The Nation February 23, 2012

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Robbers bomb bank in Ogun

Anxiety as dawn explosions rock Kano

NEWS

Page 3

NEWS

Page 8

•Millions of naira carted off

•Police arrest four suspects after gunfire

www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 7, NO. 2044 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

EFCC grills businessman over Ibori’s N1.6b ‘aircraft’

Econet seeks N3.1b damages

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OUTH Africa-based Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit Econet said it had filed yesterday. Bharti acquired the African operations of Kuwaiti company Zain in 2010, including 65 per cent ...

By Our Reporter

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CONOMIC and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detectives are probing how former Delta Governor James Ibori allegedly laundered N1.6billion. The cash, he reportedly claimed, was meant for the purchase of a bombardier aircraft.

Instead of buying the aircraft, he is suspected to have laundered the cash abroad through six companies.

Of the controversial funds, about N1.2b has been traced to the accounts of the companies, The Nation learnt yesterday.

A top businessman, who is a major investor in the aviation industry, was on Saturday quizzed in Lagos over the matter.

The businessman was on Sunday released on bail, pending the conclusion of the investigation.

A source, who pleaded not to be named, said: “About N1.6billion was laundered from the accounts of the Delta State Government under the pretext that it was meant for a bombardier aircraft.”

It was learnt that the ex-governor asked the businessman to use his aviation company to facilitate the alleged phony aircraft purchase.

Continued on page 4

N150.00

Business Page 11

Agbonlahor ready for Wigan

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•British Prime Minister, David Cameron welcoming President Goodluck Jonathan to his No 10 Downing Street, London office ... yesterday. Story on page 3.

PHOTO: AFP

LEX McLeish has revealed Gabby Agbonlahor is fit again and in fine form ahead of the Wigan encounter.

Agbonlahor missed the QPR, Newscastle and Manchester City games with a troublesome back/hamstring injury. But McLeish told AVTV that the speedy forward is now back in full training and looking sharp in readiness for Saturday’s encounter ...

Boko Haram: Police T sack Zakari Biu

Sports Page 41

Five new private varsities okayed

Lamorde now DCP

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•Biu

SEE ALSO PAGES 2&3

OMMISSIONER of Police Zakari Biu has been dismissed for complicity in the escape of Christmas Day bombing suspect Kabiru Umar (alias Kabiru Sokoto).

Sokoto, the prime suspect in the bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja, escaped from police custody following his arrest on January 14. He was rearrested on February 10.

The Police management will determine the fate of five other policemen on trial along with Biu and revert back to the Police Service Commission on the disciplinary action taken against them.

The commission also appointed seven new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police. Only two of the surviv-

13 CPs become AIGs

DEPUTY INSPECTORS-GENERAL OF POLICE (DIGs) •Suleiman Dauda Fakai •Atiku Yusufu Kafur •Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji •Haruna John •Peter Yisa Gana •Marvel Akpoyibo •Abdurahaman O. Akano ASSISTANT INSPECTORS GENERAL OF POLICE (AIGs) •Solomon E. Olusegun •Michael E. Zuokumor •Orubebe Gandhi Ebikeme •Philemon I. Leha •Jonathan Johnson •Dan’azumi Job Doma •Joseph Ibi •Muktari Ibrahim •Suleiman A. Abba •Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe •Saliu Argungu Hashimu •Solomon E. Arase •David O. Omojola From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ing AIGs (Suleiman D. Fakai and Atiku Yusuf) made it to the DIG cadre.

The remaining appointees were

promoted straight from Commissioners of Police rank.

The new DIGs are Marvel Continued on page 4

HE Federal Government has approved five new private universities. This brings the number of universities in the country to 122. Two of the new universities, Macpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, with University of Ibadan as mentor and Southwestern ...

News Page 5

US, French journalists killed

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MERICAN correspondent Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik were killed in the besieged Syrian city Homs yesterday when rockets fired bygovernment forces hit the house they were staying in, oppositon activists and witnesses said.

Foreign Page 60

•POLITICS P17 •SPORTS P23 •EDUCATION P25 •NATURAL HEALTH P43

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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NEWS

Zakari Biu: End of a controversial career Controversial Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu finally loses his commission yesterday, after the Police Service Commission (PSC) found him negligent in the escape of Xmas Day bomb explosions mastermind Kabiru Sokoto.

OLUKOREDE YISHAU recounts his sojourn in the force

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H

E is a man who knows how to use and abuse power.

Ask founder of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, lawyer-activist Olisa Agbakoba and Senators Chris Anyanwu and Femi Ojudu. They will never forget the brutal use of power by Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu, who was sacked from the police yesterday.

As head of counter terrorism in the despotic regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha, Biu labelled human rights actvists and journalists terrorists and curtailed their freedom.

For many who have had encounters with him, nemesis may be at work. The embattled cop was terror personified.

Journalists on the stables of The News, TSM and Tell were the worse hit. Mrs. Anyanwu, who was the publisher of the now rested TSM, narrated how Biu physically assaulted her and practically got her eyes permanently impaired.

Fasehun can never forget Biu. He told the Oputa Panel set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo how the disgraced cop assaulted him.

Ojudu, who was Managing Editor of The News, said Biu put a gun to his head, threatening to blast his brains out.

The Borno-born cop is also criticised over the death of a reporter with The News, Bagauda Kaltho.Biu claimed Kaltho was trying to detonate a bomb in a hotel and got killed in the process. Kaltho’s widow was also tricked by Biu to reveal information about Independent Communications Nigeria Limited (ICNL), publishers of The News on the pretext of reuniting her with her husband. It turned out he only deceived the woman, as he used the information to invade the magazine’s offices, carting away its property. Of course, he also arrested workers found on site during the raid. Biu’s deceit became clear to Mrs. Kaltho after the dreaded cop announced her husband’s death.

He claimed a copy of Wole Soyinka’s book, The Man Died, was found on the scene where Kaltho was supposedly consumed by a bomb he was trying to detonate. Yet the book was not defaced by the explosion, which killed Kaltho! His remains were never released to his family.

Biu, at a press conference after Abacha’s death, said Kaltho was the “unidentified” person who died while planting a bomb which went off at Durbar Hotel, Kaduna, in January 1996. He then showed the media a video recording of the scene of the blast and two photographs – one of a charred body and another of the journalist. Biu said he “strongly suspects the management of ICNL of having connection with the Durbar Hotel bombing or else James Bagauda Kaltho.”

He later said Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza al-Mustapha, may have been responsi-

He saw the force as a repressive organ of an unaccountable power.

And with the official bigotry that not only sustained him to the heights of the force, anything that looked like ethnocidal project excited him

‘

ble for Kaltho’s fate. “I have never seen Kaltho in my life, either alive or dead and don’t know the whereabouts of Kaltho. Only the Chief Security Officer to the late Abacha, Maj. Hamza al-Mustapha, can explain what happened to Kaltho,” he said When Biu appeared before the panel, he refused to be put on oath on the Holy Qur’an, because “he is not pure.” He denied all the allegations against him.

A retired Commissioner of Police Abubakar Tsav, who also appeared before the panel, debunked Biu’s claims. He said: “Everything he is saying is not true. I mean the evidence he gave in respect of Bagauda Kaltho. He said he got photographs from the wife of Bagauda Kaltho. He also said he got reports from the SSS through the Inspector-General of Police, which said the person who was killed in the bomb blast at the Durbar Hotel was Bagauda Kaltho.

And he said that he never met Bagauda anywhere in his life. Then how could he come to that conclusion that the man killed was Bagauda Kaltho? He merely saw his pictures …He (Biu) should be in prison. As far as I’m concerned, he is a prisoner on parole.”

James Danbaba, a colleague of Biu, said Kaltho was “summarily executed on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police, because Kaltho was said to have seen IGP Ibrahim Coomasie suddenly collapse and was foaming in the mouth.”

Danbaba added: “ The journalist was ordered to be arrested and executed because a disclosure that he (Coomasie) is suffering from epilepsy may jeopardise the I GP’s well-preserved and seriously guarded position and ultimately lead to his untimely retirement

from the police force.”

He added: “After the said journalist, Bagauda Kaltho’s summary execution, a bomb was attached to his corpse and detonated. I reliably learnt that this was directed at selling a story to the C-in-C that a NADECO journalist has died of a bomb explosion while attempting to plant a bomb, thereby finally covering their tracks of having killed Bagauda Kaltho and the reason for his murder.”

After the death of Abacha, his successor, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, gave Biu a national honour, a development which irked many of those who regarded him as a brute.

In his book, Trials and Triumphs: The Story of The News, Dr. Wale Adebanwi, had harsh words for Biu. Adebanwi said: “Zakari Biu, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), the crude and sadistic officer in charge of the Presidential Task Force on Terrorism, was probably the best man for the operation designed as the ‘final solution’ to the grave problem posed by the ICNL publications to the Abacha regime.

Biu was an officer who represented the most grotesque face of the Nigeria Police. He saw the force as a repressive organ of an unaccountable power. And with the official bigotry that not only sustained him to the heights of the force, anything that looked like ethnocidal project excited him.”

Soyinka, on Biu’s treatment of Mrs. Anyanwu, said: “Commissioner Biu was easily the most ardent of the interrogators. He had his own favourite form of torture which was called ‘roast chicken’ and this was indeed a most literal description. Our journalist was not subjected to the ‘roast chicken’ treatment but she was physically assaulted, by this same police officer, and so viciously that it resulted in the permanent impairment of her eyesight. On his orders she was then kept under extremely inclement conditions and permitted no medical treatment.

All this was contained in her deposition, and in her verbal testimony before the courts.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was sent to jail by the Abacha regime, felt Biu was not fit for the force. He was said to have asked then Inspector-General of Police Musiliu Smith if the controversial cop was still in the force, after meeting him at a function.

Not long after this, Biu was dismissed.

But, his dismissal did not go through the PSC, which is empowered by law to determine police officers’ career.

Biu waited for the Obasanjo administration to lapse; he petitioned the PSC, which subsequently ordered his recall.

Soyinka, in an interview in 2010, said he was aware Biu had been recalled. The Nobel laureate said: “Zakari Biu was dismissed from

•The embattled Biu

the Nigeria Police and has been recalled into the Nigeria Police Force, despite his crimes against humanity during Abacha’s dictatorial rule by torturing innocent citizens. He could be likened to Charles Taylor of Liberia. He is a brute and has no concern for humanity. For his past history, he should not be trusted with any national responsibility as he is capable of causing terrorism, which could destroy the image of Nigeria.”

The then Police Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said: “Biu is back in the Force as his name had never been removed from the Police register. Biu is now an instructor at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State.”

Hafiz Ringim’s emergence as IGP paid off for Biu, as he was entrusted with curbing terrorism, which in the country is synonymous with an insurgent group,

Boko Haram.

Ringim and Biu joined the police the same year. His ‘dismissal’ by Obasanjo made Biu and other mates rise ahead of him. Like Ringim, Biu was due for retirement this month.

Early this year, PSC promoted him to Commissioner of Police.

The PSC, after its 25th plenary meeting, approved his promotion, which was recommended by Ringim. The commission, in its wisdom, also decided that Biu’s promotion should take effect from last December 15.

Less than a month after the PSC happily promoted Biu, the commission had to examine him for negligence leading to the escape of Sokoto, who is believed to be central to the Madalla blast in which scores died.

It returned a guilty verdict yesterday, effectively ending Biu’s career on a sad note.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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NEWS VICTIMS FROM THE PAST

•Ojudu

•Anyanwu

•From top: Military men being frsiked with bomb detector before being allowed into a barrack in Jos; Minister of Land and Urban Development Ms. Ama Pepple, Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike, Minister of Labour Emeka Wogu and Minister of Mines and Steel Development Mohammed Sada at the Federal Executive Council meeting... yesterdaty; cars queing for fuel at a filling station in Abuja...yesterday; and popular Nollywood star and Glo Ambassador Odunlade Adekola presenting a gift to winner of a Glo promo, Godbless Igboma. With them is ace comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka.

•Dr. Faseheun

PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN AND ABAYOMI FAYESE

Four arrested in Kano after explosions and gunfire

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OUR Boko Haram members were arrested yesterday by men of the Kano Joint Task Force at Tinshama in Hotoro Quarters of the ancient city.

A policeman was injured during the encounter and is receiving treatment in a Kano hospital.

Residents of Tinshama in the outskirts of Kano city woke up yesterday at about 5 a.m. to the sound of explosions and gunshots.

A resident, who pleaded for anonymity, said: “We were woken up by about six heavy explosions followed by gunshots that lasted for about one hour, 30 minutes. No one knows in particular but from all indications, we believe that it was between members of Boko Haram and security agencies.

“The sound of the explosions and gunshots was so scary that we had to

ECOWAS Defence chiefs meet on Boko Haram •Nigeria, Britain to fight global terrorism

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

run away from our homes this morning for fear of the unknown. As I am speaking to you now, I may not go back home today, because for one, there is a heavy security presence around the area.”

A security source said the JTF invaded the area following information that Boko Haram members were operating from a hideout there.

“When they sensed the presence of security, they began to throw dynamite on us but we were able to overpower them, arrested some while the others fled,” said the source.

The Nation learnt that assorted weapons wer recovered from members of the sect.

JTF spokesperson Ikedichi Onyenonachi Iweha confirmed the story.

D

EFENCE Chiefs in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) will meet in Abuja today to brainstorm on terrorism.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by the Communications Unit of ECOWAS Commission, the meeting is in line with the directive of the 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government held in Abuja last week.

The statement reads: “A preparatory meeting of the ECOWAS Committee of Chiefs of Defence Staff (CCDS) is to take place at the ECOWAS Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja on Thursday, 23rd February 2012.”

“The session will prepare a comprehensive brief for a full CCDS meeting to be held soon in accordance with the directive of the just-concluded 40th Ordinary Session of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.

“The Authority directed the CCDS to review the emerging security threats in the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea, and propose concrete recommendations

From Augustine Ehikioya and Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

to address them.”

“Five Member States, Benin, Mali, Niger and Nigeria as well as Cote d’Ivoire which is participating in its capacity as the new Chairman, will attend the preparatory meeting.”

Nigeria and Britain yesterday said they were committed to the war against terrorism.

Presidential spokesman, Dr. Rueben Abati, in a statement, said President Godluck Jonathan and British Prime Minister David Cameron met in London.

Jonathan, according to Abati, said Nigeria would continue to collaborate with Britain and other friendly nations in the prosecution of the war against terrorism.

Cameron said it “was a huge pleasure and honour” for him to welcome Jonathan to No. 10 Downing for the talks on Somalia. He pledged that Britain would continue to work with the Jonathan Administration on the “shared agenda of vigorously tackling terrorism and international security issues”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

NEWS YOU, THE REPORTER Dear reader, here is an opportunity for you to join our team of reporters. You can send in stories and photographs, which you consider to be newsworthy. Our telephone number is 08082036515 (sms). The email is info@thenationonline.ng.net – Editor

•From left: Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi signing the State 2012 budget of N438B into law while the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Wogu Boms; and Leader Rivers State House of Assembly Chidi Llyod watch with admiration in Government House Port Harcourt ... yesterday.

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans; Director, Centre for Infrastructure Policy, Regulation and Advancement (CIPRA), Lagos Business School Pan-African University, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Head, Economic Analysis and Corporate Planning, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Ms. Funlola Akiode and Director, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko at the Etisalat-sponsored International CSR Conference held at the Lagos Business School (LBS) in Epe ... yesterday.

Police sack Zakari Biu over escape of Boko Haram kingpin Continued from page 1

Akpoyibo, John Haruna, Suleiman D. Fakai, Atiku Yusuf, Emmanuel Kachi Ude Orji, Abdulrahman Akano and Peter Yissa Gana.

A beneficiary of the new promotions is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who is now a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

It also approved the appointment of 13 new Assistant Inspectors-General of Police.

The commission made the announcement in a statement by its chairman, Mr. Parry Osayande.

The statement, which was signed by Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe, requested police officers and men to take their job seriously.

The statement reads: “The Police Service Commission during its 26th Plenary Meeting held on the 22nd of February, 2012, and in exercise of its constitutional mandate, deliberated on a wide range of issues. The meeting which was presided over by Mr.

Parry B.O. Osayande, Chairman of the Commission, took far-reaching decisions aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for effective service delivery to the Nigerian nation.

“The Police Service Commission, after due consideration of the role played by Commissioner of Police, Hassan Zakari Biu, in the escape of the Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, approved the dismissal of Mr. Hassan Zakari Biu from the Nigeria Police Force with effect from February 22, 2012.

“Also the Commission approved the appointment of seven (7) Deputy Inspectors General of Police. They are: Suleiman Dauda Fakai, Atiku Yusufu Kafur, Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji, Haruna John, Peter Yisa Gana, Marvel Akpoyibo and Abdurahaman O. Akano.

“Similarly, the Commission also confirmed the promotion of thirteen (13) Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General of Police. They are: Solomon E. Olusegun, Michael E. Zuokumor, Orubebe Gandhi Ebikeme, Philemon I. Leha, Jonathan Johnson, Dan’azumi

Job Doma, Joseph Ibi, Muktari Ibrahim, Suleiman A. Abba, Mamman Ibrahim Tsafe, Saliu Argungu Hashimu, Solomon E. Arase and David O. Omojola.

“Furthermore, the Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim A. Lamorde has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police.

“Finally, the Chairman of the Commission called on all personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to rise up to the security challenges confronting the nation as the Commission would not hesitate to wield the big stick on all who would not put in their best towards the furtherance of the Nigeria Police Reform.”

The PSC, according to sources, faulted Biu’s defence over the escape of Sokoto as ‘weak and untenable.’

After a five-hour session, the PSC ratified the dismissal, which was recommended by the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC).

A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said Biu was dismissed

Why we adjusted timetable in Cross River, by Jega

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HAIRMAN of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof Attahiru Jega yesterday explained why the electoral umpire picked February 25 for the governorship election in Cross River State.

Prior to the Supreme Court judgment in January that sacked governors of five states, including Cross River, the governorship election was fixed for April 14. But INEC’s decision to conduct the election on Saturday pitted it against the opposition parties in the state, threatening to challenge the move in court.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum with candidates in Calabar yesterday, Jega said: “INEC changed the timetable for the election because we were compelled by circumstances to do that.

“The judgment of the Supreme Court made it imperative for us to take another look at the timetable. And in taking that look at the time-

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

table, we had the advice of the best lawyers that we had consulted.

Obviously, the reason that was uppermost in our minds in fixing the timetable as we rescheduled the elections had to do with the need not to allow a prolonged vacuum in the governance of the states, where the Supreme Court said the tenure of the governors had expired.

“With that judgment of the Supreme Court, we all know that the governors vacated their offices and speakers of the houses of state assemblies, who technically are supposed to preside over legislators and who the constitution only anticipated them to act for governorship positions under very unusual circumstances had to take over.

And for us, there was a compelling need to adjust to ensure that the vacancies are filled as soon as possible.

“That was primary and we

on four grounds: dereliction of duty through handling of a sensitive case with levity; suspicious sidelining of subordinates in handling the investigation of Kabiru Sokoto; nonprovision of fortified reinforcement by Biu for the police team that went to search Kabiru Sokoto’s residence; and refusal to provide the right leadership.

The source said: “We have found it difficult to exonerate Biu; we have upheld the recommendation of the FDC that he should be dismissed accordingly.

“The fate of the five other suspects will be determined by the Nigeria Police Management.

And due to the sensitive nature of the case, the management must revert to us on the disciplinary measures taken against them.

“Biu’s defence was weak and untenable. He told the trial panel that the Boko Haram suspect was in leg chains and handcuffs. It is unbelievable and embarrassing that a suspect in manacles escaped from a police team.

“What he did was to give the assignment of searching Kabiru Sokoto’s house in Abaji to a team led by an Inspector when there were many senior officers around.

“His action raised many posers. As a CP, he had a DCP, Assistant Commissioners of Police and Chief Superintendents of Police. The question we kept asking was: Why did he ask an Inspector to lead the operation to Abaji when the suspect was handed over to him by former Inspector-Gen-

eral of Police Hafiz Ringim?

“He was told that the case was a high-profile type and he went ahead to manage it with levity.

The tradition in the police is that when you are going to a place with a high-profile suspect, you must get at least a squadron.

The manner in which Sokoto escaped from the police team left many gaps. From the report of the investigation of the case, we suspected that either somebody in the police tipped them off or the suspect had a phone with which he mobilised some accomplices to rescue him from the police team.

“There were many missing gaps in the way the suspect’s case was managed. We suspected complicity.”

On the appointment of DIGs, the source added: “Four commissioners were made DIGs because at this level, the office of DIG is political; all the geopolitical zones must be represented.

“Some of the CPs elevated to DIG represent some zones that are not in the AIG cadre or maybe the AIGs are about to retire. But we still went through their records and discovered that they had performed excellently,” the source said, adding: “With the management team in place, the police should get it right this time around.”

Asked of the fate of the 16 AIGs who could not make it to the DIG level, the PSC source said: “They will not be asked to retire or resign. They will

still be in the service. Some of them have many years left in the service to retire.”

On the promotion of the EFCC chairman to DCP, the source said: “Lamorde has earned it, having performed well.

“As an Assistant Commissioner of Police, we also discovered that he has some ACPs working under him too. For cohesion, we also decided to elevate him.”

Section 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution says “the Police Service Commission shall have power to (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the Office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.”

The Christmas Day bombing at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church claimed 44 lives.

Barely 48 hours in police custody, Sokoto escaped in Abaji where a team of policemen went to search his home.

The incident led to Ringim’s sudden retirement.

The National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, also set up an investigative panel which was made up of senior officials from various arms of the security agencies as well as officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs.

Biu’s dismissal came a day after the Senate recommended his trial by a court.

EFCC grills businessman over Ibori’s N1.6b ‘aircraft’ •Jega

did it legally from all the legal advice that we have had.

The electoral act and the constitution have given INEC the powers to issue timetable and we have issued the timetable and the timetable we issued obvious was conditioned by the circumstances under which we confronted ourselves.

“So, we asked the parties to give us names of their candidates within a time-frame, and all of you gave us the names of your candidates within that time-frame. So you complied with the timetable.”

Continued from page 1

The source said: “The exgovernor made payment to six companies, which we have identified. No aircraft was bought and we have been able to establish that the money was laundered abroad.

“He just used the company of the businessman to transfer the funds off-shore. We have succeeded in tracing N1.2billion out of the N1.6b to some accounts. We will identify where the balance was laundered into.

“The outcome of the ongoing investigation will assist the ongoing trial of Ibori at a Southwark Court in London.

You know, he is also facing money laundering charges before the court.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “We invited the businessman for interrogation last Saturday but he was released on bail on Sunday.

“We may still re-invite him as the probe progresses. But he has made useful statements to us.”

Contacted, the Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said: “We arrested and quizzed the man last Saturday.” He declined further comments.

On August 2, 2007, an application of restraint was

heard at the Southwark Crown Court on Ibori’s assets worth $35million.

The application was successful and made under the Proceeds of Crime Act. It related to business and private finances. On October 1, 2007, the application was reviewed at a further hearing at Southwark Crown Court and the restraint was discharged.

The trial of the ex-governor was delayed till February 13, 2012 after his defence team successfully argued that they hadn’t been given enough time to prepare.

He is facing 14 charges of fraud and money laundering at Southwark Court in London.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

NEWS

UK court grants Nigerian oil baron right to use customary law in $17m divorce suit A British court on Tuesday granted a Nigerian, who is one of the country’s most successful black businessman, right to use native law to fight a messy divorce suit, reports CHRIS BROOKE

O

NE of Britain’s most successful black businessmen is attempting to strip his exwife of a £17.5million divorce payout by claiming that under ‘native’ African law his oil company doesn’t belong to him.

Michael Prest, 50, was criticised by a senior judge last year for treating court proceedings ‘as a game’ by claiming to be £48million in debt instead of fabulously wealthy.

The High Court judge estimated his fortune to be at least £37.5million and ordered him to make the massive settlement.

The oil tycoon was also told to pay maintenance of £24,000 a year for each of his four children, along with their private school fees and medical bills.

The businessman and his ex-wife Yasmin, 49, have blown almost £3million in legal fees fighting each other after the bitter break-up of their marriage in 2008.

Now Prest has succeeded in the first stage of his attempt to get the huge payout overturned by the Appeal Court. He has been granted permission to appeal by relying on Nigerian ‘customary native law’.

Prest founded Petrodel Resources around 10 years ago and in 2007 it was reported to have a turnover of close to £2.5billion.

But his lawyer Martin Pointer QC told the Appeal Court that a gift of £10,000 ‘seed money’ from his Nigerian father before he died in 1992 was the foundation stone on which his oil empire was built.

He said that under ‘customary law’ in Nigeria Prest became head of the family with a responsibility to use his late father’s money to look after his four siblings and their children.

Pointer argued his company’s

•Mr Prest

‘

•Mrs Prest

Prest, who was named as one of the three most influential black men in Britain in 2007, argued that the Isle of Man-based company Petrodel Resources should not have been included when assessing his ex-wife’s award. Martin Pointer QC, for the husband, argued the company’s assets do not belong to Mr Prest, but are ‘held in trust’ for his children, and the children of his four siblings in Africa, under Nigerian Itsekiri customary law

assets did not belong to Mr Prest but were ‘held in trust’ for his children and those of his siblings under Nigerian law.

Prest’s brother Michel has also launched a claim in the Nigerian High Court to declare that Petrodel Resources forms a part of their late father’s estate.

If successful, Prest’s personal wealth would be dramatically reduced.

Mrs Prest has argued that Petrodel is ‘100 per cent owned and controlled’ by her former husband and has told the court it is effectively his ‘alter ego’.

The court heard Mrs Prest was born in England and grew up on the Isle of Man. She met Mr Prest,

‘

who was educated in Nigeria, in London and they married in 1993.

They lived in a £4million home in Bayswater, west London, and the oldest of their children is 14.

An £11.3million London property portfolio was also built up, with almost all the flats and houses being owned by one of Prest’s numerous companies.

Prest, who was named as one of the three most influential black men in Britain in 2007, argued that the Isle of Man-based company Petrodel Resources should not have been included when assessing his ex-wife’s award.

Martin Pointer QC, for the husband, argued the company’s assets do not belong to Mr Prest, but

are ‘held in trust’ for his children, and the children of his four siblings in Africa, under Nigerian Itsekiri customary law.

Pointer told the court that Prest received a gift of £10,000 ‘seed money’ from his Nigerian father before he died in 1992, and he used that cash as the foundation stone on which he built his oil empire.

Under customary law in Nigeria, his father’s death left Prest as head of his family, with a responsibility to use his late father’s money to look after his siblings and their children, the barrister said.

Lord Justice Thorpe, sitting at the Appeal Court with Lord Justice Rimer and Lord Justice Patten, criticised Prest’s ‘flagrant breach’ of his duty to disclose fully his financial affairs, as well as the ‘astronomical’ legal costs of the case.

But he granted him permission to appeal ‘on the customary law point’.

Lord Justice Thorpe said: “The ownership of Petrodel is bound up with Nigeria and may be governed by customary law.”

Several of Prest’s companies, including Petrodel Resources, are also appealing the divorce payout in their own right.

In the original High Court divorce case last October Mrs Prest claimed her husband was worth ‘many tens, if not hundreds, of millions of pounds’.

Mrs Prest had been seeking a payout of more than £30million, plus more than £730,000 a year for her and her children to meet their reasonable needs.

Prest had offered her £27,000 a year and a lump sum of less than £2million. He claimed to have had no regular income for more than a year.

The family court hearing could not be reported, but details of the multi-million-pound divorce battle can now be disclosed as the case has gone to the Appeal Court, which is not subject to the same blanket reporting restrictions.

Mrs Prest sat at the back of the Appeal Court hearing with her lawyers and refused to comment.

No date has been set for the full appeal.

Prest has managed to keep a low public profile despite achieving huge success in the oil business. He became a successful oil trader before forming his own company in 2001.

•Culled from www.dailymail.co.uk

Senate aborts Bill to prohibit posting Corps members to conflict zones

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HE Senate yesterday aborted a Bill to prohibit the posting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to crisis- ridden states.

The Bill entitled: “A Bill for an Act to amend the National Youth Service Corps Act Cap N84 LFN 2004” also sought to give Corps members the right to reject posting to states, where crisis exists.

Sponsored by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), the Bill was withdrawn following an observation by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu that it could only sail through after the amendment of relevant sections of the Constitution.

Adetunmbi, in his lead debate before he withdrew the Bill “for further consultations”, noted that the NYSC scheme was created to reconstruct, reconcile and rebuild the country after the civil war.

He said Decree No 24 of May 22, 1973, which established the scheme, stated that the NYSC is set up “with a view to the proper encouragement and development of common ties among youths of Nigeria and the promotion of na-

From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

tional unity.”

The purpose of the scheme, he noted, was primarily to inculcate in Nigerian youths the spirit of selfless service to the community and emphasise the spirit of oneness, irrespective of cultural or social background.

He noted that the NYSC objectives are noble. Besides promoting unity, oneness and selfless service among youths, it acts as a buffer between the gown and the town, thereby preparing fresh graduates for the challenges in the outside world.

Adetunmbi noted that recent developments in the country have made it imperative that the Act establishing the scheme be amended.

He said: “We are all witnesses to the fact that many Corps members lost their lives in various locations of their primary assignments when conflicts of various causes and diverse degree erupted in states they were posted to.

“In 2011 alone, over 50 Corps members were killed in various civil disturbances and unrest and

many were involved in various forms of premeditated physical violence like rape and assaults occasioning harm.

“In response to the ugly developments, some people have called for an outright scraping of the scheme but I sincerely believe that an amendment in the status establishing the Act aimed at curing some of the identified challenges will suffice.”

The lawmaker proposed an amendment to the NYSC Act to prohibit the posting of Corps members to states where conflicts exist as well as right to reject postings.

He also proposed an amendment where the security of Corps members and their evacuation to safety wherever conflict arises the responsibility of the governors.

The lawmaker argued that the objective of the scheme has been eroded, the spirit of corps members dampened with the spate of rejection by government organisations they are posted to for their primary assignments.

He prayed the Senate to make it mandatory for all ministries, de-

partments and agencies of government to accept Corps members posted to them.

The senator called for increase in the allowance of Corps members and the establishment of health and life insurance scheme for Corps members for the duration of their service year.

He explained that the insurance scheme being proposed has been worked out to be N1.3 billion per annum for an average of 100, 000 Corps members mobilised every year for benefit of N5million.

Ekweremadu raised some constitutional issues which he said needed to be amended before the Bill could fly.

Ekweremadu noted that most of the issues raised in the Bill are administrative and urged the sponsor to liaise with relevant committees to handle the issues with relevant government agencies.

Before Senate President David Mark prevailed on the sponsor to withdraw the Bill, he noted that if Corps members are allowed to reject postings, no Corps members would go anywhere except where he or she wants.

Govt okays five private universities From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has approved five new private universities.

This brings the number of universities in the country to 122.

Two of the new universities, Macpherson University, Seriki Sotayo, with University of Ibadan as mentor and Southwestern University, Okun Owa, with University of Lagos as mentor, are located in Ogun State.

Other universities are Elizade university, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, with University f Technology, Akure as mentor, Evangel University, Akaeze, Ebonyi State, with University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) as its mentor, and Gregory University Uturu, Abia State, also with UNN as mentor.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku said the approval of the new universities was to bridge the gap for higher education.

He said the approval was granted after a rigorous process. Maku, who briefed reporters at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo , said the provisional approval granted the five universities is for three years.

The minister, who was accompanied to the briefing by the Minister of Education, Prof. Rukyyat Rufa’i and Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Samuel Ortom, said the 122 universities in the country are grossly inadequate.

The minister said it is not possible for the government to regulate tuition fees in private universities.

Bone marrow registry launched in Nigeria

By Joke Kujenya with Agency report

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BONE marrow registry has been launched. The registry, according to the owners, will link cancer patients and donors locally and throughout the world.

Co-directors of the registry, Ifeoma Okoye and Sunday Ocheni, said the launch of the registry is the first in Nigeria, and only the second of such registry in Africa.

They said: “This launch is a milestone in the country’s efforts to treat cancer patients throughout Africa and the world. And now that Nigeria has its own registry, patients will be able to look to their own for possible donors.”

Okoye said: “For instance, leukaemia and lymphoma are common blood cancers in Nigeria that can be cured with bone marrow transplantation. Around 1-2 million people suffer from sickle cell disease and some of them are qualified for bone marrow transplantation that can result in their cure. Nigerian cancer patients have less than a 20 per cent-25 per cent chance of survival, and until now, if Nigerian patients were lucky enough to find matching donors, they had to travel to South Africa or further abroad for treatment.

“Nigeria is home to one-quarter of Africa’s population, with almost 400 distinct ethnic groups.

And the sheer size and diversity of Nigeria’s population make it an ideal location for a new stem cell registry.”

Professor of Medicine and Human Genetics at the University of Chicago Funmi Olopade said: “The African Diaspora is vast and its genetic diversity makes it challenging for people of African ancestry to find matches for life-saving transplant. One of every five black people in the world is Nigerian. By establishing this bone marrow registry in Nigeria, we are improving the odds that a patient desperately in need of transplant will find a donor.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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Senate invites Okonjo-Iweala, Alison-Madueke, Oniwon, others From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

WORRIED by the persistent fuel scarcity in some parts of the country, the Senate yesterday invited the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, her Petroleum Resources counterpart, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke and the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Austin Oniwon.

They are to appear today before the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) to explain the reason behind the scarcity.

The Senator Magnus Abeled committee said it is worried that Nigerians have had to pass through harrowing experience to buy fuel.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has continued to experience acute fuel scarcity since last week.

The situation is yet to abate.

The Managing Director of the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), Mr. Morrison Anthony Fiddi; Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr. Reginald Stanley and Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Austin Olorunshola are to face the committee too.

The committee also summoned the President of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Executive Secretary of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

‘Apo Six’ lawyer sues EFCC for unlawful detention From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja

AN Abuja lawyer, Amobi Nzelu has sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged unlawful detention under its former Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri.

In a Motion on Notice brought pursuant to Sections 46(1) & (2), 6(6a) and 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the applicant is demanding for N5 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages for the infraction of his fundamental rights.

He accused the EFCC of detaining him in its underground cell for 26 days without disclosing his offence and arraigning him before a competent court.

Nzelu came to national prominence for his handling of the Apo Six case. The case culminated in a landmark situation where the Federal Government apologised to the families of the slain traders and paid each family N3 million.

In an affidavit, the applicant averred that he was invited on October 6, 2010 by the anti-graft agency on a separate matter and to collect his car which was seized but was never allowed to return home because he stood as a surety for a client, Emeka Asoanya way back in 2009.

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Tribunal dismisses LP’s petition against Senator Tinubu

HE Legislative Election Petition Tribunal in Lagos yesterday dismissed the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) challenging the election of Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu as Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District and her party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The tribunal held that it lacked jurisdiction and hinged its decision on the recent Supreme Court judgment, upholding the provision of the Electoral Act that all election petitions should be concluded within 180 days.

The tribunal had scheduled judgment for March 5, after it retried the petition in compliance with last year’s decision

By Eric Ikhilae by the Court of Appeal, Lagos that the petition, earlier dismissed on technical ground, be heard on merit.

But the tribunal reconvened yesterday, invited parties and delivered its judgment in view of the judgment by the Supreme Court.

Tribunal Chair Justice A A Nwaigwe held that the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to go ahead with the hearing of the petition going by the Supreme Court judgment which held that all election petitions should be concluded within

180 days.

The initial tribunal had while dismissing the petition last year, held that the petitioners failed to comply with paragraph 18 (1), (2) and (4) of the Electoral Act, stipulating that application for pre-hearing notice should be by motion and not through letter to the tribunal.

On appeal, the appellate court upturned the tribunals’ decision and directed that the petition be re-heard by a fresh panel to be constituted by the President, Court of Appeal.

The three-man panel of the Appeal Court, led by Justice

Helen Ogunwumiju, held that the tribunal erred in dismissing the petition on purely technical ground.

Justice Ogunwumiju, in the lead judgment held: “I must say that authorities available to this court both reported and unreported are conflicting and confusing. On one hand some authorities are of the view that pre-hearing sessions must be activated by Motion on Notice while on the other hand some are of the view that a mere letter is substantive enough. “ “I have always held a liberal view on election matters

•Mrs Tinubu

especially at this time when our democracy is still in its infancy. It will not augur well to sacrifice the aspiration of the public on the altar of technical justice. Election petitions are emotional issues both to the candidates and the public. So, any interpretation that will shut-out a litigant from the seat of judgment should be avoided.”

Fed Govt approves N15b for mass transport From Vincent Ikuomolan Abuja

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•The parish priest of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gwagwalada, Rev. Fr. Sam Tumba, applying ashes to the faithful to herald the penitential season of Lent in Abuja…yesterday

Ibadan summit not exclusively ACN affair, says AD chieftain

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HE National Vice Chairman of Alliance for Democracy (AD), Rev. Tunji Adebiyi yesterday refuted claims that the recent legislative summit on regional integration held at Ibadan, Oyo State, was an exclusive affair of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

He also said that President Goodluck Jonathan cannot handpick some people to make new constitution for the country, stressing that only a Constituent Assembly that is representative of the ethnic nationalities can thoroughly do the assignment because ‘’sovereignty belongs to the people’’.

Adebiyi, who spoke with re-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Deputy Political Editor

porters in Lagos, said: “People should not be confused by the composition of those at the Ibadan Summit in the past few days. It was not an ACN affair.

Those who believe in constitutional democracy, true federalism were there.

“What happened at Ibadan was the unfinished business of the founding fathers of the Southwest. Even, when Chief M.K.O Abiola wanted to join NADECO, the leaders of the group; the leaders of Afenifere, MNR, and Middle Belt told him that they had as part of

their agenda the convocation of a Sovereign national Conference to restructure the polity and, if he wanted them to include June 12, he should buy into the vision. M.K.O accepted’.

Adebiyi said that it is ironic that advocates of national conference, including Chief Edwin Clark and Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi were dazed by the indisposition of the President to the proposed conference, which should have signified the preference for “jaw jaw” to “war war”.

He said the rejection of the idea by Dr Jonathan does not cast him in the mould of statesmen who have monopoly of

knowledge, maintaining that no leader can rule out the benefit of debate.

Adebiyi added: “There is no question of usurpating the functions of the National Assembly. Dr Jonathan’s predecessors, especially Murtala/ Obasanjo government set up the Constituent Assembly to make the constitution. The President has no power to handpick some people to make the constitution. What Chief Clark and Bishop Gbonigi should do is to plead with legislators from their zone to make laws that would make the President convoke the National Conference.”

O cushion the effect of the partial removal of petrol subsidy, the Federal Government yesterday approved the disbursement of N15 billion to the transport sector.

The fund is to go into the public mass transit revolving loan programme to provide 1240 buses for transporters.

Minister of Information Labaran Maku made this known while briefing reporters on the outcome of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

President Goodluck Jonathan is in London, attending a conference on Somalia.

Maku said the approval was in continuation of the President’s promise to pursue Subsidy Reinvestment (SURE) programme, which is the policy initiative of the administration.

He said: “FEC today approved the disbursement of N15 billion which will go into the public mass transit revolving loan programme which the President floated on January 8 as parts of efforts to reduce the cost of transport especially for the masses.”

Bankole awarded contract to fake firms, says witness

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N Abuja Federal High Court yesterday heard how former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole awarded contracts to companies without traceable addresses.

Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Donatus Okorowo.

The contracts include 400 units of 40-inch Samsung TV sets supplied at N525,000 each instead of N295,000, 800 units of HP Compaq Desktop Computers at N330, 000 each instead of N160,000, 100 units of Sharp Digital Copier 5316 at N270,000 each instead of N160,000 and 400 units of HP Laserjet at N150,000 instead

From Kamarudeen Ogundele, Abuja of N60,000.

The alleged contract scam also include two units of Range Rover Bullet Proof vehicle, two units of Range Rover vehicles without bullet proof, three units of Mercedes Benz S-600 cars and 400 units of DSTV Systems all purchased without due process.

The first Prosecution witness (PW1), Ibrahim Ahmed, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the EFCC who investigated the case told the court that all efforts to trace the addresses of the companies obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), proved abortive.

He said: “On June 16, 2010,

my colleagues and I were called by our unit head and our attention was drawn to a petition written against the accused person. The petition was written by Hon. Dino Melaye and some other members. It bordered on the procurement of capital running in 2010 where it was alleged that there was a diversion of public funds, abuse of office and abuse of due process. As soon as the case was referred to us, we commenced investigation by going to the assembly, especially the House of Representatives where we accosted those concerned with regard to the contract awarded in 2010. The documents made available to us include bill of quantity, invitation to tender, award letters, agreements, acceptance letters and payment vouchers.

“Letters were written to the clerk of the National Assembly and the AGF for details of funds released to the House of Representatives in respect of the 2010 budget. A letter was also written to the Director-General of Buereau of Public Enterprise (BPE) for the current prices of the items mentioned in the petition. Having collated the responses, addresses of the companies were obtained from the CAC and we decided to do a physical verification for the companies but we could not locate the companies.”

He said even when letters of invitation were written to the Managing Directors of the companies and given to the EFCC dispatch unit, they were returned about three weeks later indicating that the ad-

dresses could not be traced. “ After this, we invited the National Assembly director of finance, chief accountant, chief driver and the secretary and confronted them with our findings and obtained statements from them. The accused was equally invited and he voluntarily gave a statement,” he added.

Although, the Prosecution Counsel, Festus Keyamo sought to tender the duplicate copy of Bankole’s statement before the court, but the Defence Counsel, Mr. Olawale Akoni (SAN) objected.

Keyamo, who told the court that the original was tendered before another court in a sister case sought for an adjournment to enable him obtain a Certified True Copy (CTC).

The matter was adjourned till April 3 for continuation.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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NEWS Lagos ACN berates Fed Govt on subsidy palliatives

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•Kwara State Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed presenting a Second Class Staff of Office to the new Emir of Yashikira, Alhaji Usman Umaru Sariki, Sabi Kpassi II, at Yashikira, Baruten Local Government Area...at the weekend

‘Why Nigerian varsities fail world ranking’

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EASONS have been advanced why Nigerian universities occupy the rear positions in world rating.

Inclement environment, poor funding, lack of basic technology and erratic power supply are some of the factors that make varsities in the country to rank poorest globally, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Prof Hayward Babale Mafuyai said.

The vice chancellor dropped stated the reasons yesterday in his office while showcasing the breakthrough made by scientists of the institution in malaria drug research.

In the recent ranking of all universities across the globe, none of the 117 universities in Nigeria was rated among the best 100.

According to Mafuyai, “no

From Yusuf Aminu Idegu, Jos

university in Nigeria made the best 100 globally and this is not surprising giving the operating environment.

“There is no way a university in Nigeria can compete favourably with her counterparts in the developed world because our kind of environment is not conducive at all for serious academic endeavour.

“Everybody knows that Nigerian universities are facing the general problem of lack of funds, the country itself is technologically backward; our environment is not safe for meaningful research.

“No meaningful scientific work can be done without steady power supply due to the sensitivity of research

works; the lack of adequate power alone has knocked the country off from cutting an edge in academic research and competition.

“This is coupled with security problem where academicians cannot work late in the night for fear of attack by cultists as well as the staff accommodation challenges of the universities.”

Urging the relevant authorities to reverse the trend, he said: “Let this be a challenge to the Federal Government that our universities require more attention if we must compete on global standard.

“There are quality Nigerian academicians at home and abroad. The difference is the working environment because Nigerian scientists have been making breakthroughs

in various research outside the country.

“The outcome of research embarked upon by some scientists of the university in 2008 has yielded positive outcome with the cultivation of Artemisia annua, a plant used in the treatment of malaria.

“In spite of the unfavourable environment, the university, through its Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, got funding from the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank to conduct a research into the viability of using Artemisia annua plant to cure malaria.”

The vice chancellor informed that the institution has acquired 1300 hectares of land for the cultivation of the plant in commercial quantity for the production of malaria drugs.

Deji Abiola urges court to quash charge of stealing

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ON of the late business mogul, Basorun M.K.O. Abiola, Deji, has asked a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, to quash the one-count charge of stealing preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC arraigned Deji on June 30 last year for allegedly collecting N35.5 million from a Lagos-based businessman, Mr. Jide Jose under the pretext of helping him to import printing machines from Switzerland.

When the matter came up yesterday, Deji’s counsel, Mr. O.A. Fasugba, urged the court,

By Adebisi Onanuga

presided over by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, to discharge and acquit his client of the said offence.

Fasugba told the court that he was ready to move the Motion on Notice dated September 13, 2011, earlier filed on the matter.

“The motion was brought pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said, and prayed for an order of the court to quash the charge against the defendant/ applicant.

Fasugba also urged the court for an order discharging the defendant and any other order that the court may deem fit.

In a six-paragraph affidavit in support of the motion, Fasugba argued that the totality of evidence before the court has not established any prima facie case against his client, describing Deji’s trial as frivolous and an abuse of court process.

He also averred that there is no proper complainant before the court and that the EFCC cannot assume the place of a proper complainant.

Fasugba averred in the affidavit that the charge brought on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is incompetent and that the court therefore lacks jurisdiction to prosecute the case.

He argued that the EFCC lacked the power to prosecute the defendant as the charge of stealing is a state offence that cannot be prosecuted by the commission.

But counsel to the anti-graft agency Gabriel Adebola urged the court to discountenance and dismiss the application as it is premature and incompetent.

HROUGH its Lagos State chapter, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) yesterday criticised the Federal Government on its decision to withhold the palliatives it promised to cushion the effects of the removal of petrol subsidy.

The ACN said it was wrong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-controlled government to have suspended the palliatives because Nigerians rose against a policy they felt was inimical to their existence.

President Goodluck Jonathan said that the palliatives were no longer realistic because Nigerians refused to accept the full implementation of subsidy removal.

But the spokesman of the party in Lagos, Joe Igbokwe, said such decision put a smack on the integrity of the ruling PDP government.

He said in a statement: “To Nigerians it is hope betrayed and expectations dashed from now till 2015.

