) is required; you must supply documentary evidence. The selection workshops are generally held in German. If a scholarship is granted, intensive German courses may be funded. International doctoral students in all subjects who are non-EU citizens, who earned the university entrance qualification outside the EU, and who are pursuing, or wish to pursue, doctoral studies in Germany (Bildungsausländer/innen): •At the time of application, the applicant must have been accepted as a doctoral student by a state-recognised German institution of higher education. •Preference will be given to dissertation projects related to the working areas of the Heinrich Böll Foundation. •Good or very good knowledge of German (at least B2 Level) is required; you must supply documentary evidence.

The Vice-Chancellor, Covenant University (CU) Ota Ogun State, Prof Charles Ayo, in this interview with select journalists last Friday, spoke on the university's planned downward review of tution. He also identified a number of qualities that make the 'CU brand', which aside driving the university on the path of progress, ranks it as the first in Nigeria, West Africa and 15 in Africa, according to two international ranking agencies Webometrics and Repositories. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA was there.

Why we may review fee, by CU VC

WO years ago, you said CU adopted eight-point agenda to drive its mandate of becoming one of the top 10 universities globally by year 2022. Could you shed light on the agenda? One of it is to create a unique Covenant University culture of responsibility, spirituality and most importantly, discipline, such that anywhere you see our students that culture is obvious in them. Second, is the area of research and number three is to have such research recited. Fourth is teaching and I make bold to say here that we have massive investment in teaching facilities. Currently, we have about five teleconferencing centres here and this makes it possible for us to interact and present papers from here to any part of the world. During the last Ebola Virus Disease saga, we hosted international conference here in conjunction with the University of Florida. We only used our teleconferencing facility here to deliver our papers without

having to travel to the US. Shortly afterwards, Nigeria was declared Ebola-free. It might interest you to know that, that effort has earned us a mileage towards the dream we are pursuing. Another international conference will be holding in Harvard (University) and by reason of what we have done, I have been invited as a keynote speaker with a view to forging collaborations towards application of IT on issues bordering on health. Do you set goals at all, and if you do, how do you go about attaining them? On a yearly basis, CU sets goals and for this year, our goals are: innovation, impact and internationalisation. With regards to our international students, we have them out there and we maintained close tie with them. If we see any of them going into an area that is of interest to us that we intend to engage the general public, we give them preference because we want to ensure that in no distant time, some of our graduates

•Prof Ayo

would emerge nobel laureates. As a motivation for faculty staff towards winning awards, we have instituted some strategic moves. At present, CU has a number of research clusters, which work as a team to addressing certain societal challenges and we motivate them appropriately. This university fully sponsors any faculty to any international conference anywhere in the world so long as you have at least two papers to present. This is geared towards getting more recitation for the university, which automatically extends our reach. What is the university doing in internationalising its studentship? This is second semester. By March, members of management would be combing the entire African continent towards seeking collaborations with renowned institutions. Again, we are about placing an advertorial for the 2014/ 2015 admission exercise and we are reaching out to the African nations to attract a variety of students. We will soon be giving out a Samsung tablet to all our students, which will make them learn on their own. The scheme is aimed at improving internal efficiency of our students. We should be able to say as many as the Lord has given to us, it is our desire to graduate that number of students in record time. We have approximately 8000 and we are conscious of our carrying capacity. Aside, we are not likely to overstretch our facilities. There are cases of overcrowded classrooms resulting in more pressure on the facilities, which are sometimes not enough. You said CU would soon begin a downward review of its fees and

The selection workshops are generally held in German. If a scholarship is granted, intensive German courses may be funded. Application instructions: For details of application requirements and procedures, please consult information sheet A 1-1 ("scholarship application for undergraduate and graduate students", PDF) or A 2-1 ("scholarship application for doctoral studies"). These give important information on the formalities of your application and on preconditions and criteria. Applications must be made online and is done in German language. Application deadline is 3 March 2015. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for details on how to apply for this scholarship. Website: Official Scholarship Website: http://www.boell.de/scholarships/ scholarships.html Related Scholarships: List of Scholarships in Germany

embark on industrialisation towards improving its IGR, how does it intend to achieve this? Let me correct a misconception, our fees might be a bit high, but If we compare it with others, you'll probably discover that we are the least. However, I have the privilege of informing the public that by the thinking of Dr David Oyedepo, the proprietor of this university, the commission is thinking of reducing the fees to allow more people benefit from CU, however it is going to be highly competitive. This means we need to work more on improving our IGR. We are up to the task. We only need to consolidate on our research endeavours. That means some of your research products are probably going to be commercialised? Very soon, we shall be launching the CU luncheon. The idea is to have a measure of endowment in our faculty. It's an avenue to invite them (captains of industry) here, take them around to see what we have, and interact with the research focus in our faculty. Come next academic session, the university will be into production of certain items in an unprecedented feat. So, we can tell the proprietor base that we can confidently depend on them, because looking at our projections for that venture, we are going to be raking in billions. And with that the fees can now be reduced, noting that any education venture is not just for money making, but social service. There is also the widespread criticism that CU appears to be producing more First Class graduates than other universities? This is not strange to us! I was privileged to have witnessed a number of convocation ceremonies here; and there is not time that we are gathered that this question does not arise. A few years ago, the Federal Government instituted the Presidential Special Scholarship Scheme for Innovation and Development. This scheme is opened to all Fist Class graduates in Nigerian universities. In the maiden edition, CU produced 10 per cent of the awardees. To us, the measure of quality is nothing, but creating a level playing ground; that is, you subject them all to a test. So, having emerged top in the maiden edition, the university also produced 10 per cent in the second edition. That was just sufficient to convince every doubting Thomas.

MOCPED releases certificates

M •A group of matriculating students of the Ogun State Institute for Technology, Igbesa for the 2014 and 2015 Academic session at the school premises.

ICHAEL Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Norforija, Epe, Lagos State, has released all outstanding certificates of graduates of the college. A circular signed by the National Public Relations Officer of the MOCPED Alumni Association, Mr Kamorudeen Nosirudeen, stated that all certificates, especially those for the part-time graduands of the 2000-2008 sessions and Full-time

graduands of 2007/2008 to 2012/ 2013 academic sessions are ready for collection. To collect their certificates, the circular directed the concerned graduates to make the necessary payments to the school and alumni association, complete the certificate form and submit to academic office for processing. The certificates can be collected from the registrar Office once processing is completed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

N1.6bn salary arrears raises anxiety among Kogi teachers

HERE is disquiet among Kogi State teachers over unpaid salaries, close to two months into 2015. The Kogi State government has put unpaid salaries of teachers for the months of November and December last year at N1.6 billion. While teachers’ salary indebtedness in the 21 local councils is about N1.4 billion, another N321 million is outstanding for the November 2014 teachers’ salary. One of the teachers, who confided in our correspondent, said: "My col-

From James Azania, Lokoja

leagues are not happy, nobody is happy. Let me ask you how many people will head SUBEB before we get to see the light of day. They just have to fulfil their promises to us. We can't take promises to the market.” Findings show that the last Interim Management Committee under Stephen Akawu, which was put in place by Governor Idris Wada to oversee the activities of the State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB), left office without

paying teachers' salary in at least three local governments. Under Akawu's successor, Mallam Nuhu Ahmed, the number of local councils rose to five (Okene, Omala, Ofu, Ajaokuta and Olamaboro). Reacting to the development, Ahmed, who assumed office on January 15 this year told The Nation that teachers will begin to get bank alert beginning from this week. He said the board in conjunction with the government is working hard to offset the amount. He as-

sured that teachers would be paid their January salary this week. He said the aforementioned five local councils are still owed November salary, while all the 21 council areas are yet to be paid December salary. Akawu said though, the board is working with finance experts to ensure that no teacher is left unpaid; nonetheless, he noted that teachers may not be paid their full salary owing to the dwindling allocation from the Federal Government.

"I will not want a situation where some teachers will be paid while others will not. We are working to ensure that all teachers are paid, even if it means that they will not collect full pay," he said. He pleaded for patience on the part of the teachers, saying everything is being done to ensure that they are promptly paid. Praising teachers for their understanding, he stressed that the government is working very hard to make life better and more meaningful for them.

Kwara trains teachers on CBT

• The school, Questland College emerges 2015 Champions during the Lagos State Secondary Schools Sports Festival Ibile Games Chess Competition held last week in Lagos.

‘Motivate your wards, parents, teachers told’

T was not just fun galore for parents and teachers of Doregos Private Academy at the school's prize giving day, but it was a time to remind them of their roles in the lives of the pupils. As they gathered to celebrate at the programme which was part of the activities to commemoration the school's 25th anniversary, the parents and teachers were advised to cooperate as they complement each other in the upbringing of the child. The Chairman of the occasion, Mr Ezekiel Ejidele, who gave the advice in his remarks said: We are expected to assist, guide, pilot and encourage as well as motivate our children towards realising their full potential. We all know that appreciation is the feeling of happiness that we get the moment we realise we have done something good. Even when they (students) are failing, you need not to hammer on their weaknesses but try to encourage them; they can do better. We need to appreciate them when they perform well but we need to appreciate them the more when they are failing. That which they think is impossible; we must always assure them that it is possible with minimal implemental effort". To boost their morale, Ejidele said teachers and parents should compliment pupils' efforts by using such words like "well done, thank you, you can do better, I am proud of you. These words as simple as they appear could motivate our pupils to wanting to do more". He noted the performances of the prize winners serve as encouragement to both parents and the school and urged the non recipients to work harder. Corroborating the chairman's speech, Mr Babatunde Babalola, a professor of Educational Management, University of Ibadan, who spoke on the theme "Learning for Sustainability", said education should not be restricted to school as learning starts from home. Therefore, he said the home has a basic responsibility to play. He explained that there are dynamics of teaching which is evolving and encouraged the school

By Jane Chijioke

to be technologically alert in its teaching process. He however warned that teachers, pupils as well as school administrators should recognise their boundaries and responsibilities to make learning sustainable. The highlight of the event was the presentation of prizes to 94 pupils and 33 members of staff as well as the inauguration of the school's science laboratory and tuck shop. Inioluwa Ejidele, who is the school's ambassador for SS2 Class, attested that motivation from his parents has really helped him. I have always been lagging behind in Maths and English. My parents supported me by giving me private tutor aside the ones in school. I receive home lessons at 8pm; at times my tutor sleeps in my house and by three to four in the morning, we tackle mathematics. My Mum has really been by my side, every time she wakes me up, or keep alarm clock by my side. At times she sits down with me and we study together. My Dad is another source of encourage-

ment to me. The presence of my Mum here is the major reason of my happiness today. Her efforts truly have not been in vain". On his part, Mr Ejidele said he relates with his son like his friend. "He is more like a friend to me; I don't see him as a son. We are very close; we talk intimately. There are certain things I share with him that even his Mum does not know. He has a big dream so we are always there to encourage him. He knows how to manage his time. At times when he feels he has disappointed himself as a friend I support him," he said. Another prize winner from the JSS1 category, with 28 prizes, Bello Abubakar fondly called 'professor' said he is a strong advocate of hard work and through the effort of his teachers and parents he has been able to abide by it. Mr Benardino Doregos, Executive Director of the school, said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of pupils and members of staff as well as parents who have contributed to the progress of the school.

• Mr Vaughan (left) with the pupils after the event.

O arrest mass failure among pupils in computer-based testing (CBT), the Kwara State government has trained scores of secondary schools teachers across the state on CBT dexterity. The teachers are to in turn impact same knowledge on their respective pupils. Executive Director, Easi-Prep Nigeria Limited and consultant to the state Ministry of Education on CBT training, Babs Iwarere, spoke to reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, at the end of the week-long exercise. Iwarere said: "We discovered that in public schools teachers have not been introduced to computer-based testing and you find out that these students when they graduate encounter problems in writing their Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME), which is now computer-based, used for admission into tertiary institutions. "Regardless of the institutions, prospective students have to pass through some pre-admission tests. So, it is necessary that teachers are introduced to these computers so that they can prepare their students adequately for this exercise. "Now, we have selected teachers from all the junior and secondary schools across the state. They are about 744 government-owned schools in all. “The response from the state ministry of education has been tremendous. The participants after every exercise have been allowed to assess the training and the feedback has been very fantastic. It is encour-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

aging and participants welcome it as a development for them. We are recommending it to other states of the federation particularly government schools." Deputy Director, Information Communications Technology in the state ministry of education, Alhaji Hameed Yinusa, noted that the 21st Century education is drifting towards digital. His words: "It (education) has gone digital and if we don't start with our secondary school students they will not be able to cope when they get to higher institutions. Education is categorised into what we call teaching, learning and assessment. We have to teach digitally and students must learn in digital way, otherwise they will not be able to do the assessment. "We are starting in a way that a teacher is being sent from each junior and senior secondary school to the training which is done in the three senatorial districts of the state." A Senior Secondary School teacher from Guasara, Baruten Local Government Area, Musa Halilu, said of the exercise: "I happen to be one of the participants of the programme. I am happy to be called to attend the training exercise. I have seen the usefulness of the programme, which will help to train students under us," he said. He urged government to complement the gesture by deploying computer tests in schools.

School holds Career Day EGACY Schools, Akowonjo, a Lagos suburb, held its Career Day last week with participants encouraging one another on how to develop and discover their potentials, and developing same into a lifelong career. Unlike in previous editions where motivational speakers were invited by the school management to challenge pupils on their aspirations, this year event which held on Tuesday saw pupils who were both speakers and participants, sharing

By Olawale Oluwatosin

their passion from childhood as well as telling their contemporaries what subject combination could see them through to their choice discipline in tertiary institutions. One after the other, the pupils mounted the podium to share personal experiences and enquired on grey areas with respect to their career. Aside food and drinks, there was also a dance presentation by pupils, who kept guests and colleagues applauding almost to no end. The school Principal, Mr Sunkanmi Vaughan, said this year’s concept was to inspire the 'do-it-yourself' culture among pupils. "We had in the past invited different motivational speakers, but this year we decided to change the game. This time, we want them to know how they can do it themselves. We asked them to share their passion, future career, and what subject combinations would get them there. Besides, the idea is to also let those among them, who are weak in certain subject necessary to their course, learn to gird their loins. "For example, some of them, who want to study Law in the university, did not realise that a credit pass in mathematics is compulsory, and this is because some of them give little or no consideration to Mathematics. But, this event is an eye opener not only in Maths, but in other subjects which others probably needed to master before they write their school certificate examination,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EDUCATION

LBS grooms seven talents for faculty slots

EVEN of the 45 candidates selected for the Young Talent Programme (YTP) of the Lagos Business School (LBS) last year, are undergoing training at the school’s faculties. Six of the young scholars are honing their research skills and being mentored in the school's Management Scholarship Academy (MSA), while one is a doctoral student. Dr Uchenna Uzo, leader of the YTP, said the initiative, which started last year, is expected to produce scholars who can fit into LBS and elsewhere.

"Since the last YTP, efforts have been made to engage participants and mentor them towards making the right career choices. We are hoping that as more participants graduate from the university, we will find new ones, who can take up management roles not only in LBS, but in institutions that partner with us," he said. On their part, the YTP candidates have described working at the LBS as a good experience. Jude Adigwe, a research assistant, said the talent programme set the

stage for the position he currently occupies in the School. "I have always wanted to be an academic in an environment where I'll be positively challenged. LBS is the right place for me to get started. In the last few months, I've assessed myself and know I have improved academically," he said. Another trainee, Christian Reuben, said: "I think the YTP is a well-thought-out general introduction to LBS and what to expect as a member of staff. Being on the MSA, which has gone impressively well so far, prepares me for my aspiration as a doctoral candidate in the near future." The second edition of the YTP is scheduled for July 31 and Uzo encouraged young scholars, even those who were unsuccessful last year to apply.

•A cross section of participants at the training.

Lagos teachers to bid farewell to registers, broadsheets

HE days of taking attendance and entering examination scores into broadsheets manually may be over for teachers, thanks to a software developed by Applied Services (APPSERV), an IT solutions firm that manages the Lagos State Government Education Management System (LASGEMS). The new software application allows teachers to generate e-report cards and do a variety of other administrative tasks online. APPSERVE organised a train-thetrainers workshop for private school teachers on how to use the application last week at the Martinos event centre located in the Central Business District (CBD), Alausa, Lagos. LASGEMS was created in 2005 to generate a database of primary and secondary schools (both public and private), teachers, bio-data and school records of pupils as well as their parents to provide government with the data to plan. The new initiative is expected to boost the effectiveness of the LASGEMS database. In an interview with APPSERV Managing Director, Mr Yomi Erogbogbo, during the training of teachers from Education District I, he said with the application, teachers would do away with manual registers, input their examination records faster, and get the results collated easier. He explained that many teachers can input scores at the same time; and once the result is ready, it can be printed, emailed to parents or the

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

summary sent by SMS. Erogbogbo said: "It is now fully computerised i.e. the school attendance, submission of scores are now done online whereby schools can do away with their manual registers. And the system inputs all the scores and produces all the reports automatically. It has automated the process for producing the end of term report cards; the broadsheet; school attendance issues; and they can communicate with parents online by email and text messages. "It is of high value to parents. If your report card cannot be found; if it is lost, schools can always reproduce it. It is a permanent lifetime record." After last week’s workshop, Erogbogbo said participants are expected to train teachers and school managers in their various schools. He said APPSERV has provided dedicated servers for training and urged the teachers to take advantage of them. Save for providing internet access for teachers to input data using computers or internet-enabled phones, Erogbogbo said migrating their school records online would not cost schools so much to do. "Schools just need internet connectivity. You can use your phone or laptop. Anybody, who is a school teacher, anybody who owns a school, if you have a private school and you do not have a laptop, I do not think

‘Schools just need internet connectivity. You can use your phone or laptop. Anybody, who is a school teacher, anybody who owns a school, if you have a private school and you do not have a laptop, I do not think such person is serious about business’

such person is serious about business. What is the cost of internet bundle? Not that you are only using it for LASGEMS; it is your existing resources you are using. If there is advancement in technology and you cannot apply it to improve yourself, it is a problem," he said. Over 100 teachers from private schools in Education District I attended the training. While some teachers commended the initiative, others, particularly those whose schools have not integrated the use of technology into administration, complained about the process being tedious. For instance, while Mr Femi Aborisade a Mathematics teacher at Adegoke High School, Agege, said he likes the use of technology to generate e-report cards, he complained that it is not feasible to use the online platform to mark attendance. "When you talk of manual, it is still better because it is what we do everyday - taking attendance. However, it wont be easy going online to record attendance between classes. The report card part is okay. What I like mostly about that is getting it done and sending it to parents. It is an advancement of technology," he said. On the contrary, Mrs Olabisi Olaleye of Taqwa Private Schools, Ifako, Agege, described the initiative as laudable. She said her school uses a similar platform, which needs to be upgraded with some things she learnt from the workshop. "We have a database where we manage all students. So, it is just that when you go out you learn more. With this one, I have learnt what you have to do to update on our own system. What I just want to implore private schools is that they should adopt it because it is a good thing that will bring a lot of relief to teachers. It will relief teachers of the stress of writing, which consumes most of their time and affects teaching and learning," she said.

