February 26, 2015 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

...92 D AYS TO GO DA

•Opposition mounts against Obanikoro’s nomination •AND •Buhari’s supporters warn against Jega’s removal MORE ON •Adoke orders withdrawal of affidavit in PVC suit PAGES •PDP criticises APC’s manifesto as ‘unrealistic’ 2-9,51&52

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3137 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

Tumbling oil prices force Senate to cut Budget 2015

House in turmoil over troops for polls

HE House of Representatives was thrown into tumoil yesterday over moves to circumvent the judgment of the Court of Appeal against the deployment of troops for elections. The Court of Appeal, in deciding the Ekiti election petition case, ruled that it is illegal to deploy soldiers for election duties. The judgment validated the decision of a Sokoto

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

High Court that the military should play no direct role during elections. On the strength of the judgement, Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila last week moved a motion that the House should compel President Goodluck Jonathan to effect the judgment. He complained about the use of soldiers in the June 21, 2014 governorship election

in Ekiti State and the audio tape of discussions by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chiefs, directing a General on how to manipulate the election. One of Gbajabiamila’s prayers, is that the President should be urged not to deploy soldiers for the general elections. The motion was opposed via a counter motion by Rep. Sunday Karimi (PDP Kogi). Continued on page 2

N150.00

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

HE Senate yesterday reduced some subheads of the 2015 budget —no thanks to tumbling oil prices. It demanded immediate submission of the details of the N360.94 billion Service Wide Vote, which some of the lawmakers described as nebulous. This is contained in the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), which the upper chamber debated and adopted. The MTEF and FSP are statutory requirements that must be submitted to the National Assembly for its consider•Ihedioha

Continued on page 2

•INSIDE: CHADIAN ARMY KILLS ‘207 INSURGENTS’ P5 P511 FEC OKAYS NINE VARSITIES P7

Jonathan’s men haul cash to UK for anti-Buhari rally Governor, others in ‘cash for protest’ conspiracy From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

PROTEST is set for today in London against All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari – at a price. The Presidency is spending thousands of dollars on the protest, which is meant to take the shine off Gen. Buhari’s lecture at the prestigious Chatham House. Besides some presidential aides, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor is said to be part of the plot. The arrowhead of the protest is an amorphous civil society group, which has been mobilised with $20,000, The Nation learnt last night. There are other groups, but it was not immediately clear last night how much they got. The Federal Government has been uncomfortable with the growing international sympathy for Gen. Buhari, who got a favourable mention in an editorial by the New York Times, which ran scathing comments on the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. The influential London magazine, The Economist, endorsed Gen. Buhari ahead of the March 28 election. The governor, who is from the South, is said to be taking advantage of his past stay in London to mobilise “hirelings” against Gen. Buhari. According to sources, the governor and the “Abuja forces” plotted a five-way WILL THE attack against Gen. Buhari, CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON including heckling of the APRIL 15, LAST APC presidential candi-

YEAR EVER RETURN?

Continued from page 2

•Potiskum General Hospital workers carry an injured victim of the blast in PHOTOS: NAN the town...on Tuesday.

Kwankwaso calls for vigilance •SEE PAGE 7

•An injured victim of the suicide blast being treated at the hospital...on Tuesday

•KIDNAPPERS DEMAND N30M FOR AMERICAN WOMAN P5 P511 23 ‘THUGS’ HELD IN KANO P5 P511

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS Jonathan, Tambuwal ex-presidents hail Shagari at 90

ECOND Republic President Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s Sama Road Sokoto residence was a beehive yesterday. He turned 90. President Goodluck Jonathan led some former Heads of State and Government to Sokoto to felicitate with him. Obasanjo visited Shagari alone. He left before Jonathan’s delegation arrived. With the President were: Gen.Yakubu Gowon,Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and Chief Ernest Shonekan, who headed a shortlived Interim National Government (ING) created by Gen. Babangida when he departed in a haste in the heat of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun Moshood Abiola.

•Shagari (third left) being assisted by Jonathan (third right), Shonekan (left), Babangida (second left), •Shagari and Obasanjo...yesterday Abubakar (right) and Gowon to cut his 90th birthday cake...yesterday From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

President Jonathan described Shehu Shagari as a role model to Nigerian leaders. “He is a pivot especially to the members of the National Council of State,” he said: Jonathan added that Shagari

remained calm and wanted Nigeria to grow as a united nation. He described Shagari as an elder statesman per excellence. “Nigerians have a lot to learn from Shagari who served the nation with humility, piety, patriotism and dedication.

‘’ This visit is historic and it is a token of appreciation of the tremendous contributions of Shagari to the socio-economic development, peace and unity of Nigeria, ‘’ Jonathan said. ‘’ He has been working diligently and tirelessly too to keep

Nigeria one and peaceful, and he has never stopped,’’ Jonathan added. General Gowon presented Shagari a birthday card signed by all the former Heads of state. Supported by President Jonathan and theleaders, Shagari

Continued from page 1

Quoting Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution and the Armed Forces Act, 2004 to back the report,, Sam-Tsokwa said: “The President’s power to ‘determine the operational use of the Armed Forces in Nigeria for the purpose of maintaining and securing public safety and public order’ is a constitutional mandate donated by the constitution and the Armed Forces Act. “In a clime of constitutional supremacy, the National Assembly can not by an Act deviate from this, let alone through a resolution without running foul of Section 1 (1) and (3) of the Constitution. “Good enough, the Act reinforces the constitutional provision in its Section 8 (1) which cannot be amended by a resolution as the motion seeks to do”. Though the report failed to identify the cases before the court, Sam -Tsokwa said the House would run foul of its rule if it delved into it. He, however, pointed out that a clause in this session of the parliament had resolved that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission

(INEC) may request the President to deploy the military for election duties. He said: “The House may only revert itself in this through a recision motion, which Deputy Leader Leo Ogor had unsuccessfully tried to do. The legislature cannot give with the right hand and take back with the left. “We are persuaded and, indeed, are of the firm view that in the light of all or even any one of the foregoing, this motion by Honourable Gbajabiamila is effectively caught in the cobweb of both the constitution and the House Standing Orders and, consequently, the Chair may sustain the point of order. “This is our humble and respectful advice to the chair.” The Deputy Speaker ruled: “We should not politicise all matters”. He sustained Karimi’s point of order, adding that his ruling was based on the report presented by the three Committees. As he banged the gavel, the floor erupted into a rowdy session, with members of the APC shouting “no”! while their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts

were clapping in approval. Tempers flared immediately with groups emerging on all corners of the floor. Members were shouting on top of their voices and pointing fingers at one another’s faces. Those who attempted to pacify agitated APC members found it a tough job. Proceedings stopped for two hours. The deputy speaker could not control the floor. After a long while, Gbajabiamila was allowed to raise a point of order where he pointed out that Sam-Tsokwa and the report went out of their mandate. He said the House should be cautious as any member who has a grouse with a motion might just claim that a case is in court and, as such, debate would be stopped without proof. He said until it is proven that the case is in court, the matter will not die as neither Karimi nor the joint committees could provide evidence that there was a case in court over the subject matter. He also pointed out that the House should be mindContinued on page 52

cut his birthday cake. Obasanjo, who visited earlier, described the elder statesman as the doyen of Nigeria’s former leaders. Obasanjo, who as military head of State handed over to Continued on page 52

Tumbling oil prices force Senate to cut Budget 2015

Turmoil in House as Reps’ report backs Jonathan House Speaker Aminu Tambuwal did not allow the debate, but referred the motion to three committees – Judiciary, Justice as well as Rules and Business – to advise the House. Yesterday, the submission of the report of the committees virtually turnned the House upside down. A rowdy scene was created and proceedings stalled for two hours. Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha presided over the session, which polarised the members along party lines. The lead chair of the joint committees, Albert SamTsokwa, read the report which concluded that Sunday Karimi’s point of order should be sustained because the President derives the power from the Constitution to determine the operational use of the armed forces. Sam-Tsokwa said neither Gbajabiamila nor Karimi provided details or particulars of cases each of them referred to, though they agreed that there are cases in court on the subject matter.

PHOTOS: NAN

•Mark Continued from page 1

ation and approval prior to the presentation of the Budget to the National Assembly by the Federal Government. The Federal Government voted N4.42 trillion expenditure for this year. After an exhaustive debate of the MTEF and FSP, the Senate resolved that the total recurrent (Non-Debt) expenditure of the budget be reduced from N2,616.01 trillion to N2,584.08 trillion. It also reduced the total Statutory Transfers from N411.85 billion to N363.27 billion. Details of the Service Wide Vote of N360.94 billion be made available to the parliament,” the Senate said.

The submission, it said, will enable the National Assembly to see areas to cut. Specifically, recommended that there is no reason to include N63 billion for Presidential Amnesty Programme under the Service Wide Votes when there is a Ministry for the Niger Delta. The N63 billion vote should be moved to the ministry, it said. The Senate said that the N22 billion provision for internal operations of the armed forces should be made under relevant ministry. The Senate resolved that all sums provided as arrears of pension and gratuity should be reclassified from Service Wide Votes to relevant heads, adding that “henceforth, this general provision should be discontinued.” The lawmakers reduced the total expenditure for the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) from N102.50 billion to N21.03 billion due to the fall in price of crude oil. Continued on page 52

Jonathan’s aides haul cash to London for anti-Buhari protest Why Nigeria needs Buhari now, by El-Rufai Continued from page 1

date, protest with placards and banners at Chatham House, and pelting of Buhari with tomatoes and trash. A highly-placed source said: “Some forces are angry that Buhari is getting international endorsement, in spite of their huge investment in propaganda by the PDP. “The aggrieved consider the appearance of Buhari in Chatham House as the icing of the cake, which must be disrupted. They cannot fathom why Buhari will be accorded such international audience. “They have mobilised some hirelings in London to embarrass and intimidate Buhari even if it means violating the law in London and paying fines thereafter.” A document, “RE: THE CHATHAM HOUSE RALLY MARCH AGAINST DICTATOR” revealed that a civil society group might coordinate the protest. In the document sent by its Assistant Director to the Director, a copy of which was

IGERIA needs Gen. Muhammadu at this time more than before, former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Mallam Nasir El Rufai, said on Tuesday in London. El Rufai, who is contesting for governor in Kaduna State on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to take advantage of the election to move Nigeria in the right direction. El-rufai who fielded questions on the engagement of the Diaspora in nation building urged the people to encourage their families and associates in Nigeria to vote APC into power. The former FCT Minister who also dispelled rumours of Buhari's ill health said the APC presidential flag bearer had the requisite experience, given his age at 72, to serve Nigeria.

purportedly sent to a highlyplaced government official, released the details of the plot. The group also listed a schedule of activities at the Chatham House, beginning from 9am. The activities include drummers playing pa-

"When nations go through trauma they normally go for older leaders who are more tolerant, focused and prepare to create a younger generation of leaders”, he said. "That was the case in South Africa and China. For Nigeria, Buhari will bring about stability and peace we yearn for,'' El Rufai said. APC National Chairman Chief John Oyegun told the supporters that the party’s strength was in its desire to change Nigeria. Appealing for the diaspora support, he urged the international community to assist Nigeria sustain democracy. "We are calling on our foreign friends not to help APC but to ensure that the right thing is done in Nigeria," Oyegun said. Gen Buhari will deliver today at the Royal Institute of Public Affairs, Chatham House in London.

triotic Nigerian music(9am to 9.30am); start chanting of anti-Buhari and anti-military songs also; speakers start speaking about Buhari’s dictatorship at 10pm; diasporas will stay at Chatham House and continue to chant antiBuhari songs until the event

On Tuesday, a presidential rally was organised by APC in the Diaspora community, UK. The supporters converged on the Everlasting Arms Ministries Church in East London. APC spokesman Mohammed said the rally was not part of Gen Buhari's itinerary in London He said since the APC candidate arrived in the UK, he had been meeting and consulting with political leaders while also having some rest after his energy-sapping nationwide campaign. Speaking on the party's manifesto, Mohammed said the APC would tackle corruption, generate employment and introduce a nine year free compulsory education to eradicate illiteracy. "APC is committed to fighting corruption in the country by ensuring discipline, honesty, hard work and merit.

is over. “However to defray the cost of logistics, refreshment, mobilisation and necessary permits to stage the rally, we shall need the sum of $20,000 to cover all the expenses,” the memo said. The document reads in

part: “Nigerians in the Diaspora will converge at (sic) Chatham House, United Kingdom on Thursday, 26th of February, 2015 to show solidarity and support for President Goodluck Jonathan and his transformation agenda in Nigeria as a surprise to

•Gen. Buhari

the august visitor, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC) “The solidarity rally will, among other things, address major progresses (sic) of President Goodluck Jonathan and many sins of General Muhammadu Buhari while he was the military dictator.”

ADVERT HOTLINES 08023006969, 08052592524

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

MAY 29 ...92 DAYS TO GO

NEWS

Afenifere: The pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the re-scheduled March 28 presidential election. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the crises that made the shepherd to lose its flocks.

•All Progressives Congress National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu (third right) with members of the APC UK chapter when they visited Tinubu in his London home...yesterday

• Director-General, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bature Umar Masari (second left) and Globacom's Regional Chief Marketing Officer, Ashok Israni displaying the Glo-SMEDAN Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a news conference in Lagos...yesterday. With them are: Special Adviser to Minister of Trade and Investment, Mrs. Abisola Mustapha and Head, Corporate Sales, Globacom, Kamaldeen Shonibare

N 1951, the year of self-government in Western Nigeria, a political party, Action Group (AG) was born. The chiefs and elite who formed that party had specific objective - to embark on a radical and socio-economic transformation of the defunct region, particularly in the areas of education, health and agriculture. But the leaders faced a dilemma. It was on how to inform and propagate the ideals and positions of the AG to a people, who neither spoke, nor understood English. So they come up with the name, ‘Egbe Afenifere’ (a group of well-wishers). On the party’s manifesto was free primary education and free medical service for all children below 18. The philosophy of making life more abundant for the people distinguished the party. Today, there is a marked diference in the leadership of Afenifere from that of old. Rather than hold on to the philosophy and ideals of the founding fathers, the present day leaders of the group are after personal benefits. Unlike in the past, the group is winning and dinning with elements and groups ideologically opposed to the group’s orientation. It has abandoned the role of a virile opposition as it is now in love with mainstream politics. Afenifere is a socio-cultural and political group formed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as a rallying point for the Yoruba people. Majority of the Yorubas see the pressure group as a legitimate force to serve their interests as well as maintain the waning influences of the Yorubaland in the federation. But the leadership has jettisoned its position as a virile opposition bloc.

Lost identity

•From left: MTN OFFICIALS ALL...Funmi Onajide (General Manager, Corporate Affairs); Richard Iweanoge (General Manager, Consumer Marketing); Bayo Adekanmbi (Chief Marketing Officer) and Usoro Usoro (General Manager, Mobile Money) at the re-launch of the TruTalk Tariff Plan, in Opebi, Lagos...yesterday.

•From left: Regional Director, West Africa, Africa Magic, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu flanked by Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe (left) and Corporate Media & Brand Public Relations Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Edem Vindah, at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards Nominee Brunch at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos...yesterday.

The group has lost its true identity as a consistent political organisation that has always pitch its tent with the side of the people. And since 2003, the group has been in a political wilderness. While the group supported the five Southwest governors of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), it worked against the second-term ambition of former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In fact, the group enecouraged the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu to run against Tcontest governorsip election on the platform of Progressive Action Council (PAC) to split the AD votes in the state. Ironically, none of the AD governors, who enjoyed the Afenifere endorsement survive the huricane of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In 2007, Afenifere floated the Democratic Peoples’ Alliance (DPA). The party adopted one of the aggrieved governorship aspirants of the Action Congress (AC), Mr jimi Agbaje as its candidate. But the old Afenifere warriors lacked the clout to win the election for Agbaje. He scored three per cent out of the total votes. Against all expectations, Afenifere, in 2012, struck a deal with the Labour Party (LP) to spite its members in the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Afenifere leaders took this decision despite the fact it had come to public knowledge that the LP had become an appendage of the PDP. Before, Afenifere leaders had visited President Goodluck Jonathan at Aso Villa, Abuja on solidarity trips.

One of such visits was to convey their approval for the proposed national conference. Curiously, a chieftain of Afenifere, Dr Femi Okurounmu, chaired the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue. Thus, it did not come to anyone as a surprise when Afenifere under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti adopted President Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the March 28, presidential poll. It has also directed all Yoruba sons and daughters to vote for PDP candidates. What baffles observers is how the group has changed its perception of the Jonathan administration which its leaders had earlier described as anti-Yoruba. Chief Olu Falae once accused the President of marginalising the Yoruba in the constitution of his cabinet. Falae specifically alleged that the President failed to appoint Yoruba into top most positions like the Senate presidency, House of Representatives speakership , Chief Justice of the Federation, Deputy Senate President, President Court of Appeal and Secretary to Government of the Federation. He noted that the absence of Yoruba in the power hierarchy was adversely affecting the zone. He also cited the sacking of eight General Managers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), six of whom were Yoruba by the former Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah. Okurounmu’s anger was on the marginalisation of Yoruba by the Jonathan administration. He said: “We (Yoruba leaders) had met with Jonathan to complain about the marginalisation of the Yoruba, but he has not done anything about it. So, we have decided to pay him another visit. We have already made our intention known to the presidency. We are now waiting for the President to give us an appointment. “We have the details of the situation which we intend to present to the President. It is as if the Southwest has been excised from the country. If you look at all the top appointments in the country, it is not hard to see that Southwest has been marginalised in this administration.” However, following its declaration of support for President Jonathan, tongues have been wagging. Members of the group with dissenting opinion cast aspersion on Afenifere leadership. The aggrieved members have dissociated themselves from the Jonathan endorsement, alleging that the letter head of the Afenifere used was forged. A member who spoke on condition of anonymity accused the General Secretary of the Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa and the association’s spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, of taking a unilateral decision, which they said contradicted the communiqué issued at the end of the group’s meeting. Further investigations revealed how the leadership kept the disagreeing members in abeyance until the President’s arrival in Akure, the Ondo State capital, when they suddenly read an address declaring unsolicited support for his re-election bid. The aggrieved member traced the intrigue to Chief Arogbofa, whose younger brother, Brig-Gen Jones Arogbofa (rtd) is President Jonathan’s Chief of Stafff. The trade-off, according to the source, was to help the younger Arogbofa. The Chief of Staff

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

MAY 29 ...92 DAYS TO GO

Tragedy of a mouthpice ‘

•The late Awolowo

•The late Ajasin

•The late Adesanya

•Fasoranti

•Fasanmi

• Falae

is keen on getting the Yoruba support his principal’s ambition. The source spoke further: “That was not what we agreed at our meeting. We held a meeting and we agreed that we should not mention anybody’s name among the presidential candidates. We agreed that we should only talk about what each candidate stands for and then direct our people to vote for anyone that has approximated our position. In the communiqué we issued, we agreed to support any candidate who has demonstrated commitment to the implementation of the National Conference Report; who has will ensure devolution of power and reduce the cost of governance. “Later, we learnt that the President was coming. But because they knew that some of us would oppose his adoption, they read the opposite of what we agreed on in their welcome address. Because his (Arogbofa) brother is the President’s Chief of Staff and he had probably promised to get Afenifere’s backing for the President, he just abandoned what we all agreed on and read a different position.

Jonathan as an exercise in futility. According to him, Afenifere has no political influence on the Yoruba people and cannot decide for them which candidate they should vote for. Senator Mamora said no party or presidential candidate has exclusive right over the implementation of the National Conference Report. The report, he said, is a public document which would be implemented by whoever wins the presidency. True federalism and devolution of power as recommended by the conference are contained in All Progressives Congress (APC) manifesto, he said. The local chapter of Afenifere in Ekiti State has also dissociated itself from the purported endorsement by the Fasoranti group. The state’s chairman, Chief Ibidapo Awojolu said: “We expected to have seen the commencement of the National Conference recommendation by now. We have seen no evidence of President Jonathan ‘s plan to implement the recommendations.” Describing the Afenifere endorsement as needless and misdirected, the group contended: “We Yorubas have suffered the most unprecedented neglect and marginalisation from Jonathan’s administration. “There is nothing to show for the electoral support Jonathan got from the Southwest during the 2011 presidential election,” Awojolu stated. Civil Rights activist Comrade Moshood Erubami said: “Most of those who constitute the Yoruba elders in the current move to pacify the Yoruba race to vote for a president that has marginalised us were enemies of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo during his lifetime and obviously, they have continued their hatred for the Yoruba leader after his death. “The frequent visits of these leaders to the seat of power and the toothy smile usually on their faces when coming out of Aso Rock says it all that they are not true Awoists. Most of the Afenifere leaders asking for Jonathan’s re-election are those who felt betrayed by the consistent Awoists who populate the All Progressives

Congress (APC). “We cannot therefore put the destinies of the Yoruba in the hands of the present flock of the Yoruba elders, who are friends of Jonathan, using crass opportunism to stay alive. The task of restoring the Yoruba nation to its desirable height is too vital to be left in the hands of political jobbers. For real development to be achieved, these elders must first be rejected, displaced and replaced. “The truth is that this endorsement is dead on arrival. The Jonathan administration ought to be flaunting its achievements over the last six years it has been in government but there is nothing to market. He had opportunities to turn this country around but end up plundering our resources.” The Oodua Nation, an umbrella body of Yoruba nationals in the United States (U.S.) has advised the leaders of Afenifere to desist from frivolous endorsement of candidates and preserve the integrity of the race. The group through its chairman, Mr Samuel Ayodele said it became imperative to state that the endorsement of President Jonathan and his administration had done a colossal damage to the collective integrity of the Yorubas at home and in the Diaspora. The body urged the leaders to learn how to be liberal to all political parties, rather than dancing to the tune of a few cabals that are milking the nation dry. The Afenifere and the PDP’s calculation, according to analysts, is that if the President defeats the APC in the Southwest and secures 25 per cent in the Northwest and Northeast, he would win at the first ballot. In 2011, Jonathan polled 2, 786,410 votes in the Southwest. Former Afenifere scribe, Ayo Opadokun said the political setting that made people of Southwest to vote for Jonathan in 2011; irrespective of party affiliation, have changed. Opadokun said the political leadership of Southwest as at that time interacted with their colleague in government to give Jonathan solid votes in 2011, but that situation no longer exists today. He explained that the Southwest po-

Doctored identity “There is no doubt that Odumakin and the general secretary had doctored the communiqué because they had opposition in the meeting. They allowed all members present at the meeting to leave before they announced the adoption. Even the President did not asked for their support before they declared their support. All of us want to be rich but we must learn to do things with decorum.” Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo explained that the group endorsed the re-election bid of President Jonathan based on its conviction that he would implement the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. With the endorsement of Jonathan, Afenifere has drawn the ire of the people in Southwest who considered it an affront on the sensibilities of the Yoruba people. Former Senate Minority leader, Olorunnimbe Mamora described the Afenifere endorsement of President

The task of restoring the Yoruba nation to its desirable height is too vital to be left in the hands of political jobbers. For real development to be achieved, these elders must first be rejected, displaced and replaced

‘

litical leadership and those in government today are not on the same page with the President. Except things change, political leaders in Southwest and the President are not together. They have different political agenda. So, what happened in 2011 will not play out this time around, hesaid. Afenifere has a proud history. Under the leadership of the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Senator Abraham Adesanya, the group waged war against the military rule. The leaders of the group were harassed, molested, unjustly detained and exiled by the military. Yet, they stood their ground. The late Adesanya narrowly escaped assassination in the course of the struggle.

Genesis of the cracks The cracks in the Afenifere fold began to manifest after the exit of the military from power. Shortly before the enthronement of democracy in 1999, the leaders were locked in protracted battle. The group was confronted by two crises. On one hand, the late Chief Bola Ige, the deputy leader of the group, parted ways with his colleagues because they rejected him at the presidential primaries which was organised at the D’ Rovans Hotel , Ibadan, where they picked Chief Olu Falae. Apparently to pay his colleagues back in their own coin, Ige joined the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under President Olusegun Obasanjo without consultation. Also, the late Alhaji Dawodu and Tinubu parted ways in Lagos. The fight was over the control of party’s machinery. Efforts to mend fences through the proposed 60:40 formula recommended by a panel headed by Sir Olaniwun Ajayi failed. Dawodu was bitter. He left the AD for PAC. On the eve of the 2003 polls, he directed his supporters to vote for the PDP governorship candidate, the late Funsho Williams. Despite the gang-up, Tinubu won the election. It was distressing to Adesanya that he could not get Dawodu and Tinubu to agree. The leader was even accused of shielding Tinubu from the wrath of the group. When Adesanya took ill,

and eventually died, a leadership crisis enveloped the group. Fasoranti was acting as the leader. But when he recognised Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa as the AD National Chairman against his compatriot from Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, the group split into two. The faction rejected Fasoranti’s leadership and pronounced Senator Ayo Fasanmi as the Deputy Leader. Since then, there has been clashes of ego and interests in Yorubaland. While Afenifere’s political influence nosedived in the Southwest, the members of the Fasanmi’s faction emerged as dominant political establishment in the region. The likes of Tinubu, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Fasanmi, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Olabiyi Durojaiye, Olawale Osun, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Dr. Kayode Fayemi fought the liberation war in the Southwest, when they sent the PDP packing. Instead of forging unity, the Fasoranti and Fasanmi groups have continued to work at cross purposes. Falae recalled that the split in the group which started in the AD, later extended to the Afenifere. He said the AD governors felt aggrieved when Afenifere set up a committee headed by Prof Bolaji Akinyemi to assess their performance. “The purpose was to make sure that the governors delivered their electoral promises to the electorate. The people in the region had voted for Afenifere and not the AD or an individual. All we were doing was to protect the legacy of the group,” he explained.

Clash of interests He alleged that the governors also allienated the Afenifere in their second term calculation by deciding that the AD would not field a presidential candidate in 2003 without having consultation with him as the former candidate. “They entered into a deal with the then President Olusegun Obasanjo that they would support and campaign for his re-election in 2003, which they did. They (AD governors) lost, with the exemption of Tinubu. After the election that swept them out of power, they couldn’t come back to the fold,” Falae added. But Fasanmi had a contrary view. He blamed the crisis on the personal ambition of the leaders of the Fasoranti group. “We tried to mend fences at a stage, but the ambition of their members in the AD to the disintegration of the party and the Afenifere. Adesanya single-handedly picked Fasoranti as the acting leader when he had health challenges. I was elected Afenifere leader after Adesanya’s death”, Fasanmi said. To Afenifere leader in Lagos State, Chief Supo Sonibare, the problem of Afenifere has to do with the dynamics of having core leaders who are not in government and having governors who are effectively heads of government. Sonibare recalled that in the days Chief Awolowo, the sage wielded the power of the head of government and leader of the Afenifere simultaneously. When he was no longer the Premier, there was the aspiration of becoming the Prime Minister as the leader of the opposition then. “In the present day Afenifere, we have leaders who are not in government and governors who are heads of government. The leaders could only use moral persuation and cannot compel any governor to do their biddings. That dichotomy of power brought about the discord and the split in Afenifere. The division was managed by Chief Adesanya. His successor, Chief Fasoranti presided over meetings without both factions of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in attendance,” he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS

APC to Jonathan: you got it wrong on Ekiti rigging audio tape

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s reason on why the Ekiti rigging audio tape has not been investigated was described yesterday by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as untenable and an after-thought. APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in London yesterday, said the President’s waffling on the issue showed he might have something to hide on the issue. The statement added that Jonathan was wrong to have said the rigging audio tape had not been investigated because the Army captain, who leaked it, had not come for-

ward to authenticate it. The party wondered whether the President would have toed the same line if the tape had revealed that the APC colluded with the military to rig the Ekiti election in favour of the APC candidate. The security agencies, APC noted, needs no prodding or even a presidential directive to launch an investigation into a weighty issue that amounts to a subversion of democracy. The statement reads: “Some people were found to be undermining democracy using a powerful national institution as the military. And all the President could say is that there will be no investi-

gation until the officer who secretly recorded the tape has come forward to authenticate it. What a disingenuous argument! “Is the President not aware that Capt. Sagir Koli, who recorded the tape, went into hiding because his life was in danger? “Is the President not aware of the fate that befell Capt. Koli’s 15-year-old younger brother, who was arrested and tortured at a military facility in Ibadan over the issue? Does the President not appreciate the patriotism, which the officer exhibited by exposing those who criminally subverted

democracy?” The party wondered on what basis the president declared the audio tape a fabrication when he confessed that he had not even listened to it, and when almost all those who were at the rigging meeting, including Musiliu Obanikoro, Ayodele Fayose, Jelili Adesiyan and Iyiola Omisore, have now owned up to attending the meeting. “Unless President Jonathan is afraid of what an investigation into the tape may reveal, he should be in the forefront of those calling for an investigation. This is because, according to the major players in the rigging tape, the

Ekiti rigging assignment was done expressly in the name of the president. “Obanikoro invoked the president’s name, saying he sent him to clinch victory for the PDP in the Ekiti governorship election. Unless the statement made by Obanikoro is true, the president has no business seeking to delay, even for one day, the investigation into the very serious allegations contained in the tape. The presence of Capt. Koli is not a necessary pre-condition for an investigation into the rigging allegation. “We are, therefore, repeating our call for an urgent investigation of the Ekiti rigging

audio and at the same time demanding that all those who are found to have wilfully subverted democracy be tried for treason. For the avoidance of doubt, no matter how long it takes, we will ensure that all those involved in the Ekiti show of shame are brought to justice,” APC said. The party advised Jonathan to immediately summon his aides to play the audio tape of the meeting and the video tape of the subsequent interview with Capt. Koli for him, so that he will be able to make an informed judgment on it, instead of making incoherent and confounding statements on the issue.

Nigeria Airways pensioners to boycott polls over neglect By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

•From left: Member, Senate Committee on Housing, Senator Aishat Al Hassan; Chairman of the committee Senator Bukar Abba Minister of Housing and Urban Development Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi; and vice chairman of the committee Senator Gbenga Ashafa, after the ministry’s budget defence at National Assembly Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

APC’s manifesto unrealistic, says PDP

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as unrealistic, saying it is meant to deceive and misdirect the electorate. According to the ruling party, the opposition’s promise to pay N5,000 monthly stipend each to 25 million poor Nigerians would amount to N125 billion monthly and N1.5 trillion every year. PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said the N5,000 monthly stipend could not be achieved, given the poor state of the nation’s economy and dwindling oil revenue. His words: “What is baffling is that the APC knows full well that this is not only unrealistic, but also impracticable in a nation with an estimated budget of N4.69 trillion, comprising recurrent

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

and capital expenditures. Yet, they continue to dish it out to unsuspecting citizens in a clear bid to mislead. “Since its formation about two years ago, the APC has introduced and sustained an unfortunate political streak; sustained majorly by lies, character assassination, false alarm, wild allegations, and lately visual simulation - all in the desperation to deceive and misdirect the judgment of the electorate.” The PDP also faulted what it described as the opposition’s promise to create 740,000 direct jobs in each of the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory within one year and one million jobs for Igbo youths within the same period. Metuh said: “The APC has

also promised to provide free education, daily free meals for millions of Nigerian school children, free tertiary education, free healthcare and free houses to Nigerians. The opposition knows too well that these are unrealistic; yet they prefer to brandish falsehood. “The APC should explain to Nigerians how they would fulfil their promises with the prevailing 40 per cent drop in national income and dwindling oil price in the international market. “These promises are, therefore, either bogus or part of their plot to subject the citizens to a harsh tax regime.” The party noted that under the present administration, company tax is a maximum of 30 per cent of profit, whereas personal income tax hovers from one per cent for minimum wage earners, to a maximum of 19 per cent for Nigerians earning up to N100 mil-

lion. “Can Nigerians afford a tax regime of 45 per cent company tax and 32 per cent personal income tax? While we note the multiple tax regime in APC states as Lagos State, we believe that Nigerians are not ready to bear the brunt of APC’s harsh tax policy. “If, on the other hand, APC decides to deny the planned imposition of a harsh tax regime, then they must accept they are guilty of fake campaign promises and deceitful manifesto. “It is indeed obvious that the APC has no intentions of pursuing, let alone fulfilling any of its bogus promises. It is either they are merely taking the nation for a ride or seek to use the promises as a pedestal to impose a cruel tax regime and exploit Nigerians. Whatever, it is a campaign based on deceit,” the PDP spokesman said.

BOUT 6,000 Nigeria Airways’ pensioners have vowed not to vote in the rescheduled general elections following what they described as government’s insensitivity and neglect since the airline was liquidated in 2002 by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led administration. Rising from a meeting in Lagos, the pensioners lamented the inability of the Federal Government to pay their entitlements. Some of the pensioners told reporters that they regrouped as a result of the maltreatment and continue neglect by government, adding that over 700 former workers of the airline died following incapacitation from ailments. They added that neither the National Assembly nor the executive was ready to listen to them, adding that the five years severance benefits paid to them under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration was not in the interest of the pensioners. “We have resolved with our families throughout the country not to vote in this election because our people are dying every day. Our children have stopped going to school, our wives have abandoned us and most of us are very ill without shelter. “Nobody in government is listening to our cry for over 13 years and they want us to vote. Vote for people who did know whether we are existing? We cannot, because we have served the government with our heart.”

Lawyer seeks Jonathan’s assent to amended constitution From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to urgently assent to the Fourth Amendment Act following the completion of work on the Constitution by the National Assembly. A lawyer, Sebastine Hon, said yesterday that the president’s prompt assent to the Act was necessary in view of its importance on the next elections, disputes that might arise from the elections and the operations of the new government. Hon, in a statement yesterday, said since the amendment could not have retroactive effect going by past decisions of the Supreme Court on such issue, it was necessary for the Act to be promptly signed by the President to avert a possible constitutional crisis that a delay might cause. “Given that general elections are just a month away, we respectfully call on President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the Fourth Amendment Act without further delay. “The reasons are very plain enough. First of all, the amended Constitution will guide all Nigerians, particularly the political gladiators and lawyers, in preparing for the elections. This will go a long way in shaping our legal jurisprudence both in the pre and the post-election periods. “Secondly, it normally takes time after an Act is assented to, to reach the public. If not signed on time, it will not reach Nigerians on timed for them to prepare for challenges ahead. “One other equally important reason is that the Constitution of Nigeria does not operate retroactively. See Marwa vs. Nyako (2012) All FWLR (Pt. 622) 1621 at 1687 SC and HDP vs. Obi (2011) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1278) 80 SC. “This means that if the Amendment Act is not signed before the general elections, it will not apply to the conduct of the

Elections can’t be won through propaganda, says president

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday night said it would be impossible for elections to be won by the opposition movement through propaganda. He spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, during a presidential dinner in his honour organised by the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Jonathan, who is a member of the pioneer class of ‘81 in the university, could not attend the dinner as he was said to have been weighed down by the suicide bomb blasts in Kano and Yobe on the same day. The President said his administration created room for the opposition movement to exist as a deliberate attempt to

deepen democracy. His words: “Unlike what many people thought, you know when the opposition try to make so much noise; one thing we know is that you cannot win election in Nigeria through propaganda.” According to him, his objective in politics was not to remain perpetually in power, but to expand the political atmosphere for wider participation. “We created the political

opposition movement. The opposition movements owe their existence and activities to President Goodluck Jonathan. I can assure you that Jonathan has vowed to deliver the dividends of fundamentals of democracy in Nigeria,’’ he said. Jonathan also maintained that neither the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nor his administration was scared about the country’s rising opposition movement.