“Subsidy or no subsidy, President Jonathan is under obligation to provide palliatives that will ameliorate the suffering of his subjects and there is no argument here about it.

“The entire business of any government anywhere in the world is all about the welfare of citizens and nothing more.

This is what governance is all about.

“Botswana, a small but unique country in Africa, discovered diamonds recently and what did its wise leaders do? They went to rework their constitution to make it mandatory for every citizen of that country to benefit from the resources that will accrue from it. I suppose this is leadership simplicita!”

Igbokwe berated the PDP for toying with the destiny of Nigerians after its 13-year control of the Federal Government, urging the people to read between the lines and take a wise decision in 2015.”

Constitution amendment: Reps reject extension of election litigation period From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

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N attempt to disallow winners of elections from being sworn in before the conclusion of all election petitions has been rebuffed by the House of Representatives.

The attempt that came through s proposed amendment to Sections 76, 116, 132 and 178 of the Constitution as well as Sections 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the Second Alteration Act was said to be unnecessary.

The rejection was a huge blow because the same bill passed through due process and was passed into law by the Sixth Assembly.

The law could not however be effected as a result of timing of the 2011 general elections and the appointment of a new chairman for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The sponsor of the bill, Deputy Minority Leader, Sumaila Kawu (ANPP, Kano), wanted the swearing in of elected officers to be extended before being sworn in from between 60 and 90 days to between 180 and 240 days.

Saying that cases in elections tribunal or Courts of Appeal usually drag for too long, Kawu regretted that “judgments arising from election petitions filled by candidates in election tribunals or courts are usually exhausted far into the tenure of the regime the petitions are challenging.

“In essence, when the judgment of the election petition filed happened to be in favour of the petitioner, he or she stands to lose the period during which judgment of the case lasted in the case of a legislator.”

He cited the case of Peter Obi of the All Peoples Grand Alliance (APGA) that challenged Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra governorship election of 2003.

“In this very chamber, some of our colleagues only join us after several months into the lifespan of the Assembly due to delays in conclusions or judgments from election tribunals or courts,” he said.

Saying that the proposed amendment would give enough time for the courts to disposed of all electoral matters before them, Kawu opined that it would also ensure that only those whose electoral victories have passed through due process would be sworn in accordingly.

He pointed out that if passed, the amendment would encourage good governance.

Court reverses self in dispute over Okotie-Eboh’s property

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FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos has reversed the ex parte orders it made in relation to the dispute on the controversial sale of a property belonging to the nation’s first indigenous Finance Minister, the late Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh.

Justice Okechukwu Okeke, in a ruling, held that his court was misled into granting the said orders on December 15 last year, upon which some individuals, aided by the police, stormed the property on December 24, chased out its occupants and demolished same.

The property, located on 15 Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, and held under the name of the deceased’s company – Festus Okotie-Eboh and Sons Limited,

By Eric Ikhilae

was allegedly sold to a company, Messrs Dangote Nigeria Limited in 2008 by one of the seven directors of the company’s original owner and one of the late minister’s 14 children, Mrs. Alero Jadesimi.

The other six directors, Mrs Clara Roli Akele, Mrs Grace Oduro, Bawo, Emmanuel, Adolo and Lawrence ((all children of the deceased), challenged the purported sale in suit LD/1995/2009 now pending before Justice Ayotunde Phillips of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

They argued that, Mrs Jadesimi, being one of the company’s directors cannot lawfully sell the property without either the consent of the other

‘I find merit in the defendant’s motion and the ex parte orders are hereby vacated.

The suit is also dismissed for being an abuse of court process’ directors or a board resolution authorising such transaction.

Rather than await the outcome of the suit, Mrs Jadesimi and her children - Sarah and Jide - filed a suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos and obtained the said ex parte

interim orders, restraining the other directors from so acting, from harassing and interfering with the plaintiffs’ right to take possession of the property, and an order directing the police to assist them in taking possession of the property.

Upon the execution of the orders on December 24, the other directors led by Mrs. Akele challenged the competence of the orders by the Federal High Court.. They prayed the court to vacate the orders and dismiss the substantive suit on the ground that Mrs. Jadesimi and her children, allegedly prompted by Dangote Nigeria Limited, misled the court by concealing the existence of the suit before Justice Phillips of the Lagos High Court.

In his ruling, Justice Okeke upheld the argument by the other six directors to the effect that Mrs Jadesimi’s children, listed as parties in the suit, were not directors of Festus OkotieEboh and Sons Ltd. He held that the counter affidavit filed by Mrs. Jadesimi and her children, in response to the application for the vacation of the orders, evaded the core issues raised by the applicants.

Justice Okeke held that Mrs. Jadesimi and her children failed, in their affidavit, to deny the existence of the suit before the Lagos High Court, challenging the purported sale of the property, which formed the subject of the suit before the Federal High Court.

“On the very same day in

which this court was misled to grant the ex parte injunctions, the second plaintiff (Mrs. Jadesimi) swore to an affidavit before the Lagos High Court. This is nothing but an abuse of court process and I find it very disturbing.

“I find merit in the defendant’s motion and the ex parte orders are hereby vacated. The suit is also dismissed for being an abuse of court process”, Justice Okeke held.

He accordingly vacated the ex parte interim orders of 15 December 2011 and dismissed the substantive case.

In the case before the Lagos High Court, Dangote Nigeria Limited has filed a motion admitting buying the property, but insisted that the transaction was legitimate.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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NEWS 110 suspects arrested in Lagos NURTW clash

By Miriam Ndikanwu

HE Police in Lagos State have arrested 110 suspects, who allegedly unleashed terror on Lagos Island residents on Monday, following a clash between two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday night by a combined team of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the State Task Force on Environmental and other Special Offences.

The team, led by RRS Commander Hakeem Odumosun, stormed the area between 9.30 and 10pm. Those arrested were conveyed in a Black Maria to the Task Force’s office at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

A police source said the team raided the area to fish out those causing trouble on the Island.

Confirming the arrests, the Task Force Chairman, Mr. Bayo Sulaiman, said the raid would be continuous.

Sulaiman said the suspects were arrested at Pelewura Market and its environs.

He said they would be arraigned in court today.

Last week, over 100 miscreants on the Island were also arrested and arraigned in connection with the protracted NURTW crisis.

On Monday, four persons were killed when rival factions of the union clashed. Several others were injured and 20 vehicles vandalised.

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Robbers invade two banks in Ogun

OBBERS yesterday invaded a first generation bank at Ijebu-Igbo and a micro-finance bank at Ijebu-Mushin, Ogun State.

It was gathered that about 30 gunmen arrived at the first generation bank around 11am in three vehicles - a coaster bus, a space bus and a Toyota Sienna.

Sources said the hoodlums destroyed the bank’s security doors using explosives and shot into the air indiscriminately.

They said the bank manager led the robbers to the vault at gun point.

It was gathered that the hoodlums held the workers and customers hostage, while they looted the vault and the Automated Teller Machine (ATM).

They stole an unspecified amount of money.

On their way out of IjebuIgbo, the robbers were challenged by policemen.

Although they escaped, they abandoned a Mazda space bus.

In Ijebu-Mushin, a six-man

•Ekiti residents urged to embrace Security Alert System From Muritala Omikunle and Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta and Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

gang attacked the micro-finance bank.

It was learnt that the robbers could not get into the strong room.

A source said: “The robbers came into our bank some minutes ago and we were asked to lie face down.

They stole some money but I cannot say specifically how much. A lot of customers came to make deposits today and most of them were caught in the incident.

“The robbers tried to gain entrance into our strong room, but luck ran out of them.”

Other banks hurriedly closed for the day.

Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in both instances, the police confronted the robbers.

Adejobi said while a blue Mazda space bus was aban-

doned by the robbers in Ijebu-Igbo, the Ijebu-Mushin gang abandoned a Sienna bus, when the police engaged them in a gun duel.

He said Commissioner of Police Nicholas Nkemdeme has visited the scenes and deployed more mobile policemen in the area.

Adejobi said: “The policemen would be assisted by a routine convoy patrol of between three and six vehicles, not only to repel future robberies but also to assure bankers that the state is safe.”

Also yesterday, Ekiti State Commissioner of Police Olayinka Balogun blamed the tenuous security in the state on the refusal of banks and individuals to subscribe to the State Government sponsored Security Alert System (SAS).

Balogun spoke with reporters at the Police Headquarters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The Governor Kayode

Fayemi administration procured the SAS early last year to aid the police in fighting crime.

Balogun said the police have appealled to banks and other corporate bodies to subscribe to the central alert system domiciled with the police to no avail.

Explaining how the SAS works, he said when subscribers call in times of distress, their location and details would be displayed automatically by the central system.

Balogun said: “The government reduced the subscription charges to attract more participation, but people are not responding.

“The subscription process is simple. It involves filling a form, which would contain the subscriber’s name, house number and other necessary details.”

The CP appealed to banks to jointly buy two Amoured Personnel Carriers (APCs)

Fire guts Lagos Environment Ministry

By Miriam Ndikanwu

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Oyo to remove illegal structures HE Oyo State Government has given a 14day ultimatum to owners of structures obstructing the fly-over under construction at the Mokola-Roundabout to remove them or have them demolished.

This was contained in a notice by the Ministry of Works to owners of the affected property last week. The notice was signed by Commissioner for Works Yunus Akintunde.

The structures include three houses, fences, shops, building • Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi (right) tasting the cassava bread made by the International Institute of Tropical frontages, fuel pumps, under- Agriculture (IITA) in his office at Ado-Ekiti. With him are IITA Director-General Dr. Nteranya Sanginga (second left); and ground tanks and steps/pave- Postharvest Specialist Dr. Gbassey Tarawali (left)...on Tuesday. ment entrances.

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Lagos urges measures against Lassa fever

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HE Lagos State Government has called on the public to ensure personal and environmental hygiene at all times.

This is part of measures to prevent the outbreak of Lassa fever troubling some parts of the country.

In a statement yesterday, Commissioner for Health Dr. Jide Idris urged the public to avoid contact with rats, cover their food and water properly, cook food thoroughly and keep rats out of buildings.

He stressed the importance of storing food items in covered containers, proper disposal of refuse, thorough sanitation, as well as keeping pets out of the house.

Idris said Lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused by the Lassa virus. The disease is associated with persistent high fever, which can progress into facial swelling, fluid in the chest, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina and the gut, low blood

for the command, to complement the two donated by the state and the one provided by the Force Headquarters.

He said: “If all banks in Ekiti can assist the police with two more APCs, we will be able to cover the state.”

Balogun said the Force Headquarters gave the command five high-tech patrol motor bikes to complement surveillance.

A prominent pastor in Ado-Ekiti, who allegedly heads a syndicate that specialises in stealing and selling stolen cars, has been arrested. Fourteen others were also arrested for various offences.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Ududo Adat said the pastor was arrested following a tip-off and the confession of the mechanic, who was assigned to repair the stolen vehicles.

However, the ACP did not disclose the identity of the pastor and other members of the syndicate.

pressure, shock, disorientation, coma, kidney and liver failure.

Other symptoms include general weakness, malaise, headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhoea and vomitting.

He said: “Lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused by the Lassa virus and asso-

ciated with persistent high fever. It is spread by exposure to and eating of foods contaminated by rat droppings or urine.

“It is also spread by direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces or bodily secretions of persons with Lassa fever.”

Idris urged the public to

report cases of persons with the above symptoms or persistent high fever that is not responding to the standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health facility.

He advised health workers to take safety precautions when dealing with patients.

The commissioner said

though no case has been reported in Lagos, residents must take measures to prevent it.

For more information on the disease, please contact the ministry’s Directorate of Disease Control and the following phone numbers: 08023228573, 08023213333 and 08033329327.

HE account office and three others on the third floor of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment were yesterday gutted by fire.

It was learnt that the fire was caused by a power surge, when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) restored power in the early hours of the day.

Sources said the ministry’s security men noticed flames on the third floor and raised the alarm.

They said men of the State Fire Service were invited and they later put out the fire.

Although no statement has been issued by the authorities, it was learnt the fire destroyed the roof and property in the affected rooms.

Officials of Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) cordoned off the third floor.

Workers were seen cleaning the burnt rooms, while top officials of the ministry assessed the damage.

People who had no business to do in the ministry were being turned back at the reception.

Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment Dr. Taofeek Folami said he had no comment yet, as the ministry was still investigating the cause of the fire.

Folarin’s supporters slam Alao-Akala for comments on Eleweomo

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UPPORTERS of former Senate Majority Leader Teslim Folarin yesterday criticised ex-Oyo State Governor Adebayo AlaoAkala’s comments on the murder of the former State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Salako a.k.a. Eleweomo.

A socio-political group, the Patriotic Democrats Assembly (PDA), believed to be sponsored by Folarin, was reacting to an interview on a private radio station in Ibadan, the

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

state capital, in which AlaoAkala said Folarin had no hand in Eleweomo’s murder, stating that the late union chairman was murdered over NURTW’s leadership crisis.

PDA described Alao-Akala’s comments as an afterthought.

In a statement by its Coordinator, Chief Johnson Adeleye, the group said: “Why did it take Alao-Akala 14 months to tell the world the truth, after his defunct administration successfully incarcerated

Folarin in the Agodi Prisons, over an issue he knows nothing about.

“Alao-Akala’s declaration that Folarin is innocent of Eleweomo’s murder proves that the former governor deliberately trumped up the charge against Folarin at the time of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, because he saw the senator as a great threat to his secondterm bid.

“It also exposes the conspiracy of Alao-Akala and former Commissioner of Police Adisa Bolanta over

Folarin’s debacle. Alao-Akala’s latest pronouncement clearly shows that proper investigation was not made before Folarin was incarcerated.

“It is now clear that their intention was to remove any stumbling block to the former governor’s ill-fated second-term bid.

“There is no doubt that it was for the same intent that Alao-Akala, in the twilight of his administration, cooked up assorted charges against some of his perceived political enemies, apparently with a view to silencing them.

“We urge Alao-Akala to concentrate on whatever defence he has, if any, in respect of the corruption charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), instead of playing on the intelligence of the good people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general.

“We challenge the former governor to come out openly with substantial evidence and expose Eleweomo’s killers, whom he claims to know, rather than keep the public in undue suspense.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

9

NEWS Edo Assembly orders sacked indigenes reabsorbed

Amaechi, Ikuru file fresh application at tribunal

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

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•Urge dismissal of Omehia’s, APGA’s petition

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his deputy, Tele Ikuru, have filed a fresh application at the reconstituted Election Petition Tribunal in Port Harcourt.

They are seeking the dismissal of the petition of the governorship candidate of

Uduaghan condoles with The Guardian DELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has condoled with the management and staff of The Guardian as well as the Ukwuoma family over the death of the paper’s News Editor, Ben Ukwuoma.

The governor, in a statement issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunny Ogefere, said Ukwuoma’s death was sad, particularly coming barely three months after the death of the paper’s founder and publisher, Dr. Alex Ibru.

“It is painful and very sad that The Guardian had to lose another key member of the family a few months after the death of its publisher,” he said.

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Celestine Omehia, and his party.

The application by the duo, who are first and second respondents in Omehia’s and APGA’s petition, gave two grounds for wanting the petition struck out.

Their lead counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), yesterday said with the February 15 setback suffered by the petition at the tribunal, through the dismissal of some paragraphs, the petition could no

longer stand.

Adedipe also stated that with last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, which forbids that a fresh tribunal be set up after the expiration of 180 days from the date of filing a petition, Omehia’s and APGA’s petition should be dismissed.

At the sitting on February 15, paragraphs 10 (1 to 25) and 12 of the petition by Omehia and APGA were struck out because it contained criminal allegations against individuals and security agencies.

In a unanimous ruling, delivered by the Chairman of

Ex-PDP chair killed in Akwa Ibom From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

GUNMEN have killed former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikot Ekpene Local Government in Akwa Ibom State, Charles Umanah.

Umanah was said to have been killed in front of his house in Ikot Ekpene, about 9pm on Tuesday.

The gunmen were said to have trailed his vehicle, overtook it and shot at him in front of his gate. He died instantly.

The late Umanah was also the former chairman of the Uyo Capital City Development Authority.

Police spokesman Onyeka Orji confirmed the incident.

Orji said the command had made some arrests.

‘Confab inevitable’ From Osagie Otabor, Benin

DEPUTY Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Festus Ebea has said a National Conference would provide an opportunity for citizens to express their views on what they think is wrong with Nigeria.

Ebea, who allayed fears that a national conference could lead to the nation’s disintegration, said Nigerians want to solve the problem of how to harness resources and deploy it for the greater good of the majority.

The deputy speaker, who is the Action Congress of Nigeria member representing Esan Southeast constituency, said he is rooting for a national conference because Nigeria cannot continue the way things are going.

His words: “We need to bring the security challenges in most parts of the country – not just the Boko Haram- under control. There are certain misgivings among many ethnic nationalities and it is important to dialogue on ways to resolve these issues.

“I do not agree that the National Assembly can organise a successful confab because I doubt if the constitution of the assembly is far-reaching in terms of capturing all the 400 ethnic nationalities in the country.”

•Omehia

the three-member tribunal, Justice Abdulahi Mohammed Liman, it was held that the non-joinder of the parties mentioned in Omehia and APGA’s petition rendered the paragraphs ineffective and out of line with the Electoral Act (2010) and other laws.

HE Edo State House of Assembly has asked the State Civil Service Commission, the Assembly Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board to absorb 12 indigenes, whose appointments in the Abia State Civil Service were terminated by the Abia State Government on October 1.

This was part of the resolution adopted by the lawmakers during plenary after considering a report of the Standing Committee on Public Petitions.

The report is entitled: “Absorption of Edo indigenes into the state Civil and Public Service following their sack from Abia state Civil and Public Service by the Abia State Government.”

The committee, in its report, said the sacked persons were mainly National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) awardees employed by the Abia State Government.

It said their absorption could not be done because a resolution had not been passed by the House.

The lawmakers were divided over the absorption as some argued that it would raise legal issues as well as increase the government’s wage bill.

The report, however, scaled through after a voice vote.

The Civil Service Commission was directed to absorb nine of them; two are to be absorbed by the Education Board and one by the Assembly Service Commission.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

10

NEWS I’ll run a transparent govt, says Dickson •Resigns as lawmaker From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday said he would run a transparent government, which will be accountable to the people.

By made Bunmithe Ogunmodede, News Editor Dickson declaration Deputy yesterday at the National Assembly, Abuja, while delivering his valedictory speech at the House of Representatives’ chamber.

He pledged to foster a better relationship with members of the House of Assembly and maintain law and order in the state.

The governor, who also tendered his resignation as the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, told his former colleagues that the election of the principal officers into the House of Assembly was conducted without any interference.

His words: “I’m not going to let you down as I am committed to operating a transparent government. Just yesterday I declared a state of emergency in the education sector and from now you will see a new Bayelsa State.

“Our democracy is a work in progress, there are areas we need to work hard at and improve upon in terms of how members of the National Assembly relate better with their governors.

“I’m in a better position than most to talk about this because I was a victim of executive high-handedness and unnecessary victimisation.

“If a similar situation arises, it will be my duty to broker some kind of understanding between lawmakers and their governors.

“Even governors I think they are getting democratic understanding, all of us are learning and I think we are better students today.”

Dickson said he is ready to serve the people, adding that the five years spent as a lawmaker gave him the opportunity to have a better understanding of the problems, challenges and the potentials of the country.

The governor said: “The security situation has even become better, if you’ve been following the developments in our state.

“I think things are actually under control, there is room for improvement however. I’ve made it my top priority to maintain law and order and security.”

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‘Akwa Ibom judgment hailed’

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KWA IBOM State Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere has hailed Monday’s judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal in which the petition of Senator John Udoedehe of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) challenging the election of Governor Godswill Akpabio was dismissed.

The Deputy Governor ad-

vised the opposition to sheathe its swords and partner the governor to develop the state.

He reiterated the determination of the Akpabio-led administration to industrialise Akwa Ibom.

Ekere said the face of the state would completely change by the time the administration completes its second term in 2015.

Amaechi signs N438b budget IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said he would ensure full implementation of the 2012 budget to provide democratic dividends to the people.

Amaechi gave the assurance at the Government House yesterday after signing the N438billion budget as passed by the House of Assembly.

The governor thanked the lawmakers for scrutinising the budget estimates he presented to them last year.

He said: “I thank you for the scrutiny and I assure you(legislators) and Rivers people that this budget will be implemented to the fullest.”

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•Consultant Paediatrician, Gastogen Terologist Hospital Italiano Buenos Aires, Argentina Prof Lifts Chiz Carlos Hugo (left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr Femi Olugbile and Category Business Manager, Nestle Plc, Dr Mazher.H.Qureshi at the Nestle Nutritional Protection: the first three years of life, at Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja…yesterday PHOTO:ABIODUN WILLIAMS

How PDP plans to rig election,

by Oshiomhole E DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of planning to rig the July 14 governorship election.

Oshiomhole spoke at the enlarged state executive meeting of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), comprising members from the 192 wards, 18 councils and the three senatorial districts.

He said: “As far as I am concerned, ACN is the only party in the state, this is because we have 18 council chairmen, two senators, 19 assembly members and seven federal lawmakers.

“So, the issue of who is in control of Edo politics has been settled. The contest will not be based on rhetorics.

“Chief Tony Anenih is planning to recruit some PDP youths, who will pose

•Party to hold primary on Sat From Osagie Otabor, Benin

as youth corps members.

“He used them to manipulate the electoral register during the registration.

“He also wants to use them as returning officers during the July 14 election.

“If there is a free and fair election in Anenih’s village, the chief will lose his village.

“What is he going to point at? As PDP leader , the road from Abuja towards the South ends at Kogi.

“Even the president declared Nigerian roads as an embarrassment to him.

“If they are an embarrassment, is it the Abuja connec-

tion that they are going to use?

“So, your task and my task is not worry about the ranting of a dead political godfather.

“He is dead politically and finished. He lives on Abuja oxygen.

“Abuja can keep him on that oxygen but they cannot bring him back to his feet because we are ready to vote; we are ready to defend the votes”.

“Let the PDP and their politically dead godfather use their influence to change the police top hierarchy in the state, change the Residence Electoral Commissioner

(REC) and the Electoral Officers.

“B ut one thing they cannot change is the Edo people who have the final say on who governs them. That is an impossible task.

“Abuja people are not registered voters in Edo so; they cannot come and vote here.”

The PDP has said it would conduct a free and fair primary on Saturday.

PDP Publicity Secretary Matthew Urhoghide said this at a briefing, where he announced the programme for the primary, which would hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.

The governorship aspirants are Prof Oserheimen Osunbor, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, Maj Gen Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), Hon Matthew Iduoyekemwen and Kenneth Imansuangbon.

CJN queries judge over Edo AG’s imprisonment HIEF Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) Justice Dahiru Musdapher has queried Justice Adamu Hobon of the Federal High Court in Benin.

Justice Hobon has been given a month to respond to the petition against him over the imprisonment of the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

A group, Nigerians United for Justice (NUJ), in a petition to the CJN, called for the judge’s dismissal over what they termed “unlawful detention of Obayuwana”.

Obayuwana spent four days in custody after he was remanded for contempt of court by Justice Hobon over

a case instituted against the government by Churchgate Nigeria Limited.

The group in the petition, dated February 2 and signed

by B.S. Kadiri, the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state and others called for Hobon‘s dismissal.

The group said its petition followed the “abuse of judicial powers and obvious dis-

regard for due process and the rule of law in maliciously committing Obayuwana to prison over a state matter with no personal wrongdoing traceable to him”.

In a letter to Justice Hobon, the CJN said: “The petition is self-explanatory. I shall be glad to have your comments within one month from the date of receipt of this letter please.”

DPR shuts filling station in Port Harcourt HE Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) yesterday sealed off Akani’s Oil filling station at Rumuokoro, on the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, for unethical practices.

Three teams of DPR officials also enforced compliance by the owners of filling stations in Port Harcourt and Ahoada, for petrol to be sold at N97 per litre.

But the mega filling stations of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and some major and independent marketers sold petrol at N97 per litre.

The DPR team, led by a Chief Engineer, Downstream, Kelsy Briade, inspected stations on the EastWest and old Aba Roads.

At the Oando station at Choba, petrol was sold at N97 per litre.

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•Tanker drivers call off strike From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt and Osagie Otabor, Benin

At Whiz Oil filling station on East-West Road, petrol was being sold for N140 per litre.

The attendants, supervisor, manager and owner of the filling station disappeared on sighting the DPR team.

Another station on the road, I. C. Ejezie Oil Limited, was almost sealed off, when the attendants were met selling petrol at N140 per litre.

At the Mobil filling station, Mini-Okoro, old Aba Road, Port Harcourt, the owner, Christian Obi, said he ensured that petrol was being sold at N97 per litre.

The lingering fuel scarcity in Edo State might soon be over as the state chapter of the Petroleum Tanker Driv-

ers has called off its weekold strike.

Fuel prices have risen to N120 and N140 per litre.

Black market prices are between N250 and N300 per litre.

Only NNPC Mega Stations are selling at N97.

It was learnt that the tanker drivers called off the strike yesterday afternoon after a meeting with government officials.

State Chairman of Petroleum Monitoring Committee Amen Osunde said the scarcity was as a result of a misunderstanding between the Federal Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism and the drivers after the task force impounded a truck and arrested some boys.

He said they were later released but a test was carried out on the content of the truck of which the result was still being expected.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

11

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Gas production increased by more than 70 per cent last year to about 21.2 billion standard cubic feet per day and last year was the first time the industry witnessed more supply of domestic gas, which was consumed mostly by the power and industrial sectors.

- Mrs Diezani AlisonMadueke, Minister of Petroleum Resources

Econet seeks $3.1b damages from Bharti Airtel

Naira gains on offshore dollar inflows

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OUTH Africa-based Econet Wireless is seeking at least $3.1 billion in damages from Bharti Airtel in a dispute over ownership of Airtel Nigeria, according to a suit Econet said it had filed yesterday.

Bharti acquired the African operations of Kuwaiti company Zain in 2010, including 65 per cent of Zain Nigeria, renamed Airtel Nigeria, but a Nigerian court ruled on January 30 that its ownership of the unit was “null and void” because co-founder and 5 per cent shareholder Econet had not been consulted on the transfer.

Econet according to Reuters news claims its stake was unfairly cancelled when Zain took control in 2005, so any decision made since then without it, including the transfer to Bharti from Zain, is void.

The Nigerian court upheld that claim.

Bharti, the world’s fifth-biggest mobile phone carrier by subscribers, said on February 8 that its stake in the Nigerian unit was “completely safe” and it had appealed against the verdict.

A Bharti spokesman said the company had not been informed of any lawsuit.

“Econet has yet to put forward its claim for damages to the arbitral tribunal,” he said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

The document Econet said it had filed to court stated: “The claim for damages and equitable compensation against the applicant and some of the respondents might be in excess of $3 billion.”

“The above estimated damages might also be in addition to a claim for $100 million received by the applicant as fees for the management of VNL (Vee Networks Limited, a former name of Airtel) for a period of six years, which sum should have accrued.”

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$123.6/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE JSE NYSE LSE

-N6.503 trillion -Z5.112trillion -$10.84 trillion -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -10.3% Treasury Bills -7.08% Maximum lending-22.42% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -2% 91-day NTB -14.7% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $33.01b FOREX CFA 0.2958 EUR 206.9 £ 245 $ 156.4 ¥ 1.9179 SDR 241 RIYAL 40.472

• From left: Rele Adesina, Head, CIB Research; Dele Setubo, Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited; Kayode Solola, Executive Director, CIB and Akeem Oyewale, Head of Sales, Global Market, at the Stanbic IBTC briefing to announce Standard Bank West Africa investor” forum in Lagos.

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

Fed, states, local govts share A N614b Jan. allocation

TOTAL of N614,004 billion was shared among the three tiers of government in January.

This was disclosed at the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting in Abuja yesterday.

The Federal Government also explained why some government agencies have not been paid their January salaries despite President Goodluck Jonathan’s promise to pay January salaries to civil servants on January 20.

Addressing reporters at the end of the FAAC meeting, the Minister of State for Finance and Chairman of FAAC, Alhaji Lawan Yerima Ngama, disclosed that the statutory distributable revenue for January is N368,186 billion. This is a decrease of N85,554 billion or 18.86 per cent compared with last December.

In addition, N187,090 bil-

From Nduka Chiejina, Asst.

Editor (Abuja)

lion was proposed for augmentation as a result of the shortfall in distributable revenue. Also, distributed was N7.617 billion refunded by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and another N51,111 billion proceeds of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

The January allocation to the three tiers of government was less than what was distributed last December by N2.921 billion or 0.48 per cent. This was because of the drop in crude oil lifting as a result of production shut down at Bonga terminal, drop in production at Qua Iboe terminal and, also, the downward review of estimates by oil producing com-

panies. The decrease in production sharing contracts (PSC), Modified Carry Arrangement (MCA) and the one week strike embarked upon by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) caused the shortfall in the allocation.

Despite the decrease in the amount distributed, there was an exchange gain of N8,191 billion being the difference between the average prevailing exchange rate and the existing budgeted rate.

Ngama said all governments will receive their mandates for their allocations today. He said the Federal Government will receive N173,447 billion (52.68 per cent); state governments

N87,974 billion (26.72 per cent); local governments N67,825 billion (20.60 per cent) while 13 per cent oil and gas mineral derivation proceeds to the oil producing states N38,940 billion.

On the payments by the NNPC to defray the debt it owes the federation, Ngama said NNPC is up to date in its monthly payment of N7.6 billion to the Federation Account and that the corporation has so far paid over N45 billion since October last year.

On the delay of workers’ January salaries, the Accountant-General of the Federation Mr Jonah Otunla said the delay arose because “January coincided with the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to complete the conversion of accounts to 10 digits.”

Reps give international airlines four weeks to reduce fares T HE House of Repre sentatives has given international airlines operating in the Nigeria four weeks to reduce their air fares.

The lawmakers yesterday directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and other agencies connected to flight fares and other charges at the nation’s international airports to ensue reduction of fare charges.

They unanimously condemned arbitrary air fare charges by international airlines operating in the country.

The decision of the lawmakers followed a motion

by Emmanuel Ekon (PDP, Akwa Ibom) and 31 others that noted that charges for flying from Nigeria to Europe, America and other parts of the world are higher when compared with other countries the airlines operate.

• To probe GSM operators

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Ekon questioned the rational behind the high fare despite the fact that Nigeria is one of the most lucrative routes in the world that also has the cheapest aviation fuel compared with other countries such as China, the United States, India and Ghana.

“With the present economic challenges in the country, Nigerians will either find it difficult to afford these fares and would continue to pay through their noses to transact businesses in Europe and America,” he said.

The lawmakers also urged FAAN to compel the international airlines to improve on their services and ensure

adherence to the Nigerian Local Content Law. The motion was referred to House Committee on Aviation to ensure compliance with the resolutions and report back to the House within four weeks.

In a related development, the lawmakers also kicked against indiscriminate installation of telecoms mast in residential areas around the country.

Consequently, Committee on Environment was mandated to investigate Global System for Mobile telecommunication (GSM) operators to ascertain if they undertook Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before locating the base stations.

Sponsor of the motion, Ganama Kwaga (ACN, Adamawa) expressed concern

that 98 per cent of GSM base stations in the country are located within 20 metres from residential, offices, schools, business buildings, petrol stations and public areas.

“This indiscriminate location of base stations will lead to environmental hazards through serious health challenges resulting from genotoxic effects which could result to DNA breaks and damage to chromosomes.

“It is worrisome that the indiscriminate location of base stations, if not checked or regulated, could lead to high frequency electromagnetic fields influence on cell transformations, promotion and communication, which increases carcinogenic potential within the neighbourhood of sited areas”.

The motion was overwhelmingly adopted by the lawmakers when it was put to voice vote by the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha.

HE naira strengthened further against the United States’ dollar on both the interbank market and official forex window yesterday, supported by dollar inflows from oil companies’ sales and offshore interest in treasury bills.

The naira closed at N157.45 to the dollar at the interbank, firmer than the N157.60 to the dollar it had reached on Tuesday, as more dollar inflows boosted liquidity in the system and outweighed dollar demand from importers.

Traders, according to Reuters news, said Addax oil sold about $9 million to some banks, while inflows from offshore investors into treasury bills further boosted dollar supply and to sustain the naira rally.

The local currency has gained around 2.47 per cent against the US dollar this month on the interbank market.

On the bi-weekly forex auction, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sold $113.53 million at N155.90 to the dollar, compared with $145.27 million sold at N156.10 to the dollar at the previous auction on Monday. For the second time in a row, the regulator sold fewer dollars than it initially offered.

Traders said this was a sign of weak demand from importers and other endusers, as a result of the convergence of rates between the official window and the interbank market.

Massmart to open 20 stores in Nigeria

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OUTH African retailer Massmart sees scope for up to 20 stores in Nigeria, its chief executive said, the second business leader in as many days to talk up consumer demand in Africa’s most populous country.

“We have identified five or six cities in Nigeria and we see the potential of between 10 and 20 Game stores,” Grant Pattison said on a conference call.

“By all simple metrics, Nigeria has the potential to be larger than South Africa, but it has some way to go in terms of infrastructure and political stability,” he added.

Massmart, Africa’s second-biggest retailer and 51 per cent owned by US group Wal-Mart Stores, itself the world’s biggest retailer, has two stores in Nigeria, with a third being built.

It reported a 19 per cent rise in first-half diluted headline earnings to 407.3 cents per share, helped almost entirely by favourable currency swings as higher costs and discounts weighed.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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BUSINESS NEWS

Bill on CBN’s budget suffers setback A

BILL to compel the Central Bank of Nige ria (CBN) to submit its budget to the National Assembly yesterday suffered a setback at the Senate.

The Bill sponsored by the Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang, also sought to make it an offence to denominate goods and services offered in Nigeria in any foreign currency other than the naira.

Senator Enang in his lead debate noted that Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act makes it compulsory for Federal government corporations and other agencies of government to submit their budget to the National Assembly for consideration and approval before they can spend.

“We are aware that the Central Bank spends money on matters that the National Assembly is not privy to.

“What about the funds, which they have given to the Asset Management Corporation by way of loan for their initial take-off? Under what subheads did the funds come from? Was it appropriated? he queried.

Enang insisted: “The National Assembly should know the source of the funds, their proposed application and subheads and what is left in the treasury. By so doing, we will bring in fiscal discipline in the management of the Central Bank and the economy.”

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu (Abuja)

He lamented the use of foreign currencies, especially the US dollar, to pay for contracts and other goods and services in Nigeria.

Enang expressed worry that the dollar is gradually becoming the silent but ‘unofficial’ legal tender in Nigeria.

He argued that the “unrestrained use of the dollar is assuming frightful dimension and it might only take a definite action from the financial sector regulators to sanitise the country of this craze.”

He noted that the ability of the naira to “grow strong, attain stability and take a pride of place as a national currency” may remain a mirage as the “appetite to store, spend and denominate goods and services in foreign currencies continue to increase.”

He insisted that the fear is that the “contest of relevance between the naira and dollar is becoming more pronounced”.

He said: “There is no doubt as to who would win over the other at the end of the day if this trend is allowed to continue, particularly with the naira experiencing progressive depreciation against other world curren-

cies particularly the US dollar”.

He added: “In some sectors, it has been held that the preference for the dollar against the Naira shows lack of faith in our sovereignty, our ‘Nigerian-ness’ and our economy.”

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was the first to oppose the Bill.

Ekweremadu called on Senator Enang to withdraw the Bill because since we are now in global village, “Nigeria cannot afford to be isolated from the international community.”

He noted that since the Naira is widely accepted in Ghana, Sierra Leone and other West Africa countries, it would be an aberration to legislate that only the Nigerian currency is used for business activities in the country.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, noted that the sponsor of the Bill defeated himself in his own argument.

Abaribe argued that since Nigeria does not sell oil in Naira but in dollars, it would be wrong to restrict business transactions in Nigeria to the Naira.

“If we were producing all the things we need in our oil industry, definitely we don’t need to price our contracts in dollars,” Abaribe noted.

Shell to buy Cove Energy for $1.6b • Total: Usan Field starts output March ending

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OYAL Dutch Shell Plc is offering 992.4 million pounds for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy, the price to open up a new gas frontier for the Anglo-Dutch oil major in East Africa.

Total SA (FP), Europe’s third-biggest energy producer, said its Usan offshore oil field in Nigeria will start production by the end of March and later reach a peak rate of 180,000 barrels a day.

Cove’s main asset, according to Bloomberg news, is an 8.5 per cent stake in the Rovuma Offshore Area 1, in Mozambique, where operator Anadarko said recoverable reserves could top 30 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

The project partners plan to build plants to freeze the gas into liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ship it to Asian markets.

Analysts said the small size of the stake meant Shell would likely approach other parties in the project and offer to buy part of their stakes.

“As the number one LNG player, Shell absolutely must be in East Africa ... we should assume that 8.5 per cent is too small for them,” said Irene Himona, oil analyst at Societe Generale.

Shell said it had a “firm intention”to make a 195 pence per share cash bid, which Cove’s directors said on yesterday they would recommend to shareholders.

In a related development, Shell’s proposed bid is an over 70 per cent premium to Cove’s closing share price on January 4, when Cove announced plans to sell, although investors were already betting on a bid at that point.

Himona said other bidders could yet emerge and analysts at Westhouse tipped the Korea National Oil Corp, India’s GAIL, and Chinese state-controlled oil groups such as CNOOC as potential deal spoilers.

Exports of the new grade will total three cargoes of 950,000 barrels each in April, or 95,000 barrels a day, a loading programme obtained by Bloomberg News yesterday shows.

Total and Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) will receive one shipment each, while Glencore International Plc will get one lot from stateowned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), according to the plan.

The Egina field now under

development is “progressing well ” and will also have a similar capacity,Guy Maurice, managing director of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria, told reporters in Abuja yesterday.

Paris-based Total expects output to increase by an average of 2.5 per cent yearly from the end of 2010 to 2015 with production starting this year at the Usan project and Angola LNG. By 2015, Total would have added 600,000 barrels of oil equivalent daily with 25 starts, Chief Executive Officer Christophe de Margerie said on February 10.

Meanwhile, Chevron Nigeria has said its gas well fire ‘may burn for months’.

A gas-fuelled fire, with flames as high as 5m, may burn for months in waters off the Niger Delta in south-east Nigeria, Chevron told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

Two workers died after January’s explosion at the KS Endeavour exploration rig, owned by the US firm.

Friends of the Earth says this is the world’s worst such accident in recent years.

Chevron spokesman Lloyd Avram says, despite the fire, the situation is now under control and no oil is leaking.

Minister to open NSITF Lagos office

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HE Nigeria Social In surance Trust Fund (NSITF), Lagos office will be inaugurated tomorrow by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, at its Maryland, Ikeja premises.

“It is in line with bringing these benefits to deserving employees that informed the

By Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu

choice of a befitting corporate office with state of the art facilities and full complement of staff at Lagos to enable NSITF to bring its services nearer to employers and employees for ease of accessing.

“This is just one of the many

corporate offices the Board plans to open nationwide.

“The goal at the end of the day is to have a central database that will allow for 24/7 claims service in all NSITF branch offices. Providing convenient employeefriendly services is our focus,” the fund said in statement.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

CROSS RIVER GOVERNORSHIP RACE

•Imoke

•Okomiso

•Usani

•Adegoke

The Cross River State governorship poll holds on Saturday. Correspondent NICHOLAS KALU previews the race.

Can the opposition upset Imoke?

T

WELVE political parties, represented by 12 candidates, are on the track. They are in the race to take over the Government House in Calabar. Already, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared its readiness to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all governorship elections.

Now, the party is being challenged by 11 others. How far can they go? How fast can they run.

Opposition parties that have shown interest include the Labour Party (LP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and Hope Democratic Party (HDP).

Senator Liyel Imoke and Efiok Cobham (PDP) Senator Liyel Imoke was born on July 10, 1961 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan in the then Western Region. His father, late Dr. Samuel Imoke was a Medical Doctor and first generation politician who participated actively in the nationalist struggle, eventually becoming a cabinet minister and leader of Parliament in the former Eastern region. His mother, late Mrs. Comfort Imoke, nee Imoukhede, is a retired nurse/ midwife practitioner, and a pioneer community and public health delivery expert.

He obtained a Bachelors degree in International Relations (Major) and Economics (Minor) at the University of Maryland, College Park in the United States in 1982. Imoke proceeded to study Law at the University of Buckingham, England, earning an LLB degree in 1985. He also obtained a Masters in Law at the American University in Washington, D.C. He completed his legal training at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, in 1988.

After Law practice in Washington, D. C. and Lagos, Imoke ventured into business, with interests in oil and gas, construction, communication, merchandizing and management consultancy. In 1992, aged 30, he was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, becoming one of the youngest legislators in the history of The Senate.

He was appointed a Special Adviser on Public Utilities by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 and served as Executive Chairman of the Special Board charged with responsibility for winding down Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC. He also served as Chairman of Technical Board of the National Electric Power Authority, NEPA charged with rehabilitating existing electricity infrastructure to deliver 4,000 MW of electricity.

In July 2003, Imoke was appointed Nigeria’s Minister of Power and Steel - at a point, doubling as Minister of Education.

Senator Imoke was elected Governor of Cross River State on April 14, 2007. That election was annulled by an Election Appeal Tribunal in July 2008, which necessitated a rerun on August 23 that year. He won the rerun.

His running mate is Mr Efiok Cobham from Odukpani. Born on January 12, 1961, Efiok Cobham completed his primary education at Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Primary School in Creek Town, In 1974. In the same year, he began his secondary education at Government Secondary School, Creek Town where he passed out in 1979. Upon completion of his secondary school, he gained admission into the University of Calabar to study Law. He was at the University of Calabar between 1981 and 1985. He enrolled at the Nigerian Law School in 1985 and was called to the Bar in 1986.

Since leaving school, Mr Cobham has worked as a private legal practitioner, public officer, business entrepreneur and politician.

He was secretary of the PDP from 2003 to 2007, when he was elected Deputy Governor.

Some observers identify loyalty to his boss as his major strength.

Their chances at the moment seem the brightest. They occupied office until a Supreme Court judgment sent them packing recently. Imoke beat Ambassador Sonny Abang in the PDP primaries to emerge the flagbearer of the party in January. Although he is still believed to have the machinery of government behind him, he is not taking anything for granted.

In the run up to the election, he embarked on an aggressive campaign tour of the 18 local government areas, a gesture that further endeared him to many. Imoke still has his aides in government and in control of affairs.

Given that he is from Yakurr in the central Senatorial District and there is a strong sentiment that someone from the central should be in the seat of power for two terms, it appears that the election may be a mere coronation.

His efforts at rural development as governor and his promise to ensure he will work

towards handing over power to the northern senatorial district are other factors expected to work in his favour.

In the grand finale of his campaign in Calabar, President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice-President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Acting National Chairman of PDP, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a host of other big players had shown their support for the duo.

The former governor, who already has a myriad of support groups working for his return, promised he would do more if returned as governor.

Addressing supporters at the Cultural Centre Complex at a reception organised for him by the supporters before embarking on his campaign tour, Imoke described the large turn out as a “Sign of Victory”, saying the people of Cross River State had spoken in a voice which is stronger than the Supreme Court judgement which terminated his tenure.

Imah Nsa Adegoke and Tony Bassey (LP) Born 48yrs ago in Kano on August 6, 1963 in Odukpani Local Government Area, Imah Eyo Nsa, as she was then known, attended Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School, Port-Harcourt from where she proceeded to Federal Government College, Port-Harcourt for the Higher School Certificate.

In 1979, she proceeded to the University of Lagos, graduating as a lawyer in 1982 and was called to the Nigerian Bar a year later in 1983.

According to her, she is spurred on by an insatiable need to see social justice and equal opportunities extended to all persons, regardless of race, sex or religion. She has been driven to challenge what she has termed the ‘presumptive status quo’ she encountered through the different phases of her life and to bring about change to each environment in which she has found herself.

Her running mate, Bassey, was born February 2, 1962 Ikom. He obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1980 and worked as a marketing/public relations of-

‘Imoke still has his aides in government and in control of affairs. Given that he is from Yakurr in the central Senatorial District and there is a strong sentiment that someone from the central should be in the seat of power for two terms, it appears that the election may be a mere coronation’

ficer in companies, including Cocoa Board, Universal Pumps Ltd, Katsina and Project and Geo Konsult, Katsina. He is a minister of Winners Chapel, Ikom.

He is more known in the state for his work for widows, as founder of Goodnews Outreach Widows Ministry in Ikom, with over 50, 000 widows across the 18 councils in the state.

A strong connection between the two seems to be their passion to help the underprivileged in the society.

Mrs Ima Nsa Adegoke emerged as the sole candidate of the Labour Party and was unanimously affirmed by the delegates in the party secretariat in Calabar. She stormed the political scene in the state last year to contest for the governorship before the election was postponed by the Appeal Court. Although new to the political scene, she has proven to be one of the most visible opposition leaders on the political scene. According to her, she is “a person on a mission who has received vision fuelled by passion to bring restoration to Cross River and her people.” She brought in with her an infectious effervescence and sincerity that made an impact wherever she went.

Adegoke has summarised her programme in the acronym, I HEAR U, with I standing for Infrastructure, H for Health, E for Education, A for Agriculture, R for Research and U for You, the people.

Dr Theo Onyuku and Mrs Grace Offiong Essien (HDP) Dr Theo Onyuku is a 44 year old Medical Graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He hails from Usumutong in Abi Local Government Area. He attended Artisan Quarters Primary school, College of Immaculate Conception and College of Medicine University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He had specialist training in Psychiatry at Federal Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar where he qualified as a consultant psychiatrist.

According to him, his programme is anchored on radical, aggressive, massive turnaround of the state through urgent exploitation of the agricultural resources of our state through the establishment of viable Small/ Medium Scaled- Agro-based industries that will massively employ and engage our youths.