EDUTALK

with

Poor dressing culture! 700-capacity auditorium was used for the 2014/2015 matriculation of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) that took place recently. It was the first event the auditorium would be used for. The hall, Kofoworola built with grants from TETFund, was completed with the authorities paying a deliberate attention to details. The finishing was imKofosagie@yahoo.com pressive and the air conditioning 08054503077 (SMS only) adequate. It was therefore no surprise that the coordinators of the programme wanted the best looking students to sit close to the front. The back rows filled first with students that came quite early. The front row was filled by the last students to arrive before the ceremony began. Many of them dressed well enough to be allowed to sit in front. However, one young man had to be sent away. Underneath the grey and blue matriculation gown, he wore a pair of shorts and casual slippers. He looked more like an auto-mechanic apprentice than a student who was about to swear the matriculation oath - an important event that signifies that a student is bona fide. There were a few others like him who had no regard for their looks and what message they passed across. Students should be encouraged to dress properly. These days, boys can be as badly dressed as some girls. Many students do not like it when school authorities institute dress codes. However dress codes are not bad if they would make students dress decently. It is not proper for female students to wear low-cut tops that expose their boobs or low waist pants that drops lower when they sit down or when walking. It exposes their pants or buttocks and leaves whoever is behind them (particularly the men) undue view of what should otherwise be private. As for the young men - secondary school boys and undergraduates - I do not know what is fanciful about showing the whole world your boxers in the name of sagging. I once saw a teenager who sagged so low that I did not know when I called out to him to ask whether his trousers were going down or up. He was well-mannered enough not to insult me. Thankfully, he pulled his trousers up. I knew I took a risk confronting him. If it were another category of youth, he would have told me to mind my own business and added an insult on top. Needless to say that I am very careful about those I confront. However, it does not harm any student to dress properly. You look good, and you are respected. The saying that you should dress the way you want to be addressed is so true. Once, my cousin escaped arrest during a students' protest because he was well dressed. In his student days, he used to dress very well for someone that was an activist. That fateful day, he joined his peers to the government house to for a protest. In the process, the students turned violent and tried to pull down the gate. That was when mobile police men swung into action and tried to disperse the students using tear gas canisters. In the process, they made some arrests. They went from office to office looking for students who ran in to hide. The students were easy to sport because they looked scruffy. But my cousin mingled easily with the workers because he was well dressed and escaped arrest. Students of Covenant University, Ota, may not like that they are not allowed to wear jeans in school. But I find that they are really well dressed on campus. You don't find them going for classes in slippers, like is rife in many tertiary institutions. The girls wear skirts or trousers with good tops, while the boys tuck their shirts in and use ties all the time.

Belo-Osagie

‘I once saw a teenager who sagged so low that I did not know when I called out to him to ask whether his trousers were going down or up. He was wellmannered enough not to insult me’ From my Inbox Re: Farida's success despite palsy (published Thursday, February 12, 2015) I am Alhaji Ibraheem. I am proud of you because of the education articles you write every Thursday in The Nation. In fact, it is because of you I buy the paper every Thursday. You were our student at FGGC Benin. Keep it up. Thanks Re: Arming teens against blackmail (published Thursday, February 05, 2015) I like your write up on sexual abuse. Keep it up. Chinedu. Kofo, this week's piece is instructive and educative. It is time for government to improve on the aspect you spoke about. In my mind, private schools can easily do the work. Parents in that bracket should find time to attend meetings. On account of your experience and the opportunity you currently have, you need to articulate more for your readers. As a parent, I picked lessons from your message and saw where my thinking rhymes with your opinion. The challenge is for parents; and I blame the parent of the (abused) child for their nonchalant attitude. Mrs Oboh deserves to be publicly flogged. What sort of mother is that? Haba! it is incredible. From Wole Adeniran.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

THE NATION

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

Ambode assures traditional medicine practitioners of support •APC candidate gets stakeholders endorsement

HE weather was clement and the atmosphere, convivial. There was hope in the air to lift traditional medicine prac-

tice. The venue was the premises of the Nigeria Institute of Town Planners; Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. It was a meeting of the governoship candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akinwunmi Ambode with all stakeholders in traditional medicine (TM) practice. The convener was the Lagos State Traditional Board Medicine (LSTBD). The shout of ‘Ambo’ rented the air as the candidate stood to address the participants who were over half a million. Akinwunmi assured the traditional medicine practitioners consisting of community health officers, traditional birth attendants, the herbal medicine and ingredients sellers association (Elewe Omo), traditional medicine practitioners, bone setters and others that they would get government’s support, if elected.” Akinwunmi said: “I promise to continue to elevate and strengthen you, the various practitioners in obtaining world class training, assist you to obtain the world class standard in your various specialties and I will include you in illness prevention and health promotion activities of the administration if elected. “I recognise the role of the practitioners as I grew up in rural community of Epe. I acknowledged that most of the Elewe Omo are women and my government will continue with the women empowerment programme in this profession. I equally recognised the need to set up training institutions for traditional medicine development. And I promised to continue with capacity building for the community health officers and the community birth attendants in order to strengthen the primary health care system.” Elated by his speech, the traditional medicine stakeholders endorsed him, promising to mobilise more people to vote for him and other APC candidates. Leaders of Community Health Officers in all 57 local governments and local council development areas also promised to vote for Ambode. The representatives of the stakeholders mounted the podium one after the other to pledge their support. The President of Herbal Medicine and Ingredients Sellers Association, (Elewe Omo), Alhaja Sinifat Olomowewe; the

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

TBAs leader, Chief (Mrs) Temilade Fayemi and Leader of Community/Faith Birth Attendants, Mrs Ajishafe took turns to their express their satisfaction and support for Ambode. So, also members of the National Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners (NTMP), including Chief Felix O. Esho; Chief Moyesan and Chief Akande gave him green light. The LSTMB chairman Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi implored the stakeholders to mobilise and vote for APC candidates to strengthen and take them to the next level of development in their career. “It is only APC government that has done something to elevate our status and given us adequate recognition,” he said. He continued: “At the turn of the century, folk medicine was viewed as a practice used by poverty stricken communities and quacks. However the rejection of synthetic or biomedical products has become a growing trend in Western society and allowed for a rise in the demand for natural medicines. When less developed countries are taken into account it is estimated that over 50 percent of the world’s population relies on folk medicine practices. The prevalence of folk medicine in certain areas of the world will vary based on cultural norms. Much of today’s modern medicine though is previously based on plants that had been long used in traditional medicine.” Dr Omoseyindemi added: “The passage of a resolution, last year, on the integration of traditional medicine in global healthcare delivery systems at the 67th World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva, Switzerland, is a laudable development. It will, hopefully, help to bridge the gap between orthodox medical practice and complementary/traditional medicine for the benefit of mankind. This recognition of the value of traditional and complementary/ alternative medicine is a big leap for these branches of medicine. The approval of their integration with orthodox medicine in global health systems deserves commendation. It is a confirmation that traditional medicine, which varies among countries and regions, has useful benefits that should be harnessed to improve medical care worldwide. We heartily welcome this development and urge a quick implementation of the resolution. We need a political platform to realise these dreams, so vote for APC candidates.”

•Mr Ambode, second on the right, with the Director General for his campaign, Chief Funso Ologunde and Dr Omoseyindemi holding microphone for a stakholder expressing his support.

•A cross section of participants

‘Lifestyle changes can prevent cancer’

IGERIAN women have been urged to watch their lifestyles to prevent breast cancer. A naturopath, Dr Solomon Abutoh of Towersea Centre, Lagos, who gave the advice, also said conventional treatment of cancer and the effects vary from one person to another, depending on the stage and mode of treatment applied. He said: “Some of the unpleasant side effects of conventional treatment of cancer include loss of weight, tightness in the affected skin area, loss of strength in the muscles, numbness and tingling in the chest, under arm, shoulder and the arms. The breast may become firmer, larger or smaller, the skin could become more sensitive or less sensitive. Patients are more prone to infections, bruise or bleed easily, loss of hair and appetite, bone marrow suppression or sores. Nausea and vomiting are the most serious side effects of Chemotherapy. Periods could be irregular or may abruptly stop; some might not be fertile, especially between ages 35 to

By Wale Adepoju

40 years. Hot flashes and vaginal dryness or irritation may also occur.” He added: “Since prevention is obviously better than cure, which in this case has been elusive, patients are strongly advised to check breast monthly; women aged 20 to 40 should have a health care professional check their breast every year; have a mammogram annually.” Abutoh said as in all disease conditions (breast cancer inclusive) the choices we make, our life style, the food we eat and drink, the environment and or conditions we expose ourselves to, are crucial, very crucial for anyone who desires to stay healthy. According to him, “The natural healing force within each one of us remains the greatest force in getting well. Certain percentage of all breast cancer cases could be avoided by taking preventive measures. Breast cancer is one of the most widely studied cancers and it has been proven that nutrition can

make an impact on risk for individuals with and without a breast cancer diagnosis. “Consuming a mostly plant based diet is a good choice. This can be achieved by striving to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables and at least one serving of whole grains or legumes per day. Managing your weight is another consideration. Women who had a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range had a 13 percent reduction in risk. The recommendation is to be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. The range for a normal BMI is 18.5 to 25. Reducing dietary fat intake could improve relapse-free survival rates in women with breast cancer. Women with breast cancer may have less risk of recurrence when following a lower fat diet.” He advised: “Women should be as lean as possible without becoming underweight; be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day; avoid sugary drinks and limit consumption of energy dense foods; eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole

•Abutoh

grains, and legumes such as beans; limit consumption of red meats and avoid processed meats; if consumed at all, limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men and limit consumption of salty foods and avoid foods processed with salt.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH Cayenne

A 2015 review of Nature’s Friends (6) which stops bleeding, and a source of calcium, potassium and dietary fibre. There is also a stock of beta carotenoids which are antioxidants and helpful in asthma situations.

HEN, as a boy, I lived at N4/464 in Adeoyo area of Ibadan with my uncle, Mr. Albert Oshodipe, now of blessed memory, a butcher who hawked beef came to sell some of it every three days or thereabout. Like the ice cream van jingle, which announces arrival of the vendor a mantra-like song told of his presence in the neighbourhood. Emi n’imoran (am the counsel) imoran mi laarin okunrin ati obinrin my counsel among men and women Emi ti o j’ata emi yepere. The heart that does not eat pepper is a ordinary heart. How right he was... 53 long years ago! Today, medical health researchers and many doctors are singing the praise of pepper as a possible healer of many diseases, including... hold your breath, PEPTIC ULCER and open sores. In his BACK TO EDEN, author Dr. Jethro Kloss summarises into seven broad categories, the biochemical actions of cayenne pepper, from which have been deprival about 20 uses of this most sought after pepper for medicinal purposes. Jethro Kloss says cayenne pepper is a “stimulant, tonic, sialogogue, alterative, rubafacient, carminative, and digestive”. A stimulant rouses to life. The tonic tones up. A sialogogue stimulates saliva production. An alterative cleanses the bloodstream. And a rubafacient. It promotes sweating, especially during fevers. The carminative settles the stomach while the digestive, as the word suggests, promotes digestion. Jethro Kloss did not emphasise the anodyne factor of cayenne pepper. This is the pain-blocking or pain-killing activity, which has led to cayenne being formulated into creams and roll-ons for arthritic and other pains. Some of the well documented properties of cayenne pepper are: •Anti-irritation It has been used to ease upset stomach, sore throat, ulcers, diarrhoea and irritating cough. Jethro Kloss says cayenne pepper does not irritate the skin or tissue as Black pepper, mustard or vinegar. “These are all irritating, he says. “But red pepper is soothing. While red pepper smarts a little; it can be put in an open wound, either in a fresh wound or an old ulcer, and is very healing instead of irritating” He adds: “But black pepper, mustard and vinegar are irritating to an open wound and do not promote healing.” Red pepper, on the other hand, “is one of the most stimulating herbs known to man”, causing “no harm or unhealthy reaction”. •Anti-cold, anti-flu Like the biochemic cell salt ferrum phosphate, cayenne, according to Dr. F. Edward, DC, ND, DACBN, “aids in breaking up and moving congested mucus. Once mucus begins to leave the body, relief from flu symptoms generally follows”. •Blood thinning One of the things I use cayenne for is for blood thinning. I learned this from Mrs Elizabeth Kafaru, now of blessed memory, who employed it in after-stroke therapy and gave it as well to hypertensive patients, especially if the elevated blood pressure is attributable to atherosclerosis (blockage of the coronary arteries by atheroma) or a simple case of high blood cholesterol in which Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) ratio is out of gear. Dr. Edward says: “Cayenne pepper also helps reduce atherosclerosis, encourage fibrinolytic activities and prevents factors that lead to the formation of blood clots which can help reduce the chances of heart attack or stroke”. Dr. David Hoffman says in HOLLISTIC HERBAL: “Cayenne is the most useful of the systemic stimulants. It regulates the blood flow, equalising and strengthening the heart, arteries, capillaries and nerves. It is a general tonic and is specific for the circulatory and digestive systems. It may be used in flatulent dyspepsia and colic. If there is insufficient peripheral circulation, leading to cold hands and feet and possibly chilblains, Cayenne may be used. It is used for treating debility and for warding off cold.”

•Congestion Capsaian, an abundant substance in cayenne, promotes secretions. This supports clearance of mucus from the nose and lungs when it clears the sinuses and induces sweating. Nose, lung and chest congestion are treated in some Indian villages with the addition of some extra cayenne to the vegetable diet of the sufferer(s). Cayenne added to tea is believed to be good, also, for these conditions. But too much cayenne may cause burning sensations in the throat, stomach or rectum. It may also cause the blood to become too thin if it is taken excessively along with other blood thinners, natural or pharmaceutical. •Digestion •Antifungi properties •Anti migraine

“it is effective when used as a poultice for rheumatism, inflammation and pleurisy, and is also helpful if taken internally for this”. Dr. Hoffman agrees: “Externally, it is used as a rubefacient in problems like lumbar and rheumatic pain”. •Antibacterial Dr. Edward suggests that cayenne “is an excellent preservative” which “has been used traditionally to prevent food contamination from bacteria”. Many Nigerian women would be at home with this information. They keep one or two cayenne peppers in packages of rice or beans or other grains to prevent weevils or other insects from invading them. •Weight loss Many people nowadays wish to shed excess weight. Their doctors often warn them to do so if they wish to get over knee joint problems caused by high load bearing and heart conditions which would require to pump blood to a larger body area. Dr. Edward writes that, “at the Laval of Quebec scientists found that participants who took cayenne pepper for breakfast were found to have less appetite leading to less caloric in take throughout the day. Cayenne is also a great metabolic booster aiding the body in burning excess amount of fat.” Cayenne pepper is surrounded by a controversy over whether it is a spice or a herb. One of the defenders of cayenne as a herb put up a website named cayenne Pepper Benefits Website in which he eulogised the pepper as king of Medicinal Herbs.” Writing to defend this claim, Patrick Quillin says in a 1998 article titled THE HEALING POWER OF CAYENNE PEPPER. “About five months ago, a man from Naperville, Illinois emailed me telling me he had read an article about cayenne pepper while on his business trip to Atlanta, Georgia. The article said cayenne would help with improving energy and weight loss. He was intrigued. He started taking a few capsules at a time and says he has more energy than before. He takes it and that it has had an equalising effect on his whole system. He is still using it and combined with aerobic exercise, has lost about 15 pounds.” •Antioxation In rural India, the staple of many people is bread with a paste of Cayenne Pepper in place of butter or margarine or fried egg. Cayenne contains Vitamins A, C and E, which are antioxidants, the complete B. Complex vitamins, Vitamin K,

•Headache, Migraines Some authorities believe that smelling cayenne alone may resolve certain headaches. It has been suggested that this may be caused by Cayenne’s capacity to cause a pain response in another part of the body. This may divert the brain’s attention to the new site, says the hypothesis. It may be that the initial headache was a signal that the nerve fibres were depleted of substance P, the nerve’s pain chemical, which Cayenne may have stimulated. Some people claim that cayenne takes their migraine away. An explanation given from this possibility is that, by equalising blood pressure, one of the causes of headaches or migraines may have been resolved by cayenne. Cancer CCORDING to Cayenne Pepper health Benefits: “In clinical studies conducted in Japan, England and the United States, Capsaicin, the critical secondary metabolite compound found in cayenne pepper, has been shown to cause cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, a cell of cellular self-termination or suicide, if you will. What does it mean in practical terms? It means that cayenne pepper and other hot peppers with capsaicin, has been proven in medical studies to kill leukemic, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer cells. This is important for people to know. One study, as conducted by the American Association for Cancer Research, reports capsaicin is able to kill prostate cancer cells by forcing them to undergo apoptosis. The study says capsaicin, ... has a profound anti-proliferative effect on prostate cancer cells, including the apoptosis of both androgen receptor positive and negative prostate cancer cell lines... Furthermore, the study also says, In summary, our data suggests that capsaicin or related analogue may have a role in the management of prostate cancer”. According to Dr. Edward: “Studies done at the Loma Linda University in California found that Cayenne pepper may also help prevent lung cancer in smokers. This may be again related to cayenne’s high quantity of capsaicin, a substance that might help stop the formation of tobacco tumours. Other studies have also shown a similar reaction in cayenne’s resistance to liver tumours.” Because Cayenne is now gaining reputation in the research community, the Alternative Medicine and food industry sectors are showing more than a passing interest in it. I feel inclined to suggest it be used together with Serrapeptase in conditions for which both are indicated. Its potential to provide energy has led, for example, to the emergence of a product named BONAVITA, to which cayenne is added. I add cayenne to pap, to which I may also add HAWTHORN BERRY powder for my heart. Sometimes, I add it to a drink of cocoa or a boiled rice or yam sauce. In drinks, it is certainly better than all those

caffeine - loaded energy drinks. For men who are ever on search of aphrodisiacs, cayenne may be a true friend. By increasing metabolism and causing better blood and oxygen flow to the penile shaft, it may promote better erection and staying power. E mi n’imoran that Ibadan butcher who in the 1960s taught a whole generation of his customers that people who avoid eating peppers will become health-fragile people, may be long gone. But many people in the south-west of Nigeria today recite his signature tune, emi ti o j’ata, emi yepere without recognising the importance of cayenne pepper. If I may now let the cat out of the bag, how many Yoruba people know cayenne pepper is ata sombo?