“We are enjoying what is happening. We created it. The enhanced political environment is what the opposition is enjoying. If they abuse it, do not mind. It does not matter. It does not challenge us,” he added. The President said the transformation agenda of his administration has introduced reforms that would work for a better Nigeria. Comparing the administra-

tions of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, late Umaru Yar’ Adua and his, the President said his administration instituted the fundamentals of democracy. The Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau, who chaired the occasion, said the administration has provided unfettered access to education and raised the quality tremendously.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS Buhari’s supporters warn against removing Jega •Faults campaign against card reader

UHARI Support Organisation (BSO), the umbrella body of all voluntary groups working for the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, has warned against any attempt to change the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Such alteration, it said, would amount to tampering with the credibility of the elections and the independence of the commission. The group also alerted to plots by President Goodluck Jonathan and his supporters to bring back the inglorious days of the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) by using the courts to scuttle of the elections. Addressing a news conference in Abuja yesterday, BSO’s Director of Media, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, said the campaign against INEC by paid commentators and supporters of Jonathan was aimed at tampering with the conduct of the election and returning the country to the days of June 12 when the election of Chief MKO Abiola was annulled. Maduekwe also alerted to a possible legal plan to consolidate several cases about the elections and candidates still pending in court, by pro-government sympathisers that might seek injunctions to stop the elections until such cases are resolved. He said part of the propaganda would be to force the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega to resign or be forced to proceed on terminal leave and be replaced by another northern Muslim professor, who will

From Tony Akowe and Bamiro Olamide, Abuja

carry out the bidding of the government and its agents. He said: “It has become imperative to ask Mr. President to rein in his aides if he must be seen to walk his talk that his ambition is not worth any spill of human blood. His aides and associates are disingenuously currently working at cross-purposes to this his favourite cliché by daily fanning the ambers of hate, pursuance of death wish and even going as far as stalking of GMB outside the shores of this country.” He added: “We certainly shall not subscribe to any script that is centered on how to oust Jega by forcefully sending him on terminal leave and replacing him with another northern Muslim professor considered to be a more pliable successor. Such a scenario demanding for more time to enable the new commission chair to settle down before holding any elections is another shifting of the goal post. “The worse would be the push to stop INEC from using the new electronic PVC-card readers, thereby allowing unfettered access to intended election-day fraud without deterrence. “In tandem with above scenario, we are presently being bombarded with multiple progovernment TV and Radio talk show commentators and apologists strenuously mould public opinion on the issue that INEC has not tested the card reader in any previous local election and should not use the presidential and National Assembly polls to do so.”

Opposition mounts against Obanikoro’s nomination

ENATORS yesterday deferred the screening of the former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and seven other ministerial nominees till next Tuesday. The nominees and their families and friends, who were at the National Assembly, left disappointed. Although the names of all the nominees, including Senator Musiliu Obanikoro (Lagos), Senator Patricia Akawashiki (Nasarawa), Prof. Nicholas Akis Ada (Benue), Col. Augustine Okwudiri Akobundu (Abia), Mr. Fidelis Nwankwo (Ebonyi), Mrs. Hauwa’u Lawan (Jigawa), Mr. Kenneth Kobani (Rivers) and Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya (Taraba) were listed in the order paper for the day, the paper was withdrawn and replaced with another, which did not contain the names. A motion in the first order containing the list of the nominees, titled: “Confirmation of Nominations” billed to be moved by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, reads: “That the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President, Commander-In-Chief, for the confirmation of the following nominees as Ministers of the Government of the Federal

•Senate defers ministerial nominees’ screening From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Republic of Nigeria, in accordance with Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.” The Senate did not explain why the scheduled screening and possible confirmation of the appointments of all the ministerial nominees had to be put on hold. But, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Senate decided to shelve the screening of the nominees to enable it debate the 2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), which is crucial to the passage of the 2015 Appropriation Bill. Another source, however, said Obanikoro’s fate stalled the screening of others. Those opposed to Obanikoro’s nomination insisted that since there was a case against him pending in court, it would be against the standing orders of the Senate to screen the former minister of state for Defence. They said the Senate’s rule forbids it from acting on any issue that is pending before a

court. The spokesman of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) Senate’s Caucus, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, said two petitions on February 12 and 17 were before Senate President David Mark against Obanikoro’s nomination by President Goodluck Jonathan to represent Lagos State as minister. It was learnt that the February 12 petition was submitted to Mark through Senators Ojudu and Gbenga Ashafa. The petitioners were said to have expressed disgust at Obanikoro’s alleged role in the August 2014 Ekiti governorship poll and the use of soldiers to stop the Ilubirin Housing Project in Lagos, among others. According to Ojudu, since there’s a suit against Obanikoro in a Lagos court, it would be prejudicial for the Senate to screen and confirm him with other ministerial nominees. Ojudu said: “There’s a court case against Obanikoro and that case is coming up for hearing on March 6. “Should the Senate go ahead to screen Obanikoro next Tuesday, it will mean that the Sen-

ate has prejudiced the case. That would be illegal because the tradition and the rule is that if there’s a case before the court, the matter should not be entertained. “This case is already before the Judiciary and it has to determine whether he’s a fit and proper person, whether he’s qualified to hold public office. Even the case of whether he has dual citizenship is not for the Senate to determine. “Besides, this case is not even about that. Whatever the matter is, there’s a subsisting case against Obanikoro before the court. “There’s a case before the law courts; until that case is dispensed with, nothing can be done in the Senate.” When asked about the likely implications if the Senate insisted on screening and confirming Obanikoro, Ojudu said: “That would be contempt of court, but what I like about the Senate President is that over time, he has been just and fair and we believe that when this comes to his notice too, he would be just and fair. I believe the Senate President would not want to do anything against the Judiciary.”

Fed Govt approves nine varsities From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the establishment of nine private universities. The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, spoke to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo. He was accompanied to the briefing by Minister of Water Resources Sarah Ochekpe, Minister of State of Finance Bashir Yuguda and Education Minister Ibrahim Shakarau. He said: “Council also at this meeting approved the establishment of nine new private universities across the country.” “The nine new universities are Augustine University, Ilara, Lagos State; Chrisland University, Owode, Ogun State; Christopher University, Mowe, Ogun State; Hallmark University, Ijebu Itele, Ogun State.” “Kings University, Ode Omu, Osun State; Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Orode, Delta State; Mountain Top University, Ogun State; Ritman University, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.”

‘Submit NNPC forensic audit report in one week’

HE House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts yesterday gave the auditor-general of the federation a week to submit the forensic audit of the alleged missing $20 billion oil funds on behalf of the Federal Government. The committee blamed the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, for the faulty manner in which the forensic audit was commissioned to PricewaterHouseCoopers. Chairman of the Committee, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, spoke to reporters yesterday while making a final demand for the audit report. Adeola, who described the report as “curious”, noted that by virtue of Section 85(6) of the constitution, the auditor- gen-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

eral ought not to be directed by Mr. President to deal with the report “in a particular manner.” He said the report had been unduly delayed and “sidestepped the auditor-general”, adding that the report lacked credibility and reliance as the minimum expectation “was to get the auditor-general to receive and own the report.” The committee, therefore, requested that “the full report on the Forensic Audit by PWC, which must include the initial draft report, the Executive Summary, Management/Internal Control Letters, should be forwarded to the National Assembly not later than one week from today (yesterday)”.

•Chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Lamode (middle); Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) Mrs. Dupe Atoki (left) after the signing of Memorandum of Understanding to takle online forex and other scammers of consumer in Abuja...yesterday. With them is Director, Legal Services, EFCC Chile Okoroma. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Presidency denies spending $32b on terrorism

HE Presidency has denied reports that the Federal Government had so far spent about $32 billion (N6.5 trillion) to fight terrorism in the Northeast. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, debunked the report at a media briefing in Abuja yesterday, describing it as a falsehood and outlandish assertion. Okupe, however, could not disclose the actual amount spent by the government in the counter-terrorism campaign, choosing to avoid the issue. The All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the government of spending about $32 billion in the fight against terrorism so far. Okupe said: “We find it

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

very embarrassing that the APC always desperately seeks to feed on blood like leaches and profit from national tragedies and misfortunes. “This habit of the Nigerian main opposition political party runs contrary to what obtains in other parts of the world, where politicians rise above partisanship and quest for power in matters of this nature.” The President’s aide also described as false a statement by the APC quoting President Goodluck Jonathan to have said that the government underrated the capacity of the Boko Haram insurgents. The opposition also accused the government of delay in

its counter insurgency efforts and waited till election year to rout the insurgents as a political trump card. “We find these assertions by the APC as most unfortunate and certainly unpatriotic. “In the first instance, what President Goodluck Jonathan said in the interview which has been mischievously twisted by the APC, was that at the outset of the Boko Haram activities, the group was treated as a

local insurgent group in view of the fact that there was scanty information on its global network in training, funding and supply of arms. “We wish to state that there was never a time that this administration shirked its responsibilities in the fight against terror in spite of the obvious challenges resulting from decades of failure to procure essential equipment to modernise and enhance the fighting power of our military.”

Kwankwaso urges vigilance

ANO State Governor Musa Kwankwaso has called on citizens to support security agencies by stepping up surveillance of their business premises to avoid attack by insurgents. Kwankwaso spoke when he visited Kano Line Motor Park in Kano where two suspected insurgents detonated a bomb in a vehicle, which led to the death of over 12 people on Monday.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS

3.677m PVCs collected in Lagos, says REC

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State said yesterday that over 112,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were still uncollected in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Akin Orebiyii, gave the figure at a stakeholders’ forum for community leaders, party executives and the electorate in the local government area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the forum was organised by the commission. Orebiyii said the 112, 000 PVCs in the area were among the 1.8 million still uncollected in the state. He appealed to their owners to pick them up. “In Lagos, as at today, 3, 677,000 cards have been distributed, out of the 5.5 million cards we have received. We are still expecting another 400, 000 cards.

•Osun achieves 72 per cent collection “We have been given the assurance that by next week, the cards should arrive for distribution. “This weekend, we are going back to the polling units for distribution. “On other days, the cards will be available for distribution at our local government offices. “But again, on March 6 till March 8, the cards will be at the polling units for distribution. “We want to continue to implore our people; even as we speak, we have over 1.8 million cards yet to be collected. “In Ajeromi-Ifelodun alone, we have at the moment over 112, 000 cards yet to be collected, we want people to find time to come for them,’’ he said. Orebiyii said there was no discrimination in the distribution of the cards and appealed that the gen-

eral elections should not destroy the harmonious relations among ethnic groups in the state. He said such stakeholders’ forum will be held in all the 20 local governments of the state. The commissioner also reiterated that the use of card readers in the elections would eliminate electoral fraud, such as multiple voting, while use of fake voter cards would have no place. Some residents at the forum alleged that some ad hoc staff of the commission were impatient and needed to be cautioned. An Electoral Officer, David Adeleke, said such action was due to the pressure at the centres. Adeleke, however, said the commission had cautioned its staff and would continue to monitor them. In Osun State, 72 per cent of the

PVCs have been distributed. INEC’s Public Relations Officer Mrs Adenike Tadeshe said as at Monday the commission has distributed 1,016,071 of the 1,407,107 PVCs received for the state. She said the figure represents 72 per cent of the total number of PVCs received for distribution to registered voters while the balance of 391, 036 PVCs, which was 28 per cent, was yet to be collected. The spokesperson said the cards were available at ward and local government levels. Mrs. Tadeshe attributed non-collection of the cards in some cases to death of registered voters, relocation and apathy. She said the distribution of the PVCs would continue till March 8, and advised those who were yet to collect their cards to go to their wards and local governments between 8 am and 5:30 pm daily.

Octogenarian disappears in Ogun From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

N octogenarian, Pa James Fatade, has “disappeared” in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, while waiting for his son, Isaac, a small business operator. Pa Fatade visited Abeokuta on February 11 but could not locate his son’s house. He went to his shop, where he waited for him endlessly. The 84-year-old man, it was gathered, later informed some people around the shop that he was going to visit someone in the area; he has not been seen since. Police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said Fatade’s children have been searching for him. He said the police are also searching for the missing octogenarian and appealed for assistance from the public.

PHCN retirees protest in Ibadan From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

EVERAL retirees of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) yesterday protested the non-payment of their N400 million housing allowance. They marched on the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council at Mokola, Ibadan, where they displayed placards with various inscriptions, such as “President Jonathan, please help us locate where our money is hanging”; “Hey! There is God o o o”; “Why delay payment of our housing allowances since 2013?” Led by their spokespersons, Mrs. Oyedele Edna Owesiri, Julius Adeleke Taiwo and Adesina Olayinka, they said the money had been paid to batches one to 10 but that for some reasons batches 11 and 12 have not been paid. The money, according to them, was the bulk rent for 2013. Pleading with President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, the retirees lamented that some of their colleagues had died waiting for the money. The retirees were among those disengaged during the privatisation of the power sector, which necessitated the change of name from PHCN to Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company. Those affected spread across Oyo, Ogun, Kwara, parts of Kogi and Osun states, which were under Ibadan Zone before the privatisation. “All we want the Federal Government to do for us is to ensure immediate payment of the outstanding allowance. It is unfair to pay some of our colleagues and leave us in the cold. “We are law-abiding citizens and we would not want to break the law. That is why we are embarking on this peaceful protest,” Olayinka said.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (second right), Surveyor General Joseph Agbenla (right), General Manager, New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Adeyemi Isiba (middle), Group Managing Director, Vaults and Gardens, Ade Ogundoyin (second left) and others when the governor inspected the Ibeju-Lekki Cemetery, Lekki, being developed as a Public Private Partnership with provisions for Christian and Muslim cemeteries, chapel, mosque and reception areas.

‘Fake’ soldiers’ in Fayose’s hometown, says Ekiti APC From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

•Fayose

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has raised the alarm over the alleged importation of men in Army uniform into the state ahead of the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The party claimed that the

Folarin woos kinsmen From Jeremiah Oke, Ibadan

HE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin, has called on his relatives in Ojagbo, Ibadan North-East Local Government Area to vote for him. He urged his people not to allow the opportunity offered by his candidature to slip away. Folarin, who made the appeal when he visited his family home, said it was the turn of the people of the area to rule. The former Senate leader promised not to disappoint them, adding that they should see the project as a collective one. He said: “You have all vowed to vote for your kinsman in the coming elections and I hope you won’t betray us. I pray we don’t betray ourselves. I want to appeal to you to also support all the PDP candidates, including President Goodluck Jonathan. “Let me remind you that all we are looking for now is the governor from here. When I was in the Senate, I facilitated many projects and empowered many youths. But if you support me, I will not deny you your entitlement. Our party will ensure rapid development throughout the state.”

“soldiers” from Ibadan arrived in Afao-Ekiti, the hometown of Governor Ayo Fayose, late on Tuesday and have since been quartered there. The APC, in a statement yesterday by its Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, alleged that the men in Army uniform were conveyed to the state in six 18-seater buses, arriving at the Afao residence of the governor at 9.15 pm. Olatubosun said Nigerians must know why the young men were imported into the state at night, adding that the enquiry became necessary against the background of Fayose’s insistence that “soldiers” would be deployed for the general elections even when the courts have ruled against such deployment. The APC spokesman said the party had earlier raised the alarm over the sewing of fake military uniforms for thugs to impersonate security personnel to enable them rig elections. He said: “Last night’s importation of young men in six 18-seater buses

•Governor: it’s not true to Afao-Ekiti home of the governor is a clear confirmation of our fear that Fayose means business as he has been boasting around that the presidential election will be ‘do or die’. “We were monitoring these young men from Ibadan yesterday evening.They were brought in a luxury bus parked under the bridge at Iwo Road, Ibadan, where the men in charge were looking for smaller buses to convey these young men to Ekiti. “The conditions for their hiring included that they must know Ekiti terrain and Afao-Ekiti in particular. “The six buses left Ibadan late in the evening and arrived Afao-Ekiti at exactly 9.15pm and the men disembarked in front of the governor’s house. “What gave them away was the discovery of Army uniforms in their bags when they opened their bags to buy hot drinks and akara from road hawkers inside bumps at Ikire.”

“The standard practice by the governor is to travel out of the state when he is about to foment a major crisis to enable him plead alibi. We heard that he had travelled out of the state and so we are not surprised that this is happening.” But Fayose denied the allegation, accusing the opposition of raising unnecessary alarm. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, Fayose wondered what soldiers would be doing in the state when the election is 34 days away, saying it was only the President who has the power to deploy soldiers. Fayose said: “Ekiti APC is raising unnecessary alarm because there are no soldiers being kept at Afao as the party alleged. “Election has not come; we have about 34 days to the election. What will that number of soldiers be doing in Ekiti? Beside that, only Mr President can deploy military to provide security during election.”

Robbery suspect killed in Ondo

HE police in Ondo State have killed a robbery suspect in Oba-Ile Estate, Akure, the state capital. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo said: “The robbers invaded a woman’s house at 3:30 am at OkeAla in Oba-Ile Estate. “The three-man gang tied up the guard and pulled down the windows of the house.

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

“Fortunately, the woman called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oba-Ile, who mobilised the officers. The officers arrived at the scene and there was an exchange of gunfire. “Unfortunately for the robbers, one of them was killed and the others escaped with injuries.

“I want to implore the public that they should endeavour to avail us with the information that we need. “We have given out our phone numbers to the public. We are so happy that the victim had the DPO’s phone numbers and that is why the relationship between the community and the police is very important.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015 THE NATION FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2014

NEWS ‘Stop money politics’

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has condemned President Goodluck Jonathan’s “open display of brazen impunity and financial recklessness” during his fiveday visit to the state last week. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the party said what happened in Lagos during the President’s visit was a shameful bazaar unprecedented in the nation’s history. “Never in the history of this country has a President displayed this kind of desperation and financial irresponsibility in a country that lacks basic infrastructure and common indices of human development. It is now clear to Nigerians why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Jonathan postponed the general elections. “President Jonathan may have come to Lagos and gone but his visit left a sour taste of how the exalted office was debased, decimated and ridiculed further in the name of playing money politics. “Lagos APC is yet to see how this unprecedented waste of public funds across the country will translate to votes on March 28 when Nigerians will take stock of President Jonathan’s six years in office. This election is all about giving account of six years of stewardship, and nothing more.”

‘Stop wasting our money on Jonathan’ From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State yesterday said the essence of the last National Conference was to boost President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. A statement by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Adesanya, said the postconference summit held for Yoruba delegates in Akure was a jamboree and a waste of resources. The statement said: “The meeting was uncalled for when the conference report is still a tall dream months after its convocation. “No wonder, numerous major political figures from the Southwest region were absent during the summit. “Our concern is not the outcome of the conference, but to urge Governor Mimiko against spending our money on campaigns for the reelection of President Goodluck Jonathan in the name of conference. “Those in attendance were mostly members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including factional leaders of Afenifere, who recently endorsed the President.”

•From left: Mr Tajudeen Ojora, All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, APC vice-presidential candidate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Prince Rabiu Oluwa and and Chief Funsho Ologunde at an interactive Town Hall meeting in Ajegunle

We’ll prioritise rescue of Chibok girls, says APC T

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it would prioritise the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls. The APC vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, spoke yesterday at the party’s Youth Interactive Town Hall Meeting in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. Prof. Osinbajo, who spoke on some issues affecting the country, said the Federal Government had not lived up to its responsibility of ensuring the freedom of the abducted Chibok girls. He said the Federal Government claimed it spent N4.3trillion on equipping the military yet many of the soldiers still complain of not having enough equipment to fight the insurgency. According to him, the business of protecting life and property should be the duty of the government, saying any government that failed in that aspect should not seek re-election. Prof. Osinbajo reasoned

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

that the Federal Government wanted to win the war against Boko Haram in six weeks what it was unable to achieve in six years. His words: “The Federal Government claimed it had spent N4.3trillion on equipment yet many of the soldiers are still complaining of not having enough equipment to fight Boko Haram. The problem is not with the Nigerian Army but that of the government that has not lived up to its responsibility. “We have to hold this government responsible for all that happened all these years. President Goodluck Jonathan ignored the Chibok girls for three weeks after they were taken away. At some point, he said nobody was kidnapped. “For us in the APC, we will prioritise the rescue of the Chibok girls. We will ensure

Southsouth residents endorse Buhari, Ambode S

OUTHSOUTH residents in Lagos State have endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari. At a briefing yesterday in Lagos, their spokesman, Otunba Isaac Emiyede, said Buhari was a tested and trusted leader who would move the country forward, noting that their kinsman, President Goodluck Jonathan, had disappointed Nigerians. He said what was happening in the country today is not about sentiment or region, but about the ability to deliver electoral promises. “General Buhari has shown leadership by example. We

By Musa Odoshimokhe and Paul Oluwakoya

don’t need a microscope to see through him. He has shown integrity and discipline. This is a man who retired as head of state and has no building in Abuja or Lagos. He has only a storey-building in Kaduna. He does not give out money to people or encourage bribery. “So, you know he is not corrupt. He has given a sign of where he is going. He is incorruptible. When the head is good, the body will be good. But when the head is rotten, the body cannot be good. So, if they say Gen.

Lagos begins schools’ census

that troops are well equipped.” Osinbajo said the biggest problem facing Nigeria is corruption and not dwindling oil prices in the international market. He added that the problem facing the country was not resources but lack of good management. The APC candidate said: “The level of corruption in Nigeria is too much. There is no country that can survive under the current rate of stealing. “The value of the stolen barrels of oil is almost N3.1trillion a year. The Federal Government has confirmed that over 400,000 barrels of oil are stolen daily. “Nigeria‘s problem, as you know, is not lack of resources. The government of today has tried to give the impression that the problem is falling oil prices, which is now below $50 per barrel.

“That is not true, that is not the problem. The problem is corruption and theft of resources. “Nigeria’s problem is not resources but management of resources. We must put in place a responsible government which will hold those managing the country’s resources accountable. “When the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido said N20billion was missing, he was removed from office. “Another former CBN governor Prof Charles Soludo, not only confirmed the missing money, but updated the figure to N30trillion. “When oil price was $38 per barrel, Nigeria had an external reserve of $62billion. For five years when oil prices hovered from $100 to $168 per barrel, the country’s external reserve dropped to $32billion. “The abnormality resulted in the weakening of the country’s currency, which stands at N220 per dollar.”

AGOS State Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye has urged administrators and head teachers of public and private schools to cooperate with enumerators as the government begins the 2014/2015 Annual School Census (ASC). Mrs. Oladunjoye gave the advice yesterday at the launch of the ASC Sensitisation Programme for stakeholders in the education sector. She said the ASC would generate credible,

dependable and usable data for multi-sectoral planning. “I appeal to our administrators and headteachers to be available to attend to the enumerators; make all records available, including statutory records, administrative records and teaching records, among others; provide access for the enumeration facilities, equipment and on- the- spot headcount of staff and pupils; create adequate time for the enumerators’ visit; and volunteer correct and faithful information.”

Buhari’s followers are not good, let us wait and give him a chance. It is the head that will drive the rest of the body. He is the one who will be in charge of appointments.” Emiyede said the situation had made the common man on the street to lose hope, while a few rich people were smiling to the banks everyday. “In 2007, Jonathan and former President Umaru Yar’Adua met 3,000 megawatts (MW) on ground. Last year, we were producing only 3,450 MW after spending more than $50 billion. That is trillions of naira. So, Jonathan and Yar’Adua combined could only produce 450 megawatts of electricity. Can we continue with this system? “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) never knew that there will be a time as this in Nigeria, when Nigerians will be asking for change, not because of the APC but because they are tired of what is going on. No matter the lies you tell, Nigerians just want change.” He said the Southsouth would vote for the APC’s gov-

Fuel scarcity in Ekiti From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

UEL scarcity has resurfaced in many parts of Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital. Many filling stations refused to sell the product to buyers, which made few outlets dispensing the commodity to be besieged by motorists, motorcyclists and other consumers. The queue at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Station on Iworoko Road was the longest in the city as hundreds of vehicles parked to buy the commodity. Many of the consumers who spoke with our reporter lamented that the situation has affected their businesses. An oil magnate, Alhaji Sulaimon Akinbami, said the development was caused by an increase in the price of fuel from the depot. “This increment had affected the dealer’s profit and it doesn’t pay us,” he said. A motorist, Timothy Ajayi, who queued for fuel at NNPC Mega Station on Iworoko Road, said he had been on queue for over two hours.

PCRC boss backs polls shift By Kunle Akinrinade

T •Buhari ernorship candidate Akinwunmi Ambode on April 11, saying with over 1.6 million Southsouth people in Lagos over 80 per cent of the people would vote APC. “There are over 1.6million South/South indigenes in Lagos. We are very mindful of the laudable achievements of APC administration in the state. “The APC led administration has been enrolling our children into schools without discrimination. Providing vacation jobs for our children, reduced land charges. “The change is going to happen in Abuja but Lagos will continue the way it is because it’s better than most states in Nigeria.”

HE National Organising Secretary of the Police Community Relations Committee Nigeria, Austen Yong, has taken a swipe at those calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to sign an undertaking that the 2015 elections will not be postponed again and his tenure elongated. Yong, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said: “Was it the President who shifted the elections? Did the National Council of State not ask the INEC chairman to make further consultations with Nigerians on the feasibility of conducting the election? “The polls shift was the best for Nigeria because it saved INEC from monumental embarrassment, evidently, it was not prepared. “Security is a collective responsibility. The Army and security agencies did not create Boko Haram and the insurgency cannot stop without the people’s cooperation; if based on security report the poll was shifted you do not turn round to blame security agencies.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Exporters protest CBN policy on FOREX By Daniel Essiet

HE Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN)has been urged to ease foreign currency controls on how agro exporters should use their foreign earnings to encourage more Nigerians to go into the business. The CBN had introduced some measures to strengthen foreign currency controls in what has been described as a desperate attempt to shore up the struggling local currency. Part of this was that agro exporters would sell their proceeds to banks upon repatriation of foreign earnings. The other issue is that exporters cannot use their proceedings to finance nontransactions and that they can only sell their foreign exchange to banks. The President, National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), Mr. Tola Faseru, said the measures limiting exporters’ access to foreign exchange and restricted local transactions to the banks would not help the industry as inflows from foreign exchange deposits would dwindle due to the unwillingness of exporters to transfer their proceeds. He noted that the directive restricting exporters from withdrawing foreign currency without prior proof that it is meant for exports would negate the spirit of the liberation of export proceeds in 2015. He explained that it was not fair for the CBN to force exporters to repatriate export proceeds and sell to the banks on the officials when the banks will turn back and sell such to traders on black market rate. While it is important for the bank to take steps to strengthen the collection and repatriation of export proceeds, the President, Federation of Agriculture Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr Victor Iyama, said it was wrong for the CBN to determine how exporters use their money when some of them were not using the Export Expansion Grant(EEG) to fund their businesses.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil $58/barrel Cocoa $2,686.35/metric ton Coffee ¢132.70/pound Cotton ¢95.17pound Gold $1,396.9/troy Sugar $163/lb RATES Inflation 8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending 15.87% Savings rate 3% 91-day NTB 15% Time Deposit 5.49% MPR 13% Foreign Reserve $34.5b

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

FEC okays $400m foreign loans for Lagos, Rivers, Osun, Ogun, others

HE Federal Executive Council (FEC) yester day approved over $400 million infrastrutural projects in Lagos, Rivers, Osun and Ogun states. The Minister of State for Finance, Bashir Yuguda, and Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, broke the news to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by Vice-President Namadi Sambo. Lagos will obtain $100 million loan from the French Development Agency in support of the Lagos Integrated Urban Development Project (EkoUP), to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable urban population of metropolitan Lagos, improve management and treatment of solid waste, strengthen the capacity of Lagos State and implement urban development projects in the state. Rivers State, he said, would get African Development Bank (AfDB) $200 million loan for the proposed Port Harcourt water supply and sanitation project and an African Devel-

• $1.5b Dev Bank of Nigeria From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

opment Fund (ADF) credit of $5million to support Urban Water Sector Reform Project to provide sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation to the residents of the city. He said Ogun State would obtain $33.174million credit from the French Development Agency for the Ogun State Water supply project to increase the coverage, continuity and quality of service in the state capital, increase the financial viability of existing water utility through increase in revenue collection, providing financing to rehabilitate and build infrastructure needed to increase access to water supply services in the state capital. For Osun State, the Minister said that FEC approved an Islamic Development Bank Loan of $65 million - under the Manufacturing/Financing

(IStisna’a) - to finance water supply and sanitation projects. Other loans approved by the FEC, according to Yuguda, include the MultiDonor credits from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Germany and French Development Agency, are $500 million, $450 million, $200 million and $130 million. “The loans total about $1.45billion and is for the establishment of the proposed Development Bank of Nigeria,” he said He said a $70 million loan from the International Development Association was approved by the Council for the proposed Africa Higher education Centre of Excellence project, which is meant to build on the efforts made under the previous World Bank Assisted science and technology education school projects. He also said FEC approved

the President’s anticipatory approval to obtain additional $140million credit from the international Development Association for the community and social development project being implemented in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). “There was also the ratification of the President’s anticipatory approval to obtain $70 million credit facility, associated grants of $15million and $0.48 million in support of the climate change adaptation and agribusiness support programme from International Fund for Agricultural Development. The programme is to be implemented in Borno, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara states for six years,” he added. He however dismissed reporters’ curiosity over the loans to states controlled by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) so close to the general elections, adding that the gesture should not be seen as Greek gifts.

• From left: Commissioner, Legal Licensing And Enforcement, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Mr Stephen Azinge; Vice Chairman, Mr Muhammed Bello and Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, at the NERC Electricity Consumer Forum in Abuja...yesterday.

Manufacturers threaten shutdown over electricity tariff hike M ANUFACTURERS yesterday threat ened to close shop, following the increased electricity charges which impact heavily on their production. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently reviewed upward the Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2.) The manufacturers at a meeting in Abuja yesterday told NERC that the new tariff is not acceptable to them because of the parameters used in computing it. Energy and fixed charges for factories and businesses in the MYTO 2.1, they said, are the highest in the world, thereby making it unsustainable to run businesses in Nigeria. They noted that could inter-

• Fixed charge increase ‘insensitive’

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

rupt the expected success of the Federal Government’s industrial revolution policy, adding that fixed charges by the distribution firms had risen astronomically in the new structure. The Ikeja Branch Coordinator of Steel Manufacturers Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Felix Okojie, said the commission must revert to the old MYTO, which took effect from June 2012 and had a five years life span to run. Okojie cited the decision of

NERC to jack up fixed charge from N702.11 to N123, 321 for Abuja distribution network, N750 to N155, 923 for Benin and N781.13 to N226,797 for Kaduna as an attempt to destroy the manufacturing sector and throw people out of work. He further explained that a comparative analysis of the cost of energy in Nigeria and other countries showed that Nigerian business pays the highest in the world. “The MYTO 2012 to 2017, which was supposed to operate for five years, constituted our long-term planning. So, coming at the middle to in-

crease and not just a mere increase but an increase of almost 44 to 45 per cent is completely destructive. In some areas, it is 100 per cent. “It is like nobody is actually thinking about the progress of industries in the country. You do not just wake up from nowhere and begin to disrupt a long term plan. In the MYTO, it was not mentioned that the five-year plan, which started on the 1st of June 2012, was going to be distorted at any time,” Okojie said. He added: “The explanation that they have the right to adjust it any time is completely new to us. Maybe that is internal administrative thing but even if they would have that, since we are the major stakeholders, they should carry us along.’’

Investments in power sector hit N300b From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

HE Director-General, Bureau of Public Enter prises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, has said over N300billion has so far been injected into the power sector by investors since the take-over, one and half years ago. Dikki, who made this known when he featured on Nigeria Television Authority’s (NTA) live programme— Good Morning Nigeria, according to a statement from the BPE yesterday, pointed out that the investment was for upgrade of power infrastructure which had become obsolete over the decades, noting that new technologies are evolving. He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the evolving electric market in the country as the gains in the sector would not manifest overnight. The director-general explained that unlike reforms in other sectors which brought immediate results, the power sector reform requires time as investment in the sector is capital intensive. For instance, he said power equipment, such as turbines and other ancillary products, “cannot be bought off the shelf. The investors have to place orders after which it will take between three to four months to manufacture the equipment before shipment. This takes time. Before Nigerians will begin see dramatic changes in the power sector, it will take between two to three years. But already, significant impact has been made”. Citing the Egbin Power Plant where the investor invested over N50billion to rehabilitate Line 6 of the plant to generate extra 240 megawatts, the Dikki said the cumulative effect of the investment is that power supply in Lagos and its environment would be greatly enhanced for the benefit of all consumers. He said because of the infrastructural development by the power investors, power interruptions in the country had reduced to the barest minimum while over 2, 000 engineers and technicians have been employed since takeover. The DG regretted that for over 16 years as a public monopoly, Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) neither employed nor brought in new investments into the sector. On complaints of nonavailability of electric meters to consumers, the Dikki attributed it to the complex technology used in producing Smart Meters which are being used the world over. He said the new Smart Meters have information on the consumer, level of power input and other statistics germane to the electricity market.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS INDUSTRY The Central Bank of Nigeria’s closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) window as part of measures to rescue the naira and preserve foreign reserves may hurt manufacturers, particularly those with high foreign exchange (forex) exposure. CHIKODI OKEREOCHA and OKWY IROEGBUCHIKEZIE report.

industry@thenationaonlineng.net

•Bello

•Kuteyi

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

Real sector’s thorny road to Forex market I

T was an intervention to halt the sliding value of the naira and preserve foreign reserves. But, there are indications that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) policy, which scrapped the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS), leaving the interbank foreign exchange (IFEX) market as the only official foreign exchange (forex) market, would leave the real sector operators in the cold. The intervention became necessary because of the huge gap between the rates at the CBN official exchange market and the interbank market, a development said to be fuelling the current speculative activities in the forex market. However, manufacturers, who depend heavily on imported raw materials for production, are worried over the policy’s unintended consequences. Some of them with high FOREX exposure are worried that the policy would impact their businesses negatively. For members of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the policy, for instance, is a mixed bag. “This policy measure has its merits and downsides,” LCCI President Alhaji Remi Bello said. He noted that following the revision of the guidelines and the exclusion of some transactions, the forex window was targeted at providing support for the real sector of the economy because of its strategic importance to development, job creation and inclusive growth. Bello lamented that real sector operators are therefore, the first victims of the closure, particularly the few that had access to this window. He said the policy has some immediate implications for the real sector. According to him, it would, among others, result in the escalation of production cost for firms that had access to this FOREX window. “Such firms will experience cost increases of up to 20 per cent. This would impact on sales performance, profit margins and ultimately capacity utilisation of their firms,” he said, adding that import duty and other port charges, which are computed as a percentage of import costs, will increase correspondingly. The LCCI chief argued that the policy implied additional pressure on operating costs for erstwhile beneficiaries of the CBN RDAS FOREX window. He said firms’ funding requirements (in naira) will increase to reflect the new exchange rate, which has implications for cost of funds. He also noted that because of the policy, many firms, especially manufacturers with high foreign exchange expo-

sure, would incur loss consequence upon the depreciation of the naira over the last couple of months and the eventual closure of the RDAS window. “This is a major challenge currently being faced by many real sector operators, especially the medium and large firms. Exchange rate induced loses could trigger a new wave of non-performing loans in the banking system and this has implications for financial system stability,” Bello pointed out. Managing Director, Spectra Foods Limited, Mr. Duro Kuteyi, is also worried. To him, the new policy regime will affect manufacturers, who are exposed to the importation of raw materials and machinery. The industrialist said local manufacturers are faced with a lot of challenges even before now and adding these to the hostile environment where they operate amount to overkill. He expressed fears that if the situation is not properly managed it may force some companies to down-size or close shop. In scrapping the RDAS, the CBN, in a statement by its Director, Corporate Communications Department, Ibrahim Mu’azu, said: “The Bank has observed a widening margin between the rates in the interbank and the RDAS window, thus engendering undesirable practices including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents. This has continued to put pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange reserves with no visible economic benefits to the productive sector of the economy and the general public.” The CBN, therefore, said the closure of the official window was to avert the emergence of a multiple exchange rate regime and preserve the country’s foreign exchange reserves. The apex bank said henceforth, all demands for foreign exchange should be channeled to the inter-

bank foreign exchange market, while it would continue to intervene in the IFEX market to meet genuine and legitimate demands. Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, said with the policy, the CBN has converged the market and rates into interbank and parallel markets, which leads to pure competition reduced arbitrage opportunity. According to him, the RDAS structure meant buyers get FOREX in official market at N215 to the dollar, leaving a profit margin of N47 on every dollar for doing nothing. He said one of the advantages of the new regime is that it discontinues the practice of the banks mobilising their naira and queuing up to purchase dollars. Members of LCCI agree with him, noting that the policy was desirable to some extent. Bello, for instance, said given the record disparity between the CBN RDAS FOREX window; the interbank and the parallel market rates, it was clear that the RDAS FOREX window was not sustainable. “The CBN could obviously not meet the huge demand for FOREX under the RDAS window. In spite of repeated assurances, many genuine requests for FOREX for industrial raw materials and other vital inputs were denied by the CBN. Foreign financial obligations could also not be met by many firms as remittances were affected. This resulted in serious confidence issues among foreign creditors of Nigerian companies with some credit lines to Nigeria companies being put on hold,” the operators said. Bello further pointed out that the huge premium of over 20 per cent was a major incentive for round tripping, corrupt practices in FOREX management, speculative activities in the foreign exchange market and many other abuses. It was also a major source of uncertainty and volatility in the market. “There

‘The Bank has observed a widening margin between the rates in the interbank and the RDAS window, thus engendering undesirable practices including round-tripping, speculative demand, rent-seeking, spurious demand, and inefficient use of scarce foreign exchange resources by economic agents’

were concerns about the lack of level playing field in the management of the RDAS window. In the light of all these, it is difficult to fault the decision of the CBN to close the RDAS window,” he said. Bello, however, said a combination of monetary and fiscal measures will need to be deployed to mitigate the pressure the policy would have on the affected firms and save them from going under. The Chamber, he said, proposed a number of measures to cushion the effects of the policy on investors with high foreign exchange exposure. One of the measures is that the CBN should urgently provide a refinancing facility as lifeline for investors in the economy, which have high foreign exchange exposure. “The sustainability of this class of businesses is currently at risk. We recommend a minimum refinancing facility of N200 billion to be provided at single digit interest rate and a 15-year tenure,” LCCI said. The Chamber also proposed that all critical raw materials and other imported inputs of manufacturing firms should henceforth, attract zero import duty. They include all machineries and equipment, while port charges should be waived for raw materials importation and machineries. According to LCCI, all these are necessary to minimize dislocations in the economy and ensure the continued survival of the real sector. These mitigating measures, LCCI said, have become necessary, considering the fact that many real sector investors are faced with numerous investment climate challenges including high cost of fund, competition from unbridled smuggling and dumping of finished goods, counterfeiting and faking. Besides, investors are saddled with high energy cost including electricity tariffs, high cost of regulatory compliance and high transaction costs at the ports. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Common External Tariff (CET), the Chamber said, would soon come into force and create new competition challenges for domestic firms. The CET, when implemented, will allow goods from any other parts of West Africa into Nigeria without tax imposition, import duty or levy. The fear is that this would throw the nation’s borders open to influx of goods from within the West African region thus, exposing local industries and products to unequal competition.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

COMMENTARY LETTER

EDITORIALS

Re: Muck raking in Abia politics

Negotiate with them

•Police authorities can only worsen the situation by resorting to arm-twisting of policemen who have served strike notice

HE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sulaiman Abba, issued a gratuitous threat to his fellow officers who want to embark on industrial action. The IGP ought to have responded to the allegation that the authorities have failed to live up to their duty to the law enforcement officers. The men, mainly those who were promoted from the ranks of sergeant to inspectors and others elevated from inspectors to assistant superintendent of police (ASP) were said to have kicked against promotions that brought no financial benefits to them. Beyond the 10,000 men directly affected by the non-payment, others are said to be spoiling for a fight if only to underscore the demands for better con-

‘Rather than talk tough at the men and cite rules forbidding policemen from constituting themselves into unions or embarking on strike, the police authorities should demonstrate good faith by ensuring that all payments due to those called out to curb crimes in the society are remitted without delay. It is a right, not a privilege’

dition of living in the barracks, welfare system and prompt payment of salaries and allowances. Last year, widows of policemen and soldiers felled in battles against the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast and a Nasarawa local militia embarked on street protests to call attention to their neglect. In response, the IGP visited Nasarawa where he promised to facilitate payment of the benefits to the slain officers’ next-of-kin. While we commended the IGP for moving to the scene and meeting with the women, we had called for a transparent and functional payment system in the Police Force. We restate that position that, rather than talk tough at the men and cite rules forbidding policemen from constituting themselves into unions or embarking on strike, the police authorities should demonstrate good faith by ensuring that all payments due to those called out to curb crimes in the society are remitted without delay. It is a right, not a privilege. The rank and file of the force had embarked on a similar strike during the Obasanjo administration. All threats failed to prevent the strike that exposed the society to a free reign of the men of the underworld in February 2006. Eventually, the Obasanjo government had to order the release of funds to the police authorities to settle the commitments. That was after drafting of soldiers proved inadequate in ensuring

that civil matters usually handled in the police stations could not be handled by any other persons. We urge the IGP to learn from that experience and engage the men in dialogue forthwith. It also bears pointing out that salary and emoluments of workers are covered in the budget. Why then did the police fail to pay as and when due? The IGP should realise that this is an election period when the services of the Police Force would be required all over the country to safeguard men and materials involved in the exercise. The Nigerian state has a responsibility to all citizens, to promote their welfare and security and, to ensure this, it must directly and particularly cater to the wellbeing of law enforcement officers. Over the years, the policemen have been poorly kitted for the task assigned them. This has made them soft targets of rampaging criminals. This is hardly a template for a motivated force. Rather than talk back at the angry men, the Inspector-General should undertake to balance the rights of his men against their responsibilities. Only then could the image of the Police Force improve and the men genuinely encouraged to lay down their lives for a caring society. Another strike by the Police Force at this point could only further complicate matters in a tension-soaked country. It can and must be prevented.