His running mate is a 41-year-old Mrs Grace Offiong Essien, a Mass Communication graduate of the Cross River University of Technology. She is a business woman with interest in textiles and hospitality. She is also •Continued on page 18

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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POLITICS

Okorocha unfolds agenda for Imo

Cross River race: The candidates •Continued from page 17

Imo State Governor Chief Rochas Okorocha last week presented a” State of Imo Address” to the people. He spoke passionately on his education plan, state of infrastructure and the task of changing the face of the state. Correspondent EMMA MGBEAHURIKE examines at his presentation and projections.

I

MO State stood still as the governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, presented what he called “state of Imo”, address to the people.

The ceremony put together to enable the governor present the journey so far, saw the civil servants, school children, traders and top politicians and technocrats emptied into the Heroes Square, Concorde Boulevard.

Okorocha said the programme was organised to enable government brief the people on the progress in the various sectors of the economy and to share with the people their experience.

Describing it as a forum for stock taking, he said it was expected to provide the basis for the building and sustenance of an elaborate feed back mechanism that seeks to inject the concern and expectations of the people into the development process.

Okorocha referred to his pledge at inauguration to provide accountable, responsive and responsible governance that would be totally focused on the needs and aspirations of the citizenry.

Recalling the state of infrastructure when he took over, Okorocha said he inherited infrastructure in a significant state of dilapidation and stated that the public road network was not only inadequate, but in a state of disrepair, making commuting within the state very inconvenient and costly for the average road user.

He called attention to the pervading insecurity in the state up till May last year as feeling of insecurity with armed robbery and kidnapping were rampant.

In terms of priority, the governor said his administration decided that the first task was to restore confidence in the government and assure the people of its commitment to their welfare and security, submitted that it was of utmost importance that immediate steps be to recreated and restore the peoples confidence in the machinery of governance as a primary condition for the engagement and commitment to the development process.

Elaborating that realising the imperative of galvanizing the people in the pursuit of their development agenda, his administration took a number of steps to restore the people’s confidence in governance.

He stressed, that he did this by cutting the state security vote by N4 bil-

lion, so as to generate additional funds for the free education programme.

Elaborating that within the first six months of his administration, they settled, they back log of pensions which remained unpaid for over 12 years and made it known that he has directed all issues relating to outstanding pension claims to be addressed immediately.

Highlighting that he has also directed that a payment plan be put in place to begin the process of settling over N8 billion outstanding gratuities.

Owelle Okorocha explained that the most critical segment of infrastructure that requires immediate attention is the road network, to this end they have embarked on the construction of over 600km roads across the state.

In addition, he stressed that about 25 public buildings and facilities are almost completed in the state and embarked on elaborate programme of transformation of Orlu and Okigwe towns.

According to him, a significant aspect of this programme is the dualization of the approach roads leading to these cities saying that the government intends to break the age long jinx about Okigwe and Orlu that has seen these towns perpetually under developed.

Stating that the government intends to site the following projects in the two towns, a five star, a civic centre, a modern stadium and construction of Government House Annex.

Highlighting that it is the plan of this administration that the seat of the government move to those towns physically so as to give the residents of these towns a sense of belonging and generate additional commercial activities from such movements.

The governor submitted that the government had approved the payment of N25,000 per annum to every pupil in the primary school system who is an indigene of the state.

Indicating that government shall continue to be responsible for the provision and maintenance of all infrastructure, computers, writing desks and monies paid as scholarship would remain in the schools for the running of each school.

In the secondary schools, he said that a scholarship of N40,000 would be paid to each secondary school student who is an indigene of the state.

He, however, said that students

a women empowerment activist.

The meeting point between these two seems to be their radicalism, as both are activists. Dr Theo Onyuku, emerged as the sole candidate of the Hope Democratic Party. Onyuku was the former chairman of the Labour Party before intra-party crisis led to his leaving in 2010. Since then, he disappeared from the political space, only surfacing as the elections approached.

•Okorocha

whose performance fall below set benchmark would not be entitled to such scholarship.

He also announced that government had approved the payment of N60,000 per annum to all students who are indigenes of the state studying at the Imo Polytechnic, Umuagwo and a payment of N80,000 per annum for all Higher National Diploma students who are indigenes of the state.

“Henceforth, students of Imo State origin studying in Imo State Universities shall be entitled to a scholarship of N100,000 each as against the current subsisting payment of not more than N50,000 as fees by each student.

Appropriate benchmarks shall be set for acceptable performance and students who fail to achieve the set benchmarks each year shall have the scholarship discontinued”.

He promised to treat the tertiary institutions as autonomous entities thus satisfying their age-long call for autonomy.

The governor, apparently happy with the rapturous acclamation by his audience, thrilled owners of mission schools to which schools seized by the military were returned by the Ohakim administration, that he had ordered the release of N450,000,000 promised by the previous administration as grant to each of the schools.

He expressed the hope that the grand would assist the owners rehabilitate the facilities that had been run aground in the schools over the years.

It was neither a first year anniversary nor even a mid-year or mid-term assessment. About eight months after he took over, Okorocha called the Assembly, as one of his commissioners said, to cement his relationship with the people.

While the opposition leaders dismissed it as “political gimmick ahead of a tricky appeal on the petition against his election coming up at the Supreme Court on Thursday”, the smiles and all-round banters at the crowded venue suggested that Okorocha had struck the right chord.

Can he sustain the pace of work? Is he only adept at propaganda? It may be too early to return a verdict since he has worked for only eight out of 48 months. The days ahead promise to be interesting.

•Secretary to the Government of Oyo State Alhaji Akin Olajide (left), Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right) in a handshake with Chairman of the Visitation Panel to Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo Prof Ganiyu Ademola Badmus (middle) while receiving the report of the panel at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan ... Tuesday.

Pastor Usani Usani and Elder David Okon (ACN) Usani Usani is from Nko in Yakurr Local Government in Cross River State. He holds Bachelors degree in Geography from the University of Jos, Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGD), University of Jos (UNIJOS), Masters of Business Administration (MBA), University of Calabar, Masters in Environmental Management, River State University of Science and Technology and Masters in Globalization and Development from the Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom.

Born January 27, 1961, he has worked in several establishments, including as a university lecturer in the London Academy of Higher Education, Director, Nigeria Copyrights Commission. He has served as Commissioner in Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and Rural Development; Information, Youths/ Sports and Social Development. Earlier, he had served as Personal Assistant to Governor Clement Ebri on Policy Analysis.

His deputy, David Okon from Eniong Abatim in Odukpani is a soft spoken businessman. Believed to be one of the financial muscles behind the party in the state, Okon was Senator Mathew Mbu’s jnr running mate on the ACN platform last year before the April 2011 polls was postponed by the Appeal Court.

Speaking recently at an ACN campaign rally in Abi local government, Okon, said he felt after consulting God, that Usani was the right one to run with.

Pastor Usani Usani, Yakurr local government area, under controversial circumstances emerged as candidate of the ACN in the state. He defeated Mr Mike Ogar in the party’s primaries to emerge its candidate.

Patrick Okomiso and Edem Ita Eyo (ANPP) Born in Nko, Yakurr local government area, Okomiso attended Nigeria Institute of Journalism.

His running mate is Mr Edem Ita Eyo, a retired Group Captain. According to Okomiso, he decided they were compatible because “he shares my passion for the development of Cross River State. He also saw in me a man that he can work with. He was one of the best cadets in his days in the Nigeria Defence Academy” Mr Patrick Okomiso, beat Mr Wabili Niam and Mr Iheke Awa Solomon to pick the ANPP ticket.

Until January, Okomiso was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He bought the PDP nomination form to contest for the party’s governorship primary election in January, but did not return it. He said he left the party because he felt that the field was not level. The manner in which he was handed the ANPP ticket barely a month after leaving the PDP has given rise to suspicion.

One of such is that he might be a mole from the ruling PDP to destabilize the ANPP. However reacting to this, Okomiso said, “We are going to start a new dawn in Cross River State. I would not want to discuss PDP, because I am not a PDP member, be-

cause I am the governorship candidate of the ANPP, and what I should put my energy into is to look into the programmes that can change the fortunes of the state from poverty to prosperity. That is what my energy would be geared towards.”

Although many believe that Okomiso who once contested to represent Abi/Yakurr federal constituency in the House of Representatives under the PDP stands little chance, he remains undaunted, confident that come February 25 he will win the governorship elections.

His words on if he wins, “My administration will not depend solely on federal allocation. Cross River State is so blessed with natural resources that it cannot be poor. This state is blessed with forest, cocoa and many natural resources that are yet to be harnessed. My administration will look inward to generate revenue. Our state is not poor, but has leaders with poverty of ideas. With the right ideas, we can generate enough to pay salaries and execute development projects. Besides our natural resources, we have a seaport that is yet to be fully utilised, Calabar Free Trade Zone and Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort. We will also cut down waste and expenses of government.

Miss Mary Ekpere and Mens Ikpeme (CPC) Miss Mary Ekpere is a legal practitioner from Ikom. She studied Law at the Ahmadu Bello University. Her running mate, Mr Mens Ikpeme is a retired bank officer, from Okpor in Odukpani.

According to Epkere, she decided on Ikpeme because, “he is intelligent, patient, diplomatic and resourceful.

Ekpere emerged as the sole candidate of the party by the unanimous affirmation of party delegates in Calabar.

According to her, she would fight for the return of ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Nigeria if elected into office.

Ekpere said: “Nigeria is the only country in the world where secession has taken place without a plebiscite, without any local act in the country backing it. It is a good as just giving it away. Be that as it may, even though there was a judgement of the international community, you cannot force anybody to be a citizen of any other country. There must be a plebiscite, where the citizen would decide that we want to belong to Nigeria or Cameroon and so we have decided to go there.

“As a Cross Riverian, this is one of my reasons for running. Nigeria is not a piece of meat that you just cut and share without recourse to the people. I am going to ensure that Bakassi is returned to Nigeria.”

The gubernatorial candidate said other issues on the top her agenda include the creation of Ogoja State and ensuring the dredging of the Calabar Port.

Ekpere, a legal practitioner, whose first venture into politics was in 2010, has variously run for the House of Representatives for Ikom/Boki federal constituency, as well as deputy governor of the party, on the platform of the CPC also promised to improve the financial situation of the state.

Her words, “I have seen from a distance, the government to see how my people are suffering. We are blessed with natural and human resources, the problem leadership to harness these resources. Since the issue of the 76 oil wells, the state has mostly been dependent on federal allocation. I don’t think we need to wait for this allocation.

The battle line is drawn. In the past two weeks, the political circuit in the state has been running full steam.

Saturday, the electorate has another opportunity to decide the vehicle that will take Cross River to 2014.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION Comments

EDITORIAL FROM OTHER LAND

Climate denial in the classroom

Guilty, but...

•NCAA’s laxity made British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to get away with blue murder

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HE British mega carriers operating in the Nigerian territory – British Airways (BA) and Virgin Atlantic may have escaped the heavy fines slammed on them by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, it is however a different matter to suggest that the duo were not guilty as charged. As a matter of fact, they are.

Last year, the NCAA had charged the two carriers with collusion and pricefixing after due investigations by the body. It then imposed hefty fines of $135 million apiece on them. Both of course denied any wrong-doing. Their objection to the fine imposed on them prompted the NCAA to set up a judicial appeal panel chaired by a retired Justice of the

‘Suffice to say that the larger portion of the blame deservedly goes to the NCAA for fostering the lax regulatory environment which allowed such brazen anticompetitive practices to thrive in the first place. It is a measure of how antiquated the laws were at the time that the highest penalty for corporate lawbreakers like the duo is the so-called ‘Cease and Desist Order – whatever that means. This experience should challenge the NCAA to wake up to its responsibility’

Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice George Oguntade.

February 10, the five-man panel found – contrary to the protestation of innocence by the two carriers – that they actually engaged in the untoward business practices as alleged. Although it upheld the allegations against the airlines as established by the NCAA, it was however unanimous in affirming that the NCAA Act of 2006 could not be used to take action on a violation allegedly committed between August 2004 and March 2006.

The panel was unequivocal that the NCAA Act of 1999 can only dispense a mandatory ‘Cease and Desist Order’ as penalty as against the $235 million restitution imposed.

On grounds of law and public policy, the appeal panel is certainly right to throw out the fines. This is more so as the offences were said to have been committed between 2004 and 2006. To have allowed the fine would have rendered the law retroactive in application.

The conduct of the two British carriers however raises troubling questions about their pretensions to good ethical practices.

We recall that in 2007, the authorities in the United Kingdom and United States forced BA to cough up about £270 million in fines for the same crime of collusion linked to fuel surcharges. Then, UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the US Department of Justice found BA and Virgin Atlantic to have colluded on at least six occasions between August 2004 and January 2006, in charging passengers

extra to cover fuel costs.

Noteworthy is that the offences for which the NCAA imposed the fine, was committed about the same time in UK and US. Given the similarities in the particulars, the ‘Cease and Desist Order’ penalty applicable in Nigeria would seem like getting away with murder.

It is unfortunate that the two carriers have since carried on as if such anticompetitive behaviours are the way to do business. Rather than show remorse, they continue to exhibit the same arrogant, insulting but puerile protestations of innocence. No apologies to the victims of their cheating game let alone offers of compensation to the thousands of their passengers shortchanged by their irresponsible behaviour; and no assurances that such practices would never occur again.

Suffice to say that the larger portion of the blame deservedly goes to the NCAA for fostering the lax regulatory environment which allowed such brazen anti-competitive practices to thrive in the first place. It is a measure of how antiquated the laws were at the time that the highest penalty for corporate lawbreakers like the duo is the so-called ‘Cease and Desist Order – whatever that means. This experience should challenge the NCAA to wake up to its responsibility; it should in fact see it as a wake-up call on it to constantly update its regulation in line with global best practices and standards.

Ambiguous autonomy •Government attacks on federal universities do not address the issues

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HE best form of defence, it seems, is offence. The Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i, demonstrated this tactic recently when she condemned the way in which many vice-chancellors in federal universities had allegedly turned their institutions into personal fiefdoms.

The minister’s accusations amounted to a comprehensive indictment of the way in which the universities were being run.

Bogus positions had been created to cater for the interests of friends and hangerson at the expense of laid-down procedures and structures; a whole array of degrees, diplomas and certificates unrelated to the focus of specific institutions had been created; honorary degrees were being awarded with reckless abandon to individuals who were often utterly undeserving of such honours.

A great deal of Rufa’i’s criticism was based on the findings of visitation panels

‘If the minister is truly interested in extending the mantra of transformative change to federal universities, she must be prepared to walk her talk. Instead of making vague accusations against unnamed institutions, she should direct the National Universities Commission (NUC) to embark on a name-and-shame campaign of those universities whose vice-chancellors have betrayed the trust reposed in them’

to 26 federal universities. Given the intensive work that went into producing their reports, there can be little doubt that many of the universities stand guilty as charged, and that several vice-chancellors may have used their esteemed positions to feather their own nests and those of their cronies at the expense of their universities.

However, the minister appears to think that pointing out the shortcomings of university administrators should blind the citizenry to those of the Federal Government, and more specifically, her own ministry. It is one thing to accuse vice-chancellors of abusing their powers, but it is disingenuous not to acknowledge government’s own culpability in the creation of such over-powerful positions.

Who increased the pay of vice-chancellors to such an extent that they now earn several times the salaries of professors of equivalent tenure? Who conspired with vice-chancellors to erode the influence of the unions, parent-teacher associations and similar stakeholders to such an extent that vice-chancellors have become virtually all-powerful anomalies on university campuses?

Professor Rufa’i has been guilty of such double-speak before: the most recent manifestation was during the recentlyended strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Instead of seeking to end an industrial action which should never have begun, the minister worsened the situation by claiming that the Federal Government had never agreed to the conditions whose implementation the union was agitating for.

Such hypocrisy does nobody any good.

It undermines the position of the minister as an honest broker, impugns her moral authority and thus cripples her effectiveness in a sector that is vital to the country’s progress. Its effect on erring vice-chancellors is likely to be extremely negligible since it does very little to change realities on the ground. It discourages those with a genuine interest in improving the conditions of things in federal universities from cooperating with the minister to achieve positive change.

If the minister is truly interested in extending the mantra of transformative change to federal universities, she must be prepared to walk her talk. Instead of making vague accusations against unnamed institutions, she should direct the National Universities Commission (NUC) to embark on a name-and-shame campaign of those universities whose vice-chancellors have betrayed the trust reposed in them. Where criminal offences are proven to have taken place, appropriate measures should be taken.

Efforts must be made to ensure that governing councils and university senates are independent of vicechancellors, and that principal officers are allowed to carry out their statutory functions without hindrance.

Just as importantly, the White Papers relevant to each visitation panel should be released in an expedient fashion, and their recommendations acted upon with dispatch. If Nigeria’s universities are to become the intellectual powerhouses they once were, those in charge of ensuring their progress will have to act much more purposefully than they have so far.

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T’S bad enough that we’re doing so little to fight climate change; let’s not ask teachers to lie about it too.

The culture wars have been fought in the classroom for decades, waged over such issues as school prayer, the teaching of evolution and whether the Pledge of Allegiance should include the phrase “under God.” But the conflict usually pits backers of religious instruction against secularists. The latest skirmish, by contrast, is centered on a scientific issue that has nothing to do with religious teaching: climate change.

Leaked documents from the Heartland Institute in Chicago, one of many nonprofits that spread disinformation about climate science in hopes of stalling government action to combat global warming, reveal that the organization is working on a curriculum for public schools that casts doubt on the work of climatologists worldwide. Heartland officials say one of the documents was a fake, but the curriculum plans were reportedly discussed in more than one. According to the New York Times, the curriculum would claim, among other things, that “whether humans are changing the climate is a major scientific controversy.”

That is a lie so big that, to quote from “Mein Kampf,” it would be hard for most people to believe that anyone “could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously.” On one side of the “controversy” are credentialed climatologists around the globe who publish in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals and agree that the planet is warming and that humans are to blame; on the other are fossilfuel-industry-funded “experts” who tend to have little background in climatology and who publish non-peer-reviewed papers in junk magazines disputing established truths. These are quickly debunked, but not before their findings have been reported by conservative blogs and news outlets, which somehow never get around to mentioning it when these studies are proved to be badly flawed.

Fortunately, if we’re about to enter a battle over classroom instruction on climate change, it won’t go on for decades, because the impacts of global warming are already patently obvious.

Seven of the 10 warmest years since global record-keeping began in 1880 have occurred in the 21st century. Despite an intense campaign to discredit his work, Pennsylvania State University professor Michael Mann’s “hockey stick” graph, which shows that temperatures in the latter half of the 20th century soared to their highest level in 1,000 years, has been validated repeatedly. Last year set a record for the most climate-related disasters in the United States costing more than $1 billion in damage each — drought-fueled wildfires in Texas, Hurricane Irene, and Mississippi River flooding were among the 14 cases.

These are facts, not philosophical or religious dogma. Another fact: Sophisticated climate models show that things are going to get a lot worse. It’s bad enough that we’re gambling our children’s futures by doing so little to fight this problem; let’s not ask their teachers to lie to them about it too.

– Los Angeles Times

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

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IR: Nigeria is no doubt sitting on a keg of gunpowder and for us to avert the looming catastrophe; we must then as a people, gather together, talk and agree on ways forward. We cannot pretend or shut our eyes that we are living united in love with ourselves when in fact we are not.

In 1914, it was Lord Fredrick Lugard, driven by British economic interest that fused the north and south together. We never as a people gathered anywhere, at a round or square table to discuss and accept to live as one people. It was in 1967 that something near that happened in Aburi, Ghana, when Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Yakubu Gowon, sat on a table, discussed and agreed on terms for

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Yes to national dialogue Nigeria to co-exist.

The agreement was annulled like June 12.

A country with so much wealth finds it extremely difficult to plan and develop its people and the country. Our rail system that was efficient in the 1970s collapsed, not because we do not have the money to maintain it but because of

corruption. Funds appropriated, usually disappear into private pockets.

The Niger Delta, which is the honey pot of Nigeria, where the oil is largely located is ignored by the Nigerian government and the oil giants alike.

When it is convenient for our leaders, they use religion to divide

and rule us.

Today every region has its own ethnic and militant groups, Ijaw National Congress and MEND for the South-south; Afenifere and Odua Peoples’ Congress for South West; Arewa and Boko Haram for North East/West while the Ohaneze and MASSOB are for the South-east. All these because of lack

Re: Lagos storm

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IR: I want to comment on two points in your editorial of February 16 titled Lagos Storm. In it, you (i) agreed with NIMET that the weather event that occurred that Monday can come unannounced but (ii) disagreed that its intensity was indicative of the transition from dry to rainy season.

I disagree on both points. Firstly, in this era of sophisticated satellitebased weather forecasting that can give you up to 5-day forecasts, that is a most unfortunate statement to make. If such systems as the Category 1 hurricane that occurred in Lagos can come unannounced, how come weather forecasters in the US were able to warn of Hurricanes such as Category 3 Katrina (2005), Category 2 Ike (2008), Category 1 Irene (2011) among others, days in advance before they made landfall. Such systems usually develop out at sea and there is usually a time lag between when they develop and strengthen and when they make landfall.

At this time the issue should not be whether we can know about such weather systems in advance.

Not when Nigeria is a member of the UN’s World Meterological Organization with the benefits memberships should bring and technology abounds to help us with this. Rather, it should be our state of emergency preparedness (evacuations, stay at home orders etc) when they cause problems.

Secondly, NIMET is right to indicate that violent storms are not

unusual for the transition period between the dry and rainy seasons and the rainy and dry seasons. In Geography, there is what is called the ITCZ (InterTropical Convergence Zone). This is the point where the two major weather causing winds; the dust-bearing North Easterlies (responsible for the harmattan) and moisture-laden South Westerlies (responsible for the rains) meet or more appropriately collide. Because the winds are markedly different in the nature, there is usually a violent displacement of one by the other.

This convergence line which moves across the country and as it where comes to a head at the end of the dry season/beginning of the rainy season and at the end of the rainy/

beginning of the dry season, is usually characterized by violent thunderstorms accompanied by driving wind.

What was unusual therefore was the wind speed attained by the weather system, itself evidence of a fallout of climate change, erratic weather.

It should be clear by now to the authorities that Lagos is vulnerable to the weather. The persistent weather-associated problems had been climate-change induced ocean surges and flooding occasioned by non-existent, poor or blocked drainages. With what happened last Monday, hurricanes can be added to that list. This is a disturbing development, especially considering that it

occurred at the onset of the rainy season. With the memory of the flooding disaster that happened last July (at the peak of the rainy season), the Lagos State government will do well to start planning for this year’s rainy season by putting in place effective early warning, flood prevention/ control and emergency preparedness systems. The Federal Government should assist the Lagos State government in this, as it has an obvious stake in the security of Lagos from which it generates a substantial amount of it non-oil revenue (through the Air and Seaports, company and individual taxes) and where it still has a significant federal presence.

• Matthew Akalusi Jos, Plateau State

of faith in the Nigerian project, mistrust among different ethnic nationalities, and religious misunderstanding that has most often led to clashes with very heavy consequences.

Nigeria is at crossroad; we must talk the talk now, to avoid our children shooting the guns and bombs tomorrow. During the NLC, Civil Society fuel subsidy protest in January, we saw the crowd in Lagos, Kano and Abuja.

The crowd in Lagos was unprecedented in the history of civil protests. The high number of educated men and women at the protest march, who gathered at the popular Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, has never been witnessed.

Indeed, people have lost hope in the system, in the way things are run in this country. They require change in the status quo.

We must dialogue to save Nigeria. Do we want Nigeria to remain as one country?

Apparently, the answer will most probably be yes! How then do we make it to remain one Nigeria?

There is a whole lot of injustice, marginalization, hatred, anger, disappointment, bad governance, corruption, looting, and underdevelopment. We must sit down to re-draw, re-write, how as a people, we can attain justice, development and peace. It is of great importance for us to talk, it does not in any way negate the duties and functions of the National Assembly but, rather augment their work.

• Uzodinma Nwaogbe Maitama – Abuja.

The strike by staff of New Nigerian

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IR: I want to comment on the on-going strike by staff of New Nigerian newspapers.

When the late Sardauna came up with the idea of this paper to serve as a voice for the northern states, he never foresaw that the paper will be abandoned by the 19 northern governors who are supposed to make the paper to stand out. I am sure that the late Sardauna of Sokoto will be turning in his grave if he sees the current state of the paper.

Imagine owing staff, most of whom have families and dependants, for over 10 months. It is ludicrous. The workers of the newspaper have gone on strike for

over a week due to the non-payment of salaries; yet not one northern state governor has come out to identify with them. No statement or assurance has been given to the staff who are determined to stay out of work until their salary arrears are paid. I even wonder if the 19 northern governors are aware that the workers in the newspaper are on strike.

Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, needs to do something about the state of the newspaper. These are the type of issues that should engage the attention of the governors when they hold their

forum meetings. Governor Aliyu and his colleagues need to keep the legacy of the late Sardauna alive by reviving this paper. Something needs to be done very fast.

I also think the Managing Editor should come out to explain the controversial N5 million allegedly given to him by the Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Aliyu. What was the money used for?

What about his reported statement that December 2011 salaries were paid when the salaries were not paid? The staff and the unions in the organization needs to sit with the NGF chairman to ask him some questions about the alleged funds

some of the governors claimed to have injected into the organisation.

Why weren’t the funds used to pay some months salaries?

It is simply not fair to keep people without salary for over 10 months.

Northern governors, this is a challenge to you all. If you cannot revive the New Nigerian, please act fast and sell it to those willing to buy it.

But in my opinion, if an individual can own and run a newspaper effectively, then 19 states should be able to do it flawlessly.

• Helen George Minna, Niger State

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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EDITORIAL/OPINION

Survey of Nigeria’s foreign policy - 5

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HE Abuja Charter of 1992 incorporating the plans towards economic union of Africa was signed and it then replaced the moribund Lagos Plan of Action of the 1970s which had remained largely unimplemented. It remains an open question whether the recent rushed establishment of an African Union without adequate study will lead to Africa’s integration.

Many of the policies put in place in the 1990s did not yield commensurate economic dividends because of some reasons, chief of which was our internal political difficulties, this being our inability to institute a democratic regime and embrace a democratic culture.

The second reason was that Eastern Europe was just opening up its markets after the collapse of communism. This area of the world had a developed infrastructure and was nearer the sources of investible capital from which Nigeria was expecting investment. The owners of this capital were more interested in the security of it and for strategic reasons of security, in making the lives of Eastern Europeans just freed from Communism, better. At the time we were opening up, Latin America was doing the same, so also was China and South East Asia and Africa could just not compete, the obstacles were just simply overwhelming. The challenge then is that we must not be wearied by trying but we must learn to depend more on our own effort in future. This effort would take the form of political conformity with the rest of the world as well as husbanding our own resources and diversifying our economy particularly from over-dependence on export of hydrocarbons whose use may be threatened in future because of humankind’s concern for the environment.

Our foreign policy endeavours under General Sani Abacha amounted to a mixed grill. We were successful at considerable cost to our psyche and exchequer in helping to stabilize the political situation in our region through imposing an uneasy peace in Liberia and Sierra Leone. But this was at the expense of the well-being of our people who had suffered untold economic deprivation and loss of their fundamental human rights. The result of our violating our people’s rights was ostracisation of Nigeria from civilized society and the international community. This then drove us into the warm embrace of other pariah states and China while we abandoned our traditional partners in the West with consequent serious economic decline. The demise of Nigeria’s erstwhile ruler constituted a “deus ex machina” for this country and opened a window of opportunity for carefully assessing the future of our foreign relations as well as graphically underscoring the fact that one cannot really separate foreign and domestic policies.

The coming to power of General Abdulsalami Abubakar as Head of State and his determined effort to take Nigeria back to the international community through freeing several detainees

and prisoners from Abacha’s gulag constituted a denouement of the impasse in which we had been. His efforts were largely reciprocated by the international community.

We accordingly made new beginning in May 1999 when Olusegun Obasanjo was sworn in as democratically chosen president of Nigeria after sixteen bitter years of military rule.

Happily what could have put the hand of the national clock back in Obasanjo wanting to have a Third Term was aborted and the embarrassment of foreign criticism was averted.

Currently, with his transformation agenda, President Goodluck Jonathan has made it clear that Nigeria should aspire not only to significant development at home but also to an appropriate role in the comity of nations. But just as the international community has opened up to Nigeria because of the perceived changes in our domestic politics, the situation can relapse to what it was hitherto if we renege on our promises and commitment on democratization, transparency and good governance.

What then is to be done to avoid complete marginalisation and possible second partition of Africa in the face of failure of policy which is causing the rest of the world considerable concern? This concern arises not out of altruism but because of constant break down of law and order in Africa and attendant emigration of refugees from this continent to other parts of the world. In recent times, we have seen the phenomenon of disappearing states like Somalia and Liberia not to mention Rwanda and Burundi, even Nigeria was described by such an important news medium as America’s Washington Post as a “failed state”.

Nigeria must first of all confront her domestic problems by consolidating her democracy. Democracy is not just the question of holding periodic elections, important as this is, it means developing a democratic culture underpinned by the rule of law. We must build an egalitarian society with careers opened to talents. It should be possible for any Nigerian of talent to rise to any position that these talents entitle him or her. The present politically expedient policy of federal character, which has been misused should yield place to open competition. This is the only way by which the sense of patriotism will be fostered. There is at present a feeling in some parts of the country that ‘this republic is not based on equality of its citizens’. Such feelings would have to be assuaged through practical power sharing mechanism. The alternative to building a united country is too ghastly to be contemplated.

We must face the question of the economy squarely. Fiftyone years after independence we still operate a dependent economy based on export of raw materials and industries of import substitution. We must reverse this process by building industries, particularly agro-based industries in which we have comparative advantage. Our country certainly can support huge textile and garments industries based on local production

of cotton. This is also an industry which the current regime of the World Trade Organisation favours for developing countries. The socalled Tiger economies of South East Asia, China and India virtually dominate the textile and garments industry of the world.

We ought to be able to challenge these countries because of our cheap labour. We should be able to compete with Israel Jide and the United States Osuntokun in providing the world with properly packaged tropical fruits. We should cut our tastes for unnecessary luxury goods and use what we can produce. We need to open our market to investments from the outside world. One hopes present policies in this regard would be determinedly pursued. The economy is the key to respect in the international system and we must do everything to develop our economy. There is no strategy of economic development better than those that have been tried and that have worked in the Western liberal democracies. Any attempt to graft economic development on an authoritarian regime will fail. The erstwhile example of success of the Tiger economies as a justification for this is no longer relevant.

Perhaps we need to look at the example of Botswana, where honest and liberal government and proper management of national resources and patrimony has led to development which is at par with any of the so-called Tiger economies without the political authoritarianism of those regimes.

‘Nigeria must first of all confront her domestic problems by consolidating her democracy. Democracy is not just the question of holding periodic elections, important as this is, it means developing a democratic culture underpinned by the rule of law. We must build an egalitarian society with careers opened to talents’

Salami: Waiting on Jonathan NTIL his suspension in August, last year, Justice Isa Ayo Salami was the President of the Court of Appeal (PCA). His suspension was apparently stage-managed after he fell out with the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. They fought to a bitter end until Justice KatsinaAlu left office. But before his exit, he succeeded in getting Justice Salami out of the way.

Justice Katsina-Alu may have thought that his peace in retirement would be guaranteed if and only if Justice Salami is no longer in service. Justice Katsina-Alu's plan was to get Justice Salami fired from the bench for no other reason that the suspended PCA refused to be used to pervert justice. In retirement, he is still fighting Justice Salami. Will he ever allow Justice Salami to be?

What does he want from Justice Salami? Is there any other thing beneath their rift that is not known to us? What kind of judge will begrudge his colleague even when he is down as Justice Katsina-Alu is doing?

It is disconsolating that Justice Katsina-Alu has not given up on his Operation Salami must go several months after retirement. He is blocking the return of Justice Salami to office. Of the 29-member Judicial Reform Panel constituted by the CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, Justice Katsina-Alu is the only one against the return of Justice Salami to his job. What are his reasons for this

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hardline position? We don't know because he has refused to tell the world how Justice Salami wronged him. Wronged?

Can Justice Salami be accused of offending him by standing for the truth? Who determines what an offence is? The aggrieved or the court?

Justice Katsina-Alu knows too well that he cannot be the accuser and the judge in his own case. If he feels that Justice Salami has hurt him in anyway, he knows what to do. He should go to court and present his case. If he cannot do that, he should stop tormenting the suspended PCA. Those who advised that Justice Salami's suspension be lifted must have looked at the facts of the matter critically before making their recommendation.

As a member of the panel, he would have stated his objection to Justice Salami's return, which from the look of things was discountenanced. This was not a lone voice in wilderness, but one of mischief.

When as CJN, he masterminded Justice Salami's suspension, he was happy. Now that the same bodyNational Judicial Council (NJC) - has lifted the suspension Justice KatsinaAlu should just accept the decision so that this matter will be laid to rest.

Justice Katsina-Alu can object as much as he wants to the return of Justice Salami, but the final say in respect of the matter rests with President Goodluck Jonathan, who put us all in this quagmire in the first place.

If Jonathan had not listened to

‘What is delaying the lifting of the suspension of Justice Salami following the recommendation of Justice Musdapher?...Mr President, please end this charade now...

The buck stops on your table, remember?’

political no-do-gooders, we probably will not be confronted with this judicial crisis. In the heat of the Katsina-Alu/Salami crisis last year, some politicians saw an opportunity to emasculate the judiciary. They took sides in the matter based on their vested political interests. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),which had some cases pending before the Court of Appeal was afraid that with Justice Salami as president there was no way the party could get the court to do its bidding.

Remember, it was Justice Salami's refusal to play ball in the Sokoto State governorship election dispute that got him into trouble with Justice Katsina-Alu. O, they decided that Justice Salami must go if PDP is not to suffer losses at the court. Thus, when NJC committed the faux pas of recommending the suspension of Justice Salami, Jonathan never thought the matter over before upholding the recommendation. He swiftly appointed Justice Dahiru Adamu as Acting PCA whereas the Constitution does not confer the NJC with power to suspend a judge. The president and NJC are still breaching the Constitution over this matter. Justice Salami has been prevented from doing his job because of his suspension and Justice Adamu appointed in acting capacity. The question now is: can Justice Adamu still be holding that office without recourse to Section 238 (5) of the Constitution which reads: Except on the recommendation of the NJC, an appointment pursuant to the provisions of subsection (4) of this section shall cease to have effect after the expiration of three months from the date of such appointment, and the president shall not reappoint a person whose appointment has lapsed. The said sub-

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section (4) stipulates: If the office of PCA is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until a person holding the office has resumed those functions, the president shall appoint the most senior Justice of the Court of Appeal to perform those functions.

Justice Adamu has been acting as PCA since August, last year when Justice Salami was stopped from doing his job following his suspension.

Can Justice Adamu still be said to be constitutionally holding office?

The answer is as clear as daylight since NJC is not known to have recommended an extension of his appointment. This is by the way though. What is delaying the lifting of the suspension of Justice Salami following the recommendation of Justice Musdapher on the strength of the reform panel's report? Are there plans to truncate Justice Salami's career with his suspension?

Where are those who advised the president to suspend him, citing the NJC's remmendation?

What have those advisers got to say on the recommendation of Justice Musdapher, who is NJC's chairman, that Justice Salami be returned to his post? The president can no longer keep quiet on this matter since Justice Musdapher sent his recommendation to him on January 31, that is over 23 days ago. It didn't take him up to three days to act on NJC's recommendation to suspend Justice Salami even when the case was and still is in court.

So, why is it taking him this long to reverse his earlier ill-advised decision. Mr President, please end this charade now and you won't lose anything by doing so. The buck stops on your table, remember?

Lawal Ogienagbon lawal.ogienagbon@thenationonlineng.net

Weep not for Zakari Biu He earned his reputation as a torturer in the days of the late Gen Sani Abacha. What he enjoyed most was torturing journalists who were only doing their jobs. Those days, it was a crime, in the book of Zakari Biu, to be a journalist. A lot of water, as they say, has passed under the bridge, since then. It is a different ball game hunting journalists and criminals, but Biu did not seem to know this. He has now paid the price. Yesterday, the Police Service Commission (PSC) found him culpable in the escape from police custody of Kabiru Sokoto, who has since been rearrested. Biu’s past seems to have caught up with him following his dismissal from service

by PSC. When he was hounding jounalists and committing other atrocities between 1993 and 1998 he never knew that a day like this will come. Many will say that he deserves his fate. How can a suspect escape from the hands of Zakari Biu? A whole Zakari Biu? It sounds unbelievable.

This is why the PSC described his defence as “weak and untenable”. Biu is finally gone, but let other Bius still in service learn from his fall.

SMS ONLY: 08056504763

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

EDITORIAL/OPINION

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ANUSI Lamido Sanusi is a man of many parts. He is richly endowed. He is an awarding winning banker or economist as he likes to describe himself, a born politician and an Islamic scholar, like his grandfather. Often conscious of his self worth, he freely displays that air of arrogance associated with Fulani noblemen. And because he is outspoken, candid with a gift of the gab, his activities are often dotted by controversies in spite of being master of all he surveys.

On fuel subsidy conundrum, he rightly identified the monumental fraud in NNPC and those behind it. But he insisted that the middle class and the poor should be held responsible. His donation to victims of Kano bombing by Boko Haram, his thesis that poverty in the North-east was due to lopsided revenue allocation which favoured oil producing states and his pronouncements on Sharia and Zakkat are no less controversial.

But they are all for a purpose.

Mallam Sanusi, as a Fulani prince is a natural politician. But much as he has tried to work the tight rope between being a Nigerian patriot and a scion of northern ruling hegemony, his pronouncements and disposition on national issues betray him.

Some two years back, during the launch of the book “An eye witness account of Nigeria history” by GOK Ajayi, he had insisted the British colonial masters, noted for their ‘divide and rule strategy’ did not favour the North. But it is on record that both Richard Palmer, the lieutenant governor of the North and Theodore Adams, the chief Commissioner for the North up to 1943, behaved more like northern irredentists. The duo treated the North as a separate country because according to Adams ‘Emirs considered the northern provinces as a

‘Contrary to what Sanusi may want us to see, critical analysis of his activities show a resourceful scion of the northern ruling hegemony that has despoiled and impoverished the north for over 200 years trying to build a new model to address current social realities as well as a northern irredentist masquerading as a Nigerian patriot’

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HE Peoples Democratic Party ‘bambiyala’ in Edo State, Okaredia Ihimekpen is at it again. Men whose pastime in politics is to flirt from one politician to the other; the hungry politician has gone to pitch tent with General Charles Airhiavbere who is testing his popularity in the upcoming PDP primaries.

One would have discountenanced Ihimekpen’s vituperations as published in the Sunday Vanguard of February 19 but for his penchant for naked lies, padded tales and boot-licking all to attract crumbs from Airhiavbere’s table.

Can Airhiavbere stand Oshiomhole in an election in Edo State? Airhiavbere should first test his popularity by contesting for the councillorship of his ward. I doubt if he can win his ward in a free and fair contest. Oshiomhole is a man loaded with ideas on how to govern people; he does not need to dub a retired Army General’s manifesto to make his mark in government.

The so-called Airhiavbere campaign organisation did not raise any issue worthy of response because they had no issue. If Oshiomhole has implemented all what Airhiavbere is calling his covenant with Edo people, then he does not have any manifesto and as such no need to contest. He has no superior idea from what Oshiomhole is dishing out already, so he should go and sit down.

The third point is that he tried to know who this writer is. He concluded by saying: “he was former Governor Igbinedion point man in the moribund Edo Line.” This is not true, Ihimekpen lied. I have never worked in Edo Line, whether as a staff, management or Board. Anybody is free to go and check the records in Edo Line or government records.

Maybe in his dream land, he saw me working in Edo Line. Like Airhiavbere, like Ihimekpen, twosome liars who are deceiving Edo people with a demonic covenant.

I agree with Ihimekpen that no politician ever comes to a campaign ground to say he will come to loot the treasury when he gets to power just as no soldier will get to a parade

Sanusi’s pursuit of northern hegemony separate country and any enforced cooperation with the south will lead to demand for a Pakistan’.

The various British policies thereafter were designed to safeguard the northern interest.

The subsequent British impatience with ‘Lagos agitators’, labelling of Zik as ‘unreliable and not trust- worthy’ to lead Nigeria and the demonization of Awo as a ‘communist’ as well as the rigging of 1952 census figures were all designed to impose a more conformist northerner as Nigeria post independence leader.

Sanusi’s false claim that ‘there is clearly a direct link between the very uneven nature of distribution of resources and the rising level of violence in the north’ to rationalise Boko Haram’s senseless killings of perceived enemies, during an Interview with William Wallis of London Financial Times, early this month put an end to all pretences. He ignores the fact that there are other states in the south that receive less than the two northern states, hot beds of Boko Haram .

He tries to obfuscate the real cause of poverty in the north including Kano that witnessed the uprising of ‘Maitasine’ sect in the guise of religion by irreligious poor in the early eighties, long before the paltry 13% the oil producing states were able to squeeze out of the selfish dominant ethnic groups (Hausa/Fulani, Igbo and Yoruba) that once enjoyed 50% when revenue was based on derivation.

It is also curious; Sanusi pretends not to see the linkage between those who supervised building of groundnut pyramids and the grand children of those who

produced the groundnut through sweat and blood. It is the grand children of the latter that today constitute Boko Haram’s foot soldiers. They are the poor entrapped by ‘ a meal a day and soft loan for empowerment scheme’ provided by Mohammed Yusuf , the founder of the sect as confirmed by Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima , early this week.

Sanusi’s banking reforms are no less controversial as some believe it is in pursuit of northern interest. In 2009, CBN and Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NIDC) claimed to have ‘discovered concealment of a substantial volume of unsecure and non performing loans in the books of some banks’. This they said was ‘evidence of gross neglect of internal control mechanism and due diligence in financial transaction and activities by bank’ to save the financial system from collapse and strengthen good corporate governance. The CBN governor sacked and prosecuted erring bank directors.

It is on record that the total negative assets of the eight distressed banks are as follows, Intercontinental approximately N331bn, Afribank 261bn, PHB 242bn, Union Bank 135bn, Finbank I05bn, Oceanic 94bn, Spring Bank 88bn and Equitorial Trust 27bn. Then CBN extended N620bn life line to the banks.

List of those indebted to the banks which included captains of industry were published in the national dailies and EFCC was set after them. We were also relished with stories and list of over three hundred choice properties and some private’s jets owned by these affected former CEOs of the banks. We were

Airhiavbere no match for Oshiomhole

By Dan Owegie ground and tell his colleagues that when he becomes the Commander of Army Finance Corps, he would loot the treasury. Were we to be in a sane society where laws work, by now some generals would be cooling their feet in prison, and not disturbing the convivial political firmament of the land with their booty. Ihimekpen ought to know better; but one can understand the desperation when hunger pangs bites hard and when children’s school fees are an issue. But people should learn to have some dignity even in poverty.

Again, one is pleased to note that Ihimekpen could see one area that Oshiomhole has performed well; he says it’s the environmental sector. Thank God for that realization. In all his previous diatribes against the performing governor of Edo State, Ihimekpen never acknowledged that Oshiomhole did well in any sector. That is how blind the man is.

When all Edos are pleading with Oshiomhole to continue his good works after July 14, some people are hiding in one corner, out of sheer envy that they are not the ones in power.

The busy body again says, “Edo Line, Bendel Breweries, Edo Cement Factory, and Ewu Flour Mill, which the Oshiomhole administration inherited are all grounded”. The question is what state did Oshiomhole inherit these institutions? Were they operating optimally from the Oserhiemen Osunbor interregnum? The problem with Ihimekpen and his paymasters is that they are allergic to truth, so their thirsty souls are better nourished with lies. When he was tracing my footsteps as to where he perceived I had served before he described Edo Line as “moribund”, meaning that that was before the coming of Oshiomhole as Governor in Edo State.

Why would you in another breath accuse Oshiomhole of grounding an organisation you described as moribund prior to his becoming governor if not that you want to be mischievous?

But to set the records straight, previous administrations, particularly the PDP, killed all these institutions listed by Ihimekpen.

Oshiomhole cannot go and put scarce resources of the Edo tax-payers on an institution that is heavily indebted to some unknown persons and groups. Edo people know those who grounded these companies.

Ihimekpen does not need to add it to his pool of lies.

Ihimekpen again raised the issue of accountability which his co-image launderers also raised in their treatise. But it is important to note that accountability first starts with what the people who sent you can see or feel or touch. Edo people are so pleased with what Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is doing in the state. The reality is so obvious for even the blind to feel. Ihimekpen has no fact to back his wild allegation of the construction of Airport Road in Benin City for N14 billion. The allegation is false and has no truth. He added almost N10 billion to the real contract sum and the fact is available for all to access. Why he elects to pad his figures is still unknown.

Clearly, Ihimekpen has nothing to tell Edo people concerning Oshiomhole’s performance in providing and reconstructing roads in the three senatorial districts of the state because that is one of the many areas that Oshiomhole scored distinction and that is why Edo people are bent on returning him come July 14.

Edo people have seen many grey haired aspirants who bet with their grey hair, yet

never told the total amount paid back by those captains of industry neither was any information given about how much was realised from the auctioning of the seized assets and what happened to the proceeds.

We similarly have no information on defaulters or the names of those whose indebtedness were written off and the basis for such action.

If indeed the proceeds from the seized assets were ploughed back to the banks, non economists are at a loss as to why stocks bought at between N28 and N30 on the shop floor are worth only about 50K now that smaller banks are buying over bigger banks.

But instead of providing information and explanation, Sanusi has arrogantly declared that ‘the market collapsed due to the illiteracy of investors’. He has not admitted that the loss of thousand jobs in the banking sector contributed to ‘the 29.3 unemployment rate’ which Sanusi claimed has ‘doubled since the last five years’? He is not saying what percentage will this be reduced by his N200bn allocation for The Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System of Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL) Small and Medium Enterprise Equity Investment Scheme (SMEEIS) Small and Medium Enterprise Credit Guarantee Scheme (SMEGGS) as he recently disclosed to his British audience.