•Detoxification World-wide today, detoxification is a health watch-word. We consume toxins in the air, water and food, and our bodies are exposed to them in the environment. We cannot escape from them. So, we have to help our bodies get rid of them if we desire a long life span devoid of pain and disease. There are many detoxifying herbs and proprietary agents, including chickweed, vervain, golden seal root, zeolyte AV, zeolite pure and diatomaceous, all of which are often mentioned in this column. But not many people know of Cayenne as a detoxifying agent. Dr. Edward says: “Cayenne is a known circulatory stimulant. It also increases the pores of our lymphatic and digestive rhythms. By heating the body, the natural process of detoxification is streamlined. Cayenne also causes us to sweat, another important process of detoxification combined with lemon juice and honey, cayenne tea is an excellent morning beverage for total body detoxification. •Joint Pain Relief Capsaian, a chemical in cayenne, causes temporary pain on application to the joint skin surface. The pain sends nervous message to the joint which blocks pain transmission from the joint to the brain. This gives some relief from pain and accounts for the popularity of cayenne creams in pain management. A few years ago, Bell Lifestyle (Nig) Ltd introduced to the Nigerian market a cayenne roll-on product from its master herbalist series of about 52 products. A related use for cayenne is in rheumatism. Jethro Kloss says

•Fresh and dried cayyenne

e-mail: femi.kusa@yahoo.com or olufemikusa@yahoo.com

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The Plateau State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Gyang Pwajok, unfolded his blueprint for the state at the debate organised for candidates in Jos, the state capital. YUSUF IDEGU reports.

Pwajok: My agenda for Plateau A

S Plateau State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Senator Gyang Pwajok mounted the podium, there was silence at the auditorium of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Jos, the state capital. The Correspondents’ Chapel had organised a media forum for the four governorship candidates. The others are: Mr. Simon Lalong, who is contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Bagudu Hirse of the Labour Party (LP), and Chief Ibrahim Musa Sabiu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The senator identified the various challenges facing the state. On peace and security that had bedevilled the state in recent past, Pwajok said his administration would strengthen the relationship between Plateau and neighbouring states. He added that the administration would also checkmate the infiltration of hoodlums and foreign elements that are used to foment trouble. Pwajok said that his government would prioritise security of lives and property and that he would to provide logistics and information support to the police and other security agencies. The PDP flag bearer said he would continue to advocate for the creation of state police because he believes that community policing will be the best option to maintain law and order within the state. He said the Jang Administration inherited a debt profile of over N80 billion from the previous administration in 2007 and he refuted claims by the opposition APC that the current debt status of the state was over N200 billion. He added that the State Debt Management Board will make all information pertaining to the debt stock public in due course. “It is obvious that factors such as religion and ethnicity, the nature of relationship between the federal and the state government, as well as relationship with neighbouring states have become critical points that must be put into consideration before doing what we need to do as a state. “I have always observed that because Plateau looks like a miniature Nigeria — with a composition of communities from the North to the South, from the West to the East — everything we do in Plateau has a long term effect on the rest of Nigeria. That is why if anything happens in Plateau State, it affects other parts of the country. “Before now, when we witnessed crisis on the Plateau and we raised an observation about the porous nature of our borders and

The main policy ‘thrust for the realization of the potentials of the state in agriculture is to put in place a collaborative effort involving individual farmers in various communities and the government

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the involvement of aliens in the internal security challenges of this country, many people thought it was a mere propaganda. But, today, Nigeria has woken up to the reality of infiltration of our borders and at some moments, we had to close some of the borders to enable us address some of our challenges internally.” Pwajok said if he becomes the governor, his government will encourage specialisation in agriculture and processing of agricultural produce in an overall determination to make agriculture a viable alternative to the now dwindling federal allocation from oil as the mainstay of the state economy. He added that the decreasing earnings from the export of crude oil has made it imperative than ever before for government at all levels to begin to diversify the source of their revenue. He said Plateau State is well placed to make agriculture a rewarding enterprise for its citizens, as well as the government. “The main policy thrust for the realization of the potentials of the state in agriculture is to put in place a collaborative effort involving individual farmers in various communities and the government. This would ensure that there is food security, which will make agriculture profitable and a source of foreign exchange. Thereby, it would help to generate employment and provide raw materials for our industries.” The candidate said it is imperative to encourage specialization, to make the best of it. He noted that he would specialisation to encourage productivity and value addition. For instance, he said Bokkos farmers in Plateau Central would be encouraged to produce potatoes, which the region is renowned and that

• Pwajok

it would be processed and given added value, to yield higher earnings for farmers and greater tax revenue for the state. Pwajok promised that his government will consolidate on the Redemption Agenda of the incumbent Governor Jonah Jang. He added that he would give priority to health, education and also budget about N1billion annually for small scale enterprise to provide jobs for the teaming youths and women in the state. He added that his government would provide an atmosphere conducive for the media, so that people will be well informed about decision-making to enable the state become a hub of developmental innovation.

He received a standing ovation after his presentation. Even, Sabiu, another governorship candidate, nodded his head in approval of the brilliant points of his opponent. Pwajok was an university lecturer before entering into the political arena as a director at the Plateau State Government House. Later, he became Chief of Staff within the Government House bureaucracy. But, he entered into the mucky waters of Plateau politics proper when he was elected in a bye-election to represent Plateau North in the Senate, owing to the power vacuum created by the death of his predecessor, Dr Gyang Dantong. Pwajok got to the Senate at a time the national budget was being considered. He contributed to the debate on the issue, having been involved in the preparation of the budget at the state level. It gave him a platform to make an immediate impression of the stuff he was made of in such an important area of national discourse. Also, being a former university lecturer, the Senate floor was reminiscence of a lecture hall; a large audience of people listening to a proponent. Thus, in his short time in the Senate, he was able to achieve a lot for his constituents. In the less than one year that he served, he gave the people a good idea of what effective representation means, by maintaining regular contact with the constituents and taking into consideration their views and opinions on key issues, such as the constitutional review process. He had opened a constituency office in Jos, where he held regular meetings with the people. The sessions provided him the opportunity to understand their positions on national issues to represent them adequately. On the peace and security, the Senator had instituted a framework which constantly brings warring factions together i.e., Fulanis, Beroms and other tribes into one forum where grievances were aired, ironed-out and reconciliation effected. Through this forum, leaders of these warring factions have come together, and pacts have been sealed to eschew violence and embrace dialogue and forgiveness. This has in no small measure restored lasting peace to the restive Plateau North zone since his emergence as the senator. In terms of constituency project, Skills Acquisition Centres were set up in a variety of areas in the zone that have benefited constituents with lifelong skills to equip them with and enhance income generation capability. He had, during this short time in the Senate, brought the Senate President, Senator David Mark to Jos to chair the presentation of a donation of various items worth over N150 million to empower the people of his constituency.

Tinubu urges party members to obtain PVCs

HE National Leader of the All Progress Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has urged party members to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) to enable them vote for change. At a stakeholders’ meeting yesterday in Lagos, he said, without the PVCs, the electorate is powerless, urging them to redouble their effort in the collection. The APC leader noted that some people were reluctant to collect their PVCs, adding that such step does not add value to the electoral power. He said the party leadership has been having series of meetings to review the electoral process, adding that members must brace up to prevent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from rigging the elections. He said: “It was resolved that we must go back to our constituencies. The ward meetings must be very regular and constant now.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

This our new charge now and must be adhered to strictly. “Attendant register must be maintained at the ward meetings, we must verify those members who are registered as members of our party unit by unit. “We must equally identify those us who have been able to obtain our PVC. How many of them have not been able to get their PVC and those who have not got theirs. This instruction commences from today,” he said. He said the party will do everything within its power to assist those who are finding it difficult to collect their PVC but they must show the interest to them first. Tinubu added that APC has the highest number of registered members in the country and wondered why some members were not keen in collecting their PVC. “I am challenging you to inform the market women, carpenters,

you sell ‘outWhen your PVC, you will not be able to collect another one again. So, in future when your child or you need the PVC to enable you make some transaction, you will not be able to use it

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masonries, artisans of any nature must collect their PVC. If your gutter must be kept be clean, if you must benefit from the education,

health and other social service then you must perform your civic responsibilities by obtaining the PVC.” Tinubu said those selling their PVC were destroying their lives, noting that it was their future and that of their children they were compromising. “Those of you selling your PVCs, you are destroying your lives. When you sell out your PVCs, you will not be able to collect another one again. So, in future when your child or you need the PVC to enable you make some transaction, you will not be able to use it. “When you sell it, they would void it in order not to be able to use the card. So, you can’t use it to vote. The PDP is aware that you will not vote them but instead of using to vote the party of your choice they preferred to collect it and destroy the card. They can’t use the card but want it destroyed. “That is what you call depopu-

•Tinubu

lation strategy. They tried to depopulate us. Please pass this information to them so that they will understand the consequence of their action,” he added.

THE NATION THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015

It was obvious from the way they ‘went about it that President Jonathan and his campaign organisation forced the polls shift on INEC ‘

... 99 D AYS TO GO ...99 DA

Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora is the Deputy Director-General (Operations) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation. In this interview with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN, he speaks on the poll’s shift, preparation for the elections, APC’s chances, hate campaigns, insecurity, failed anti-graft war and the endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term by Afenifere.

AVING toured the whole country as a member of the APC campaign committee, how would you assess the mood of the nation? Judging from what I personally witnessed during our campaign tour, the entire country appears ready for the change we are talking about. The enthusiasm, the excitement, the willingness and readiness with which the people have welcomed us, embraced us so far to me bear eloquent testimony to their desire for change. Everything points to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administration has outlived its usefulness. The generality of the people are yearning for a new lease of life which the APC is offering. What is your reaction to polls shift announced by INEC? What is crystal clear to me is that whatever they are doing, whatever the pretences they are making, it is obvious to me that it was not borne out of genuine love for Nigerians, but for their selfishness and the desire to hold on to power. All they are interested in is to cling on to power by any means possible. Why is it now that they are pushing for polls shift? When we know from the grapevine that it is all delay tactics to frustrate Nigerians who are enthusiastic and the excitement of the people who had fixed their gaze on February 14. They wanted to diminish the enthusiasm of the people to vote out the PDP government. They cannot weep more than the bereaved. INEC is constitutionally empowered to determine issues pertaining to elections. It is supposed to be impartial and independent. The subterranean move by President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP was geared towards scuttling the electoral process. It was a sad reminder of the prelude to the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, which started with the inglorious activities of Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) under Arthur Nzeribe. It is a de ja vu coming into play this time around. But, President Jonathan has denied influencing INEC in the decision to shift the polls. Do you agree? It was obvious from the way they went about it that President Jonathan and his campaign organisation forced the polls shift on INEC. If you look at the chronology of that perfidy; the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, had indicated that they were ready to provide the security to hold elections, but less than two weeks after, the National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) went to London to ask for postponement not because of security, but the logistics associated with the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs). Prof. Attahiru Jega responded that there was 70 per cent distribution of the voter’s cards in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and said he will be willing to extend collection up to February 14. Few days later, the PDP came up with a demand for poll shift by six weeks. The military followed suit by saying

Mamora: Jonathan’s playing ethnic card they cannot provide security for the polls until after six weeks. INEC had no choice but to succumb to the pressure. The decision to ask for the postponement was not based on altruism. It was concocted to hoodwink Nigerians. It was based on compulsion and deceit to achieve their diabolical end. What the PDP has done is not just to commit fraud; they have also succeeded in raping the country and the generality of Nigerians. They are doing all this because they realise the day of reckoning is at hand. Their time is up. It is a case of a drowning man clinging to any available object to remain afloat. If the elections were to hold tomorrow, what are the chances of the APC? If the elections were to hold tomorrow, the APC will win. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo will win hands down. I can assure you that if the elections were free and fair, devoid of illegal use of security apparatus and the votes properly counted, the APC will be victorious. Our chances are as bright as day light. The PDP knows; that is why they are showing this level of desperation: the hate campaign, propaganda assaulting our senses and sensibilities on daily basis, particularly on electronic and print media. They are making issues out of Gen. Buhari’s certificate, his late wife and daughter. They have descended so low in their desperation to cling on to power. The hate campaign against Buhari is unprecedented in the history of electioneering campaign in this country. These are nothing but evidence of desperation. The more they attempt to denigrate him, assassinate his character or pull him down, the more his popularity soars. We are aware of other things they have lined up. If they have their way, they will truncate the electoral process and democracy. They are working hard, but they will fail, because the message of hope the APC is bringing to this country is unstoppable. Are you worried about the role the media is playing in the electoral process? What I expect of the media as the fourth estate of the realm is to sift the chaffs from the grains, enlighten and educate the people. I expect some adverts and documentaries should have been censored. The regulatory agencies the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Nigeria Press Council (NPC) seem to have abdicated their responsibilities and that is why many television stations and newspapers have thrown ethics to the wind. The NTA appears to have been in an unholy alliance or

part of the conspiracy to malign Gen. Buhari in the hate campaign. Are you surprised that Afenifere directed the Yoruba people to vote for President Jonathan? It is unfortunate that the Afenifere is no longer what it used to be. It is a shadow of its old self. I can’t be bother about the directive that is coming from the Afenifere. I know that the Afenifere does not and cannot have that power to determine who the entire Yoruba people would vote for. May be I need to remind you that I as Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, between 1999 and 2003, I was Convener of the Afenifere restructuring group in 2002, when Pa Abraham Adesanya was the leader. Following the submission of our report, the inability to implement it was the beginning of the crisis in Afenifere. Well, the Yoruba of the younger generation have since left the old Afenifere bloc to form the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), which to all intents and purposes is more vibrant and has a better understanding of the yearnings and aspirations of the Yoruba, as encapsulated in the Yoruba agenda. No wonder the ARG has distanced and dissociated itself and condemned the directive to vote for Jonathan and the PDP. I am happy the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), a credible association, also distanced itself from that directive. That tells you that the Afenifere cannot in any position determine how the Yorubas should cast their votes. Don’t you find a contradiction in the statement of President Jonathan that his generation has failed and his quest for another term? It is an admission of failure. He should bow out. It was the same Jonathan who once said he would only do one term as president and that if he could not change the country in four years, it will not matter if he’s there for 100 years. If after six years, the man is seeking for re-election; it is left to Nigerians to shine their eyes. Jonathan’s administration is known for catalogues of broken promises. How would the APC tackle corruption if it takes over the rein of power? What the APC promises is that under Buhari, we will do it differently. That is part of the message of hope we bring to Nigerians. One of the important pillars of democracy is the rule of law. Enthronement of the rule of law is what we want to make possible as against the rule of impunity. There can be no progress without applying sanctions against people who breach the law. That is accountability. When people know they

•Mamora

The hallmark of the ‘PDP and Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation is whipping up ethnic and tribal sentiments in electioneering campaign

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will be called to account, they will do the right thing. The APC will not witch-hunt. People will be answerable through due process. It appears Nigerians are more divided along ethnic and religious lines than they were in 2011. Do you agree? Never in the history of this country has it been so divided along ethnic and religious lines than under the PDP and the Jonathan Presidency. The hallmark of the PDP and Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation is whipping up ethnic and tribal sentiments in electioneering campaign. You will recall that Femi Fani-Kayode accused the APC leadership of being essentially Islamists when it is convenient for him to do so. The Vice President, Namadi Sambo, was quoted recently to have accused the APC of being largely Christians; that the party has established 5,000 churches. You can see the divisive game being played by the Jonathan camp. Happily, it was a Muslim northerner that replied Sambo, saying that he would not be swayed by that kind puerile argument. Nigerians have made up their minds on whom to vote for, irrespective of religion or tribe.