Electricity consumers groan •In spite of all the vaunted reforms, darkness and inefficiency assail the average Nigerian

F there is any area where the Federal Government has consistently failed the nation, it is in the supply of electricity. To Nigerians, adults and children alike, darkness is the order of the day; it is what they all have grown up with. Indeed, electricity problem in Nigeria has gone beyond words and complaints. A major issue at stake now is the problem of consumers paying for electricity that is never supplied. We call this a cruel rip-off. A newspaper reported that electricity consumers in parts of Lagos and Ogun states, for example, have complained that the claim of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) that it had frozen tariffs for residential consumers for six months was “fraudulent and deceitful”. The consumers cried out amidst rising bills being distributed to them by the power distributing companies in spite of reduction in electricity supply that has constantly put many homes in darkness. Yet the revised multi-year tariff order 2.1 as approved by NERC came into force on January 1, 2015. A major highlight of this tariff order provided a six-month freeze on tariff increase for residential consumers (R2) who made up about 80 percent of the country’s electricity consumers. This means, as the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, said, “the commission has not increased the tariff for residential consumers”. According to him, “while the scheduled increase will apply to other cases of con-

sumers from January 1, 2015, it will not affect residential consumers until after June 2015”. However, Dr. Amadi’s statement has been debunked by consumers who saw it as deceitful. For example, the consumers in Lagos and Ogun states have claimed that they were served higher bills for January this year compared to what they got in December 2014. One consumer actually said that she was billed N 6,300 in January 2015 compared to N 4,200 she paid in December 2014. This has led to the ugly situation where aggrieved customers threatened to beat up one of the workers of the distribution company in charge of the area. It is unfortunate that NERC has no answers to the consumers’ complaints. It is also unfortunate that the NERC has not fulfilled its promise of frozen tariffs for residential consumers. Most unfortunate is the fact that there is no justification for the rise in tariff, especially when it is not based on an improvement in electricity supply. It is obvious that the new electricity companies have not gotten over their inherited challenges, especially with the problem of gas and other related issues. Moreover, the new companies appear to be following the greedy footpath of the old companies by dishing out indiscriminate and crazy bills as a way of making more money than they should get from consumers. This is where prepaid meters are necessary to curb the cheating of consumers who are deliberately billed for elec-

tricity they did not consume. But even more wicked is the unacceptable charge for consumers, irrespective of whether or not they use electricity for months! This is to say people should not be made to pay additional charge as “ground rent” other than the amount of electricity consumed, as it has been the ugly practice by the electricity companies. We are not happy that all this is going on in spite of the fact that the government keeps on giving the new companies money even after selling the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to them. We insist that NERC should ensure that Nigerians are not forced to pay for services not rendered to them; such an act is borne out of corrupt practices for which the nation has become notorious.

‘It is unfortunate that NERC has no answers to the consumers’ complaints. It is also unfortunate that the NERC has not fulfilled its promise of frozen tariffs for residential consumers. Most unfortunate is the fact that there is no justification for the rise in tariff, especially when it is not based on an improvement in electricity supply’

IR: The article written by one Emma Ogbuehi in The Nation of Wednesday February 25, titled “Muck raking in Abia politics” is an effort in futility by the writer who was so biased in his jaundiced analysis. He said that “Bullies are cowards” but by reading his treatise one could not but come to conclusion that the writer was a bully, hence the archcoward. In his first paragraph, he extolled his paymasters assumed to be Alex Otti and demonized Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (PhD), the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State. When Ikpeazu was transparently elected in the December 8, 2014 PDP primaries, there was hosanna in the highest from far and near, praising his emergence as the party’s preferred choice. The election was never manipulated or marred by irregularities. But in the oppositions’ bid to continue to mislead the public, Ogbuehi in his animosity against the government of Abia State and Ikpeazu wrote that the election was flawed. Flawed by who? It is only in Abia State that I’ve seen the opposition use foul languages and send their targets to prison before even the persons are pronounced guilty by a competent court. Assuming the election was flawed, it is the business of a court of competent jurisdiction to make the announcement and not the likes of Ogbuehi. There has never been any fear in the Government House, Umuahia for the election. But Ogbuehi who was out to misinform the masses wrote that there was. And I ask, fear for what? It is obvious that Ikpeazu stands tall among the contenders in the election and has nothing to be afraid. My joy is that he was not anointed by anybody and is not a stooge to anybody or group. The inthing is that he belongs to the party in which the ruling government also belongs to. The government of Governor Theodore Orji has accomplished its electioneering campaign promises and has never operated a faulty leadership. It is obvious that Ogbuehi is not abreast with the realities on ground in the state. Ogbuehi praised the Alex Otti, the state governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), that he said the election would not be a tea party. Perhaps, Ogbuehi was too emotional than judgmental. In an article that was titled, “Alex Otti: Change or Deceit?” one notable Abia son, said that he has been hammering on some fundamental flaws of Otti’s candidacy and no one is serving us the counter, instead they are screaming to deafen themselves from the truth and some are even bored. “Manipulation, deception, inequity, arrogance, abuse of due process are all Alex Otti has exhibited and that is not ‘change’ in any way. His career is not enough atonement for these very fundamental flaws and breaches...we must stand firm on the truth at this time...” the writer had said. The conscience will remain an open wound that only truth can heal..., said the Abia son. Otti can never ride on deception to victory! In his bid to hang on to his deception, he chose an Ohafia woman as deputy. Arochukwu-Ohafia used to be one local government...By so doing, he has desecrated APGA, deceived and manipulated our collective sensibilities... • Madubuko Hart, Lagos

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

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Nigeria’s Presidential election campaigns are getting murkier and murkier by the day and indeed disappointingly personal and vain. There is too much mudslinging and little or no enlightenment. Currently, loud and mischievous questions are being raised by the ruling party and its agents about Buhari’s qualification to lead the country. If they are not saying that he is too old for the job, they are telling us that Buhari cannot possibly be healthy enough for the task. They even presume to foretell and pronounce on the poor man’s longevity. A brief look world-wide in the 20th and 21st centuries at the success of leaders tells us that we should not hold any hard and fast views. China and Japan post-1945 had a history of very old people managing the affairs of these two great oriental economies. Mao Zedong and Chou En-Lai in their mid-to late seventies laid the foundation for their successor, Deng Xiao Ping to bring one billion people out of poverty into self-sufficiency in food supply and an economy second only to the United States. For several decades after World War II, Japanese politics restricted the position of prime minister to those between 75 and 80 years old! Considering the Japanese economic miracle it wasn’t such a bad idea. German post-war recovery and prosperity was led and guided by two old people: KonradAdenauer who became West German Chancellor at the age of 73 and his Economics minister, G. Erhard. Another 70+ General Charles de Gaulle led French resurgence after the war. In Britain three old men Churchill, MacMillan and R.A. Butler managed British recovery through the 1950s and 1960s. In Saudi Arabia the last three kings ascended the throne in their 70s and 80s and see what transformation Saudi Arabians have enjoyed in the last 40 years. If you think that this achievement is solely due to oil resources take a look at Nigeria and consider what poor use we made of our resources. Looking at the other side of the

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

On qualification for national leadership argument consider the remarkable achievement of Lee KuanYew, a young man in his 30s when he assumed the premiership of Singapore. Today Singapore is a beacon of efficiency, growth, discipline and prosperity. Or the case of General Suharto of Indonesia whose administration lifted 100 million of his people from stark poverty to reasonable levels of income and employment. . Consider also the impact of another young man, John F. Kennedy. In 1961 he galvanized and kick-

started American technological achievement by inspiring oratory which led to the landing of a man on the moon and satellite communications which has transformed the whole world. America’s President Nixon ran one of the most outstanding foreign policies in post-World War II US history. But that is partly because he brought in a foreign policy guru, Henry Kissinger, on board. Here, President Jonathan stumbled on a talented engineer, Prof Barth Nnaji, and brought him in as

IR: Ayo Fayose embodies all the key indicators of aggravated personality meltdown - he has cast off all sense of restraint, he is actuated by an insatiable urge to embarrass himself in public, his utterances run like a surging stream of folly, and he finds delectation in the headshaking attention that his shameful stunts earn him! So there is possibly no way to frame Fayose’s condition nicely. No way to make it sound tame and politically correct. It must be said as it is: simply and plainly - without a touch of varnish. And this is it: this rascal who insists on making sports of his nakedness, this pretender to the seat of Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, is sick. Fayose, who the other day, felt compelled to assert his education by brandishing all the paper qualifications he has ever garnered, from primary school to the polytechnic, before a televised campaign rally, is not a medic. Even his claim to basic literacy is suspect because he has proved unable to appreciate a simple reading of the constitution on the count of majority in the Nigerian legisla-

ture. Yet he has sworn himself to pronouncing upon the health of his pet hate, Citizen Muhammadu Buhari, and branding the APC Presidential candidate as sick. Fayose is not quite a new discovery. He has always been. His maiden tenure as Ekiti Governor, a tenure that had to be abbreviated by a very urgent impeachment, was a tragedy. Fayose did not excel in any sphere of governance. And certainly, he was no healthcare champion. He could only be justly credited with doing an excellent job of defining himself as a man confused by the habitat of power. He made himself the poster boy of rascality; of delinquent leadership. He wound up scamming the state in the name of a poultry farm. When he launched a bid for his second advent, Fayose affected to have undergone an inward transformation. He called in the posture and self-abasing confessions of a remorseful prodigal son seeking to have the runs of his old residence. Many people risked a bet on his affectation of repentance. After all, his outcast blackout should have

Minister of Power. For a while, our electricity supply seemed to improve, but then the same President forced the Professor out over a nonissue. And the result: all the apparent gains in the Power sector collapsed. This goes to underscore the point that to assemble a good team is the hallmark of good leadership. That, to my mind, is the stuff great leaders are made of. Without the capacity to identify and appoint reliable and competent lieutenants, no leader can excel. And this appears to be the real problem

Fayose is sick

mellowed his vintage. Fayose returned. And he has been supplying evidence that the passage of years has only served to crystallize his capacity for leisurely nuisance. The truth subsists in the paradox: the child is the father of the man. He has become the hooligan of the hour. Fayose, the relentless stalker, continues to pursue the health of a man who is leading a normal life and prosecuting a rigorous campaign. Fayose and his ilk would rather have Buhari incapacitated in the run up to the elections so that the Presidential race will be a veritable solo contest for the incumbent – a Na Only You Waka Come farce. We look at Fayose and wonder whether a fraction of his supposed love for health reflects on Ekiti. Has he articulated and crafted a universal healthcare bill, say Fayosecare, to expand access to modern day medicine? Has he budgeted for cottage hospitals in communities where the sick have to choose between staking their survival on the potency of a foul smelling herbal concoction or a bottle of holy wa-

with the Jonathan administration! I think that President Goodluck Jonathan has an image problem; a serious credibility problem. Many Nigerians doubt his sincerity and commitment to the wellbeing of the Nigerian state and its citizenry. People ask: what happened to the greedy plunderers of billions of naira of our Pension Funds during the life of this administration and other suchextremely greedy looters of the national treasury? When will Nigeria rise above this kind of problem? It is extremely doubtful whether such a fundamental change and reversal of fortunes can manifest under the type of leadership offered by Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his team! • Uchenna Nwankwo, Lagos

ter? Has Fayose proposed Ekiti Cancer Diagnostic Center yet? Does he have a model of the building sitting on his desk? Fayose thinks that cancer has exclusive fondness for opposition presidential candidates. He needs to know that Ekiti Government House is not free of cancer bearers. Among the aides and courtiers in his orbit, we can hit at least a dozen humans who need chemotherapy but are walking about in ignorant bliss. We know Fayose wants to win the gold medal. He wants to be decorated the most ardent Jonathan fanatic. But Fayose would be better off focusing his efforts on mastering the ill health of his own people rather than burn himself out on a Buhari who can take care of himself comfortably. Fayose needs to know that the number one killer disease in his domain is not the ominously sounding cancer but ‘ordinary malaria’. And his kith and kin could use a Governor’s passion for healthcare. • Emmanuel Uchenna Ugwu @emmaugwutheman

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

COMMENTS

The African condition

EVERAL years ago, the late Professor Ali Mazrui the famous Kenyan Professor of History and Political Science gave the annual Reith lectures on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and later published the lectures as a book with the title the African Condition. In it he raised several issues about development, among which were the questions of leadership, mobilization of resources, followership, modernization of infrastructure and international meddlesomeness to mention a few. Since that time nothing has changed and yet there has been 50 years intervening period between then and now. Perhaps the biggest of our problems is that of the ‘big man’ syndrome rather than structures in African politics. What really is the problem of Africa? There is a sense of ennui or of tiredness by the international community about what to do to and for Africa. Almost every development paradigm has been tried without success. We have tried the one party centralised socialist state, we have also tried the interventionist corporations model. These two have failed woefully and we are now privatising and selling the national heirloom to private people sometimes under shady conditions. We tried the free enterprise capitalist system, at least in places like Kenya, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Ivory Coast. The result was the same. Short of going back to village democracy and monarchical tyranny we have tried everything. It reminds me of reading Kenneth Post’s seminal book, The Price of Liberty a biography of Alhaji Adegoke Adelabu in which he shows African politics as some kind of retrogression to the precolonial times of warlordism. Political parties nowadays have no ideology or manifestoes, and where they have them it is merely for decoration because as soon as government is formed nobody ever makes reference to any party platform. Governance is arbitrary, ad hoc episodic with little rhyme or reason. A governor in the case of Nigeria wakes up, talks about “empowering” his people, he flies to China to buy hundreds of motorcycles which he distributes to young people for “transport business”. There is no thought about whether the infrastructure can cope with thousands of motorcyclists driving recklessly without any regard for Highway Code. There is no thought of what this does to agricultural development or the environment. Young people are organised as party thugs to molest those who share different political views with votaries of

CIRCUS show was held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, last week under the guise of a post-National Conference summit. Governor Olusegun Mimiko, the Southwest Coordinator of President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign, convened the summit. With Mimiko as convener, the agenda of the summit with the theme : ''2015 elections and Yoruba nation'' was obvious. The governor has never hidden the fact that he is for Jonathan. As vice chairman of the president's arm of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Mimiko is prepared to do anything for Jonathan as long as his own interest is also protected. Take for instance the NGF election in which Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi beat his Plateau State counterpart by 19 votes to 16, rather than accept the result, he led others to challenge the result. He was only taking a cue from President Jonathan, who has vowed never to work with Amaechi. As the president's armour bearer, Mimiko has no qualms when it comes to protecting his principal's interest. Until recently, he was the de facto leader of Labour Party (LP) on which platform he was elected governor. A few months ago, he

318 DAYS AFTER

WHERE ARE THE ABDUCTED CHIBOK GIRLS?

whatever is the prevailing political orthodoxies of the present. Yambo Ouologuem, an academic from Burkina Faso several years ago wrote a book entitled Bound to Violence in which he theorises that the situation in Africa was predestined to violence unless our leaders wake up in time. He has largely been proved right. Of the 54 states in Africa including the violence prone new state of South Sudan, which one can one point to as on a stable path of growth? If the truth must be told there are very few such states. With the exception of South Africa with its highly developed First World infrastructure and economy, virtually all states from the Democratic Republic of the Congo down to the Cape of Good Hope are distressed. Perhaps one can add, Botswana and Namibia to South Africa. Even South Africa under African rule sometimes manifests the almost universal trait of misrule, corruption and ethnic jingoism characteristic of less materially endowed African states north of the Limpopo. The DRC has been wracked and wrecked by civil war for almost two decades. Yet this is one of the potentially richest states in the world. There is hardly any solid mineral that is not found in the DRC. The adjoining small states of Rwanda and Burundi vegetated in states of unrestricted genocide for decades until recently when Rwanda operates under Paul Kagame, a rather unstable autocracy whose sorrowful end is predictable. Yet the Hutus and the Tutsis speak the same language. Admitted that in terms of physiognomy one may be able to distinguish one from the other, but should this be the cause for mindless murder?. Uganda is not much better. Their President Museveni has refused to vacate power after almost 40 years. His argument is like that of Charles de Gaulle of France who said aprés moi: la deluge. Yet the work of government is never done. No one is indispensable. Governments come governments go, the people and the country remain. Uganda in spite of Museveni and perhaps because of him has been in a state of siege for almost as many years as Museveni has been in power. The country is ravaged by the so-called Lord’s Resistance army led by one murderer called Joseph Koni. in spite of occasional tribal slaughtering between the dominant Kikuyu and the more sophisticated and educated Luo has not manifested the symptoms of a disappearing state. Tanzania has transited from one democratic ruler to the other, but even there all the

moralizing of Julius Nyerere has been replaced by rampant corruption and free for all c a p i t a l i s m . Mozambique after the destruction inflicted by D l a k h a m a ’ s RENAMO is beginning to settle down. South Africa Jide somehow provides Osuntokun a safety net for Mozambique. Workers from the wretched country are allowed into South Africa, even though most times, they are met with hostility and police brutality. Botswana and Namibia are for now isolated success stories. Even the two little kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland present different problems. Swaziland is a study in all that is bad in monarchical tyranny. Their young king in his 30s already has as many as 30 queens. He marries queens every year from among virgin girls who are made to gyrate before him in the stadium, while he looks on the one with sturdy boobs and shapely legs fit for royal sexual orgies. Yet this is a country with almost half the population afflicted with HIV virus and full blown AIDS. The king’s wish is the command of the country. With per capita income of about US$300 a year, the young monarch spends his country’s resources on cars and planes and tolerates no opposition.

‘With the exception of South Africa with its highly developed First World infrastructure and economy, virtually all states from the Democratic Republic of the Congo down to the Cape of Good Hope are distressed. Perhaps one can add, Botswana and Namibia to South Africa’

Birds of a feather dumped LP and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His defection sounded the death knell of LP not only in his state, but also nationally. Today, LP is a shell of itself as its national chairman, an ally of Mimiko, has also left the party. Since his return to PDP, the party has known no rest in Ondo State because of the tussle for power. Mimiko wants to be the party leader but those he met there are insisting that he cannot just come in and push them aside. The president and the party are with Mimiko even though they are pretending to be for justice and fair play. Mimiko is their man and they will do anything to protect him, including expelling those who may be giving him trouble. The time is not ripe for that yet because of the coming elections; so everybody must work together for the president's victory whether or not they like one another's face. Mimiko has so far played his cards right. He spoke unequivocally for the postponement of the elections as scheduled for February 14 and 28, claiming that the Independent National Election (INEC) was illprepared for the exercise because many eligible voters have not collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Having bought time to woo voters for his candidate, he threw in the post-National Conference summit gambit, bringing Yoruba leaders from across the Southwest not only to jawjaw but also to strategise on how Jonathan can win the March 28 election. Those at the summit were Jonathan’s supporters. Many of them had fallen out back home with their fellow Yoruba leaders over where the race should stand in this dispensation. The Yoruba, which used to unite under a leader, are divided because some people want to reap where they did not

sow. They have found a common ground under the Jonathan-forpresident project, with Mimiko as arrowhead. The post-National Conference summit in Akure should have been aptly tagged: The Mimiko gang in support of Jonathan. Even among the gang, there was initial discord as Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo noted that the invitees were majorly PDP chieftains in the Southwest. He said: “My observation here is that the summit seems to be dominated by the PDP. This is no PDP show because all the PDP candidates are here in the summit. The summit should be more important than a PDP affair. If you are convening something like this in future give the impression that we are doing it

on a nonpartisan basis''. Sir, those behind the summit knew what they were doing. They used the confab thing to get people like you to attend. It was a partisan affair called to drum support for Jonathan in next month's election. If it was to review the report of the National Conference, why would Jonathan's reelection bid feature prominently on it? Or was that part of the recommendations of the confab? Mimiko, who is serving his last term as governor, is determined to get Jonathan reelected and he is prepared to spend time and money to realise that goal. That summit was no summit of Yoruba leaders but a political jamboree to achieve his aim of getting Jonathan reelected. That, he should know is not a task to be achieved by his own set of Yoruba leaders.

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

The electorate have the exclusive right to elect who they want as president and one million post-National Conference summit of the kind called by Mimiko cannot change this fact.

All in God's name

ASTORS are expected to be god on earth. As spiritual fathers, they are held in high esteem not only by their flock, but also by those in power. Pastors, imams and marabouts et al have flourished under successive administrations. For each administration, there is a spiritual guardian. Some go for imams; some opt for pastors and yet some prefer marabouts. Their lordship are treated like royalty. They ride the best of cars; live in posh houses and run a fat bank account. They serve not our Father who art in heaven but the god of money. There is nothing some so-called men of God cannot do for money. And there seems to be no better time for them to make money than now when the elections are coming. Knowing that President Goodluck Jonathan desires to return to office, these people have become leeches sucking his blood for all the money they can get all in the name of God. They are telling him sweet stories. Some may even have told him that it has been revealed to them that

he will win. Who made the revelation? Their answer, of course, will be God. But did God ask them to profit from such prophesy? The scripture says that salvation is free; so why have our men of God become profiteers? Yes, those who serve at the altar must share in what is offered on the altar, but this is not the case with these men of God. They have become the biblical last days’ prophets, prohesying falsehood to people for money. When Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said a few weeks ago that some pastors have been given N6billion to support Jonathan's reelection bid, some sniggered that it was all politics. As things have now shown, he was not politicking. It is for real that money exchanged hands between the Presidency and the Christian Association of Nigeria

(CAN), and a cleric, Pastor Kallamu Musa Dikwa, is sticking out his neck to say it. When he first spoke last week, the CAN leadership called him names. But at a press briefing in Kaduna on Tuesday, Dikwa insisted that CAN 's leadership collected N7billion from the Presidency on January 21 and disbursed only N3million to each state branch of CAN. He did not stop there. He recalled that in 2013 CAN collected $50,000 from some Nigerians abroad for Boko Haram victims but did not deliver. All what is happening, he quoted some Yobe and Borno states CAN leader as saying “must be corrected”. Yes, it must be corrected by bringing all those involved to justice and Pastor Dikwa should be ready to help in that regard.

‘The electorate have the responsibility of electing who they want as president and one million post-National Conference summit of the kind called by Mimiko cannot change this fact’

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

COMMENTS

FENIFERE, the Yoruba political organisation made up of about six Yoruba revered elders, supported by Frederick Fasehun and Gani Adams of Oodua Peoples Congress, endorsed President Jonathan for another term of four years after six years of less-than-inspiring leadership during a summit recently organized by Olusegun Mimiko in Akure. They have since tried without success to find justification for their embarrassing action. They have deployed message of fear and hatred and sometimes turning logic on its head, all in attempt to salvage what is left of their hard earned reputation. Afenifere’s national publicity secretary, in an interview with The Punch last Sunday, told Nigerians that “Leaders of Afenifere and Oodua Peoples Congress endorsed Jonathan because he promised to implement the report of the Confab”. Asked what he would do if Jonathan reneged on his promise to implement the confab report, he says ‘When he met with us in Akure, he told us categorically that he would implement the confab report within the 12 months of his return to office. He gave reasons why he traded in Buhari whom he worked for during the 2011 election for Jonathan: “The characters around him today are not the same in 2011”; there is ‘no difference between APC and PDP’; ‘APC governors like PDP governors are corrupt’. Probably realizing he has been unable to even convince himself let alone his critics, he added ‘those who shout ‘change’ today are political merchants”. Fasehun’s justification was scandalous. According to him, “Some people said they were born to rule”; and for that reason, he says, “Jonathan is the only good thing available to Nigeria and it is either Jonathan or nothing.” Fasehun’s appeal to Yoruba people not to vote Buhari because ‘‘Some people said they were born to rule”. has finally exposed the hypocrisy of a man who has always said he was promoting national unity and cohesion. Fasehun about two years ago made elaborate show of accompanying Major Mustapha, Abacha’s chief security officer who was also claimed to be the head of his killer squad, to Kano following his discharge by the court at the behest of the Jonathan administration. (Obasanjo made reference to those who gave state support to secure freedom for alleged master mind of many assassinations during the Abacha brutal regime) Pa Adebanjo’s reasons are no less nebulous and ill-defined. He says for instance “We are

IGERIANS, generally, are fixated on the forthcoming presidential election, failing to take into consideration the epic battle waiting to happen in the Rivers State gubernatorial polls. I say with all sense of seriousness that the battle for the soul of Rivers would go down as one of the most epic electoral contest in the annals of the state and the country at large. It would be a battle of winners and sinners, a battle of wits and egos, and a battle of seen and unseen forces. Some of the factors that would determine this election include the ethnicity of the candidates, and the federal and local forces behind each candidate. On the side of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), its standard bearer, Nyesom Wike (Upland-Ikwerre), has told all that cared to listen that he has the backing of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, who is an indigene of Rivers State, and from the same ethnic group as the All Progressive Congress (APC) standard bearer Dr. Peterside Dakuku (RiverineIjaw). In Rivers State the riverine-upland dichotomy is also used to distinguish the terrain of the Ijaws (Andoni, Bonny, Kalabari, Okrika/Ogu-Bolo, Opobo,

“We have the challenge of managing the multiple conflicts that have been generated by divergent political interests in the state, and we are aware that a polarized PDP needs to come together at a time through somebody who has the might to do that...”

Pa Adebanjo, Fasehun, Odumakin and lesson of history supporting Jonathan because of consistency of the Yoruba people to have this country restructured so that it can develop”. He then vaguely added “voting Buhari/Osinbajo ticket “is a mistake Nigeria cannot afford” because Jonathan is committed to implementing the recommendation of the confab report”. He then went on to add: “once General Muhammadu Buhari becomes President, the Yoruba people should prepare for another era of setbacks and sufferings.” Lacking in rhyme and logic, Pa Adebanjo then decided to drop the magic name: “If we fail to achieve this, I don’t know how Papa Obafemi Awolowo will be feeling in his grave.” But I can hazard a guess for our ever coherent Pa Adebanjo who, weighed down by his own contradictions has suddenly become incoherent. Awo watching from his grave would feel betrayed by the pettiness of those who swear by his name but who today promote the likes of Ayo Fayose and Olusegun Mimiko who behaves like a wife with five husbands as role models for our children. Both Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Olusegun Mimiko who decided to rake up the confab report submitted since last July on the eve of election know that both Yoruba submissions on parliamentary system and regionalism were roundly defeated at the confab. They are aware no item described as ‘restructuring’ can be found among the 600 resolutions contained in the report. Besides it is obvious President Jonathan was not interested in the report. After all, there are items which will not require constitutional amendments

which could have been treated as policy implementations if President Jonathan was truly committed to the confab. In any case, except Pa Adebanjo, Femi Okunroumu, Yinka Odumakin and Mimiko their newly installed Yoruba leader, the Yoruba know President Jonathan who subverted his party constitution in order to become president and dismissed Obasanjo who had aided him in the subversion as a ‘motor park tout’ when he was reminded of his solemn undertaking to spend six years, cannot keep promises. Mimiko who is also on record as having at different periods dumped AD for PDP, PDP for Labour; hobnobbed with Asiwaju Tinubu’s AC to secure his stolen mandate by PDP; and as Labour governor, he sided with PDP ‘governors without character’, to publicly proclaim 16 greater than 19 following a Nigerian Governors Forum election lost by President Jonathan’s preferred candidate and who has once again now dumped the Labour party to become the chief promoter of Jonathan in Yoruba nation as part of his strategy to remain relevant after his second term in office. He is a leader who doesn’t believe in anything. Adebanjo says “once General Muhammadu Buhari becomes President, the Yoruba people should prepare for another era of setbacks and sufferings.” He is not worried the ‘era of setbacks and sufferings’ that has been in place in the last 16 years will not suddenly disappear with the re-election of President Jonathan. And because of his petty ego war with his political son, Bola Tinubu, he has

decided to work against Buhari/Osibanjo victory and the prospect that such a victory will for the first time in our nation’s history allow the mainstream Yoruba political tendency to participate in governance of the country. Pa Adebanjo was ready to throw away the baby with the bath-water. Playing the Abuja script, Femi Okunrounmu, read a statement purportedly on behalf of the Yoruba, threatening fire and brimstone if the election date was not shifted. No sooner than that was achieved than Mimiko, a master of political intrigue organized a summit of Yoruba to talk about a dead confab report. Jonathan followed up with a visit to the West where he allegedly dispensed favours and patronage in cash and kind ranging from dollars and influence to satisfy the heart desires of everyone who subscribed to Mimiko’s brand of leadership which is not only strange to Yoruba people but equally alien to proud Ondo people who are not known to call a spade by any other name other than its name. Today in the West, we have the reincarnation of the forces at play in the First Republic - men who operate without scruples and who while advancing their personal interests pretend to fight the Yoruba cause. As we move towards March 28 election, the Yoruba youths like their counterparts elsewhere in the country must reject hate messages of leaders who use the name of the masses to seek relevance. It is tragic that the same forces at play today have been the same all through Nigeria’s history. A small clique of parasites from the north, east and west who falsely swear by the name of the people to advance their selfish interests.