Even among the Muslims, Sanusi’s views are no less controversial. But he has a badge of authority in a degree in Sharia and Islamic Studies from African International University in Khartoum, Sudan. As an offspring of the northern hegemony that has impoverished the north for over 200 years, using religion as a weapon, Sanusi is coming up with a new model to contain the rise of the oppressed ‘talakawas’. As a self confessed aspirant to Kano throne, he is warning ‘that all the trappings of ‘gender inequality in Muslim society has socio economic and cultural as opposed to religious roots’. And to the misguided Boko Haram, ‘Sharia is not divine, but merely religious and neither uniform nor unchanging’. And to assuage their raw feelings, ‘Zakat as an instrument for redistributing income.’ should be collected by government instead of the emirs.

Contrary to what Sanusi may want us to see, critical analysis of his activities show a resourceful scion of the northern ruling hegemony that has despoiled and impoverished the north for over 200 years trying to build a new model to address current social realities as well as a northern irredentist masquerading as a Nigerian patriot. we are still searching for the files of the compulsory savings they did for public servants.

Edo people cannot be deceived by grey hair covenants any more. Airhiavbere and Ihimekpen should know this.

What Oshiomhole is doing is putting the tax payer’s money into good use for them.

Anywhere in the world, taxes, rates and rents are used for development. Any aspirant who mean well will not deceive the people that he will abolish tax as PDP aspirants are doing.

All those who pay taxes and school fees are having a feel of what their money is being collected to do. I do not know if a socio-political group in the state known as association of Former Student Union Leaders took the Edo State Government by storm. What we know is that the PDP out of desperation, sponsors all kinds of opposition activities and give them colours as if they are real, but they are not. Oshiomhole is loved by students of tertiary institutions in the state and they are all rallying support to return him as governor.

Where Ihimekpen manufactures his stories from still baffles Edo people. Airhiavbere is no match for Oshiomhole any day, any time.

Oshiomhole does not take school fees to his house. He is an example of a selfless leader who has put his life on the line for the present and future generations of Edos to live and enjoy. Posterity will remember Oshiomhole on the positive side of history and those who plundered the public till would someday pay for their iniquities against this nation.

• Owegie is the Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Edo State

‘What Oshiomhole is doing is putting the tax payer’s money into good use for them. Anywhere in the world, taxes, rates and rents are used for development’

AHEAD OF AFCON QUALIFICATION MATCH

AFTERMATH OF PORT SAID TRAGEDY

Egypt’s Al-Ahly Keshi gets Rwanda tapes back in training Pg. 24

Pg. 41

Nation Thursday, February 23, 2012

PAGE 23

AHEAD OF RWANDA BATTLE

NFF aquires

CAF balls for Eagles T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not giving up anything to chance as the national team prepares for its 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers against the Wasps of Rwanda next week in Kigali.

On Wednesday, the football house provided the Eagles with new CAF balls used at the recent Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012 Nations Cup for their training ahead of the clash.

The yellow new balls with a dash of black,

are manufactured by world famous sports kits giant Adidas and are expected to be used for the match proper next Wednesday.

The curator of the team Chidi Ngoka and Secretary Dayo Achor Enebi arrived at about 12:00 noon with the new balls to the delight of the technical crew headed by Stephen Keshi. The balls were immediately put to use In yesterday's training at the FIFA Goal Project site, which was again held under the scorching Abuja sun.

The only time players of the national team had a feel of the balls was when they played a friendly against the Angolan national team last December in Abuja . The Angolans brought the balls specifically for preparation for the Nations Cup championship, which was eventually won by the Zambian national side.

Meanwhile, vastly improved striker, Izu Azuka, has given assurance that with the level of preparation of the national team,

victory will surely be theirs when they confront the Amavubvi in Rwanda on Wednesday, February 29.

“What we need from Nigerians is support and prayers, we have trained hard enough and we are certain that victory will surely come when we take on our opponents next week.

We can steal the thunder from Madrid —Musa Pg. 24

Explains Yobo’s, Taiwo’s invitation

25

THE NATION

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

email:- education@thenationonlineng.com

The Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) was founded on January 4, 2010. It took off at its permanent site with three accredited programmes. Three more have since been approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC), with ABUAD winning an award as the fastest growing private university in Africa. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN captures developments in the institution and the efforts being made to 'surpass dreams' as the university celebrates its Third Founder's Week.

• Academic area of ABUAD. Inset: Chief Afe Babalola

A varsity born to excel S

INCE it took off in 2010, there has been no looking back for Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD). The university has been growing in leaps and bound.

Those who don’t know the institution’s history can hardly believe that it is so young because this toddler university can boast of what many before it have not acquired many years after their establishment.

What makes ABUAD tick? The university has been able to take these giant strides through the tremendous support of its founder, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). Babalola has devoted time, money and energy to ensure that the university is among the best.

The university started with almost every-

‘

I have not lost any sleep at all for this accreditation. I was in the public service before this appointment and I know what the heads went through whenever an accreditation team was visiting thing in place: neatly sculptured, well-painted high-rise structures that serve as academic and office accommodations, well-paved roads, and pipe-borne water networked into

’

INSIDE: •OGUN DEFENDS OOU, TASUED MERGER - Page 27

student hostels. Other conveniences that often pass as luxury in like settings elsewhere • Continued on page 26

• EKITI TO BUILD MODEL SCHOOLS - Page 39

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

26

EDUCATION

•

UNILORIN FILE

100th inaugural lecture today THE 100th inaugural lecture of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will be delivered by Prof. Wahab Babatunde Rotimi Johnson today at the institution’s auditorium.

Rotimi of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health and Dean of Clinical Sciences, will speak on "Microbes and the bellows of young fellows: Towards proscribing a pernicious parley".

Food Science confab for May THE UNILORIN is to host the third Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) half-yearly conference/general meeting (Western chapter) between May 14 and 16. The theme is: "Traditional food processing technologies: past, present and future trends" The Sub-Themes are: "Traditional food processing technologies and climate change; "Efficiency and standardisation of traditional food processing technologies"; "Nutritional, microbiological and sensory characteristics of traditional food products; "Biotechnology in traditional food processing engineering and traditional food processing"; and "Women in traditional food processing value addition and traditional food processing".

The Keynote Speakers: are Prof.

S. F. Adedoyin, Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State, and Dr. M. A. Adesida, Director, Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin.

More donations for WAUG MORE Nigerians have continued to donate towards the 13th West Africa University Games (WAUG) coming up at UNILORIN between March 27 and April 7.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Chief Bayo Ojo and Chief Duro Adeyele of Bayo Ojo and Co. have donated N200,000 towards the hosting of the games. Some companies have also donated materials.

Excelture Phamacy Plc, Ilorin, donated a first aid box Zoomota Healthcare Ltd, Lagos, and Elorapha Phamacy, Ilorin, supported the games with assorted drugs through the Medical SubCommittee of WAUG Local Organising Committee.

Group lauds varsity radio A MEDIA organisation based in Ilorin, the Muslim Media-Watch Group, has lauded the establishment of UNILORIN 89.3fm. The goup also commended the radio station for raising the bar of radio broadcasting in Kwara State.

According to a letter of commendation, signed by the group's Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullah the establishment of the station is another feather to the cap of the university. He said the university is known for being innovative, enterprising and dedicated.

The group said the signals of the radio station are clear, adding that the programmes aired on the station are edifying and fantastic.

• Justice Emmanuel Ayoola inaugurating the new law garden inside the ultra-modern law building during the 3rd Founder’s Day celebration ... on Tuesday

A varsity born to excel • Continued from page 25

were also provided and tastefully furnished.

The structures, including the institution’s layout, is modern.

Occupying about 130 hectares of land some six kilometres from AdoEkiti, capital of Ekiti State, ABUAD, which is opposite The Federal Polytechnic, boasts of lush green lawns at rainy seasons, which turn tannedgold in dry season.

As a visitor makes his way into the securely recessed school environment from the main entrance, the view of ABUAD unfolds piecemeal, revealing the academic buildings lined to the left and student hostels to the right.

Why are student hostels this very close to the academic area? ViceChancellor (VC), Prof Sidi Osho, said the closeness is deliberate.

"They don't have to walk distances and get fagged out before they access the lecture rooms," she said. "If any of them have to return to his/ her hostel to pick something, it should not present a hurdle in any way."

She added: "It is also an advantage during emergencies as help could be accessed and given almost im-

mediately while the need to monitor and keep a tab on the conduct of the students themselves is another compelling reason."

On how far the school has gone in sustaining the vision of its founder, the VC said the institution has surpassed the dream through a synergy of adequate facilities, well-tested scholar-lecturers, almost foolproof school administration, with an accompaniment of other ancillary but critical support of several other variables.

'It should be said that the dream of its founder is to develop a world class academic institution which would meet any standard anywhere in the world," she said.

From starting out with three colleges, ABUAD has got the nod to add three more.

She said: "We started with just three colleges at inception - Law, Social and Management Sciences and Sciences. The following year, NUC (National Universityies Commission) approved for us the College of Engineering and, subsequently, we got approval for Medicine and Health Sciences, making a total of six.

"Especially in the College of Engineering, we have a department of

Mechatronics Engineering, which is the first-ever in Nigeria. It is a combination of other familiar fields like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics and other allied fields."

To ensure its students compete favourably on the world stage, Prof Osho said they are made to learn international languages in addition to local languages.

"The standing policy is that every student must be able to speak at least a Nigerian language and at least one other international language apart from English. All the students have access to either or both of French and Chinese. Initially, French gained more attention but lately Chinese has surpassed French on the scale of popularity with the students. In the last academic session, 15 students travelled to France under the Language Acquisition Programme. Those who would travel to China may eventually triple or quadruple that France figure," she said.

Prof Osho attested to the quality of students the university is training when she said: "One area our students are excelling now is Accounting. One of our students in 200-Level just emerged second best in the Account-

ing Technicians Scheme examination for West Africa.

"Again, they have been engaged in tutorials for the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and are being prepared for the exams since they completed the 100Level. All these tell you that we are doing the right thing. As our students are receiving lectures and we send them for ICAN exams."

On the adequacy of facilities and personnel for the accreditation of courses the VC said the university is always prepared.

She said: "I have not lost any sleep at all for this accreditation. I was in the public service before this appointment and I know what the heads went through whenever an accreditation team was visiting.

They would borrow this and borrow that. They also would buy most other things in a hurry just to create an impression of being sufficient for the accreditation.

However, here in ABUAD all the institution needs for the students have been in place since the students were in 100-Level."

However, Prof Osho spoke of a need to have an ICAN examination centre in the institution, given the number of candidates the school has been presenting for the professional examination since inception.

Ibadan council offers remedial classes

T

HE Ibadan North East Local Government, Oyo State has launched free remedial classes for candidates writing this year's Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) in public schools in its domain.

Acting Chairman of the council, Mr Abodunrin Alatise, who launched the programme at the council secretariat on Iwo Road, said that the initiative was in line with Governor Abiola Ajimobi's efforts to improve the perfor-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

mance of pupils in public examinations in the state.

He explained that the free lessons will hold between Friday and Sunday in zones to allow pupils from schools in the same location to learn together in the locality.

The popular Loyola College and Lagelu Grammar School will serve as the initial two centres while others are expected to be added later.

He said teachers have been en-

gaged to teach the pupils in major subjects where they need to improve for the examination slated for April and May. Speaking on the intiative, Alatise said: "The remedial classes organised in all the 33 local governments of Oyo State is a noble and laudable idea for the main objective of improving the academic performance of our children espe-

cially those in senior secondary school that are preparing for May/ June examination.

"The gesture augurs well for a time such as this when report of failure is rampant in most of our secondary schools. By all indication, our children stand a better chance of improving generally if this opportunity is used maximally," he said.

Varsity denies culpability in student's death

T

HE Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo has said it is not to blame for the death of Elvis Abu, a computer science student, at the institution's health centre.

At a press conference in Lagos, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof Kolawole Jaiyeoba, said Abu was promptly attended to but died before he could be referred to another hospital.

He refuted claims that the student died because his permission was needed to operate the school's generator during power outage.

"It is not true that the generator was switched off. The university's generator is constantly used without permission from the VC or any other officer. Besides, the Health

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Centre has its standby generator," he said.

He added: "Giving oxygen to the patient did not require power supply, so it is not true that there was power outage and the oxygen stopped."

Jaiyeoba claimed that miscreants, not the students, vandalised the institution's property.

"There were some miscreants who came inside during the disruption.

It was only one or two persons that set a paper on fire and dropped it on the carpet inside a block of offices.

It was a student that drew the attention of the authorities to the fire,” he said.

“From rescue to refugee and redeployment... we are now a reference point!”

27

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

EDUCATION

Ogun defends OOU, TASUED merger

O

GUN State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Segun Odubela, has said the decision of the government to convert the Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED), Ijagun to an institute under the Faculty of Education at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye is in the best interest of the state.

However, workers at TASUED do not agree with him, describing the decision as destructive.

At the matriculation of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, last week, the commissioner said the move is aimed at ensuring schools are well-funded.

He said: "I am sure you have come about certain events in recent times. The decision of the state government to merge these institutions, especially Tai Solarin University of Education was in the best interest of the people of Ogun state.

"It is better for us to produce quality students that will meet the standards of education worldwide.

We will do everything to ensure that we bring more developments into our higher institutions. Every effort of the government will be made towards ensuring that all our schools are well-funded."

But workers of the university do not think so. They have sent a bulky letter to Governor Ibikunle Amosun detailing why they believe the government is mistaken.

The document was signed by leaders of the four unions in the institution including Chairmen of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Anthony Oyenuga; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Ademola Adesanya; Non-Academic Staff Union of Tertiary and Allied Institutions, Mr Dan Opeifa; and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Mr Adebambo Adesoji.

They faulted the government's claim that TASUED had lost focus by running courses such as Mass Communication, Petroleum Science, Transport Planning and Management, Telecommunication and Information Technology and Peace and Security Management, saying the programmes were contained in the statutes establishing the university.

•It’s destructive, say workers

Rescind decision on TASUED, alumnus urges Amosun

A

MEMBER of the House of Representatives, representing Epe Federal Constituency, Hon Lanre Odubote, has urged Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to rescind the decision to subsume Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun under the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

Odubote, an alumnus of the institution, said the upgrading of the school by the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel from a college of education to a University was geared towards producing tertiary teachers.

He said the reversion the 2005 decision by the Amosun administration might destroy the dream of the forefathers of the state. He further explained that many alumni of the institution are not happy about the "ugly development", stating that apart from the fact that TASUED provides teaching at academic level, it also provides meteorological services to the society.

He said there is a lot of misinforBy Kofoworola Belo-Osagie and Ernest Nwokolo

In an interview with The Nation former ASUU-TASUED Chair, Mr Adepoju Razaq, said the courses are being offered so that the university can provide tertiary level teachers that can teach in universities, polytechnics and other such institutions as: Petroleum Training Institute, Effurun; Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and the like.

"The enabling law signed right from the onset assented to those courses. Because we were vision-

• Odubote

By Oziegbe Okoeki

mation about the institution, noting that "aspirations of many prospective students striving to study teaching at higher level might be killed if government's decision is allowed to subsist."

"We must strive to increase the number of universities, teaching higher education rather than decreasing them in the state,'' he said.

The legislator further said: "I believe the majority of people are against the government’s decision.

So the government should rescind the decision in order to restore people's confidence in government activities. This is education, not politics. Many of us alumni are not happy about this ugly development. We are opposed to it and we will continue to agitate until the wish of the people is respected." ary that they were courses offered in Nigerian universities. TASUED is not producing teachers only for SSCE but for institutes and organisations that have training schools," he said.

He added that unlike in conventional universities, where education students are not well grounded in their core subjects, at TASUED, students are trained not only to be experts in their subjects, but to be educators as well.

"We are training somebody who is vast in Mass Communication and also has the methodology to

impact the knowledge. That is the gap TASUED has come to fill. In the B.Ed programme offered by the conventional university, in your teaching subject, you are going to offer only the compulsory courses to make way for the education courses. At the end of the day you would have students who in content are not grounded. However, in TASUED, students offer all the compulsory courses in the teaching subjects and also do education courses," he said.

Refuting claims that TASUED was funded to the detriment of OOU, Oyenuga the current ASUU chairman said the government's contribution to capital project development is N177 million, compared to the N1.85 billion the university got from contributions by individuals and corporate organisation to build infrastructure.

"The only contribution of government to capital project in TASUED is N177million. OOU has been in crisis since 1996. If you now say that the government funded TASUED to the detriment of OOU, it is malicious. The proposed merger is more of a destructive one that a reformation," he said.

Another lecturer, Olumide Olusanya, added that TASUED has been able to survive in the past seven years because of judicious use of funds, not because of favourable government funding.

He explained that the last administration even owed salaries for 10 months.

"We have been able to succeed through discipline and prudent financial management. When ASUU agreement was signed, government called us and said it will pay only 70 per cent of the remuneration and that the university should source the remaining 30 per cent internally.

The facilities in TASUED today have been built by illustrious sons and ETF. PublicPrivate Partnership has assisted TASUED to the level it has got," he said.

While TASUED has been able to acquire facilities, Mr Wale Ositoye, the Financial Secretary of ASUU-TASUED, said OOU cannot boast of same.

"Our university clinic is not a rented apartment. Our VC's Lodge and Guest Houses are not rented.

All these are rented at OOU," he said.

Primary six pupil wins in Spelling Bee

M

ASTER Badmus Ibrahim a Primary 6 pupil of West Town Primary School FESTAC, Lagos, has emerged first in the preliminary stage of the yearly Spelling bee competition conducted by the Amuwo Odofin Local Government, Lagos State.

Similarly, Masters Oluwaseyi Joshua and Effiong Wisdom both Primary 6 pupils of fourth Avenue Primary School, fourth Avenue and AUD Primary School, Adesoba, clinched the second and third positions.

In the secondary school cadre, Miss Chika Okeke of FESTAC Senior College, FESTAC, topped the chart slamming Udayat Esther of Amuwo Odofin Grammar School and Kamarudeen Habeeb also of Odofin Senior Secondary School.

At the competition at the council headquarters at 41 Road Festac Town, words like: advertise, embassy, equipment, increase, vacancy, universe, gratuity, halogen, illiterate, linguistic, among others, became hard nuts to crack for the nearly 100 participants at the Primary level who crashed out one after the other having failed to spell certain words correctly.

Also, their counterparts at the sec-

FUNAAB FILE

Praises for VC on ranking COMMENDATIONS have trailed last week's feat by Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) as the second best university in Nigeria and 35th in Africa, in the World Universities' Web Ranking.

For instance the Deputy ViceChancellor (Academics), Prof Toyin Arowolo, described the achievement as a justification of ViceChancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Balogun's efforts.

"I am extremely happy because it is a justification of the efforts, he (the Vice-Chancellor) has put in.

Prof Balogun has worked tirelessly for this university. We are proud of FUNAAB because anywhere we go, people always asked us: How are you people doing it?" she said.

Prof Femi Bamiro of the Department of Chemistry, described it as international recognition for FUNAAB and underscored the need for continuity.

"What is left for us now is to continue to develop on what the outgoing Vice-Chancellor has done. I am talking of development of our laboratories, development of our lecturers, through linkages and publications, development of our first class graduates through international exposure and scholarship from the Federal Government," he said.

Nestle donates books to library NESTLE Nutrition Institute has added value to FUNAAB by donating books to the Nimbe Adedipe Library.

The Scientific and External Affairs Manager, Mrs. Chioma Emma-Nwachukwu, who led the Nestle team to the university, said the donation was meant to provide enlightenment on new research findings on nutrition as well as to help update old publications in the university library.

Mrs Emma-Nwachukwu said the Nestle Nutrition Institute is a forum where scientists come together for research and brainstorm on nutritional issues while the mother organisation, Nestle Nigeria Plc, provides assistance in funding.

Appreciating the generous donation, the University's Acting Librarian, Dr Mulikat Salaam, noted that the company had been a worthy partner of the university and the Library, in particular.

Dr. Salaam disclosed that the Library has a unit, dedicated to the former Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nestle Foods Nigeria Plc, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, for his endowment to the library.

Send off for corps members

• Mrs Iwuoha (left) presenting the star prize to Miss Okeke. With them is Mrs Mayowa Ikuforiji, Council’s Head of Department of Education.

By Adegunle Olugbamila

ondary category were dazzled by word such as a parliament, approximate, adjourn, acupuncture, abracadabra, adjourn, absenteeism and many more.

Chairman of the council, Comrade Ayodele Adewale, lauded Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose 'New Era Foundations' initiated the Spelling Bee project 12 year ago. He said the competition has achieved its aim of promoting healthy rivalry among participants, improve pupils' spelling ability, and has proved doubt-

ing Thomases wrong that the best brains are in the private schools.

"The Spelling Bee has also proved that pupils from public schools can do better than their counterparts in the private. The best of teachers are in the public schools, so what we need do is to give them more care and appreciate their work. Their wage can be better," Ayodele advised.

The overall winner at the competition, Adewale stressed, have the privilege to act as the council's chairman for one day to serve as inspiration to others. The winner will

also enjoy scholarships, in addition to various excursions to fascinating places across the Southwest states as is the council's tradition, he added.

His administration, he stressed will consolidate on his previous achievements which he said included renovation and upgrading of the 17 of the 20 existing schools both in the upland and coastal areas of the council, training of teachers and provision of modern toilets with boreholes and 6KVA generators to power them, provision of notebooks and uniforms, free JAMB forms, among others.

FUNAAB has held a send-off party for the 2011/2012 Batch 'A' corps members who served in the university.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Director, Establishment Matters, Mr Omowon Agbotoba, noted that the occasion was worthwhile as the outgoing corps members had served their fatherland, diligently. Represented by Mrs. Olufunke Makanjuola, he charged the corps members to be of good behaviour at all times.

Commenting on their experiences, one of them, Mr. Oriloye Emmanuel, described his posting to FUNAAB as God-ordained.

Also, Miss Lela Omo-Ikirodah, who served with the Directorate of Public Relations, said FUNAAB workers made her feel at home while the outgoing Internal Corper Liaison Officer (ICLO), Mr Ubong Oko, appreciated the steadfastness of the vice-chancellor in making FUNAAB a model university in Nigeria.

28

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

EDUCATION

V

ICE-CHANCELLOR of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Adetokunbo Sofoluwe, was happy to talk about the feats of two of its products during the 46th convocation of the institution on Wednesday and Thursday last week.

Both are 26-year-olds who have made their mark academically, at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

One of them, Iziren Josiah Akhigbe, graduated with the highest Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) ever in the annals of the university. The Mechanical Engineering graduand finished with a CGPA of 4.98.

The other, Temitope Olabisi Adeyemi, is the youngest PhD graduate the university has produced. She also won the best PhD thesis award for her research on: "Molecular Systematics and DNA barcoding of African Sapindaceae" in Botany.

Akhigbe spent five years earning a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) graduating with a distinction (3.58) before he gained Direct Entry admission into UNILAG in 2008 where he also proved his mettle.

Temitope didn't go that route. While Akhigbe was in YABATECH, she was doing her undergraduate programme in Botany at UNILAG and graduated with a First Class in 2006.

However, both have a drive to succeed in common.

Akhigbe was inspired by his mother, a secondary school teacher, and friends to achieve the best, while Temitope, who wanted to study Medicine, decided she would still make it as another kind of doctor.

Of his motivation, Akhigbe said: "In the beginning I just thought that I was in UNILAG, where it happens so let me just come and happen - not to play per se say but just to have fun. I had a distinction from another school so a 2.1 would be

‘Go for distinction’ RECTOR of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State Dr. Mufutau Olatunde Olatinwo, has urged new intakes into the institution to start working very hard in their various programmes so that they can achieve the a distinction grade on graduation.

The Rector, who gave the charge in his address at the 19th matriculation of the institution at the weekend, disclosed that the institution was poised to sustain the current tempo of academic and professional discipline and excellence and as a result, the new students must start thinking of how to contribute effectively to useful academic activities in their various departments.

The 46th convocation of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) last week was a celebration of excellence by both students and their faculties, particularly two 26-year-olds who graduated.

KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE and MEDINAT KANABE report on their achievements.

• Prof Rufa’i making a presentation to Prof Darocha. With them is Deacon Onosode (left) and Prof Sofoluwe (second right)

UNILAG celebrates brilliant scholars at convocation okay. However, I had people around me who motivated me. My Mum told me that since I had always wanted to go to UNILAG and finally got it, I should work hard to get a first class and make the family proud. Chris Ogbunuzor was another great influence.

He started with a GPA of 3.8 and told me the story of a student who made 5.00 each semester from his 300-Level. So we decided to work towards that."

Following his pact with Chris, Akhigbe said he hit the 5.00 benchmark all but once, and that was in the second semester of his 300-Level, when he made a 4.90.

Temitope, who has chosen to be a lecturer, also had a mentor in one of her faculties.

She said: "I decided to pursue the programme due to my passion to become a doctor. I resolved to get a doctorate degree since I didn't go for medicine and surgery as I had planned as a 'jambite'. Also, I saw it as an opportunity to improve on my skills, enhance my knowledge and

• Olabisi

• Josiah

build my capacity in teaching/lecturing which is the career path I have chosen.

"My inspiration was from God and my zeal to excel in everything that I do. In addition, I was highly inspired by

my ever supportive mentor and supervisor, Prof O.T. Ogundipe, a well known molecular systematics expert worldwide, who exposed me to all the necessary opportunities needed for me to excel in

my programme. I would always remain indebted to him."

The duo also spoke kindly about the conducive environment they had to study. While Akhigbe devoted time to his books, Temitope spent three years doing her PhD, which is a record in the Nigerian university education system.

"The environment is conducive for study. It depends on how you plan your time. I try to read something in the morning once I have nothing doing. I do not read overnight so I try to do all my reading during the day," Akhigbe said.

Temitope said: "I had a very pleasant experience as I was able to complete my Ph.D programme in three years."

To improve the education system the duo made their recommendations. While Akhigbe would want an end to strikes, Temitope advocates investments in facilities.

"I believe to ensure quality education in the country at all levels, universities need to ensure a very conducive learning environment by providing conducive class-

rooms, functional/modern laboratory facilities, accommodation, access to books and relevant journals, grants and scholarships as well as ensuring that the curriculum is actually relevant and applicable in the real world and not just abstract," she said.

However, it was not only the graduands that shone at the event as the university presented Prof Olukemi Abiodun Odukoya and Prof John Taiwo Darocha with Gold Medals for their outstanding contribution to knowledge, teaching, research supervision.

Darocha, who was also installed an Emeritus professor of the university, joined the institution, in 1965 and retired in 2003.

Part of his achievements includes being in the army during the India war as a surgeon, was Head of Department of Surgery in the University, has over 70 science publications, is a Knight of St Sylvester and has interest in photography gardening, farming, and collecting arts.

On her part, Prof Odukoya, who is currently the Head of Department, Pharmacy, is a Professor of pharmacology and has won many awards including academic exchange fellowship awards, African women in agricultural research award, and the best researcher in UNILAG in 2007 and 2008.

In his speech, the university's Pro-Chancellor, Deacon Gamaliel Onosode, congratulated members of the Governing Council who have been returned to their positions to continue their assignment and thanked the federal government for restoring the councils.

He congratulated the graduands and advised them to represent the university positively.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Education, Prof Ruquyyatu Ahmed Rufa'i, who represented President, Goodluck Jonathan, congratulated the graduating students, their parents and guardians.

She assured them of their commitment to bringing the desired transformation in the education sector, adding that this is their decade of progress and prosperity.

Hinting that not long ago she launched a new job creation scheme, she said this would create about 100,000 jobs for youths between 18 and 35 in the next four years.

FUNAAB is 35th in Africa

T

HE Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is celebrating its landmark leap in the World Universities' Web Ranking, released last Friday for January edition of the exercise.

FUNAAB came second in Nigeria and 35th in Africa from seventh and 60th in the

•Now Nigeria's second best last edition of the rankings July last year.

According to the ranking, conducted by the Cybermetrics Lab, a research group belonging to the Consejo Superior de Investigacious Cientificas (CSIC), Spain, the University of Benin, emerged the best in Nigeria and 22nd in Africa.

The University of Ibadan came third, followed by the University of Nigeria, N s u k k a , O b a f e m i Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the Univer-

sity of Lagos.

Other front runners include: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, University of Ilorin and University of Jos, while Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, on 10th position, equally emerged the best polytechnic in Nigeria.

The only private university that made the list of the first 19 tertiary institutions in the country is Covenant University, Ota, which came 13th.

Commenting on the ranking, the Head of the FUNAAB's Webometric Centre, Dr Olusegun Folorunso, attributed the feat to "the courage and the good foresight of the vice-chancellor in establishing a Webometrics Centre for the university".

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Oluwafemi Balogun, whose tenure ends in May, attributed the ground breaking performance of the university to the doggedness and co-operation of the entire workforce and students of the institution.

"I can only just attribute the success to the efforts and cooperation of all staff and students, in driving the good vision that the current administration has for the University.

"You will recall that we were not even rated at all at a stage and it was appearing as if we were inferior to others, but to the glory of God and the strong determination of all stakeholders, we are today considered as second in the country and 35th out of 695 Universities from

• Prof Balogun

48 different countries of Africa", he said.

Balogun reiterated that his administration would not let off steam, regardless of the few months it had in the saddle before the expiration of the tenure, assuring community members and general public that other outstanding performances should be expected from the University.

29

UNICAL bans SUG

*CAMPUSES

Pain in the dress

Page 31

*NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS *GRANTS

Page 34

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: ladycampus@yahoo.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

It is exactly one year today that the Students Union Government (SUG) was banned at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. The students told SIKIRU AKINOLA (300-Level Political Science) they have learnt their lesson and now want the body back.

We have learnt a lesson, say students O

NE year ago today, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, was proscribed. The ban followed the protest against a new fee, health insurance, and increase in accommodation fee. Though initiated by first and second year students, the action was eventually led by officials of the SUG. First, the authorities shut the institution for about three months. The Students Union was also suspended. Next, Fredrik Joel (president), Nelson Benjamin (secretary-general) and Oluseyi Adegoke (speaker) were also suspended for one semester. A 100-Level student, Olawale Ogunruku, was allegedly “deregistered” from the institution’s e-portal for participating in the protest.

If the intent of the long stay-at-home was to cow the students, it succeeded. Since their return last May, they have ensured that they didn’t step out of turn.

One of them, who did not want to be named, said: “It is quite sad what has become

of otherwise radical and revolutionary Great Ife students. In the face of rising cases of theft, intimidation by cultists, harassment of ladies, influx of gays and lesbians, hike in prices of goods and services, scarcity and epileptic supply of water and light, rape and practices only heard of in other campuses, our once upon a time radical students cannot do anything to protect themselves. The absence of the union is being felt terribly.”

CAMPUSLIFE investigation revealed that though the union was banned just last year, long before then, cracks have emerged in the ranks of its leaders with ideologues from the far left and right laying stakes. There is also the disconnect between students who want hitch-free academic calendar and those ready to protest perceived and real exploitation from any quarter.

Another student, who also did not want to be named, blamed past authorities for what he called the “systematic division of our students”. This, he added, was “because what we fought for was legal, historic and nor-

mal. There is also the unfortunate attitude of some comrades (student leaders) who are in truth the management’s boys. They have consistently betrayed the students’ struggle.”

Many of the students, who spoke to our correspondent, admitted that the events that led to the proscription were regrettable; but they pleaded with the authorities to restore the union now.

Isaac Ibikunle, in 300-Level Law, is the immediate past chairperson of Angola Hall. He said: “We have learnt our lessons. The authorities should, as a matter of urgency, restore our union as it is the only platform that can be used to address the numerous security challenges. And at a time we are preparing to host the Nigeria University Games (NUGA) as well as mark the institution’s 50th anniversary, it is expected that students – through our union – be allowed to work together with the normal university security personnel to control whatever challenges may be posed. Students’ collaboration here •Continued on page 30

•Bisola

‘Discrimination still happens abroad’ Bisola Alabi is an A-Level student of Law at Birddengtan Upper School, Bedfordshire County, England. She started out at Osogbo, Osun State, before she left for the UK to complete her secondary education. OPEOLUWA SONUGA (300-Level Law, Obafemi Awolowo University) met her.

D

ESCRIBE for us your first day in school in Bedford?

I remember, on seeing many white pupils in the class, I had asked if there was any black pupil because I was lonely. My first week was hell. Because you are black and you are the only one in the school, everyone stared at you like you are strange.

•The students protesting after their union was suspended by the management

•Continued on page 30

•Students clash over lecture room - P32 • Varsity prays for crisis-free session - P33

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

30

CAMPUS LIFE

The price of Pushing Out ignorance

T

HE last two articles on this column dwelt on some sad developments we had to contend with, in the education sector. Sadder still, as I mentioned last week, there were many others not included. An instructive aspect of the three stories I examined is that parents, children, university authorities and the government each came up as performing below expectation. Thus, while many of us would love to bash only the government and, sometimes, management authorities, truth is that each of us has our job cut out for us; that is, if we are truly desirous of making Nigeria work.

While lamenting the amount being blown by the National Assembly on perks of office alone in the 2012 budget, comparing it with the total money (N55billion) budgeted for capital projects in the educational sector, I remarked that these wastages (and misplacement of priorities) can only be in a society which is cursed with uneducated leaders. A popular adage goes: “if you think education is expensive; try ignorance”. Anyone who ever doubted that saying should come to Nigeria and see how we run our affairs.

The country has paid terribly and is still paying for the lack of investment in education. When I say “education”, I mean the word in its holistic sense. It is from the whole that you get to the narrower, specialised areas. According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, education, in its broadest, general sense “is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next…. it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts”.

Since then, we have all seen the wrong in our ways. But pray, what has stopped us from repenting and retracing our steps? Why have successive “new breed” politicians remained hell-bent in continuing in the accursed ways of their fathers? Why do we prefer to waste, in the most with obscene manners, state funds on perks of office than live normal lives so as to use the bulk of the money for real 08054503104 developmental purposes?

Mr. Dimeji Bankole became Speaker (SMS only) of the House of Representatives un•campuslife@thenationonlineng.net der 40years of age. Prior to that time, he had attended some of the best •ladycampus@yahoo.com schools in the world. He speaks well and has With what one sees of our public officials the urbane style of the well-travelled. But re(including civil servants), what process cently, while acquitting him of criminal culformed their way of thinking and feeling pability in a loan taking case brought against which is reflected in their acting? We seem him by the EFCC, the judge ruled that he was agreed that the lack of visionary leadership “morally wrong” in his action. The same did not start today; thus, we have been led for Bankole, together with others, had sold his the most part by men who today are between official quarters to himself as he was leaving 70 and 100 years (including the late ones). office. The same country he “served” had to Most of these leaders completely thrashed the pay him heavily in rent to keep his successor, values of their own parents in their bid to Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in the same house embrace those of the white man. But they got built with state funds! it awfully mixed up somewhere because what Wikipedia equally defined education, in its they eventually left us is nowhere near what narrow, technical sense, to mean the formal the English (our colonial master) was then or process by which a society deliberately transis today. mits its accumulated knowledge, skills, cusIn 1966, Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu led a toms and values from one generation to ancoup because he was miffed by the corrupother. An example is instruction in schools, tion of First Republic politicians. In his book, at different levels. That being so, what knowlFrom Third World to First: The Singapore Story, edge (skills, customs and values) was transLee Kuan Yew narrated how he once met mitted to Bankole and other young people in Chief Festus Okotie-Eboh (then Finance minpower? Having seen the error (not mere misister) at a conference in Accra in January 1966 takes) in the way their fathers conducted the and the latter spoke about introducing a speaffairs of state, what difference did they show cial policy to help the manufacturing indusin knowledge, skills and values? try. It turned out that the Nigerian was introAs Speaker, Bankole had gone round some ducing the policy because he had plans to set of the major universities delivering great up a shoe factory. Aghast, Lee had remarked speeches on youth and nation building. But to one of his aides who sat with him that even then, I had once taken a copy of his “clearly, these people (Nigerians) operated speech given at the Bayero University, Kano by different rules”.

Ngozi Agbo

‘I have passion for change’

‘Discrimination still happens’ •Continued from page 29

Have you ever experienced discrimination?

Definitely! Discrimination still happens till today.

Have you held positions before?

Yes. When I was in year eight, I was the library monitor. When I was 11 years, I was the school councillor.

What is a ‘school councillor’?

There is a Year Council and the School Council. The Year Council finds out from the students what needs to be done to improve the school, and if there is any challenge the authorities are not aware of. We embarked on research. They would take the findings to the school council. The council is like the Students’ Union that takes decisions on students’ behalf.

When I put in for my A levels, I became a Peer Mentor. Peer mentors help new pupils through mentoring in their education, and teach them subjects they don’t know.

How would you compare UK education with Nigeria’s?

I think education in the UK is easier.

No lesson lasts for more than one hour 15 minutes with 30 minutes Powerpoint presentation. And then the teacher asks you to read whatever you want to read till your exams. In Nigeria, teachers don’t seem to care if you pass or fail.

What do you have to say about freedom in the UK? Freedom is what makes people fail in the United Kingdom, especially Nigerian students. There is so much freedom and you do whatever you want to do unlike when you are at home.

Do you still have taste for Nigerian foods?

Of course! I love jollof rice.

How about your taste for traditional clothing?

I still love African fashion especially Yoruba attires. Most times, I give out Ankara to my white friends and they love it so much. It is usually funny to see Ankara on them; but they love it.

(BUK) and tried to connect his grandiloquent words with his actions as the fourth most powerful man in government.

But this is not just about Bankole. At 45, Tambuwal is another young man in power.

History will yet judge his actions. President Goodluck Jonathan is under 60; so also are many governors, ministers and lawmakers.

This means that most were under 10 or yet to be born when Nigeria became independent in 1960. Why do they keep doing things the same way, and even worse than their predecessors, having seen the folly in continuing so?

In the book, Corruption and Development in Africa - Lessons from Country Case Studies, Kempe Ronald Hope Sr and Bornwell C. Chikulo opens with these words: “Although the incidence of corruption varies among African countries, ranging from rare (Botswana), to widespread (Ghana), to systemic (Nigeria), the majority of the countries are in the range of widespread to systemic”. Systemic is defined as pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole. It also means something that has been absorbed and circulated by a plant or other organism (a nation in this case) so as to be lethal to anything that feeds on it. This was a book published in 2000. Long before it came out, we had (and even since then) remained among the top corrupt nations in the world.

In many instances, war-torn countries like Somalia and Afghanistan have fared better than us!

So, it is no secret that we have allowed corruption to rob us of all the benefits of education. In the 60s and 70s, we could still parade good schools. But by the mid to late 80s when we let off completely on our education, things finally went downhill. Today, it is not only the schools that are eaten off by corruption, our families and churches have fallen prey. Corruption is lethal, it is life-sapping; it is the price of ignorance.

Who will deliver us?

Ciao

•Victor

Y

OU are just two months old in office. All the same, what would you say your government has achieved?

After my inauguration last December, I organised a quiz competition for 100-Level students to help boost their academic performance.

We have been able to reduce the prices of food and haircut around the campus. Before now, a plate of food was sold at N200 inside school and N250 outside. But now, a plate is sold at N150 on the school premises. Also, because of the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy, bus drivers increased their fares but we were able to bring it down to N40.

What lured you into politics?

I have passion for positive change and I like it when things are done according to the ethics and principles of morality. This is my reason for contesting for the union president and I am happy that I won the election.

What are your future plans for students?

We are working to make hostels affordable for all our students.

Landlords of hostels around the campus have been making cool money at the expense of off-campus students. They collect high rent for a room that does not have good facilities. But we are working as-

Victor Onuegbu is a 300-Level student of Psychology and President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka. He spoke with UCHE ANICHEBE (400-Level Law). siduously to ensure the rent is brought down to what students can pay depending on the facilities in the hostel. We are also going to organise academic and empowerment programmes, such as seminars and workshops.

Appraise the strength of students’ unionism in UNIZIK? Well, the past four to five years witnessed an era when students did not have a say in the election of their union leaders. The management of the school was always fingered in elections in those days.

However, since Prof Boniface Egboka became the Vice-Chancellor and set up his team, the students have been allowed to elect their leaders freely and fairly.

What are the challenges you face as a leader?

I have to combine leadership and my academics. But I create time to study my books and attend lectures. Also, almost everybody expects you to satisfy them and you know that it is practically impossible to satisfy everybody.

What is your philosophy of life?

You are responsible for your actions, no matter your circumstances and challenges.

•OAU students on Ife highway protesting

‘We have learnt a lesson’ •Continued from page 29

is a priority; thus, the restoration of our union is vital.”

Condemning the usual style adopted by OAU students when agitating against unpopular decisions, a 200-Level female student, who did not want to be named, called on her colleagues to have a change of heart. “I urge our students to embrace dialogue rather than force which will not yield any positive result. At a time like this, we need to come together and build a better relationship with the university authority. I use this opportunity to appeal to the Governing Council, through the VC, Prof ‘Tale Omole, to quickly restore the union. They should not forget that this union, in time past, produced Femi Falana, Tunde Okeowo, Michael Bamidele, Yinka Odumakin, Bamidele Aturu and many other”.

Students claim the relative peace

from cultists they have enjoyed, since 1999, was because of the vigilance of their union leaders. That year, then Secretary-General of the Students Union, George Iwilade, and four others, were murdered by cultists. Students rose as one and dispatched the men of the underworld. Since then, acting as an authority unto itself, the union, urged on by the students, has dispensed instant justice on many “criminals”. Employing a practice called “maximum shi shi,” the students have dealt summarily with suspected cultists and thieves.

Now, they fear that further delay in restoring their union could erode the gains and peace they have enjoyed in the last 12 years.

As one of them, Dare Akinro, puts it: “Prof Omole, as a Great Ife product, should know that even with its shortcomings, the union is better than the lack of it. Thus, we appeal to him to use his good offices and being the father he is and restore to us our mouthpiece.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

31

CAMPUS LIFE

UNICAL bans SUG The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has proscribed the Students Union Government (SUG). Though it says the decision is for the time being, EMMANUEL SHEBBS (400Level Political Science) reports that students are not excited about it.

S

TUDENTS at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are happy to resume from a five-month-old break.

They happy with the renovation of some faculties and hostels during their absence. However, they did not expect to meet what some of them have described as “the shocker from the Prof James Epoke-led administration”. It was the proscription of the Students Union Government (SUG).

The ban ended the tenure of the Anthony Amawu-led SUG. CAMPUSLIFE sought the authorities’ reasons for the action.

According to the Dean, Students Affairs, Prof Eyong Eyong, after investigations into last August protests, there were speculations that the SUG had discrepancies and misunderstandings among it executive and legislative arms which led to that crisis. Considering the present condition in UNICAL, it is inconvenient to practise students’ politics. Also, there are speculations that these political skirmishes in the SUG which were at its peak by the time the riot took place may have contributed to it”.

Briefing some students about this development, Eyong added: “The SUG which was inaugurated on December 2, 2010, has long passed its mandatory one-year term. If those leaders were allowed to remain in office, it could be that other students who have political intentions may begin to agitate against them.”

He said based on what happened in the last five months, the university does “not have time for all these students’ politics” now. According to him, the management is “trying our best to meet up with the time already lost”. He, however, promised that as soon as the second semester exams end next month, “the SUG will be de-proscribed, elections will be organised and your poli-

tics will still go on”.

Already, however, fun-loving students are lamenting their losses. According to them, the last SUG was yet to observe the 2011 Students’ Week. August and September 2011, according to the flow of events in UNICAL, marked the peak point of students’ activities. The school calendar usually gives some time for Students’ Week, SUG election and other activities during that period. Many of these activities were caught still at the planning stages when the protest happened. The Students’ Week was already planned to take-off from August 30, but the riot hit on August 27.

Peace Azuka was the SUG vicepresident; her office ran the Week. She declined to say anything when approached by CAMPUSLIFE. News of the proscription did not stop Anthony Amawu and some of his executive members from meeting with the Dean, Prof Eyong. At the parley, Amawu denied that politics within the SUG contributed to the riot. Also, quoting from section 52, sub-section 1 of the SUG constitution that, “an officer of the union shall stay in office for one academic session unless he is otherwise removed or he resigns in accordance with the provisions of this constitution,” he argued that the SUG tenure expires only when the current session expires.

“They work hand-in-hand,” he posited. “If the 2010/2011 session lasts for three years, my tenure should last for three years”.

At the meeting, the Deputy Speaker of the SUG parliament, Ubi Onen, was more concerned over what he called a possible dent on “Amawu’s image”. According to him, if not well handled now, the proscription could harm the SUG president should he have political intentions in future.

•Students leaving campus after the disturbances last August.

•Prof Epoke, the VC.

•Amawu, the deposed SUG president.

“If the records portray him in black today, it will affect him,” Onen added.

Another union official who pleaded anonymity has taken the development in his stride. He said: “If the management has proscribed the SUG, it means they want us to concentrate on our studies and halt on students politics for a while. Since the Dean has promised that we will be deproscribed after this period, I advise that we face our studies and wait till then”.

Eyo Bassey is the President of National Association of Cross River State Students (NACRISS).

His take on the matter: “The Senate’s decision has led to the dissolution of the Amawu-led SUG. The management said we should face our exams, that early next semester SUG elections would be conducted. That would be around April. I advise the SUG President to work by these recommendations”.

However, not everyone agrees.

The Secretary of the proscribed

SUG, John Eneh, said: “It is quite worrisome because when a group of people do not have representation, they remain clueless and wander like lost sheep in the wilderness of the campus world.”

The Speaker of the SUG Parliament, Jerry Etta. “I don’t believe that the union has been totally banned. I call it ‘a terminal suspension of all union activities’ due to the forthcoming exams.

Secondly, we have not handed over yet. That means we are still in charge. Until a new parliament is constituted, I still remain the Speaker of the SUG Parliament whether aborted or delivered.

Until a new pregnancy is conceived, the old one remains substantive. I believe the university senate may need to have a rethink.”

Meanwhile, the Dean, Prof Eyong, reiterated that the absence of SUG cannot predict a total collapse of communication between the management and students. He said: “The management has a way of getting to hear from the students. Personally, I have decided to work with the department and faculty associations including the parapos. So, any student who has a problem should either reach me directly through my phone line, come to the office to see me or go through their faculty, department or parapo leaders.”