‘Stop making provocating GROUP, Africa Redempstatements’ tion Initiative (AFRINITI),

has urged politicians to shun any act capable of creating anarchy in the country through unguarded statements. A statement issued in Akure,the Ondo state capital, by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Al-Marhoof Ashiru, condemned the statement credited to Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Niger State rally where he painted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a muslim party and All Progressives Congress (APC) as a Christian party. The statement reads ”the political atmosphere in Nigeria at this time is tense as the elections approach. Polarizing ethnic or religious statements by any political leader or individual is capable of setting the

From Damisi Ojo, Akure country on fire. “Our history in this regard as a country is instructive.We frown at this with all intents and purposes and condemn such statements which should not come from any citizen talkless of the number two citizen in Nigeria. The group noted that the position maintained by the Vice President was capable of inciting the public against the ruling party. It warned leaders to rise up to their responsibilities and shun politics of non-violence, stressing that their campaigns should be issue-based. The group urged candidates to focus on their manifestos and avoid lack campaigns.

•Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Jimi Agbaje, commissioning MDGs' blocks of classrooms and toilets on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, at Salvation Army Primary School, Ilase, recently.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

Naira devaluation: The hard times are here Manufacturers have always been hit by shrinking profit margins and low return on their investments. While rising cost of production due to harsh operating environment is blamed for this, the fall in oil prices and devaluation of the naira added a dangerous twist to manufacturers’ woes. Most of them, who depend on foreign inputs, are buckling under the strain, forcing them to lay-off staff. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports that the situation has also induced a rise in prices of consumer items.

T’S no longer a matter for conjecture. The widely predicted turbulence from the slide in oil prices, which started mid-last year, and subsequently led to the devaluation of the naira, has started. Manufacturers especially those who depend heavily on imported raw materials for production, such as those in food & beverage, building & construction, pharmaceutical, and brewery sectors, are now under severe pressure, as skyrocketing cost of production makes locally manufactured products un-competitive. Coming on the heels of plans to commence the implementation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET) this year, manufacturers are apprehensive that this would further erode the competitiveness of locally manufactured products. The ECOWAS CET, when implemented, will allow goods from any other part of West Africa into Nigeria without the imposition of any tax, import duty or levy. However, there fears that CET would throw the nation’s borders open to influx of goods from within the West African region thus exposing local industries and products to unequal competition. Such fears are justifiable considering that Nigeria’s economy thrives on importation, which makes the naira susceptible to international changes in monetary value. Based on this, it is easy to see why private sector operators especially manufacturers are losing sleep over the unprecedented slide in the value of the naira following the crash in oil prices. At first, manufacturers buy their inputs or raw materials from abroad mostly in dollars. With the devaluation of the naira, it means that they now pay more naira for each unit of raw materials they import including machineries, spare parts and all other import-dependent procurements. Secondly, manufacturers who borrow from banks to import raw materials now do so at higher interest rates, sometimes between 25 and 30 per cent. The Nation learnt that many manufacturers are already finding it extremely difficult to finance their import bills, while those who manage to do so contend with shrinking profit margins. Operators in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector are more adversely affected. This has been the case since June last year when oil prices started tumbling, forcing sharp drops in accruals to the foreign exchange reserves. This ultimately led to the devaluation of the naira by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a move that has thrown manufacturers into confusion because of the falling exchange rate of the naira against other major foreign currencies. . For instance, as at February 15, 2015, naira exchanged at N204 to the dollar. The naira-dollar exchange rate was higher at the black market, selling as high as N209. Two days later, February 17 precisely, naira exchanged for N214 to a dollar. Similarly, the pound sterling sold for 314 to the naira at the Bureau De Change (BDC) segment and N310 at the black market. According to

Bloomberg, the naira has tumbled 17 per cent over the past three months and may further decline to an exchange rate of N263 to the dollar, despite attempts by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stem the slide. The current exchange rate regime brought about by the depreciating value of the naira is said to be partly responsible for the current low tempo of activities at the ports. The Nation learnt that import volume has dropped. The Area Controller, Lilypond Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Mustapha Atiku, said that the depreciating value of the naira and the coming general elections have combined to work against international trade especially importation of consumer goods into the country. The Area Controller, who spoke at a press conference, last week, said the situation affected the revenue target of the Service. Atiku said, for instance, that out of a monthly target of N1.9 billion, the command collected only N852 million in January and has so far collected N198 million in February. He expressed doubt over the command’s ability to realize in February what it collected in January. Throwing more light on the lull in importation activities, the Commercial Officer of Lilypond Container Terminal, Mr. Kayode Daniels, disclosed that the low level of activities was not peculiar to Lilypond, but also prevalent at other terminals including the nation’s premiere port, Lagos Port Complex, Apapa. He attributed the low business activities to a drop in volume of imported cargo into the country. He said, for instance, that the volume of imported cargo by Mearsk Line was 30 per cent less than what they did in 2014. “Market is slow; market is stagnant. We have done extensive market research with our customers and we find out that market is not moving. It is slow. Their (importers’) complaint is that their warehouses are still stocked and there was no way they could import. More so, people are not spending and when people don’t spend, it will be difficult to bring in imports. So these are the challenges that are leading to the drop in volume,” he said, assuring that the terminal has identified some customers who could help in boosting cargo volume so that the command will realize its revenue target. However, while Customs is worried over failure to meet its revenue target, a more disturbing scenario stares Nigerians in the face: rising cost of consumer items and job losses caused by naira devaluation. “As far as the pharmaceutical sector is concerned, more than 98 per cent of raw materials used by the pharmaceutical industry are all

imported and of course, this affects the prices of goods people consume within the country. So, the prices of drugs will definitely go up a bit,” President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye, told The Nation in an interview. Okoye, who is also Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Juhel Nigeria Limited, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company, blamed this on Nigeria’s mono-economy that is almost entirely dependent on proceeds from oil. “It’s a problem and we know where it came from. The nucleus of the problem actually is the fact that we have been operating as a mono economy, depending solely on oil. Because of that, as the price of oil started coming down our naira started fumbling. And the impact on the economy has to be there because people have to re-strategise,” he said, advising that “People should go for what they really want; there is no room for unnecessary expenses.” While operators in the pharmaceutical industry may be forced to increase the prices of drugs, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies, building materials companies, food processors, breweries among others, said they have already been forced to increase the prices of their products because of rising cost of production. “We are forced to raise the prices of our products because our cost of production has gone up significantly due to the devalued naira, but also our customers who have been affected by the downturn in the economy may now be unable to buy up these products, leading to increased inventory in our factories and all the attendant problems,” one of the manufacturer who declined to have his name in print, stated. Perhaps, the most disturbing fallout of the economic crisis induced by naira devaluation is the mass retrenchment now sweeping across the sectors. Already, no fewer than 100 Nigerians working in Nigerian Bottling Company Plc (NBC), part of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling company (CCHBC), have lost their jobs. The affected workers, who cut across all sections of the establishment, The Nation learnt, have already received their sack letters. Other workers who constitute the about 6,000 Nigerians in the company’s employ are jittery as about 1, 800 workers of CocaCola worldwide have been lined up for sack in line with the company’s restructuring exercise intended to keep the beverage firm afloat ij face of prevailing macro-economic circumstances. Workers in Flour Mills Nigeria Plc are also apprehensive over possible loss of jobs. Already, no fewer than two million direct and indirect job cuts are expected, as the food & beverage sector

‘More than 98 per cent of raw materials used by the pharmaceutical industry are all imported and of course, this affects the prices of goods people consume within the country. So, the prices of drugs will definitely go up a bit’

•Dr. Ifeanyi-Okoye

face unpre3cedented increase in the price of wheat and Value Added Tax (VAT). According to the Group Managing Director/CEO of Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Mr. Paul Gbededo, the current high price of wheat and government’s plans to increase VAT from five per cent to 10 per cent have put the jobs of over 125,000 direct employees and 1,800,000 indirect employees in the sector on the line. With global oil lay-offs said to have topped 100,000 at the last count, workers in the Nigerian oil & gas industry are also apprehensive. Such fears and apprehension are sequel to earlier warnings by experts that oil companies may lay off workers due to the drop in oil price in the global market. “Right now, a lot of companies are trying to lay off workers due to falling oil price. It is going to be pretty rough in a couple of months to come. The best thing to do now is to go back to the banks to talk on how to restructure our finances so that people will not default. If oil price continues to fall, investors are not going to invest again,” Director, Advisory, Oil and Gas, PriceWater House Ltd. Mr. Ritch Wingo, said. These problems are coming despite assurances by the authorities, including Minister of Finance/ Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, that there is no cause for alarm, crashing oil price and naira devaluation will not harm the economy. The Minister said, for instance, that government had put in place strategies to deal with the situation, part of which was the development of scenario-based approaches to cushion the unfavourable effects of falling oil prices. Such approaches, she added, was comprehensive and supported by extensive consultations with global analysts such as the International Monetary Fund. Besides, she said short to medium term strategies mainly targeted at the poor and vulnerable had been developed. Notwithstanding the assurances, developments in the last two months are proofs that hard times are indeed, here for Nigerians.

Fed Govt urges Nigerians in Diaspora to become entrepreneurs

HE Federal Government has urged young Nigerians in the Diaspora to enrol in the Government’s youth enterprise promotion initiatives as a means of deepening the administration’s job creation efforts. The Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, who stated this while speaking in Dubai at a town hall meeting with Nigerians resident in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), encouraged them to take advantage of the Jonathan Administration’s many enterprise promotion services designed to nurture and fund the viable initiatives of Nigeria’s young entrepreneurs. Assuring them that the Government was working hard to tackle the challenge of youth unemployment in the country, Yuguda stated that beyond creating the enabling atmosphere to encourage investments, the Jonathan Administration had initiated successful programmes for direct job creation. The Minister, who was Nigeria’s immediate

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Assist. Editor

past ambassador to the UAE said: “We see all of you who are based abroad as worthy partners in the business of developing our country. We know you are learning from the experience of your host nations. You are witnesses to what their youths are doing in terms of enterprise development. “This is part of the reason why the Jonathan Administration had designed various job creation initiatives especially the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment programme (SURE-P) which has so far created thousands of job opportunities for youths across the country with people like you in mind.” Speaking further, Yuguda said the enrolment process of YouWin is online. “You don’t have to come home to file your initial application. We believe some of you may have some wonderful business ideas and proposals that require

funding to come to fruition. Once you scale through the very transparent assessment process, Government would be willing to provide the funds to help you establish and employ other Nigerians,” he explained. The Minister reminded them that YouWin had already nurtured over 2,400 young entrepreneurs with over 22,000 jobs created in the first two rounds, while additional two rounds are envisioned. According to Yuguda, the Government had also launched a $50 million Venture Capital Fund accessible by YouWin beneficiaries and other viable small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Yuguda told the audience that the Jonathan Administration has recorded substantial economic progress within a short time through successful reforms in many sectors including finance, agriculture, power, transportation and general infrastructural development as well as economic diversification accentuated by recent GDP rebasing.

He assured them further that government’s commitment to good governance has deepened the democratic process by ensuring free and fair elections, adding that the 2015 general elections would hold as rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who was also at the event, commended the people for being Nigeria’s good ambassadors and urged them to bring home lessons of Dubai’s rapid development and spirit of hardwork. The Consul-General of Nigerian Mission in Dubai Ambassador Mike Omotosho commended the Jonathan Administration for lessening the burden of Nigerians in the UAE by opening the mission to handle their consular needs. In conveying the feelings of Nigerians in country, the diplomat urged the Government to make it possible for Nigerians Diaspora to vote by conducting elections in foreign missions.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

e-Business

Telcos fret over govt’s economic policies T

ELECOMS operators have again raised the alarm that they may be constrained to stop offering services flexibility and added benefits to subscribers, given the state of the economy. Oil prices have been falling.This has affected the value of the naira against the dollar and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has restricted the importation of telecoms equipment, generators and other items by directing that foreign exchange be sourced through the interbank only. The efficiency level of services rendered will be affected, according to operators.

Stories by Lucas Ajanaku

The operators, acting under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), lamented that those government policies will impact negatively on the cost of service delivery.They however, hope that they would not be forced to pass the cost of the impact to the end users. ALTON Chairman Gbenga Adebayo told The Nation that since the software and hardware that oil the engine of the telecoms industry are import-dependent, it follows that when attempts are made to constrain access to the funds required

to keep the industry up and running, there is bound to be negative impacts. He said: “Certainly these policies will have grave impact on the industry. All the things we use in the industry, to a large extent, most of the hardware and software are import-dependent. So, once you tamper with the source or access to foreign currency, you tamper with the direct effect and, by extension, the cost of service provision. So that ultimately will have its impact.” Adebayo said naira devaluation would make cost of service delivery to go up relative to prices end

(the cost of offering the services). All these will have direct impact on the cost of service provision and what we can do (as telcos) and what we are expected to do. It will certainly have impact on our services, but we are hoping that it would not be so significant that we will have to transfer it to the end users. “If we don’t have increase in end user tariff, we may not be able to introduce other benefits in terms of areas of flexibility on services. If tariffs are not increased, it will impact on the features and added benefits that we can give to subscribers.”

MTN surprises Lagos don

OR his consistency in the discharge of his diligence and professionalism, former Dean of Student Affairs, at the University of Lagos, Professor Harrison Oloruntade Longe has got a surprise gift of a brand new KIA car from MTN Nigeria. Professor Longe was among the University Dons that got nominated by their students during MTN’s Surprise a Profcall for entries in its campaign tagged: ‘Season of Surprises.’ The compelling story of how Longe used his office as Dean of Students Affairs, University of Lagos (UNILAG), to resolve students welfare issues ranging from accommodation to security, improved facilities and many more, stood him out as the most deserving UNILAG Don to be surprised. With the decision taken after a rigorous process of evaluation and selection, MTN’s management team led by General Manager, Consumer Marketing, Richard Iweanoge, stormed UNILAG to re-

ward the deserving Professor, who was kept in the dark about the development. The only thing ProfessorLonge knew about MTN’s presence on the campus prior to receiving the car that day was his being called upon to present gift items to some of his students who won iPhone 6. The students were given the presents for nominating their Professor in MTN’s Surprise a Prof. Shortly after the presenting the gifts to the students ProfessorLonge got the greatest shock of the day as he was announced the beneficiary of the star surprise of the day, a brand new 2014 KIA car. Obviously surprised by the turn of events in split of seconds, ProfessorLonge said: “This is the best gift I have ever received in my life. How will I explain this to my wife? How? They just told me that I have to come and present gifts to some of my students, and it turned out that I am now a proud owner of a brand new 2014 KIA car.”

•Popular Nigerian musician, Iyanya; General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Richard Iweanoge; and the winner of 2014 brand new KIA car, former Dean, UNILAG Student Affairs, Prof. Longe, during MTN’s surprise your Professor presentation at the University of Lagos.

NIMC to accelerate collection of e-ID cards

HE National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has concluded its two-day 2nd International Vendors’ Summit, which was aimed at ensuring that citizens who have enrolled for their National Identification Number (NIN) get their National e-ID Cards on time, and draw a road map for the cards personalisation phase. The summit held at the NIMC Headquarters, Abuja, the nation’s capital, and had in attendance top executives of all NIMC Vendors’, partners and stakeholders; both local and international. A statement by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Abdulhamid Umar, explained that a major consideration of the summit was for the commission to interface with the vendors and further examine the inputs of each vendor in the NIMS project. The interactive session was also

a means to discuss strategies to ensure the swift distribution of the National e-ID Cards, and to fasttrack the process for post issuance update for citizens who have already received their cards. Also, a review of the applets in the phase ‘1’card issuance, its successes, challenges and the way forward, was also part of the agenda, even as NIMC prepares for the activation of eight other applets on the National e-ID Card. “The key consideration for the second International Vendors’ Summit is to ensure that Nigerians are issued their cards on time. It is imperative to bring all stakeholders, who are involved in the National Identity e-ID Card project together to brainstorm on steps to make all the applets on the card user friendly,” the Acting General Manager, Information Technology/Identity Database (IT/IDD), Mr Chuks Onyepunuka, said while making his report.

RCOM, Avaya partner on customer care

users pay for such services. He added that this would inevitably determine what the operators could do and what they could not do. Experts say the resort to interbank for foreign exchange sourcing to import hardware and software for the telecoms industry will increase cost and hamper expansionary drive. This is against the background that there is a huge deficit in infrastructure provision in the country with its attendant effects on quality of services (QoS). Adebayo said: “The second is the issue of service prices relative to

ELIANCE Communications, India’s fully-integrated telecommunications service provider, has entered into a multi-year agreement with Avaya Inc., the leading provider of customer and team engagement solutions, to transform its Call Center operations. With more than 110 million customers, Reliance Communications is one of India’s largest telecom service providers. Under the terms of the deal, Avaya will transform Reliance Communications’ existing Call Center operations to the most advanced digitallyenabled customer engagement call centers in the country. The objective is to provide an enhanced and consistent customer experience across all their customer touch points and help enhance the customer life-time value. Avaya has won the services contract to implement and manage the new Call Center technology for the next

five years. A large number of the solutions that RCOM is investing in are born in Avaya’s R&D lab in India, the largest in the world for the global solutions provider, making this project a flagship move towards supportingthe ‘Make in India’ national campaign of the Indian government. Under the terms of this deal, Avaya will invest in long-term training and support of RCOM’s technical team and its Call Center agents, protecting the company’s workforce, upgrading its skills and transforming its Call Center operations into a strategic asset for growth. Commenting on the innovative alliance with Avaya, Mr Gurdeep Singh, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Business, Reliance Communications, said: “We are investing in one of the best Call Center technologies available in the worldtoday to deliver a differentiated experienceto our customers.