‘As we move towards March 28 election, the Yoruba youths like their counterparts elsewhere in the country must reject hate messages of leaders who use the name of the masses to seek relevance. It is tragic that the same forces at play today have been the same all through Nigeria’s history’

The Rivers PDP dilemma By Shaibu Phrank Abua/Odual, parts of Ahoada West, Port Harcourt, and Oyigbo) from the terrain of other ethnic groups. In 1999 Rivers East produced Governor Peter Odili. He received the total support of riverine-Ijaw during his 2003 second term election. Governor Odili handed over power in 2007 to another senatorial district; this time to Rivers West. Celestine Omehia is an upland man from Ikwerre LGA. When the court removed him from office another Ikwerre- upland man also took over; this time Governor Chibuike Amaechi. Once again riverine in the other districts gave their unquantifiable support to Amaechi during his 2011 second term election Rivers South East, where the APC candidate is from, is expected to produce the next governor. But the crisis rocking the state is all about Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial ambition. Wike is not from Rivers South East. He is an upland man from Rivers West that already produced Governors Omehia and Amaechi. And he has a willing conspirator in the First Lady, who, ironically, isn’t interested in her kinsman becoming governor for inexplicable reasons. The question now is how does one explain the unholy alliance between Nyesom Wike and Dame Jonathan? To begin with, Wike is an aggressive grassroots politician. It’s on record that he worked assiduously for Governor Amaechi in 2007 and 2011. But he has since become a political liability because of his style of operation. He plays very dirty politics. In my opinion, for the First Lady to jettison the idea of supporting her kinsman means that there are some undercurrents playing

out. I stand to be corrected: if PDP loses the presidential elections, it would matter less to the First Lady. But if PDP loses Rivers State, the world would probably to an end for her. This is why the President should be his own man by urgently addressing the injustice in Rivers PDP and making sure that the PDP respect the zoning arrangement and allow the riverine area of the state to produce the next governor, instead of allowing the ambition of an individual throw the state into anarchy and war, which will not augur well for the state and the country. The unholy alliance between Wike and Dame Jonathan is three-fold. She owes a great debt of gratitude to Wike for welcoming her to Rivers State by giving her a voice and relevance because at some point Dame Jonathan wasn’t recognised as a stakeholder in the state. She feels Wike has the political clout and structure to wrestle power from Governor Amaechi, and she will feel safe and secured with Wike as Governor, vis-à-vis over the control of the state. But she forgot that his candidacy has further polarised the state and might just be seeing the beginning of the end of PDP in Rivers State. The only way PDP can win Rivers State is with the use of force and violence. And this is their likely game plan. I say this for the following reasons. The party is so desperate to secure the state that it gave party tickets to ex-militants. One of such is Tamunotonye Smart Adoki, aka Ayinla, the House of Assembly candidate in Phalga Constituency two. Another ex-militant leader, Comrade Ateke Tom, as he is now referred to, is from the same ethnic group as Dame Jonathan. He drives in a bulletproof SUV with a presidency plate number and heavily guarded by military men. The Chief of Army Staff, General Kenneth

Minimah is also from the same ethnic group as the APC gubernatorial candidate but his loyalty is to Dame Jonathan. The PDP controls the security apparatus in the state including the Joint Task Force stationed in all riverine areas of the state. Dame Jonathan has decided to take the bull by the horns in supporting Wike despite repeated warnings from notable Ijaw leaders. It’s on record that they approached President Jonathan and warned him against making such mistake. But she refused to bulge and Wike emerged the PDP candidate. Time will tell how far her support would go in securing a victory for Wike There is also the issue of disgruntled members of the PDP who have decided to remain in the party to work for President Jonathan and against Wike. Take the example of Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs , a man whom many have said can fix it for both the PDP and Rivers State. “We have the challenge of managing the multiple conflicts that have been generated by divergent political interests in the state, and we are aware that a polarized PDP needs to come together at a time through somebody who has the might to do that. So, Dumo, to us, is the right man for the job”, some PDP elders told this writer. Another case is that of Odein Ajumogobia who dragged the PDP to court over the non-implementation of the PDP zoning arrangement. The crisis rocking the PDP in the state is too grave to be ignored. All things considered, interesting times definitely lie ahead in Rivers State. The options are clear enough but whether the President will do the right thing to ensure that the greater interest of the party prevails over the interest of two people, his wife and Wike remains to be seen. Time will tell.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

COMMENTS

HE countries of Black Africa have one nemesis – and that nemesis springs from the fact that members of their political classes (the men and women we call our political leaders) do not understand the true purposes of modern politics, of political parties and of elections. For them all, opposing political parties are armies in perpetual combat, and elections are wars. While preparing for the Nigerian elections of 2007, President Olusegun Obasanjo did us the great favour of giving us a name for the war – he named it a “do-or-die affair”. That is it – a do-or-die affair, even if what is likely to die in the process is the country itself. Almost all the hideous crises that African countries have experienced since independence in the 1960s (the interethnic conflicts and the genocidal pogroms) have sprung from the do-or-die wars of elections. It would be funny, if it were not so saddening, to watch African political leaders going around asking for votes at election time, speaking volubly to crowds after crowds, proclaiming their loyalty to their country and their country’s progress, and posing as actors in a “democratic” process. It is all a charade. It is almost impossible to find any sincere loyalty to any country in the innermost intentions of these “leaders”. Deep inside the objectives and plans of most groups and leaders, there always reigns a hideous urge to selfaggrandizement and self-perpetuation, and there is often no trace of love of country or people. Almost in every country, the intervention of the ethnic factor compounds the tragedy. It makes large populations of innocent and decent folks commit themselves to the political objectives and desires of particular politicians whom they regard as “leaders” of their ethnic nations – or their “tribes” (as the white rulers of Africa taught us to call our nations). Usually, the politician’s deception of “his people”becomes so successful that he can get them, in defence of his interests, to lash out in fury at other nationalities and thereby unleash a murderous war that can sometimes degenerate into a war of all against all. But when one examines the actions of those politicians who happen to make it into positions of power, almost all that one would see is self-enrichment and self-perpetuation in

HE 1946 Constitution, named after the then Governor of Nigeria, Sir Arthur Richards, was widely opposed by different groups and nationalist parties in the country not only because they were not consulted before it was promulgated but that it did not secure greater participation of Nigerians in the management of their own affairs. Contrary to the promise made by his predecessor, Governor Bernard Bourdillon, the Richards Constitution came into force with little opportunity for discussion by residents of colonial Nigeria. With the retention of Clifford’s ‘elective principle on a limited franchise’ of only four seats in the Legislative Council and increase in the power of the Governor, it was evident that the country was almost as far from representative government as she was in 1922. According to the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons (NCNC), the fact that only four members were to be directly elected into the Legislative Council, as was the case in the 1922 Constitution, had exposed the British Government to the criticism that from the year 1922 to the year 1945, “Nigerians made no advance at all towards any qualification in election by adult suffrage of those who represent their

‘Now that the news of the fake 600,000 voter cards is in the public domain, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially INEC, to withdraw the mystery cards and ensure all eligible voters in the state get the original PVCs. No one, party or institution must be permitted to subvert the will of the electorate - through any means’

Our tragic elections power – what our father, Obafemi Awolowo, called “tenacity of office”. Of loyalty or service of the man in power to his nationality, one would find almost nothing – often totally nothing. Other than employing all the power and resources of the Nigerian presidency to subdue his independent-minded Yoruba people in 2003, what else did President Obasanjo do for his Yoruba nation? Nothing – actually worse than nothing. Our Arewa political leaders are often heard demanding power for the “North”. But after decades of their dominant control of Nigeria’s federal power, how have the masses of the Northern populace benefited? There is much more poverty in the Arewa North today than in 1960. Now, some in the South-south cohort around President Jonathan are threatening war, fire and brimstone if Nigerians don’t vote Jonathan back to power; but what has Jonathan done for the well-being of the masses of the people of the South-south in terms of the quality of their lives or their prospects in Nigeria? The people of the South-south have always stood in the fore-front of the fight for the restructuring of the Nigerian federation and for increased local control of resources, so that they may be able to benefit more from the resources of their homeland. In five years as president, what has President Jonathan done to promote these causes? Has he not merely reveled in federal power and wealth and control of wealth? In the same vein – though with differences in detail – President Jonathan is posturing today as a friend of the Yoruba people of the South-west, because the massive votes of the South-west appear to be likely to swing the balance in the coming presidential election. Some of the most revered elderly leaders of the Yoruba nation have warmed up to his embrace and are assuring him of Yoruba votes. These are men who have been in the leadership of many Yoruba struggles in Nigeria, and who therefore deserve respect from us their people. But they are our fathers and we may humbly ask them some respectful questions – in the interest of our nation.

For over five years now, President Jonathan has seemed to be intent on marginalizing the Yoruba in the federal establishment and even in the established civil service, and these fathers of the Yoruba nation have led delegation after delegation to him in Abuja to urge him for a change of direction with respect to the Yoruba nation – to give the Yoruba nation its rightful place as a major nation in Nigeria. It would be a good thing for our fathers to report now to us what definite assurances and undertakings they have obtained from President Jonathan about this all-important matter? Also, there are complaints galore among our people that President Jonathan seems to enjoy insulting the Yoruba nation – that, in particular, he has, gratuitously, told us again and again that part of our homeland (Lagos) does not belong to us, and that our leaders are “rascals”. Since a strong crop of Yoruba fathers are now close to President Jonathan, how much able are they to give us iron-clad assurances that they will be able to obtain the right level of respect for the Yoruba nation in a Jonathan presidency during Jonathan’s further term, when he will no longer need any electoral votes? Finally, we Yoruba have always made it clear that we are not comfortable with living in a disorderly, poverty-generating and conflict-generating country, and that we would want a proper federation in which we (as well as other Nigerian peoples) could manage our own unique affairs in our own way. We are sure that that is what most Nigerian peoples would want too, that it cannot possibly hurt the interests of any Nigerian people, and that it offers the only chance of giving the world a stable, harmonious and successful Nigeria. In particular, we Yoruba people have shown again and again that we reject the presumption by the controllers of federal power that it is their prerogative to determine the outcome of our state and local elections and to choose our state and local rulers for us. Have our fathers who are now friends of President Jonathan obtained assurances and undertakings about these matters from him? Are they

Gbogun gboro asking us to hope that, at least in our part of Nigeria, the forthcoming elections will be free, fair and peaceful? The bottom line of all these questions is that, no matter what Nigeria throws at us the Yoruba nation, it is impossible to rob us of our self-respect and love of freedom, or our confidence in our capabilities as a progressive, modernizing and civilizing nation. We are ready to continue to contribute our efforts to the building of Nigeria; but we demand that Nigeria should stop trying to weaken and paralyze us, and that Nigeria should stop thinking that the Yoruba nation can be led like sheep to the slaughter by anybody – for any purpose whatsoever.

‘The bottom line of all these questions is that, no matter what Nigeria throws at us the Yoruba nation, it is impossible to rob us of our self-respect and love of freedom, or our confidence in our capabilities as a progressive, modernizing and civilizing nation’

Ogun: The mystery 600,000 PVCs By Soyombo Opeyemi interests in the Legislative Council.” The party, it must be underscored, did not limit its justified opposition to press statements in the media but sent a delegation to Westminster to, among others, protest the rape. Of course, there were other nationalist parties in the country then but it was the NCNC that picked the gauntlet to obtain support and funds for the London trip. It is instructive that the agitation against the Richards Constitution did not only lead eventually to its short life but the all-inclusive Ibadan General Conference of 1950, preparatory to the enactment of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951, which moved the country closer to representative democracy. Ogun State, South-west Nigeria is not the least populated state among the 36 in the country. But it boggles the mind while as at mid-February, its eligible voters should have had the least access to the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in the comity of states in Nigeria. As if this was not strange enough, thousands of petitions were reportedly directed to the governor by eligible voters, including the numbing allegation that about 625,000 PVCs carried Ogun State code, but the photographs on the cards did not match the faces of registered residents in the wards where the cards were displayed. The governor specifically confirmed this anomaly in his own Ward 11 at Ita-Eko, where the mystery cards were equally observed. This, naturally and under normal circumstances, should have agitated the minds of all stakeholders in the forthcoming general elections, especially the political parties canvassing for votes. The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is not just the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming polls but the one the citizens should eventually look up to on their agitation to collect the PVCs. Just

like Herbert Macaulay (and later Nnamdi Azikwe) rose to the occasion, it was Amosun that took up the gauntlet by visiting the state office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to raise the allegations and ask that something urgently be done so that all the 1.8 million eligible voters get the PVCs and that no one should be disenfranchised. However belated the reaction of the opposition parties might be, they should have at least raised the alarm further because the 1.8 million registered voters are residents who will vote for the parties of their choice on March 28 and April 11. But what did we get from the leaders of these opposition parties on both the shocking low distribution of PVCs in Ogun and over 600,000 fake PVCs? Silence! Funeral silence! Then condemnation of the governor for speaking for the voiceless. Hear the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as reported in the papers on Friday, February 20: “Governor Amosun, being a candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC), who is also standing for election in the April 11, 2015 governorship election, just like every other candidate standing for elections, has no legal and moral right to visit the INEC office to complain about the distribution of the permanent voter cards (PVCs) in the state. This is crass opportunism, and open blackmail, aimed principally to compromise the integrity, neutrality and independence of the election umpire. We condemn this in totality. There are other windows open and available to vent any perceived, assumed or imagined ‘irregularities’ in the conduct and operations of any independent commissions and or agencies. For instance, Governor Amosun could issue press statements, grant press interviews or even write official but open letters to the commission to register his protest...” Is there any law preventing the candidates of political parties from visiting a public place like INEC office? None. How does an open visit to INEC office on such a

matter public importance result in the compromise or blackmail of the institution? But for narrow and parochial politics of the opposition, or more importantly, their hidden agenda, should their leaders not have joined Amosun in marching to the INEC office to register a serious protest over the low distribution of PVCs and the over 600,000 mystery PVCs that have flooded Ogun State? Now, my worry is, and Nigerians should take this very seriously, the statement by the PDP did not raise any issue on why Ogun State is miserably lagging behind in its adults getting the PVCs let alone raise any concern on the mystery PVCs that have been observed and seen in virtually all the 236 Wards in the state. This can only lead, inexorably, to one conclusion - the party (PDP) may be a suspect! This is the product of logical reasoning. Till date, the leading opposition party in Ogun (PDP), with its allies, has not issued a single statement or expressed any concern or worry on the inexplicable low distribution of PVCs in the state. Who then are the people they are expecting to vote for them? It then means they have a hidden agenda. Now that the news of the fake 600,000 voter cards is in the public domain, it is the responsibility of all stakeholders, especially INEC, to withdraw the mystery cards and ensure all eligible voters in the state get the original PVCs. No one, party or institution must be permitted to subvert the will of the electorate - through any means. We must all join hands in resolving the mystery PVCs, including sending a delegation to INEC headquarters in Abuja to demand that right thing be done. The people of Ogun must not be prevented from exercising their political sovereignty through the ballot boxes. • Soyombo, public affairs analyst, sent this piece via densityshow@yahoo.com

THE NATION

EDUCATION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

Did Kogi State government stop paying the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees of SS3 pupils because of fraud? The government has cited fraud for its action, but workers, parents and pupils disagree, reports JAMES AZANIA Lokoja

• Pupils of Bishop Denisle College, Kogi.

Kogi govt, workers tangle over N500m WASSCE fees

HE claim that a cabal may be defrauding Kogi State government of millions of naira meant for payment of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees may be false, according to workers in the Ministry of Education. The government stopped payment of the fees last month, claiming that the steep increase from N270 million in 2012 to N300 mil-

lion in 2013 and N500 million last year was caused by fraud. Governor Idris Wada alleged that a cabal is behind the fraud, saying he has set up a panel of enquiry to bring to book those behind the racket.

‘

Wada directed Kogi State pupils intending to sit for May/June 2015 WASSCE to pay their way until government unveils the fraudsters. He promised to refund candidates’ fees on producing their receipts. But, the workers do not buy the

-Page 23

• Paul Oduma

fraud allegations. They said the bill increased because of the rise in number of candidates and the fees charged by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). A ministry official denied that workers are involved in the alleged

fraud. According to him, other factors and not fraud were responsible for the rise in the WASCE bill. The official said the government was only being economical with the truth. The source said: "There is no fraud in the ministry. The number of students increases on a yearly basis and more are graduating from new schools where they have now reached SS3 where they now sit for

Let the government come out and say it does not have the money to pay or that it has lost the political will to carry on with the scheme. As far as I am concerned, government has not set up any committee to investigate any fraud

INSIDE

Foundation seeks support to expand community library

•Dr Okai

Adeboye professorial chair dear to UNILAG, says VC -Page 33

CAMPUS LIFE Day of rage at Ekiti varsity -Page 25

’

•Continued on page 22

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

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION

Akintola Williams visits alma mater, 77 years after

CCOUNTING doyen and alumnus of CMS Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos, Pa Akintola Williams, has visited his alma mater. He graduated from the school in 1938 when the school was still on Broad Street. Pa Williams, who chairs the Board of Trustees, Old Grammarian Society (OGS), was conducted on a tour of facilities of the school by the Principal, Venerable Tunde Oduwole, and other alumni. The tour included the Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija Boys Hostel, an ultra modern facility donated by Mr and Mrs Modupe Alakija on Septem-

By Olatunde Odebiyi

ber 18, 2012. Pa Williams said he was glad to be in the school and promised to make donations towards ensuring the school remains the best. He implored other alumni to do likewise. The Principal described Williams' visit as timely, exciting and historic. "He attended the school when it was still on broad street in Lagos but that he come back here is particularly a great lesson that whatever we have to do, there must be the spirit of endurance, the spirit to follow up and remain dogged and committed to dreams and that it is not over until It

is over", he said. Ven Oduwole also thanked God for those that have impacted the school in one way or the other, particularly Mr and Mrs Alakija. He said through the five-star hostel they endowed, the boys have learnt about the spirit of excellence and giving the best. "Each student has its own reading table and chair, compartment for wardrobe, book shelf, a chair, reading desk and the bed. The hostel has a reading room, laundry, kitchen, gym, television room and games room among other critical facilities that boys of their age would need," he said. The Chairman, Board of Governors,

Justice Olayinka Faji, said the school appreciates the role Pa Williams has played over the years in the school's development. He said the school, with the help of OGS, and the sacrificial involvement of the Proprietor-Bishops has made tremendous progress since it was handed over by the state government in 2001. Former OGS president Ambassador Dapo Fafowora also spoke on the need to generate funds towards the welfare of workers and the school. OGS president, Toyin Abayomi Akin-Johnson, also spoke on the society's contributions to the school.

•Pa Williams

OSPOLY gets 'Yoruba best Poly' award

HE Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree in Osun State has been awarded the 2014 "Yoruba Best Polytechnic of the Year' courtesy of a group, the Yoruba Redemption Foundation (YOREF). The award was conferred on the institution for promoting the Yoruba culture and tradition and inspiring educational development. The group, made up of eminent Yoruba leaders and movie makers, presented the award at a programme hosted by the institution. "Osun State Polytechnic, Iree in the recent time has been playing leadership roles in the promotion of Yoruba culture. This is inherent in the moral values of students of this institution. We have observed thoroughly on this campus, students' dress code, their characters and relationship with one another. It promotes the concept of omoluabi virtues which a Yoruba community must possess", said the chairman of the organising committee, Chief Asiwaju Temidayo Ayodele. •Continued from page 21 WASCE based on Ministry of Education Inspection Report. "In 2012 the WASSCE fee was between N5, 000 and N6, 000 per student but that presently has increased to about N10, 000, all of which has contributed to the bloated cost the government is talking about.” Another senior official said the WASSCE fee paid by the government does not pass through the ministry. The source said: "WAEC money does not come to the ministry; it is electronically transferred from the Accountant-General's office to WAEC. It is the charges and other fees that come to the ministry. Let the government come out and say it does not have the money to pay or that it has lost the political will to carry on with the scheme. As far as I am concerned, government has not set up any committee to investigate any fraud. Yes, no committee has been set up whatsoever. Not even any to compile the name of parents that have paid their children's fees." Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy Mr. Jacob Edi, who announced last month that government stopped WASSCE fees payment directed our correspondent to the Commissioner of Education for details on the probe. Last month, Edi said: "The subsidy was stopped in the interest of the people; machinery has been put in to track those responsible," he said. But the Commissioner, Dr Agnes Okai, said she was unaware of any panel set up by government to probe WASSCE fraud fee. She said the government would constitute a committee to determine parents that have paid their children's WASSCE fees, in order to refund them. "The committee is yet to be inaugurated," she said. A look at WASSCE enrolment records at the ministry showed that 39, 927 candidates have registered for the 2015 WASSCE, a decrease from 2014, which was 43, 975. In 2013, 42, 819 sat for the examina-

By Adegunle Olugbamila

Ayodele continued: "Certificates are awarded in character and excellence, the polytechnic has really groomed its products in characters and this has made products of the institution models for their peers in other institutions". He added that the institution's fusion of moral rehabilitation with academics is a feat many institutions in the country are still trying to attain and described the Rector, Dr. Olusola Agboola, as an embodiment of morals. Chairman of the occasion, and ace Yoruba actor, Chief Peter Fatomilola, lamented the burgeoning anti-social behaviours among the youth, attributing the development to the disregard for Yoruba values. "Priority has been given to the foreign culture at the expense of our indigenous language, tradition," he said. He said that moral values abound in Yoruba oral literatures such as proverbs, Idioms and literary appre-

• Dr Agboola (right) receiving the plaque from Chief Fatomilola. Watching is a member of the group, Ayodele Asiwaju.

ciation, among others. Responding to the award, the Rector said the moral stance of the institution is attributed to the encouragement received from the Osun State

Governor, Ogbeni, Rauf Aregbesola, who is a culture activist. "The governor charged all stakeholders in the state to join hands with him in building an enviable state

Kogi govt, workers tangle over fees tion in Kogi State, while, 45, 275 were presented in 2012. Dr Okai said fees paid to WAEC in the last three years varied. She said while the 2015 estimate stood at N515, 058, 300, the government paid N496, 917, 500 last year. WAEC, she said, charged N11, 450 per student for 2015. In 2014 it charged N9,850; in 2013, N8, 050; and in 2012, N5, 650. Explaining what could be responsible for the yearly variation, Dr Okai said: "The figures are increasing essentially more so because WAEC increased what they called biometric capturing cost. Each candidate is to pay N500. In the ministry, there is one exam they call Common Transition Examination and it is only those that have five credits from SS2 to SS3 that are paid for". At the end of the closing date for payment for the 2015 WASSCE on January 31, The Nation gathered, many were unable to pay; others made frantic efforts to raise the money to avoid paying additional N5,000 for late registration. The dilemma caused by the sudden withdrawal of government subsidy has cast a cloud on the future of some of the affected pupils. Some principals of secondary schools outside Lokoja said many pupils might not sit for the examination because of funds. A principal said: "At the end of the late entrance date, what will happen to those who were not able

to register? Will they drop out from school or will they fall prey and become thugs? They will become danger to the state and tools in the hands of politicians." Paul Oduma, a SS3 pupil of Government Day Secondary School, Adankolo, said pupil’s were initially told that those of them that pass the mock examination would enjoy the subsidy. He said some of his mates could not raise funds for the examination despite passing the mock exam. “Initially, they said the government was going to pay for those that passed the transition exam. At the end of the day they now said the government is not going to pay, even for those that passed. Of those that passed the transition exam it is not all of them that were able to pay and not all of them are going to sit for the exams, because we learnt that in some schools, people are paying for them". A parent, Amuda Dan Suleman, complained about the withdrawal of government subsidy, describing it as a sudden blow in the face. He hopes the government would stay true to its promise to refund the N12, 850 which he paid for his son, Mohammed, a pupil of Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja. Showing this reporter a bank teller, he said: "Government said they are going to refund but they have not refunded anything yet. I paid on the 17th of December, 2014

‘If I do not pay will I hold Wada responsible in the future and by the time my own child might have been rendered useless? They know what they are doing. This is not the first time the government is denying the people of Kogi their rights’

into account number 0106617103." Another parent, who simply identified himself as Abah, said he paid up because he cannot jeopardise his son's future because of government's failing. He said: "If I do not pay will I hold Wada responsible in the future and by the time my own child might have been rendered useless? They know what they are doing. This is not the first time the government is denying the people of Kogi their rights. Go to the local governments, it is worse. There is even this small bottle beer, the real name is Saltzenbrau but they call it 'half salary' or they say 'give me Wada', because they are paid half salary or nothing at all. We are watching and waiting. I will not even be surprised if they give excuse that they will not pay any refund.” A politician, Comrade Aiyelabowo Adebanji, said the government has no excuse for not paying the fees, particularly at a time many parents were losing their jobs. He said: "Ninety-five students of Oluyori Secondary School, Isanlu have been deprived from writing WASSCE because of the cancelation of fees by government. Why did government say that the parents should pay and come for refund with their receipts when most of the parents are local government workers who are being owed 13 months’ salary? Meanwhile, some of them have been sacked for no reason, no official backing." While many struggled to pay, some affluent politicians and public office holders came to the aid of some others. In Kogi Central, The Nation gathered that a minister paid the fees for SS3 pupils. He was said to have asked school principals to compile the list of those that paid. He wrote out cheques for the refund. In Kogi East, a lawmaker reportedly paid for pupils from his constituency.

characterised by virtues of Omoluabi. He encourages promotion of culture and tradition, which he recognises as veritable ingredients of Omoluabi virtues," he said.

UNILORIN warns against handouts

HE University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has warned lecturers to desist from selling handouts to students. A circular signed by the Registrar, Mr E. D. Obafemi, noted that the management was aware of the resurgence of the practice, described as illegal, on campus and warned that those caught would be punished. The circular reads: "The Administration has received reports that in spite of the circulars prohibiting the sale of handouts to students, there is a renewed activity of this illegal business on the campus. The sale is perpetrated by lecturers using devious means and agents such as shop owners and class representatives to reach the students. The unwholesome practice must not be allowed to continue given the growing positive image of the University. The attention of all Deans and Heads of Departments is once again drawn to the extant circular proscribing the sale of handouts to students. Any lecturer found violating this directive will be brought to book.

6,000 for UI DLC matriculation

HE 2015 matriculation of the Distance Learning Centre (DLC) of the University of Ibadan (UI) has been scheduled to hold on March 2, 2015. The orientation programme for the freshers will hold for two days afterwards (March 3 and 4). According to the university's Director of Public Communication, Mr. Olatunji Oladejo, the events will hold at the International Conference Centre of the university. Oladejo stated that about 6,000 fresh students admitted to various courses offered by the Centre are expected to matriculate this year.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION

Foundation seeks support to expand community library •28-seater library used by 70 people daily

ITH the Ojokoro Community library recording 70 users a day when it has seats for only 28, it is in dire need of an expansion. The library, which was donated by Pyramid Educational Advancement (PEA) Foundation a year ago, is used by people of various generations, ranging from nine to 53 years, in the community. At its first year anniversary last Friday, the Executive Director, PEA Foundation, Adedapo Conde, said that the library is particularly popular with secondary school pupils who spend at least an hour in the facility every day. "Over time, we have discovered that most of the secondary school students spend one to three hours after school daily at the library to do their assignment before going home," he said. Conde said through the library, the foundation is able to tackle some challenges that lead to poor performance among pupils. He said: "A lot of people in this community are of the lower eco-

By Jane Chijioke

nomic wing in the society. You will see a family of five or six living in a room. This affects the reading habits; a lot of children cannot read in such place. We have created that space for them here to make it easier for them. When they consider the concept of reading, it will be exciting to them." A secondary school pupil, Daniel Omole, said the library has helped him a lot "During exam period I have trouble reading at home. So I come here to prepare for my exams. There are also some textbooks I don't have and when given assignment in school I rely on the library," he said. Another user, Esther Ijuo, said the library has made her better than her peers. "Nowadays youth do not read and at the end of the day they will start looking for short cuts to scale through in their exams. This library has given me an edge over my peers; it has helped in the area of vocabulary and also minimized

• Primary school pupils in the library. Inset: part of the library.

the gallivanting of children in the community," she said. Mr Olayinka Giwa, General Secretary of New Oko-oba West, Council Development Area(CDA) commended the initiative and said he was inspired to establish his own library at home for his children after he attended the first education summit organised by the founda-

tion. Mr Kehinde Olakunle said it is a plus in the community and exemplifies a collective responsibility to make Nigeria a better place. To serve the community better, Conde said the foundation is seeking to expand the library. He appealed to partners of the foundation to achieve this goal.

RUGIPO, Owo honour AAUA VC

S Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun settles down to his new role as the Vice Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), he has good wishes from his former school, the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO, where he served as rector, urging him on. The polytechnic and the Owo Kingdom gave him a befitting send-off for the role he played in the development of the institution and the town recently. The elaborate programme started with the conferment of double chieftaincy titles on him by the Olowo of Owo, Oba David Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi III. The conferment was said to be unprecedented in the history of the ancient Yoruba town. The Monarch credited Ajibefun for turning around the fortune and image of the Polytechnic. At RUGIPO campus, dignitaries from within and outside Ondo State, including his predecessor at AAUA, Prof. Femi Mimiko, the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Bisi Daramola, graced the occasion. Chairman of the occasion, Dr Laoye Adegoke, praised the Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, for having the courage to appoint Prof. Ajibefun as Rector five years ago. Adegoke, who is the immediate

Parents to fence Unity School over security concerns

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

past Chairman of the RUGIPO Governing Council also congratulated the Ajibefun for justifying the confidence reposed in him by turning the polytechnic around. Giving an account of Ajibefun's achievements, the Acting Rector of the institution, Mr I.B. Ologunagba, an engineer, said in a speech, entitled, Celebrating a Man of Courage: "When Prof. Ajibefun assumed duty as Rector in November 2010, he inherited a polytechnic which had practically been brought to its knees by a protracted crisis… and a polytechnic whose academic image was heavily battered. "By the time he was leaving in January 2015, he handed over a polytechnic with an academic image that was already looming larger-than-life; a polytechnic that has been elevated to the position of best state polytechnic in Nigeria." The Acting Rector, who described Ajibefun as a symbol of excellence who radiates integrity, discipline and fair play, promised to improve on his legacy. Responding, Ajibefun thanked the polytechnic community for the honour done on him and attributed all the feats recorded under his administration to the grace of God.

This year, Conde said the foundation would engage users of the library to join the book reading club, participate in the essay/letter writing and quiz/debate competitions, as we; as ICT training with the hope of being rewarded with a scholarship, excursion and privilege to attend the foundation's second summit.

•Prof Ajasin

He appreciated the entire Owo Kingdom, particularly the Olowo, for the support he enjoyed as rector. Ajibefun noted that the entrenchment of academic ethics and culture in the polytechnic was made possible by the cooperation of all workers, students and the Owo community. He charged the workers and students to support the present Management in order to sustain the peace and academic stability in the Institution. Ajibefun left with party with gifts from the Council, and various departments and units of the institution.

ARENTS and guardians of pupils attending the Federal Science and Technical College (FSTC), Orozo, FCT, have resolved to erect a perimeter fence around the school. The institution is one of the 104 Unity Schools owned by Federal Government. The Nation gathered that each child has been taxed N2, 000, while parents with more children will pay more for the project. Parents told our reporter that they could no longer wait for endless promises by the government on the project which has dragged for years; hence the decision to levy themselves. They said as stakeholders, they could not fold their arms and allow a repeat of the abduction of over 200 school girls of Government

‘The project has become crucial in view of the prevailing security situation in the country especially in the FCT where the school is located’

• Pupils of Hand Maid International School Surulere, Lagos during their annual Cultural Day.

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents last April. The Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman of the school, Peter Oriaran, said the project has become crucial in view of the prevailing security situation in the country especially in the FCT where the school is located. He said though the project is expensive, the parents would do it gradually to cushion its financial effects, especially on those parents with more than one child in the college. Aside the fencing project, Oriaran said the PTA has contracted a private security firm and trained its workers to improve security around the school. He praised the parents for their cooperation and urged distinguished old students to financially assist their alma mater. Parents also berated the government for not communicating adequately before implementing the students' insurance policy. However, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Obiageli Ihekwaba, assured them that government has revisited the policy to ensure fairness to all stakeholders.

School adds culture to curriculum

N its bid to foster cultural orientation on its pupils, the Directorate of Catholic Education, has introduced Culture into the time-table of its schools. As a result, Culture now forms a part of the school curriculum. The aim is to encourage the pupils to appreciate various indigenous languages and culture. To make the directive more effective, schools under the directorate have been assigned different cultural assignments ranging from dance, language tutelage, exhibition varying traditional delicacies, and cultural attires, among others. Miss Angela Ofuma of Hand Maid International School Surulere and her teacher Mr. Patrick Nwocha, told The Nation during the school's annual Cultural Day, that three months ahead of the event, pupils underwent intense training by teachers who enlightened them about various traditions. In addition, they were also en-

couraged to speak the local languages. Underscoring the importance attached to cultural orientation in the school, Chairperson of the Planning Committee, Rev Elizabeth Itopa, said since many of the children were born in Lagos and have never visited home, it was proper to create an identity and cultural values in their minds. The Director of Catholic Education, Rev Monsignor Jerome Odutan, described the initiative as a way to foster unity among children and create mutual norms and values in their minds. "It's the fifth edition and it is an annual event. The theme this year is: 'Cultural Harmony' which explains why all the children are dressed in various costumes representing different ethnic groups and culture in Nigeria," he said.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION IBBU FILE New VC resumes THE new Vice-Chancellor appointed by the Niger State Governor, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu to pilot the affairs of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai for a single term of five years has promised to give priority to workers’ welfare. Addressing workers, Prof Muhammad Nasir Maiturare, disclosed that the vision of the university would be difficult to realise if they are not motivated He also assured them that he would make efforts to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor and urged for the support and cooperation of the university community to realise this objective. The Vice-Chancellor enjoined the workers to be committed and diligent to their statutory duties at all times so that the university would attain enviable height.

•Prof Maiturare

Orientation for students THE IBBU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Muhammad Nair Maiturare, has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that students get requisite training in their respective disciplines and are also Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) savvy. He gave the assurance while speaking at the orientation programme organised for new students admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session at the Twin Lecture Theatre on the main campus. “The word, world, today is synonymous to ICT, and if we must meet up with other best ranking institutions of the world, our products must be groomed to be ICT compliant to enable them stand shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues the world over,” he said. While charging the students to be scholarly minded and shun any act that would undermine the image of the university, he assured them that the environment would be made condusive learning for learning. He thanked to the Niger State governor, Dr. Mua’azu Aliyu, for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the state and humanity.

As the Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Prof Cyprian Onyeji, prepares for its 16th convocation holding March 21, he reflects on the fruitful journey of almost five years in the saddle, reports KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE.

ICE Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT), Prof Cyprian Onyeji, says he has a lot to be thankful for as the 10th occupier of the exalted office - particularly that he has surpassed his goals. He said in an interview that the university has made a lot of progress compared to what he met on ground when he took over on June 18, 2010. Back then, he said he faced the onerous task of rousing the workers to run with his Six-Point Agenda, aimed at making the university work, because their morale was low. "The major challenges encountered were the feelings that things never worked in ESUT. We came in when the administration was at its lowest ebb. The morale was very low. People were just thinking that ESUT will never work so trying to get people to develop interest again in ESUT was the major challenge we had. We had to convince them that people are different, and that involved speaking to some of them one on one," he said. Overcoming that initial lack of confidence was achieved by a combination of actions, which Onyeji said included delegating work to competent hands, improving welfare, and training and motivating workers in various ways. He said: "We had very competent hands that were placed in the various committees that have helped us to run the university. University system normally is run by committee system, so all I did was to take competent hands, motivated and gave the necessary encouragement and collectively we were able to ESUT around. "Our staff development programme has been working very efficiently. Let me give you some real data. As we speak, we have up to 20 of our workers in various universities abroad pursuing Masters or Ph.D programmes and up to 40 are in various Nigerian universities. Close to 300 of our workers have been sponsored to attend national and international conferences to update their

We have surpassed our goals, says ESUT VC knowledge in their respective fields. Also, salaries are paid very regularly and not later than the 26th day of the month." To encourage workers to relocate to the permanent site in Agbani, Onyeji said the university is building primary and secondary schools. "As one of the strategies of moving everybody to the permanent site, we are constructing a modern ESUT primary and secondary school building through partnership between the university and private investor. This will attract the younger lecturers to move into the campus. The older lecturers because they are well established in Enugu town will be reluctant to move into the campus. So basically, we are targeting the new employees or the younger lecturers who still have young children that will attend the ESUT primary and secondary school," he said. The Vice Chancellor also said outstanding lecturers are handsomely rewarded. "We have introduced 'The Distinguished Teacher Award' (DTA) as a way of encouraging and rewarding excellent teaching. We have awarded it for two consecutive years now. "This requires selecting the best teachers and is done by students and workers. The winner of the award for 2012 edition received a gift of N3 million sponsored by a bank. However, Onyeji insists that the

‘We came in when the administration was at its lowest ebb. The morale was very low. People were just thinking that ESUT will never work so trying to get people to develop interest again in ESUT was the major challenge we had’

•Prof Cyprian

ers to put relevant facilities in place. "We have had grants from various government agencies including TETFUND, PTDF, NCC, CBN Enugu State Government as well as some friends of the university. As we speak you can count not less than 15 buildings in various stages of construction. Also all the uncompleted structures are now being completed like all the hostels are being completed, faculty building are being completed library, is being completed and many new faculty buildings are coming up and annexes," he said. However, Onyeji said the strides would not have been possible without the support of the government and the governing council of the institution. "The state government has been very supportive. Like the 2012 accreditation and the on-going accreditation, most of the physical infrastructures for the departments (not major equipment) got the funding from the state government. We were given a grant of N260 million to aid us in equipping our departments for accreditation. "I want to specially acknowledge the immense contributions of the members of the Governing Council towards the ongoing transformation and repositioning of the university," he said.

PAU bids farewell to Pro-Chancellor Kolade

HE Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), Lagos formally bade farewell to its Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr Christopher Kolade on Tuesday. Dr Kolade, who served in the role for six years, voluntarily stepped down on February 16, 2015. A statement signed by the Manager, External Relations, Dr Chidi Nwagu, noted that Kolade's tenure was marked by many successes. "During this period and under his guidance, the University began offering undergraduate programmes and effected the movement of all units to the Ibeju-Lekki and Ajah campuses with the attendant

•Dozie steps in By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

infrastructural developments," the statement reads. Kolade's relationship with the university started 1n 1991 when he participated in the first Chief Executive Programme class of the Lagos Business School (LBS) in 1991. Soon afterwards, he was invited to join the school as a resource person and a member of its Advisory Board. He was there until he was appointed Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2002. He rejoined LBS after his tenure in 2007. He was also a resource person at the

Corps member counsels 300 pupils BOUT 300 secondary school pupils have benefitted from a career counseling seminar organised by NYSC Batch A corps member, Moses Omoikhoa. The pupils from three schools: Senior Secondary School, Grammar School, and Estate Grammar School, all in Ilupeju, Lagos, were lectured on the scope of courses in tertiary institutions, basic entry requirements, relevance of such courses locally and globally, and employment prospects. The students also got a chance to ask questions from the facilitators, who were all corps members. Moses said he organised the seminar as part of his Project Model initiative, through which he seeks to pursue the change the country needs.

improved welfare for workers is aimed at positioning them to work towards the main reason for which the university exists, which is to provide high quality education. Today, he said that his administration has been able to entrench the culture of academic excellence at the university, which is the first on his six point agenda. "Since the University is a place for learning the major achievement will be reinvigorating the culture of academia. Completed and ongoing physical infrastructures are some of our major achievements. However I will rather place more premium and emphasis on academic excellence which we have really reinvigorated into the university culture and system," he said. The others aspects of his agenda are: rigorous drive for improved funding; development and maintenance of infrastructure; staff development and welfare; student welfare and discipline and quality management of the university. Regarding infrastructural development, Onyeji said the university has benefited from capital funds provided by its proprietor, the Enugu State government, as well as grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETfund), Petroleum Development Training Fund (PTDF), and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) among oth-

By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

"The change that the country needs should be pursued with a sense of urgency because, if not us, who? If not now, when? "The Project Model Initiative has added humongous value to the participants and more of such projects would be a veritable tool and catalyst for the development of the country," he said. Moses, who hopes to continue the project after his NYSC, said he had to save his monthly allowance for about 10 months (19,800 per month) for the project to become a reality, with support from few well-meaning individuals. One of the corps members, Oyemade Thompson, donated 50 copies of a career counseling books to some of the participants.