Senator trains students in ICT

S

ENATOR Chris Anyanwu has awarded scholarships to over 320 youths in Imo State for Information Technology (IT) training.

The youths comprising undergraduates, graduates, corp members and even teachers, gathered at the Karrox Computer Education and Training Centre, Owerri, Imo State last Saturday to participate in the scheme tagged: “IT Empowerment Scholarship”.

The youths were trained for certification in courses such as Oracle 11g, Cisco Certified Network Associates (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professionals (MCITP), Java, Web Design and Microsoft Office (Computer appreciation). At the completion, according to the SenatorAnyanwu, the scheme is expected to produce internationally certified youths from Imo State, who will compete in the dynamic IT world.

“In this digitalised age in which the youths of today were born, many raw and untapped talents have been longing for opportunities such as this, to improve themselves and the economy,” She said, adding that the event marked the dawn of a new age in ICT in Nigeria.

To show their appreciation two of the students- Chinomso

From Onyinye Nkwocha OWERRI

Ugwuanya and Roosevelt Iheboropresented Senator Anyanwu with a pen crafted in portrait and a portrait of a poem entitled: The lioness of hope. The senator said she was touched by the gifts, while appreciating the youths for their thought.

Senator Anyanwu said the country needed empowerment outlets and opportunities to utilise the human resources that is abundant in Nigeria.

She said: “Our boys and girls are eager to contribute their own quota to the development of this nation, they need employment so that as they get out of school, they will be absorbed into positions where they can utilise their skills. Hence, when we plan education we must plan employment.”

The high point of the event was the handing out of wares to the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme. This was done by the senator, who promised that a database of all beneficiaries would be set up, so and could be absorbed into different firms they could utilise the skills they acquired.

CAMPUSLIFE spoke with some of the beneficiaries, who came from different universities in the state.

They expressed gratitude and joy for being part of the scholarship scheme.

•Senator Anyanwu (middle) flanked by the students at the end of the programme.

Godson Okpara, a 400-Level student of Financial Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) said: “This is a rare opportunity which I must exploit to the utmost. The senator has shown her confidence in our generation by her gesture, and I prom-

ise not to disappoint her.”

Uchechi Agbakwuru, 300-Level Computer Science, Imo State University (IMSU), said: “As a Computer Science student, it has always been my desire to take ICT to the next level but I was skeptical about footing the bill. This scholarship has done it for

me.”

Roosevelt Iheboro, Batch ‘B’ corps member serving in the state, expressed gratitude to the senator and urged that more attention be paid to groom the youths in the area of ICT as “it will definitely pay off in the long run”.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE Red Cross sensitises students to HIV/AIDS

Students clash over lecture room From Musbaudeen Shekoni LASU

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HE Nigerian Red Cross (NRC), the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi (AUCHIPOLY) chapter, has organised a campaign to educate female students to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. The campaign was held on February 14.

The rally was to create awareness among the students to play safe with their boyfriends during the last “lovers’ day”. The NRC told the students why it was necessary to protect themselves against sexually-transmitted diseases.

A spokesperson for the organisation, Anita Omoriege, regretted that the spread of HIV/ AIDS was becoming rampant, adding that many girls still do not know how to protect themselves against the virus.

She said citizens of developing countries, including Nigeria, were the most affected, saying the womenfolk remained vulnerable.

Omoriege noted that lack of proper educations, and enlightenment programmes in some institution of studies on the deadly virus, resulted into the increase in number of people contacting the disease.

Doris Iweala, a member of the organisation, disclosed that female

•Some of the students distributing the material.

From ‘Tosin Ajuwon AUCHI POLY

students needed to orientate their boyfriends on the need to have a protected intercourse if they could not abstain. She said the reason for initiating condom was to serve as protection against the virus and to also guide against unwanted pregnancy.

Doris condemned stigmatisation and discrimination against the victims of AIDS, adding that lack of confidentiality was part of the factors that undermined prevention of the disease. “Those that have contacted the disease may think that going for test in the hospital would expose them to stigmatisation. So, they would prefer to keep to them-

selves and spread the disease because they could not trust clinic officials,” she said.

She also said the scarcity of HIV drugs had not helped in the prevention of the virus, saying the government should provide retroviral drugs at lower prices for those in need of it. The organisation shared female condom to the students during the rally.

Adeboye prays for UNILAG @ 50 From Adesile Tosin UNILAG

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has praised the management of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) for keeping to the institution’s mission statement.

Adeboye spoke at Special Holy Ghost service organised by UNILAG in conjunction with the church to mark the institution’s 50th anniversary.

“Many things are associated with jubilee and they all start with R; relocation, restoration and the likes,” Pastor Adeboye said.

Over 50 cultists, who confessed to the act, were delivered by Adeboye during an altar call.

He advised students and staff to put God first in whatever they do.

Adeboye said UNILAG was special to him because he was the first Master’s and Ph.D graduate of Mathematics in the university.

The event was attended by top officials of the institution including past Vice-Chancellors, pastors from RCCG, students and members of the university community.

A

S part of preparations for the February 25 the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has organised a training for Batches ‘B’ and ‘C’ corps members on how the poll will be conducted.

Addressing the corps members at Government Technical College, Calabar, the Resident Electoral Commissioner REC, Mr Mike Igini, charged the youths on the credibility of the exercise. He urged them to “help Nigeria”, by preserving the will and wish of the people that will be expressed through the ballot, noting that they must be impartial, transparent, fair and professional.

Igini praised the directorate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the making the serving youths available whenever INEC sought for their help, stressing that the corps members had ensured

STUDENTS of Philosophy and Mass Communication clashed at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, over the ownership of a lecture room. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that Philosophy students allegedly occupied a lecture room officially allocated to the 100-Level and 200Level students of Mass Communication.

According to an eye witness, trouble started when Philosophy students asked the 100-Level students of Mass Communication, who were in tutorial session, to leave the lecture room. The class governor of 200-Level Mass Communication, Tunde Hassan, who was around was said to have been miffed by the development. He approached the Philosophy lecturer that was to take the students and told him the hall was built for Mass Communication department.

The lecturer allegedly told the students that the hall was built for faculty of Arts and not for a particular department. This resulted in a hot argument between the lecturer and the class governor but the tension was doused when subDean of the School of Communication came in.

The sub-Dean was said to have told the lecturer that Philosophy department was not right to use the facility because, “the lecture room was built for Mass Communication.” But this seemed not to calm the frayed nerves as a 200-Level student allegedly slapped a 400-Level Philosophy student, who doubles as the Arts faculty Public Relations Officer (PRO).

It took the effort of the Students’ Union President, Akeem Durojaiye, and the President of the department of Philosophy to stop the confrontation.

Students called on the management to wade in and settle the ownership of the hall.

Bayelsa students greet Dickson From Isaac Mensah YENEGOA

•UNILAG students at the special service.

INEC trains Cross River corps members From Victor Gbonegun CALABAR

some degrees of credibility in national electoral process, a factor, which he said, had deepened democracy in the country and also made international observers and monitors to praise the efforts of the electoral body.

The legal adviser to INEC in the state, Mr Richard Ogori, cited various electoral laws that should guide the corps member while performing their duties. He cautioned them to abstain from any act that may jeopardise their future, saying the law applied to everyone irrespective of status.

The corps members were taken on the use of the sensitive and the nonsensitive election materials, how to

record election data, the terms and conditions associated with elections, what constitutes valid and invalid votes and general rules and regulations that guide ad hoc electoral officers.

Earlier, an NYSC official, Mr Chinedu Ndirika, told the corps members to see their involvement in the election as a national call to service, urging them to be patriotic and neutral in their respective duties. He enjoined them never to compromise the ideals of the NYSC and take necessary precautionary measures to ensure their safety by dressing formerly at the election day.

Some corps members who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE described the training as educative, noting that they were fully equipped with necessary

information that would help them assist INEC in giving the people of the state a free, fair and credible election come February 25.

THE National Union of Bayelsa State Students (NUBSS) has congratulated Governor Seriake Dickson and his deputy Rear Admiral John Jonah, on their election.

The president of the body, Prince Oweibi, said Dickson’s victory was a fact that the people found him credible. He enjoined the new administration to give adequate attention to students’ welfare.

Prince maintained that the new administration should integrate more students into the state’s scholarship scheme. He called for an increment in the money being paid to students as bursary, while urging the new helmsman to revive the economy of the state.

He further advised the administration to consolidate on the studentfriendly programmes put in place by the previous government of the state.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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CAMPUS LIFE

Corps member empowers physically challenged

Varsity prays for crisis-free session From Sikiru Akinola OAU

M

•Sulaiman, in wheelchair, receiving the donation, as NYSC officials stand. Peter is in the NYSC uniform.

•Kano produces best corps member

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ULAIMAN Abdullahi will remain grateful to the Federal Government for the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. Sulaiman was born hale and hearty, but was later crippled by polio. He moved on with life without any support from anywhere.

However, succour came Sulaiman’s way when a Corps member serving in Kano State provided him with a tricycle to aid his movement. Peter Cheman Koti, a Corps member, serving in Nasarawa Local Government Area, in collaboration with a Kanobased Lawyer, Nureini Jimoh, donated the brand new tricycle to Abdullahi.

The tricycle was presented to Sulaimon at the NYSC secretariat.

The state NYSC Director, Mallam Lawal Zariya, Assistant Director, Adedeji Tajudeen Zonal Inspector, Mohammed Danbatta, Head of Department (CDS), Hajiya Salamatu Zubairu, Nasarawa Local Government Inspector, Sa’ad Hassan were among the staff that attended the programme. Adedeji described the gesture as wonderful.

He praised the donor for the initiative and called on other corps members to emulate Peter’s “humanitarian gesture”. Hajiya Zubairu said the Community Development Service was the livewire of the NYSC, saying corps members must contribute to the development of their host communities.

While presenting the tricycle, Peter, a Batch ‘A’ 2011 corps member, said he was touched by the agony the victim undergo daily and wished he could do more. He noted that touching a single soul is better than none.

He urged government functionaries, non-governmental organisations and Nigerians to always assist corps members whenever they need assistance to embark on developmental projects.

He also called on corps members not to be discouraged by poor response of sponsors while embarking on CDS projects.

Sulaiman, who was full of joy, thanked the corps member and NYSC for touching his life. He enjoined other corps members to touch on lives of the needy in the society.

In a related development, a Batch ‘B’ corps member in Kano, Ejike

•Mallam Zariya (left) and Ejike, in Abuja.

From Nosakhare Uwadiae KANO

Chinaeke, has been named the best corps member in the nation in his set.

When the Batch ‘B’ 2010 corps

member made up his mind to embark on projects under the banner of Community Development Service (CDS) during his service year in Kano, he never thought there would be a pay back time.

Ejike was among the 52 corps members honoured by the president. He was rewarded with a medal, automatic employment and scholarships for his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in any university in the world.

He made a lasting impact in Kano State through the completion of a clinic and provision of drugs at the Kano State NYSC Secretariat to cater for the medical need of corps members and residents of the area. Also constructed was a public toilet in Bebeji Local Government to stop indiscriminate defecation in schools and uncompleted buildings in the area where he served between 2010 and 2011.

Ejike, a graduate of Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), hails from Nsukka Local Government Area in Enugu State.

The achievement of Ejike was applauded by other corps members in the state.

The Kano State Director of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mallam Lawal Zariya praised Ejike for the feat. Zariya praised the excorps member for his hard work and service to his fatherland.

Varsity gets Dean

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HE management of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) has appointed a new Dean for Students’ Affairs. He is Prof Eyong Eyong. He took over from Prof Joseph Asor, whose tenure expired late last year.

Before his appointment, Prof.

Eyong was the chairman of the Calabar University Electoral Committee, a body saddled with the responsibility of organising and conducting the Students’ Union elections.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Prof Eyong reiterated the management’s commitment to the students welfare, saying “students’ welfare in the university will be given priority.”

He noted that the management was ready to map out modalities to ensure that the students’ demands were attended, saying no student would be barred from seeing him in the office. Prof Eyong said the proscription of SUG in the school would never cause a breach of communication between the students and the management as some people might want to assume. “Right now, I am working with the faculty presidents and their departmental counterparts. This is to ensure that we don’t have communication gap. Though the SUG has been proscribed for the

From Emmanuel Shebbs UNICAL

meantime, we still have a laid down procedure where the students can still use to reach out to the management. This is to ensure that whatever has to do with students’ support service will be well catered for,” Prof Eyong said.

He added: “We are going to provide suggestion boxes at every faculty in the school and one in the Students’ Affairs. This will help the students to air their view without been victimised as some wrongly thought. Again, we will decide to hold a regular meeting. At that meeting, all the university principal officers will be in attendance and students will have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the school management. I believe that if all of these are put in place, we will all have a meeting point where all the student-related problems will be solved within our campus.”

The Dean advised the students to pursue their major aim of coming to university. He said the students should try to exploit every avenue in order to make sure that their opinions get to the school management.

He equally promised the school would elect a new SUG by April.

•The new DSA, Prof Eyong.

ANAGEMENT of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has organised an intercessory prayer and thanksgiving. Students, lecturers and non-teaching staff, were led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bamitale Omole, to pray for the university during the marathon prayer session.

A statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, said the prayer session was organised to give thanks to God for unparalled grace, undying love and unquantifiable mercy for the staff and students in the last 50 years, adding: “It will not be out of place for us to commit ourselves into the hand of this same God in 2012.”

Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Omole expressed optimism that 2012 would be a year of total cleansing, healing, deliverance and great transformation for the university and its staff, urging everyone to “come to the presence of God with thanksgiving in our hearts so that we all could be more appreciative of God’s faithfulness in our lives.”

The prayer session lasted for two hours and was attended by the Provosts of colleges, Deans of faculties, Heads of departments, and Directors of Establishments.

Ministering were professors Anthony Elujoba, Abayomi Adebayo, Olu Jegede, D.A. Ndububa and Rev. Kemi Adetiloye. Others include doctors Wole Adedeji, Olugbenga Aina, Rev. Z.O. Apata and Mr. Dotun Awoyemi.

‘Strike destroys our varsities’ From Tosin Adesile UNILAG

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HE immediate past ViceChancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Femi Bamiro, has called for mutual relationship between students and lecturers.

He spoke during the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation lecture held at the university main auditorium, with the theme: Nigerian university system and the challenge of relevance. Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, chaired the occasion.

Prof Bamiro said incessant strike was one of the factors affecting Nigerian universities from being among the world best, saying no university recovered from strike.

“Rather than ensuring that our graduates are adaptive, competent and intellectually bold, we focus on developing high specific technical skills deployed in predictable setting.

“We have been concerned with derivative rather than the fundamentals, what is learned rather than how it is learned, training for the short term rather than education for lifetime,” Prof Bamiro said.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

CAMPUS LIFE

Pain in the dress Many institutions have come up with measures to curb indecent dressing, all to no avail. In this report, JOHNPAUL NNAMDI (400-Level) TV College, Jos, examines why some students go to pains to wear what they wear, even when it makes them uncomfortable.

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HE silence in the library was not different from that of the graveyard. You could hear the whispers, but it was not loud enough to disrupt reading. Even the footsteps of those going to pick books from the shelf and back to their seats did not disturb the readers.

All of a sudden, a new wave of silence filled the place. It was palpable; everyone looked up. It was Kafana (real name withheld) again. Her waist moved rhythmically to the sharp sound her shoes made as she walked. It sounded like a carpenter’s hammer. She was putting on a short, sleeveless pink gown. It was a ‘V’ neck, but it hardly buried her cleavage. As she walked, she tried to pull the gown down as if willing it to become longer.

Then, her pen dropped. The hall had become even quiete now. The whispers went away; the concentration was still there, but it was on her. Instead of bending down to pick the pen, she opted to squat and picked it in order not to further expose some sensitive parts of her body. It took her time to do this and obviously, it was stressful and she was not comfortable in what she was wearing.

As she managed to squeeze herself into one of the seats at the far end of the hall, everyone slowly went back to their books. For the guys, one could see disappointment as she did not provide them with the usual entertainment. It seemed she was growing tired if not already wearied of the game.

Kafana shares this mode of dressing with many other girls on campus and from time to time, they find themselves in similar situation; uncomfortable best describes the feeling.

The question is, what lies behind such mode of dressing that most girls indulge in it, yet they are not comfortable in it.

CAMPUSLIFE sought to find out.

Judging from the opinion of Vincent Madube, a boutique owner in Jos whom students patronise a lot, to gain “attraction” is the reason why some girls will like to dress “funky” and revealing. According to him, as long as they look “catchy”, the comfort is not an issue.

A student of French and International Relations at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Calabar, Daniel Enabulu, faulted this act on the person’s sense of fashion. He said: “I don’t think anyone is forced to dress provoca-

tively. No matter how he/she looks or feels, it all boils down to one’s choices.”

Further investigation revealed that a person’s mode of dressing goes beyond his/her choice.

Mariam Abdulrasheed is a 400Level student at the NTA TV College, Jos. She thinks peer pressure has a lot to do with the way people dress.

Her words: “You ought to dress for own comfort, but if it is the other way round, I think such people just want to feel ‘among’, feel like others and do what is in vogue because they feel it is the happening thing.”

In tune with this observation that people choose to dress indecent and yet feel uncomfortable is Tope Bello, another 400-Level student of Journalism at the College. “There are situations where people put on ‘low waist’ trousers and struggle to cover their back side as they walk; or when they are on a motorcycle or in the class. Some wear miniskirts and try to pull it to cover their thigh as they walk. Some others wear clothes that are very transparent or clothes that reveal their cleavages, and then they use veils and try to cover it up. To me that does not make any sense,” she said.

Also stating “misplaced priority” as another reason, she added: “In a cold weather, instead of wearing long sleeves, you see some girls wearing sleeveless clothes trying to imitate what they see on TV.”This reporter observed a girl who often wears high heels (shoe) to school, and after some time, she exchanges it with a flat shoe she always carries in her bag. In a chat, the girl who did not want to be named said she has her reasons for doing so.

She said: “I like wearing the high heels because it brings up my hips and makes me more attractive.

Though, it hurts my toes; but that is why I change to flat shoes when I am not walking around.”

However, Nonso Victor, a graduate of Theology from the University of Jos (UNIJOS) said he does not have any problem with someone dressing indecent, but such people should be aware of the outcome because such deliberate mode of dressing often leads to rape and sexual harassment.

He said:“If a girl dresses indecently and is uncomfortable in it, it means she is trying to tempt herself of which she will still be at the losing end.”

“If you are not comfortable in a

•Some female students at a party.

•Another indecently dressed student at an event in Jos.

particular outfit, it is better not to put it on, because your mind will not be calm. You will always think of how

to walk, how to sit, etc. Even when engaged in some activities, your mind will not be relaxed and focused on

what you are doing.” This was the submission of Joy Egieme, a 300-Level student of Linguistics at UNIJOS.

Water scarcity hits poly Some parts of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, have been hit by water scarcity. Many students of the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) are also feeling the heat, reports MUIBAT SALAM (ND II Mass Communication).

S

•MAPOLY students and some residents queuing for water.

TUDENTS and other residents of Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, are groaning under the availability of potable water. Many of them now roam the streets of Abeokuta in search for water.

Not a few have resorted to fetching water from broken pipes damaged by the construction company on the Ita Eko–Oke Sokori Road.

Though the water is considered

unhygienic, majority still queue for hours at the few available wells and boreholes of Good Samaritans thrown open to the public to fetch.

The scarcity, which started before the Christmas holidays, has persisted such that there is fear among residents, especially students, that there could be a possible outbreak of epidemic as a •Continued on page 36

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

35

CAMPUS LIFE

It’s thanksgiving time!

By Nosakhare Uwadiae uwacritique@yahoo.co.uk

...I

F the Lord had not been on our side when men attacked us, when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. Praise be to the Lord, who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, the

maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 124).

How time flies. It’s the end of service year for the 2011 Batch ‘A’ Corps members. It began on March 8, last year, like an endless journey. It was characterised by storms, especially for most of us from the South who served in the North.

Thankfully, we saw the end. God saw us through.

It wasn’t the same experience for our colleagues who served in the South. Their service year was an account of religious tolerance and exploration of cultural values. In the North, we witnessed a display of man’s inhumanity to o man; religious extremism and cultural intolerance.

It was barely one month into the service year when the first bitter pill came. It was in the post-presidential election violence that reared its ugly head. We served as presiding officers in the election.

We were trailed. We were not politicians. None of us was caught attempting to manoeuvre the electoral process. Their actions were instigated by the fact that we are

southerners and thus somehow connected to President Goodluck Jonathan who won the presidency against their will. Eventually, we lost 10 of our colleagues to ravaging youths in Bauchi State.

Again, barely one month to the end of the service year, Kano city was bombed. We pray never to relive the event of January 20, 2012.

I’ve only read about bombs and watched them detonated in war films. On January 20, the story changed for me. It was the day we witnessed the coordinated multiple bomb explosions carried out by the dreaded Islamic extremists (Boko Haram). Two scenes of the bomb explosions were just stone throws from my residence. My heart was in my month. I saw dead bodies everywhere; they were all repulsive sights. The service year was apprehensive. Never again!

We were never alone, our parents/guardians, friends and well wishers who were far away, also had sleepless nights praying for our safety. They called every moment to ascertain our safety. Sometimes when they called, we

feigned that all was well even when we just ran a race that could earn a win to an athlete, all in an effort to douse tension. My gratitude also goes to the directorate of the Kano State NYSC led by Mallam Lawal Zariya for their encouragement. They regularly visited our lodges to know how we fared.

Meanwhile, the whole incidents may have betrayed the state and the north in general. This is because there are people from the area who are bent for peaceful coexistence. Meanwhile, as one born and bred in the south, I grew up to believe that all northerners were violent and unreceptive. Besides, the challenges confirmed the fear of our parents when we were first called on this national duty in the north.

In my view, the NYSC scheme is a worthwhile one; but with the present state of events unfolding, especially the bitter experience of corps members serving in the North, it’s disheartening. Something must be done to arrest the ugly situation.

I pray that God grant repose to the souls of all the gallant young men and women who died in active service of our fatherland and give succour to the loved ones they left behind.

However, we thank God for sparing our lives to see the end of our service year.

Once again, big congratulations to all corps members who just concluded their service year notably in the North for scaling through all hurdles to reach another stage in (y)our lives.

Despite all the apprehension we encountered, it’s my candid interest we sustain this friendship and being patriotic enough to add values to our country Nigeria. We didn’t have fair share though, while in the service of this country. I know most of you have misgivings about the immediate future. But whatever it is, it is not above you to handle. An American preacher and Episcopal bishop, Philips Brooks (1835-1893) once said: “Do not pray for easy lives.

Pray to be stronger men and women. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”

Nosakhare just finished his service year in Kano

Reality of our university education

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T is not out of point to conclude that our university education is not in tune with modern trends. While the world is going digital with modern facilities in universities to aid research works, tertiary institutions in Nigeria are struggling with antiquated textbooks, which adorn the library shelves of our institutions.

In this age when e-library has taken over conventional library, it is a shame that Internet facilities are not readily available to students in most Nigerian universities. Lecturers go on strike over pecuniary packages, a situation that has further eroded the values of education here.

Perhaps the governments have forgotten that education is the catalyst for growth. Though they preach compulsory education for all youth, but what is the cost to the poor parents? Many youths are left unedu-

cated yet they scream transformation everyday on national television.

They forget denying a citizen his educational rights is like endangering the society.

Today, adequate professors are hardly found in many institutions.

This is not to say that other cadres of academics are not good, but it is a pride to have professors in universities. I have had the opportunity to visit many schools, which made me to assess the different conditions under which students learn. It is a pathetic story of our ivory tower.

In a sane clime, research works enjoy endowment from the governments. They never joke with it because education is the pole to which the development of such nation is tied. Here, research grants seem to be taboo, even as students’ mentality has changed away from the school work. The internet, consid-

Catalyst for change

these social vices common with students than high tuition fees? Government has used its powers to rubbish the education system so much.

The mess created in Olabisi Onabanjo University (OUU) by past administration in Ogun State is yet to be cleared - professors were sacked on political reasons. We are saying education needs to be separated from politics.

The frequent industrial actions by lecturers have not been helping us in actualising our dream. This kills the visions to which the Nigerian higher institutions are set up to achieve faster than the killing of our youths by poverty caused by bad leadership. What is more, the quality of education in Nigeria has dropped and the nation needs a committed leadership to arrest this malaise. It is time the values of our education system are restored. But who

By Muritala Omikunle watermerit@yahoo.com

will do it?

Muritala, 400-Level Mass Comm., OOU

Trials of living off campus

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C

HANGE, they say, is constant but nobody can make an impact in the society if he has not impacted positive changes in his personal life and on the people around him. Nowadays, the mindset of most Nigerian youths has changed. Many of us are no longer interest in positive commitments, but in anti-social vices.

We have neglected what to do to society, and are overwhelmed with how to make the society suffer for our sins.

Change is necessary in our lives in as much as one can think of it in a very critical way. Many people have been used as an instrument of change because their mindset is tailored towards greatness. Martin Luther King Jr., for instance, had a heart for change in America. An apostle of non-violent protest, a beacon of social justice, and a paragon of true love, King is today remembered for values and philosophies about peaceful coexistence.

In the same vein, the need for change on the part of the youths in Nigeria cannot be underestimated.

Perhaps, the following steps might help us to achieve the change we need in our society. Inspiration: inspire people with your way of life and make objective judgments about others. A Chinese philosopher once said: “If it can be imagined, it can be achieved only if you believe”.

ered to be a catalyst to ease modern day research work, is inadvertently being used by Nigerian students to socialise and commit fraud.

I don’t blame these youths for engraining in yahoo-yahoo or prostitution. Check the tuition fee of our institutions, the lowest that is affordable is not less than N80,000. This happens in a country that remunerates workers poorly – paltry N18,000 monthly. Government plays politics with education in this country. During campaigns, politicians would say they will ensure the fees are reduced by more than half. But when they assume the office, the tuition fees fly like the price of petrol.

How, for instance, do you expect a man being paid 18,000, which rarely comes at month end, to sponsor the education of a child in an institution where N250,000 is being paid per session? What other factors lead to

By Francis Egwuatu egwuatufrancis@rocketmail.com Build a guiding team: Get the right people in place with the right emotion, commitment and skills.

Don’t underestimate anyone; a boy becomes a man when a man is needed. We can effect change neglecting the age and focus on the ability of the individual.

Get the vision right: Get the team to establish a simple vision and strategy focus on emotional and creative aspects necessary to drive service and efficiency. Remember, an effective selfless service requires competency.

Empower actions: Remove obstacles, enable constructive feedback and cherish support from leaders. Reward and recognise progress •Continued on page 36

HEN a student gains admission into the university, his expectations are high of what he will meet on campus. Expectations of what it will be like, living on campus, would fill his thoughts. He would want to justify his admission into the institution academically and socially.

In order not to take a long journey from wherever one may be living to the classroom, it is natural to think that one need a conducive accommodation. Application forms are submitted for the allocation of accommodation. The list of accommodated students would be awaited and it may eventually come out without one seeing his name. This leads to the search for accommodation outside the university environment.

What welcomes the student is high cost of accommodation off campus.

Whether it is single room or a selfcontained apartment, landlords and landladies would surely drain money out of one’s pocket. The student becomes faced with challenges of whether to pay or look for an alternative in which there is a thin line between embarrassment and sympathy.

Furthermore, the accommodation acquired might not be very close to the school in terms of distance. This leaves the individual at the mercy of those with means of transportation to the university.

Cab drivers and commercial motorcyclists charge higher fare after they

By Shuaibu Musa dawudatta@yahoo.com

discover that the passenger is a student. They have the notion that the student’s parents must have given him enough money to fend for himself.

After he settles down, the student is faced with demands of his studies. He would want to read, attend classes and be punctual at tutorial classes. But would a student who lives off campus cope with noise in his environment when he wants to read? The student finds it difficult to carry out what is required of him.

This leads the student to stay longer, even after being exhausted from the day’s job.

The university system is a system that information passes through like wild fire. Therefore, students must always be around the university environment for them to be informed of the happening on campus. This makes the student leave the environment late at night, incurring expenses that would have been used for another thing if he were to have accommodation within the school environment. Fatigue sets and the student is faced with the probability of having high blood pressure at a young age due to stress.

Without adequate security, students are left at the mercy of hoodlums and vagabonds who roam about looking for who they can cheat, extort or rob. There have been cases whereby students are robbed

by the inhabitants of the very community in which they live. Mostly, the victims are ladies and some of them get raped in the process. It leaves a pall of stigmatisation on the psyche of such student. To crown it all, the culprit might walk freely in the community to spite his victim.

Living off the university campus also poses a threat to the prompt arrival of students to lectures.

Though, sometimes, it is the fault of the students but, most times transportation might be the cause of this. Instance are when a student comes late to class and explained to the lecturer why he was late, but is told to get out of the class because the reason for being late was not tenable.

The need to socialise with peer groups is a fundamental part of human nature, however, most a times, individual is left alone with no one to relate to, but himself. This may lead to indecent behaviour like engaging in illicit drug abuse to while away time. If the student is not determined and focused, he may engage in such behaviour.

In conclusion, it can be deduced that living off campus is actually a difficult task as opposed to the general notion that those living off campus are comfortable with that way of life.

Shuaibu, 400-Level Mass Comm., BUK

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

36

CAMPUS LIFE College holds matriculation O fewere than 592 students have been admitted into Bayelsa State College of Health Technology (BYCOHTECH) for the 2011/2012 academic session. The Registrar, Dr Claudius Azibato, made this known at the institution’s matriculation ceremony.

Of the admitted students, 286 were admitted into the Department of Environmental Health Technology; 124, Community Health sciences; 66, Medical Laboratory Science; 58, Health Information Management; 43, Dental Health Sciences and 15, Pharmacy Technician Studies.

Addressing the students, the Provost, Dr Teddy Charles, said the institution, since inception in 2005, had successfully matriculated three sets of students. He charged the freshers to engage in good conduct and respect the institution’s constituted authorities while their stay lasts. He attributed academic success to a product of hard work, saying there was no shortcut to success in life.

Performances by the institution’s cultural troupe made the ceremony to be lively.

Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, a fresher, Martha

N

•The new students at the matriculation ceremony From Isaac Mensah BYCOHTECH

Ovuoh, was full of praises to God for the admission, and promised to work hard

Nursing school matriculates 150

P

OGIL College of Health and Technology, has matriculated 150 students at its campus in Oke-Eri ,via Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. The institution is known for complimenting the efforts of the government to provide rural communities with free medical services.

CAMPUSLIFE spoke to some of the matriculating students. Damilola Ogunleye, who was admitted for Health Information Technology, expressed happiness, saying: “my joy knew no bound today because I have a ca-

Corps member donates board to school

C

reer today.”

Another student, Oluwaseun Oyebode, Environmental Health Technology, said he was happy to gain admission to a “specialised school of health” to study.

The proprietor of the school, Dr Isaac Adegoke, said: “Our matriculation today is a good effort worth celebrating because it happened at a time when the institution got more accredited course.”

From Hannah Ojo OAU

AMPUSLIFE man and serving Corps member in Osun State, Paul Akpomuje, has donated a digital sign board to the Obafemi Awolowo University International School (OAUIS).

The board, which carries the inscription: “School boys and girls, abstain from premarital sex, help stop HIV/AIDS Pandemic”, was part of the efforts of the Community Development Group of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to sensitise the public on the need to stop the deadly virus.

The Director of Corporate Services of the university, Dr O. Oyebisi, who incidentally was

On and Off Campus

From Jumoke Awe IJEBU

the pioneer principal of OAUIS, unveiled the project on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor. She praised the corps member, saying “this is a very laudable project and the school is grateful to Paul Akpomuje for embarking on such project.”

She thanked the Principal of OAUIS, Mrs Aderonke Adeniyi, for giving the corps member a conducive atmosphere and supportive platform to carry out his national assignment. Mrs Adeniyi equally thanked the corps member for this project. She urged students not to pass by the signpost, but to pay attention to the message embossed on it.

Replying, Paul said: “I believe HIV/AIDS is real and as school boys and girls, we must stay away from pre-marital sex. Even adults should be careful of unprotected sex and use of unsterilised sharp objects such as blades and clippers. This project is one of my NYSC projects and I believe that more are still coming.”

By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

throughout her stay in school.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Health, was represented by Dr S. Samiayai, the Principal, Bayelsa School of Nursing, Mrs M.

Faculty holds lecture on adolescence

A

DON, Prof. Alfred Akinbo Adegoke, has said missing the chance of adolescence is like missing the chance of life. He was delivering his inaugural lecture at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) auditorium last Thursday. The theme of the lecture was: Adolescents Africa: The role of context and process in developmental trajectories.

He said adolescence was a complicated science that was becoming a faculty of itself.

According to him, there was no universallyacceptable definition of the term but it can

Nelson; the Provost Bayelsa State College of Education, Okpoama, Dr Meindinyo Koritere were part of dignitaries that graced the occasion.

From Michael Adebayo UNILORIN

be linked to pubertal development which affected every developmental aspect of any adolescent. Adolescence, he warned, if not monitored, may lead to delinquencies.

He negated the idea that adolescent years were troubled years while admitting that it was a difficult period which could be managed. He gave risk factors challenging adolescents which may unfortunately result in bad behaviours.

In conclusion, he gave recommendations that acceptance of the African traditions extended family role, saying formation of support groups, introduction of fundamental and transformational social programmes, and review of the curriculum of child’s education from primary to higher institution would make adolescent age productive.

Water scarcity hits poly •Continued from page 34

result of unhygienic water being patronised.

An NDII Student of Marketing, Belinda Michael, who spoke with CAMPUSLIFE, stated that it has been stressful to get water since she resumed for the current session last month.

She added: “Apart from the fact that this time, there is a road work going on which could be partly blamed for the scarcity; truth is that we have experienced something like this at the beginning of every semester. One would have expected the state government to seek for a way out of this. The suffering is just too much; and this does not speak well for a state capital, especially one like Abeokuta which is the nearest to Lagos, the Center of excellence.”

Belinda further stated that for her and many other students, they have to wake up as early as 4:00 am to begin the search for water. “Every morning, we spend on average three hours searching for water. By the time we get back, we are exhausted and usually get to school late for our first lectures.

At other times, we miss the lecture.”

Speaking in the same vein, another student, Kafayat Aleshinloye, lamented what she called the numerous difficulties she and her friends go through daily in the process of getting water. “As I’m talking to you now, I’ve not taken my bath since morning (it was evening). I’m out now water hunting, because I have lectures for 8’o clock tomorrow morning. Only God knows where I’ll get water now,” she said.

While she acknowledged that some good neighbours give water from their boreholes free of charge, Aleshinloye further explained that many landlords who have water in their houses would not give for free but prefer to sell at a price she considers too high for students.

A resident in the area who identified herself simply as Mama Chidima, is a nursing mother. She also lamented the difficulties caused by the water scarcity in the city. “I need water to bathe my children, especially the new baby, wash their clothes and make the house hygienic for my family.”

The students and residents pleaded with Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to their aid.

Catalyst for change •Continued from page 35

and achievements; this provides motivation to the team, which keeps everyone going.

Don’t give up: Foster, encourage determination and persistence. To succeed, you have to put success in motion. The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

Reinforce the value of successful change.

An impact made on one’s life can really go a long way in affecting the society positively.

All the people that have achieved greatness and touched the lives of people positively had a turn to the right direction.

I believe that everybody has something to offer the society morally, financially, academically and what not. Every one of us must be useful to the society. Some people made you whatever you are today, so you

have to give back to the society what they have given you.

People, such as Henry Ford would have become a nuisance to the society, if not for change. He attained a “height” that everyone can reach if only we are determined and focused. His company produces over 1,000 cars a day. Imagine, if he was lazy and reluctant, his numerous employees would probably have remained unemployed today.

James Gordon quoted: “It is not that some people have will power and some don’t, it is that some people are ready to change and others are not”. Failure will continue as long as we permit it, change begins with you.

Francis, 200-Level Mechanical Engineering, FUTO

37

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

EDUCATION

Provost appeals to UNILAG over land

T

HE Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, has appealed to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to allow it develop the land ceded to it in 1967 by the government.

The land belonging to UNILAG was said to have been ceded to FCE (T) by the government to facilitate the college’s take-off 45 years ago.

In an interview with reporters after the matriculation of students for the 2011/2012 academic session, FCE (T) Provost, Dr Sijibomi Olusanya urged UNILAG to support FCE’s expansion plans because it would be for the benefit of training technical manpower for the nation.

He said the African Development Bank (AfDB) was ready to support the college build a bridge across the canal behind the college and expand its facilities on the land on the other side. However, the provost said the college has been forced to stay action on development because the Governing Council of the university has informed it of plans to use the land for Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) projects.

"We need more space. The land behind the canal was ceded to us by UNILAG when the college was started. AfDB has promised to build a bridge across the canal and build workshops and classrooms on the land. We are appealing to UNILAG to allow us use the land because it is for the good of the nation.

"UNILAG Governing Council wrote us that they plan to use the land on BOT basis. The Federal Ministry of Education is mediating between us," he said.

Meanwhile, fresh students of the college received the news of the institution's commencement of degree programmes in collaboration with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, with loud cheers during their matriculation.

• The matriculating students. Inset: Dr Olusanya

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Olusanya, who announced the development in his matriculation speech, urged the freshmen to apply for the degree programmes after completing their NCE. The courses on offer for the B.TECH qualifications include: Education and Automobile Technology, Education and Electrical/Electronics Technology, Education and Building Technology, Education and Woodwork Technology, Education and Metalwork Technology, and Education and Mathematics.

Others are: Education and Physics, Education and Chemistry, Education and Biology and Education Technology."

Olusanya said other programmes such as Education and Agricultural Technology and ICT would be added

once FUTMINNA starts running them.

He said the programmes may be started this year once the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) agrees to include them in the brochure.

"We are going to JAMB on Monday.

If JAMB allows us to include it for the 2011/2012 academic session, we will start because the approval we have from the university and the National Universities Commission (NUC) is to start running from this year," he said.

He counselled the new students to be serious with their academics so they could win scholarships awards from AfDB which gives N100,000 to students who make a cumulative grade point average of 4.00. To achieve this, he said, they must be focused.

"It is absolutely important that you

remain focused on your vision if you want to make any meaningful progress. Remember that if it is your desire to graduate with the best grade, you need to begin working hard from today. You do not have to wait until your second or third year because it may be too late," he said.

Reacting to the news of the degree programmes, one of the matriculants, Ridwane Yusuf, studying Physics, said he was happy that his university admission woes are over.

"Today is the greatest and happiest day of my life because I have been seeking admission for three years. I appreciate the effort of the college and the fact that they have licensed the institution to offer degree programmes because I had planned to take UTME after my NCE but with this, I can easily apply to do a degree programme," he said.

Kano awards N2.08b contract for proposed varsity

P

LANS are in top gear to start the proposed Northwest University in Kano as the government has awarded a N2.08 billion contract for the construction of a complex that will serve as a faculty.

The contract signed by the Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Umar Haruna Doguwa and two construction companies-Eagle Construction Company and Sarb&Glaman Nigeria Limited. Doguwa, who

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

charged the contractors to meet up within the stipulated time of 48 weeks said more projects would soon commence in the university.

According to him, the project entails two complexes, "each consisting of six faculty buildings with the capacity of accommodating departments with central administration block for principal officers.

"Also, with blocks that would

contain departmental head offices, three lecture theatres, with 500 seats capacity each; and 24 lecture halls with 120 seats capacity each, and 24 laboratories and micro-teaching rooms; and 150 staff offices with six staff common rooms."

The commissioner added that the aim of establishing the university is to increase access to tertiary education.

"As we witness another giant project, we have to bear in mind that one of the major drives of Dr. Rabiu

Musa Kwankwaso's government is to ensure that education being taken to the doorstep of every Kano indigene. Once our children are educated, the problem of social vices will become a thing of the past.

"This is the more reason why we are establishing higher institutions within the state to enable our children have direct access to higher education and in turn explore the opportunity to be able to compete with their peers in the other side of the country," he said.

ICAN visits poly TEAM from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has visited the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, (formerly Gateway Polytechnic, Igbesa), on assessment as a prelude to accrediting the institution's accounting programme.

The team, led by Prof Desmond Nwoji, visited the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) unit, Resource Centre, classrooms, faculty staff, and interacted with some students in the department.

Receiving the delegation, the Rector, Prof Godwin Ejodame, said despite its challenges, the institution had no fear about the outcome of the exercise.

"We do not claim to be perfect.

But we've had our shortcomings and achievements since 2006 when we were established. But we have been able to manage the crisis to a point where we still survive till today. We, therefore,

IBBUL FILE UTME cut-off is 200 FROM the next academic session, only candidates who score 200 and above in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will be admitted into the undergraduate programmes of the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibrahim Adamu Kolo, said at the sixth matriculation of the institution for the 2011/2012 session, that the new policy became necessary because of the plethora of applications for admission received and limited carrying capacity of the constitution.

According to him, the university will not compromise academic standard. He charged the students to justify the opportunity given them by ensuring that they stand tall among the best graduates in the country both in character and learning at the end of their programmes.

School holds orientation THE IBBUL School of Preliminary Studies, Agaie, has organised an orientation for students admitted into its preliminary and remedial programmes for the 2011/2012 session.

The Acting Director of the school, Aliyu Bello Mohammed, said the orientation was organised to acquaint the students with rules of the institution.

He charged them to make good use of the opportunity provided them by taking their studies seriously to pass the qualifying examinations and, subsequently, secure admission into undergraduate programmes of their choice.

Mohammed also advised the students to conduct themselves according to the norms of the host community for harmonious co-existence, warning against any act that could jeopardise the good image of the school.

In his remarks, Etsu Agaie, Mohammadu Kudu Abubakar III, represented by the Tafidan Agaie, Ibrahim Shaba, who is also the District Head of Boku welcomed the students to the emirate. He pledged his full support to ensure they study in peace.

Don harps on hard work

A

• From left: Bodunde, Prof Nwoji and Sir Ejodama after the inspection

By Adegunle Olugbamila

express our appreciation to our visitor Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, as well as those who supported us through the difficult period.

"We do not have any reason to entertain the fear over your

(ICAN) visit. We are so confident and we believe you will be able to see things for yourself after you've gone around doing your inspection," he said.

Nwoji said the assessment was not meant to witch-hunt but ensure best practices and offer advice where necessary.

"We will write the institution after the ratification of the accreditation report. All this will be done within two weeks," Nwoji said.

Other members of the ICAN team included Messrs Deji Benedict, Olumide Apanisile, and Wale Bodunde.

STUDENTS of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences have been charged to be committed to their studies.

A lecturer in the Department of Public Administration, Dr Sunday Otinche, gave the charge while delivering a paper on the lifestyles in the University Community, at the faculty's public lecture and orientation for the new students at the main campus cafeteria.

Otinche said the event was aimed at shaping students' approach to life in order to prepare them for future leadership roles.

Also the university's SERVICOM Focal Officer and Acting Director, General Studies, Mr Ebenezer Olusegun Ogungbe, urged the students to avail themselves of research and learning opportunities at the Information and Communication technology (ICT) centre and the central library to enhance their studies.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

38

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

AAUA FILE

APPROACHING DEADLINES

New session begins THE Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), has started the 2011/2012 academic session. Its Registrar, Mr Bamidele Olotu, enjoined all students to start registration immediately, as lectures will start Monday.

He urged the university community to make adequate preparation to ensure that the new session takes offwithout hitches.

Guest house ready THE AAUA management has received delivery of the institution's ultra-modern guest house from the contractors, NIBECO Works and Projects Limitedk.

Receiving the keys to the edifice from the firm's Chairman, Timothy Olorunnimbe Ayenuyo, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Femi Mimiko, expressed joy over the development.

He said: "I feel highly honoured and privileged to receive this magnificent structure on behalf of AAUA. I am very happy to have been able to pull this through."

Mimiko, who said the university has to in place mechanisms to avoid project delays, said he was satisfied with quality of job done by the contractors.

Ayenuyo said the facility has 19 single rooms, four double rooms, reception, kitchen, laundry, bar, restaurant, services rooms, lunch and toilet facilities.

Don gets political appointment A LECTURER in the Department of Educational Management, of AAUA, Alabi Festus Oluwole, has been appointed Senior Special Assistant to Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State.

In a statement, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Rotimi Adelola, said the appointment took effect from December 8, last year.

Oluwole thanked Mimiko for the appointment, saying: "It is the fulfillment of God's plan for me and a call to serve Ondo State at a broader level."

Born at Afo in Ose Local Government Area of the state, Oluwole joined AAUA in 2005. He bagged B.Ed (Hons), Educational Religion Studies from Ondo State University, Ado Ekiti, (now Ekiti State University)in 1986. He also holds a Masters in Educational Administration and Planning from the University of Lagos (1990).

Public Admin holds inauguration THE Department of Public Administration in the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, has inaugurated the Administrators' Assembly.

Those inaugurated into the new Assembly were a 400-Level undergraduate, Mallam Mohammed Sani Mohammed as the Speaker; Mr Gomina Tony Onimisi, 300-level in the department is to serve as the Assembly's Secretary. Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed, a 200Level student and Ndanusa Shuaibu Mohammed, another 100-level undergraduate are to serve as Public Relations Officer and the Assembly's Whip.

Administering the oath of allegiance on the officials, the Head of Department, Public Administration, Dr. Aidelokhan Dennis Idonije, urged them to jealously guard against any act that could undermine the integrity of the department.

Master's Degree Studies Scholarships for International Students [Countries Outside the EU, EEA] in Engineering and Technology at Linköping University, Sweden, 2012/2013 Study Subject(s):Engineering and Technology Course Level:Masters Degree Studies Scholarship Provider: Linköping University Scholarship can be taken at: Sweden Eligibility: Students from countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who apply for a Master's programme at Linköping University AS THEIR FIRST CHOICE IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS, are eligible to LiU International Scholarships resulting in a fee waiver of 50-100 per cent of the tuition fee. Application deadline is 16 January, 2012. Students from Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are not eligible for LiU International Scholarships Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes Scholarship Description: Linköping University , Sweden, ranked fifthbest environmental university in the world, offers a broad spectrum of two-years master's programmes within the fields of Engineering, Computer Sciences, Environmental Studies and Natural Sciences, such as Advanced Computer Graphics Applied Ethology and Animal Biology Biomedical Engineering Communication Electronics Communication Systems, etc.