Power central to optimising ICT potential

TABLE power supply remains central to the optimisation of the huge potential the information communication technology (ICT) sector holds in the country, a company chief has said. The Managing Director Africa, Electrical Sector, Eaton, Shane Kilfoil said though Nigeria has emerged Africa’s largest economy with less than 4000megawatts (Mw) of electricity, beating South Africa with 45000Mw, there is still much to be done if the country is to take full advantage of its enormous potentials. Kilfoil, who cited data centre as an example, said the country with its big subscribers’ figures will continue to witness boom in data, lamenting however, that the power sector challenge would compel operators to choose the generator option, which he described as “not economical”. He spoke on the sideline when the power management company, Eaton, hosted its inaugural West Af-

rica Technology Day at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, to showcase its solutions spanning five industry segments including Data Centre and IT, oil and gas, electrical utilities, mining, solar and wind. Speaking at the occasion, its West Africa Sales Manager, Electrical Sector, Charles Iyo said: “The sustainable growth of the ICT sector in Nigeria and West Africa is dependent on developing innovative technologies to solve the sector’s toughest power management challenges. “Our vision is to establish Eaton as one of the premier power management companies in the region providing customised, innovative solutions that enable our customers in Nigeria and West Africa’s burgeoning telecommunications sector to use power more reliably, efficiently, safely and sustainably.” The Technology Day was officially opened by Eaton’s Guest of

Honour, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Olusola Senapon Oworu. The oneday event combined an exhibition floor showcasing Eaton’s power management solutions and products, alongside eight technical seminars run by the power firm’s leading experts from Africa and around the globe. Over 100 customers and partners from the region attended. Representing Eaton at the West Africa Technology Day were its most senior leaders in the region including, Kurt McMaken, President Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); Frank Campbell, President Electrical Sector EMEA; Shane Kilfoil, Managing Director Africa, Electrical Sector, Yishay Weissman, and Sales Manager sub-Saharan Africa, Eaton Hydraulic Sector. Kilfoil said: “The West Africa Technology Day represents another key milestone in Eaton’s 78-year history in Africa.

‘Why NIPOST must be repositioned’

INISTERof Communications Technology Dr Omobola Johnson has said the Federal Government will reposition the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST) because it is central to the realisation of its goals of financial, digital and social inclusion – in line with the Vision 20:2020 of the government. Meanwhile, plans to reform the postal sector and restructure NIPOST have received a boost with the approval of the Nigerian Postal Commission Bill 2014 by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The Bill is expected to be forwarded to the legislature for passage into law. Dr. Johnson said NIPOST has the largest retail infrastructure in the country, but contributes about 0.03

•FEC approves Postal Commission Bill per cent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) with 300 courier companies. She said 10 pilot states will run the programme of its being converted to a platform for digital, financial and social inclusion across the country. The Postal sector in Nigeria has grown over time with more than 1,200 post offices owned by the government, close to 2,000 postal agency outfits managed by individuals, and over 290 registered private courier companies. However, statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that whilst year-on-year growth

is increasing, the contribution of the Post and Courier Services sector to GDP (at 0.03 per cent) is still low. The Nigeria Postal Commission Bill 2014 is designed to reform and reposition the postal sector in line with global trends and international best practices. It promotes a postal sector that is efficient, cost effective, better funded and capable of delivering service that meets universal obligations embedded in National policies and programmes such as the Transformation Agenda and Vision 20:2020. The postal sector is managed by NIPOST, therefore, the growth of the sector is intrinsically tied to the reform of NIPOST.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-02-15

SEC suspends Elyon’s Asset, Okoye, others

ECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) has suspended Enugu-based capital market operator, Elyon’s Asset Management Limited and its directors and staff from all capital market operations. The suspension, which took effect on February 12, is indefinite. A circular released yesterday by SEC indicated that Elyon’s Asset was suspended for breach of extant capital market rules and regulations. With the suspension, Elyon’s Asset, its directors and sponsored individualsstaff registered for capital market operations, will not be able to undertake any activities relating to capital market until further notice. While the brief circular from SEC did not elaborate on the suspension, The Nation’s check that Elyon’s Asset had been operating

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

with expired fidelity bond for the past six years among other breaches. The company was first registered on July 3, 2006 and its fidelity bond of N50, 000 expired on July 21, 2009. The Nation’s check also indicated that those that the directors of the firm that have been suspended included Mr. Obinna Okoye and a compliance manager, Mrs Anuili Ilechukwu. Elyon’s Asset was listed as a fund manager by the SEC website. However, Elyon’s Asset, which indicated it has four offices in Lagos, Abuja, Enugu and Awka, stated that the company operates comprehensive capital market operations including stockbroking services, portfolio management, personal fund management, equity re-

search and financial advisory. The company’s website also indicated that it engages in several money market operations and other financing and training activities. According to the company, it offers tailor-made products and services across a broad spectrum of financial services including commercial paper investment, fixed tenor deposit, call investment, trade and commodity financing, asset-based lending, project management and property development, corporate consultancy, LPO and other short-term finance, training, fiduciary products and venture capital and joint venture operations. According to Elyon’s Asset, it provides equity participation for the purpose of investment in viable business organisations which are limited by inadequate funding.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 18-02-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

MONEYLINK

CBN scraps RDAS, devalues naira again

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has closed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) foreign exchange windows because of undesirable practices by those it called economic agents. By scrapping the RDAS, a key part of its currency-management system, the CBN has effectively devalued the naira for the second time in three months. A statement from the CBN yesterday signed by Ibrahim Mu’azu, Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, said by this decision, “henceforth, all demand for foreign exchange should be channeled to the Interbank Foreign Exchange Market.” The apex bank in the statement had noted that “with the sharp decline in global oil prices and the resultant fall in the country’s foreign exchange earnings, the bank has observed a widening margin

By Nduka Chiejina and Collins Nweze

between the rates in the interbank and the RDAS window, thus engendering undesirable practices including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents.” This the CBN said “has continued to put pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves with no visible economic benefits to the productive sector of the economy and the general public” as a result it had to wield this big stick to protect the Naira. The statement further said that “it has become imperative that appropriate actions be taken to avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves.”

He said the managed float exchange rate regime, which the CBN had adopted following the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market, has for the most part been successful in ensuring exchange rate stability in line with its mandate, but giving the infractions committed by the so called economic agents, the CBN, he said, had no choice but to take this decision with effect from yesterday. However, stakeholders in the financial sector have since reacted to the policy shift. For instance, the Head, Macro Research Africa at Standard Chartered Bank, Razia Khan said the policy is “positive news, and should help create more transparency in the Nigerian market.” Khan warned that with oil prices currently at levels where foreign exchange reserves will be difficult to replenish, the CBN’s appetite for

Sterling Bank, NAPPS partner on educational devt

TERLING Bank Plc has partnered with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) Lagos Chapter, to promote the educational sector. At a media briefing announcing the partnership in Lagos, yesterday, the President, NAPPS, Lagos Chapter, Yomi Otubela said the lender will educate members on book keeping, promote improved accounting system in schools, among other supports. He said the bank is one of the supporters of Lagos NAPPS for its three-day annual retreat holding later this month in Lagos. He said the group is committed to curbing mass failure in final examination by exposing students to the rudiments of sitting for exter-

nal examination and ensuring quality control is guaranteed by removing over reliance on teachers’ assessment alone. Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Sterling Bank Plc, Shina Atilola, said the lender is committed to adding value to the educational sector. He said although government is doing so much to develop the sector but it still has more to do, and that is why the private sector must come in and invest in the education sector. He said that government must increase funding to the education sector and ensure that public schools are better equipped to compete fairly with the private institutions. “Most importantly, there is a need for urgent intervention in the educa-

tion sector by private sector companies because government cannot do it alone. This is why we have decided as a bank to focus on the sector. Sterling Bank’s intervention in the sector will help to ameliorate some of the challenges the sector faces. Over the years, youth unemployment has remained one of the daunting challenges in Nigeria, as recent statistics show that over 25 million youths in the country are unemployed,” he said. Atilola said that Nigeria will require an investment of about $1 billion yearly for about 55 to 56 years to transform the education sector. “Our intervention in this sector will hopefully contribute to resolving the problem of unemployment. It will help Nigerians create their own businesses,” he said.

continued support of the interbank foreign exchange rate will be closely monitored. “With Nigerian foreign exchange reserves under pressure as a result of weaker oil prices, markets had anticipated eventual unification of Nigeria’s different exchange rates. Following the announcement in February that presidential and parliamentary elections would be postponed to March 28, Nigerian markets were subject to greater volatility,” she said in a note released yesterday. Khan said that with foreign reserves under pressure, and amid growing concern that a wide RDASinterbank spread would encourage ‘round-tripping’, the CBN will now stop RDAS auctions, therby effectively discontinuing its foreign exchange subsidy for certain categories of demand. But the President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gbadabe said the policy is illtimed. He told The Nation that the policy will push rate at the interbank to N250 to dollar and that will increase the already existing panic in the sector. “It is not the right time to cancel RDAS now that there is panicking in the forex market,” he said.

Moghalu appointed professor in US school

ORMER Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu has been appointed a professor at Tuft University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Moghalu, who is also the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sogato Strategies LLC will be the Professor of Practice in International Business and Public Policy effective July 1, 2015. He will teach a course on Emerging Africa in the World Economy in The Fletcher School’s Master of International Business (MIB) graduate degree program and the Institute for Business in the Global Context, focusing on the interplay between globalization, business and government. “I am honored by this appointment

by The Fletcher School, one of the world’s leading schools of international affairs, of which I also happen to be a proud alumnus” Moghalu said. “It demonstrates a recognition of the growing importance of Africa’s emerging markets in the global economy, and will perfectly compliment my work at Sogato Strategies, a global strategy and risk advisory firm with a focus on emerging markets”. Sogato Strategies has offices in the United States, Switzerland and Nigeria, and provides bespoke advisory services to business corporations and government entities on investment climate, risk and strategy, corporate governance, institutional strategy and transformation, global partnerships, and strategic communications.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS 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

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

GAINERS AS AT 18-02-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

GUARANTY TRANSCORP ACCESS UBA GLAXOSMITH OKOMUOIL GUINNESS IKEJAHOTEL FBNH WEMABANK

18.87 2.55 5.22 3.01 40.00 29.29 119.07 3.17 6.80 0.94

20.80 2.78 5.54 3.17 42.00 30.75 124.70 3.32 7.10 0.98

1.93 0.23 0.32 0.16 2.00 1.46 5.63 0.15 0.30 0.04

LOSERS AS AT 18-02-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

INTBREW RTBRISCOE JBERGER NPFMCRFBK FLOURMILL UNILEVER DANGFLOUR FO AFRIPRUD CHAMPION SKYEBANK

19.41 0.80 42.18 0.85 30.39 34.01 3.25 220.00 2.80 5.35 1.99

C/PRICE 18.44 0.76 40.11 0.81 29.30 33.00 3.16 215.06 2.78 5.32 1.98

CHANGE -0.97 -0.04 -2.07 -0.04 -1.09 -1.01 -0.09 -4.94 -0.02 -0.03 -0.01

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 13, 2015

R-DAS ($/N)

169.680

Interbank ($/N)

199.100

Black Market ($/N)

210.000

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Inflation: December

CBN EXCHANGE RATES (RDAS) February 11, 2015

Currency

Buying (N)

Selling (N)

$33.2b

US Dollar

167

168

$60.91

Pounds Sterling

251.7525

253.26

Euro

189.5617

190.6968

Swiss Franc

180.1122

181.1907

Yen

1.4231

1.4316

CFA

0.2689

0.2889

234.5928

235.9975

Yuan/Renminbi

26.6837

26.8444

Riyal

44.4908

44.7582

SDR

235.2863

236.6952

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves Oil Price (Bonny Light/b) Money Supply (M2)

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

15.033

15.977

15.809

17.177

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates

WAUA

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

Amount

T-bills - 364

13.92

Offered in ($)

Sold in ($)

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

03/02/2015 3/12/2014

500m 400m

499.93m 399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

SHOWBIZ Comedian Seyi Law loses first child By Mercy Michael

UMOUR merchant, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, aka Seyi Law and wife, Ebere, have just lost their first daughter, shortly after the baby was delivered in the United States. The comedian took to his Instagram to announce the tragedy, arousing the emotions of his fans, who have been sending consolation messages. He said: “My heart is blank. My joy has disappeared. Anger has become my companion. The wait is over with a bitter end. Oh Lord! Why does it have to be me? I am so imperfect and never denied it. The pains of nine months have amounted to nothing.” Seyi, who was discovered a few years ago in a comedy contest organised by AY’s Corporate Entertainment, has been one of the well soughtafter comedians ever since.

Obi Asika is Jonathan’s new social media man

HOWBIZ entrepreneur Obi Asika, has been appointed as senior special assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on social media. Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati confirmed Asika’s appointment, which is a replacement to the controversial Reno Omokri. According to information, Omokri now operates in subordinate capacity to Asika, as one of the aides working on the president’s social media image. Since the 80s, Asika has worked in sports marketing, music business, TV production and related fields of marketing communications. Asika who sits on the board of several companies across diverse areas of business such as events services, ICT and real estate, was executive producer of several TV shows and events, including Big Brother Nigeria, Doctor’s Quarters, Dragons Den Nigeria, The Apprentice Africa, Calabar Rocks, Etisalat One Million Dollar Show, 100% Naija and Naija Sings.

• Obi

THE NATION THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS

Panel to probe Elechi, others ready

BONYI State House of Assembly yesterday set up a committee to investigate five petitions in which Governor Martin Elechi and his allies are accused of financial misappropriation. The petitions include the one by Ebonyi Integrity Group, through its counsel, Clement Odaah, which accused the governor, his son (Elechi N. Elechi), Sir Edward Nkwegu and others of contract inflation and connivance to use the state’s fund for private gains. The petitions were read on the floor of the House by the acting leader, Ikechukwu Ogbu and adopted by the Assembly as a working document through a motion moved by Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, representing Izzi West Constituency.

Governor alleges impeachment plot

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi alleged a plot by politicians to impeach him. He spoke at the Government House, Abakaliki when addressing members of the Ezza Ezzekuna Youth Congress, who visited him. Elechi alleged that politicians were holding meetings to perfect a strategy to impeach him. He said: “I want to bring to your notice that some politicians, who have vowed to govern this state at all cost, have been holding secret meetings on how to impeach me. They said I’m a bad person and if I remain From Ogochukwu Aanioke, Abakaliki

The Minority Leader, Enyi C. Enyi, described the allegations as shocking, saying they were impeachable offences if the governor was found guilty. Other lawmakers noted the need for the House to in-

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

in power, they will not be able to rule the state. If they sack me, I will relocate to my home town.” The governor urged youths not to allow the state to be taken over by politicians, who are not after their welfare. He advised them to be vigilant and resist attempt to use them to cause trouble. The congress President, Mr. Leonard Igboke, a lawyer, said the youth were at the Government House to express solidarity with the Elechi administration. He urged him to be firm despite the political developments.

voke its constitutional powers to deal with the petitions. They said those accused would be given the opportunity to defend themselves. Speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku, who adopted the petition through voice votes, set up a special com-

mittee headed by Odefa O. Odefa, representing Onicha South, to investigate the allegations and report to the House. He said the essence of the committee was to carry out a thorough investigation, as they were weighty allegations.

Immigration deports 82 illegal immigrants found with TVCs By Precious Igbonwelundu

EEPING to its promise of repatriating foreigners caught meddling with next month’s elections, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has sent packing, 82 Nigeriens, who were found with Temporary Voter Cards (TVCs). The aliens were said to have been arrested during raids conducted by NIS officials across Lagos. The suspects, it was learnt, had claimed they were from Borno State to register to vote. They, however, claimed that they obtained the TVCs for the purpose of making money during elections from politicians. Briefing reporters before the repatriation, the Comptroller, Immigration, Mrs Justina Ahmadu, reiterated her warning that foreigners should stay away from the elections. She said that it (election) was strictly for Nigerians, noting that the service was bent on flushing illegal immigrants from the country for security reasons. “I appeal to those employing them (aliens) to ensure they have their valid travel documents the moment they employ them. They should make sure they procure their resident cards for them in order to qualify them to stay legally in the country. “All foreigners residing in Lagos should also know that the forthcoming election is Nigerians’ affair and as such, they should not meddle into it,” she said. Some of the suspects disclosed that they have been in the country for about four years and were lured into registering by their counterparts who told them to pretend they were from Borno State. Some of the aliens most of who could understand English gave their names as Mohammed, Idris, Kanaide, Mohammed, Musa and Shuaibu, adding that they came to Lagos in lorries that conveyed live cows. Asked where they resided, the suspects said they lived under the bridges and shanties in different parts of the state before their arrest. “I have been in Lagos for close to four years. I came into the country in a truck conveying cows. I supply water to residents who do not have access to boreholes. “Many of us have temporary voter cards. We posed as Northerners because our names sound like theirs. Some of our friends told us we should get the cards, that we would be giving money during elections. “But we were not able to get our Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) because we were afraid to go to the designated points since immigration officers visited regularly,” said one Mohammed.

Immigration intercepts bus carrying 42 illegal aliens From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke, Umuahia

T •Elechi (middle) with AIG Ogunsakin (left) and CP Maigari Dikko.