•Moses addressing the pupils.

School of Media and Communication (SMC) and the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC). He was appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council in 2009 while he continued to facilitate programmes of the LBS. The Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Juan Manuel Elegidohas spoken warmly of the immense benefit Dr.Kolade's guidance has brought to the University. In this regard he singled out for special emphasis Dr.Kolade's influence in making sure that the University's Governing Council created an institution where decision making was measured and principled.

•Dr Kolade

The PAU Board of Trustees has appointed Mr. Pascal Dozie to replace Kolade as the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council.

Row over supervision fee

All’s well that ends well

*CAMPUSES *NEWS *PEOPLE *KUDOS& KNOCKS

Page 30

Page 27

*GRANTS

THE NATION

CAMPUS LIFE 0805-450-3104 email: campusbeat@yahoo.com THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

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

email:- campuslife@thenationonlineng.net

Students of Ekiti State University (EKSU) have protested the N10,000 late registration fee introduced by the institution, describing it as exploitative. BAMIDELE ADIO (200-Level Social Studies Education) reports.

•A crowd of students protesting at the school entrance

S the N10,000 introduced by the Ekiti State University (EKSU) for late registration to generate revenue for the school? Or is it a penalty? The students’ inability to understand why the fee was introduced has pitched them against the management. Last Thursday, the students protested what they called exploitative fee. By 7am, they took to the streets, chanting anti-management songs. They shut the school’s main and rear gates, preventing staff from entering. They are demanding cancellation of the fee and additional N3,000 faculty levy. “We are not ATM (Automated Teller Machine). If the university has reason to increase its internally-generated revenue, it should not turn to us and extort us. This time, it would be a total showdown between us and the management,” a 300-Level English student simply identified as Adebimpe yelled. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that there had been other complaints by the students but the late registration fee was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Initially, the management pegged the fee at N5,000 but increased it to N10,000 last

Day of rage at Ekiti varsity week. The demonstration came less than a month to the end of the 2014/2015 academic session. The protesters sat at the main gate, disturbing traffic flow. Although they did not stop vehicles, commuters had a hectic time passing through the narrow path left by them. The students fought back as riot policemen fired tear gas canisters to disperse them. Ademola Adesiyan, a 300-Level student, said there was no need to fight the police or disturb people going to their offices by barricading the roads. “We are not fighting the Federal Government but the state government and our university management,” he said. At 8:30am, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof Ibiyinka Ogunlade arrived to address the angry students, but she was booed

by the protesters, who demanded to see the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Patrick Aina. About 90 minutes later, Prof Aina arrived. As he tried to address the protesters, the VC allegedly seized a placard with the inscription: “No to N10,000 late payment” from a student. His action drew the ire of the students, who left him on the spot and marched to the Governor’s Office. Former Students’ Union Government (SUG) president, Deji Oso, tried to get the students to return for the VC’s address, but they shunned him. They chanted: “Go and tell the VC to come here and tell us when the illegal fee will be stopped”. Listing their complaints, the students demanded restoration of the SUG by second semester. They also want unlimited access to the internet facility they paid for. To prevent a breakdown of order, the VC

ordered the school closed. But students kicked, saying there was no need to shut the school. Sade Ejikunle, a student of English and Literary Studies, said: “The protest has been peaceful and there is no reason to close the school. This may not even degenerate into a protest had there been a Students’ Union in place. Our reaction shocked them; they want to send us home. We are not going anywhere. “We are here to tell the Vice Chancellor that enough is enough,” Adekunle Ajayi, a 300-Level Computer Science student, said, adding: “We cannot continue to pay through our nose.” Governor Ayodele Fayose reduced the tuition fee by N20,000 when he came on board. But students said the money was being reintroduced through the backdoor. •Continued on page 26

•Achebe donates books to UNN -P32•42 Doctors take oath at Ambrose Alli varsity -P41

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Pushing Averting another polytechnic lecturers’ Strike Out

HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), on February 11 2015, issued a two-week strike notice to the Federal Government (FG) to implement the agreement it reached with the union over four years ago, or it would compel members to down tools. The ultimatum expired yesterday with the union threatening to embark on an indefinite strike if the FG failed to attend to all pending issues raised in its ultimatum. Two other polytechnic unions, the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Allied Institutions (NASU), and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) are also spoiling for a fight. The polytechnic lecturers’ suspended an almost one year strike last year following promises made by Education Minister, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau; but the union said none of the items on their list of demands and grievances has been settled. The way things stand; we may be on the verge of another strike season once again. The Minister, on assumption of office pledged that there would be no strikes under his watch and he demonstrated his seriousness with the no-strike resolve by personally intervening to end the protracted ASUP industrial action embarked upon on October 4, 2013. To his credit too, the universities have been quiet for now due partly to the N200 billion intervention funds released by the FG as part of the governments’ negotiation with ASUU. So what has changed and why are polytechnic lecturers considering the strike option again given the fact that the sector has not fully recovered from the previous one? Addressing journalists after its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Abuja last week, President of ASUP, Dr. Chibuzor Asomugha – in addition to their ultimatum demands -, also demanded the immediate dissolution of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, in Anambra State and that of Ado Ekiti in Ekiti State for allegedly creating avoidable problems in their institutions. Some of the demands, according to Dr. Asomugha, include the continued discrimination against polytechnic graduates, both

in the public service and the labour with market in Nigeria and the non-release of white paper on visitation panels to Federal Polytechnics. 08116759750 The purported suspension of the (SMS only) Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Scale (CONTISS) 15 migration •aagboa@gmail.com for the lower cadres and its arrears from 2009 when salary structure was approved, the non-establishment of a Na- gitimate demand. This demand – to the best tional Polytechnic Commission and the of my knowledge - has curricular, legal and “wrongful recognition” of the National Board labour implications, requiring an enabling for Technical Education, NBTE, as the regula- legislation by the National Assembly. On the other hand, I believe that other outtory body for polytechnics are key elements standing issues like the establishment of a of their demands. Additionally, the lecturers also want more National Polytechnic Commission, release of funding for polytechnics, appointment of White Paper of the visitations to Federal Polycompetent people into governing councils technics and inadequate funding, are matters and adequate funding of state polytechnics that can be resolved through dialogue. From all indication, it appears the lecturers’ have by their various owners. Asomugha stated that since the suspension been patient with the government and would of previous strike and “despite our strong want the ministry to demonstrate that it is reminders to government on the pending is- serious in addressing the myriad of problems sues and repeated assurances from the minis- confronted polytechnics. On January 5, 2006 - while in office as Presiter, none of the issues has been addressed to a logical conclusion. In a strange twist, rather, dent - Chief Olusegun Obasanjo approved a and without recourse to the content and spirit policy which reversed the discriminatory of the understanding on which the union sus- policy restricting holders of the Higher Napended the strike, the Federal Ministry of tional Diploma (HND) from rising above Education on the 26th of January 2015, under Level 14 in the civil service. Instructively, Mrs. the guise of a proposed verification exercise, Chinwe Obaji, then Minister of Education and issued a circular directing the suspension of members of the House of Representatives the CONTISS 15 Salary Structure which im- Committee on Education were present at the plementation dates back to 2009, thereby, cre- meeting where the decision was reached. Prior to that policy statement, there had ating further confusion in the sector.” He added that the development “is provoca- been a long drawn – and I will add, tive, ill timed, retrogressive, and is a flagrant unnecessary - battle about which is superior: breach of the trust and character of the agree- university degrees or polytechnic diplomas. ment that led to the suspension of the strike Both in the public and private sectors, they in July, 2014. We are lost as to the real intent are put to the test as employers of labour – and objective of the Federal Ministry of Edu- wittingly or unwittingly – discriminate cation in stirring the hornet’s nest at a time against polytechnic graduates. This was what when our nation is in the throes of a challeng- informed the decision - a couple of years ago - of turning some prominent polytechnics in ing transition.” In fairness, some of the issues, which led the country into universities. This dichotomy is also played on the nathe polytechnic teachers to abandon the classrooms, are broad and wide-ranging. Most of tional scene, and even in the media. The betus would agree that some have lingered for ter part of 2013 was dedicated to the trench decades; others require action by the National warfare between the Academic Staff Union Assembly. Take for instance the long stand- of Universities (ASUU) and the FG. Interesting agitation to end the dichotomy between ingly too, the ASUP was on strike before university and polytechnic graduates, as a le- ASUU, but theirs was not given the requisite

Agbo Agbo

attention. ASUP had gone on strike on April 17, 2013, more than two months before the ASUU began its own strike action on July 1, 2013. At a point ASUP suspended its strike - on July 17, 2013 - to prepare grounds for negotiation with the FG only for it to be resumed again. However, because of Shekarau’s appeal the action was called off. It now behooves on him to ensure that we do not go back to the bad days when students’ lose a whole session because government and the unions could not find a common negotiation ground. To put a finger on the dilemma polytechnics and colleges of education face is to understand the psyche of those in government, and Nigerians generally. For instance, in a 2012 interview with Vanguard newspaper, Professor Godwin Onu, Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, said that experience in the sector had taught him that most youths prefer gaining admission into universities than polytechnics or colleges of education. “Only very few choose polytechnics as their first choice because of some particular courses and this can be attributed to societal values on varsity/polytechnic education. I’m not saying that the university is better than polytechnics or colleges of education, but I think if polytechnics are converted to polytechnic universities, it would solve most of these problems,” he was quoted as saying. Prof. Olu Akeusola, Provost, Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos State, also echoed this line when he said, “Nigerians will put education institutes in crisis if the discrimination against polytechnics and colleges of education continues. Now that we’ve gone full circle what should the minister do? If really the circular suspending the CONTISS emanated from his office he should explain the reason for this given that it had been agreed upon by both parties. Strikes I must stress - inflict untold hardship on students, parents, the community and the system and destabilise the very institutions the strikers claim to be fighting for. We have tried the strike option numerous times and seen the consequences. The minister should strive to ensure this strike is averted, especially in this tense transition period. We also need to erase the stereotype and assumption that polytechnics only cater for mechanics and the hospitality industry. In reality, media, arts, design, business, fine arts, film, engineering, and journalism are all available at polytechnics.

Oluwaseun Fapohunda graduated as overall best student at the fifth convocation of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.8. The Biochemistry graduate tells YOMI AYELESO (300-Level Business Administration) what motivated him.

‘Mum motivated my success’

•Prof Aina arriving at the scene

Day of rage at Ekiti varsity •Continued from page 25

CAMPUSLIFE gathered that students are charged N8,000 as faculty fee, N5,000 for Internet, which is not readily available and N10,000 for entrepreneurship course, which is yet to commence two weeks to the second semester examination. “The final straw that broke the camel’s back was when the management decided to increase late registration fee by another N5,000. We initially agreed to pay N5,000

for late registration but on February 18, the management issued a directive that late school fee payment has been increased to N10,000,” Seunayo Ayodeji said. A student, who did not want his name in print, said: “If we pay N10, 000 as late registration fee, N8,000 for faculty fee, N5,000 for internet which we don’t use and N10,000 for Entrepreneurship Skill Course (ESC), it adds up to N33,000, which is greater than the N20,000 deducted from our tuition by the governor. It is good

to note that the penalty fees are not to be paid into the usual bank account of the school but a separate account.” At 1pm, Governor Fayose addressed the protesters, urging them to go back to school peacefully. He promised to look into the matter. He ordered the university management to stop the payment of the late registration fee with immediate effect. The students hailed the governor for the decision, urging him to prevail on the management to restore the SUG.

OW Did you feel graduating as the best student? I give glory to God for the feat. I felt I accomplished what has never been done at the Department of Biochemistry. I graduated with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.8, the highest so far recorded in the department. What is the motivation behind this feat? I consider it as a promise between God and I. The zeal to serve God has been my motivation. He promised to always make me the head and not the tail. ‘Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men’. Secondly, my humble background also motivated me. I remember when I came for entrance examination, my church sponsored me because my mom could not afford to give me transport fare. She challenged me to make her

happy at the end of first degree. This encouraged me to give in my best. Should we say your success was achieved by prayer and not by reading? No. Prayer will be meaningless if someone does not complement it with hard work. Working and praying are key to success. I never missed night reading from my year one to the final year. I carefully planned my reading timetable which covers 168 hours in a week. I kept fidelity to the timetable and avoided unnecessary disturbance. I read almost every time and spent my leisure period in the library. But, prayers complemented my efforts. Did you engage in extracurricular activities? I was an active worker in the Bible Study Unit of the Redeemed Christian Fellowship. In my final year,0 I was chosen as Assistant General Coordinator in Biochemistry Department Fellowship. I

•Oluwaseun

was not involved in any other activities aside fellowship works and my studies. What is your advice for students? I advise them, irrespective of age, status, background or circumstances, to seek the Kingdom of God first, and other things shall be added. I want them to study as if everything depends on them and pray as if everything depends on God.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Is it proper for lecturers to ask students to pay for supervision for teaching practice? Students of the Federal University of Agriculture (UNIAGRIC) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, are accusing their teachers of demanding N2,500 supervision fee. AMOS ABA (300-Level Mathematics and Computer Science Education) and DAMSA AHANGBA (200-Level Physics Education) report.

Row over supervision fee

EACHING practice is compulsory for every Education student. It was introduced to enable the students practise what they are taught. It is a requirement for the award of a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Students are expected to go for teaching practice before their final year. They are dispatched to primary and secondary schools within the catchment area of their universities for the exercise. Many are lucky to have their teaching practice in the city; others have it in rural communities. But where they undergo the teaching practice does not matter, so far it is within the stipulated areas, where their supervisors can see them. Since teaching practice is a government programme, students are not expected to pay for it. Rather, it is the government that will bear the responsibility for the whole exercise, including supervision. But, the introduction of a N2,500 supervision fee at the Federal University of Agriculture (UNIAGRIC) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, is generating heat on the campus. Students of the Department of Agriculture and Science Education are groaning under the burden of fee imposition. The students, who are expected to undergo teaching practice within Makurdi and environs, consider the fee as an attempt to extort money from them. Some said they selected schools not far

•Students at orientation on teaching practice held last year

from their campus for the teaching practice to reduce the cost of transportation and feeding, since they will not be paid for the exercise. They described the fee imposition as inconsiderate, noting that the department did not take into consideration the stress and finances to be incurred by them. Emmanuel Deke, a 200-Level Biology Education student, said if the department did not consider students before introducing the fee. He said: “I think the department should have taken into consideration that

the students going for teaching practice in Makurdi should pay less compared to students going to other towns. How fair is it to pay for supervision while we look for schools to practice?” Lawrence Agbo, a 300-Level Mathematics and Computer Science Education student, wondered why the department introduced the fee when the semester was rounding off. He said: “Does it mean the school does not have a budget to cater for the welfare of lecturers that will supervise our teaching practice? Do they know that it is difficult to pay such amount of money at the end of

the semester when we have exhausted our pocket money?” Also, Timothy Ibiniyi, a 300-Level Mathematics and Computer Science Education student, said the supervision fee was unnecessary because he would undergo the practice in the state capital. “Why do I have to pay N2,500 when I am to take the teaching practice in Makurdi? It is not logical,” he said. For Kingsley Biang, a 200-Level Physics Education student, the timing of the fee was wrong. “The idea of thorough supervision was mooted during the teaching practice seminar held

last year. It may have been a good idea but the financial attachment that comes with it is at the wrong time. In fact, it is uncalled for,” he said. Efforts to reach the co-ordinator of teaching practice in the department, Associate Professor Alache Amali, were futile. A student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “This is a critical issue that demands the department liaising with the school management to resolve it in favour of the students, because if such issues are not handled properly, they might escalate unrest on the campus.”

Members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital, have spearheaded a campaign to promote hygiene by cleaning up the campus. FRANKLIN ONWUBIKO (400Level Mass Communication) reports.

HE restless spirit of Aluta was at rest last weekend at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, the Anambra State capital. Members of the university community woke up to find the Students’ Union Government (SUG) leadership championing the crusade for a cleaner campus. Noble Eyisi, the union president, led other members and students to clean up the campus. As early as 6:30am, Noble, joined by members of the executive, stormed the school’s entrance at Ifite with shovels, rakes, wheel barrows and other materials. The exercise coincided with the state’s sanitation day. The union said the move was aimed at ensuring a cleaner academic environment. The union leader and other volunteers spent hours evacuating the debris in the drainage in front the school’s gate. The union’s Vice President, Precious Ozems, also went round the campus to mobilise female students to join the exercise. They were seen scrapping off posters and bills indiscriminately posted on the school wall by students. Noble said students needed not be prodded to engage in sanitation, because hazards from the environment could also affect their well-being. He said students’ unionism should not be about shouting Aluta continua alone noting that students should be partners in progress with the manage-

For a cleaner campus •Nobel packing out dirt from the drainage

ment. He said: “This union is elected to serve and protect the interest of the students. In exercising the mandate given to us, we need to ensure students also play roles in the development of the school. Having looked around, we decided to start with environment. We need

to imbibe the right attitude to cleanliness and we should start from our immediate environment. By leading a drive for attitudinal change, we are sending message to our colleagues to ensure the campus is clean for academic activities. Like they say, cleanliness is next to godliness.”

The union leader challenged students who always agitate for better welfare to turn up for the next exercise next month. He urged them to support the union’s drive to restore hope, trust and pride in the students. Precious said the exercise was to make students contribute to the

growth and development of the institution. “We must not leave everything in the hands of the university management. Students must also to contribute their own quota. This sanitation exercise is a way of doing that,” she said. She urged students to imbibe right attitude in disposing wastes materials to avoid blocking the drainage, which she said could cause flood on the campus. Precious also warned against indiscriminate posting of posters and bills, noting that pasting posters on the walls could make the school lose its aesthetic beauty. Some of the students, who participated in the exercise, described the initiative as a welcome development but decried the low turnout of students. Emmanuel Murako, a Mass Communication student, described the union action as innovative, expressing optimism that the school could attain its goal if students maintained the “remarkable exercise”. A final year student of Mass Communication, Jerry Ukandu, said: “Ever since I was admitted into the institution, no union executive has organised this kind of exercise. The president has shown us that students have many roles to play in school beyond screaming Aluta and rush for lectures. This union is an embodiment of servant leadership. They have passion and drive to serve and I believe this tenure would be remarkable.”

2015 polls: Nigerian students meet in London THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE ‘2015 elections must not break up Nigeria’

IGERIAN students in London have examined political developments at home. Of concern to them at a lecture tagged: Violence and conflict prevention in the 2015 elections: The role of government and the citizens, was the coming general elections. It was held at Conference Auditorium of the University of Leeds. It was organised by Nigerian Students’ Association with Young and Active Nigerians, a UK-based body. Kelechi Anyikude, a doctoral student and the association’s President, said the group was concerned about pre-election violence back home. He said there was need for the government to create level playing field for all candidates, advising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to raise the bar for a free and fair process. The Vice-President, Miss Bisola Babalola, a final year law student, said members wanted to return to a peaceful country, adding that this was why they lent their voice to political happenings home.

•The students displaying national flag in solidarity with the masses

From Oluwaloseyi Babaeko UNITED KINGDOM Mr Efemena Onaedo, the guest speaker, who spoke on Why youths must be involved in politics, said the political class’ failure to transform the country led the youth to join politics and use their innovative mind to change things. Another speaker, Dr Ife

Akintunde, spoke on the need to avoid violence during and after elections, advising candidates to caution their supporters on resorting to brigandage if the election outcome does not favour them. John Ojukwu, who spoke on Peace as embodied in language: Role of language in politics, advised politicians to emulate the international standard in the use of lan-

guage. Jermaine Sanwoolu, another guest, said Nigeria must remain united after the general elections. “We want peaceful elections and we don’t want the polls to divide our country,” Sanwoolu said. Ahmed Adamu and Marvina Babs-Apata also advised the youth to stand against violence and play their role as change

agents. Students deplored the use of religion and ethnicity by some politicians in their campaigns. They warned them to desist from such, stressing that Nigeria’s unity is sacrosanct. They also appealed to the electorate to act with the fear of God and look beyond fault line to vote for credible candidates.

Activists advise Kogi youths to eschew election violence

OUTHS have been urged to eschew violence and allow peace to reign during the elections. The advice came from Activista, a youth organisation, which held a peace walk at the Kogi State University (KSU) in Anyigba. The Programme Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, Victor Adejoh, who led students in the walk, said the initiative was designed to discourage youths from being used by politicians to foment violence after the polls. He said the body observed that the youth had been used to foment trouble by those he described as enemies of the country. He added that the walk would raise awareness and enlighten the youth on why they must participate peacefully in the political process. Describing the state as one of the crucial places where peace must be maintained, Adejoh urged the people to reject anyone that causes violence. He added: “Kogi State is a strategic state in the geography of the nation. No one goes to any part of this country from one part without passing through the state. Therefore, the need •Obi Achebe handing over copies of the books to Prof Ozumba during the visit

Achebe donates books to UNN

HE Obi of Onitsha, Prof Alfred Achebe, has donated some of his books to the University of Nigeria (UNN). Presenting the books to the ViceChancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, at the varsity’s Conference Room, the traditional ruler said they centred on the history of Onitsha, and the town’s contribution to the country’s socio-economic and education development. The monarch said readers would also learn how the ancient city combined modernity with culture to achieve economic growth. His visit, the monarch said, marks the beginning of his journey to all universities in the Southeast. He said the books

From TInya-Agha Egwu UNN would help boost research and historical findings about Onitsha, its culture and justice system. The traditional ruler said proceeds from the launch of the books were donated to Onitsha Advancement Foundation, which was established to drive the strategic transformation of the city into a 21st century metropolis. Igwe Achebe hailed the management for the ongoing development of the institution, noting that the university was better compared to the last time he visited. Ozumba thanked the monarch for his interest in the institution

and his association with his administration. He said: “For us at UNN, Obi of Onitsha is not just a royal father in Igbo land, but a leading figure in Igbo traditional institution who has verifiable records.” He noted that the monarch’s reign had advanced synergy between tradition and modernity as instituted by his forebears for the development of the commercial city of Onitsha. The VC said the monarch’s contributions at the meetings of leading traditional rulers were giving psychological satisfaction to the Igbo. He promised to keep close link with the monarch and his kingdom, and urged the king to sustain his tie with the university.

From Yabagi Mohammed KSU for the state to remain peaceful is not negotiable.” Activista Coordinator Miss Damilola Ogunsakin said the body held a walk to raise awareness on the role of youths in the political process. The body, she said, would mentor the young to act positively. She urged government at all levels to formulate youth-friendly policies. The walk took participants round the campus and some parts of Anyigba community where they held talks with some youth.

‘Kogi State is a strategic state in the geography of the nation. No one goes to any part of this country from one part without passing through the state. Therefore, the need for the state to remain peaceful is not negotiable’

Ex-Lagos lawmaker advises youths on politics

FORMER member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Abdulhakeem Abdullateef, has advised youths to join politics. He gave the advice at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at a lecture organised by the institution’s chapter of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN). Abdullateef, a former Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Politics and Legislative Matters, likened the country to an airplane hovering violently in the sky, saying: “We are all in the plane and this government as the pilot has announced to us that it does not know how to land. So, you must get your PVC to land this plane safely.” He said youths must be recruited into politics because they are the leaders of tomorrow, adding: “We must

From Miftaudeen Raji UNILAG not let these remnants of the colonial masters to prey on us. We must learn to accommodate one another.” Abdullateef advised youths to act as sportsmen while seeking positions of authority. He said there was a game of throne in life, noting that the throne was about power and authority. “I want you not to show desperation to attain any post, because power is a trial. Politics is not a do-or-die affair. You need to understand all these to chart the way out of this mess we have found ourselves in the country,” he said. The ex-legislator urged youths to see power as a trust, adding that when elected into office, they must lead by example and consult people at all times.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE 42 doctors take oath at Ambrose Alli varsity

•The hall leaders after their swearing-in

ESIDENTS of Tedder Hall at the University of Ibadan (UI) have elected leaders for the 2014/2015 academic session. The election was conducted through electronic voting. Babafemi Falayi, a 400-Level Law student, emerged as the hall chairman. He scored 175 votes to beat Temitope Ajibola, who had 153 votes. Kehinde Odanye, a 400-Level Statistics student, is the Hall Affairs’ Minister; Sunday Ukaeje, a 300-Level Human Kinetics and Health Education student, is legislative leader. Others elected are Tioluwani

Tedder Hall gets leaders From Hammed Hamzat UI Opajobi, Vice-Chairman, Joseph Adebanjo, General Secretary, Bemiwo Agbo-Adediran, Information Minister, Damilola Bada, Health Minister, Mubaraq Oyedele, Defence Minister and Jude Adeleke, Finance Minister. At the swearing in held at the Common Room, the Hall Warden, Dr Kehinde Popoola, congratulated the new leaders, assuring them of

management’s support. He advised them to be responsible leaders and advocates of better welfare for their colleagues. In his acceptance speech, Babafemi thanked residents for giving him their mandate. He extended the hand of cooperation to his opponent, saying members’ welfare was paramount to him. He said that Literary and Debating Society of the hall would compete with other halls and become the best.

ORTY-TWO Medicine graduates of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) in Ekpoma, Edo State, have taken the Hippocratic Oath. They took oath last Thursday during their induction. By 9am, the Reverend Chris Oyakhilome Auditorium, venue of the ceremony, had been filled by the graduands and their parents. The ceremony was witnessed by officials of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and principal officers of the school, led by the Provost of the medical college, Dr F.O. Enahoro, Registrar, Mr. F.A. Ojo-Maliki, Acting Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, Dr Ute Inegbenebor, Secretary of the College of Medicine, Chief A.E Ogbejiele. The Provost said the college was proud to have trained the graduates, urging them to consolidate their knowledge by carefully selecting their areas of specialisation. Dr Enahoro said the profession was evolving faster, noting that there was no chance for non-specialist doctors. She advised them to be guided by the oath to save lives. Dr Enahoro said: “The Hippocratic Oath is significant because it symbolises acceptance of anyone into the medical practice. When patients come to you, you are required to treat them with empathy. See them as human beings in need of help and show love to your patients. You must also heed the good advice of consultants under whom you may be working. This is the best way to practice the profession.” The Provost also admonished the inductees to imbibe humility, warning them against forging medical certificates for people who want to travel out of the country for dubious reason. “Considering the number of years you spent in school and the investment of your parents, please do not

From Louis Uwoghiren, Kelvin Osakpolor and Swift Kester, AAU waste your efforts and goodwill by engaging in unprofessional conduct. The MDCN will not hesitate to withdraw your medical certificate for malpractice,” she said. The Acting Dean, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Prof Felix Okogbo, said the graduands must be ready to create niche for themselves in the profession, saying: “Our alumni are doing well all over the country; please do not put the institution in bad light through professional misconduct.” Noting that there were challenges facing medical profession, Prof Okogbo expressed confidence in the graduates to change the face of medical practice in the country. The inductees swore to the Physicians Oath 1 and 2, which are improved versions of the Hippocratic Oath. After the oath, they took bow before their parents and lecturers and proceeded to get their licenses. The ceremony was followed by an elaborate celebration at an open field beside the auditorium, where guests entertained by the doctors and their parents. An inductee, Dr Angela Eihebholo, described the moment as her best, saying determination, hard work and prayers saw her through at the college. She said: “There were days I cried because I did not know whether I would graduate. There were days I went to hospital in the dead of the night because I was on call; I remember days I read as if I was going to collapse. Truth be told, my parents were helpful to my success today. They stood by me and I am grateful to God because it has finally ended and my dream to become a medical doctor is now a reality.”

Group bids Corps members bye

•Some of the students after the matriculation oath

Be diligent in your studies, students told

HE Registrar of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ), Mr Olusola Afolabi, has urged new students of the institute to shun vices capable of truncating their career. He said they must show diligence towards their studies. Afolabi spoke last Friday during matriculation and oath-taking held for new students admitted by the institute for 2014/2015 academic session in Ado-Ekiti campus. The Registrar said: “As journalists in training, you are expected to conduct yourselves properly, avoid vices such as cult activities, violence and examination misconduct. I also advise you to focus on your academic activities and respect the constituted authorities, because IIJ awards certifi-

From ‘Seyi Oluwalade IIJ ADO-EKITI cates not only for learning but also in character.” Afolabi said the institute has contributed to the training and re-training of journalists and media practitioners. He congratulated the students on their admission, promising that the institute would not rest on its oars in giving them quality training in line with the best global practices. The Speaker of Ekite State House of Assembly, Hon Dele Olugbemi, donated a block of three classrooms to the institute. He laid the foundation for the building before the matriculation started. Olugbemi, who is an alumnus of the institute, said the gesture was part of

his objective to give back to his alma mater. The Speaker said: “Let me promise and reaffirm here that before the end of March (next month), the three classrooms will be ready for use.” Responding, the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Ekiti State Chapel, Mr Laulo Omosulade, hailed the Speaker for the gesture. He urged other alumni to toe similar path. Omosulade advised students of the school to be agents of change and uphold the ethics of the profession at all times. The coordinator of IIJ in Ado Ekiti, Mr Dare Daniels, congratulated the new students, urging them to cooperate with the management to have a hitch-free session.

COMMUNITY Development Service (CDS) group of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ilorin South Local Government Area has organised a send off for the 2014 Batch “A” Corps members. The event was held at the Cherubim and Seraphim College in Sabo Oke area of Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. It also featured election of leaders that will pilot the group’s affairs for some months. The electoral committee was headed by an outgoing Corps member, Yusuf Afolabi. Three persons contested for president. Chidubem Emekwisia was elected president, beating his close opponent with three votes. Temitope Kolawole is VicePresident; Martha Aubenake, the secretary. Others elected include Adebayo Onisile, Public Relations Officer, Damilola Atoyebi, Treasurer, Ibraheem Bale, Financial Secretary, Peter Udoh, Welfare Officer and Idris Abubakar, Provost. Chidubem, in his acceptance speech, said his emergence was an indication of his contribution to the group’s activities. He hailed his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him, promising he would not betray their trust. He urged members to support his drive to use the CDS as platform to engender a corruption-free society. The CDS Supervisor, Mr Hanas Alfa, praised the outgoing Corps members for their maturity and good programmes. He urged

From Olumuyiwa Ogunleye ILORIN

‘Learn to sweep your house from inside not from outside. Let us be the good eyes of the group we represent. For the country to move forward, corruption must be stopped. Anti-graft agencies and personnel must be at the centre of the campaign against corruption’ members of the group not to relent in their campaign against graft and misconduct. Ibraheem Alli, who spoke on behalf of the outgoing Corps members, said the successes recorded by the group were made possible by the administrative proficiency of their supervisor, saying the youth would take the message back to their various homes. Advising the CDS leaders, Alli said: “Learn to sweep your house from inside not from outside. Let us be the good eyes of the group we represent. For the country to move forward, corruption must be stopped. Anti-graft agencies and personnel must be at the centre of the campaign against corruption.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE Last Thursday, Batch “A” Corps members completed the one-year mandatory National Youth Service. At the Enugu ceremony, state NYSC Coordinator Hilary Nasamu advised youths to embrace entrepreneurship instead of going about in search of jobs. OLADELE OGE reports.

All’s well that ends well

NEMPLOYMENT has been identified as the cause of youth restiveness. But how can a nation achieve a violencefree society? To Mr Hilary Nasamu, Enugu State coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the first step is to engage youths in entrepreneurship and skill acquisition. This, he said, will restore the dignity and respect of human beings. He said the task is achievable despite the rush by youths for whitecollar jobs. He spoke in Enugu, the state capital during the passing-out of Batch “A” Corps members last Thursday at Government Field in Nsukka. The event was held for outgoing Corps members in four local government areas in Nsukka zone. They are Igbo-Ettiti, Udenu, UzorUwanni and Nsukka Central. Thousands of the youth gathered for their final clearance, after which they were given certificates of service. He listed the jobs the outgoing Corps members could engage in after the completion of Service. He said any youth hoping to becoming rich without hard work would be looking for an easy way out, noting that such success would be achieved through fraudulent means. The coordinator, represented by

•The outgoing Corps members during the passing-out ceremony

Mr Shobo Adewumi, urged the youth to use their creativity in making themselves self-reliant. He said entrepreneurship does not discriminate against discipline but said requires courage and passion to be successful entrepreneur. In the absence of white-collar job, Nasamu said, entrepreneurship can be used to solve myriads of challenges facing the youth. He, however, expressed the willingness of the NYSC to help anyone of the outgoing Corps members who may want to acquire skills

or engage in entrepreneurship to achieve their dreams. He said the interest of the NYSC in the success of the youths who passed through it went beyond the service year. Admitting that unemployment remained the greatest problem facing the nation, Nasamu said: “As youths, you must not allow yourselves to be carried away by the trend. You must continue to dream big and map out plan to achieve your dream and engage in productive ventures that would help to improve the economy of the country. Those who

initiated one or two capital projects in their various communities where they had their primary assignment can also do better in business when they get to their various destinations.” The NYSC Inspector in Nsukka, Mr Emeka Okpara, urged the youth to be hard-working and desist from acts that could tarnish their careers. He advised them not to engage in thuggery, armed robbery and vices to get “quick money”. Okpara said some of them who were trained by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as ad-

hoc staff for the coming general elections could stay back to take part in the exercise. He advised them to take the INEC form given to them during the training to their various local government areas for reapproval. However, the NYSC staff at the ceremony did not mention the number of Corp members that would repeat the service. The three-hour ceremony ended with a party as the youth moved to restaurants and hotels in the town to celebrate their passing out.

Corps members in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State have organised free eye screening for residents. They gave out free glasses during the exercise. ADEYEMI OLALEMI (Physics and Education, University of Lagos) reports.

•A Corps member attending to a beneficiary during the exercise

OOD vision, a Yoruba saying goes, is essential for normal functioning of the body. Anyone who does not take care of his eyes may lose the very essence of life. While many may have poor sight without being aware, others who are conscious of their sight condition could not go for remedy because of the high cost of treatment. To alleviate the suffering of those living with vision impairment in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, members of Health Group, a Community Development Service (CDS) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have organised free eye screening for residents. The exercise, which was held at the council secretariat on Ogudu road, was organised with Broadvision and Rotary Club of Ogudu. The elderly, civil servants and traders turned out for the exer-

•Some of the sponsors with the Corps members

Good vision, good life cise. Declaring the event open, Head of Education Department in the council, Mrs Folake Ajayi, urged the beneficiaries to cooperate with the organisers to ensure a successful exercise. She hailed the Corps members for the initiative, reiterating the council’s support for peopleoriented exercise. “I want to say people within the council’s jurisdiction are lucky to have these Corps members posted here. They are always zealous and ready to impact on the community positively,” Ajayi said. The event started with eye screening for all participants by opticians and the Corps members. Some of the beneficiaries, who had minor

cases, were treated by the medical personnel, but some who had serious sight condition were given referral to see specialists for treatment. Some were given free eyeglasses to correct their condition; while others got drugs. The beneficiaries, who collected free eyeglasses, could not hide their joy, praising the organisers for free eye screening. Mr. Sanusi Inoolaji, a civil servant, said he recently noticed his sight had been impaired and could not see close object clearly. He said he learnt about his condition when he attended the free eye screening, praising the Corps members for the initiative.