How to Apply: Online or by Post Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com

the remainder of the costs involved Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes (Africa) Scholarship Description: Loughborough University is delighted to announce full-fee scholarships for international full-time taught postgraduate students who are currently domiciled (permanently living) in Africa. These will be known as the Loughborough University Graduate School Development Trust Africa Scholarships. The scholarships will cover 100% of the course fees for your chosen postgraduate taught course for one year (replacing any Departmental or Loughborough University scholarships or bursaries you may already have been awarded). The scholarships are being funded through a combination of generous external funding and University funds. The University will award a limited number of scholarships and the standards required are very high.

How to Apply: By post and by electronically Scholarship Application Deadline: April 30, 2012 Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com Next Scholarship Nigeria Merit Undergraduate Scholarships for Nigerian students, University of Sheffield, UK 2012 * UNCF Scholarships Program the 2012 - United Negro College Fund * Studying Abroad: an Enriching Experience January 9, 2012 Undergraduate Scholarships for the applicants of Nigeria at University of Sheffield, UK 2012

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Study Subject(s): Courses offered by the university Course Level: Postgraduate Scholarship Provider: Loughborough University Graduate School Development Trust Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: Currently domiciled (permanently living) in Africa -Evidence of exceptional academic achievement (normally a 1st Class Honours Degree) -Commitment to return to their home country on completion of postgraduate programme -Evidence of the ability and commitment to making a significant contribution to their home country on their return -Full understanding of the costs involved in coming to study and live in the UK -Evidence of strong motivation and initiative to secure funds to cover

Study Subject(s): Courses offered by the University Course Level:Undergraduate Scholarship Provider: University of Sheffield Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility:Applicants must be a Nigerian national or permanently domiciled in Nigeria, apply for a study place by Friday 20 April 2012 Scholarship Open for International Students: Yes (Nigeria) Scholarship Description: The University is pleased to offer a range of scholarships to students from Nigeria who show exceptional academic potential and are starting their studies at the University of Sheffield in September 2012. There are two Nigeria Merit Undergraduate Scholarships available for Nigerian students starting their undergraduate degree studies in September 2012. The scholarships are worth £6,500 of your undergraduate course tuition fee per year. This will take the form of a tuition fee reduction How to Apply: Online Scholarship Application Deadline: April 20, 2012 Further Scholarship Information and Application Scholarship Tags: 2012, Merit, Nigerian, scholarships, Sheffield, UK, Undergraduate, University Read more: http://scholarship-positions.com

Lagos donates jetty to YABATECH

T

HE Lagos State Government has donated the Abomiti Jetty and the surrounding waterfront land area to Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) for the take-off of its maritime school.

The jelly was handed over to YABATECH by the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWAYA), Mr Yinka Marinho.

Marinho said the LASWAYAYABATECH collaboration is timely as the school will be training its manpower and grant certification to all operators plying Lagos waterways with adequate theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired on board ships certified by the Nigeria Maritime and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to man Nigerian vessels. ''There is a readymade market for the maritime programmes because all boat drivers and other personnel must be certificated for sea worthiness knowledge about safety standards and that the validity of their certification would not be

• Mr Marinho handing over the documents of the Abomiti Jetty to Dr Akuibiro. With them are Management Staff of LASWAYA and YABATECH

compromise,'' Marinho said.

Lending voice to his claim, the Rector, Dr Kudirat Ladipo, who was represented by the Deputy Rector (Administration), Dr Henrietta Akuibiro, underscored the need for quality training for young ones to enjoy the employment opportunities that abound in the maritime industry.

However with competent

indigeneous seafarers diminishing daily, the jobs are going to foreigners.

The Rector said the institution has committed substantial part of her capital budget on the establishment of the sea school.

"We have developed structures at Odoragushin town in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State courtesy of the unflinching support

of the Otedola family. YABATECH has been in working relationship with GMATS (Global Maritime and Transportation School) of United States of America, AMET University of India and South African Regional Maritime University, Accra, Ghana, the Indigenous Ship owners Association of Nigeria (ISAN), the Nigerian Trawlers Owners Association (NITOA) and the Master Mariners Association," she said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

39

EDUCATION

Lagos SUBEB overhauls teaching in 500 schools

W

ITH the ongoing training of head teachers by the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN), teaching methodology is set to change in 500 public primary schools in Lagos State.

Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB) Mrs Gbolahan Daodu said the training N180 million, is different from others because of its follow-up and continuity components.

The board, she said, decided to embark on the training following the positive impact similar trainings have had on the 100 primary schools adopted by ESSPIN, a DFID sponsored initiative. To ensure quality teaching and learning takes place in those pilot schools, ESSPIN trained 22 highly-skilled educators that form its State School Improvement Team (SSIT), who in turn carried out regular training in

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

schools for head teachers, now called school managers, teachers and other cadres of staff, as well as follow-up on how they integrate their new skills in the classroom.

For the 500 schools being added, 122 School Improvement Officers (SIO) from each of the 20 Local Government Education Authorities (LGEA) were trained by members of the SSIT last week and are busy in their respective LGEA training

School Managers (25 per LGEA). The head teachers are being reoriented in managing schools effectively, while teachers would be taught to focus on child-centred learning.

Dr Gboyega Ilusanya, EESPIN Team Leader for Nigeria, said the initiative is a reform process that would, ultimately, improve learning outcomes in schools, which research has revealed is poor.

"Learning outcomes in Nigeria has been indisputably poor.

Researches conducted by Nigeria

One peculiar thing about this programme is that while other programmes last two - three days or two - three weeks, d uring which millions of naira is spent

and UNICEF in 1996 and 2003 made it clear. The latest conducted by ESSPIN has not shown there is a difference. With this training, Lagos SUBEB will improve service delivery in 500 schools in addition to the 100 handled by ESSPIN. This training will improve the quality of head teachers and teachers," he said.

Ilusanya commended LSUBEB for committing its Teachers Professional Development Fund from the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Abuja, to the training.

Mrs Daodu also thanked UBEC for allowing the state to apply its teacher training fund differently from the one-off training that has been the case in the past.

She said: "I am sure you are aware there are 1,001 public primary schools in Lagos State. In tackling change, the 100 supported by ESSPIN is not enough. We have decided not only to sustain the 100, but add 500 more schools. We thank

UBEC for buying into this.

"One peculiar thing about this programme is that while other programmes last two - three days or two - three weeks, during which millions of naira is spent. This is a steady and continuous programme that will utilise the same source of funds to train 122 SIO, school managers, assistant school managers and others to ensure round pegs are in round holes."

In his speech, the UBEC Executive Secretary, Dr Ahmed Modibbo, represented by UBEC Southwest Co-ordinator, Dr Joseph Olakulehin, said the commission places premium on teacher development as their quality will impact the education system.

"The attainment of the desired learning outcome cannot be achieved without very good teachers. Training and re-training is imperative to address the problem of mass failure," he said.

Ekiti to build model schools •Pupils to get laptops

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KITI State Government is to build six model schools in the its senatorial districts.

Governor Kayode Fayemi said the initiative is to make education more attractive to pupils.

He spoke at the opening of the Mr President's Inter-SUBEB Primary Schools' Debate Competition, which attracted contingents from Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Osun, Oyo and Ogun states.

Commending the Federal Government for the move to reawaken inter-schools' debate which has been moribund for long, Fayemi said the gesture was a viable and credible way of putting education back on strong footing.

He said; "The literary and debating society was in existence before, but the painful thing is that it went moribund at a point in time. We are very elated that this policy is coming up in this fashion again.

“When we assumed office, I promised that each pupil in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state would have a laptop and very soon. This will be implemented.

"The state has also provided about 200 teachers with automobiles not only to ease mobility problem for the teachers, but even to make rural posting minimally comfortable for the teachers.

'May I inform that soon, all pupils in primary schools would be supplied with school bags to stop them from going to schools with torn school bags", he said.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

Earlier, the chairman of Ekiti SUBEB, Prof Modupe Adelabu, said the inter-schools' debate competition would resolve many tangled ends associated with primary school education.

She added that it would inject the culture of dialogue in any conflict.

She said: "Debate is an instrument to resolve seemingly intractable issues.

Consider the recent argument between the labour and the Federal Government in the just resolved oil subsidy removal palaver. Was that not a heated debate in this country?

"In this era of democracy, children must be trained to be leaders of tomorrow by learning to make convincing public presentation with boldness and astuteness.

In his presentation, Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, disclosed that the Federal Government was re-introducing Presidential Debate into the Basic Education curriculum to bring back and boost the reading culture among Nigerian pupils.

The minister added that it would also imbud in the pupils the culture of research that would further help the education sector, adding that the policy, if well-implemented, would expose the youths to leadership training.

“It would enhance their ability to be good listeners, so that they shall not be found wanting while in positions of authorities in the future.”

• From right: Andre Herrenschmidt General Manager, Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja and John Opara, General Manager Lufthansa, Airlines, Abuja presenting overall prize winner of Lufthansa Educational Talent competition, Miss Nneoma Ike-Njoku of Loyola Jesuit College, Gidan-Mangoro

Educationist seeks parents' support against exam fraud

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HE Sole Administrator, OACOED International School, Otto/Ijanikin, Lagos, Mrs Elizabeth Ajayi, has solicited for parents' co-operation with teachers to win the fight against examination malpractices.

Lamenting that some parents aid their children to cheat during exam, said there parents even offer bribes to teachers to compromise them.

•From left: PTA Chairman, Mrs Abiola Molayowa, Mrs Ajayi, Provost AOCOED, Mr Wasiu Olalekan Bashorun and Deji Williams celebrating with the winners

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Speaking at the Fourth Annual Inter-house sports of the school at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education Sport ground, Ajayi said the situation has s degenerated that parents storm their children's school to protest whenever they are punished by their teachers.

"In those days I remember, we dared not tell our parents anytime we were flogged by our teachers because some parents are ready to double the punishment at home. But these days, it has almost become a taboo for a child to be scolded by teachers. It is thepupil's parents that will be the first to storm the school and fight everybody. If parents can do this, then I won't be surprised that they will come to bribe teachers to help their children pass exams.

"Where were they before the children began exams?

Unfortunately, many of them are either too busy with their works or business that they hardly ever pay attention to their children's performances by taking time to check their notebooks; and it is the same parents that will now want their children to pass exam through crooked means.

She also spoke on the essence of sport.

"The Bible tells us in First Timothy 4.8 that 'bodily exercise profits a little'. Science and medical experts also agree that bodily exercise is essential to our well-being. Apart from vivid evidence that one can

become very rich from sports.

"Our annual inter-house sport offers us the opportunity to rejoice and share victories, to jump and shout for joy at each point and to cry and be sadded when beaten.

Teamwork offers the chance to get to know each other, to make up for other's weaknesses, to build the other persons up. We achieve much more together than we cane ever achieve alone," she said.

Though the school proprietor has been in search of a substantive principal, this, Elizabeth said, has in no way affected the school's preparation for the sport fiesta.

Ajayi noted that one of the values of AIS, which she said is anchored on continuity, has really helped the AIS to thrive as the absence of a substantive principal has in no way affected the sport fiesta.

The four houses Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti House, which donned white, Prof Ayodele Awojobi House spotting ash, Barrack Obama House was decked in Turquoise Blue, while and Nelson Mandela House wore Green featured in varying track and field games such as high jump, long jump, relay race, short put.

At the end of the exercise, Prof Ayodele Awojobi house dwarfed others with 10 gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Nelson Mandela house followed with nine gold two silver and four bronze medals. Barrack Obama and Fumilayo Ransome Kuti houses came third and fourth with one gold 10 silver and five bronze and five silver and seven bronze.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

40

EDUCATION EDUTALK

with

A party with a difference AST Thursday was Damilola Ajayi’s birthday. I attended his party and left the venue think-

L

ing how the education system Kofoworola would be better if Nigerians would celebrate their birthdays like he did.

Actually, that was the day we met.

Kofosagie@yahoo.com He did not invite me to wine and 08054503077 (SMS only) dine. In fact, there was nothing to show it was his birthday. I was there to do a story about his entrepreneurship project running in five public secondary schools in Lagos State.

That day, facilitators gave talks about the importance of school children learning to be job creators and not job seekers. Afterwards, the pupils, operating on the platform of Youth Entrepreneurs Stakeholders (YES), made presentations about products and services they had developed and successfully marketed under companies they formed based on the training they received from Ajayi and his team. The participants were then presented with certificates.

During the programme, the pupils had learnt so many things about running their own businesses that they were confident about their abilities to not only survive after their education but excel as entrepreneurs.

It was with this hope of a bright future, brought about because a young man decided to invest in them that they rounded up the event with a presentation of a humble gift and a song to their mentor.

The gift was wrapped in shiny paper with a red rose attached. From its shape, I suspected it was a frame – maybe containing some kind words, or his portrait. Given that they are pupils, and likely from lowly backgrounds, I do not expect the gift costs a fortune. However, from the way the teenagers sang to him in such high spirits you would have thought they were giving the most expensive present in the world, probably made of diamonds. It all came because Ajayi made an impact on their lives.

When I interviewed him Ajayi said he decided to embark on the project after he noticed that undergraduates talk more about getting big jobs after school and not creating employment. Sponsorship for the initiative comes from his profit-making venture in other fields, not from any external source.

I thought it was a refreshing way to celebrate one’s birthday. Ajayi may not have planned to graduate his first trainees on his birthday.

However, that he could spend such day doing something significant is commendable. I know many people his age (and I think he should be in his late 20s or early 30s) would rather spend their money throwing a big bash where booze and girls would flow freely.

Let us leave Ajayi’s age group and consider high net worth individuals in their 40s, 50s and above. To celebrate milestones in their lives, they throw talk-of-the-town parties where aso-ebi sold to guests go for as high as N30,000, and the caterers charge N3,000 or more for the three-course meals served there. What about the souvenirs? You find each guest taking home expensive gifts bearing the photographs of the celebrator.

The guests also threw to out-do themselves with the lavish gifts they present and ostentatious display of wealth while on the dance floor ‘spraying’ the celebrator.

All such monies, if invested in impacting lives in anyway we are comfortable, even if it is to offer part scholarship to one indigent student, will yield more results. This is because, one singular person so empowered has the potential to use his skills and expertise for the good of the society.

What Ajayi is doing may not be so big. But he is still making a contribution in his own little way, which is something we all can do. He may not have touched a million lives, but the hundreds or tens that can now think outside the box because of his selflessness will never forget his contribution to their lives.

Belo-Osagie

•From left: Mr Andrew Enahoro, Head Legal and Public Relations, Promasidor with Mrs Ajibade and Chief Richards at the event.

Examiners seek support for maths contest A S the March 17 date of the first stage examination of the Cowbell National Secondary School Mathematics Competition (NASSMAC) draws near, representatives of examining bodies have called for similar initiatives to boost performance in the subject.

Speaking at the flag-off of the competition at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Deputy Registrar, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Mrs O.O. Ajibade, who praised Promasidor for initiating the programme, said effort must be made to tackle poor performance in the all important science subject.

"Mathematics and English are gateway subjects and I want to commend Cowbell for sustaining this competition in the last 12 years.

We suggest other companies take their corporate social responsibility (CSR) seriously so that we can all work towards addressing the problem of poor performance in examination.

Encouraging the study of mathematics will further promote the study of science and technology in the country," she said.

Representative of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Mr

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

Okunsuji, called for greater participation in the competition because of its potential to improve performance in the subject in public examinations.

"It is likely that many schools will put in and this will ultimately improve performance in WAEC and NECO," he said.

Managing Director of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards, while delivering his address said beyond winning prizes, the organisation hopes to develop the pupils through the 12-year-old competition.

"It is our belief that competitions like this will help our students to develop good study ethics that will have far reaching benefits to their academic and social life and will also generally improve human capacity development of the nation at large," he said.

Richards said more than 34,000 pupils wrote the first stage examination in 200 centres last year and assured stakeholders of the firm's commitment to increase participation of schools and improving the quality of the

examination.

Speaking on the modalities for the competition, Mr Kachi Onubogu, Promasidor's Marketing Director, said each school can enter six JSS3 and SS2 pupils (three each) between ages 10 and 18 for the competition.

The highest scorers in the junior and senior categories in each state will be invited for the second stage of the examination that would hold in four regional centres after which the top 10 in each category would be feted at an awards ceremony to hold in Abuja later in the year.

Prizes on offer for top three winners of the stage are: N25,000, N20,000 and N15,000 while teachers of the highest scorers get N15,000.

The overall best winner determined after the second stage will go home with N250,000 for the junior category, and N300,000 for the senior.

First and second runners up in the junior category will get N200,000 and N150,000; while those in the senior category will get N250,000 and N200,000.

The schools of the winners will also get desktop computers, printers, mathematics text books, metal sign post and plaques, while their teachers will also be rewarded with cash prizes.

Education our priority, says Rivers commissioner

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IVERS State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, has said the Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration will continue to put education on the front burner.

Mrs Lawrence-Nemi spoke when some post graduate students sponsored to study in the United Kingdom (UK) by the government in 2009 were presented to her by the state scholarship board.

The commissioner said Amaechi’s drive for investing so much on education is hinged on the governor's understanding of education as an important tool for manpower development.

The commissioner said the government sent them to study specific courses like engineering, project management, Information and Communication Technology, oil and gas, medicine among others because it believes that the state and the country would need such services.

She praised them for working hard during their stay in the UK. She urged them to apply the

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

knowledge they acquired during their studies for the benefit of the society, Secretary of Rivers State Scholarship Board (RSSB) Mr Sam Deekue said the 36 students passed with distinctions and credits in their chosen fields with seven of them bagging first class honours.

Deekue, who represented the Chairman of RSSB, Dr Elechi Amadi, said the board kept monitoring the students throughout their stay in the UK and did not receive any negative report on them.

"They were not involved in any act inimical to the image of Rivers State and the country at large," he added.

Chairman of the Scholarship Award Committee of RSSB, Dr Sam Wodi, explained that the board worked assiduously to ensure that the students did not suffer unduly, adding that "each time we received reports of financial or accommodation problems facing

‘However, from the way the teenagers sang to him in such high spirits you would have thought they were giving the most expensive present in the world, probably made of diamonds. It all came because Ajayi made an impact on their lives’

From My Inbox • Dame Lawrence-Nemi

them, the board always acted quickly to address the situations to ensure that they studied with little or no problems."

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Mr Chimene Obunwo, expressed gratitude to Amaechi's administration for giving them a life-changing opportunity to study abroad.

Obunwo also commended the RSSB for ensuring that their funds were judiciously managed by rendering them prompt assistance in times of difficulty.

Re: Illiteracy woes in public schools (February 02, 2012) I just finished reading your article on “Illiteracy woes in public schools” in The Nation of February 2. I only hope that officials of the inspectorate divisions of all the states’ ministries of education would read it. Yes, government directs tons of resources to education every year but are these resources the ones that will enhance knowledge delivery? Instead of donating exercise books to schools, relevant textbooks should be given to each student. Reading should be made compulsory for every student from the primary school level; the teaching of English language, the pivot on which knowledge delivery stands, should be intensified. I was once a teacher and I know that the observation that teacher made that their JSS1 intakes are barely literate is true and had been true decades back. I think every arm of government should give more attention to primary education than they had, hitherto. Pitan Aina, Ado-Ekiti.

Pepe:

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

43

THE NATION

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

Many Nigerian women of child-bearing age have fibroid. It is regarded as the most common cause of infertility in women. Chief Medical Consultant, Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (RITAM), Dr Gilbert Ezengige, spoke to WALE ADEPOJU, on the treatment and prevention of the condition.

‘Herbal medicine can cure fibroid’ W

OMEN suffering from fibroids can heave a sigh of relief. Traditional medicine has as answer to them, without subjecting them to surgeries.

According to the Chief Medical Consultant, Research Institute of Traditional and Alternative Medicine (RITAM), Dr Gilbert Ezengige, there are herbal preparations that can shrink the growth or tumour in the uterus within few days of taking it.

He said the treatment procedure also include having a pelvic scan to determine whether a patient really had the condition or not, adding that hormonal pelvic scan should also be done to ascertain the level of estrogen.

“Hormonal profile can show the level of progesterone. They should have follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin, luetinising hormone (LH) tests, and microculture and sensitivity (MCS) test of vagina swab.

Ezengige said women plagued by fibroid should avoid eating eggs, milk and white flour products. “Other things to avoid are fried foods, white sugar and food in heated polythene packs such as moimoi as the chemical from the polythene can trigger estrogen to become dominant, thereby worsened the condition of fibroid patients. Also, those having challenge with fibroid should avoid staying under an atmosphere smelling of insecticide and aerosol,” he said.

He recommended that women having fibroid should consume literally home-made soy milk, soya beans which is rich in phytoestrogen as it normalised estrogen level in the female. They should also increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables as organic food has been proven to contain healing properties.

On the treatment, Ezengige said herbal preparation made from anti-tumour herbs such as sour sop’s roots, stem and leaves provide effective cure. “Sour sop is called sawa sharp locally in Nigeria and it starves the fibroid from getting basic nutrients called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). “Also, used antiiflammatory herbs called soghum bicolor

•Sorghum

•Sour sop

•Ezengige

known as poroporo in Yoruba, astringent herbs such as back of cashew, anti-microbial herbs such as cloves known as kanafu in Yoruba, and female hormeone balancing herbs such as cissampeli owariensis also known as jokoje roots in Yoruba and sometimes, analgestic herbs such as awogba aarun in Yoruba,” he said.

On the symptoms, he said, women with fibroid often have heavy menstrual flow, painful intercourse, prolonged menstrual flow, backache and sometimes no symptoms at all.

Ezengige said: “Fibroid which is mostly caused by estrogen dominance, is of three major types – subseious, submucosal and intra-mural. Estrogen is a female hormone responsible for menstrual flow, breast enlargement and development of female features in general.”

He said fibroids, which could be as small as a peanut and also as large as a football, might lead to infertility depending on the size and position in the womb.

The condition, he noted, was more predominant in black women compared to

their white counterparts. This is due to their genetic make-up, he added.

He said it occurred mostly among women of childbearing age. “When menopause sets in, fibroid tends to shrink or at least experienced retarded growth,” he added.

On the causes, he said, about 80 per cent of fibroid cases were as a result of hormonal problems caused by estrogen. This estrogen dominance has also been linked to development of breast cancer, he said.

Other causes of fibroid are abortion and infection.

Natural sore throat remedies

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EFORE you go running to a doctor, try these simple but effective natural home remedies to battle a sore throat A sore throat burns, feels scratchy and may cause pain that makes it hard to talk or swallow. The usual cause is a virus or bacteria, though throat irritation may also be caused by smoking, dry heat, postnasal drip or an allergic reaction. Try these sore throat remedies to feel better fast.

What you can do for a sore throat • For fast and effective sore-throat relief, nothing beats an oldfashioned saltwater gargle. Salt acts as a mild antiseptic, and also draws water out of mucous membranes in the throat, which helps to clear phlegm. Dissolve a half-teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water, gargle and spit out. Repeat up to four times a day.

• Alternatively, gargle with a baking-soda solution. Dissolve onehalf teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water.

• Run a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom. Adding moisture to the air will help keep the air from drying out and prevent the lining of your throat from becoming too dry. If you don’t have a humidifier, place a bowl of water on your radiator or heating vent each night. It will work as well as a store-bought device.

• Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke is

extremely irritating to the lining of the throat. Breathe through your nose, rather than your mouth. It’s a natural way to humidify the air you breathe.

Related Features • If you’re plagued with a sore throat that seems to come back time and time again, buy a new toothbrush. Bacteria collect on the bristles, and if you injure your gums as you brush, they can enter your system and re-infect you.

• Bolster your immune system during cold and flu season with vitamins, herbs and good nutrition.

The obvious supplement candidates are vitamins C and E, the minerals zinc and magnesium, and immuneboosting herbs such as goldenseal and astragalus. Also cook or supplement with garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms and reishi mushrooms, all of which have immune-boosting properties.

• Honey has long been used as a sore-throat remedy. It has antibacterial properties, which can help speed healing. It also acts as a hypertonic osmotic, which means that it draws water out of inflamed tissue. This reduces the swelling and discomfort. Add several teaspoons to 1 cup of hot water or herbal tea.

Culled from www.besthealthmag.ca

I

F you don't take care of your teeth, it won't be long before cavities and unhealthy gums make your mouth very, very sore. Eating meals will be difficult. You won't feel like smiling much either. Want to make sure that your teeth are well taken care of? This article will help you out!

Brushing your teeth • Brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, for two minutes each time.

Make sure you brush on all sides of your teeth and get your tongue. You can ask your dentist(s) for a demonstration. It is best to do one of these times before you go to bed, as your mouth does not have the same salivary protection when you are sleeping as it does during the day. If you can, brush after lunch as well.

Brushing during the day will reduce the damage caused by plaque byproducts and toxins.

Each tooth has five distinct sides; a toothbrush cleans only three of those five sides. The other two sides are where much of the destruction and disease (not to mention foul odors) originate: the in between areas. These remaining two sides require dental floss or tiny interdental brushes that can reach inbetween and under the contact points of the teeth. Gum disease is linked to life-threatening illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and premature low birth weight babies.

• Use a dry bristle brush for the first two minutes of cleaning. It's not the toothpaste that "cleans" your teeth,

How to care for your teeth it's the mechanical action of the bristles in physical contact with the tooth surface that removes plaque (a living bio-film teeming with microorganisms that cause disease).

You can do a magnificent job brushing your teeth using a dry brush and rinsing with water (although your teeth will not have the benefit of fluoride).

• Spend time moving the bristles at and below the gum line, where it is most important to clean. The toothpaste can go on after those two minutes, and you can have the advantage of fluoride, whitening, stain removal or whatever works better for you because it's applied to a nice clean surface.

Floss your teeth • Floss your teeth daily and after any food that will stick in your teeth (i.e. corn on the cob, caramel, peanut butter, etc.). This cleans the other sides of your teeth that you couldn't reach with your toothbrush.

• Use a tongue scraper. A tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene that will also work wonders with stale, smelly breath. Use it to remove the plaque on your tongue, which will freshen breath and presumably slow down the accumulation of plaque on your teeth. Alternatively, you can use your toothbrush to clean your tongue.

Use mouth wash • Find a fluoride mouthwash.

Fluoride mouthwashes help to strengthen tooth enamel. Teach children between the age of six and twelve good rinsing skills to prevent swallowing. Follow the directions on the bottle. Right before you got to bed is a good time.

Choose Your Foods Wisely • Avoid snacking constantly.

Snacking constantly can cause plaque to build up on your teeth, which can increase the risk of getting cavities.

• Instead of reaching for the chocolate, nibble a bit of cheese as a snack. Cheese and milk are really good for keeping healthy teeth because they are alkaline. This counteracts the acids that eat away at your teeth.

• Avoid sugary and/or sticky foods.

Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, which then excrete substances that break down tooth enamel.

Eat lots of vegetables, and drink water instead of soda or juice.

• Remember that fruit juices are full of acids and natural sugars. Keep drinking these to a minimum or only drink them at meal-times, when the saliva is flowing most.

Culled from www.wikihow.com

44

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

‘Old age cause of erectile dysfunction, infertility’

T

t HE main cause of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men is old age, a director at Greenlife Pharmaceutical Limited, ‘Gbenga Falabi, has said.

He spoke at an event to welcome the partnership between Wockhardt Limited, makers of Manix Herbal capsule and Greenlife Pharmaceutical Limited.

According to him, in a study conducted in the country, 57 per cent of men over 35 years have reported having the problem.

“Still, most men feel reluctant or embarrassed to discuss this problem with their doctors or take treatment.

“The major cause for ED is advancment in age. It is reported that by age 40, 40 per cent of all men would have faced at least one incidence of ED. Other factors that increase chances of ED are work-related stress, depression, diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, smoking, alcohol, drug abuse and certain prescribed medications,” Falabi added.

“It is important that the sperm produced by the male sperm is adequate in

•Adegoke

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

volume and of good quality to fertilise the female.

“But it is reported that almost 10 to 15 per cent of all couples fail to conceive even after one year of unprotected sex. In 50 per cent of these cases, the infertility is due to the male partner. The reasons for male

•From left: Falabi, Obiora Chukwuka and Dhamankar, at the meeting.

infertility could be physical injury to male reproductive organs, hormonal imbalance, less semen volume, low sperm production, sperms with poor motility and erectile dysfunction,” he said.

A medical laboratory scientist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, Lagos, Mr Kehinde Adegoke, said Manix has been found to be a quick fix solution to erectile dysfunction unlike

other over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

“Manix was researched into by me at LUTH. It was a scientifically tested herbal medication that has proven results in men who participated. Manix goes

beyond managing erectile dysfunction to treating the cause of infertility and dysfunction. Others stimulate a man, unlike Manix that treats holistically.

“With age the body’s production of testosterone, the male hormone falls. Manix can reverse the age-related decrease in testosterone levels in men. Manix herbal capsules taken twice daily over 40 days increases testosterone by 26 per cent in men. When taken for 90 days, the Testosterone levels increases by 85 per cent.

This results in sexual arousal and pleasure, penile rigidity and longer duration of erectile, leading to longer lasting and more satisfying sex.”

On how it treat infertility due to low sperm volume, poor sperm quality and or motility, the Country Manager, Wockhardt Limited, Hemanshu Katira, said it is a holistic medication with 11 nutriceutical components. The active ingredient is oil-based ‘Ghee’, which is a by-product of milk. It must be taken with milk to bind the active ingredient, but water also will produce same result,” said Katira.

Remedies for foot pain

N

O one willing to rub your sore feet? No problem! Read on for easy, natural home You spend up to 80 per cent of your waking hours on your feet, and each day your feet absorb over 2,265,000 kilogrammes of accumulated pressure. So it’s no wonder that, from time to time, your feet end up in a world of hurt. Virtually

anything can cause foot pain, including shoes that don’t fit, diseases like arthritis and diabetes, and poor circulation.

What you can do for sore feet •For a refreshing and stimulating treat for the feet, fill one basin with cold water and another with water as hot as you can comfortably stand. Sit in a comfortable

chair, and place your feet in the cold water. After five minutes, switch to the hot water.

Repeat.

This “hydromassage” alternately dilates and constricts blood vessels in your feet, boosting circulation.

• In health-food stores, you can buy a roller specially designed to massage the soles of the feet.

Or you can simply roll your

bare foot over a tennis ball, golf ball, or rolling pin for several minutes.

• Scatter a few pencils on the floor, and pick them up with your toes. This little exercise helps relieve foot ache.

• Wrap a thick rubber band around all the toes on one foot. Spread your toes and hold the stretch for five seconds. Repeat 10 times to

relieve shoe-bound feet.

• Heel pain, especially in the morning, may signal plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tough band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. To get relief, stretch the Achilles tendon.

Stand about one metre from a wall. Place your hands on the wall, and move your right leg forward, knee

bent. Keep your left leg straight, with your heel on the floor. You should feel a gentle stretch in your heel and foot arch. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides and repeat.

• Apply an ice pack to the sore heel for about 20 minutes three times a day.

•Culled from www.besthealthmag.ca

45

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

NATURAL HEALTH

What should women wear… skirts or trousers?

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HERE is no doubt or argument about a woman's body being different from a man's. What has become debatable is whether a woman should wear only skirts and regard the pair of trousers as meant exclusively for men. Many Christian women who wear trousers today, like the pastors who say nothing against it, disregard the Bible's recommendation in Deterounomy for a differentiation of the genders in their dressing as an Old Testament admonition. But now, medicine seems to be suggesting that some of the health problems and other troubles women encounter these day, including gynaeccological disorders, could be because many of them no longer wear skirts routinely.

Incidentally, this thinking is championed in Europe and America by a well-respected female obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than 20 years of clinical and medical teaching experience, Dr Christiana Northrup, M.D. Dr. Northrup is the author of many medical books, including the number 1 New York Times best seller, THE WISDOM OF MENOPAUSE, and WOMEN’S BODIES, WOMEN'S WISDOM. She cofounded the WOMEN TO WOMEN HEALTH CARE CENTER in Yarmouth, Maine which was to become a model for women's clinics nationwide in the United States. And she was to become president of the American Holistic Medical Association.

This former assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Vermont College of Medicine developed her ideas of relationships between a woman's dressing and her health when she got involved with energy medicine, the bottom line of which is that, an indwelling spirit powers or animates the physical human body through seven energy centres or vortexes called the chakras in eastern medical philosophy. We aren't going into all of this today. What I consider interesting for today is that Dr Northrup believes woman should wear shirts, not pairs of trousers. Her arguments are simple • A woman's body is different from a man's • The Physical human body is derived from the earth and connected to it • Men and women draw in energy from the earth and from heaven for the sustenance of the health of their bodies. By their nature, women require more of the earth's energy than men which the skirt obliges them. On the other hand, men draw in more of the energy from force above the earth. Listen to her, in her book, WOMEN'S BODIES, WOMEN'S WISDOM or visit her on www. drnorthrup. Com: "Traditional Eastern philosophies describe the profound interaction between the Earth's energy and that of the physical human body, and the strong connection between male energy and the earth's own natural pull. Understanding women's nature, with its natural ebbs and flows, as positive and powerful gives us a chance to heal and live in a balanced, healthy way".

Many healers emphasise this earth/human connection. The body comes from the earth and needs connection with its radiations, for which reason it is suggested we walk hare footed in the mornings, especially on dew-covered grass, and in the evening that connection was impaired with the shoe-wearing civilisation in which, even in the sitting-room, shoes are now worn.

Dr Northrup advances the case for this connection by women: "According to some Eastern beliefs, believe woman's bodies are different from men's in that the Earth's energy moves up through our bodies and inward. This female energy is drawing, in energy, or centripetal force. This centripetal female force is irresistible. It is so powerful that if one lives in a family setting, most of the household will want to be around the person with the most centripetal energy, usually the mother and will be acutely aware when she is gone. Children will save up their complaints for their mother, at the end of the day if she hasn't been around. My children always need to know where I am in the house. If I walk out of a room, they call, "Mom, where are you? after about one minute. When they were younger, they always had to be in the same room with me. I couldn't take a bath alone until the older one was about nine. In contrast, when the children were young, my husband could have been away for much longer before they'd notice. A woman's inward pulling power is at play when she puts the baby to the breast accepts the penis into the virginal (if she's heterosexual), and sends chemical signals to encourage sperm to swim towards the egg".

Dr Northrup credits Michio Kushi, the macrobiotic teacher, as being the first person to illustrate this energy situation to

• Diagram, courtesy of Dr Northrup’s women’s body, women’s wisdom Caroline Myss, a journalist turned spiritualist and medical ‘What is the place of skirts or pairs of trousers intuitive. Medical intuitive is another name for intuitive docCaroline and Dr. Norton work together, even if separated in all this for women's health? Dr. Northrup tor. by about 1,000 kilometres. When the neurosurgeon has a case, answers: “I've been told that Navaho woman he sends the patient’s pholograph to Caroline, who as though wear skirts because doing so increases the interpreting a map, reads the energy pattern's and tells which is leaking energy or vibrating suboptionally. Dr Noman body's access to this Earth energy through the organ said her diagnosis agrees with his own in about 98 per cent of circle that the skirt creates on the Earth in rela- cases. It is their concept of energy medicine that Dr. Northrup has developed to explain many of the ailments befalling the tion to the body”’ woman of today as caused by energy insufficiencies. We cannot go into all this today. I agree with her that the gender is a people in the Western world. This teaching suggests that cendesign of the Creator's purposeful Will. A woman's inner core tripetal energy flowing into the body from the Earth through is different from a man's from the simple logic that the inner the feet is present in men also, although at a lesser degree than Self is an archetype of the outer self. In my own spiritual faith, women's, just as men have more of the centrifugal force enterit is taught that a special, finer essence incorporated into her ing the body from "Heaven" through the head. make-up to make her more psychically inclined and spirituWhat is the place of skirts or pairs of trousers in all this for ally receptive to finer etheric currents than men that makes women's health? Dr. Northrup answers: "I've been told that WOMAN the stronger gender, a magnetic quality she should Navaho woman wear skirts because doing so increases the have employed to lift her environment towards the Heights. body's access to this Earth energy through the circle that the But she misuses this instrument, dragging down instead of skirt creates on the Earth in relation to the body (see diagram).” uplifting, no longer proud to be woman, a high calling in I am very much at home with this thinking, spiritually speakcreation, but wishing to become MAN, instead. Therefore, from ing, I learned long ago that women are not the weaker gender. a natural finer design for CARING and TENDING, she has There is a difference between power and strength. I gained degenerated into men's COARSE or dense ACTIVITIES such psychic victory over male chauvinism the day I learned that, as boxing, footballing, parachuting, soldiering, wrestling ... in Creation, women are the deciding factors and, by implicaname it. Even in the model of dressing, which was advised by tion, men are the implementers of their will. To avert colliHigh Guidance to separate or differentiate the genders, she sions, a knowing man will, therefore, relate with a woman has collapsed the barriers. Now, she hates skirts, prefers men's whose will aligns with his. Husbands would not feel betrayed trousers. But if, as Dr. Northrup says, this deprives her Earth or isolated by their wives when, even as adults,the children energy, she remains a woman only outwardly. Inwardly, she gravitate towards their mother, almost forgetting their fabecomes the caricature of a woman. Men recognise and flee ther existed. from her. Because her reproductive organs are weak, she canI believe that through the microscope or mirror which the not easily get pregnant or easily keep one like animals which "Centripetal" Earth energy affords us, we can assume that do not need to see gynaecologists before their babies are defamily life is in disarray in those countries where women no livered. It takes a woman to keep a marriage and a home. longer have enough of this energy to exert that pulling-in Marriages are breaking down almost as soon as they are conhold on their environment. Would this Earth energy defitracted, and homes are no longer homes, places of refuge and ciency be due to abandonment of the skirt for the trousers? Is recuperation, because the woman who is to hold the spikes this a possible cause of the ever rising wave of obstetrical and together, like the hub of a wheel, is no longer a woman but, gynecological problems? inwardly the caricature of one. I recommend Dr. Northrup's Dr Northrup says she got introduced to energy medicine books for the library of every woman. through the work of practitioner such as Dr Sheally Norman, neurosurgeon author of THE CREATION OF HEALTH, and

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

Tel: 08034004247, 07025077303

46

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

47

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

e-Business The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has granted the request of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for additional radio spectrum, raising hopes of enhanced telecoms service delivery, reports ADLINE ATILI

How Nigeria won spectrum battle in Geneva

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INCE the deregulation of the telecommunications sector in 1999, there have been activities in the sector, leading to remarkable growth.

The coming of digital mobile telephone services, using the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology in 2001, enhanced this growth.

In 2003, Nigeria launched its first satellite in Russia, the Nigersat-1, a remote-sensing satellite. In 2007, in partnership with the China Great Wall Industry Corporation, it launched the NigComSat-1, a communications satellite, which, however, failed in orbit and was replaced with the NigComSat-1R late last year.

The government has plans to invest in more satellites. Transition to digital broadcasting is expected to take effect in June.

All these and other new technologies put enormous strain on the radio spectrum, which according to the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Bashir Gwandu, said the nation is in short supply of, to ensure quality telecommunications services.

As explained by the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Yomi Bolarinwa, radio spectrum, in layman’s terms, is the electromagnetic waves that support the transmission of radio, television, satellite and telecommunications services.

According to the NCC, radio frequency spectrum is one of Nigeria’s key natural resources of great economic value as a result of its direct application in telecommunications, broadcasting, military operations and scientific research, in addition to a range of other socio-economic activities.

The use of the radio spectrum in the country is at an all-time high due to the explosion in demand for mobile, voice and data services. As a result, the nation is at present facing ‘spectrum crunch’ that may threaten effective delivery of communications services.

Gwandu said non-availability of spectrum has been a major challenge, not only in Nigeria but other African countries.

He said the reason for this was because of the heavy reliance on wireless communications services and non-availability of vital infrastructure including fibre and copper.

Gwandu said: “Availability of spectrum has been a major challenge for African countries including Nigeria. This is so because we rely heavily on wireless communications, coupled with the fact that, the needed infrastructure including fibre and copper are not fully available.

“Though we can say, we have some in Nigeria; the transmission channel has been a major challenge.”

Gwandu said Africa has not got the digital dividend as canvassed by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

This, he said, could be achieved if more spectra are available for telecommunications services.

He said: “We have a huge population and this is affecting our networks. They are congested and the expansion is not there yet.

You can only address network congestion by increasing capacity and you can only increase capacity when you have more

spectra.

“The spectrum we have as you know is the 2.3GHz and we are trying to auction its last slot. Then we have 2.6GHz, which we have not really licensed for international mobile telecommunications services.”

According to experts, the future of mobile communications depends on operators having timely and reasonable access to the necessary spectrum resource.

Findings show that while broadband penetration stands at barely 12 per cent in Nigeria, non-release of additional relevant spectrum licences to willing investors in broadband services has been hindering ability of investors to take broadband services to different parts of the country, as experts argue that allocations of relevant spectrum is necessary for driving ubiquitous broadband connectivity.

The NCC, however, resolved it would lobby ITU for more spectrum allocation for communications services.

“We are going to ITU in 2012 to ask for more spectra. We will not go as a country but as a continent to say we want more spectra because of the huge data that is going to be growing in the continent.

“That growth has to be accommodated.

We also have affordability challenges and to overcome this, we are pushing for additional spectrum,” Gwandu, who doubles as Chairman of the ITU Radiocommunications Advisory Group, had said.

The opportunity to solicit more spectrum allocation presented itself at the just-concluded ITU World Radiocommunications Conference 2012 (WRC-12), when request for spectrum allocation was presented by Gwandu on behalf of African countries.

Amid stiff opposition from Western and Eastern Europe within Region 1 of the ITU, the African team, led by Gwandu remained resolute and focused on the target with commitment to succeed in their quest.

According to Gwandu, “Africa has come of age to be taken seriously at the WRC. It is simply not an option to go back home empty-handed.

“Yes, we understand that the allocation request is not explicitly on the agenda of the conference as others would like to see it, but the Agenda Item 1.17 and Section 89 of the ITU Constitution provide sufficient grounds to table such request, especially considering the poor state of broadband penetration in African countries.”

After several weeks of ad hoc Special Technical Committee work, ITU, the United Nations agency for Information and Communications Technology, approved spectrum allocation on the

•ITU Secretary-General, Dr Hamadoun Touré

•Gwandu

700MHz band to Nigeria to enable efficient delivery of mobile broadband services in the country.

Additionally, the nation’s Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) services on the 850MHz band (principally for Visafone, Multi-Links, Prestel, rural telephony, and Intercellular) that had neither primary nor secondary allocation from the ITU now have a formal primary allocation status in the radio regulations.

The 700MHz band is an important swathe of nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband spectrum that will benefit the nation’s telecommunications sector.

Gwandu noted that the primary allocation status for CDMA operations in the country should have been done many years ago either before or after the CDMA operators were licensed.

According to him, the new allocation in the 850MHz band can now enable Nigerian operators to demand for non-harmful interference from services of other countries -a right which hitherto they never had.

ITU said the period before the allocation proper would allow for re-planning and clearance of broadcast television stations in the band to lower bands, as well as developing common-channelling plan for Africa.

This, according to the agency, should be followed by common-standard development, chip-set manufacture, and mass production of relevant handsets and base stations.

“This technical work is in line with the strive to achieve intra and inter-regional harmonisation for the use of bands 694790/790-862 MHz in order to ensure both broadcasting and mobile services operate in a non-interference environment,” the

ITU said.

Among the other proposals made by the Nigerian team was a request to the ITU to consider additional spectrum allocations to mobile services on a primary basis and identification of additional frequency bands for International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and related regulatory provisions, to facilitate the development of terrestrial mobile broadband applications.

IMT is the new mobile phone operating system developed by the ITU to replace Third Generation (or 3G technology).

This next generation of mobile technology, according to the radio experts who developed it, would result in faster and better quality mobile services, eliminating the wait time between the tap of a finger and the appearance of a Web page.

The proposal was favourably considered and was accepted to be the agenda item 1.1 for the WRC-2015.

Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Brett Goschen, said: “Following our successful deployment of mobile services over the past 10 years, the timely and efficient allocation of spectrum will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our customers and ensure the delivery of next generation mobile broadband services and products.

“Time is of the essence and we are committed to working with policy makers and regulators to make the global vision of mobile broadband a reality.”

Director General of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), the association that represents the interests of mobile operators world wide, Anne Bouverot, was elated by the development.

“The GSMA is extremely pleased that many countries have recognised the need to secure the future of mobile broadband and along with our members, we stand committed to the success of the ITU’s work.

“By taking action now to secure more spectra, mobile operators will be betterpositioned to meet the mobile data needs of billions of consumers well into the future.

“We look forward to working with governments and regulators over the next three years to identify the spectrum needed to deliver the vision of providing low cost, ubiquitous broadband across the world,” Ms Bouverot said.

‘The spectrum we have as you know is the 2.3GHz and we are trying to auction its last slot. Then we have 2.6GHz, which we have not really licensed for international mobile telecommunications services’

48

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

e-Business

ICT park to save Nigeria $5billion

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ANAGING Director of the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), Tiamasaniyu Ahmed-Rufai, has advocated the use of the recently launched satellite, NigComSat-1R to achieve the ‘Electronic Park’ (e-Park) project and other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives of the Federal Government.

Ahmed-Rufai said the e- Park, a proposition of the Ministry of Communications Technology to serve as a skills acquisition and ICT training centre for youths, would save the country $5billion yearly, derivable from the penetration of indigenous software products and services.