AIG to Ebonyi governor: I’ve a mandate to ensure peaceful elections T

HE Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), Zone 6, Tunde Ogunsakin, has said he has a mandate to ensure elections in the zone are free and peaceful. He spoke in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, when he visited Governor Martin Elechi, who described the officer as fit for the demands of policing. The visit was part of the AIG’s response to the instruction by the inspectorgeneral of Police for politicians to sign a peace pact. The governor described the AIG as a square peg in a square hole and hailed him. He said he was a different

breed of AIG. Elechi said his administration would co-operate with the police and expressed surprise at the high rate of crime. Ogunsakin vowed to uphold the tenets of the police in maintaining order and protecting life and property. He also met with the resident electoral commissioner, the attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, candidates and party leaders. The police chief said no individual or group would be given a status as a ‘sacred

cow’. He said he and his men would ensure that the elections were credible and peaceful. “I have a mandate from the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to ensure that the elections are peaceful and credible. As a renowned law enforcer, there is a call to duty, which I will use my expertise to perform, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.” Ogunsakin advised against brigandage, malpractices and crimes during the elec-

tions, quoting sections 128 and 129(4) of the Electoral Act to buttress his point. He urged the men and officers of the Ebonyi State Police Command to discharge their responsibilities, admonishing them to be responsible and uphold the ideals of the police, which include discipline, prompt response to incidents, zerotolerance for corruption and commitment to duty. Ogunsakin said the welfare of the men and officers was important to him, adding that they would be taken care of.

HE Comptroller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Abia State, Mrs. Augustina Ifeoma Opara, has urged luxury bus drivers to be conscious of the passengers they carry. She said they should be mindful of their passengers, to avoid embarrassment, adding that upon checking 112 passengers in a vehicle, it was discovered that 42 were foreigners and only a few had valid documents. The Immigration chief said the insecurity in the country called for vigilance, adding that the coming elections made it necessary for people to be vigilant. Speaking in Umuahia, she said most of the passengers in the luxury bus registered as Lagos XT 286 LSD, intercepted on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, did not have valid travel documents.

Lawmaker petitions IG on threat MEMBER of the Oyo to life

State House of A s s e m b l y , Temitope Olatoye, has petitioned the InspectorGeneral of Police, Suleiman Abbah, asking for protection against attack by his opponents. In the letter dated February 13, signed by counsel to the lawmaker, Ikeh Sunday of Chief Ladosu Ladapo (SAN) and Co, it was alleged that Olatoye, an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate

Team begins house-to-house campaign for APC candidates

N All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Alimosho area of Lagos State, Otunba Ladi Oluwaloni Olo, has assured the leadership of the party of the support of youths in his constituency. He said he had mobilised a team, which embarked on a house-to-house campaign

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

to ensure that the presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the House of Assembly candidate, Bisi Yusuf and others were successful at the polls. Olo urged youths to join the Change movement. He spoke at the launch of the house-to-house cam-

paign organised for APC candidates in Alimosho Constituency, which started at Ayobo-Ipaja. The APC stalwart said youths were mobilised to ensure that the party recorded a landslide for Akinwunmi Ambode as the governor, Solomon Olamilekan (aka Yayi) as the senator, representing Lagos

West and Bisi Yusuf as the lawmaker, representing Alimosho Constituency I in the House of Assembly. He noted that the houseto- house campaign team would also work for Oluwafemi Adebanjo, a candidate for Alimosho Constituency in the House of Representatives. Olo said members looked

forward to the new date for the elections, adding that they were determined to vote out the bad Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government. He advised voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), “since this is the only way they can vote out the PDP.”

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

and his supporters were being provoked by members of a rival party. The letter said after the tactics failed, attempts were made on his life, and a siege to his property in Ibadan. Efforts to get the reaction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Yinka Taiwo, failed, as his phone was switched off.

Baptists meet

HE first Executive Committee meeting of the Lagos East Baptist Conference holds on Saturday at the Conference Room, Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos, from 10am. The Conference’s President, Dr. Emmanuel Awotunde, said members should attend punctually, adding that kingdom matters and other businesses affecting the conference would be discussed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS INC cancels Ijaw Day From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

HE Ijaw National Congress (INC) has postponed its annual Ijaw Day celebration. The ceremony was to hold on February 23. The postponement is in honour of the 11 women politicians from Bayelsa State and loyalists of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who died in multiple motor accidents near Ahoada on the EastWest Road on Valentine’s Day. INC’s President Boma Obuoforibo spoke yesterday when he led members of the congress, President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Mr. Udens Eradiri, and leaders of other ethnic nationalities on a condolence visit to Governor Seriake Dickson at the Government House in Yenagoa. Obuoforibo described the death of the women as a big loss to the state. He urged the Ijaw to accord the deceased a special recognition.

IGP orders in-depth probe of Okrika shooting

NSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has ordered a full-scale investigation into Tuesday’s shooting at the rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okrika, Rivers State. The police chief directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in Zone 6, Calabar, Johnson Tunde Ogunshakin, to take over the investigation and bring the perpetrators and sponsors to justice. A statement yesterday in Abuja by Force spokesman said one policeman was killed and three others injured in the incident. Abba directed the police to prosecute suspects arrested for causing violence across the country. The police chief regretted that despite serious warnings, advice and interfaces with political actors to avoid violence, such acts had continued. He said the police would ensure an impartial levelplaying field for all political parties to sell their manifestos and woo the electorate. Suleiman said: “I deeply regret the loss of lives of policemen in the course of pro-

•Okorocha condemns attack •DSS: we’re probing incident Bipi denies involvement

RIVERS State House of Assembly member representing Ogu/Bolo, Evans Bipi, has denied involvement in last Tuesday’s attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Okrika. Bipi, who was accused by APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, of leading the attackers, threatened to sue Peterside and Governor Rotimi Amaechi. In a statement yesterday, the lawmaker said contrary to the allegation against him, he was in Bayelsa State mourning some women loyal to First Lady, Mrs Patience Jonathan, in a road accident. Bipi said: “I was not in Okrika on Tuesday. Okrika is not even my constituency. I represent Ogu/Bolo in the Rivers State House of Assembly. From Faith Yahaya and Bukola Amusan, Abuja viding safety in the electoral process. My heart goes out to the families of the slain colleagues. I wish the injured officers speedy recovery and return to national duty.” Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has condemned the explosions and gunshots at the

“How can anybody imagine that I or the First Lady could resort to violence? I respect Dakuku Peterside; I respect members of the other political parties, because we all have equal stakes in the state. “But I will not allow my reputation or that of the First Lady to be tarnished, just because somebody is soliciting votes. “I have instructed my team of lawyers to handle this matter and Peterside has to prove his claim that he saw me leading a team of angry youths to attack his rally. That is the only way we can prove our innocence or culpability. “The statement credited to Peterside, with Governor Rotimi Amaechi, accusing me of leading gunmen to attack their rally in Okrika, is most unfortunate. Above all, it is the height of irresponsibility on their part and the APC.”

Okrika, Rivers State, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship rally. The governor described the incident as primitive and borne out of frustration. He regretted that before the Okrika shootings, several explosions had also disrupted APC rallies in the state. A statement yesterday by Ngozi Onyeocha quoted the governor as saying that what should concern Nigerians was how to have successful elec-

tions and make the nation achieve its lofty goals. He added that all Nigerians should work together in harmony to achieve the lofty national goals. The Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday said it was investigating the cause of Tuesday’s shooting at the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally at Okrika, Rivers State. The DSS promised to deal with those planning to dis-

rupt the March 28 and April 11 general elections ahead of the polls. Its spokesperson, Ms Marilyn Ogar, addressed reporters yesterday in Abuja. She said the department had a profile of people with bad records, who would be dealt with. There were explosions last Tuesday’s APC rally in Okrika, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State. A policeman was killed, many party supporters and a reporter with Channels Television injured. Ms Ogar said: “We are investigating it (the explosion); that is why we are saying. If you have observed that there is a new face, an unexplained movement of person or people you don’t know, sudden business concerns cropping up around you, you need to alert security agencies. So, we are definitely investigating it. “...Beyond that, there is the profiling of those whose presence in certain areas cannot be easily and immediately explained. So, may be on the election day, one group will get up and someone supportive has been whisked away. We have profiled people with questionable character...”

Attack on Osinbajo: Emerhor, youths slam Asari-Dokubo’s ally

ELTA State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Olorogun O’tega Emerhor has berated Rex Anighoro, an ally of former Niger Delta militant leader, Alhaji Mujahid DokuboAsari, for threatening the party’s vice presidential candidate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo. In a statement, Anighoro accused Osinbajo of working against the interest of the Urhobo by visiting the President-General of the new Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Chief Tuesday Onoge. Emerhor, through his campaign organisation, described Anighoro’s statement as irresponsible. Also, a former leader of UPU’s youth wing Igho Onoriobakpoepha said the statement was aimed at stirring ethnic and religious hate among Urhobo against Osibanjo and APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. A statement yesterday by the Director, Media and Political Communication of the Emerhor Campaign Organisation, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, said Anighoro’s statement, which was released under the aegis of Coalition of Urhobo Nation Youth Leaders and Stakeholders (CUNYLS), could cause a war between the youth of UPU’s two factions. He said Anighoro was aware that the Uvwiamuge Declaration took into account only the two maor parties - the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and not the Labour Party (LP). Oghenesivbe said APC accepted the UPU offer and gave Urhobo Emerhor as their endorsed candidate. The Delta APC spokesman said if Anighoro, the UPU and Chief Joe Omene were sure that LP was part of the bargain ab-initio and

From Bolaji Ogundele, Warri

wanted LP governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru, to fly the Urhobo flag in the election, they ought to have presented him the first time they struck a deal with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the PDP. According to him, if David Edevwie had won the PDP primary, Ogboru would have been abandoned by the UPU, Omene and Anighoro’s group. Oghenesivbe described Anighoro as one of the best brains in the youth arm of the Omene-led UPU. The spokesman urged Anighoro to avoid meddling in controversies that could destroy his reputation in Urhobo land. A former Research and Information Officer in UPU’s Youth Wing, Onoriobakpoepha, said Anighoro’s statement was borne out of his loyalty to Omene, who was removed for allegedly attempting to undermine the Uvwiamughe Declaration. Onoriobakpoepha said: “Anighoro and his group are too insignificant to bar a vice presidential candidate from visiting the UPU and Delta Central. Besides, such an utterance is criminal and inciting. It is common knowledge that he is an apologist of President Goodluck Jonathan, for those who still remember his infamous declaration to dance naked, if Jonathan failed to get a second term. “Knowing that Rex is also a professed loyalist of Chief Omene, whose UPU has been displaced over its deliberate attempt to undermine the Uvwiamuge Declaration, we see, by the tone of his statement, an extended conspiracy by the rejected UPU forces to throw spanners in the wheel of Olorogun Emerhor’s bid as the Urhobo consensus governorship candidate in Delta State.”

•From left: Deputy National Youth Leader, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Denis Alonge Niyi; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Students Affairs, Com. Jude Imagwe; PDP National Youth Leader, Abdullahi Hussaini MaiBasira and Chief of Staff to Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Yero, Alhaji Yahaya Aminu, at the town hall meeting of PDP’s youth mobilisation in Kaduna. PHOTO: ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE

Calabar dredging suit: Defendants to be served outside jurisdiction

USTICE Emmanuel Obilo of the Federal High in Calabar, Cross River State, yesterday granted Sam Nmeje’s prayers to serve the defendants outside the jurisdiction of the court. Nmeje instituted the suit to declare as illegal the contract awarded for the dredging of the Calabar Channel. The President, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Minister of Transport, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Calabar Channel Management Limited are the first to sixth defendants. Presenting a motion ex parte yesterday, Mr Monjok Agom, who held brief for the plaintiff’s lawyer, Mr Reginald Osere, sought two

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

reliefs. These are: •An order granting the plaintiff/applicant leave “to serve originating processes in this suit to the 1st to fifth defendants outside the jurisdiction of the court” and •“An order directing that the sixth defendant to be served by substituted means by publishing same in one national newspaper on the grounds that the bailiff could not effect service after multiple trials.” After listening to Agom’s presentation, Justice Obilo said the applicant had satisfied the requirement for granting the first relief sought. But the second relief was refused because the applicant had refused to fulfil the requirements for its grant. “There is nothing placed before this court to show that

‘The judge noted that there was nothing in the application to show that the bailiff had actually tried to reach them without success’ the bailiff ever attempted to serve the sixth defendant at any time. The sixth defendant is entitled to personal service,” he said. Justice Obilo fixed the report of service in the case for March 24. Speaking with our reporter after the court sitting, Agom said: “Today was a routine application for the case to begin. The parties ought to be served so that at the end of the day, we know that

these are the issues before the court. So, for this application, the rules require that if you are to serve an application outside of a state - because some of the parties are to be served in Abuja - you ought to bring a formal application to that effect so that permission would be granted to you; so that you now serve outside of the state. “For the first to fifth defendants, the court accepted that they should be served outside Abuja, but refused that the sixth defendant could not be served by a publication in the newspaper, and ought to be served personally. “The judge noted that there was nothing in the application to show that the bailiff had actually tried to reach them without success.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

NEWS

Adamawa PDP splits over plot to bring back Fintiri ARELY five weeks to the elections, tension has overwhelmed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over alleged plot to sack Governor Bala James Ngilari and reinstate the former Acting Governor, Umar Fintiri, through the court. Ngilari, a former deputy governor to the impeached Governor Murtala Nyako, was declared the substantive governor on October 8 last year by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola. But Fintiri went to the Court of Appeal to challenge his removal and seek reinstatement. The apex court asked the parties to submit written addresses by March 3. Some forces in PDP were,

Ffrom Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

however, unhappy with Ngilari for not whole-heartedly backing the party’s governorship candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. The forces discovered through intelligence that the governor had been allegedly supporting the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Marcus Gundiri. It was learnt that the forces, including some in the presidency, were disturbed that Ngilari was allegedly promoting Christianity agenda for Gundiri in cahoot with a serving minister. It was gathered that although a reconciliation of all groups had been effected, signals showed that Ngilari might favour Gundiri more

than Ribadu. It was alleged that Gundiri might be enjoying state funding of his party’s campaign. The permutations by the PDP border on the need to settle the matter through the court by easing out Ngilari. Investigation showed that the forces at work were more at home with the reinstatement of Fintiri, who has learnt his lessons by dumping his aspiration for any elective office. The massive turnout of Fintiri’s supporters at the presidential rally was said to have convinced anti-Ngilari forces that Fintiri, who is the Speaker of the House of Assembly, is an electoral asset. The campaign was allegedly used to test the waters for Fintiri.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Adamawa is back in the news. Some forces are just uncomfortable with Ngilari, who is being accused of anti-party activities. “They are alleging that the governor is surreptitiously supporting Gundiri, a Christian, instead of the PDP candidate, Mallam Ribadu. “Ribadu’s camp has bent forward and backward to accommodate the governor with a senatorial ticket, but the Ngilari group is adamant on Gundiri. “So, there is a plot to give Ngilari what is now known in the Northeast as “Taraba treatment”, which led to the ouster of the former Acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar, by the court. “This has created tension, because Christians in Adama-

wa may engage in block voting against Ribadu. “But the forces behind the plot believe that Fintiri is more popular in Adamawa North Senatorial District than Ngilari. They said irrespective of religion, Fintiri may win Christian votes for PDP.” Another source said: “There is anxiety in the state that some forces were bent on removing the Christian governor through judicial ambush. “Their grouse is that Ngilari has not been loyal to the party at all. But some PDP leaders said it is better to ask the presidency to call Ngilari to order than creating another crisis, which may favour the opposition. “We are in a delicate situation where neither PDP nor SDP will win the election if Ngilari is sacked.

Niger Assembly orders out two members •For defecting to APC From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

WO members of the Niger State House Assembly, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were yesterday ordered out of the chamber by the Speaker, Adamu Usman. Their seats were declared vacant during a rowdy session. The affected members are Bashir Abdullahi Isa Lokogoma of Wushishi Constituency and Nazeer Abdullahi representing Rijau Constituency. Declaring their seats vacant, the Speaker said the Assembly’s action followed the adoption of a letter dated February 17, by the state chapter of the PDP, confirming that the two lawmakers have defected to the APC. Efforts by the affected legislators to speak were turned down before the Speaker directed the Sergeant of Arm to walk them out of the chamber.

LP governorship running mate defects to APC

HE governorship running mate in the Labour Party (LP) in Benue State, Comrade David Ngbede, was among the 2,000 politicians, including those from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who yesterday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at rallies in Agatu, Apa and Ohimini local governments. Speaking in Ugbokpo, Comrade Ngbede and former chairman of Apa and Agatu local governments, Mr. Ameh Udo, said they took the decision to be part of the change movement sweeping across the country.

‘Taraba ‘ll be better with Ishaku’ From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

FORMER Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame has said the state would be better with the former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Dickson Ishaku, as the governor. He spoke at a town hall meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in Zing Local Government area.

•Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam sympathising with a victim of the suicide bombing, which occurred at the Damaturu Central Motor Park on Sunday, when he visited the victims at the Specialist Hospital, Damaturu... yesterday.

Jigawa speaker begs Obasanjo to return to PDP

IGAWA State House of Assembly has begged former President Olusegun Obasanjo to forgive, forget and return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It made the plea yesterday through the Speaker, Adamu Ahmed Sarawa, who ad-

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

dressed reporters after the sitting. The House appealed to Obasanjo to change his mind. Sarawa, who is the PDP senatorial candidate in Jigawa North, expressed shock about the ex-president’s ac-

Assembly loses member MEMBER of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Ilesha/ Gwanara Constituency, Suleiman S. Idris, is dead. The late legislator, aged 53, was said to have died at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) after a brief illness.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Lawmakers yesterday suspended considerations for the final passage of the 2015 budget.The deceased was the House Committee chairman on Finance and Appropriation. The House adjourned plenary till next Tuesday.