Another beneficiary, who was diagnosed for shortsightedness, Ms Olapeju Oloruniwo, said she would remain grateful to the organisers for the free screening. She said the free glasses would make her to be productive at work, urging Corps members in other part of the country to emulate the gesture. Mr. Joseph Nnaka, a trader, who got to know about the event through his son, praised the Corps members for the initiative. “I love what they are doing. I am glad to be part of the beneficiaries of the free glasses. This will go a long way in aiding my vision. I remain indebted to the organisers for this selfless task,” he said. Christopher Chukwuma-Eze, the

CDS president and a Batch “A” Corps member, said the exercise was aimed at promoting health awareness in the community. He said the exercise was targeted at the poor who could not afford to go for expensive treatment. He said a good sight would make living meaningful and fulfilling, stressing that people must take care of their eyes. Christopher hailed the partners for supporting the initiative with equipment, drugs and medical eyeglasses. Secretary to the CDS, Emem Jumbo, said the beneficiaries’ cooperation made the exercise to be successful. A member, Sheidi Eiza, who is the head of the logistics team, said: “I’m happy to be part of this, because this is another way of giving back to the community and impacting on the lives of people.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

Curbing students’ immorality

By Ahmad Muhammad Auwal

ORAL decadence in tertiary institutions is becoming rampant daily. Institutions of learning that are supposed to be the centres of moral values have become the grounds for all forms of immoral activities. Before now, decency, especially in dressing, is identified as a vital feature of the African culture. Decency in dressing has so much to do with acceptable moral values and qualities of appearance of an individual or group of persons. A dress is said to be indecent when it is morally offensive; that is, if it exposes the vital parts of the body that are meant to be covered. As the truism goes, “the way you dress, so you will be addressed.” Like other vices, such as drug

abuse, cultism and prostitution, indecent dressings in our tertiary institutions have become the order of the day. The “dress to kill” syndrome is rampant among students, particularly the ladies. They dress with the aim of looking extremely sensory, forgetting that they ought to look responsible and radiant. Today, ladies deliberately expose sensitive parts of their bodies to draw the attention of the opposite gender. This manner of dressing has been condemned by many right-thinking individuals who see it as improper and unacceptable, because it portrays the highest level immorality. This immorality is not limited to campuses, but also the larger society. On streets and in public places, it is common to see people almost nude all in the name of modern fashion. Ladies dressing in obscene clothes go about without shame. Although, it is not only the ladies who dress indecently today, even men have been going nude. Sagging of trousers known as “low waist” or “ass down” is the order of the day. In addition to wearing of skimpy clothes called fitted, strapless shirts which show cleavages, they are other kinds of wears, such as short blouses, offshoulder common among students. These are major problems associated with decency in dressing.

Different reasons have been advanced as to why students dress indecently. These include poor parenting, peer pressure, wrong use of the Internet, fading traditional values as well as demonic influence. The negative implications of indecent dressing, especially among female students are that, they fall victims of rape on campus; they are lured into prostitution by their friends, because of the way they dress. They are also likely to be influenced to become join bad gangs. All these result to poor academic performance. To address these problems, measures need to be taken by government and the authorities of tertiary institutions by increasingly sensitising and educating students about the dangers associated with immorality and indecent dressing. Staff and students should be given periodic orientation on the need for good moral conducts. They should be educated on what is expected of them and why moral values are required in man’s life. Although it is of note that some higher institutions have made efforts to reduce the cases of indecent dressing through introduction of dress codes for students. Stringent regulations to enforce students’ compliance have been introduced in some schools. These

rules are strictly enforced, mandating lecturers send student who do not dress in accordance with the code out of lecture rooms. These efforts are highly commendable. But the fact remains that charity begins at home. For these rules to be properly enforced, members of management must lead by good examples. This implies that they must also dress decently. As Omede Jacob of the Department of Educational Psychology at the Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, noted in 2011. “The problem is not just in making the rules but in their enforcements. For these rules to be enforced properly, lecturers should be made to collaborate with the college or university management staff and their security personnel. Lecturers are to be empowered to prevent indecently dressed students from attending their lectures, refuse to attend to such students in their areas of needs. The administrative staff should disallow such students from their offices while the security staff should serve as watchdogs.” This tells us that, dress codes can be properly enforced on campuses through the collective efforts of management, staff and security personnel of tertiary institutions. To further complement the ef-

My PVC is not for sale

UST as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is distributing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to all voters for the coming general elections, some politicians and their agents are looking for ways to compromise the judgment of voters for selfish reason. They have been going about for inducement of the people with various expendable items, such as bag of rice, yam and cash gifts. All these are meant to compromise the electoral process and make voters to choose wrong choice. But, as a note of warning, my PVC is not for sale. It is my personal commodity to exercise my franchise. It is to effect change and make me contribute towards the progress and development of the country. It is my power, voice and instrument to either say “no” or “yes” to people wanting to govern my country.

I will use it to change powerless and crawling economy and support a productive, vigorous and censored economy. These are part of the changes my PVC can do; that’s why it is not for sale. Just as I make this vow not sell my PVC, I expect many youths to do the same. It is our privilege and chance that will either make us better or bitter after the election, depending on how we use it. We all crave for sound and qualitative education and want to leave school as employable graduate. We must use our PVCs to do this. Our PVCs are our identities. They identify us as patriotic and visionary, who will rather vote for the future than cast our future out of the votes. That is what our PVCs can do and that is why it should not be up for sale. If we see our neighbours trying to sell their PVCs, we must tell them that their PVCs are their pass-

ports and visas to a safe country. They can make their dreams come true and take them to the place of their dreams. That is what their PVCs can do and that is why it should not be for sale. Beyond the physical PVCs in our hand, there is a PVC, which money cannot afford; it is our person and conscience. It is our conscience that tells us what business to do with it. It teaches us to share the profits for today and tomorrow. Why will we then declare a state of emergency on our persons and conscience because of money? Money is simply a servant; we need it to work for us and our vision. Our conscience is the passage that cuts across both. Why do we need money if it is not to get what we want? Nigeria has been yearning for manifestation of good signs. Never have we had an opportunity like this to sit in the examination hall

By Opeoluwa Sonuga of history to make a choice between prosperity and poverty. Whatever we tick in this examination will either bring us to good and prosperous four years or another period of tribulations. It is a critical period for us, but it is more critical for the

It’s time for a good cause

By Adeleke Samuel

S general elections draw closer, the words of the former leader of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) Prof Eyo Ita comes to mind. The respected professor observed: “Youths in other countries are driving forward, building themselves and their people,

making their homelands beautiful, bright and stimulating, raising them to higher, loftier heights. This is the day of the Nigerian youth”. This is an inspiring speech said as an advice to the youth, which was meant to ignite and raise their sociopolitical consciousness. That speech is still as relevant today as it was 81 years ago. The youth played major role, back then, in the struggle to free Nigeria from the shackles of colonialism. The spirit of time was how to train young people in medicine, law and teaching to galvanise them for independence. They espoused the tenets of nationalism and drop the garb of tribalism to ensure that our fatherland remained indivisible. The independence was finally achieved in 1960, following the struggles led by the likes of the Nnamdi Azikiwe, with his magic oratory, combined with selfless efforts of the Herbert Macaulay, the Olu Alakijas and Obafemi Awolowos. It is important to say that a lot of water has passed under the bridge in

Nigeria’s political history. From the post-colonial period through the military incursion, to the struggle for return of democracy in 1993, the youth played commendable roles as agents of positive change. Whether as members of civil society, pressure groups or the media, many of them dared the monster of despotism to ensure that the ship of democracy berthed safely once again in our nation. Sadly, the country has not made much progress. The gains of democracy have not been felt by majority of our countrymen and women. Nations that we surpassed in 1960s have since outgrown us and have made tremendous progress in making life better for their citizens. The period of military rule did not help matter as well. Just a few military regimes had clear-cut economic, social or educational policies to make our journey to nationhood steady. The civilian rules have done bettere. The Shehu Shagari regime was eventually truncated when it became clear that we were swimming

in a pool of corruption, nepotism and tribalism. The civil service lost it values and the country was drifting slowly in trouble water. We also had Olusegun Obasanjo coming back as civilian president, but we still battled with the same problems. Ditto, President Goodluck Jonathan’s regime. Under all the past and current civilian governments, the youth have not really made their voice known. We are yet to fill our impact in governance; the old generations are still ruling without any plan for the youth. This same set of leaders who have refused to improve the standard of our tertiary institutions. We have been made to bear the brunt of unnecessary strikes. Because of lack of care for the youth and their future, many who could not bear the hardship have taken to vices, such as armed robbery, kidnapping, hooliganism, crude oil theft and cybercrime. Some aere used for terrorism against their fellow citizens. This certainly is not the country

forts of management in curtailing the immorality, parents should also be of good moral examples to their children. Parents should monitor and regulate the films their children watch at homes. It is believed that, through home videos and satellites television, wrong values, fashions are traded across cultures and nations. As agents of socialisation, the mass media must promote values that will help change the belief of the youth from the immoral dressing. Publication or showing of indecently dressed young girls in the name of advertisement should be discouraged. Radio and television programmes that promote moral values and the sanctity of chastity should always be transmitted. There is also the need to regulate the use of Internet especially among the youth. This is because majority of youths get exposed to these immoral activities on the Internet. The amount of pornographic videos, sensual advertisements, obscene fashion shows and music that are being spread across boundaries unregulated explains this better. Indispensably, the role of religious leaders is also needed to combat immorality in our society. Clergymen must base their preaching on immorality in the society and counsel the youth under demonic influence. •Ahmad, 400-Level, Mass Comm., NSUK generation ahead. Whatever we tick will give rise to a new country for our unborn generation or present a poverty-stricken jungle to them. We all must make up our minds to be part of the history. Our actions today may bring a true nation for us tomorrow. If we don’t want our tomorrow as youths not to be traded off today, we must act and make a good choice today. Nigeria is worth living for, but it is not worth dying for, because there is no need to die for Nigeria before Nigeria can be great. If death brings birth, Abraham Lincoln needed not intervene in the American Civil War, but he did because there is tremendous power in a people alive in unity. It brought a trembling development despite diversity. Nigeria will live, and as youths we shall not die but live to realise the promises of generations that will come after us. I am proud to be a Nigerian. Are you? •Opeoluwa, 500-Level Law, OAU that the likes of Prof Ita, Awolowo, Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Macaulay and other nationalists fought for. The general elections provide an opportunity for us to stand up and ensure that only politicians who conduct issue-based campaign are given the chance to lead. It is high time the youth turned off politicians who have nothing to offer. Their votes must be cast for those they believe have the heart and the brain to change the fortunes of the country for good. Enough of the insults between the youths supporting the various political parties. The ugly tendency has been for political leaders to use the youth and dump them after elections. In many cases, youths have lost their lives in the process of being used by self-serving leaders during elections. The youth must ensure that none of them is used as political thug. We must not heed the call of political leader whose children are studying abroad but wants us to fight his cause through guns and machetes. It is time to chart a new course for the rebirth of our nation. Samuel, HND II Mass Comm., BIDA POLY

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

•Orukele

•The students taking the oath

HE Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun in Delta State has matriculated 620 Industrial Continuing Education (parttime) students. Its Acting Principal Mr Jacob Orukele said the students should count themselves lucky that of the 1300 students who applied for admission in the 2014/2015 academic session, they were among them. He advised them to be focused and be serious with their studies to make it. Orukele said: ‘’Time, they say, is a

620 part-time students matriculate at PTI resource, which should be used optimally to strive for good grades. To achieve this, you must draw a line between academic and social activities.’’ He warned that to shun vices and be disciplined. ‘’You must be disciplined. It is the hallmark of the oil industry for which you are being groomed. Management, therefore, does not encourage any type of social vices and deviant

behaviours, such as drug abuse and peddling, cultism, examination malpractice and unlawful protest on campus.” He said there was need for the students to acquire relevant skills to complement their academic qualifications to enable them compete in the labour market. PTI, he said, was founded to actualise the then Nigerianisation

On and Off Campus By Solomon Izekor 08061522600

policy of the government, now known as Local Content, by training middle and high level manpower to take over from the expatriates in the oil and gas sector. ‘’The concept of local participation in the oil and gas sector activities, which provides at least 80 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings has since been in the front burner. To facilitate this drive, the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGID) Act, 2010, was signed into law by President Goodluck

Jonathan on April 22, 2010 to provide the needed impetus to build local capacity and value addition to the economy,’’ he added. When the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is passed Orukele said PTI’s by the National Assembly, role in content development would be further enhanced. He said the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), has equipped the institute with state-of-the-art facilities to train manpower. The part-time programme, he said, started in 1995 to assist workers, adding that its curriculum is not different from that of full time.

Students score union low on welfare, academic out put

TUDENTS of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State have rated their Students’ Union Government (SUG) low on welfare. They accused their leaders of causing them untold hardship and suffering because of the union’s unrealistic approach to issues. The students said the union has not delivered on its promise to improve on their academic performance and welfare. They accused the union of introducing a levy, which stopped commercial vehicles from taking them to their halls as it was in the past. The union President, Isaac Ibikunle, said the commercial buses stopped going to the halls because they did not accept the fares proposed by the union. But, the students said the union’s greed forced the drivers to take the action. Some drivers, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, said the union asked them to pay N2,000 for a sticker after paying N5,000 to the management. They said the union wanted to reduce their fare from N20 to N10, describing the move as unreasonable because of

Shun vices, HOD tells students

EAD of Department (HOD) of Mass Communication of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Abigail Ogwezzy, has warned students to shun misconducts. Dr Ogwezzy gave the counsel while addressing freshers during an orientation organised by Mass Communication Students’ Association (MSCA). She told the freshers that they got a had rare opportunity to study in the school, saying they must not engage in vices, which could lead to their expulsion. The HOD said: “There are so many vices and dangerous trends students engage themselves in. Some people fraudulently collect money to help students manipulate their results. Don’t fall into their hands because they cannot help you

From Ajose Sehindemi OAU the prevailing economic reality. The students’ other complaint was the alleged downward review of results pasted by departments. They claimed there was mass failure in a course when students’ scores were reviewed downwards after the union wrote to the department over sale of course materials. Students said they passed the exam after reading the materials, but their union‘s letter. This letter prompted the deduction of 10 marks from their scores, they alleged. The union said it was unethical to compel students to buy course material, but the department did not take it lightly. A student, who did not want to be name, said: “When the results were released, I scored 71. But after reviewing, they gave me 31. How can I fail that course if it was 10 marks they deducted from the whole result? This is a compulsory course taken by over 5,000 students.” From Miftaudeen Raji UNILAG with anything. You must not join them or seek for their help. You all have equal access to your lecturers. Our offices are open for you. Feel free to come to us and explain your challenges.” She advised the students to explore all open avenues to maximise their stay on the campus, imploring them to exhibit the highest level of discipline. She added that the school has zero tolerance for misconducts. Dr Ogwezzy said: “Ensure that you make good use of your time on things that are productive. Try as much as possible to avoid procrastination. If you procrastinate, you have yourself to blame at the end of the day. You have freedom to engage in anything but you must be careful not to lose focus.” Other guests, who spoke at the event, included The Nation Online Editor, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Head of Output, Television Continental (TVC), Mr Adedeji Ajayi, and the best student of the department, Godwin Iretomiwa. They also advised the freshers to be diligent and show positive mindset towards their studies.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION

Bida Poly matriculates 10,000

FUNAAB FILE Varsity gets donations

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

VER 10,000 students took the matriculation oath at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 academic sessions for both the National (ND) and Higher National Diploma(HND) Programmes. The students were admitted into 23 ND courses and 35 HND courses. The school’s Rector, Abdullahi Sule, an engineer, who administered the oath, said the institution decided to merge the two sets of admissions together in order not to marginalise some students. “During the ASUP strike of about 10 months, JAMB gave two sets of admissions and the management decided to give admission to some of the students in order not to marginalise them. “This is what many other federal polytechnics have done because if we leave them like that without engaging them, they will constitute nuisance on the streets,” he said. Sule said more lecture halls and workshops are being built to accommodate new students as part of the institution’s expansion programme. The rector urged the new students not to engage in vices such as cultism, examination malpractice and drug abuse. He warned that those caught would be expelled. Sule, whose second term will end in April, attributed his achievements to the cooperation from the institution’s management staff and students of the institution. He implored them to extend same support to his successor.

Ibru counsels JABU graduates

ENOWNED hotelier and entrepreneur, Mr Goodie Ibru, has advised graduates of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) to be enterprising, shun corruption and embrace hard work in their endeavours. Ibru spoke at the fifth convocation of the university, where he was conferred with a Doctor of Entrepreneurship degree (Honoris Causa). He also counseled them to embrace wealth creation, which he identified as the only way to bail Nigeria out of its economic doldrums. "Wealth creation is not necessarily synonymous with having huge investible funding. It starts with the commitment to grow a small business idea from infancy to viability, which requires nothing, but discipline, hard work, networking and courage to take viable business risk," he said. Chancellor of the university, Pastor Wemimo Odunaiya, said Ibru was conferred with the degree based on his achievement as a foremost hotelier in Nigeria. He described Ibru as an entrepreneur "worthy of emulation, who has earned a good name for himself and the larger Ibru family." Ibru is also Chairman of the Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc, owners of Federal Palace Hotels and Casino, Chairman of Ikeja Hotel Plc, immediate past president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as well as co-Chairman of NEPAD Business Group, West Africa. He was the President of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) between 1997 and 2000.

• Pastor Adeboye (middle); flanked by (from left) Prof Bello, Prof Okoya, Prof Babajide Alo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics and Research), and Dr Taiwo Ipaye, Registrar, after the lecture.

Adeboye professorial chair dear to UNILAG, says VC

ASTOR Enoch Adejare Adeboye Professorial Chair in Mathematics is the only viable chair at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, has said. The first annual lecture for the chair, endowed by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Apapa Family on behalf of the church general overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, held at the Main Auditorium of the university last Friday. Prof Bello said the university treasures the chair because it is the only one that is active and well funded among the various chairs endowed at the university. He appealed to other philanthropists and firms that have endowed chairs in the university to resuscitate the chairs to improve research in such areas. "Out of all endowed chairs in this university, this is the only active endowed chair currently. All others are either moribund or not fully funded. It is aimed at promoting experiment; it encourages academic pursuit. This is how world class universities grow. They get

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

many people to endow chairs. I admonish all others with chairs to avail us of the funds so we would continue having these lectures every week," he said. Speaking on the benefits of the Pastor E.A. Adeboye Professorial Chair, the Bello said with Prof Samuel Okoya occupying the chair, he has been able to conduct research in his area of specialisation Applied Mathematics. He added that Okoya now teaches Maths A13, which has not been taught for sometime before he assumed the chair. In his lecture titled: "The relevance of mathematics to everyday living", Prof Okoya told the audience that Mathematical concepts are useful in solving various problems and enhancing daily living in areas such as predicting storm surge (geometry), stocking shelves (statistical modeling of stocking shelves problem), storing finger prints (combination of special functions), global positioning system (arithmetic, algebra and geometry) among others. However, Okoya lamented that

‘It is aimed at promoting experiment; it encourages academic pursuit. This is how world class universities grow. They get many people to endow chairs. I admonish all others with chairs to avail us of the funds so we would continue having these lectures every week’

challenges such as poor funding, strikes, unstable academic calendar, as well as the pursuit of certificate at the expense of knowledge have hindered the growth of mathematics in the university system. To address these challenges, he urged wealthy Nigerians and organisations to support the growth of mathematics in tertiary institutions, while they in return should make judicious use of the funds. "It is imperative that for the country to experience the mathematical advancement, wealthy individuals and corporate organisations should donate funds, institute chairs and offer scholarships to students to cushion the effect of shortage of funds in order to pursue mathematics in our institutions. However, there is an adage that says 'to whom much is given, much is expected'. This is to say that our institutions should endeavour to do what is needful to encourage both present and future donors. It is unrealistic to offer cheap education and expect quality products," he said. On his part, Pastor Adeboye, who is the first MSc and PhD graduate of mathematics of the institution, said those who want to excel in their endeavours need to operate at the speed of light, which is possible if they give their lives to Christ. Prof Bello announced that the UNILAG senate had approved a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree (honoris causa) to be conferred on the cleric for his contribution to life and his church.

Students warned against violating oath

HE Chief Magistrate of Kafanchan Magistrate Court, Iliya Pius Akawo has warned students against violating the matriculation oath of the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan waya. Akawo a lawyer, who administered the oath on 1,523, 100 level NCE (Regular) students, however, encouraged them to be of good behaviour and respect their lecturers. He also advised them to always attend their lectures on time and avoid trouble. The Provost of the college, Mrs Hope Joseph Gajere, congratulated the students and advised them to shun examination malpractices and cultism so as not to derail their academic future.

From Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Mrs. Gajere admonished them to be law abiding and advised them not to take the laws into their hands. She also encouraged the students to concentrate on their studies to earn the NCE certificate, which is

the minimum teaching qualification accepted to teach in primary and junior secondary schools. Amongst those that witnessed the ceremony were the deputy provost, Mallam Lawal Tukur; the Acting Registrar, Mallam Sulieman Tasiu; the Bursar, Mr. Ayuba Musa and Director of Works, Mr David Akos.

EKSU alumni to give bursary

HE Alumni Association of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has indicated to award bursary to 20 indigent students of the university at N10, 000.00 per student. According to a statement by the National President of the association, Dr. M. A. Ayeni, the

association’s National Executive Council and its Board of Trustees, said the students would be drawn from all faculties of the university. The Association has, therefore, requested the Director, Counseling Centre of the university to fasttrack the listing of students, who are qualified for the bursary.

ZENITH Bank Plc, United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc and Brightsword Technologies Limited, have added value to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State with their various donations. While Zenith handed over a 30seater Toyota Coaster bus, UBA donated a 50-KVA soundproof generator and customised window blinds to the university's International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD). Brightsword Technologies Limited, Singapore, also donated 40 computers, routers and switches to the centre. During the presentation, an official of Zenith Bank, Mr. Jide Ogunyebi, said the bank would do more. "Zenith Bank takes issues of CSR seriously. We have done one in the last three years and here we are doing it again, we will still be here to do more.”

VC backs gender parity IN line with international best practices, FUNAAB has organised a two-day Stakeholders' workshop on Gender Mainstreaming. Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olusola Oyewole, said gender mainstreaming offers a good platform to create awareness on the need to promote gender equality and equity in higher education. Oyewole, who is the President, Association of African Universities (AAU), said the working group on higher education in Africa has provided funding for gender mainstreaming, which is currently at a very low level in African tertiary institutions. Oyewole, who was represented by the Dean, College of Agricultural Management and Rural Development (COLAMRUD), Prof Bolanle Akeredolu-Ale, added that FUNAAB constituted a Gender Policy Drafting Committee in May 2013, which is to prepare a draft copy of the FUNAAB Gender Policy for the approval of Senate. Advocating for the adoption of Gender Policy in FUNAAB, the Keynote Speaker, Prof Sola Olowu of the Department of Psychology, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-ife, in his presentation titled: "Stakeholders' Roles in Gender Mainstreaming in Higher Education", said gender policy involved adopting a standard of operation that seeks to build a just society devoid of discrimination by harnessing the full potentials of all social groups regardless of sex or circumstance.

Don speaks on food security AN expert in Soil Physics, Prof Kolawole Salako, has said Conservation Agriculture remains the solution to sustainable crop production and food security in the nation. Delivering the 48th Inaugural Lecture of FUNAAB titled: "For soil to oil the nation: Advancing the frontiers of conservation agriculture in Nigeria", Salako recalled that Agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria's economy before the oil boom (1971-1983), which stunted the growth of the sector. He lamented that 'oil boom became oil gloom' as more money was accrued from oil, while the lives of many Nigerians became miserable. The professor of Soil Physics and Soil Conservation, said the problem of unemployment in Nigeria and other parts of the world could be solved by engaging in commercial, large scale agriculture and agro-allied industries with a virile investment in natural resource conservation to guaranty food security.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE AOCOED FILE

SCHOLARSHIPS APPROACHING DEADLINE

Retirement age now 60 THE Governing Council of the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED) Oto/ Ijanikin, has approved the recommendation of the Appointments and Promotions Committee to still peg the retirement age of non-teaching staff at 60 years. The new retirement age of 65 years earlier announced shall become effective once it is enshrined in the statute establishing the college. The statute is currently under review, and can only be passed into Law, by the Lagos State House of Assembly. Therefore, workers who have attained 60 are therefore given a month notice with effect from February 9, 2015, to process their retirement document, hand over and proceed on retirement.

Edinburgh Global Masters Scholarships Masters Degree Study in: UK Course starts September 2015 Brief description: The University of Edinburgh will offer 30 Master's scholarships for postgraduate Master's programme in any subject offered by the University for the 20152016 academic session. The scholarships will be awarded to students who are accepted for

Lecturer retires MR Mobolaji Oladipo Oshodi has retired from the service of the college, having attained the statutory 65 years of service. Born on January 31,, 1950, Oshodi graduated from the University of Arizona, USA with a Bachelor of Art in Education. He also had his Masters in Educational Technology from the Lagos State University, Ojo. Oshodi joined the service of AOCOED as a lecturer II on February, 1987. He rose through the ranks and was promoted a Chief Lecturer in October, 2000, Mr Oshodi has served the college in several capacities.

Records unit audit staff EVERY workers on the college payroll, retiree or those on parttime, have been implored to update their records at the salary unit of the Bursary Department. The need for the directive follows series of complaints by designated banks for workers' salaries that many workers registered their accounts using initials instead of full names, hence they have difficulty in situating names contained in the college monthly salary schedule The college management has therefore directed that workers' names should be written in full with surname, middle name and first name in that order.

accepted for admission on a full-time basis for a postgraduate Master's programme of study at the University of Edinburgh. Applicants should already have been offered a place at the University of Edinburgh and should have firmly accepted that offer or be intending to do so. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, the overseas equivalent of a UK first-class honours degree. Application instructions: Eligible applicants should complete an online application form. Please note that you will not be able to access the online

application form unless you have applied for admission to the University of Edinburgh and have full EASE authentication. The closing date for applications for theses scholarships is 1 April 2015. It is important to visit the official website (link found below) to access the application form and for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship and to access the online application form. Website: Official Scholarship Website: http://www.ed.ac.uk/ schools-departments/studentfunding/postgraduate/ international/global/masters

•Prof Bogoro

•Kwankwaso

federal and state level. “We are working day and night to ensure that the good people of Kano State are protected. And when it comes to schools I can assure you that most of our schools are now fenced and we have established what we called Kano Cooperate Security Institute. It is one of the institutes that we established and we have young men and women, who have been trained in the last three years or so in that institute. “That institute is so important to us because it is of security purpose.

One of our achievements in Kano is to change the attitude of our people for the better. That has been our purpose. Nobody is above the law in Kano, nobody will do anything to harm anybody in Kano and that is the starting point. And this level of discipline has gone very far in ensuring peace in the entire state. “Most of the trained security operatives are employed by the state government and we are giving them minimum wage of N18, 000. We have provided uniforms for them; they know how to use modern cameras.”

TETFund to open zonal offices nationwide •Kwankwaso reinstates commitment to security

Provost for lecture THE Provost, AOCOED Mr. Bashorun Olalekan Wasiu, will be delivering a lecture with the title: Reading: Impact and challenges in Nigeria colleges of education'. The lecture holds at the college main auditorium on Tuesday March 10. Mr. Bashorun is an alumnus of Virginia State University, USA. The lecture is to commemorate the eight annual library seminar of the college.

admission on a full-time basis. Host Institution(s): University of Edinburgh, UK Field of study: Any eligible field of study offered at the University Number of Awards: 30 Target group: Non-EU international students Scholarship value/inclusions: Fifteen (15) scholarships will have a value of £5,000 each while a further fifteen (15) scholarships will have a value of £3,000 which will be tenable for one academic year. Eligibility: The scholarships will be awarded to students who are nationals of countries outside the EU who are

IFTEEN years after it was established, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund formerly Education Trust Fund), is set to have zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones. Its Executive Secretary, Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro, announced this in Abuja when he received the Kano State governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on a courtesy visit. Bogoro, who said Kano has been selected for the Northwest zonal office of TETFund, did not say where the remaining five zonal offices would be sited. The Nation however, gathered that states pencilled down are: Lagos (Southwest), Bauchi (Northeast), Port Harcourt (Southsouth), Enugu (Southeast) and Abuja (Northcentral). The zonal offices are expected to take off in March. The parastatal was established in 2003, but was renamed TETFund in 2011 by an Act of the Parliament, which repealed the Education Tax

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

Act Cap. E4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Education Tax Fund Act No. 17, 2003.The fund is charged with the responsibility for imposing, managing and disbursing tax to public tertiary institutions in the country. Kwankwaso told The Nation that his administration is working with all security operatives both at the federal and state levels to ensure peace. All schools in the state, Kwankwaso said, are manned with security operatives to forestall crisis. He distilled fear of any security threat, adding that no almagiri kids are seen on the streets of Kano. His words: “Our mandate is not only schools. As the chief security officer of Kano State, it is my primary responsibility to call other stakeholders, the Army, Air Force, State Security Service (SSS), police and other security operatives from

‘OER will boost online education in Nigeria’

NLINE education will offer more students in Nigeria access to unlimited educational resources. This was disclosed by EduPlatforms Business Operations Manager, Mr Femi Obidare. Obidare spoke during a joint sensitisation workshop by the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to train NOUN facilitators on open education resources (OER) and massive open online courses (MOOCs) project. OER is an initiative designed to facilitate and enhance digital education across the globe. Obidare said EduPlatforms, a

By Adegunle Olugbamila

technology solutions provider, is in partnership with NOUN to create platforms and develop IT solutions that would ensure seamless access to online resources for NOUN students nationwide. "EduPlatforms is proud of this partnership, to provide digitalised contents and broadcast to different NOUN learning centres, using our online facilities. Nigeria is definitely witnessing a positive revolution in digital education. The OER project has been designed to bridge education gap in the country and to offer quality education content for NOUN" Obidare said. He continued: "Our vision is to

• Mr. Caine; Mr Obidare, Dr. Jane-Frances Agbu and Head, Business Development Strategy and Sales, EduPlatform Limited, Ms. Tolu Aina.

become an enduring platform for transforming lives and creating value by delivering innovative educational solutions in Africa." According to him, Eduplatforms is committed to revolutionising the delivery of education capacity building in Africa. The firm, Obidare stressed, has a mission to identify problems, and leverage technology in creating massively impactful solutions in the education space. "The essence of the OER is to ensure that every enrolled candidate with NOUN gets the best of online education through prompt delivery of educational materials online and to facilitate online interaction between students and their lecturers through the iLearn programme. "iLearn is an end--to--end turnkey solution that provides world class e--learning services to Open & Distance Learning institutions, which spans the deployment of administration portals, learning management services, instructional design, multi-media content production and support services. iLearn can be customised to suit institutions' unique needs and business processes, making it the perfect e-learning solution" Obidare explained. On the rationale behind the initiative, NOUN's Head of OER and MOOCs project, Dr. Jane-Frances Agbu, said it forms part of the institution's drive to keep up with global trend in delivering quality education through the online platform. "The youths now are described as the 'digital natives' and they prefer online materials. As an open and distance learning institution, we are well positioned to key into this philosophy of OER and MOOCs because we have a lot of materials and pro-

fessionals around the world that our esteemed students can tap into to get quality resources. It is all about access and equity for acquiring knowledge. We are confident that we can contribute that socio-educational ability to Nigeria, opening up learning content to humanity" Agbu explained. UNESCO Programme Specialist on Open Educational Resources Mr. Abel Caine, said the organisation is committed to ensuring access to qualitative education across the globe, made easier with greater access to online educational facilities.

Be creative, don pleads From Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

HE Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Dr K M Waziri, has urged Nigerian students to be more active in their response to the nation's leadership question. Waziri said this has become imperative considering the fact that Nigerian students would be the ones to face the outcome of whatever choice the country made regarding the 2015 general elections. He expressed disappointment over what he described as the lack of concern shown by students regarding the general election. In an interview with The Nation, Waziri, urged students to be more involved with issues and discourse that could lead to the transformation of the country for the better, saying their views could trigger a change of government or review of government policy.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION

College clinches 4th Mobil contest

PRING Foundation College (SFC), Bonny, has once again emerged winner of the NNPC/Mobil Producing Nigeria quiz competition for 2014/2015. This will be the school’s fourth consecutive win in the contest organised by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, operator of the NNPC/MPN Joint Venture in collaboration with Bonny Kingdom Development Committee for secondary schools in Bonny Kingdom. Nonetheless, the victory did not come easy for SFC as their first runner up-Kings and Queens High School, (KQHS), Abalamabie, gave SFC a good run in what was an exciting final that tested the endurance and intelligence of the schools’ representatives. Though KQHS had slammed SFC in the first round of the finals, SFC however, leveraged on the past experiences in the tournament, wining their rival in the second and third rounds to clinch the top with 34 points as against 30 points that left KQHS in tow. In an earlier encounter, Lucille Education Centre, Eagle Forest, came third with 34 points to de-

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

feat Ibitamuno Secondary School, whose 21 points put them in the fourth position. At individual level, Harriet Ezekiel-Hart of SFC came first, while Rebecca Banigo of KQHS and Destiny Ben-Stowe of Lucille Education Centre emerged first and second runners up respectively. The trio were presented with new computer laptops. Cash prizes and books were also given to all the participating eight schools to enable them equip their libraries. The Chairman of the occassion, Se- Alabo Peter Hart, praised the sponsors for giving particpants the opportunity to improve on their intelligence. Peter Hart, who was represented by Amaopusenibo Sunny Meshach- Hart, admitted that the competition helped build participants’ confidence and ability in public speaking. In his words: “The competition will help to improve their knowledge, build their confidence and ability to speak English, and also

• Mobil's Superintendent of OSO NGL Plant (BRT), Bonny, Mr Idy Eboese. presenting the second place trophy to Kings and Queens High School, Abalamabie, Bonny.

help to keep our kids busy in the school.” Speaking on behalf of the management of Mobil Producing Nigeria, the Superintendent of OSO NGL Plant (BRT), Bonny, Idy Eboese, assured that the company would continue to partner with the people of Bonny Kingdom on matters of sustainable human and infrastructural development. Eboese said every year, NNPC/ MPN Joint Venture awards 500 un-

dergraduate scholarships to Nigerian students studying in various tertiary institutions in the country. He said the competition was conceived to enhance learning culture in pupils, as well as widening their horizons in general knowledge. Dean of St Stephens (Anglican) Cathedral, Bonny, Reverend Richard Hart, commended Mobil for its enduring sponsorship of the competition. He promised to iden-

tify with the programme, which he believed would afford participants the opportunity to unleash their talents. Jude Ben-Stowe, who represented Recreasport Consult Nigeria, the firm that handled the quiz competition on behalf of Mobil, enumerated various painstaking efforts made to ensure transparency, which he said encouraged healthy rivalry among the participating schools.

Lagos trains QA evaluators HE Lagos State Ministry of Education updated the report writing skills of about 30 Quality Assurance Evaluators (QAE) at a three-day workshop last week. Declaring the workshop held at the Education Sector Support In Nigeria (ESSPIN) office in Ikeja open, Commissioner for Education, Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, advised participants to be serious about the retooling exercise, especially as the Lagos State Office of Education Quality Assurance is scheduled to fully take-off next month. Mrs Oladunjoye, who was represented by the Director, Quality Assurance, Mr. Mathew Olayanju, said since adopting a new QE approach to schools' inspection in 2009, several programmes have been initiated to improve learning outcomes. "You would recall that 300 inspectors were trained by the ministry in collaboration with ESSPIN (Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria) in 2009/2010 to implement the new approach in the state. A team of ministry officials led by the commissioner went on study tour to the United Kingdom in 2013 to understudy and adopt best practice in school inspection. "ESSPIN has also provided regular support to further build the capacity of the quality assurance readers/mentors especially in the production of the annual state of Education Report and integration of quality assurance reports into the

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

EMIS Data base," she said. During the workshop, the QAEs learnt about the techniques of Quality Assurance Report Writing in the context of Whole School Evaluation (WSE) system. Mrs Amaka Chude, an ESSPIN consultant and facilitator of the workshop, said it is important for the evaluators to understand that their role is to collaborate with school managers to improve schools - unlike in the past when inspectors evoked terror in schools. Mrs Chude dwelt on the concept of WSE, which would form the basis on which the QAEs would evaluate schools. She covered the process of evaluation, principles and components of WSE, what to evaluate, who evaluates, and how it is done, among others. She said the essence of WSE, which comprises School Self-evaluation (SS-e) and External Evaluation (EE), is to ensure that learners achieve the stipulated learning outcomes. "Quality Assurance processes should translate into academic achievement and make impact on learner outcomes. Whole School Evaluation (WSE) is designed to enable schools and QAEs to work together to identify a school's strengths and weaknesses. If the school is doing well, the evaluators will give pats on the back and may adopt its methods as best practices. If not, you help the school diagnose what is wrong," she said.