Speaking at an ICT workshop organised by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja, the NIGCOMSAT boss described the replaced satellite as the cornerstone for universal access and bedrock for ICT development, backbone for sociopolitical and eco-

Executive Secretary of the MTN Foundation (MTNF), Ms Nonny Ugboma (right) presenting travel documents to baby Adelakun, one of eight beneficiaries of the MTNF, being sponsored to India for corrective heart surgery. With them is the baby’s mother, Mrs Adeola Adelakun…in Lagos

NCC, others allay fear over M-payment T

HE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and telecommunications operators have said there is no cause for alarm over the mobile money scheme a.k.a cash-less banking.

Mobile telephone subscribers, who will form the bulk of patrons of the scheme, are worried that the poor quality of telecommunications services, may affect it.

At the 66th NCC Telecoms Consumer Parliament in Lagos, NCC said it would explore every available means to protect consumers from abuses.

Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Mr Okechukwu Itanyi, said the critical success factor of the scheme rests with the initiator and receiver of the transaction, financial institution and telecoms operator.

Itanyi said as the scheme involves the use of mobile network platform, NCC would ensure seamless interconnection between the mobile money operators and the telecoms network providers, as well as ensure adequate enlightenment of subscribers.

He urged stakeholders in the

Stories by Adline Atili

scheme to safeguard the interest of the telecoms subscribers to ensure successful implementation and instil confidence in the scheme.

NCC’s Director of Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, Mrs Lolia Emakpore, said the commission would ensure that mobile operators maintain the best quality of service that would enable consumers have hitchfree transactions.

“The consumers need not fear as the operators are working to ensure that there are no delays or hitches in any transaction initiated,” she said.

Speaking on how customer complaints would be handled in the face of duplicity of players in the scheme, Mrs Emakpore stressed that NCC would not be saddled with resolution of financial complaints.

According to her, this aspect would be handled by the mobile money operators and the financial sector regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“NCC would only address complaints arising from transaction failure associated with network failure,” she said.

She said the operators have agreed that ‘mobile money’ is a financial product and as such, have decided that complaints should be taken from the point of view of financial services providers, clarifying that the mobile payment vendors actually own the scheme, but are merely riding on the network of the mobile operators to execute transactions.

Reacting to the pricing model for subscribers, she said CBN would ensure a fair pricing plan that would encourage Nigerians to use mobile money.

Channel Manager, Mobile Money at MTN, Mr Kieran Ombu, said MTN had created a dedicated customer care line, as well as upgraded its network infrastructure to ensure smooth financial transactions.

According to him, MTN has created a special mobile money help desk manned by 60 customer service personnel as part of its strategy of ensuring that complaints are dealt with decisively.

Director of Tele-banking at Globacom, Mr Tunde Kuponiyi, assured that the Globacom robust network infrastructure would ensure effective and efficient mobile money operations.

What is mobile money?

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ITH so much buzz, anticipation and doubts over the newly-initiated mobile money scheme in Nigeria, a scheme which has thrived in countries such as Kenya, the Philippines and even Cote d’Ivoire, the success stories of those emerging countries will serve as a template for the Nigerian economy. But the big question is what is mobile money and how would it aid Nigerians and the economy?

With the Central Bank of Nigeria aiming at making the Nigerian society cash-less by reducing the amount of physical cash in circulation and increasing electronic commerce, licenses have been issued to various mobile money op-

erators such as Paga, Fortis and banks, in partnership with telecommunications network operators, including MTN and Globacom.

Although the mobile money operators and networks will have different modes of marketing this scheme, it should be noted that the basic aim is to allow Nigerians make transaction via their mobile phones, as only 25 per cent of Nigerians have access to bank accounts and financial services, while about 90 per cent own mobile phones. This scheme, according to experts, will not only be beneficial to the economy but will assist Nigerians in their daily transactions without fear of fraud.

However, despite the compelling benefits and innovativeness of the mobile money, Telecoms Compare, a telecommunications comparison website is of the opinion that certain issues have to be resolved before its official launch. These issues include who resolves customer issues? Is it the banks, the mobile money players or the network operators? This and many more need to be put into perspective.

In general, the scheme is a welcome idea and www.telecomscompare.com will keep a close eye on its progress, price variations and launch dates and feed you with constant information.

nomic re-engineering of Nigeria and Africa.

He said: “The reality of the 21st century is the pervasiveness of ICT in all sphere of human life. Modern technology today has presented a new and better way of operations in all ramifications.”

The ‘e-Park’ project, he explained, targets creation of two million IT professionals to be pooled from the 774 local government areas in the country within five years.

Among other projects the NigComSat-1R would support, according to Ahmed-Rufai, include the e-Library project expected to take off in June, and the Secondary School NET project, aimed at facilitating access to electronic education. This is in addition to the National Integration Community Service Centre (NICISC) project aimed at facilitating the establishment of electronic public information centres across the country.

Samsung launches laser printers

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AMSUNG Electronics West Africa (SEWA), an Information Technology and consumer electronics firm, has launched an array of laser printers in the country.

They are the Samsung ML1860, SCX3200, CLX3185FN and ML3310ND, with print speeds of18 pages per minute.

According to the company, the laser printers, with scanning, printing, and photocopying functionalities, offer users an intuitive printing experience by incorporating a number of easy– to-use, one-touch features into the product’s design.

The compact printers also include

environmentally-friendly features, making them ideal for personal, home office and small office users.

IT Director, SEWA, Mrs Chioma Iwuckukwu-Nweke said: “As technology evolves to become increasingly complex and delivers more and more features, consumers are looking for an intuitive experience.

In recognition of this, Samsung has introduced a number of easy-touse ‘one-touch’ features to the new laser printers. The Samsung Print Screen button provides consumers with a quick and easy way to print exactly what they see on their PC screen at the touch of a button.”

Forum sets agenda for broadband growth

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HE Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson is to chair the eWorld 2012 Broadband Forum scheduled for March 21 in Lagos.

The forum, with theme: Broadband Ecosystem: Issues for Regulators and Operators is seeking to contribute to ongoing discussions on Nigeria’s march towards accelerated broadband development in line with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) vision and objectives.

According to the Publisher of eWorld Magazine and convener of the forum, Mr Aaron Ukodie, “In view of ITU’s declaration of broadband access

as digital right of all citizens, thorny areas need to be smoothened to put a workable and growth-induced policy, strategy and action for broadband development in the country.”

These issues, according to him, include: mobile banking services and the role of regulators; wireless broadband spectrum pricing; open access regulation; setting national broadband policies, strategies and plans; financing universal access; new business models for broadband networks, among other issues.

The forum is also expected to contribute to efforts by the NCC and the Ministry of Communications Technology to chart a workable roadmap and policy for broadband development.

‘Use ICT to grow economy’

I

NFORMATION services provider, VConnect Global Services Limited, has urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to utilise Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to facilitate growth of their businesses and boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

According to the company, because of the critical role of SMEs in developing the economy, there was need to widen their access to market and boost their revenue drive through exposure to the Internet via digital marketing.

The company identified sole reliance on traditional forms of marketing as the greatest challenge to growth of SMEs in the country.

Speaking at a business forum in Lagos, Territory Sales Manager at VConnect, Mr Wale Onibudo, stressed the need for a paradigm shift from traditional marketing methodologies to digital marketing which, according to him, is more efficient and cost effective.

He said: “Traditional marketing, with its limited exposure and regulatory challenges, is costly, fragmented and difficult to measure. It is a fact that a small and medium business owner will not able to afford high investment-driven marketing channels, especially in the hyper-competitive business world.

“This is where digital marketing comes in. This form of marketing has an edge over traditional marketing because it is focused, cost effective and measurable in terms of Returns on Investment (ROI).”

He noted that with the Internet becoming an integral part of our lives, various forms of advertising using email, websites and mobile phones have emerged and are now dominating the traditional media.

He assured that VConnect was wellpositioned to cater for the digital marketing needs of businesses in Nigeria through increasing visibility of SMEs on the Internet by listing them on www.vconnect.com, where prospective customers are referred to businesses, targeted SMSs as well as designing websites for businesses.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

e-Business

Conning the con artist

Matters e-Rising Segun Oruame segun@segunoruame.com

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OD bless Ribadu, former czar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He did not stop the 419 scourge. But he reduced the intensity of the aura that made yahoo-yahoo such an appealing business. Ribadu has fled the shores of Nigeria. Away from the enemies he haunted for making a personal feast out of the national treasury. Enemies who now dictate the pace of crime against the state.

History has set upon us again, the full deluge of scam emails; phony phones calls where the caller with hidden numbers pretends to be calling from London or New York and has a goodwill business or an angel fund to help us prevail against poverty. Once we fall for the bait, we become the latest ‘mugu’ to be scammed.

The yahoo-yahoo boys are back in full force. They call us in the early hours of the morning. They wait for clues on our sides of the call. They use the clues to encourage us join them in the congame. Once we fall, and many of us always fall for those cheap bogus business openings; once we fall, we end up with winding tales of how we were conned.

We hardly accept that it was greed that made us fall: that innate lust for cheap money that has made many abroad and at home

to fall for con artists. We always blame our fall on the supernatural.

The con artists do not work with mere brain. They use ‘juju.’ They use juju to convince us that we have our millions waiting for us in a business proposal we have no knowledge of.

They use juju to get us against our better judgment to join them in becoming emergency suppliers of imaginary products that we have never heard of. They use juju to get us pray and thank God for that breakthrough that we have waited all the time for and that has finally come through; a total stranger who called us in the middle of the night that he is Godsend for our financial breakthrough in life.

As long as men will not stop to be gullible and will not stop to lust after cheap gains, they will not stop becoming pawns of yahoo-yahoo schemes. The emails come in their hundreds informing us of becoming lucky winners of a lottery we never entered for and requesting for personal information that include our bank details. Driven by greed, we raise no doubt and simply key in the information for the online con artists to work on immediately or at a later date. Sometimes, it could even take a year or more before the con artists begin to work on us.

Whenever we provide information about ourselves on the

Internet, we are helping someone somewhere to create a database of his likely targets in months or years to come. When you get those cursory emails that you have been nominated in a ‘World Who is Who’; or an online social network invite; or name database of professionals, pause before you respond or better still simply delete the offensive email. Chances are you are helping to make yourself a potential target if you help criminal elements put your information on their database.

When you suddenly get a phone call with a caller that appears to know so much about you including the primary school you attended and even mentions your mother’s name, beware, you may have helped him to know you when you filled that harmless form online months or years back. The world is more connected than ever before and the propensity to commit crime of ‘knowingness’ is far higher than ever before.

With more people owning their Internet access at home or via their mobile window, laptops and high-end handsets, the Internet is already in the pockets of fraudsters. They no longer need to sleep at the cybercafé to search for victims.

They can con you while they are negotiating through the heavy traffic of Lagos or while cruising on the highway between Sokoto and Zaria.

When that email comes, simply delete it. If it’s a call, you have

the option of telling the con artist to try someone else or helping him to waste his call units by pretending to play along. My friend in one of the telecoms companies took the second option. He conned the con artist not out of his money but out of his wits. Enjoy the phone conversation between him and the con artist: I got a typical call very recently, here's the gist: Mr 419: Hello, how are you?

Ayo: Fine. Please, who am I speaking with?

Mr 419: Haba, don't you remember me? Who do you know in UK that could be calling?

(Sensing a scam, I threw in a trap…)

Ayo: Johnson! Is that you? (I don't know any Johnson in the UK.) (Thinking it’s a break, he swallows the bait) Mr 419: Of course, this is Johnson!

How come you didn't recognise my voice initially?

(Certain it's scam, I decided to punish him verbally and financially. I had time that morning so I was going to assist him waste his call credit).

Ayo: Jooooooohnson! Kai! Omo buruku gbaa ni o! (You are a specially-bad boy) Your father died, you didn't so much as show up or send a note. Omo a se iru e fun e! (Your children will repay you with such). Didn't you hear about his demise? He was so bitter and full of original curses for you.

Mr 419: (Obviously subdued) I didn't hear. I would have come.

Ayo: Too bad. You heard you

mama is leprous too? You didn't hear about that, abi?

Mr 419: (Now uncomfortable) No, I didn’t hear.

Ayo: (Enjoying myself thoroughly).

Too bad! Is your wife that foolish too? Not even a word from her after you folks married without our blessings? If the husband is not wise, is the wife lame-witted too?

Mr 419: She’s fine. I’m certain she'll get across to you. There’s an issue…

(Breaking in before he begins his story) Ayo: Johnson, O se mi o: you offended me. I sent you money to buy me a car and you just disappeared. When am I having my money back? You want me to curse you too like your father did? I don’t have his kind of patience I’m sure you know. I won't wait that long before I give you what you deserve.

Mr 419: (Grunted). This issue is important...

Ayo: Shut up!!! When are you sending money home? Haba! We sent you to school, clothed you and sent you abroad...Are you now a 419? Stealing from me your friend too? Your father was right to curse you... And you can’t escape it if you continue like this. It's not a curse.

Mr 419: I’ll repay you.

After about 50 minutes of moves and countermoves…I owned up.

Ayo: See Mr 419, I don't know any Johnson in the UK. I just needed to teach you a lesson. Go get a proper job.

Mr 419: Were! Oloriburuku! Lo ti n sepe fun mi lat'aaro! (Madman and you’ve been cursing me since morning!)

Ayo: Disconnected.

Stakeholders canvass Internet access for ICT development

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HIEF Executive Officer of MainOne Cable Company, Ms Funke Opeke, has said for broadband Internet to be a reality, Internet services must be affordable, accessible, sustainable and available in every sector.

She spoke in Lagos, at a breakfast forum entitled: Enabling Internet Ubiquity in Nigeria, organised by Digital Jewels, an Information Technology capacity building firm.

Ms Opeke said though the foundation of Internet ubiquity has been laid, limited infrastructure were an impediment.

She called on the Federal Government to intervene in this regard by supporting private investors in the country to address the infrastructure challenge.

She said: “While some of the key building blocks to drive ubiquity exist, more work is required to cut through national challenges to deliver widely-accessible, always-on and affordable Internet services to the people of Nigeria.

“Internet availability is achievable but the growth will be slow in spreading from the cities to the rural areas due to limited infrastructure.

However, the spread can be fast-tracked by direct government interventions to support private sector investments.

Firm pledges better service delivery

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HIEF Executive Oficer of Geoid Telecommunications Limited, an Internet Service Provider, (ISP), Mr Biyi Ismail, has assured its customers of super-fast, always-on, satellite Internet access, ready with no dialling in, no waiting and no tied-up phone lines.

Ismail said customers can now download files in seconds, check emails instantly and surf the Internet at a faster rate.

In a statement by the company, Ismail said Geoidtel’s system is compatible with Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems (OS).

“These OS allow for faster Internet access, at least 30 times faster than an average dial-up connection.

It also enables fast flips through Web pages like turning the pages of a book as well as quick downloads of large files in minutes, among other exciting benefits. At Geoidtel, we aim to bring the world to customers’ doorsteps by offering them access to world-class Internet services at rock-bottom prices,” he said.

Stories by Adline Atili

Also speaking at the forum, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Jewels, Mrs Adedoyin Odunfa, identified Internet ubiquity as a catalyst for enabling efficiency, convenience, innovation globalisation and transparency in governance.

Mrs Odunfa noted that while Internet access has been on the increase, Nigeria is far from achieving ubiquity as the nation was missing among the first ten ranked countries in Africa.

According to her, the country came fourth behind Cape Verde, Cote d’ Ivoire and Ghana on egovernment development in West Africa according to the 2011 United Nations e-government survey.

She decried increasing insecurity of government establishments and private organisations with the hacking of their websites, saying security is crucial to Internet ubiquity.

•From left: General Manager, Panabiz International Limited, Mr Girish Sharma; Administration Manager, Mr Shaibu Alhassan and Logistics Manager, Mr Oseremen Ijie, at the launch of Canon products in Lagos.

Airtel boss identifies SMEs as catalysts for national growth

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XECUTIVE Director of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Deepak Srivastava, has identified Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as catalyst for economic growth.

He said in order to aid the sector to perform optimally; products and services that would ensure business owners get return on investments should be developed.

According to him, the Telco has introduced a package, Club Business, aimed at boosting productivity and profitability of SMEs in the country with relevant and affordable telecommunications

solutions.

The Airtel boos said Club Business, will enable SMEs form a club of 20 members with their employees in order to benefit from specialised discounts including free calls for the first 100 minutes and subsequent calls charged at 20k per second for on-net calls, while SMS to club members will be N1.

He stressed that the package was designed to provide opportunities for small business owners to adopt creative and strategic initiatives to survive harsh business climate.

He said: “The Airtel Club Business was developed to empower SMEs with relevant and affordable telecommunications solutions. It allows a minimum of five users and a maximum of 20 Airtel customers, with a monthly minimum recharge of N500 on the Master Line.

“This line would be responsible for paying access fees and monthly commitment for all other lines in the club. To activate, customers are to dial *590# from an existing Airtel line. To add other numbers to form the Club Business for free, customers are to dial *590*1*the Airtel number#.”

Adenuga canvasses increased women empowerment

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LOBACOM Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga (Jnr) has called for the empowerment of more women in the society, identifying women empowerment as “a necessary step if a country is to overcome the obstacles associated with poverty and under-development.”

Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, at a retreat on women development, organised by the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Adenuga noted that the world over, increasing attention was being paid to women empowerment and elimination of gender disparity, to ensure more balanced gender participation at all levels of society.

This development, he explained, is in recognition of the vital role women play in achieving

true national transformation and enduring peace.

According to him, the Human Development and Capabilities Approach and the Millennium

Development Goals (MDGs), as well as other credible approaches had confirmed the importance of women empowerment in engendering change.

Symantec introduces antivirus

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ECURITY software company, Symantec has introduced its premium security suite, Norton 360 Version 6.0.

The software, according to the company, ranked first in overall real-world protection and remediation from Av-Test Institute 1 and received top performance scores from PassMark Software 2.

In a statement, the company said the

Norton 360 Version 6.0 can be installed on up to three PCs and is available for purchase from various retailers and the Norton online store at www.norton.com.

The price includes a three PC license, a one-year subscription, Symantec’s protection updates and one full year of Norton’s best-in-class customer support.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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INDUSTRY

Kaduna Trade Fair shifted over Boko Haram threat T HE Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) has postponed the 33rd Kaduna Trade Fair scheduled to begin tomorrow.

A statement by the chamber’s Director-General, Usman Saulawa said the fair slated to hold from tomorrow to March 4 has been shifted. No new date was stated.

The statement said: “The decision became necessary to allow normalcy to return to the state and environs”, adding: “A new

Stories by Toba Agboola

date for the fair would be communicated to exhibitors and the general public soon.”

The chamber regretted “any inconvenience this change of date might have caused exhibitors, visitors, sponsors and the general public.”

A fresh bomb attack rocked Kaduna last Tuesday, killing a police anti-bomb official, Sergeant Bandag Sunday, when he attempted to defuse the bomb planted in a bag.

The development unsettled

residents of the city. This came just a little over a week of suicide bombing targeting military installation in the city.

Residents of Kaduna metropolis scampered for safety as bombs exploded at military formations and on a bridge. Boko Haram claimed responsibility.

A blast rocked an area near a military barracks.

Residents said windows in an office complex were shattered.

Islamist group Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of bomb attacks in northern Nigeria.

It claimed responsibility for the January 20 coordinated bombings and shootings in Nigeria’s second-largest city of Kano that left at least 185 people dead — Boko Haram’s deadliest attack yet

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, One Division, Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun, said in a statement that a suicide bomb attempt was made on the headquarters complex of One Mechanised Division.

Nigeria to become net exporter of steel by 2014

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IGERIA is to become one of the steel exporting countries by 2014, according to projections by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

SON Director General, Joseph Odumodu, at the inauguration of Phoenix Steel Mills Limited, Thermo Mechanically Treated (THT) plant in Ogijo, Ogun State, said the future is bright as iron and steel companies are springing up following government’s encouragement of the private sector to participate in the sector.

He said despite the challenges confronting the sector, the few operators still flying the flag of local value addition, in line with the industrialisation policy of the country, are trying their best and deserve commendation.

The THT plant, according to him, is a $20 million project, while the firm has about 1,000 workers in its workforce, noting that besides producing basic steel products needed for a variety of industrial and commercial uses, the steel sector also generates direct and indirect employment

for a sizable proportion of the population, while also supplying basic raw materials to allied industries and sectors.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of the firm, Mr. Sunil Goel, said the essence of the multi-million dollar investment was informed by the need to produce steel and iron bars with enhanced strength combined with high ductility and excellent weldability without loss of strength at welded joints as a way of further discouraging the importation of substandard iron rods.

THT bars, according to him, are thermo-mechanically treated through world leading Tempcore-based technology for high yield strength.

Phoenix Steel Mills Limited is part of a group of companies engaged in manufacture of steel, binding wire and wire mesh, quarrying of granite and importation of rice into Nigeria, while its overseas companies are engaged in the manufacture of edible oil, manufacture and export of garments to USA and Europe, hospitality business and real estate.

Cotton production to rise to 7,500 tonnes

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•From left: Lawson, Isemede and Vice-Chairperson of the Group, Mrs. Helen Ogedegbe at the briefing

Women entrepreneurs seek transparency •In implementation of SURE

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HE Nigeria Federation of Business Women Entrepreneurs (FEBWE) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the handling of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE) targeted at generating 370,000 jobs is transparent.

Speaking at a post-inauguration press conference for the group held at the Nigeria Chamber of Commerce , Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) House, in Lagos, Chairperson, FEBWE who is also the Vice President, NACCIMA, Mrs. Alaba Lawson, said all the government’s promise to empower the women and youth, should not only be on paper.

She said government should see, women as strategic partners in na-

tional development.

The group announced its readiness to partner governments at all levels in the development of businesses.

Mrs Lawson noted that the business department of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiated the body so as to enable women in the sub-region assist in promoting entrepreneurship in their respective countries.

Her words: “By so doing, it will be possible for women in the subregion to contribute their quota to the millennium development goals of governments and the economies of member-states and also serve as catalyst to increasing the African and world trade volume.

“It is in view of this that ECOWAS/FEBWE was established

in July 2009 in Ghana, and this body has served as a common platform for women economic operators in the West African sub-region.”

Lawson observed that the creation of the organisation in Nigeria was as a result of the fact that women entrepreneurs face challenges while doing business to enhance their roles in creating wealth for the sub-region. She stressed that with the platform, member- states would adequately partake in economic development.

Also speaking, the Director-General, NACCIMA, Mr John Isemede said women play a key role in the development of any nation, hence there is for government to support women entrepreneurs. He assured that NACCIMA will do everything to support the group.

HE Federal Government has said it would increase the production of cotton from 120,000 tonnes seed to 7,500 tonnes by 2015.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, made this known at the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)with the West Africa Cotton company, a subsidiary of Tropical General Investment group.

Describing cotton as a crop of glo-

bal importance, Adesina said Nigeria has lost its global place in the international market in cotton trade and insists the government is no longer willing to allow the situation to deteriorate further.

He said: “We have descended thus far from the perennial neglect of the sub-sector. While Nigeria’s prominence dimmed, our competitors in the sub-region have maintained their dominance due to strong marketing institutions.

Nigeria, China trade hit $10b

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HE Deputy Consul -General of China to Nigeria, Qui Jian has said the current volume of trade between the two countries is $10 billion.

He was optimistic that the figure will improve in the months ahead.

Jian, who gave the hint in Lagos , said with the two countries experiencing relative economic boom when most nations of the world are going through economic recession, the potential of increasing business volumes between both nations was very feasible.

According to him: “I can say the

trade volume between the two countries is more than $10 billion.

And we would want to still do more because we need each other to grow. We are open to not just Nigeria but other African countries as well, because most of them are under-developed so there is a need to invest in them in order to bring about progress and development, we need progress and we need improvement, this leaves us with plenty room to actually do more.”

The Chinese ambassador stressed China’s interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

EU woos Nigeria, others to sign economic pact HE European Union (EU) is wooing Nigeria and other West African countries to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for mutual benefits.

The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and Economic Cummunity of West African States (ECOWAS), David MacRae, urged Nigeria to play a proactive role within ECOWAS to ensure speedy conclusion of negotiation on EPA. The EPAs between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries are aimed at promoting trade between the two

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groupings – and through trade development, sustainable growth and poverty reduction.

Speaking at a forum on Trade Facilitation in Nigeria, organised by the Ministry of Trade and Investment in Lagos, MacRae said Nigerian businesses would benefit from the treaty.

MacRae stressed the need for trade facilitation to be seen as an opportunity for business to work better and not as yet another set of obligations imposed by government, which is of little relevance to the needs of the business community.

He added: “Trade facilitation is key to achieving the targets set out in the Nigerian Transformation Agenda, and the EU prises the Economic Management Team on the various initiatives, which have been undertaken in this respect, notably on reforms at the ports. Initiatives at different levels of government, such as the Trade Facilitation Task Force, can go a long way in supporting the actions and decisions of government.

He disclosed that the EPA is set out to help ACP countries integrate into the world economy and share in the opportunities offered by

globalisation.

According to MacRae, the EU has embarked on the construction of a joint border post between Nigeria and Benin at Seme for easy flow of trade.

He said: “Not surprisingly, a number of complication with the project have arisen but I am confident that works will progress speedily over the next months and that we may reconvene soon to celebrate its commissioning.”

He stated that officials and politicians can facilitate processes in favour of business activities and economic

growth, but without a strong involvement of the business community, such policies and official programmes on trade facilitation as we are likely to develop can quickly come to naught.

He emphasized the need for businesses to realize that, in a globalised world, growth and success can only be sustainable if best practices are pursued which includes a proper regard for overall trade efficiency and a certain degree of adaptation by all.

“In some instances this may mean that some level of enforcement of decision is required to push the trade facilitation agenda forward”, he added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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INDUSTRY Winners emerge in Mouka promo

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INNERS have emerged in the Mouka ‘Dream Desti nation promo,’ held last Tuesday in Lagos. Four lucky winners won all expense paid trips to Dubai.

At the final draw, Mrs Gloria Ajibade from Lagos, Mr and Mrs Ette Shoba from the Western Region, Njoku Ugonna from the Eastern region and Okey Martins from the Northern region emerged winners of the all expense paid trip to Dubai with their families.

Four other winners won N100,000 each, eight people won N50,000, each and 16 others won

By Ajose Sehindemi

N25,000 each.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Mouka Foam ,Mrs Peju Adebajo said the need to reward their customers led to the promo.

She said the promo, which ran from November 2011 to January 31, 2012, was based on two types, which are instant winnings for those that purchased the products, where they are given a prize at the point of purchase and the grand draw where the main winners are picked.

CHI launches new Chivita 750ml

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•From left: Comedian/compere, Papa B, Winners (couple) and Marketing Executive, Sweet Sensation, Miss Folake Amuda, during the Sweet Sensation Valentine’s Special celebration at Sweet Sensation Ikeja GRA Outlet.

Lack of infrastructure bane of SME

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HE Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has identified infrastructure as a major challenge to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) , urging the government to be more decisive in its resolve to tackle the problem.

Besides, the association also called on the government to address multiple taxation to reduce production cost.

The President of the association, Mr Garba Ibrahim Gusa, while addressing a press conference in Lagos , said SMEs are facing a lot of difficulties due to the poor state of infrastructure, especially electricity and poor road network.

According to him, entrepreneurs that are into raw material processing find it difficult to transport their finished products to the urban areas while those in urban areas cannot access material from the rural areas.

He added that if multiple taxation is reduced, cost of production would also reduce, which would enhance profitability of the business and help create more employment.

Gusa, who also identified inability to access fund as one of the challenges, urged the government to ensure that it directs funds to the

Stories by Toba Agboola

association in order to strengthen the capacity of members to access these funds.

“Government should address the issue of infrastructure and improve some of the roads network, especially the railways so that they can travel to the interior areas to buy things and those in the hinterland can come and sell the products in the urban area.

‘There is also the need for government to look into the issue of multiple taxation. This will help to reduce cost of production and enhance profit, it will also help to create more job opportunities’

”There is also the need for government to look into the issue of multiple taxation. This will help to reduce cost of production and enhance profit, it will also help to create more job opportunities,” he added.

On what the association is doing to facilitate growth of the sector, the president said a special microfinance development fund, as well as special fund, which is targeted at the women would be created this year, but however added that the modalities are yet to be stipulated.

He added that the newly elected council would embark on “hand holding” where they would assist these entrepreneurs to develop business proposals after undergoing training programmes.

In a related development, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has released modalities for building SMEs export competencies.

This was disclosed by the Executive Director of NEPC, David Adelugba, during a workshop organised in conjunction with Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the United States Department of Commercial Services at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ministry harps on local bus manufacturing

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RADE and Investment Minister Olusegun Aganga has urged the Implementation Committee for Mass Transit Scheme to encourage local bus manufacturing.

Aganga gave the charge while inaugurating the committee in Abuja.

The committee ,which has the minister as Chairman will report to Vice-President Namadi Sambo monthly .

Represented by his Permanent Secretary, Dr Dauda Kigbu, the minister said by encouraging local bus manufacturing, the

country will create additional Small and Medium Scale Enterprises(SMEs), which will in turn create jobs and generate wealth for the economy.

“Maintenance and supply of spare parts is also more assured with local bus suppliers.

This initiative is just the beginning of a robust, enduring, self-sustaining and integrated mass transit system that will incorporate a strong partnership among the three tiers of government to achieve affordability in mobility,” he said.

He said the committee would

produce an implementable plan to develop a long-lasting mass transit programme for the country.

“There have been many mass transit interventions in the past, but these were short-lived and recorded only modest achievements due to a variety of factors such as limited funding, policy inconsistency, poor choice and maintenance of vehicles.

A particular limiting factor was the absence of an effective framework to anchor the programme, especially at the state level,” Aganga said.

HIVITA Nigeria Limited has introduced, a new Chivita 750ml friendship pack.

Unveiling the pack in Lagos, over the weekend, the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer, Mr Vipul Chander Beri, said the need to capture youths that are in the majority, was the reason for the introduction of the new pack into the market.

Commenting, the Marketing Manager of the company, Mr. Shiu

By Ajose Sehindemi

Sundher said the company will embark on a multi-million naira campaign to create more customers for the new product, Sundher said Chivita as a brand is attracting many people, becoming a household product and will continue to endear people to it, thus the introduction of the new Chivita 750ml friendship pack after years of extensive market research.

Firm holds forum

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RNST and Young, the most integrated assurance and business advisory firm globally, is set to bring CEOs, chief financial officers, leading entrepreneurs, investors and industry experts together for another ground-breaking conference.

Tagged ‘Strategic Growth Forum’, the event which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa between March 1 and 2, will among others, provide leading entrepreneurs, investors and top executives the opportunity to share their innovative experiences and discuss challenges and leading management prac-

tices for high-growth businesses as well how the continent can unlock the value to achieve its full potentials.

Commenting on the event, Country Leader and Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Ernst & Young, Mr Henry Egbiki, said investment into Africa has been diversifying significantly and African markets must position themselves strategically in the shifting landscape to accelerate socio-economic growth and development.

According to him, many foreign investors do not realise the strides Africa has made.

Outfit to educate youths on HIV/AIDS

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A Entertainment has concluded arrangement to sensitise youths on the dangers of unprotected sex through a musical show.

The show cum HIV/AIDS awareness seminar scheduled for tomorrow will hold at ObeleYouth Centre, Surulere in conjunction with the Obele Oniwala Youths Council.

Commenting on the show, the Managing Partner of OA Entertainment and Captain of Obele community,Austin Oteide, said the show cum awareness is organised to educate the youths on the dan-

By Ajose Sehindemi

gers inherent in unprotected sex and how they can protect themselves. It will be held under a conducive enviroment .

To this end,he said popular musicians, such as Konga,W4,Lace and others have been contacted to perform at the event,with comedians ready to spice up the day.

The young entertainment outfit is reputed for combining issues affecting youths with entertainment as they figured that, it is the way they can reach across to the youths.

Sweet Sensation to mark Easter

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WEET Sensation Confec tionery has concluded arrangements to thrill customers this Easter with its Spatter Easter.

Sweet Sensation’s Spatter Easter spiced up with lots of fun, excitements, rib cracking jokes and lots of give aways to her customers as a way of saying thank you for their loyal patronage over the years.

To make the celebration truly memorable, A-list comperes/ comedians will be on ground to

engage customers in different games.

The firm recently celebrated Valentine’s Day with her customers.

This year’s edition tagged Series II far surpassed the buzz and excitement the previous edition created.

To make it far more interesting to customer’s delight, the whole event was re-packaged to make it contemporary and exciting while new angles were introduced.

MAN decries low patronage of locally made goods

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HE Manufacturers Associa tion of Nigeria, MAN, has decried the poor patronage by the Cross River and Akwa Ibom State governments of locally made products.

President of (MAN) for Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, Obong Iniobong Sunny Jackson said lack of political will by the two

states had affected economic activities in those two states, especially at the Export Processing Zone.

Jackson said the governments had deliberately excluded the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in their administrations despite the fact that the Free Trade Zone, which was run by the private sector contributes a lot in the gross

domestic products of the states especially Cross River State.

According to him, the problem of the Calabar Free Port was not mainly lack of drainage of the water by the Federal Government but lack of political will to ensure that there is a boom on economic activities in the zone by the state government.

He said the cost of shipping from Lagos to Calabar port was too high and discourages importers from doing business through the port, adding that one of the ways that would encourage high economic activities at the port was to decongest the Lagos port by diverting some ship to Calabar.

Besides, he said the problem of

power had remained a great challenge to the port and manufacturers in the area and called for the enactment of law that would remove the monopoly given to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (formerly Nigeria Electricity Power Authority, NEPA), especially in power generation and distribution.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-2-12

Cement stocks depress stock market

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HE Nigerian stock market relapsed into the negative yesterday as losses suffered by highly capitalised cement-manufacturing companies overwhelmed impressive bullish rally by banking stocks.

Aggregate market capitalisation of all quoted equities dropped by N56 billion to N6.402 trillion as against its opening value of N6.458 trillion.

The benchmark index- the All Share Index (ASI), which tracks all quoted equities, slipped from 20,492.31 points to 20,313.36 points, representing a decline of 0.87 per cent.

Most indices also dwindled with the NSE 30 Index dropping from 931.14 points to 925.89 points. The NSE Consumer Index slipped from 1,665.49 points to 1,665.15 points while the NSE Oil and Gas Index declined from 208.58 points to 207.33 points.

The decline worsened the year-to-date return at the Nigerian stock market to 2.01 per cent.

The reversal yesterday was orchestrated by the slump in the share price of Dangote Cement Plc, which lost about N70 billion or 4.1 per cent of its market capitalisation in

Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

just 34 deals involving 800,004 shares.

Dangote Cement, stock market’s most capitalised stock, slumped to its lowest value per share with a loss of N4.51 to close at N105.49 per share.

Another cement stock, Lafarge Wapco Cement Nigeria followed on the losers’ list with a loss of N1.40 to close at N42.60. Ashaka Cement Plc, which shares the same parent company with Lafarge Wapco, lost 25 kobo to close at N10.25.

Other top losers included Conoil, which lost N1.33 to close at N25.27; Julius Berger Nigeria that dropped

by N1.10 to close at N20.91; PZ Cussons Nigeria lost 90 kobo to close at N26; Berger Paints slipped by 43 kobo to close at N8.26; Nigerian Aviation Handling Company lost 38 kobo to close at N7.27 while Champion Breweries and National Salt Company of Northern dropped by 18 kobo each to close at N3.46 and N3.65 respectively.

Meanwhile, financial services stocks continued on the upward rally with 10 deposit-money banks making the 17-stock gainers’ list. The

NSE Banking Index consequently appreciated to 290.72 points as against its opening index of 287.50 points. The NSE Insurance Index also inched up from 117.48 points to 117.98 points.

Zenith Bank had gained 17 kobo to close at N12.50. First Bank of Nigeria gathered 13 kobo to close at N11.50.

United Bank for Africa rallied 10 kobo to close at N2.17 per share. Guaranty Trust Bank chalked up 8.0 kobo to close at N14.10. Skye Bank and Access Bank gained 6.0 kobo each to close at N3.81 and N6.86 respectively. Sterling Bank and Stanbic IBTC Bank added 4.0 kobo each to close at N1.01 and N7.15 respectively while Fidelity Bank inched up by one kobo to N1.37 per share.

Other top gainers were CAP, which added 62 kobo to close at N14.40; Unilever Nigeria that gained 47 kobo to close at N28.42; Oando, which rose by 34 kobo to N19.49; Vitafoam Nigeria added 16 kobo to close at N3.46 while Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote Flour Mills gained 14 kobo and 10 kobo to close at N3.78 and N4.37 respectively.

Total turnover stood at 490.20 million shares valued at N2.51 billion in 4,472 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 411.56 million shares valued at N1,83 billion in 2,648 deals. Insurance subgroup recorded a turnover of 26.74 million shares valued at N15.29 million in 162 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 22-2-12

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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MONEY LINK

‘Efficient risk management key to banks’ stability’

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ANKS need to be strategic in their risk management operations and adopt international best practices to be stable, Chief Risk Officer, Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Emmanuel Moore Abolo has said.

Speaking yesterday at the pre Nigeria Development and Finance Forum (NDFF) 2012 conference holding in London from May 24 to 25, Abolo said banks should fully adopt an enterprise risk management plan, that is in-

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Stories by Collins Nweze

tegrated and all encompassing to remain in business.

Noting that banks are in the business of taking risks, he said without risk taking the possibility of making money becomes illusive. However, he advised the leaders to put in place structures and processes that will hedge against loss.

“So, while one cannot stop financial institutions from taking risks, a failed financial system has serious adverse

implications for the economy. That explains why all over the world, banks and financial institutions are the most highly regulated,” he said.

Abolo said the process where banks manage their market risk, reputational risks, environmental risks, and all other risks that face financial institution, in a disparate form may not produce the best result.

“We have all risk managers scattered everywhere and when you manage risks with such approach, the institu-

tion will fail. The modern approach to risk management is what is referred to as enterprise risk management system.

It is integrated approach to risk management system,” he said.

According to him, regulators are now focusing on how does institutions manage their risks from an enterprise point of view, which also involve adherence to the Basel II and the Basel III accord and the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).

Abolo advised regulators to regularly carry out stress tests on banks to ensure they comply with risk management procedures. “Nigerian banks he said are signatory to these policies, and the regulators have to ensure that banks go about managing risks from

‘We’re stabilising capital market’

TANBIC IBTC Bank’s Executive Director, Corporate and Investment Banking, Mr. Kayode Solola, has said that investors’ conferences organised by the bank assisted the capital market in its recovery plan.

Speaking yesterday during a world press conference in Lagos to herald the 2012 conference, he disclosed that the overall objective of the confab was to facilitate investment in the Nigerian economy by providing a platform for direct exchange of information between the public and private sectors, on one hand, and fund managers and participating Nigerian companies, on the other.

According to him, two previous con-

ferences held, have assisted in drawing foreign direct investment into the country. He said the conference holding will provide the investment managers opportunities, to meet, network and draw comfort on where they have investments in, or where they hope to make investments.

He stated that in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, Nigeria, and Africa have emerged as markets of interest to both international and local investors who seek value in emerging and frontier market. “The conference is therefore designed to provide these investors the opportunity to harness the potentials that abound in well run and highly-rated West African compa-

nies. The conference is structured to allow one-on-one meetings between executive management of selected top rated corporates in West Africa and the invited investors.”

Executive Director of Stanbic IBTC Stockbrokers Limited, the stockbroking subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Dele Sotubo, noted that the conference has become an annual event in investors’ calendars. The 2012 conference is expected to bring together over 150 institutional investors who will interface with more than 50 leading companies in Nigeria, Ghana and Togo, and also policy makers in these countries.

FirstBank rewards customers

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IRST Bank of Nigeria Plc has re warded 184 winners that emerged in the maiden draw of the its ‘ Save & Excel Promo.’

The promo was designed to enhance a savings culture and encourage the unbanked to embrace the financial services system. The draw was monitored

by Deputy Manager, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr Calix Ita and Martins Olajide from KPMG Audit firm.

A statement from the bank said 46

UBA, First, Zenith, Union banks lead in agric scheme

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HE United Bank for Africa (UBA), First Bank of Nigeria, Zenith Bank and Union Bank of Nigeria emerged tops in loans disbursement to commercial agriculture and allied products and service companies across the country under the Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (CACS) moderated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

UBA recorded the highest value, followed by First Bank, Zenith and

Union Bank.

Sixteen commercial banks in the country were selected by the apex bank to facilitate the release of the funds under the scheme since inception in 2009, to qualified agricultural institutions and state governments.

The initiative was conceived by the Federal Government to boost agricultural production in the country through interventionist funds from the banking sector.

According to a report by the apex bank, the 16 banks have at various times disbursed to both state governments and private commercial institutions satisfactorily since inception of the scheme in the past three years.

Analysis of funds disbursement shows that UBA emerged the most active bank in the project having disbursed about N38.4 million to 34 projects , of the about N151 billion so far disbursed by the banks under the

scheme.

First Bank Plc came second with a total disbursement of N16.23 billion to 48 projects, while, Zenith Bank , Union Bank and Unity Bank Plc, took third, fourth and fifth positions having disbursed N18.54 billion , N14.86 billion and N12.30 billion respectively.

The other active banks are; Diamond Bank Plc , Sterling Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc , Access Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc among others.

FGN BONDS Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

OBB Rate Call Rate

7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2011 “ 14-04-2011

O/PRICE

GTASSURE VITAFOAM UBA IKEJAHOTEL CAP LIVESTOCK BAGCO FIDSON STERLNBANK DANGSUGAR

1.23 3.30 2.07 1.32 13.78 0.89 1.57 0.68 0.97 3.64

Current Before

C/PRICE

CHANGE

1.29 3.46 2.17 1.38 14.40 0.93 1.64 0.71 1.01 3.78

0.06 0.16 0.10 0.06 0.62 0.04 0.07 0.03 0.04 0.14

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

26.60 22.01 7.65 8.69 3.64 1.63 3.83 1.38 0.70 110.00

C/PRICE

CHANGE

25.27 20.91 7.27 8.26 3.46 1.55 3.65 1.32 0.67 105.49

0.01 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.07 0.10

Date

450m

452.7m

450m

150.8

08-8-11

250m 400m

313.5m 443m

250m 400m

150.8 150.7

03-8-11 01-8-11

147.6000

149.7100

150.7100

-2.11

NGN GBP

239.4810

244.0123

245.6422

-2.57

NGN EUR

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

153.0000

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

Aug ’11

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

8.75%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 9.4%

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 120.93 98.43 0.76 1.04 0.88 1,642.73 8.24 1.39 1.87 7,276.62 193.00

9.08 1.00 120.79 97.65 0.73 1.04 0.87 1,635.25 7.84 1.33 1.80 7,088.65 191.08

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND THE LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY THE DISCOVERY FUND • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE

LOSER AS AT 22-2-12

CONOIL JBERGER NAHCO BERGER CHAMPION AIRSERVICE NASCON CUTIX PRESTIGE DANGCEM

Rate (N)

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD

Parallel Market SYMBOL

Exchange

Sold ($)

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX Year Start Offer

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 22-2-12

Amount

EXHANGE RATE 26-08-11 Currency

INTERBANK RATES

Amount

Offered ($) Demanded ($)

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF NESF

customers won N50, 000 cash; 46 winners of LCD Television sets; 46 winners of Home Theatre sets; and 46 winners of chest freezers.

The promo, which runs till December 2012 also has star prizes that include new Peugeot 306 cars for 12 customers and all-expense paid trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games for 10 customers. “These star prizes will be won during the quarterly draws of the promo.

To qualify for the Olympic Draws, customers need to save N30, 000 every month for four months consecutively or have a balance of N120, 000 untouched for 4 months.

Customers can also save N60, 000 untouched for 90 days or N20, 000 incremental savings every month for three months consecutively to qualify for cars,” the statement said.

To qualify for the monthly draws, customers need to save and have a balance of N20,000 every month. they also need to have N60,000 untouched for 90 days to qualify for quarterly draws or N20,000 incremental savings every month for 3 months consecutively.

DATA BANK

Tenor

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

the enterprise point of view, he said.

He said banks can as well on their own, carry out stress test, to ensure that they maintain sound risk management system.

At a media briefing by the organisers and sponsors of the event, Jide Akintunde, the conference director said the confab will seek to establish cogently the medium term policy targets of the administration, as well as promote a positive Nigeria country outlook. He said the conference affords top government officials from Nigeria to interface with Nigerians in Diaspora to harmonise areas of common business interests at home.

The conference is organised by Financial Nigeria International.

• AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 24 Aug, 2011 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 26, Aug, 2011 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK Previous

Current

04 July, 2011

07, Aug, 2011

Bank

8.5000

8.5000

P/Court

8.0833

8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

NEWS Ndigbo urged to remember heroes

A

BIA State Deputy Governor Emeka Ananaba has called on Ndigbo to always remember their heroes.

He spoke in Umuahia at a lecture by the zonal officers of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as part of the funeral activities of the late Dim Emeka Ojukwu.

Ananaba said it is when heroes are mourned that younger ones would be will-

Enugu Labour chairman removed

From Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia

ing to sacrifice for the people.

His words: “I have resisted attempts to talk about Ojukwu, because I was very close to him during the war as one of his staff officers.

“I am here today because of the respect I have for the media and the man the lecture is being organised for. I will not say anything about him.”

Youths sue community over N32m From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

J

USTICE O. Igu of an Awka High Court yesterday fixed March 6 for hearing on a land matter between Ezinano community and some indigenes over N32 million compensation.

The court summoned Gilbert Nwanna, B.C Morah and Arize Ekelem to appear before it within 42 days.

The plaintiffs, Emmaneul Mbogu, Obi Ochije and four others, are seeking an injunction restraining the defendants by themselves or their agents from disbursing, tampering or diverting the N32 million compensation for cash crops and economic trees paid to the Ezinano community by the Anambra State Government.

The plaintiffs also obtained an order restraining the defendant from sharing, disposing or tampering with the land compensation of 19.536 hectares released to the Ezinano community by the government.

The court ordered the defendants to retrieve any such money or land disbursed by them and present the same to the community for the purpose of sharing.

The N32 million was paid as compensation for their land acquired by government.