Wamakko cautions

SOKOTO State Governor Aliyu Wamakko yesterday cautioned against the politicisation of security agencies. He said the agencies should be seen to be neutral and driven by their constitutional roles, adding that they should not be made partisan in ensuring the safety of life and property of the citizens. The governor spoke in Sokoto when the new Commissioner of

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

Police, Mr. Salisu Abdullahi, visited him. He urged security agencies to uphold their oath of office by being diligent and fair to all. Abdullahi, who assured of a level-playing field for parties, hailed Wamakko for his moral and financial support to the police and other sister agencies.

Kwara sues Fed Govt for $58.4m debt KWARA State Government has sued the Federal Government before the Supreme Court, seeking to among others, compel it to pay it about $58,505,759 allegedly collected on its behalf from a foreign company about 21 years ago.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

The state accused the Federal Government of refusing to release the money, which formed an overpayment of a foreign loan obtained by Kwara and guaranteed by the Federal Government.

tion. He said: “It is most unfortunate and shocking. Although he (Obasanjo) is angry, it is necessary for the party to handle the matter with care.” The senatorial candidate added: “Baba will come back, he only denounced his mem-

bership, he did not join any party. So we are hoping he will return to the party soon. “Baba Obasanjo is angry. It is imperative for the party to plead with him that he should be patient, forgive and forget, for the sake of democracy and country’s peace, unity and progress.”

Aliyu appoints Speaker as Acting Gov

IGER State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu yesterday made good his intention not to work with his deputy, Ahmed Musa Ibeto, by appointing the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Adamu Usman, to oversee the affairs of the state while he performs the Lesser Hajj. But Ibeto described the development as laughable and unconstitutional, saying he remained the deputy governor. Aliyu last Wednesday ordered his deputy out of the weekly executive council meeting and vowed not to have anything to do with him. The governor accused Ibeto, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month, of insulting him at the APC rallies. Aliyu, who will be away from February 19 to 29, directed the Speaker in a notification letter he signed and sent to the Assembly, to inform them of his intention to

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the Lesser Hajj. The letter with reference number GHNS/13/72 dated 17th February, 2015 and made available to The Nation yesterday reads in part, “I wish to inform Mr. Speaker, that I intend to travel to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Lesser Hajj between 19th-26th Febuary, 2015. “In my absence, the Honourable Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Adamu Usman will over see my schedules as the acting governor.” It stated. Reacting to the development in a telephone interview the deputy governor, Hon. Ibeto said he was not in anyway disturbed because the governor’s action was “unconstitutional”. “I am still the deputy governor. I don’t know the section of the constitution he relies on to appoint the Speaker when I am still the deputy governor and I am in office,” Ibeto said.

Nyako accuses chief judge of seizing case file From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

MPEACHED governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has accused the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, of allegedly seizing the file in the case he initiated, challenging the process leading to his impeachment last year. Nyako further alleged that by his action, Justice Auta stalled the scheduled delivery of judgment in a case by the trial judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, of the Yola Division of the Federal High Court. His lawyer and media aide, Olukoya Ogungbeje and Ahmad Sajoh, told reporters in Abuja yesterday that “the case file in suit No: FHC/YL/ CS/11/2014 between Admiral Murtala Nyako and Adamawa State House of Assembly & others was transferred and seized by the office of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, thereby forestalling the delivery of the court judgment slated for February 12, 2015.” The Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Mrs. Rosemary DugboOghoghorie, denied Nyako’s allegation. She said the court’s chief judge called for the case file to enable him address a petition dated February 3, 2014 written to his office by Festus Keyamo, who is the lawyer to the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ishaya Banu, a party in the case. The chief registrar said the only option before Nyako was to await the final decision of the Court of Appeal in the case. “Before February 12, Keyamo wrote a petition against Justice Aliyu. As is the custom with the court, when a petition is written, the Chief Judge calls for the file to enable him address the petition. “There is no basis in the allegation that the Chief Judge is interfering with a case in Yola. The Chief Judge cannot arrest a judgment in a case before another judge. The Chief Judge is still waiting for the response of the presiding judge in Yola. “Until the judge in Yola responds, the file remains with the Chief Judge. Even if the Chief Judge returns the file to the trial judge, she still cannot proceed. The court of Appeal in Yola has granted a stay in the case. Until that issue is dealt with by the Court of Appeal, there can never be further proceedings in the case at the trial court,” Mrs. Dugbo-Oghoghorie said. Nyako had, in November last year, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit, alleging that he was denied fair hearing by impeachment panel which recommended to the House of Assembly that he should be removed from office. Ogungbeje said “on the day the judgment was to be delivered, the judge was not around. No prior information that the court would not sit and no new date was fixed. We got information that it was the CJ that called for the file. “As we speak to you the file remains with the CJ. Whose interest is he protecting? We want Justice Auta to tell the whole world why he has not sent the file back to Federal High Court, Yola.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS LENT Ukraine troops retreat from key town Theme: Storms are surmountable!

HE Ukrainian president says his forces are making an "organised" withdrawal from the embattled town of Debaltseve. Petro Poroshenko said 80% of Ukraine's troops left on Wednesday morning after several days of fierce fighting. Russia said Ukrainian forces had tried to fight their way out of the city after being encircled but Mr Poroshenko insisted they were never surrounded. The rebel advance on Debaltseve, which came in spite of the recent ceasefire agreement, has been widely condemned. Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said the rebels' offensive had put the wider peace agreement

at risk and urged Russia to "use all its influence on the separatists to make them respect the ceasefire". He also called on Moscow to withdraw its forces from Ukraine, saying Russian troops, artillery and air defence units were still active in the country. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted the rebels' actions in Debaltseve had not violated the ceasefire because it was a rebel-held city when the peace agreement was signed last week. He urged rebels to provide troops who surrendered with food and clothes and said he hoped the situation in the city

would "not be used to find a pretext to actually undermine [the agreement]". Eyewitnesses saw dozens of tanks and columns of weary Ukrainian troops retreating from Debaltseve yesterday. Russia's state-controlled Channel One TV showed footage of what it said were rebels raising their flag on top of a high-rise building in the city. One rebel commander in Debaltseve told the BBC that conditions were dire, with no electricity and a shortage of food and water. He said rebels were sharing their rations with the remaining civilians.

MPs grill Zuma over chaos during State of Nation address

OUTH African President, Jacob Zuma, on Wednesday spent his second day on the firing line as Members of Parliament slammed him for chaos during his last week’s State of the Nation address. During the address armed policemen enter the Chamber to remove opposition MPs. Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, stole the show by describing Zuma as “a broken man presiding over a broken society”. “You are willing to break every democratic institution to try and fix the legal predicament you find yourself in. “You are willing to break this Parliament if it means escaping accountability for the wrongs you have done,” he said, point-

ing at Zuma. He berated the president for laughing during the scuffle in Parliament on Thursday, when MPs were violently removed for insisting that Zuma address the scandal over his private property. The property underwent a 20 million dollars upgrade with taxpayer’s money. “You laughed. You laughed while the people of South Africa cried for their beloved country. “You laughed while trampling Nelson Mandela’s legacy – in the very week that we celebrated 25 years since his release (from jail). “Honourable President, we will never forgive you for what you have done,” he told Zuma. Economic Freedom Fighters’

(EFF) President Julius Malema, argued that government projects failed to connect with the undertakings of the Freedom Charter that the ANC is reclaiming this year. “You shall be known as the president who brought violence to this Parliament… You used hooliganism to silence the opposition,” he said. United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa recalled how the Apartheid-era government preferred using violence instead of political dialogue, like the security personnel who evicted MPs last week. Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said the integrity of Parliament had been shredded by last week’s debacle.

Text:”.... he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side..... And there arose a great storm of wind....” ( Mk. 4:35,37) ‘but’ in human testimonies ( Mk. 5:25-26; 2Kings 5:1-

ESUS Christ informed His disciples of their transition to the other side, a journey that was obviously targeted at freeing a great man destined for greatness but bound by powers of darkness (Mk. 5:1-20). On their way, a great storm arose to hinder them from getting there and if possible, terminate their lives in the process but His presence surmounted the raging storm. A storm is a very dangerous wave that has devastating tendencies. While there are natural storms, we also have spiritual storms. A natural storm originates when a low pressure system is surrounded by a high pressure system. Small areas of low pressure can form from hot air rising off hot ground. Hot air will rise, and when the hot air collides with cold air, the hot air is forced up over the colder, drier air. When the warmer air is displaced upwards, it causes surface air pressure to drop, which creates something of a vacuum effect where the two air masses meet. Cold air then rushes in to fill the area of lower air pressure, and this in turn forces more warm air upwards. This starts a cycle of cold air rushing in, pushing the warm air upwards. It is this very turbulence that causes the natural storm. When a storm occurs, there are displacement of organised structures; the family, home and places that have been organised suddenly becomes disorganised as there are forceful changes and things are turned completely upside down ( Job 21:28, 27:21). To reduce the consequences of a storm, captains of ships are trained to avoid stormy locations. When a natural storm is in sight however, the ship passengers are commanded not to loiter, luggages are properly organised in their compartments, breakable utensils are securely kept out of the reach of passengers and cargoes are jettisoned to lighten the weight of the vessel (cf Acts 27:18) among other precautionary measures. While the effect of a physical storm can be sighted and ameliorated, a spiritual storm is not visible to human eyes, it evolves suddenly like the experiences of the woman with the issue of blood, the great Naaman and the only child of the Shunamite woman who were attacked suddenly, and it imposes a

14; 2 Kings 4:18-20). The destructive capacity of a spiritual storm is colossal and devastating. The damages therefrom are beyond human imagination, leads to injuries, terrible destruction of lives, destinies, properties and institutions; and even to loss of lives. The spiritual storm manifest in sudden hatred among couples leading to thoughts of separation or divorce, sudden strange behaviours, a thriving business suddenly going down, perennial visits to Doctors, unexplainable loss of revenue, a thriving business outfit going down, increasing expenditure without commensurate increase in income, inability to meet financial, matrimonial and occupational demands, friends suddenly becoming enemies, hatred by superior officers etc. Brethren, that Jesus is in your boat does not exclude you from a spiritual storm. David buttressed this by saying that “ many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them from all” ( Psalm 34:19). James the brother of John was killed in a spiritual storm orchestrated by Herod Agrippa when the church was silent but when the church arose to pray, the story changed and the captors became the captives ( Acts 12). Therefore, it doesn’t matter what your experience may be today, there is a God who specialises at making ‘the storm calm, so that the waves thereof are still’ ( Psalm 107:29). He is the One that is “a refuge from the storm” (Isaiah 25:4). The Almighty God is He that “ sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: ( Isaiah 40:22). He is your God and will never allow you to be put to shame. At this Lenten season, build your life on the Rock (Matthew 7:24 cf Romans 9:33), allow Him into the boat of your life, surrender to Him absolutely, call on Him at all times, obey Him in all things and have faith in His power to deliver. As you continue to fast, pray and have faith in God, He would reverse every evil order and give you peace over the spiritual storms in Jesus’ name. Prayers: Almighty God come into the boat of my life, calm every storm, take me to the other side of my life, terminate my weepings and restore the joy of my salvation, in Jesus’ name.

NEWS Senate endorses card reader for general elections Continued from page 2

tion 78 and Section 118 of the constitution grant INEC powers to register voters and to conduct election in Nigeria.” Jega spoke of the card reader’s advantages. “First, once the card reader is configured, it can only read PVC issued by INEC at the polling unit that it has been configured. Second, it reads the embedded chip card not the back code. “Third, it enables authentication of the identity of the voter by matching his or her finger print with that code on the chip of the card. “Four, it keeps a tally of all cards read and all cards verified or authenticated with all their details, including the time when this was done. “Five , this information can be send to a central server using an SMS. “Six, the stored information on the server will enable INEC to audit results from polling units as well as do arrangement of statistical analysis of the demographics of voting, something INEC has never been able to do

effectively. “Seven, the ward collation officer can use this information to audit polling unit result sheets and to determine whether accreditation figures have been altered, a common feature of electoral fraud in our jurisdiction.” He continued: “Using the card reader has some challenges. What if a card reader fails, what if a person is verified and his finger print cannot be authenticated. “We have worked together with all political parties and agreed on what to do if any of these arises. “In the unlikely event that a card reader fails, we have enough spares to deploy before the end of the accreditation at 1pm. “If we cannot replace before the end of accreditation, then the election in that particular point will be postponed to the following day when a new card reader will be provided for election. “We agreed with political parties to do this because if you say if a card reader fails we go back to manual voting, we are wor-

ried that everywhere we will revert to manual because there are many people who don’t want card reader to be used.” He noted that “If a voter’s PVC has been read and the details have been verified but his finger print cannot be authenticated or he or she has no fingers, an incidence form will be written by the presiding officer at the voting point and the voter will be accredited.” The INEC boss, who said that the commission hopes to utilise the period of extension to organise more public enlightenment programme and use of the card reader, said that the commission had already done a number of tests. He said: “We have tested this card reader in a pilot scheme here in the FCT and some of the states. We have sent national commissioners to supervise the distribution of PVCs and they went with technical officers and the card readers and wherever they went as people were collecting their cards they were also checking to see whether the cards could be read. In general,

Jonathan sends team to U.S. as image crisis hurts Continued from page 2

still enjoys tremendous goodwill. It can count on goodwill.” A third source said: “I think the trip has more or less to do with the need to prevail on the US to change its attitude to the nation’s counter-terrorism efforts. “We have security challenges but the US is not assisting as much as expected. There is a missing link somewhere and we need to bridge the gap. If you ask me, I will say the trip has more to do with how to tackle insurgency in the country than the general election.

“We need the assistance of the US to win the war against Boko Haram. We want the US to sell arms and ammunition to us, share intelligence with Nigeria and assist with modern equipment. Some of those who traveled to the US are experts in counter-insurgency too.” All Nigerian ambassadors and Heads of Mission have been mandated to clarify the circumstances surrounding the polls shift to their host countries. According to a source in the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Federal Government has no-

ticed the misrepresentation or distortion of the challenges which led to polls shift by INEC. We have directed our ambassadors and High Commissioners to put the picture clearer in their host countries,” he said. Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Ade Adefuye, on Tuesday took a swipe at the hard Editorial of New York Times on the poll shift. He said it was wrong for the newspaper to have blamed the poll shift on the Federal Government in order to frustrate the APC Presidential Candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

we are satisfied with the result.” Jega insisted that that the likelihood of a card reader failing is slim. On whether the use of card reader for the elections violates the Electoral Act Jega said: “We had solid legal advice and we do not believe it violates legal provision. “It is not electronic voting, it is verification. There is a difference between voting and the voting process and there is nothing in the Electoral Act or the Constitution that says you cannot use card reader for an election.” He added that “anybody can go to court on anything, but we believe we have not done anything wrong”. On why he did not ask for amendment of the Electoral Act to accommodate the use of card reader, Jega said: “We didn’t ask for an amendment to the Act because we thought it was unnecessary.” When the INEC boss was asked to demonstrate the workings of the card reader, Jega invited his technical staff who demonstrated the use of the device.

Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima presented his PVC to test-run the card reader. His biometric details captured in the PVC appeared to the satisfaction of many of the senators. Senator Chris Anyanwu’s PVC was also used to demonstrate the workability of the card reader. On the sacrosanct of the March 28 and April 11 election dates, Jega insisted that “there are things that are under the control of the Commission and there are things that are not under our control”. “What is not under our control, it is futile and fruitless to give guarantee on things not under our control. I think that question should be directed appropriately.” Jega said that the alleged purchase of PVCs by politicians is a criminal offence and added that such cards are useless as they cannot be used for the elections. He also insisted that “I don’t see how anyone would contemplate shifting the elections now because it is unconstitutional.” “Our hope and prayer is that

Troops kill 300 Boko Haram Continued from page 2

and outside Nigeria.” Also yesterday, it was learnt that Between 20 and 30 mourners were killed when an unidentified plane bombarded a village in Niger Republic near Nigeria’s border, local officials and humanitarian sources. The strike on Tuesday came with Niger Republic involved in a regional offensive in the area against Boko Haram fighters. A humanitarian source put the death toll at between 20 and 30 while two local officials told AFP there were 31 or 32 dead

and 20 wounded. Head of militant group Boko Haram has threatened to disrupt next month’s elections. The elections were shifted from this month because of of the military’s claim that it could not guarantee security. In a new video posted online late Tuesday, Abubakar Shekau said that even if clashes cost his fighters their lives, Allah will not allow the elections to proceed. Bombs went off in three locations across Nigeria on Tuesday, causing dozens of casualties.

in the next six weeks, things will improve and there would be elections.” Senate President David Mark said the interaction was meant to assist Jega to conduct a free, fair and credible election. Mark added: “Every body seated here, I can tell you, wants to come back through the back door. “As I said at the beginning, it is for us to assist you to conduct a free, fair and credible election and whatever we can do between now and the date you’ve chosen for the election, please, don’t hesitate to come back to us. “I believe that this interaction has been very beneficial to all the parties and we believe that INEC will conduct free, fair and credible election. Minority Leader Senator George Akume who seconded the motion that Mark should report progress of the interaction, insisted that the Senate should invite Service Chiefs. Akume said that since Jega told the Senate that certain things were beyond his control, the Service Chiefs should be invited to clarify some grey areas.