• Pupils in the ICT laboratory of the new 20-classroom UNESCO World Book Capital Model Primary School, Aggrey Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Meadow Hall organises Social Media Day

OING by endless accusations and counter accusations on the social media ahead of the forthcoming general elections, pupils of Meadow Hall have been urged to desist from such and learn to apply social media positively. The pupils were advised at the Social Media Day, which held at both the Ikoyi and Lekki arms of the schools. The event also provided participants the opportunity to air their views on leadership issues. Tagged: 'If I become the president', the event according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Meadow Hall Group, Mrs. Kehinde Nwani,

By Adegunle Olugbamila

sought to engage pupils on how not to apply social media on mere frivolities. Addressing the pupils, Nwani said technology opens one's mind to the world, noting that through social media, students are able to air their views and make positive contributions to the society. Nwani believed that social media should not just be about young minds taking pictures which they have now branded as ‘selfies' or chatting with friends, but should be a tool for learning. She called on schools and parents to put checks

• Teachers of Meadow Hall instructing pupils how to surf online.

and set boundaries on the use of social media platforms by wards to ensure it is free from abuse. Head of School, Mr. Ola Opesan, said the impact could be far reaching. The school, she added, is already projecting some of its pupils some of who may turn out as captains of industry, governors or the president. "At Meadow, we are already thinking big; and this is how you ensure that these children become

inspirational even from now." Opesan said the event is another way of getting pupils to experience citizenship first-hand and a way of getting them to think about their own responsibilities as citizens as well as taking responsibilities as leaders. He said there is a need to enlighten participants on types of the social media they can access first-hand due to age restrictions. He underscored the importance of 'e-safety while accessing internet

sites, identifying certain websites that may be inappropriate for children. But once children are comfortable and safe online, Opesan said, they can start to launch themselves onto the social media platform to satisfy their thirst for education and entertainment. "We also encourage them to use proper words and standard English rather than abbreviations, which could impede their literacy," Opesan noted.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EDUCATION EDUTALK

Ondo students get N348m scholarship, bursary

HE Ondo state government through its scholarship board, has commenced the disbursement of N348 million to indigent students of the state as scholarship and bursary grants for the 2014 academic session. At a briefing in Akure, the state capital, chairman of the board, Dayo Awude, said 25,000 students from various tertiary institutions across the country are benefitting from the grants. He said the scholarship is worth N100 million, while bursary is N248 million. Awude said the categories include the regular scheme, the physicallychallenged, medical students in clinical stages (part 1V) and those in the Nigerian Law School. Breaking it down, he said, those in the regular scheme would get N36 million; medical, N38 million; Law School, N12 million; and the physi-

Lessons from our 10-year old prodigy

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

cally-challenged, N10 million. He said the disbursement is to be done in phases, while the accounts of beneficiaries would be credited to check fraud. "We do not handle cash any longer; so the possibility of any fraud has been defeated," he said. Awude also noted that the board is making efforts to expand the scheme to cover foreign students, adding that partnerships with European countries are being perfected to begin in earnest. Last year, Awude said, the board paid students studying outside the state before those within. Awude said the reverse would be the case as payment had already started within the state (at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, (FUTA) before others.

terms of facilities is almost the same with what we have in universities in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) that I have visited. One of the reasons for having the Department of Chemical Engineering is to do research geared towards solving some problems in the oil and gas sector. “We do not want a situation whereby the oil and gas companies have challenges and they would have to refer back to us before such problems could be solved. Majority of those problems, our Department of Chemical Engineering should be able to address them. “This upgrade is aimed at making our universities at par with their counterparts around the world so that they are able to fulfill all the

•Awude

In his response, President of the Senate of the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) Fagbemigun Adewunmi, praised the government for providing the grants. The students leader like 'Oliver Twist', demanded that government should do more, adding that investment in the future of the state is worth the efforts.

different mandates that are given to them. I believe that with what we have seen here, the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos is well placed to deliver on all its mandates." Earlier, the Head of Department, Prof. Adetokunbo Denloye, said the department has the required fund and trained workers to maintain the new facilities and equipment. "In terms of maintenance, university provides us funding to make sure we are able to maintain the equipment. As of today, we have enough resources to be able to deal with them. As for the technical staff, they went for training in the use and maintenance of this equipment. We have the know-how to fix all the equipment you see here," he said.

• From left: Prof. Ninalowo, Mr Saheed, Dr. Lawal, and Mrs. Aderonke Ige (Registrar, LASPOTECH) at the event.

LASPOTECH signs MoU on centre HE Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Dr Abdulazeez Lawal, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Deed of Gift to the Ikorodu Division Resource Development Group (IDRDG) for the construction of the Late Prof. Anthony Adegbola Science Centre on the Ikorodu campus of the institution. With the signing, which held last Friday, about three hectares of land were officially allocated to IDRDG for the project after approval from the Lagos State Government. When completed, the resource centre will boast of a conference centre and research facilities for use by ter-

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

tiary institutions. Chairman of IDRDG, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo, who signed on behalf of the group, said the centre is to be named after late Adegbola, a professor of agricultural science, for his contributions to science in Nigeria. During his lifetime, Adegbola was a consultant to the polytechnic's agricultural science programmes. Prof Ninalowo thanked the polytechnic management for collaborating on the project, which he said would be beneficial to academic development of the polytechnic, the host community and the entire nation. He said the centre would immortalise the Late Adegbola, con-

T was nice to read the story of 10-year old Esther Okade, who has been accepted to study Mathematics at the Open University of the United Kingdom. The young girl and her sixKofoworola year old brother, Isiah, are Nigerians living with their Belo-Osagie parents, Paul and Omonefe in Kofosagie@yahoo.com Walsall, West Midlands, 08054503077 (SMS only) United Kingdom. Esther and Isiah have not been to formal schools. Their mother, a Mathematician, is their teacher. And their living room is their classroom. For Mrs Okade to home school her children, she deserves praise. It takes a lot of time and commitment to monitor formal school work, not to talk of take responsibility for the entire teaching and learning process. She noticed early that Esther loved Mathematics and channeled her energy in the right direction. She used the girl's love for patterns to teach her many concepts. That by age four, Esther could add, subtract, multiply and divide as well as knew all her alphabets is a complement to her mother's hard work. It is true that Esther was able to grasp all the concepts early because she is a child-prodigy. However, without the support from home, she may not have achieved so much. She wrote her General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) at six and earned a credit in Mathematics to the amazement of all. She also earned a B in Pure Mathematics in her A-Levels. However, at the rate he is going, her brother is in line to even surpass her achievements. At six, he is already studying for A-Levels. The Okade's story should motivate parents to pay attention to their wards' education. Any child that is well guided will excel well above average. While not all children are the same, and not all will be prodigies like the Okade children, every child is special and has that talent that is waiting to be discovered. It is the responsibility of the parents to help them discover their special gifts. Parents can help by encouraging their wards to learn, especially through what they love to do - like Mrs Okade did for her children. Parents should make the home a learning environment by buying stocking educational toys - not just fancy expensive gadgets - like guns - that do not have much value. Puzzles, books, musical CDs and others can go a long way to help a growing child learn. Fortunately, even everyday items like bottles, clothes, containers etc can be great learning materials. Children can count the items in the kitchen, use empty tins or match boxes as blocks for stacking, etc. Educational toys need not be expensive. Parents interested in ideas for home made toys can buy the Educational Toy Manual produced by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC). I have a copy and I can testify that it documents how many toys can be produced from everyday materials that we discard around us. While parents are working hard to help their wards, however, they should be careful not to push them too far. They are children and should be allowed to enjoy their childhood - a time when unstructured play is a vital part of the learning process.

PTDF boss inspects N800m project HE Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Mr Femi Ajayi, has inspected the N800 million project it sponsored in the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Lagos (UNILAG). The project is part of the federal government's efforts to upgrade the Chemical Engineering programmes in Nigerian universities. The facilities inspected at the department were: laboratories, library, classrooms, lecture theatres, lecture rooms and offices. Ajayi said the facilities met international standards and would help solve problems in the energy sector. His words: "What we have here in

with

sidering his immense contribution to the development of Science Technology in Nigeria. "His good works cannot be swept under the carpet! Hence, there is a need to encourage new generations to embrace science and also make maximum impact," he said. Other Members of the IDRDG at the event included: Prof. Kunle Ade Wahab; Chief Kayode Shoderu; Oloye M. Oye Solebo; Alhaji Babatunde Rotinwa; Saheed Ibikunle (Secretary IDRDG); Taiwo Kara; Mr. Amusa Mohammed Tairu; Rev Bolaji Onafowokan; Chief Olayiwola Adegbola; Dr. M.A. Olukoya; Chief Tele Oduloye; Mr M. Olatunji Sammi and Mr T.O Odusose.

‘The Okade's story should motivate parents to pay attention to their wards' education. Any child that is well guided will excel well above average. While not all children are the same, and not all will be prodigies like the Okade children, every child is special and has that talent that is waiting to be discovered’ From my Inbox Re: Poor dressing culture! (Published Thursday, February 19, 2015) Sister, the piece is thought-provoking. Is the way young Nigerians dress responsible fro the extreme poverty and unemployment in the land? No is the answer. What should bother us is the neo-colonial social system that is based on irresponsible individualism. Young and old can go naked if they think it is good. What is unconstitutional about it in a land where an individual can steal billions belongin to the people and go scot free? Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna. Good morning dear, I just read your article in The Nation in respect to poor dressing. Thanks for your courage and keep it up. Abdul, Abuja.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS

Soludo: Jonathan missed the point on missing N30tr ‘ society, In a serious

To President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Charles Soludo’s claim that more than N30 trillion is either missing from the treasury or unaccounted for is all politics. But the ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor insists Mr. President got it all wrong for dismissing the allegation on the premise that the federal vote in the last four years was a far-cry from N30 trillion.

we should have had a good debate on these matters as they could provide some of the building blocks in trying to pick the pieces after the elections. Part of our citizen duty in a democracy is to raise such issues and demand for answers

Y attention has been drawn this morning (yesterday) to an article entitled: “Jonathan Replies Soludo over “missing N30 trillion claim”— extracting from Mr. President’s interview as published by Thisday newspaper. ThisDay quoted Mr. President as saying that “Soludo said that under Ngozi’s watch, they stole N30 trillion” but that since the sum of the federal budget over the last four years was less than N30 trillion, such an amount could not have been “stolen”. According to the President, “it is all political”. I had earlier stated that I would not make further comments on the issues until probably after the elections but since Mr. President has decided to join the fray, I am constrained to make a further brief clarification. For me, President Goodluck Jonathan is a gentleman and a friend but I have a fundamental disagreement on his management of the economy. On the issues at stake, I believe that the pressures of office and the hectic electioneering campaigns have not allowed him time to read my articles or that his staff have not explained the contents to him hence he totally missed the point in his comments. For the avoidance of doubt, let me clarify as follows: Former Central Bank Governor, Charles Soludo, In my article entitled: “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the Missing Trillions”, I presented some rough calculations covering: oil theft, money that ought to accrue to stock of foreign reserves, unbudgeted oil subsidy payments, customs duty waivers, leakages through the self-financing government parastatals, unremitted sums by NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Coorporation), among others, I concluded that section of my article by noting that: “I have a long list but let me wait for now. I do not want to talk about other ‘black pots’ that impinge on national security. My estimate, Madam, is that probably more than N30 trillion has either been stolen or lost or unaccounted for or simply mismanaged under your watchful eyes in the past

‘

•Prof. Soludo

four years”. It is evident that the monies I referred to are “off-budget”. These are monies that did not make it to the budget. I find it funny that the government deliberately avoided the issues raised above but instead has sought to divert attention by focusing on the “federal budget”. Let me state for the record that I believe that the amount of resources that are either stolen from the economy or outright mismanaged by government far exceeds the federal budget per annum. Ours is about a N100 trillion economy, and I will be shocked if the government pretends that it does not know that currently about 10 per cent of the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) falls into a ‘black hole’ on annual basis. We have not added figures based on counterfactual analysis such as the cost to the aggregate economy of bad or misguided economic policy. For example, in today’s (yesterday) Thisday newspaper, a headline news reports that “Aliko Dangote, Africa’s Richest Man, Loses $7.8 billion as Naira, Stocks Plunge” while reporting that “In dollar terms, the devaluation has knocked more than $40 billion off the value of Nigeria’s economy”. Of course, most people predicted that oil prices would soon fall but we were caught unprepared, and today, the parallel market exchange rate is N225 to the dollar. Thus, the kind of analysis in today’s Thisday is just one little example of the kind of collateral damages—‘costs’ or ‘losses’— that mismanagement foists on the system. To repeat, my article did not focus on the federal budget: the mismanagement of the consumption budget and its unprecedented debt accumulation (with low value-for-money expenditures)

are entirely different matters. What I found particularly disconcerting as a Nigerian from the comments I read is the fixation to validation from the World Bank. According to Mr. President, “we asked the minister how her colleagues at the World Bank saw the accusation”. I shook my head in disbelief. It is instructive that no one asked what Nigerians thought or ‘how Nigerians saw it’ but rather what was important to government was the impression of the World Bank. If this is the mind-set of our leaders, then ordinary citizens have real cause to worry. Well, I have read several editorial comments of Nigerian media and they do not agree with the ‘impression’ of the World Bank official. I read a similar comment by a high government official stating that World Bank officials and CNN (Cable Network News) had told them that government was doing well and therefore who else could question them. But neither the World Bank nor CNN conducts comprehensive independent surveys on the economy— they comment based on the data they are given— and their subjective “opinions” cannot substitute for hard facts. The World Bank is not a statistical agency. I can provide a long list of countries that World Bank reports praised as ‘star performers’ and they slumped into deep crisis almost immediately after. Check out the World Bank and IMF (International Monetary Fund) reports on the United States (U.S.) and other countries’ economies shortly before the unprecedented global financial and economic crisis in fifty years (the Great Recession of 2008/09). Actually for many countries, once they start getting such ‘praises’, then perceptive officials begin to

worry. Nigeria is probably the only country where its government officials quote the World Bank while ignoring data from its own statistical agency! A serious concern is that while government relies on external validation (opinion) as ‘proof’ of its performance, it is selective in the process—accepting the positive ones and disparaging the negative ones. Our recent exchanges illustrate the point. In my first article (January 26): “Buhari Vs Jonathan: Beyond the Elections”, I argued that “the economy seems to be on auto pilot, with confusion as to who is in charge, and government largely as a constraint. There are no big ideas, and it is difficult to see where economic policy is headed to. My thesis is that the Nigerian economy, if properly managed, should have been growing at an annual rate of about 12 per cent given the oil boom, and poverty and unemployment should have fallen dramatically over the last five years”. No one has credibly challenged the above, except what the Financial Times of London described as a “furious response by the minister”. But, the influential Economist Magazine of London and New York Times agreed with us. According to the Economist editorial (February 7, 2015): “… as Africa’s biggest economy stages its most important election since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999, and perhaps since the civil war four decades ago, Nigerians must pick between the incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, who has proved an utter failure, and the opposition leader, Muhammadu Buhari….The single bright spot of his rule has been Nigeria’s economy, one of the world’s fastest-

growing. Yet that is largely despite the government rather than because of it, and falling oil prices will temper the boom. The prosperity has not been broadly shared: under Mr Jonathan poverty has increased. Nigerians typically die eight years younger than their poorer neighbours in nearby Ghana”. I gave the government an “F” grade on economic management, and the Economist described its performance as “utter failure”. The Economist also basically agreed with me that the rebasing of the economy and its observed ‘growth’ have nothing to do with government policy. Again, government has not credibly challenged the above or is the Economist’s view also ‘all political ’? The government simply waved it off. My point is that if the government has to rely on the “impressions” of external bodies, then it should be consistent and comprehensive. In conclusion, let me re-state that I firmly stand by my earlier statements. These are weighty statements which I weighed carefully before issuing. I appreciate that this is an election time and so attempts would be made to trivialise, or either play politics with, or divert attention from, them. In a serious society, we should have had a good debate on these matters as they could provide some of the building blocks in trying to pick the pieces after the elections. Part of our citizen duty in a democracy is to raise such issues and demand for answers. In the meantime, I grant that our leaders are busy with campaigns but these issues will not go away until we have a transparent resolution. Be assured that after the elections, we will be back with even more questions!

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Kano Central District. In this interview with KOLADE ADEYEMI, he speaks about his ambition, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC’s chances in the general elections.

OU are the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Kano Central District. Why do you want to become a senator? The idea came after the APC presidential primaries, which by the grace of God and the support of Nigerians, I came second. Many people were surprised because, initially, it was thought that the fight was between our two leaders, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. When we came back from Lagos, so many people came here and suggested that, under the circumstance, they thought I was much better than the person who got the ticket. In fact, one of the candidates was part of the team that came to me to say that it was based on the experience that I have had over the years; don’t forget that I was in the National Assembly as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. I was also elected delegate to the National Conference in 1994/1995; and of course, I was Governor here before now and I was Minister of Defence. I was in the NDDC, before coming back as Governor again. Having told you my experience, you can judge to find out who is in a better position to serve the people at the Senator. I know the sitting Senator very well; we were together in the same party. We supported him in 2011 when he became the Senator. When we were moving out from the PDP, he was one of those who stayed back. Of course, he is not in our party. But, he made several efforts to secure the ticket (under the platform of our party), through so many friends. He even came here directly, but I felt at that time that it was fair for us to bring him in just because he wanted to get the ticket. Therefore, he had to go back and stayed there and contested to go back to the seat. I believe the Senatorial seat requires an experienced politician; somebody who have been tested and trusted and I also believe that my being in the National Assembly again is not just for Kano Central or the state of Kano, but I believe is for this country. As time will tell, we have done well in other capacities and I am sure we will do even better in the National Assembly. There are many national issues that require people with a lot of experience. In addition to what I have told you, don’t forget I was a civil servant for 17 years and I’m sure all these will come together to boost the performance of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso at the National Assembly. What is your reaction to the exit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from the PDP? His exit from PDP was another huge blow to that party for obvious reasons. Obasanjo has got supporters not only in Ogun State, not only in the Southwest region, but across the country. For him to say what he said (because most of us who have worked closely with him know that he is somebody who always tolerate a lot of things) meant that something is wrong. I have not seen him since he decided to leave the PDP, but I can comfortably say that so much must have happened in the party for him to come out to tear his card and say he has left the party. Some of these people who made those mistake at the time of our exit, now, they are making the same mistake, and I hope

that they will handle it in such a way that it would not create more problems for them and even for the country. So, I think the PDP has a serious challenge on its hands. In those days, when we were telling them to correct few things, many of them were telling us that whether we stay or leave, it doesn’t matter to them. Now, they have realised that there are some challenges. I had an opportunity to speak to one person then who was the National Chairman of the party. Then, he was telling me that the PDP was like an elephant, if it had one problem or the other on any part of its body, you will hardly notice it because it is an elephant! Then we were talking in the context of Kano—meaning whether there is Kano or no Kano, the PDP was an elephant, and can do very well without Kano; and you can see Kano being the most populous state in this country. Anybody that made that statement, then, didn’t really understand. Now, the realities are here and I can assure you that they are becoming jittery. Now, this is how it should be: everybody counts, everybody should be important. That time we were thinking of 16 years, they were so comfortable thinking of 60 years—now, let any chairman of the PDP go out and talk in that direction. But, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido said the PDP has no business with the five governors that defected to the APC. What do you make out of Lamido’s view? Well, I don’t want to talk too much about the Governor of Jigawa State. Everybody knows that he was part of us. He worked so hard. In fact, he was the leader of the group. He took us to a level that we felt there was no going back, and we were surprised that he had different things in mind. He stayed in the PDP and we felt we had no business being in the PDP. I think if there is anybody who should criticise our exit, I believe it shouldn’t come from him or the governor of Niger State. I don’t want to join issues with any of my colleagues. Nigerians are the best judges on our actions and utterances; and of course what we have done. I believe that that part of the judgment will manifest during the next election. What we have done is not a secret; it is not something that anybody can hide; and I believe that we have done the right thing. We have contributed our quota towards deepening democracy. The PDP is no more the monster it used to be where nobody was important, where people were not respected. Even the governor of the most populous state who won election almost single-highhandedly within the party to come back as a governor, I was not being respected; they see me as an irritant and so on. But, I can tell you now if there is anything they can do under the sun to take me back to their party, I can assure you now that they know the importance of Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in Nigerian politics. So, I have no busi-

•Kwankwaso (second right), former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Senator George Akume (left) and his wife, at an event in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

Kwankwaso: PDP can’t win presidential election ness talking about my colleagues. How would you describe your relationship with the people at the grassroot? I am one of those who were not supporting autonomy for local governments, at least for now. Local governments need to work with state governments; and they need to work closely. Look at what we have been able to achieve in Kano in the last four years, working together with local governments. We have done so many projects and programmes that are beneficial to the state government and local governments and the good people of Kano State. Most of the local governments today find it very difficult to pay salaries across the country; even state governments. Now, we are working together, we are giving them the guidelines they require to do very well now, and do more and better in the future. If you look at our progrmmes and projects that we guided them to do—for example, you take the issue of IPP—generating electricity from Tiga and Challawa Dams—government spent billions of naira to construct all these dams, and in terms of power generation which facility was being provided, nothing was being realised over the years. Now, the IPP is a joint project. We were able to spend N14.2 billion to bring in the turbines. They are already on the ground, civil works have gone far, and now, it is just to couple them together, bring them together, and then, build the power house. Some of you can go to Tiga and see what we are doing. This is an investment, not for Kano alone, but the country at large will tap from the billions that have already been spent on these dams. Electricity is key in this country. We will have 10 mega watts from Tiga dam and 25 mega watts from Challawa Dam, making 35 mega watts. This channel from Tiga will automatically come to Challawa Water

Works and Tamburawa Water works. They require five mega watts and five will to the streets of Kano in the night and in the morning we will sell it to companies who are interested. Now, these things are huge investment where these local governments will be getting income. Look at the micro-finance banks in 37 local governments in the state—all these have been done and it is an investment for the future of the local governments and of course of the state. We are not talking of five kilometre of dualised roads. It was unthinkable for any local government together with state to construct such roads in all the 44 local government areas—it is a heavy investment. Most of these projects are nearing completion; some local governments have already started putting street lights. Of course, drainages are being done. In fact, if not because of the issue of New Year break and some of the contractors who refused to come back because of the issue of February 14, thinking that there will be problem, most of the projects would have been completed by now. But, we are still pushing them to see that most of them, if not all, will be completed before May 29. Look at technical schools—this is a huge investment with classrooms, with furniture, hostels, principal offices, workshops and what have you. So also School for Islamic Studies — 44 of them, one in each Local Government—this is a very huge investment in the area of education. Look at this foreign training and so on and so forth. So, we have invested whatever we got as state government—we work together closely with the local governments because these 44 local governments are the same thing as Kano State. So, we work together as partners and we are able to achieve so much in the last four years and these results are there for everybody to see. I am very happy that our state

‘I think the PDP has a serious challenge on its hands. In those days, when we were telling them to correct few things, many of them were telling us that whether we stay or leave, it doesn’t matter to them. Now, they have realised that there are some challenges’

is probably the only state that is putting on the table every kobo we spend for everyone to see and verify. As somebody who is close to Gen. Buhari, do you think he is fit to rule this country, considering his health status? Okay, I am sure you must know that I am a civil engineer; I am not a medical doctor. So, my judgment is a lay man’s judgment in that area. But, I think the facts now are on the ground for everybody to see. My own judgment is that in the last couple of months, in fact, since the December 10 when we finished our primary election, there was this very rigorous campaign, rallies from state to state; and I think, everyday, it was two states or so. All these states were being visited by Gen. Buhari. In fact, he was highly impressed when he came to Kano; he was here very early in the morning. You have gone round the state; you have seen the mood of the state in terms of that visit. We were together with him up to at least, 5 to 6 p.m. on that day. All of us who participated were so tired at the end of the day. On that same day, he left here to go Jigawa by air; and he came back dead in the night by road, after the Jigawa rally. The following morning, together with him by road, we went to Katsina. From there, I left them and they proceeded to Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and so on and so forth. So, initially, when they were saying he was sick, I was wondering whether he could pass this test! To me, I don’t think those guys were right, because a sick man would not do what I have seen Buhari doing or did in the last few months. Of course, I base my judgment on what I have seen practically; I’m not a medical doctor, and I have not seen records, so I cannot talk about that. But, I can talk about his performance in the last few months from December 10. In fact, even before the December 10, he went round almost all the states—and that was one of the success that I think the APC got. You know in those days, then in 2003, some people sat down and gave ticket on a platter of gold; in 2007, the same thing happened, even in 2011. But, this time around, he went round like any aspirant and that is how democracy should be.

THE NATION THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015

truth of the matter is that it was just ‘ The about six members of the Arewa Council of Chiefs that went to do the endorsement of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

‘

... 92 D AYS TO GO ...92 DA

Miri denies dumping PDP

‘PDP has already sold Plateau to APC’

Dr. Patrick Dakum is the Country Advisor, Institute for Human Virology in Nigeria. He is a former Commissioner for Health and later, Information in Plateau State under Dariye’s Administration between 1999 and 2007. In this interview with YUSUFU IDEGU, he speaks about the succession battle in the state.

HAT is your view on the succession struggle in Plateau State? The best story to illustrate what is going on in Plateau State politically is the story of a king that was deceived into dancing naked in the public when he thought he was putting on the richest royal dress on earth. It is a long story, but the summary is that our governor, Jonah Jang, is dancing naked in the public because he has been deceived into believing that he is the best leader that has ever emerged on the Plateau by the people close to him. He has started dancing naked for long, and people around him, who should have pointed out the reality of the situation to him, are afraid they will be fired if they do so. So, no one is telling him anything. They are all afraid of telling the governor his inadequacies and he feels on top of the world. The governor derailed when he began to use the name of God to deceive people. He goes about claiming that he is a man of God. But, no one could look him in the eye and tell him the truth. But, the truth has started coming out that the man is naked. He is politically naked, spiritually naked, he is socially naked, he is intellectually naked. All he has been doing since he came to power is building an oligarchy; he wants to be the political godfather in Plateau, after Solomon Lar. He has been plotting this from day one, and the truth has started coming out. Now, to give a resemblance of Godliness in his selfish plot, he started bringing in marauders from outside the country to establish the Ten Commandment Monument sited around Doi village. When the governor told me the story of how he came about constructing a monument depicting the 10 Commandments of God, I felt that the action of the governor should be a prayer point for all of us that love the state. Prayer point because the governor was embarking on something that will affect all of us in this state. That

was the build up to the election when the governor became the spiritual link between God and the people. How do you mean? He told people that God was going to chose his successor for them and they should not bother themselves over who will succeed him because God is taking care of that. At the end, Jang told us it is a Berom man God has chosen to succeed him. And I ask myself, how can God in heaven chose a Berom man to replace another Berom man in a multi-ethnic society like Plateau? Everyone saw that the choice of the Berom man to take over from Jang cannot be that of God, but that of Jang himself. And everybody saw the nakedness of Jang and the courageous ones told him this is not possible; God will never support injustice. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) saw this and warned the governor not to go ahead with the choice of Senator Pwajok as the next governor, but Jang refused to listen. CAN wrote the governor, telling him what he was about to do will not augur well for the state. But, he was not bothered. Today, Senator Pwajok has emerged as the PDP flag bearer in Plateau State. Why are you against Pwajok’s candidature? For me, as an individual, the action of Jang at this crucial period is a culmination of all he has been plot-

‘For me, as an individual, the action of Jang at this crucial period is a culmination of all he has been plotting for a long time’

•Dr. Dakum

ting for a long time. But, I ask myself, why is he doing this? Why is he so desperate? Is he afraid he will be discovered, if he is out of power? Is he doing this to remain relevant after leaving office? Is he afraid that, if he did not install his successor, someone will come and check him? All that will fail because there is no right thinking Plateau man that will support Berom governor in this election. Politically, legally, socially, Senator Pwajok has the right to aspire to govern Plateau State, but morally, he cannot contest that office now; there is just no moral justification for any Berom man at all to think of succeeding Governor Jang. Democracy is all about equity, justice and fairness. Rev. Father Mathew Kukah once said “democracy is not all about building infrastructure; if it were so, we would not have dismantled apartheid because the apartheid regime was building infrastructure in South Africa. If democracy is all about building infrastructure, Adolf Hitler of Germany would have been a global hero because he built infrastructure. But, beyond building infrastructure, democracy is all about equal participation; it is about people deciding how and who rules them. So, what reason do we have in a democracy to concentrate power in one section of the state; power has been in the hands of the Berom for the past eight years and they are schemingto retain it for as long as it pleases them. What has the other zones done wrong? There is no local government is Plateau State that you can not find 100 of Senator Pwajok, so what makes the choice of Senator Pwajok more unique?

•Representatives of Southsouth residents in Lagos, from left: Chief Saviour Unwana, Mr. Ken Mordi, Chief David Sunday, Chief Samson Unyime, Chief Steve Ageh and Otunba Isaac Emiyede, at the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate General Muhammadu Buhari.

CHIEFTAIN of the Peo ples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State, Mr. Godfrey Miri, has denied dumping his party for the All Progressives Congress (APC). Miri, who contested the governorship, but at the primaries, was widely believed to have fallen out with his party and had moved to join the APC. But, the politician, who spoke through his campaign coordinator, Gideon Yoila in Jos said he has not dumped the party. Chaplain Yoila said: “It has been reported in the media that my boss, Mr. Godfrey Miri has decamped from PDP and had joined the APC, that report is malicious and unfounded.

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

“I was told a man posing to be Miri’s campaign DG had at one of the APC governorship flag off campaign in Jos announced that he had moved to the APC with Miri’s blessings and that Miri will do same on his return from Abuja. “I am here to confirm that Mr. Miri is still a member of PDP and had never contemplated joining APC, my boss had not mandated anyone to announce that he had dumped the ruling party. “There is no iota of truth in this news and we think it is a calculated and malicious attempt to tarnish the political image of our principal,” the statement reads.

Southwest youths support Buhari

HE Southwest Youth Forum (SWYF) has reiterated its support for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen Muhammadu Buhari,describing him as a leader imbued with values to rescue the country. The group, in a communique after its meeting in Akure,the Ondo state capital and signed by its chairman,Foluso Ajimuda, said Buhari has a track record of discipline and transparency that would enable him tackle the challenges of corruption,insurgency and underdevelopment. SWYF condemned the use of Afenifere to support President Goodluck Jonathan re-election bid, stressing that it was an attempt to deceive the Yoruba people. It noted that Yoruba race have come to a firm conclusion that they

From Damisi Ojo,Akure

have been vilified under Jonathan’s administration,saying”we have therefore stood with the aspiration of yoruba race for change. The Communique reads”with the look of things,Jonathan can only garner miserable votes in the southwest as against the one million votes predicted by Governor Olusegun Mimiko in Ondo State alone. “The forum is of the view that Jonathan does not deserve a second term particularly when particularly when he failed to provide tangible democratic dividends. “We regret that the six year of Jonathan’s government has been characterised by failed promises, underdevelopment, ineptitude and blood letting,while the nation is heading for precipice.

Arewa Community dissociates self from Jonathan’s endorsement

HE endorsement of the second term bid of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Arewa Council of Chiefs in Lagos and Ogun states has divided the Arewa community in the Southwest region. This came to the fore, when the Arewa Community, an umbrella body for the Hausa/Fulani stock, addressed a press conference in Lagos, dissociating itself from the endorsement. Its Chairman, Hon. Kabiru Abdulahi, said the endorsement does not carry any weight because they did have the consent and approval of the Arewa Community in the region. Abdulahi’s words: “The truth of the matter is that it was just about six members of the Arewa Council of Chiefs that went to do the endorsement of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The Deputy Chairman of the group and the Seriki Hausawa of IdiAraba, Mushin, Lagos, Alhaji Hassan Auyo, who is sitting here beside me, was not there and the council did not sit down to decide on the endorsement of anybody. “So, the Arewa Community wishes to dissociate itself from the said endorsement of the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office.” Abdulahi said the purported endorsement would make it

By Raymond Mordi

necessary for the Arewa Community to sit next week Tuesday to discuss the matter and decide who to endorse amongst the presidential candidates. He added: “We normally sit down and carry out our analysis based on performance, based on the track records of the candidates before making our endorsement. We have been working on a report and the report before us does not signify that President Jonathan will be endorsed. I can tell you, we may end up endorsing Gen. Muhammadu Buhari because the recommendations favour him. But, we will come out on Tuesday to formally do that endorsement.” The Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Dakata, added: “In as much as everyone has right to associate with any political party, we believe the Council of Arewa Chiefs as a traditional institution should not be seen to be directly involved in partisan politics. “Rather, they are royal fathers whose subjects are those who are supposed to be full-time politicians who can belong to any political party of their choice. Therefore, we want to state categorically that the traditional chiefs did not speak for us.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

THE NATION

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

How to protect feet from rain, by expert H

OW can the feet be protected from germs during the rains? It is by wearing rubber shoes, says a podiatrist, Dr Bodunrin Oluwa. A podiatrist is a foot doctor. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. According to Oluwa, there is care for the toes during the rainy season to ward off fungal and bacterial infections. He said clean and smooth feet are the dream for many. “Often, however, one cannot avoid a puddle of dirty water during rainy season. Dirty feet are at risk of contracting or inhibiting infection. Extra care is, therefore, necessary to maintain healthy feet, away from problems such as itching and other foot diseases, which we see on a recurring basis at our clinic. “Fungi and bacteria grow rapidly because of high humidity. This is the case in our tropical environment; especially during the rainy season, that in our case lasts six months of the year. Odour of the feet can result too, as the feet are also susceptible to fungal infections of the skin, especially between the toes. Other problems caused by fungus and bacteria are itching, stinging sensations, skin softening, and peeling. The result is a spike in skin diseases and fungal infections, especially in the feet.” On how to avoid feet infection during the rains, he said: “Wash the feet thoroughly with soap and water immediately after arriving home. After washing with soap, apply alcohol on the feet and let them dry before stepping into your slippers. For people who are suffering from athlete’s foot, combine one glass of white vinegar and one glass of lukewarm water in a basin. Soak your feet for 15 minutes. Let your feet dry and apply antifungal foot powder.Repeat this wice a day. “Remember the roads are full not only of water but mud, which enters our foot wear. To make things worse, we wear the wet and dirty shoes in office for hours, and then return home with swollen, unclean and smelly feet. The feet smell because bacteria feed on the sweat from them. During the rainy season the bacteria also breed in dirty water, mud and other waterborne substances, which come in contact with our feet. “These factors make it difficult for us to maintain good foot hygiene, but it is in the rainy season that we must give more importance to foot care. Hence adhering to simple foot care guidelines for the rainy season is a necessity. For instance, do not wear closed shoes too long when it rains. Try to get the wet shoes/sneakers off as quickly as possible. Always wash and dry feet after exposure to water or being trapped in a puddle.

•Dr Oluwa By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Ensure that you dry between the toes to avoid athlete’s foot from occurring. Do not apply moisturising cream between the toes.” He went on: “One should use an antifungal wash/cream twice daily. Clean under your toenails regularly to avoid accumulation of dirt. And one, as a matter of foremost necessity, must wear appropriate footwear for the season. Many women and men may opt for shoes more for fashion than comfort or season requirement. They therefore end up wearing the wrong kind of footwear that can harm their feet. The wrong kind of footwear can also splash water and mud on your clothes making them dirty or spotted. Another place that can pick up a fungus is the calf area if shorter clothing is being worn and water splashes up. During the rainy season you need footwear that will give you good grip and will keep your feet as clean as possible, such as plastic/rubber sandals, which are typical rainy season footwear that is usually always available. But make sure they fit well, as your feet need to breathe, and they need to be comfortable while travelling. Whole shoes are excellent in terms of not getting your feet wet; however, it could occur in instances of heavy rains or flooding.” The Podiatrist said people do not understand the importance of foot wear during the rainy season, as there are do’s and don’ts, such as not using canvas shoes because they soak up water and can get spoiled easily. Don’t use formal suede or leather shoes; the rain and puddle waters can damage them.