The youths are appealing to Governor Peter Obi to investigate the use of the compensation paid to the community.

T

HERE is crisis in the Enugu State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) following the removal of the Chairman, Nze Chumaife.

Chumaife was alleged to have been working against the interest of workers.

But the chairman described his purported removal as illegal, saying although a motion was moved to that effect, it was countered at a disrupted meeting.

The State Secretary of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Employees, Charles Atisele and Joseph Ugboaja, Secretary of Agric and Allied Employees of Nigeria, have been appointed Acting Chairman and Secretary.

Chumaife was removed at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of the congress held at the NLC State

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Secretariat yesterday.

Many SEC members passed a vote-of-no-confidence in his leadership for failing to effectively negotiate with the government on the N18,000 minimum wage, among other offences.

His sins as itemised by State Chairman of the State Civil Service Union Theophilus Obasiani, who moved the motion for his removal, included the scuttling of the nationwide oil subsidy demonstrations ordered by the Organised Labour.

In a statement jointly signed by 24 leaders of affiliate unions and read by Obasiani, the workers said they have observed with concern the deplorable state of affairs in the state council “which have brought the

‘Nze Chumaife has a strange leadership quality unknown in the lexicon of trade union ideology, which is an embarrassment to the trade union movement in general’ movement to its knees.”

“Nze Chumaife has a strange leadership quality unknown in the lexicon of trade union ideology, which is an embarrassment to the trade union movement in general.

“Today, it is no gain saying

that Enugu State workers have lost confidence in the lacklustre, inept, weak and hopeless leadership of the congress.

“This has attracted odium and negative publicity to labour leaders across the state,” he said.

But Chumaife insisted that he remained the NLC state chairman , saying he has not committed any offence to warrant his removal.”

“Nobody has removed me from office as Chairman of the state council of NLC. “ I am still in charge. The few dissident members who attempted to cause confusion today have failed and there is nothing they can do.

“It is only through a proper process that a chairman can be removed but in this case it is far from it,” he said.

Ebonyi condemns call for military deployment HE Ebonyi State Com-

T

missioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Donatus Ajah, has condemned the call by the National President of Ishinkwo Youth Assembly, Innocent Eluu, for the deployment of soldiers in Abomege and Ishinkwo over alleged communal crisis in the area.

Briefing reporters yesterday at the Government House, Abakaliki, at a peace meeting between the two communities, Ajah said there is peace between them and regretted the call for the deployment of soldiers to the area.

He said: “There is peace in Abomege and Ishinkwo,

From Ogbonnaya Obinna, Abakaliki

though there was a dispute over a piece of land that has lasted for 100 years but the government is in control of the situation.

“There has been several peace meetings organised by the government aimed at resolving the crisis and to the best of my knowledge, the meetings are yielding fruit.

“To ensure peace in the area, we have set up a 26member peace committee, comprising traditional rulers, stakeholders from the area and the youths.”

2.5m kids for immunisation From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

HE Anambra State Government has said it would immunise 2.5 million children this month.

The Commissioner for Health, Amobi Ilika, said yesterday that expectant mothers and women of child-bearing age would be given free tetanus toxoid.

Governor Peter Obi flagged off the exercise, which will last for four days, at Anaku in Ayamelum Local Government.

Illika said the government is giving out insecticide-treated nets and soaps to the expectant mothers.

“The ministry has started de-worming children and is giving free health education to the people.

“We want to strengthen our routine immunisation, this is the duty the state government owes the children and pregnant mothers.”

T

•Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko (left), his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi (left), Mimiko’s wife Olukemi (second left) and Obi’s wife Margaret at Mimiko’s third anniversary lecture at the Government House, Akure...yesterday

PDP sues Obi over council polls

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sued Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, following the non-conduct of local government elections.

Joined in the suit are the Federal Government, the State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) and Prof Titus Eze, the sacked Chairman of the commission.

The state Chairman, Ken Emekayi, said the party is seeking for the enforcement

T

From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Ojukwu by Governor Rochas Okorocha.

“On Saturday, an inaugural lecture, “Effective leadership in the 21st Century will be delivered by Prof BEB Nwoke at the Ahiajoku Convention Centre.

“On Sunday, all night youth wake/vigil will take place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

“The grand finale, the Day of Tribute/commendation services will be held at Hero Square Concorde Boulevard, Owerri, on Monday.”

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

of its rights by compelling the government to conduct the election.

The party is also seeking that the Federal Government stops the release of local government funds, until the determination of the matter.

A lawyer from Aguata Lo-

cal Government, Emeka Agazie, applied to be joined in the suit.

Also, Paul Okoye, on behalf of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), applied to be joined.

The Attorney-General Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chukwuma represented the government while J.U Oguejiofor was Ezeh’s

counsel.

Chukwuma applied that the pictures of dilapidated structures in the schools and others served on them be changed, describing them as blurred.

But, Emeakayi and PDP’s counsel David Ifeanyi said such application was a ploy to delay the matter However, the case was adjourned till March 12 by Justice Peter Olayiwola.

Okorocha denies allegation From Emma Mgbeahurike, Owerri

Imo to immortalise Ojukwu HE Imo State Government is to immortalise the late Biafran warlord, Dim Cukwuemeka Ojukwu.

This was made known yesterday by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Ben Uwajimogu, in Owerri, the state capital.

Uwajimogu said the weeklong programme is tagged: “Seven days for a hero”.

“Today there will be a photo exhibition on the life and times of Ikemba Ojukwu.

“Tomorrow there would be an inauguration of Ikemba

•Case adjourned till March 12

•Okorocha

I

MO State Governor Rochas Okorocha has described as unfounded the

T

rumour that he was arrested for money laundering by the Metropolitan Police in London.

Okorocha spoke at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, on arrival from Abuja.

He said the rumour was orchestrated by the enemies of the state, whose stock-intrade is blackmail.

“The rumour circulated through text messages that I

was quizzed in London over $10 million is unfounded and is another blackmail by those who fought me during the electioneering period.

“They are the same people who at the wake of my election rumoured that I had stepped down,” Okorocha said.

The governor said his mission in London was to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to float a government-owned airline that would be known as Imo

Air. He enjoined the people to be calm and law-abiding as justice and fairness will prevail.

“I believe this latest attack on me is basically because of the judgment we are expecting at the Supreme Court.

“I have not seen where blackmail and rumour-mongering translate to mandate or victory.

“I have confidence in the judiciary,” the governor said.

Anambra Assembly probes Attorney-General

HE Anambra State House of Assembly yesterday began a probe of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Emmanuel Chukwuma, over the delay in the prosecution of the suspected kidnappers of a transporter, Godwin Okeke.

The House is also probing Chukwuma’s

From Okodili Ndidi, Onitsha

role and that of his Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in releasing four of the suspects without trial.

This followed a petition by Okeke, which alleged that the commissioner, rather than prosecuting the kidnap

suspects, has been releasing them in his official capacity without recourse to justice.

The petition was, however, referred to the House Committee on Judiciary and Legal Matters leading to the summons of the AG, the State DPP and the petitioner.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

57

NEWS NURTW dissolves Lagos caretaker panel

Electricity tariff increase is 11 per cent T HE Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, yesterday said the increase in electricity tariff is only 11 per cent and not 88 per cent as being claimed.

He said the commission will however ensure that consumers get value for the increase.

He also claimed that the poor and middle income earners, who are categorised as R1, will not be hurt by the hike.

Amadi, who made this known at an interactive session with reportersin Abuja, said the new tariff system will take effect between May and June this year.

He said: “The increase in tariff is 11 per cent, not 88 per cent.

We have also graduated the new tariff regime in such a manner that it will not affect the poor, low and middle income earners.

“We have different tariffs for the masses, the middle class, artisans, the rich, industrial ar-

T

•May take off in May

From Yusuf Alli and Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

eas. To protect the poor, about N60billion has been provided for subsidy for bulk traders, liabilities companies and general consumers.

“What the investors want to see is the total picture of what they will gain. Within the 11 per cent increase, they can still have their investments protected.”

As for over 90 per cent of Nigerians without pre-paid meters, Amadi said they will be protected with appropriate regulations.

He said: “Metering does not guarantee much revenue, it guarantees transparency.

We may need about N7billion to provide prepaid meters for consumers nationwide.

“Pending the time we will make meters available to all, we expect a sensible formula for estimation which is worse in rural areas. We are going to work out a formula that addresses estimation.

“We want to ensure sanity in the way bills are processed; we are going to rid the system of corruption.”

He assured the nation that when the power sector is finally deregulated, Nigerians will be free to choose power service provider they like as the practice in the telecoms sector.

He added: “We are going to a competitive stage where you can choose a service provider like the case in the telecoms sector. When we have full deregulation, Nigerians will be free to make choices.”

On the nation’s power gen-

•Amadi

eration at present, the NERC chairman said “it hovers daily between 3,600MW and 3,800MW. We have kept about 200MW in reserve to take care of system collapse. At a point, we attained 4,500MW. “But the available capacity is about 6,000MW. We are doing well because the technical capacity has improved.

Responding to a question on the possibility of Politically Exposed Persons and corrupt elements hijacking investment in the power sector, Amadi said: “As at today, we have no exclusion for any category of investors.

HE National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) yesterday dissolved the Caretaker Committee constituted to manage the affairs of the union in Lagos branch.

Its President Alhaji Najeem Yasin, who made the announcement, said the decision was informed by the sustained crisis among members and the inability to organise elections within one month as required under its Constitution.

Yasin, in a statement, announced the setting-up of a 13man Management Committee to replace the Caretaker Committee, put in place a month ago pending when peace is restored and election held. The new committee has,

MTN man launches book on wealth

“Y

OU can be rich without stealing. It is possible to walk with God in integrity of heart and still be very wealthy”.

This is the position advocated

Lawyer sues Alison-Madueke, four others over Ribadu’s, others’s committees

C

AN the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke legitimately transfer her duties and responsibilities under the Constitution and the Petroleum Act to some ad hoc committees?

This is the question seeking answers in a suit filed before the Federal High Court, Lagos. It has the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, Mrs Alison-Madueke and three others as de-

By Eric Ikhilae

fendants.

Gabriel Amalu of the firm of Udegbunam Amalu and Co, sets three questions for the court’s determination, a declaration and a restraining order.

The plaintiff wants the court to decide whether the Petroleum Minister, subject to the provisions of Section 5(1) of the Constitution and Section 12 of the Petroleum Act

(PA) 2004 has the powers to set up and confer on an ad hoc committee, the extant powers delegated to her by the Constitution, the PA and other laws.

He also urged the court to decide whether the minister has not infringed on the “Sacred legal maxim of ‘delegatus non potest delegare’ by her conduct in setting up quasi ad hoc commissions with powers to exercise the duties, responsibilities and functions of a Min-

ister of Petroleum, the statutory agencies and parastatals of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”

Amalu urged the court to decide whether the committee recently inaugurated by Mrs Alison Madueke: the Ministerial Committee on Governance and Control Task Force (MCGCTF); Ministerial Committee on Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force (MCPRSTF)and Ministerial Committee on National Re-

By Eric Ikhilae

among others Alhaji Tajudeen Badru Agbede (as Acting Chair), Sunday Yusuf (Deputy) and Tokunbo Seriki (as Financial Secretary).

The President dissociated the union from the prolonged crisis that has factionalised the association in the state, and which has resulted in the death of people and destruction of property worth billions of naira.

He promised his association’s cooperation with the state government and security agencies on measures to end the recurring crisis. He urged the Police and security agencies to fish out those behind the crisis and ensure their prosecution.

fineries Special Task Force (MCNRSTF).

Also named as defendants are Dotun Suleman (representing the MCGCTF), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu (representing the MCPRSTF) and Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu (representing the MCNRSTF).

The plaintiff, in the ex-parte motion, sought similar prayers pending the determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

The suit is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

by marketing expert and leader of the Gospel Farmer Ministry, Mr Kolawole Oyeyemi, during the presentation of his book in Lagos last weekend.

The occasion also marked his 45th birthday at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos Titled: ‘Wealth without Theft’, the book reveals the secrets of true wealth and prosperity and provides practical real life applications into everyday life and activities of success aspiring individuals.

Oyeyemi, General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, and lead Pastor at the ‘Chapel of Uncommon Grace’ says the book is coming at the time when Nigerians are seeking for change and many believe that there can be no true wealth or prosperity without one form of stealing or the others.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

58

NEWS Atuche: Court dismisses application

A

LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja, has dismissed an application for a stay of proceeding by a former director of the defunct BankPHB (now Keystone Bank), Mr. Funmi Ademosun, the second defendant in the trial of former Managing Director, Francis Atuche, who is facing a theft charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo said the application failed because the grounds on which Ademosun filed it were frivolous.

He said application for a stay of proceeding could only be granted where special circumstances exist.

By Adebisi Onanuga

He also said besides opposition from the prosecution, the first defendant, Atuche, through his counsel, Chief Francis Adigbe, had shown no interest in the application.

Atuche as well as Ademosun and Lekan Kasali, both former directors of the bank, each were charged with a three-count charge of conspiracy and theft of N11.4 billion belonging to the bank.However, Ademosun, through his counsel, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), on Tuesday applied for a stay of proceeding pending his appeal against a ruling delivered by Justice Onigbanjo last December at the Court of Appeal.

Aliyu to speak at forum

G

OVERNOR Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State will be the guest speaker at the monthly Public Policy Forum of the Business Hallmark scheduled for next Monday at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.

He will speak on “Governance, social conflict and the imperative of communal harmony”.

The event will begin at 10 am.

Northern Christians fault Sanusi on N25m donation

A statement by the Business Harmony Public Policy Forum Chairman, Prof. George Obiozor, said Aliyu’s acceptance to speak at the event is a demonstration of his commitment to the unity of Nigeria and the peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic and religious groups in the country.

Other dignitaries expected at the event are Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State as special guest. Prof. Anya O. Anya will chair the session.

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

•Sanusi

T

HE Northern Christian Elders Forum (NORCEF) yesterday

lashed out at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over what it termed a face-saving and belated donation to victims of the Christmas Day bombing at Madalla, Niger State.

In a statement, entitled: “Sanusi’s face-saving measures”, signed by its Chairman, Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye, NORCEF accused the CBN governor of bias.

They wondered why he waited until the attack on

his state, Kano, and donated to the victims before remembering the Madalla bombings.

The statement noted that there have been deadly attacks in other parts of the country, such as Yobe, Bauchi, Plateau, Niger, Kaduna and Adamawa by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, saying, “why didn’t the CBN governor make any donation to the victims?”

The statement reads: “Media reports have it that Sanusi has donated N25 million to the victims of the bomb blast that killed many

people at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, on Christmas Day last year.

“The donation is coming weeks after he had donated a whopping N100 million to the victims of another bomb blast in Kano, his home state.

“To us, the N25 million donations to the Madalla victims is just a mere facesaving measure by the CBN governor, and Nigerians should not be deceived about the fact that he is using the CBN to advance his personal and sectional interest.”

‘INEC frustrates us from inspecting materials’

T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Kogi State yesterday accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of not allowing it to inspect the ballot materials used in the last governorship poll.

Speaking with reporters, the party’s secretary and a member of its legal team at the election petition tribunal, Isaac Ekpa, said the tribunal had granted the party leave to inspect the election materials.

The ACN and its governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, petitioned INEC and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),

From Mohammed Bashir, Lokoja

alleging electoral malpractices in 18 of the 21 local governments.

According to the ACN secretary, the party’s legal team and inspectors from Lagos were in INEC’s office more than eight times before they were allowed to scan the disputed election materials.

“Despite that the scanning machine had been programmed to inspect

25,000 materials a day, but INEC, in collaboration with PDP lawyers, could only allow us to inspect 30,000 materials in six days. Having noticed that we were about to unravel the truth, the PDP legal team stopped the process and said we must inspect all the materials, though we did not ask for that.

Their intention was to delay the entire process.

“With the way INEC is going, it may be difficult

to beat the tribunal deadline to meet up with the other 16 local governments pending for inspection. We therefore call on the INEC chairman to prevail on his men to remain fair and unbiased,”he said.

A member of the inspection team, Mutiu Olaoye, alleged that the way INEC officials conducted themselves showed that they were working for the PDP as they refused to follow the tribunal’s order properly.

JSUN national body dissociates self from strike

T

HE national body of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JSUN) has directed its members in Kwara State to call off their strike.

The Kwara branch of JSUN on Monday began oneweek warning strike to protest last Friday’s judgment of the Supreme Court, which reinstated the Chief Judge, Justice Raliat Habeeb-Elelu.

It claimed that its protest is “aimed at protecting the image, integrity and interest of the judicial system/administration from collapse.”

The apex court last Friday affirmed the judgment of the

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Federal High Court, Ilorin, which declared Justice Habeeb-Elelu’s removal as null and void.

Its judgment ended the three-year legal battle between the Kwara State Government and Justice HabeebElelu.

In a text message to our correspondent, the National Publicity Secretary of JSUN, Mr. Marwan Adamu, decried the action of members of the Kwara State branch.

His words: “We at the national body accept and respect the said judgment and are hereby directing our

members to call off the strike as their action is illegal. The Supreme Court judgment is final and must be obeyed.”

The state Chairperson of JSUN, Mrs. Folake Laaro, on Tuesday urged Justice Habeeb-Elelu to resign from office.

She said: “As a path of honour, we respectfully recommend that the chief judge should bow out honourably since the workers in the state judiciary have resolved that we can no longer have or work with her as the head of administration in the judiciary. A word is enough for the wise.”

Fed Govt to address bandwidth, infrastructure INISTER of Educaproblems in polytechnics tion Prof. Ruqayatt

M

Rufa’i has said the Federal Government will soon address bandwidth, power and infrastructure in Nigerian polytechnics.

She hopes that flexible skill development programmes in polytechnics will be enhanced when bandwidth and power are tackled.

The minister spoke in Auchi yesterday during the opening of a three-day workshop on “Flexible skills development in Nigeria”.

Represented by the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Dr. Masaud Kazaure, Prof. Rufa’i said the government would tackle the problems through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) owing to the huge capital required.

This, she said, is in line with the transformation agenda in technical education, access to equity and gender participation in the development of technical and vocational education.

She said: “Government is not unaware of the challeng-

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

es facing polytechnics in the country. These problems, especially those of bandwidth, power and infrastructure have been addressed to provide qualitative polytechnic education in the country.”

The Rector of Auchi Polytechnic, Dr. Phillipa Idogho, called for the creation of the necessary environment for flexible skill development

to address unemployment.

“The two major challenges facing the prospect of a successful flexible skill development programme in Nigeria are bandwidth and power.

“If these challenges are surmounted, Nigerian youths will reap the benefits and potentials of a flexible skill development programme,” she said.

Orji congratulates Wamakko

By Emmanuel Oladesu

A

BIA State Governor Theodore Orji has congratulated Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko on his victory at the governorship election in Sokoto State.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ugochukwu Emezue, said the victory has confirmed that the people have confidence in his ability to offer qualitative service.

Orji added: “My advice to Wamakko is to redouble his efforts at bringing the dividends of democracy to Sokoto State. I also call on the indigenes of the state to support him so that he can serve them better.”

The governor also congratulated the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Pius Ayim, who has just celebrated his 51st birthday. He described him as a worthy ambassador of the Igbo. He said: “We are proud of Senator Ayim.

It is my prayer that God will give him the opportunity to continue to serve our country.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

59

NEWS

C

Why National Assembly can’t give us ONSTITUTIONAL Constitution, by Nwabueze lawyer Prof Ben

Nwabueze (SAN) yesterday said the National Assembly cannot give the country a truly people’s Constitution without a dialogue involving all ethnic nationalities.

He said: “The National Assembly is arrogating to itself the exclusive prerogative of amending or producing a new Constitution for the people.”

This, he said, is not the way to go about it.

He spoke at the launch of a book: The Radiance of Silk: 100 Most Inspiring Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) in Lagos.

Nwabueze said the problem with Nigeria remains “a failure of leadership”, adding that in a country of 160 million people, it is unfortunate ineffective leadership persists.

The Constitution, he said, did not help matters when the minimum qualification for being a President or a lawmaker encouraged mediocrity.

“It is sad, really sad,”

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•Book on 100 most inspiring senior advocates launched

By Joseph Jibueze

Nwabueze said.

He said he hoped that the likes of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who was represented at the event by Solicitor-General, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), would one day be President.

“There is nowhere Fashola has not impacted in Lagos.

I keep saying to myself: Thank God he is a SAN. “I hope that one day he will also have the opportunity to transform the face of Nigeria,” Nwabueze added.

Nigeria’s first woman SAN, Chief Folake Solanke said she was “flabbergasted” that nothing short of a degree is the minimum requirement for being a lawmaker.

She said protests against the “jumbo pay” of lawmakers must be sustained.

Praising Prof Itsay Sagay

(SAN) for his research which exposed the alleged fact that lawmakers earn far more than their counterparts abroad, Solanke said: “We must continue to protest the jumbo pay of our legislators.”

Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN), who gave the keynote address, urged SANs to help mentor younger lawyers to help arrest the falling standards of legal practice.

“Let us volunteer to take in and mentor younger ones. A SAN should be able to go with a junior even to the remotest place to handle a case,” he said.

He also called for stricter adherence to the ethics of legal practice.

Guests at the event included Prof Sagay, former External Affairs Minister Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), Chief Ajibola Aribisala (SAN), Mr Kemi Pinhero (SAN) and Mr Olusina Sofola (SAN).

Jonathan seeks Senate approval for three RESIDENT Goodluck RMAFC nominees Jonathan yesterday

asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of three nominees as members of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFC).

The nominees are Alhaji Bello Usman Maitambari (Kebbi) fresh appointment, Dr. Rafiq Olayiwola Ogunbambi (Lagos) fresh appointment and Rev. Ajibola E. Fagboyegun (Ondo) re-appoint-

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

ment.

The letter containing request for the confirmation dated February 20, was read by Senate President David Mark.

Jonathan noted that the RAMFC is one o f the federal executive bodies established under Section 153(1) of the 1999 Constitution as

amended.

He said by the provision of Paragraph 31, Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, the Commission shall comprise a Chairman and one member from each state and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja .

Jonathan prayed the Senate to ensure that his request received the usual expeditious consideration of the Senators.

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THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

FOREIGN NEWS Israeli minister rejects foreign warnings on Iran

I

SRAEL’S Foreign Minister says the Jewish state will not bow to foreign pressure in deciding whether to attack Iran.

In an interview yesterday with Israeli TV News, Avigdor Lieberman rebuffed suggestions that American and Russian warnings against striking Iran would affect Israeli decision making, saying the decision “is not their business.”

He said “the security of the citizens of Israel, the future

of the state of Israel, this is the Israeli government’s responsibility.”

Israel fears Iran is developing a nuclear bomb, which Tehran denies.

Israel has sent a series of hints that it may attack Iran’s nuclear program.

The U.S. and others believe tough economic sanctions must be given time to work.

This week, the United States military chief said an Israeli attack would be “not prudent.”

Tony Blair’s wife Cherie sues UK newspaper over phone hacking

T

HE wife of former Prime Minister Tony Blair is suing Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper company over phone hacking, her lawyer said yesterday.

Cherie Blair was suing “in relation to the unlawful interception of her voicemails,” lawyer Graham Atkins said in an email, making her one of the most high-profile people to have challenged Murdoch’s News International over the illegal eavesdropping campaign waged against politicians, celebrities, athletes and others in the public eye.

Details of Blair’s claim were not immediately made public yesterday. Atkins said he would not be commenting further on the case.

Murdoch was left with little choice but to close the News of the World tabloid in July following revelations that it had hacked into the phone of a missing schoolgirl who was later found murdered. Since then, police have made almost 40 arrests — including many well-known reporters — over phone hacking and in connection to related inquiries into the payment of bribes to public officials and email hacking.

Millions have been paid out by Murdoch’s company so far in out-of-court settlements to about 60 victims of hacking.

Murdoch’s News International did not immediately return a message seeking comment. A Blair spokesman also declined comment.

•Injured commuters lay on stretchers after the train crash in Buenos Aires ..yesterday

49 killed in Argentine train crash

A

PACKED train slammed into the end of the line in Buenos Aires’ busy Once station yesterday, killing 49 people and injuring hundreds of morning commuters in Argentina’s worst train accident in decades.

Federal Police Commissioner Nestor Rodriguez says the dead

•550 injured include 48 adults and one child.

At least 550 people were injured, and emergency workers were slowly extracting dozens of people who were trapped inside the first car, said Alberto Crescenti, the city’s emergency medical director. Rescuers carved open the roof and set up a pulley system to ease them out one by one.

The commuter train came in too fast and hit the barrier at the end of the platform at about 16 mph (26 kph), smashing the front of the engine and crunching the leading cars behind it; one car penetrated nearly 20 feet (six meters) into the next, Argentina’s transportation secretary, J.P. Schiavi told reporters at the station.

The conductors’ union chief, Omar Maturano, told Radio 10

that the train might have come in as fast as 18 mph (30 kph) Most damaged was the first car, where passengers make space for bicycles. Survivors told the TeleNoticias channel that many people were injured in a jumble of metal and glass.

Passengers said windows exploded as the tops of train cars separated from their floors. The trains are usually packed with people standing between the seats, and many were thrown into each other and to the floor by the force of the hard stop.

Many passengers on Wednesday suffered bruises, and many with lesser injuries were waiting for attention on the station’s platforms as helicopters and more than a dozen ambulances took the most seriously injured to

nearby hospitals.

The death toll makes it Argentina’s worst train accident since Feb. 1, 1970, when a train smashed into another at full speed in suburban Buenos Aires, killing 200 people.

There have been five serious train accidents in Argentina since Dec. 2010; the most deadly of these happened last Sept. 13, when a bus driver crossed the tracks in front of an oncoming train, killing 11.

“This machine left the shop yesterday and the brakes worked well. From what we know, it braked without problems at previous stations.

At this point I don’t want to speculate about the causes,” Ruben Sobrero, train workers’ union chief on the Sarmiento line, told Radio La Red. The motorman has been hospitalized and the union hasn’t been able to speak with him yet, Sobrero added.

US, French journalists killed in Syria

A

M E R I C A N correspondent Marie Colvin and French photographer Remi Ochlik were killed in the besieged Syrian city of Homs yesterday when rockets fired by government forces hit the house they were staying in, opposition activists and witnesses said.

At least two other journalists and possibly more were wounded in the attack, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said.

One of the wounded was named as British photographer Paul Conroy, the other as Edith Bouvier of France’s Le Figaro newspaper. She was said to be

T

in serious condition.

A witness contacted by Reuters from Amman said shells hit the house in the opposition-held Baba Amro district of Homs which was being used as a media centre.

A rocket hit them when they tried to escape.

Colvin and Ochlik were both prize-winning veterans of wars in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere.

The British-based Colvin, who worked for the Sunday Times, lost an eye when she suffered a shrapnel wound while working in Sri Lanka in 2001. In public appearances after that attack, she wore a black eye patch.

Among her awards was a Martha Gelhorn Prize in 2009 for distinguished work over many years Ochlik was born in France in 1983 and first covered conflict in Haiti at the age of 20. Most recently he photographed the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

He won first prize for general news in this year’s World Press Photo awards for a photo of a rebel fighter in Libya and ran his own agency.

“We don’t know if the building was deliberately targeted... we urge Syrian authorities to stop bombing Homs, said its Middle East director, Soazig Dollet.

Syrian opposition demands safe HE main opposition passages for aid Syrian National

Council (SNC) wants a minimum of three points of safe passage for life-saving aid supplies to enter Syria, a senior SNC official said yesterday.

Basma Kodmani, speaking to reporters after talks at the International Committee of

the Red Cross (ICRC), called for Russia to put pressure on the government of President Bashar al-Assad to agree to the humanitarian initiative.

“If we have a commitment from the regime with Russian guarantees that will

allow humanitarian assistance to be brought in through those safe passages, we are asking for 3 safe passages at least - from Lebanon into Homs, from Jordan into Deraa and Turkey into Idlib,” she told reporters in Geneva

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

61

FOREIGN NEWS

F

Obasanjo to meet with Senegalese opposition

ORMER Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo is to meet Senegal’s opposition to try to defuse rising tensions ahead of Sunday’s elections.

Mr Obasanjo is in Dakar as head of a joint African UnionEconomic Community of West African States observer mission.

At least six people have been killed in weeks of violent protests against President Abdoulaye Wade’s candidacy.

Obasanjo - who arrived in Dakar late on Tuesday while police once again fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the

capital - is to meet the leaders of the M23 movement, which has organised the nationwide protests and wants Mr Wade to step down and not contest elections.

He will also meet key presidential candidates, including two former prime ministers, Moustapha Niasse and Idrissa Seck, and the leader of the opposition Socialist Party, Ousmane Tanor Dieng.

“My job here is, first, election observation,” Mr Obasanjo told the BBC.

“And, second, to be proactive on behalf of our two organisations [AU and Ecowas] to prevent what is undesirable and unwanted,” he said.

The BBC correspondent in Dakar says hopes are running high that Mr Obasanjo will help restore peace in Senegal - but, he says, this will be a difficult task.

The country is often held up as one of Africa’s model democracies - it remains the only West African country

where the army has never seized power.

But protests broke out in January after the country’s highest court ruled that Mr Wade could seek a third term and banned singer Youssou Ndour from standing.

The constitution limits heads of state to two terms in office but the judges ruled that Mr Wade’s first term did not count as this was before the limit was introduced.

Once a veteran opposition leader himself, Mr Wade, 85, was first elected in 2000 ending 40 years of rule by the Socialist Party.

Mubarak keeps mum as court rules on June 2

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•Former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in court ...yesterday

police officers for the protester deaths.

Others have criticized the prosecution’s handling of the case, saying it has failed to present strong enough evidence to support a murder charge.

The prosecution is asking for the death sentence for Mubarak, usually carried

out by hanging in Egypt.

Mubarak’s defence team argues that he is still president, and thus can only be tried for treason or in a special court. The judge was expected to set a date for the verdict and sentencing later in the session.

“I have no comment,”

Mubarak told the judge yes terday. “What the lawyer said is enough.”

Mubarak’s Interior Minister at the time, however, spoke for an hour and a half, saying the uprising was the result of a foreign plot to destabilize Egypt.

Hamas.”

A reconciliation deal has previously been a struggle to implement as the long-time rivals have run separate governments since 2007 Abbas in the West Bank and the Islamic militant group, Hamas, in Gaza.

Hamas leaders in Gaza had previously objected to relinquishing power to Abbas under the terms of a unity deal.

But earlier yesterday, members of Hamas’ leadership said the deal must be implemented in a “thorough and honest” way.

“We stress the need for thorough and honest

implementation of the reconciliation agreements of Cairo and Doha to end the division and unify the national front,” they said in a statement after meeting.

A lengthy disagreement about the post of prime minister appeared to have been resolved in early February, when Abbas and Meshaal signed a deal in Qatar that put the president at the head of the interim government.

The government line-up was to have been announced shortly afterwards, but the Doha agreement was met with opposition from Gazabased members of Hamas,

as well as some officials in the Fatah-controlled West Bank.

The Cairo talks come before Abbas and Meshaal are to take part in two rounds of meetings with the leadership of all the Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, on Thursday and Friday.

It remains unclear when the final government line-up will be announced and elections held.

Meanwhile, Rishq noted the venue for the meeting of the 15-member political bureau was Cairo. He said the choice of the Egyptian capital was a sign of the changes in the region.

South Sudan expels Chinese oil firm boss

T

HE world’s newest nation has expelled the head of South Sudan’s biggest oil company, the Chinese and Malaysianowned Petrodar.

The Chinese national, Liu Yingcai, was asked to leave following an investigation into Khartoum’s “theft” of oil worth $815m (£518m).

South Sudan has stopped production after Sudan seized oil - Khartoum says this is because of unpaid transit fees.

Since the country seceded from Sudan in July, relations have deteriorated.

troops captured a key Islamist militant stronghold in Somalia yesterday, as the rebels left their positions, a regional government official and residents said.

The loss of Baidoa in central Somalia is a major blow for the al Qaeda-backed al Shabaab rebel group which is also battling Kenyan troops to hold on to territory in southern Somalia and against African peacekeepers in pockets of the capital.

“We have taken Baidoa.

There was no resistance from al Shabaab,” said Abdifatah Mohamed Gesey, a senior

commander of the advancing Somali government soldiers.

Al Shabaab said its withdrawal from the city had been a tactical once aimed at avoiding casualties.

“Our fighters left town this morning without fighting. Now we are surrounding the town,” said Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, al Shabaab’s spokesman for military operations.

PUBLIC NOTICE ABIODUN I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Abiodun Ekundayo Oluwatoyin, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Evah Ekundayo Oluwatoyin. All former documents remains valid. General public should take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE The General Public is hereby Notified that the above named, Registered on 7th March 1984 with RC No. 2757 wish to apply for Change of Trustees and for Issuance of a New Certificate of incorporation having lost the Oiginal one.

THE FORMER TRUSTEES ARE: -Rev. Vincent Christian Nnam Nwatu (Sick) -Elder Alfred Fikulu Orum Banigbo (Dead) -Rev. Joseph David Chukwuma Nwoye (Dead) -Elder Young Okamigbo (Dead) -Rev. Sunday Kalu Okorie (Dead) -Elder Christopher Obi Mokelu (Dead) THE NEW TRUSTEES ARE 1. Apostle Prof. Ogbonnaya Nwoye Godwin (Founder) 2. Rev. Hon. Ralph Ifeanyi Chukwu Nwoye 5. Elder Justice, Una Ogbonna Nweze 3. Rev. Malachy Udueinya Okoye 6. Deaconess Esther Ifeoma Okoye 4. Rev. Felix Wuruke Edolor 7. Elder Victor Iro Ikwunze Any objection to the application should be forwarded to the Registrar Corporate Affairs Commission with 28 days.

Signed: Dr. E.E.J. Okereke for Dr. E.E.J. Okereke & Associates 184 Ogui Road/Lagos Street Asata, Enugu .

Palestinian president, Hamas leader iron out disputes ALESTINIAN president Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal have settled internal disagreements and approved a unity deal after talks in Cairo yesterday, a senior official said.

“The meeting decided to fully implement the reconciliation agreement and the Doha declaration,” Izzat al-Rishq, an aide to Meshaal told the Associated Press.

“It puts an end to the debate and discussions over Hamas’ position concerning the Doha agreement and puts an end to what seemed to be disagreement within

F

CHRIST ASCENSION CHURCH NIGERIA

E

GYPT’S ousted President Hosni Mubarak yesterday turned down a chance to address the court in the last session before the verdict in the seven-month trial in which he faces the death penalty.

Mubarak, who ran Egypt for 30 years, is accused of complicity in the killing of protesters during the 18-day popular uprising that pushed him from power in February of last year.

The chief judge in the case announced that Mubarak’s sentencing session is set for June 2.

More than 800 people were killed during the uprisings, many of them demonstrators shot dead by security forces.

Egyptians have closely followed the case, and many see its slow progress as an indictment of the council of ruling army generals who took power when Mubarak stepped down.

Critics of the military’s handling of the transition to democracy say the trial’s pace reflects a wider lack of justice for those killed in the uprising. Egyptian courts have so far not punished any

Ethiopian troops seize Somali THIOPIAN and Somali rebel bastion

The two sides fought a bitter civil war for decades in which some 1.5 million people died.

The conflict ended in 2005 with a peace deal that promised a referendum for southerners on independence, which they opted for last year.

Oil makes up 98% of Juba’s budget - but its only export route is through its northern neighbour.

The two countries have never reached an agreement over how much South Sudan should pay.

Before the shutdown,

China was the biggest buyer of Sudanese oil, relying on it for nearly 5% of its needs.

It has good relations with the Khartoum government - and was a key player in trying to get the two sides to come to an agreement over the oil crisis.

Correspondents say the expulsion could damage South Sudan’s relations with China.

“Why would it sour relations? The companies are still here and we are working with them,” South Sudan’s Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin

told the AFP news agency.

South Sudan also announced on Wednesday that it was reviewing all oil contracts that were signed before it became independent.

Earlier this week South Sudan halved spending on everything but government salaries to try to compensate for the loss of oil revenue.

Vice-President Riek Machar told the BBC that the loss of oil revenues would mean development would have to be put on hold for several years, but basic services would not suffer.

62

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

SPORT EXTRA

•Joel Obi

•Kanu

TOMORROW IN THE NATION

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL. 7, NO. 2044

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

HATE winter. The freezing cold that turns the atmosphere into one huge freezer; the chilly wind blowing the face and turning the eyes red. Tall trees shorn of their greenery, just standing there like electric poles without wires. Once beautiful fields of grass stripped of their lushness. And flowers hiding their beauty in reverence to the wintry blaze, eagerly awaiting the spring to bloom and show off their colours. Men and women decked out in thick black jackets to fight off the biting cold.

But it was not so on my first trip to Istanbul, the beautiful city that is Turkey’s business and tourism hub. It was bright and seductive in 2009. Not so on Monday, February 13 when we landed at the Ataturk Airport, a monument to the Turkish people’s spirit of enterprise. It was snowing lightly.

As I jumped onto the bus to run away from the chill, I remembered Nigeria where the sun shines all-year round and nature –except for occasional anger, many a time fuelled by human remissness - has been very kind.

But it was not the nostalgic memories of a warm Nigeria that kept this reporter thinking about home. No. Neither was it the numbling cold. Events were tumbling in at a rate that will make the most ardent of commentators breathless. In just one week!

Kogi, which was just struggling to recover from the hangover of an obscene battle for the governorship seat, was the scene of a massive jail break. Boko Haram, the rampaging sect whose activities have been condemned by some of the leading lights of Islam, stormed the Koton Karfe Prison in a blaze of bullets, setting free some 115 inmates. The sect said it was all to free seven of its men who were being held in the facility.

The invasion had been preceded by a crushing attack by yet unknown assailants, who smashed their way into a bank, blew up the vaults and set the place on fire. The imprimatur was Boko Haram’s, but the police said the invaders were robbers whose attempt to attack the bank had been foiled and in anger torched the place and surrounding buildings.

But the question is: why Kogi, always?

Lawmakers in the old Western Region gathered in Ibadan, the ancient city of warriors, to push a noble idea – unity that will fasttrack development and revive the glory of the area that was the envy of all in education, agriculture, sports and other areas of human endeavour. That was before the rapacious mainstreamers and vote robbers descended, like locusts on a prosperous farm, on the Southwest to unleash a devastating blow that sank the ship of development. Now, recovery from the massive sick bay to which the place has been turned seems difficult. But integration is feasible – if the will is there. I am sure the public support remains firm.

Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s donation of N100 million to the victims of the Kano explosions generated so

GBENGA OMOTOSO

EDITORIAL NOTEBOOK

gbenga.omotoso@thenationonlineng.net

While I was away

•Sanusi

•Tinubu

much heat. The row was so pulsating that its sounds reverberated beyond Nigeria, coming shortly after the Kano prince was quoted as telling the Financial Times that derivation was at the root of the Boko Haram madness.

Now, many are asking: What manner of central banking is this? Is zakat part of central banking?

Apparently to silence those who questioned his decision to go to Kano, Sanusi was at Madalla on Monday. He shelled out N25 million for the victims of the Christmas Day church bombing in which 43 people died.

But those idle critics, who know absolutely nothing about banking, keep lashing Sanusi whose moves, experts have told me, will do wonders to this cash–strapped economy.

Consider another N25 million to the victims of the Mubi explosions, among whom was a bank manager; yet another donation to the victims of the Suleja, Yobe, Maiduguri and Kaduna blasts; the victims of the mindless attacks in Plateau and Ebonyi, and the numerous victims of natural disasters crying

for assistance. By the time the Sanusi roadshow ends, the economy will have been fully reflated, with the naira overwhelming the dollar and inflation crashing to a single digit. Ingenuity.

Besides, if philanthropic organisations are failing in their self-appointed duties, is it out of place for the lender of last resort to become the donor of last resort?

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned to an exciting reception at the Lagos Airport from Britain after the wicked rumour that he had been gravely ill and flown overseas.

Trust the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Leader, a master of repartee; he told reporters that those purveying the rumour of his ill-health were suffering from paralysis of the mind. That was the end of the matter.

In Kaduna, the Boko Haram sect planted more bombs. A policeman who was trying to stop one from going off was killed as the bomb got detonated. Two other persons were injured. There were multiple explosions in the city that was just recovering from the blasts in and around some military bases, including the army’s elitist 1 Division.

A tragic rainstorm hit Lagos, killing no fewer than 12 persons, including 10 kids. The boat in which the kids were travelling to school capsized. Buildings were damaged by the sudden storm. There were moving pictures of parents mourning their kids. Some kids kept on crying over their brothers, sisters and playmates. So sad.

And talking about kids. The would-be kid bomber, Farouk Abdulmutallab, the then 23year-old who tried to bomb a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day in 2009, got a life jail sentence. The son of a former bank chair had everything a rich dad could offer his lucky kid – world-class education, cash and exposure. But something snapped. The young man got intoxicated by religious extremism, quit his post-graduate studies in Dubai and headed for Yemen, telling his family to forget him. The Abdulmutallab tragedy is a tough nut to crack. Was he pampered more than the other kids of the rich?

HARDBALL

RIPPLES

Did his parents give him too much freedom so early in his life? We may never know.

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has recalled striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the gum chewing chap who couldn’t tip the ball into an empty goal in a World Cup match in South Africa. Now, he seems to be in top form, banging in the goals for the Blackburn Rovers.

But, of what use is a striker who fails to deliver when it is important that he must? Does Aiyegbeni possess the fighting spirit of a champion and the clinical finish of a worldclass star that the Eagles require to make the fans forget the nightmarish past?

Also recalled is Sani Keita, who turned the pitch into a kick boxing arena and cost the team a well-deserved victory, getting a red card. When asked if he had any apology for the fans, Keita told the BBC: “I’m sorry for all Nigerians.” I hope Keita, a defensive midfielder of remarkable agility, has learnt his lesson so that he will not need to be “sorry” for anybody again.

Amid the tragedy of a 51-year- old toddler with defective limbs groping in the dark and facing a scary future, Nigerians still exhibit an incredible sense of humour. Consider this that hit my phone as I arrived at the Lagos Airport: “A man dies and goes to hell. There he finds that there are different hells for each country. He decides to go round and choose the least painful to spend his eternity. He goes to the German hell and asks, ‘what do they do here?’ He is told ‘first they put you in an electric chair for an hour, then lay you on a bed of nails for another hour, then the German devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day’. The man does not like that at all; he moves on. He checks out the USA,UK and Russian hells as well as many more. He discovers that they are all similar to the German hell.

“Then he comes to the Nigerian hell and finds that there is a long queue of people waiting to get in. Amazed, he asks, ‘what do they do here?’ He is told, ‘First they put you in an electric chair for an hour, and then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour, then the Nigerian devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day.’

“But that is exactly the same as all the other hells, ‘why are there so many people waiting to get in?’ asks the man. A concerned fellow calls him aside and says, “Because there is never any stable electricity; so, the electric chair doesn’t work.

The nails were paid for but were never supplied by the contractor, so the bed is comfortable to sleep on. And the Nigerian devil used to be a civil servant, so he comes in, signs his time sheet and leaves for his personal business !!!

“Doesn’t it pay to be a Nigerian?”

•For comments, send SMS to 08057634061

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Obasanjo leads prevaricators to Senegal

OBASANJO DID HIS BEST FOR NIGERIA -Cleric

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•••and scored ZERO

‘There is no gainsaying that a greater percentage of Nigerian youth would indulge in the same excesses and heedlessness perpetuated by their rich, spoilt counterparts of the ruling class, had they opportunity.’

OLATUNJI OLOLADE

ORRIED that this weekend’s presidential election in Senegal could start and end badly, with unforeseen consequences for the continent and West African region, the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS have sent a delegation to the Francophone country led by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Nigerian President, to tackle the problem. Unsure what they want the delegation to do, the two continental bodies suggest it could monitor the election and also mediate the misunderstanding between President Abdoulaye Wade, who is going for a third term in spite of amending the constitution to allow for a maximum two terms, and the opposition, which seems determined to undermine that third term ambition.

According to ECOWAS, Obasanjo “will engage all political stakeholders in Senegal with a view to promoting dialogue and encouraging peaceful, fair and transparent election.”

Africa is an expert at prevarication. The issues in dispute are clear, so too, in spite of the continent’s love for complicating things and dissembling, is the solution. Wade is 85 years old, but he claims to be still fit as a fiddle.

Like Zimbabwe’s 88 year-old Robert Mugabe who has been in power for about 40 years, Wade is unable to imagine himself out of power. Because Africa lacks the will and peerreview mechanism to compel sit-tight leaders to usher in true democracy in the region, it took the very bloody Arab Spring to sanitise the situation in North Africa brushing aside the objections of many African leaders.

It is curious that the AU does not have a deep grasp of the highly nuanced struggle for power in the region. Had the union clearly appreciated what were at stake, it is doubtful they would have sent Obasanjo to Senegal. It is bad enough that the emissary is given a very ambiguous mandate – to monitor the presidential election and/or to foster dialogue between a recalcitrant president and an opposition that is fighting the president’s third term ambition. Would it not have been nobler to choose one of the two tasks and push it vigorously: whether to sensibly denounce and fight third term, or to selfishly advance the cause of the president and forcibly pacify the opposition?

Much worse, however, is the fact that the

continental bodies have chosen to send Obasanjo, who while in office was fundamentally not opposed to third term for himself and subverting the foundations of constitutionalism. The whole world knew this, and Nigerians fought him, knowing full well that they had a president who had little respect for democracy and the constitution. What degree of success do AU and ECOWAS expect from the Obasanjo mission?

Senegal is being destabilised by the selfish ambition of Wade. The AU and ECOWAS ought to appreciate this danger and summon the will to tackle it forthrightly. But because their democratic credentials are universally suspect, they are likely to continue pulling their punches, pussyfooting on the great moral issues of the day and cuddling their malfeasant colleagues. It is sad to see that they are not bothered that more than any other continent, Africa is the least democratic and the worst governed. How many more Somalias would Africa produce before a new set of leaders capable of thrusting the black man to the forefront of human development is produced?

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