APC writes Jonathan Continued from page 2

to resist any attempt by any political party or individual to drag them into serving selfish political agenda against national interest. “The party wishes to remind the security agencies on the need to maintain professionalism, patriotism and international best practices for national interests. “The loyalty of security institutions is to the country and they should serve the country’s interest,” the APC added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Subsidy strike tragedy: Judge threatens to revoke ex-DPO’s bail

HE January 9, 2012 fuel subsidy removal crisis, which grounded the country for over a week, echoed yesterday at a Lagos High Court where a dismissed police officer is standing trial for alleged murder. Justice Olabisi Akinlade threatened to jail dismmised Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Pen Cinerma Agege, Lagos, Segun Fabunmi, if his lawyer continues to delay proceedings. Fabunmi is being tried for the alleged murder of Ademola Daramola at Yahaya Abatan Junction in Ogba, Lagos during the crisis. The judge, who had earlier cautioned lawyers against “frivolous” excuses for adjournments, accused the defence counsel, T.J. Odeshola, of taking the court for granted. Justice Akinlade’s remark followed the lawyer’s submission he was yet to write his final address. She threatened to revoke the DPO’s bail and send him to prison on April 23, if the defence did not submit its final written address. “It is because he (Fabunmi) is on bail that is why you are taking the court for granted.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

If you needed the court proceedings, you would have come for it on time because this matter was adjourned since November 19, and you only came yesterday (Tuesday) when the matter is for today (Wednesday). “You are treating this matter with levity, I will send him back to the prison, you are not serious I won’t take it,” Justice Akinlade said. Chiding the lawyer for not taking reasonable steps since November to ensure that the final written address was filed and ready for adoption, the judge directed him to inform his senior, George Oguntade (SAN), that she would not accept any excuse when the case resumes on April 23. When the matter came up yesterday, Odeshola said: “We are yet to file our written addresses because we were unable to collect the proceedings.” Five prosecution witnesses have testified; they all claimed that Fabunmi chased and shot Daramola dead. At the last hearing, Fabunmi, under cross-examination by state counsel, Olabi-

si Ogungbesan, denied killing Daramola. “My Lord, I never shot at anyone and may the soul of Ademola Daramola rest in peace,” he said. Fabunmi admitted that he booked for an AK47 gun on December 23, 2011 with two magazines each containing 30 rounds of ammunition from the Police Armourer. “I held an AK47 gun with serial number 526309 and I responded to a distress call at the Yahaya Abatan junction at Ogba. “I was accompanied by six or seven junior police officers and when we got there, there was total breakdown of law and order. “The protesters held people hostage, smashed car windscreens, harassed passersby and when they sighted our patrol vehicle, they started throwing sticks, knives and molotov cocktails at us. “I was the only one armed on that day, I was attacked by the mob which surrounded me and tried collecting my weapon from me. “The junior officers who accompanied me ran for their lives and during the struggle with the mob, I heard my gun expel a bullet.

“I had to go to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to treat the injuries I sustained all over my body during the mob attack,” he stated. But his claim of being treated at LUTH was punctured by Ogungbesan, who insisted that doctors were not on duty during the subsidy removal protest. “Which doctor treated you? I can put it to you that there were no doctors on duty during the fuel subsidy strike,” she said. The defence second witness, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Atthanasius Ohaeri corroborated Fabunmi’s claim that he was attacked by hoodlums. “When we got to the Yahaya Abatan junction, the defendant ordered that we should remove the roadblocks set up by the hoodlums. “I recollect seeing the defendant being attacked by a mob when we went to remove the blockade. “The mob was throwing stones, bottles and planks at the defendant when I heard the gunshot, I took to my heels and I don’t know how the gunshot came about.” Ohaeri said.

Cynthia: Defendant’s ‘illness’ stalls proceedings

RIAL of suspected murderers of Cynthia Osokogu was yesterday at a Lagos High Court adjourned to April 15 following the alleged indisposition of the second defendant, Olisaeloka Ezike. Justice Olabisi Akinlade, however, warned that she would not tolerate further excuses for adjournment when the case resumes. The defendants, Okwumo Nwabufo, Ezike, Osita Orji and Ifechukwu Ezike, are standing trial for allegedly drugging, killing and disposing Cynthia of her phone and other belongings at Cosmilla Hotel at Lake View Estate in Festac Town, Lagos, on July 22, 2012. The matter could not proceed yesterday when Ezike’s

By Precious Igbonwelundu

lawyer Michael Ajayi reported that his client is ill. Ezike in a blue t-shirt, limped to the dock, holding his stomach. Ajayi told the court that his client was still having severe pain, adding that he could not stand trial in such condition. But, the defence team did not know that the judge had spoken with the prison warder on Ezike’s condition after his lawyer at the last adjournment said he was ill. Justice Akinlade, who was visibly angry, said after speaking with the warder, she was told that Olisaeloka’s illness was “nothing serious”.

The judge asked the warder, I.M. Jimoh, who brought the defendants to court yesterday if he was aware of the defendant’s illness. The warder said: “No my lord, he did not tell me anything about his health”. Following her findings, Justice Akinlade advised the lawyer to prepare his witness because she would not allow them to keep stalling the trial. “Let him talk even if it means sitting down and giving evidence because he cannot continue to be delaying the matter, this is not the only matter I have. “I am going to give you this last time, I am not going to grant any further adjournment based on health, all these pains, pains, the

court will no longer indulge you,” she said. At the last adjourned date, the first defendant, Nwabufo, told the court that it was the police that planted the nude photos of Cynthia’s body in his laptop. Under cross-examination by Ajayi, Nwabufo said the police threatened and tortured him to make his confessional statements. “The police tortured and threatened me into admitting that I and Olisa Chidera (the second defendant) committed the crime. “There is no truth in my statements to the police and what actually transpired. I made those admissions in my confessional statement because I feared for my life,” he claimed.

One killed, shops, vehicles burnt in cult war

NE person was killed; vehicles, shops and tricycle were burnt in renewed fighting by rival cult groups in Mushin/Idi-Araba axis of Lagos. The factions were said to have combed streets to smoke out their targets. Traders hurriedly closed their shops; residents retired early for fear of their lives. According to reports, the hoodlums came around 2:30pm on Sunday shooting sporadically into the air to scare passersby. They burnt down properties, especially shops and vehicles. Two shops, two vehicles and one tricycle (Marwa) were burnt on Karimu Street in Mushin; shops and houses were razed in Idi Araba. It was gathered that a 18year-old boy staying on Awoniyi Street in Mushin who was returning from a football viewing centre, died

By Sulaiman Salawudeen

after running into the cross fire. A woman, whose shop was razed, said she was eating when the first gunshot went off, adding that people came rushing into her shop out of fear. A resident said the problem of the groups was always women and money. Some of the clashes, he said, might have been fuelled by political rivalry. His words: "I know because I found out that each time they fight, either women or money is involved. It is always one of these two. You cannot also say they are commercial motorcycle operators or members of transport unions. The two factions cannot be said to be members of a particular profession. They belong to all professions. What is common is they are rivals and they ap-

ply dangerous weapons to fight one another". Detachments of policemen reportedly kept vigil in those areas between Sunday and yesterday. Another resident appealed to the state and Federal Government to deploy soldiers in the area, "so that those who come every day to destroy properties and disturb our peace can be checked". He said: "I have been staying in this area for over 10 years and I have witnessed over 30 of this disturbance. It is a matter of every other day occurrence. Why should things be this bad in a state where there is a government? The police seem unable to control the two factions because they know those involved but they cannot arrest them. So many people are being killed accidentally in crisis they don't know anything about. It is time the

•Lagos CP Kayode Aderanti

state and Federal Government met to solve the Mushin/Idi-Araba uprisings". Police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the situation had been brought under control, adding people were now going about with their lawful business. The police, he said, were getting to the root of the problem, adding: "Our men will continue to be on ground to make the place unsafe for hoodlums and secure for residents and businesses".

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

TODAY IN THE NATION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015

ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo loves drama. Consider the histrionics of his parting of ways with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He called a meeting of his ward members, who were singing his praise- T’Obasanjo lawa o se (To Obasanjo is our loyalty) – and dancing excitedly. As soon as he succeeded in working the crowd into a frenzy, he announced that it was all over. For full effect, Obasanjo asked his ward leader to shred his membership card. He launched into a blistering criticism of the Dr Goodluck Jonathan administration, accusing it of running down the economy. In the PDP camp, it was as if an earthquake of the most calamitous proportion had struck. Party chiefs were struggling to regain their breath. Some of them said Obasanjo would not be missed. Others simply went into the kind of sober reflection many thought the party was incapable of indulging in. Baba should have taken it easy, the charitable ones said. The hawks derided him for alleged disloyalty. In fact, the Ogun State chapter, at an emergency press briefing, announced Obasanjo’s expulsion. But it was too late. The arrow had left the bow. The old fox had beaten them in their own game. Besides the little he told his former ward members, Obasanjo has not spoken on his sensational exit from the party on which ticket he was president for two terms. How does he see the reactions to his exit? What is the “untold” story of the former President’s action? How will a reporter’s chance encounter with Obasanjo go? Let’s attempt a conjectural rendezvous with the Balogun of Owu. Here we go: The reporter greets the former president and introduces himself, calmly. Obasanjo, frowning, looks away. Suddenly, he turns in the reporter’s direction, grabs him by his shirt’s sleeve. Mr reporter, oya, two questions only. I won’t take more than that. I have a flight to catch. Sir, why are you angry with your party, PDP and…( Obasanjo cuts in sharply). Hmmm…hmmmm(He clears his throat, raising his right hand). Please, stop! Point of correction. I’m not a PDP man. Neither am I a politician. All that stopped on Monday. I’m now a statesman. So, if you’re looking for PDP people you know where to find them. Obasanjo is not one of them; they know themselves. Baba,what exactly is the problem? Why did you slam the reconciliation door in such a dramatic manner? You see, young man, there was nothing to reconcile. Some people have started destroying Nigeria and I will never be in a party that will destroy Nigeria. Never. Me? I belong to no party; my party is Nigeria. Any person or group of persons, by whatever

RIPPLES

ELECTION POSTPONEMENT GOOD FOR ALL – PDP Chieftain

Only those scared of FAILURE celebrate when EXAMINATIONS are POSTPONED

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 10, NO. 3130

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

•Editor of the Year (DAME)

Obasanjo: A chance encounter

•Obasanjo

•The torn card

name they are called, should not be allowed to destroy this country for our children. If you advise them and they see you as an enemy who must be crushed, won’t you leave them? That is what I, Obasanjo, have done and I have no apologies for that. President Goodluck Jonathan visited you recently. We all thought you had settled whatever issue you might have had. It is true he came. He wanted me to endorse him, to support him. And I said it was too late. All the promises he made, how many of them did he fulfill? No jobs, no light and no security. What message will I be sending out to the world – that we should condone mediocrity? Nobody can use me. That is my message. Sir, don’t you think people will see your action as personal and …(he cuts in, frowns and then smiles). Tell me, what is personal in asking that the right thing be done? What is personal in asking a man to leave a legacy? What is personal in advising the President and Commander-in-Chief to wake up and retrieve the huge chunk of Nigeria that has been taken over by lunatics? You see, if you have taken up a job, an appointment or whatever…whatever. And you discover that you can no longer cope, that things are crumbling, that people are saying they no longer want you, you know the honourable thing

to do; don’t you? Now you say you must carry on in office, haba! But, Baba, people have not forgotten your role in the emergence of this administration. Yes. I won’t deny that, but let me tell you, young man, you can enthrone a king, you can’t reign for the king. No. When I saw the way they were going, I quickly withdrew. I have a name to protect – internally and externally. Sir, Chief Anenih said PDP will not miss you. Chief what? (Smiles). Tony Anenih? When you see him, tell him that I won’t miss them all, that I still dey kampe. We know ourselves. I know him; he knows me. As they say in Benin, ‘me I no dey follow follow anybody in power.’ Whether as a leader or a chairman, I will never try to fix the ‘unfixable’. You’re trying to run away from a man but he pleads that we wait for him at the other side of the river. And the party chairman in Ogun said you had been excommunicated from the party. Hehhh! Heeey! I dey laugh o!(His face lights up with a boisterous laughter). Excommuniwhat? And who is so called? Chairman my foot. You see, this is part of what we’re saying. I don’t want to talk o. I have said it, if politics will disturb me from contributing my own quota to the future of this country, I quit. No more. The other day, I complained about the kind of leadership they had, nobody listened. How can a drug baron and wanted man be my leader? I would rather stay in my house, leaderless. Some people believe that since you have access to the President, some of those things you tell him in public could have been said privately. They say you play to the gallery. Gallery, which gallery? The other time I wrote a letter; instead of replying, they started looking for motor park touts, saying all manner of jagbajantics as if that is what will solve the problem. Nobody can embarrass me and you can’t intimidate Obasanjo. I said the rate of corruption was too much; have they addressed that? If I counsel you and you fail to listen, what will I do? I will just leave you. Whatever you see, dat na your

HARDBALL

H, power must be a bastard and you can quote Hardball on that. Exactly 10 years ago, a certain President Olusegun Obasanjo was at the peak of his power. He was in the middle of his second and last term in office. He brooked no challenge to his power and authority. He ruled with so much alacrity, so much drunken omnipotence that he did literally whatsoever he wanted. He ‘captured’ the party that installed him to power and had it under his armpit. He would change its chairmen like he changed his under wears. And with each change, he polluted the party with lackeys and scallywags made in his own image. When the National Assembly sought to assert the principle of separation of powers, Obasanjo would simply reach for the axe and hack the ‘recalcitrant’ Senate President or Speaker of the House. There were four Senate Presidents in eight years and two Speakers who fought him to the ground every inch of the way. How wonderful life would be if it were a video machine to be played back at will on our palm like a magical device. But never mind dear reader, if you live long enough,

As OBJ suffers catalytic catharsis the way the world goes geeky by the day, someone would invent something that would convert our memories into video. With that, Hardball would play back his memories of about ten years ago, showing that scene in which Chief Sunday Awoniyi, a staunch founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was lamenting Obasanjo’s relentless perfidies. In April 2005, Chief Awoniyi was as frustrated with President Obasanjo just as Obasanjo is frustrated with President Goodluck Jonathan today. Awoniyi accused Obasanjo of suffering from “spiritual corruption” which, accoding to him, flowed from Obasanjo’s Aso Rock. He went on to define it thus: “When a man is afflicted with spiritual corruption, he corrupts everything around him. He prefers to bring around himself, men who are tainted and morally depraved, and easily black-

toro. Look at the foreign reserve. By the time I was leaving office, we had $59.37b. Now, everything don pafuka. What happened to the power projects? Today, people are spending billions to charter jets and nobody can confront them. Is that how to fight corruption? Boko Haram has become a monster that drinks blood everyday. In a country that has a leader? No. That is unacceptable. But, as I have said, I don’t want to talk. There will still be time to talk. But, sir…(Obasanjo’s phone rings and he stands up, goes to a corner to receive the call. Coming back, he begins to dance in light, calculated steps, his face wreathed in smiles). Bi ere bi awada, PDP n wo’le lo Bi ere bi awada, PDP n wo’le lo (Like joke, like joke, PDP is sinking) (like joke, like joke, PDP is sinking) Sir, what can you say about Nigeria’s future? I, look, let me be frank with you. Huuu…hmmm( Obasanjo clears his throat. His face wears a strikingly sensitive countenance). I just hope the man will not go for broke and just say, dammit, that is, a kind of t’oba le ya, ko ya( I don’t give a damn even if it all gets torn), putting this country in a constitutional crisis, the kind of crisis they call ‘one chance’ on Lagos streets. I just hope it won’t get to that stage. I hear they are shopping for somebody to head an interim government. And I said, interim ke; na wa o! What’s your comment on the postponement of the elections? Distasteful. A student who has studied hard won’t tell the teacher to postpone his exam; no be so? But, you see, like one fellow said on TV the other day, ‘you can postpone the funeral, but you can’t wake up the dead body’. The Defence Headquarters issued a statement, condemning your actions and… Which defence? I remember the statement you’re talking about. It was an unsigned statement and you journalists fell for it. If the writer was sure of himself, why didn’t he sign it? Are you sure DHQ wrote it? I doubt it. You see, it is part of what we are saying. The other day, they brought the army to declare Buhari’s certificate missing. And I said, ‘how’? This is not the military that I used to know, the military in which I, with several other eminent Nigerians, served. They want to add the military to all those institutions that they have touched and ruined. I trust the boys there, they are wise enough to know that these are not people to trust. But, Mr Reporter or whatever you call your name. We agreed on two questions; now you have taken all my time. You can go in peace before I change my mind. Thank you sir. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above mailed or manipulated…one of the ugliest attributes of the spiritually corrupt is greed. Greed for power…” This perfectly encapsulates Obasanjo in his hey days. By 2005, Obasnjo had dispersed all the founding fathers of PDP. In a show of his peculiar male hormone, he hijacked the party and converted it to his personal estate. The party was run from Aso Rock and his word was its law. When the men who founded the party and understood its guiding ethic spoke, he abused them and called them ‘senile’. Today, Obasanjo makes a public show of tearing his PDP membership card. What poetic justice. My father used to joke that let those who imbibe snuff suffer the indignities of leaky noses. He also said that it is often better for a man to step on his excrement so that he will learn to be a lot more decorous in his toilet manners. In his valedictory speech, he said he would not be part of a party that would destroy Nigeria. That’s nice; what Hardball wants to describe as catalytic catharsis: some sort of spiritual cleansing for all his misdeeds. Shall we now all join hands in burying his abiku called PDP?

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025,Oshodi, Lagos. Telephone: Switch Board: 08034505516. Editor Daily:08099365644, Marketing: 01-8155547 . Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja. Tel: 07028105302. Port Harcourt Office: 12/14, Njemanze Street, Mile 1, Diobu, PH. 08023595790. WEBSITE: www.thenationonlineng.net E-mail: info@thenationonlineng.net ISSN: 115-5302 Editor: GBENGA OMOTOSO