•Infected feet

Do wear the high heels because you can slip and fall as they sometimes have poor grip on the wet ground and can slide against the fungus covered roads. “Do wash your feet with an antiseptic every time after returning home; wash your sandals with a disinfectant, and put them in the sun to dry. If that isn’t possible, ensure that they are aired and fully dry before further use. Do try to have two pairs of shoes so you can shuffle between them to avoid wearing wet shoes or sandals. You can also opt for regular pedicures; if not in a spa or clinic, at home. Do ensure that nails don’t get or stay dirty. Cut them regularly. As well, try to keep them short so that dirt won’t get deposited in them. Do clean your footwear thoroughly before wearing. Dip your feet

in warm water after returning home. You can put some drops of essential oils such as mentholatum, lemon, lavender, peppermint, Rosemary, macerated onion, garlic or ginger in the water; it will help to refresh you and get rid of smelly feet. Do use a moisturising lotion and massage it into your feet,” Dr Oluwa advised. He said there is no need to hate the rains, “As long as you keep your feet clean to rid them of those infectious bacteria and dirty or muddy waters, you can enjoy the rainy season, probably even more than the dry season.”

Traditional medicine vital in health care, says board chief L

AGOS State government is growing traditional medicine to support its health care delivery system. Chairman, Lagos State Traditional Medicine Board (LSTMB) Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi made this known at a workshop for tradition medicine practitioners and health workers in the private sector. The workshop was held in conjunction with a United Kingdom (UK) based organisation, Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) Partnership for Transforming Health Systems II (Part 2) at Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in Ikeja. Dr Omoseyindemi said DFID is contributing to effective and efficient use of the nation’s resources to achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. He said: “The capacity building would help develop traditional and alternative medicine practice so that they would be able to support the healthcare delivery system in the state, as the Ministry of Health would need accurate data in planning some of its policies and improving on health indices. “The workshop will also ensure there is improvement in the quality of healthcare.”

By Wale Adepoju

Five Local Government Areas (LGAs) would serve as the launch pad for health workers in the private sector. They are Amuwo-Odofin, Alimosho, Kosofe, Ibeju Lekki and Ikorodu LGAs. Omoseyindemi said the baseline assessment of orthodox medicine practitioners, traditional birth attendants (TBAs), patent medicine vendors and community pharmacists have been conducted, adding, “the training needs of practitioners were identified based on the maternal death review report from secondary and tertiary hospitals.” The LSTMB, he said, was supported to develop its electronic database for entry of community level data. He said before the capacity training, the board and the Lagos State College of Health Technology (LASCOHET) have reviewed the curriculum for TBAs and community birth attendants’ training programme. The Chairman also said the board had trained some practitioners on six priority

diseases in West Africa as directed by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO). The diseases are hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. The objective is to train practitioners on the use of herbs and preparation methods following the guidelines in the region’s Herbal Pharmacopoeia. The Board, he said, also collaborated with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in the United States, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to train 1,115 TBAs on childhood diseases, such as diarhoea management. “The objective was to empower them to become diarhoea champions in their various communities by educating mothers under their care on the proper use of zinc plus oral rehydration salt (ORS) for the effective management of the condition, which accounts for 11 per cent of childhood deaths. The programme was held in 20 LGAs across Lagos State,” Omoseyindemi said. He added that his Board would continue to conduct further tranings for practitioners “LSTMB and the state Ministry of Health organised training on Integrated Commu-

•Omoseyindemi

nity Case Management (ICCM) of childhood illnesses for TBAs, Pharmaceutical Medicine Vendors (PMVs) and community pharmacists. “The TBAs have been linked to chlorhexidine gel for cord care and as such training on antenatal, maternal and newborn care were done. They were all sensitised on the importance of referral,” Omoseyindemi added.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NATURAL HEALTH

A 2015 review of Nature’s Friends (7) W

reduce the volume of interstitial fluid, the fluid surrounding the cells, and suggest how this may affect the Sodium-Potassium Pump and the Sodium battery in every cell without which we would not be able to live normal lives. He also has explanations for how mainstream anti-hypertension pharmaceutical drugs may eventually lead to increased blood pressure, which may be the reason hypertension is thought to be incurable. There are testimonials in his books from reputable senior citizens of this Earth of how, by increasing their water intake and using pinchings of salt in every sixth glass of water a day, their cholesterol levels crashed to the amazement of their doctors. These aspects of possible hypertension cure are not the main concerns of this column today. The concern is the fact that patients are not often, if not always, exposed to as wide a spectrum of checks as possible when they are asked to run laboratory blood tests of the possible causes(s) of their hypertension. What many patients go to run tests for is largely their cholesterol blood level. In many cases, the test covers only total blood cholesterol. In some cases, this test does not include checks for (1) High Density Lipoprotein HDL (2) Low Density Lipoprotein LDL (3) Lipoprotein a (4) Apo lipoprotein A (5) Apoli protein B and (6) Homocysteine.

HEN I was a boy in primary school, I enjoyed spending my holidays with my mother’s mother. Grandma often travelled from Lagos to Okitipupa to buy foodstuff for sale back home. From her travels, she brought back the silkworm which we grandchildren roasted and ate at mealtimes. It was probably a good source of protein for us at that time. But after ‘O’ Level Biology education about insects and the parasites they may transmit to man, I refrained from eating the silkworm and other insects, including the cricket. I reasoned that we ate their intestines along with their good stuff, and that doing this may cause health problems. It wasn’t until my exposure to Alternative Medicine in the 1980s that I realised we had a wonderful boyhood eating insects such as crickets, and the silk worm. Serrapeptase HE good news for everyone about the silkworm since the 1980s is serrapeptase, a chemical substance found in the silkworm intestine. The silkworm lives and grows towards maturity in a hard cocoon which is difficult for even humans to break. When the baby silkworm is mature enough in the cocoon to live in the outside world, its intestine produces an enzyme, serrapeptase, which dissolves the hard cocoon, and out it crawls into the larger world. Researchers have found that this enzyme helps to dissolve growths, including uterine fibroids, in the human body. In Nigeria, Serrapeptase is sold under different names, including Serrapeptase. It comes, also, as Serrata, Serrafibro (because it dissolves excess fibrous tissue either in the knee joints or in the lungs) and as NS Fibrin. Serrapeptase was isolated in the late 1960s from the silkworm intestine. Some other names by which Serrapeptase is known are serralysin, Serratiape etas, serratiapeptidase or Serra peptidase. Serrapeptase, a proteolytic enzyme, is produced in the silkworm intestine by serratia E-15 bacteria. In commercial product Serratia peptidase is made from the purification of the culture of Serratia E-15 bacteria. In Japan and Europe, serrapeptidase is sold as a drug, but as a dietary supplement in the United States. In many countries, Serrapeptidase is prescribed and used for painful conditions such as “back pain, osteo arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, carpel tunnel syndrome, migraine headache and tension headache.” Conditions of pain and swelling are also said to benefit from it. These include “sinusitis, laryngitis, sore throat, ear infections, swelling after surgery, swelling of a vein with the formation of a blood clot and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBS), including ulcerative colitis and crohn’s disease”. In some cases it is suggested for heart disease and hardening of the arteries, benign breast lumps and breast pain in nursing mothers caused by milk congestion, diabetes, asthma, leg ulcer etc. Serrapeptase is thought to work by helping the body to break down protein, thereby averting an accumulation of fibrin, a protein which, for example, has been found to build up excessively in the uterine fibroid tissue. Some researchers say serrapeptase is useful in enlarging blocked carotid arteries which surgeons are reluctant to operate. The reluctance is said to be due to the fear that , during such a surgery, debris from the blocked carotid artery may find their way into some blood vessels of the brain. Dr. H.A. Nieper, head of the department of medicine at paracelcus Klink am xilbersee, Germany says: “we therefore, started to apply serrapeptase in cases of severe narrowing of the carotid arteries. Mostly in patients showing severe symptoms due to the narrowing, including amaurosis fugax (intermittent blindness), the therapeutic results are excellent, certainly life-saving. It is however, mandatory for the therapy to be conducted for a very long time. Even after 18 months after the onset of the therapy, the patients are improving. I have also found serrapeptase to be an extraordinary substance for safely removing fibrous blockage from coronary arteries, particularly the carotid arteries found in the neck which supply blood brain”. Unlike other biological enzymes, serrapeptase acts on only non-living tissue in humans, serrapeptase is said to dissolve only dead tissue, including the fibrous layer which block and narrow arteries space, thereby reducing flow of blood and oxygen to the brain. This should be of interest to people who are grayling rapidly or prematurely to stroke patients or people beset with varying degrees of memory loss. The same goes for hypertension sufferers or people who cannot breathe well because fibrous tissues have congested air spaces in their lungs. Dr. H.A. Nieper adds: “Very often, surgeons are reluctant or unable to open partially closed carotid arteries using laser surgery. They fear that resulting debris could be pushed into smaller connecting arteries and result in a stroke and possibly death. In cases of severe arteries narrowing, I have used serrapeptase with excellent, even life-saving results. Many of my patients have shown significant improved blood flow through their previously conscripted arteries, as confirmed by ultra sound examination. Unfortunately, orthodox cardiologists do not employ this important method in their practices.” An avid reader of this column who is challenged with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) for which he was advised of Serrapeptase and other helpful nutritional supplements, should be interested in the case history of one of the beneficiary Dr. Nieper’s work with Serrapaptase. According to Dennis Gore, a pharmacist in Manchester, England, whose pharmacy specialises in natural medicine supplements, a sick man was brought into the

pharmacy in a wheelchair by his wife. He had to breathe from bottled oxygen, “was on antibiotics and had to use steroid sprays to reduce inflammation constantly”. Other bad infections assailed him in addition to side effects of the drugs. This man had listened to a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio interview with Dennis Gore on the ability of serrapeptase to remove “airway and blood vessel obstruction that had accumulated over time”. Mr. Gore gave him a prescription of 20,000 (about five grammes) on an empty stomach four times a day. He was to scale down the dosage as he got better. Three weeks afterwards, the patient walked into the pharmacy. Mr. Gore did not remember having met him. The man reminded Mr. Gore he was the OPD and emphysema patient in a wheelchair. Now, he was no longer on antibiotics or had any need for oxygen cylinder. Two years later, he was still COPD - free and emphysema free. But, naughty man I would say, he was still smoking! Serrapeptase is thought to work in about three ways: • It may thin fluid which accumulate around injury sites, causing inflammation and pain. It may also support the drainage of the fluid, thereby clearing the site for speedy tissue repair •Pain is an expression of inflammation. Serrapeptase may block the release of the pain including amines called bradykinins •By breaking down fibrins, by-products of protein coagulation serrapeptase breaks down fibrin without any ill effects on living tissue. This takes care of atherosclerosis which supports vascular and heart health. Serrapeptase has been shown, also, not only to stimulate immune function but to also act as a heavy metal scavenger and chelator, and this is reported to do better than EDTA. Many researchers believe serrapeptase is superior to Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in the treatment of such disease as COPD, fibrocystic breast disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma sinusitis, fibromyalgia and many others. When I remember Serrapeptase and my boyhood days during which I fed generously on silkworm, I wonder if freedom from many old age diseases, such as arthritis, has anything to do with it. In such moments, I learn to thank the good Lord for the Grace of guidance to healing agents and brace up to add serrapeptase to my food supplements wardrobe. Homocystein HYPERTENSION has become a household health challenge in Nigeria, like malaria fever and diabetes. Many challenged people, like their physicians, believe there is no cure for hypertension and that the sufferer has to learn to live with it under a doctor’s management. It is possible, however, that hypertension can be overcome if physicians lay the full picture of this blood malaise before their patients, and if the patients dutifully take charge of their health, schooling themselves on this subject and adopting natural measures for a salvage. In his book, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION subtitled NATURAL PREVENTION and CURE with the K FACTOR, Dr. Richard D. Moore, M.D, Ph.D., explains in almost 400 pages how crucial potassium, a food factor, is for the maintenance of normal blood pressure, and how a deficiency of it in the blood of many people may be the cause of their elevated blood pressure. The K FACTOR in his book refers to the chemical symbol of potassium, K, an electrolyte important for heart and blood vessel health and function. Dr. F. Batmanghelidj, author of the revolutionary and paradigmshifting YOUR BODYS MANY CRIES FOR WATER and YOU’RE NOT SICK, YOU’RE ONLY THIRSTY, explains how cellular dehydration increases cholesterol blood level, a cause of hypertension, heart damage, heart attack and strokes, and takes the opposite view of mainstream medicine which prescribe diuretics for hypertension patients. While mainstream doctors believe it is important to reduce the water volume of the blood in order to reduce the hearts work load, and save it from exhaustion through overwork, Dr. Batmanghelidj believes it is “criminal” to do so, and explains why. Where the regular doctor would advise reduction in salt (sodium chloride) intake, Dr. Batmanghelidj would explain how this would

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

Homocystein HE lipoproteins are cholesterol fractions. While total cholesterol is not expected to rise beyond 200, HDL, the good cholesterol and LDL, the bad cholesterol, are to be in a certain ratio. Too much LDL means the blood vessels may be inflamed and damaged, the heart may be damaged and disposed to a heart attack, and the brain may be subjected to a stroke from blockage by blood clots of its blood vessels. These cholesterol tests are expensive, and may explain why, in this poverty stricken environment, some doctors do not advise it. I know of a gentleman who has suffered from angina type chest complaints for many years, but whose cholesterol test results have been giving him a good cardiovascular testimonial. Cardiovascular means the heart (cardio) and blood vessels (vascular). In Angina pectoris, coronary arteries which supply blood to the heart may have become so blocked by the plaque of cholesterol and other substances, including homocysteine, that they are not delivering enough blood to the heart. The heart may not complain much or complain at all unless it is given extra work to do while its ration of energy giving nutrients and oxygen is not increased through increase blood circulation. Climbing the stairs, for example, may be that extra work load which such a heart cannot easily cope with, and this gives rise to that familiar shortness of breath, rapid breathing and pain across the chest region, especially on the left side of the chest and radiations of the pain to the left shoulder blade of the left arm (scapula) and, sometimes, the left arm itself. As stated above, the gentleman in reference had been happy that his cholesterol couldn’t be the cause of the frightening experience, but he was, nevertheless, restful. Why were the symptoms not abating when the cholesterol levels were normal, and why would his hypertension persist? Well, for a possible part answer to these questions, we should return to Dr. Moore. He says there are two types of hypertension...(a) primary hypertension and (b) secondary hypertension. In primary hypertension, the body may be grossly deficient in such nutrients as potassium, calcium, magnesium, co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and Vitamin C. He says: “A growing body of evidence indicates that low levels of potassium are associated with high blood pressure, and therefore, deserve more attention. This association may be especially strong when the sodium – potassium ratio is high. Some researchers feel that, in some cases, low potassium may play a more significant role on hypertension than high sodium does. In several studies, for instance, potassium supplementation significantly lowered blood pressure without sodium restriction. As some researchers have pointed out, diet restricted in calories, sodium, and cholesterol are often recommended to people with cardiovascular disease. It is unfortunate that such diet also tend to reduce nutrients such as calcium and potassium, which may be essential for maintaining normal blood pressure. Potassium may prove to be of value to the cardiovascular system in other ways, as well. In one animal study, rats were given stroke-inducing diet. The group that was supplemented with potassium suffered a two percent rate of fatal strokes, as compared with the 83 percent rate of the un supplemented group. In another animal study, potassium supplementation was able to protect against the kidney damage resulting from hypertension. In both studies, these remarkable effects occurred even when potassium did not, reduce blood pressure. This suggests that we consume potassium copiously in the diet from fruits and vegetables and their juices or from dietary supplements. For potassium is needed for a variety of uses. It helps convert glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver; it helps nerve transmission, contraction of muscles and secretion of hormones. Secondary hypertension is another ball game. It may arise from the congestion of organs such as the kidneys, liver, pancreas or spleen and resist blood flow. When an organ or organs resist blood flow through congestion with impurities, the heart pumps harder and this may cause elevated tension in normal organs, damaging them. One way of tackling this tension is detoxification of the congested organ(s). When the gentleman in reference was advised to run a homocystein test, he was advised by the laboratory that this would cost about N20,000 because his blood sample would have to be flown to South Africa for analysis. He paid, and obtained the result one or two weeks after.

Tel: 08116759749, 08034004247, 07025077303

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

INDUSTRY Dangote restates commitment to food security

Nigeria largest market in Africa, says AfDB

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

IGERIA is West African’s larg est market with great poten tial to be the main driver of regional integration considering its population, the African Development Bank (AfDB) has said. The bank, in its ‘West African MidTerm Review and Regional Portfolio Performance Review Paper 2011 – 2015’, said with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing, Nigeria now has the largest economy in Africa and a great potential for its services and manufacturing sectors. The review said Nigeria attracted half of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) coming into the region with about 45 per cent in 2012. “Nevertheless its intra-regional trade has been steadily decreasing, now constituting less than one per cent of the country’s total imports and three per cent of its export,” the bank said. It, however, noted that the informal trade networks are significantly larger, most notably for agricultural goods, petroleum products, and reexport trade. “On the investment side, the role of Nigeria is certainly more prominent, with various Nigerian companies having significant impact in the regional market, particularly banking services,” it said. The report stated that goods, such as cement, cassava flour and other goods from companies served the needs of their clients across West Africa. It said closer integration with the region would require Nigeria to open its markets to regional exports, adding that there was the need for a change of perspective on the neighbouring countries. According to the report, it is more crucial for the country to treat its regional neighbours more as partners rather than merely clients. “Regional value chains have a real potential, particularly given the developments in regional transport and connectivity infrastructure. Increasing trade volumes will require improvements in regional corridors, reducing frictions related to non tariff barriers, as well as accountability and transparency in regulations, both on the national and on the regional level,” the report said. The report identified poor cross-border trade and infrastructure, as well as the weaknesses of human capacity and national and regional institutions as some of the challenges of regional integration. It added that fragmentation of the region’s market, multiplicity of integration architecture and insufficient involvement of private sector and civil society in integration efforts were also part of the challenges. According to the report, illegal checkpoints, long and nonharmonised customs procedures, smuggling and corruption are important obstacles to the free movement of goods and peopl “Improving trade facilitation in Economic of West African States (ECOWAS) is vital to boosting the region’s trade performance, both with regards to intra-regional trade as well as exports globally,” AFDB said. The report added that new waves of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and the emergence of a middle class in the region are leading to the emergence of a vibrant private sector operators across countries. This, the report noted, can continue to serve as a natural catalyst for closer collaboration and integration towards the development of regional and global value chains. According to the report, building regional value chains in West Africa, in areas such as agro processing would help support the efforts in better linking regional markets. “While the region is the world’s largest producer of cocoa beans, 90 per cent of the crop is exported raw or roasted, packaged and sent to the United States or Europe.

•A part of Ajaokuta Steel Company.

‘Forces against steel production’

IGERIA appears to be making steady progress in the production of liquid steel at the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL) in Kogi State, but this has been a disturbing news to certain forces bent on frustrating the effort, the management of the facility has said. Presenting the achievements and challenges of the steel plant before members of the House of Representatives Committee on Steel Development in Abuja, the company’s Sole Administrator, Mr. Joseph Onobere Isah, an Engineer, said: “There are certain agents in our midst that have not been comfortable with the modest achievements we have recorded in Ajaokuta so far and the course of action we are charting towards making liquid steel production a reality in our country. They all know that the day Nigeria begins liquid steel production there would be no going back for the country technologically.” He said such forces might have been responsible for the allegation of staff idleness levelled against the company. He said contrary to the allegation, the company’s staff work tirelessly daily to ensure that the plant was well-maintained and running. The staff, according to him, were not being paid N3.4 billion monthly as the Chairman of Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) Alhaji Aliyu Kola Belgore, reportedly said last year at an event in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Isah, who said Belgore wrote to explain that he was misquoted, reminded the House Committee members that it was because of Belgore’s statement that he was summoned, following a motion by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, that the claim be investigated. He explained that Belgore, in a letter to the management dated September 8, last year, denied the newspaper stories, stating in part: “I did not and will never disparage the company as I do not work there, it is out of place for me to know and mention anything about the total monthly wage bill, the number of machines installed and the number of staff of the company.” However, he said: “The recent motion by Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, coming after over four months of the publication and echoing the AMCON Chairman’s statement and newspaper publications, deserves to be investigated to stop the vicious circle of misinformation.” The ASCL Sole Administrator urged the Committee to authenticate Hon. Tajudeen’s allegations.

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie Assist. Editor

He recalled that the House of Representatives Committee on Steel recommended N3,821,718,510 to the Appropriation Committee as the 2014 Personnel Cost for ASCL. The Appropriation Committee of the National Assembly, he said, approved the same amount as the 2014 Personnel Cost for ASCL and that it was the same amount that was in the 2014 Appropriation Bill for the 2014 Personnel Cost (salaries) of the company. Isah said: “From the foregoing, the onus of providing evidence to back the AMCON Chairman’s figure of N3.4 billion as ASCL monthly wage bill, which has been severally quoted, naturally falls on Alhaji Belgore. The House of Representatives Committee on Steel would do well to demand such evidence from Alhaji Belgore. Should there be any proof of a hike in the figure known to Alhaji Belgore, then he could avail the Committee of it.” The Accountant-General of the Federation and the Director- General (Budget), he said, could be asked to tender the releases made through IPP1S (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System) in respect of Ajaokuta Steel Company’s Personnel Costs last year. “To the best of our knowledge, it is what was appropriated that was paid to staff by the Accountant-General of the Federation via 1PPIS,” he said, adding that since July 2012, preceded by a diligent and thorough data capturing exercise, the salaries of ASCL workers are paid directly to respective staff members from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation via the IPPIS.

‘From the foregoing, the onus of providing evidence to back the AMCON Chairman’s figure of N3.4 billion as ASCL monthly wage bill, which has been severally quoted, naturally falls on Alhaji Belgore. The House of Representatives Committee on Steel would do well to demand such evidence from Alhaji Belgore.’

Isah said these facts were known to all, explaining that after the takeover of the company from the Indians (GHIL/GINL concessionaires) in 2008, ASCL has been on zero capital allocation and an overhead of less than N45million. “All such information is in the public domain and on the website of respective ministries,” he said, adding: “It is common knowledge that any piece of commissioned equipment left idle will sooner than later be lost to rot due to corrosion. Thus, while the plant awaits the putting in place of the relevant external infrastructure and eventual completion and integrated commissioning, it is important that the pieces of wide ranging equipment that make up the plant be kept intact, secure and preserved in good health.” Maintenance task, he said, was indicated for all plants, whether or not they were under operation, adding: “Staff of ASCI, who are engaged to do this all-important job and to secure the plant from pilferers, are paid a paltry 0.4 per cent of the investment on ground annually.” Isah said the point must be made clear to all that the fact that the plant is not under productive operation does not mean that the skeletal staff strength it maintains now are idle or redundant. He said Dr. Emmanuel Eboga, who served as Special Adviser to the President on Petroleum, visited Ajaokuta Steel Plant in 2010 and liked what he saw. Isah quoted Eboga to have said: “The workers of this steel plant deserve national honours because of the way and manner they have been able to preserve this steel plant.” Those, he said, were the words of one who knows what it takes to keep an engineering facility in good shape. Owing to sustained maintenance of equipment and facilities undertaken by the staff since the Russian and Ukrainian vacated site in 1994, the Plant, he said, has continued to enjoy a clean bill of health as attested to by Technical Audit reports conducted by various competent international experts. He said an abridged conclusion of the latest audit report by an Ukrainian-backed company states adding: “The situation of the steel plant’s equipment and facilities are satisfactory. Mechanically the steel plant’s equipment and facilities are generally in good condition.” The Salvage Value of the steel firm, according to him, is over $3 billion, adding: “For a plant abandoned since 1994 (21years ago), you will agree that the staff of ASCI deserve commendation and not condemnation.”

HE Dangote Group’s efforts at revolutionising the agricultural sector and making Nigeria self-dependent in food production is on course. The firm expressed optimism that with its ongoing agricultural projects across the country, t is on its way to self-sufficiency in food production. Some of the areas the company is investing heavily to meet the nation’s food requirement include fertiliser, rice, tomato paste and sugar production, among others. The Group, which is reputed to be the single largest private sector employer of labour in Nigeria, is also building a 650, 000 barrels per day (bpd) petroleum refinery, which will be the single largest in the world. Also, the Group, last year, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to invest $1billion for the establishment of fully integrated rice production and processing operations across the country. The company, in a statement, said the MoU and the planned investment are a response to the government’s Agricultural Transforming Agenda (ATA) launched in 2011. The statement, according to the Group, has acquired farmlands in Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, totalling 150,000 hectares to be used for commercial production of rice paddy. The company will also establish two modern large scale mills each with capacity to mill 120,000 metric tonnes of rice paddy, while doubling the capacity within two years. This, the company said, would become the single largest investment in rice production in Africa. The rice plants are estimated to produce 960,000 metric tonnes, representing 46 per cent of total rice imported into Nigeria. Group President, Aliko Dangote, said during the signing of the MoU that “Nigeria is capable of producing rice that can feed the whole of West African sub region’’.

NSE endorses Aba Mega Mall project

RESIDENT, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mr. Ademola Olorunfemi, has described the Aba Mega Mall project in Osisioma Ngwa, Abia State, as a practical demonstration of patriotism. Olorunfemi, who was in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State with some members of the society on facility tour, applauded Greenfield Assets Limited, developers of the mall, for their initiative, which he observed would engender economic activities in the state and the Southeast region. He urged Nigerians with capacity to take a cue from Greenfield Assets to provide infrastructure and create jobs for the people. As a professional body, the NSE President, explained that they were interested in engineering developments in the country and so, encourage projects such as Aba Mega Mall. He said: “It is part of our responsibility as a professional body to encourage this kind of development. This is a $300 million project and the implication is huge. It is even good that he engaged largely Nigerian professionals, artisans and all the likes. “What we are telling the government is that they should approach professionals from other countries through our professionals. We shouldn’t just give out our money; give out our jobs to foreigners that would hinder us from developing capacity. “Even though engineering has no frontiers, consideration should be given to local and environmental issues, “he advised. Paul Obanua, group managing director, Greenfield Assets Limited, developers of Aba Mega Mall, explained that they embarked on the project to provide infrastructure, engender renewal of the commercial city and stimulate new culture in Aba.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS LABOUR

‘We may have more strikes, protests this year’ Analysts warn that this year may record more industrial actions by workers than last year unless governments rise up to their responsibilities, reports TOBA AGBOOLA.

ITH the economic depression predicted to claim more jobs in major sectors this year and governments’ inability to meet their financial commitments to the nation’s workforce, Organised Labour is worried that 2015 may record more disaffection between workers and employers, leading to incessant strikes and industrial actions than in 2014. Experts believe unresolved labour issues in the power, oil and gas, academia, public service etc. could lead to more strikes in the workplace. Last year was quite challenging in the nation’s industrial relations space, because it was characterised by strikes. Strikes, experts say, are an anathema to national development. They contend that the economy that has been struggling to come out of the woods has further been plunged into a comatose. They warned that the length of the strike season is increasing, with the last year’s strike season continuing into this year. This is as labour’s struggle for better wage and improved welfare for members in the face of economic hardship spilled into 2015. This new era of prolonged work stoppages, according to experts, are not healthy for the nation’s fragile economy especially as the general elections draw closer. For instance, workers in the health sector may have taken the lead for the position of being the first union to threaten and embark on a strike in the year. Operating under the auspices of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Health Care Professionals (JOHESU), the health workers, just like in previous years, want the Federal Government to meet near-impossible demands, which the government seems not willing to accede to. Late last year, oil workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) embarked on a warning strike. According to NUPENG and PENGASSAN, it was to protest the government’s inability to carry out turnaround maintenance of the country’s refineries and to reduce pump prices of petroleum products in line with the drop in global prices of crude oil. The industrial action was sequel to Federal Government’s failure to show any sign of meaningful resolution or commitment to the oil workers’ concern within the 14-day ultimatum given to them. Other reasons for the strike by NUPENG and PENGASSAN included delay in the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), nonimplementation of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Develop-

• Kaigama

• Achese

• Asomugha

• PENGASSAN President Francis Johnson

ment (NOGICD) Act to reflect Nigerians in management positions and expatriate quota law. Others are the appalling state of access roads to refineries and oil depots’ facilities, insecurity, appointments in government agencies in disregards to succession planning, compulsory deduction from workers’ salaries for the National Housing Fund (NHF), casualisation and contract staffing and unfair labour practices by companies and government agencies. Recently, NUPENG threatened to embark on an indefinite strike if the ongoing divestment in the oil sector by some multinationals was not stopped. Its President, Mr. Igwe Achese deplored the divestment, saying it was intended to sabotage the Federal Government’s efforts to reposition the petroleum sector. He said the situation had raised concerns about the sincerity of the government to refocus the sector. For civil servants under the umbrella of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), delayed and irregular salaries, coupled with stagnation in one position may be the reason they will embark on strike in the coming months. These examples, said watchers of the sector, indicate that 2015, like other years before it, would be a year of strikes, protests and industrial action by organised labour. A Workers’ Rights Activist and President, Progressive Leaders Organisation International (PLOI), Mr. Emmanuel Ezueme, said Nigeria is in the suffocating embrace of labour and industrial unions, adding that the non-chalant attitude of federal and state governments would sooner than later put the country on the brink of irreversible economic collapse. He said based on the socio-economic situation in the country more strikes, protests and agitations by industrial unions were to be expected. He maintained that the oil and gas sector workers, who operate under the auspices of NUPENG, and

PENGASSAN, may be doing a disservice to the country. Ezueme said the recurring cases whereby oil and gas workers have perpetually held the nation and the petroleum sector in particular by the jugular as witnessed again in last December, has led in part to the stillborn state of the PIB, which even the oil and gas workers were clamouring for, years after it was first presented to the National Assembly for passage into law. “Calls for the proscription of labour unions are not misplaced considering the sufferings Nigerians are made to go through whenever the union’s embark on strike. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike that ended not too long is still fresh in peoples’ mind”, Ezueme added. Labour and industrial relations expert, Dr. Peter Okhiria, said banning unions would not save the country from the grasps of recurring industrial action in the year, but that it was time industrial unions changed their approach when making demands from their employers or negotiating with the government. Citing what he said is the neverending calls for strikes by those in the medical profession, Okhiria said the Joint Health Sector Union (JOHESU), which directs health workers in federal hospitals to commence indefinite strike throughout Nigeria, must tread cautiously this year, if it is not to lose the goodwill of Nigerians. As for the members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Okhiria urged them to prevail on health workers to consider other options before embarking on a strike. Last week, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) said following the expiration of two weeks’ notice given to the Federal Government, the union would begin an indefinite strike this week. The union had on February 11 given a two-week ultimatum to the government,urging the Federal Government to implement the

agreement it reached with the union, which led to the suspension of its strike last July. President of ASUP Comrade Chibuzo Asomugha, who addressed journalists in Abuja at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union, expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to implement the agreement it reached with the union. He said in July, last year, ASUP suspended the strike on the intervention of the Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, who had just resumed duties, then. He said the minister had requested for a three-month moratorium to enable him tackle the lingering problems. “Unfortunately and sadly, too, since the suspension of that strike and despite our strong reminders to government on the pending issues and repeated assurances from the minister, none of the issues has been addressed to a logical conclusion. “In a strange twist, rather, and without recourse to the content and spirit of the understanding on which the union suspended the strike, the Federal Ministry of Education on the 26th of January 2015, under the guise of a proposed verification, issued a circular directing the suspension of the CONTISS 15 Salary Structure, which its implementation dates back to 2009, thereby, creating further confusion in the sector. “This development is provocative, ill-timed, retrogressive, and is a flagrant breach of the trust and character of the agreement that led to the suspension of the strike in July, 2014. We are lost as to the real intent and objective of the Federal Ministry of Education in stirring the hornet’s nest at a time when our nation is in the throes of a challenging transition,” he said. Berating ASUU over the long strike last year, a management expert, Mr. Kunle Rotimi, said the un-

ion should be the first industrial union to be proscribed, if ever the Federal Government decides to go ahead with plans to create an alternative national labour centre. Rotimi said it was obvious that ASUU had other ulterior motives, apart from the quest to get adequate funding for education, even if the government was not proactive in its dealings with it. He stated that the union has since lost the confidence of most Nigerians, particularly parents. Also calling for a more restrained approach on the part of the unions, Rotimi said it was the obstinate attitude of unions in the power sector that dragged the reforms of the power sector for many years. According to him, the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), and the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Corporations (SSAEAC), contributed greatly to the epileptic power delivery in the country. However, SSAEAC President, Mr. Bede Opara, refuted allegations that the union prolonged the reforms for several years, saying the welfare of workers must be taken care of, before the reforms and privitisation were completed. The President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Bobboi Kaigama, cautioned against incessant strikes in the public sector, warning that strikes were hurting the economy and thereby further reducing the chances of the nation’s prosperity. He lamented that most times, the government and private employers do nothing in the face of agitations by workers until the commencement of strike, a development he said has continued to hurt the economy. Also, the out-going NLC President, Abdulwaheed Omar, urged the government to sustain robust industrial relations machinery to avoid a repeat of the strikes which were experienced in various sectors last year.

NUPENG: we’re not involved in NLC failed election

HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and National Gas Workers (NUPENG) has denied involvement in the recent Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) delegates conference election impasse in Abuja. At a briefing in Lagos, the union’s SecretaryGeneral, Comrade Isaac Aberare, said the union was not involved in the manipulation of ballot papers during the failed election held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja from February 11-13. He said the allegation made against his union was unfounded and a ploy to score a cheap political point against NUPENG. Theunion’s scribe said the credentials committee was constituted to receive

complaints or petitions from affiliate unions regarding allocation of delegates to the 11th Delegates Conference of the NLC. He said the committee later met in Lagos and Abuja and addressed all the complains brought before it, stressing that the committee also agreed on the design of the ballot papers for the election. He said members of NUPENG were not involved in the processes that led to the printing of the election materials that necessitated the duplication of names of some contestants in the ballot papers booklet. Aberare explained that the selection of the printer, award of contract and the payment

for the job was done by the NLC’s secretariat while the printing and collation of the ballot papers and stapling in a booklet form were handled by the printer and his staff, adding that members of the Credentials Committee were not involved. He said the union vehemently denied and rejects the unfounded allegation of being responsible for the failed NLC delegates conference election, stressing that the union representative in the committee was not involved in the selection of printer, award of contract to print the ballot papers and payment for the job. The NUPENG Secretary-General alleged that one of NLC presidential contestants

stood to gain more from the duplication of names, adding that such candidate signed the NLC cheque for the printing of the ballot papers. Aberare alleged that the President, Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHUN) Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who was one of the NLC’s presidential candidates had shown desperation to hold the office even before the election. He explained that the members of the committee were not allowed to officiate during the voting by the chairman of the committee, Dr Issa Fagge, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who said as delegates they could be partisan.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-02-15

Nestle Nigeria declares N13.9b dividend

HE board of directors of Nestle Nigeria Plc has recommended distribution of N13.87 billion to shareholders as final dividends for the immediate past business year ended December 31, 2014. Nestle Nigeria had earlier distributed N7.93 billion as interim dividends. This final dividend recommendation brings total dividend for the year to N21.8 billion. A breakdown of the dividend recommendation shows that shareholders would receive a final dividend per share of N17.50, bringing total dividend per share for the year to N27.50. The final dividend is expected to be approved by shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting on May 11, 2015 and will subsequently become payable as from May 12, 2015 to shareholders on the register of the company as at the close of business on Friday, 24 April 2015. The final dividend is being paid from the pioneer profits

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

of the company and as such not subject to deduction of withholding tax. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of the company for the year ended December 31, 2014 showed that turnover rose by eight per cent from N133.08 billion in 2013 to N143.3 billion in 2014. Profit before tax however dropped from N26.05 billion in 2013 to N24.4 billion in 2014. Profit after tax was almost unchanged at N22.24 billion in 2014 as against N22.26 billion in 2013. Directors of the food company described the performance as satisfactory citing the tough macroeconomic environment and the devaluation of Naira. “We are pleased with the turnover growth despite the challenging macro-economic environment. It is encouraging that we sustained almost the same level of profit after tax in 2013

notwithstanding the devaluation of the Naira which increased our net finance costs,” the company stated. According to the company, it will continue to increase its marketing investments, accelerate innovation and ensure that its pricing is always sensitive to consumer needs. Analysts a FBN Capital noted that Nestle Nigeria’s top-line performance was constrained by similar headwinds faced by other consumer goods companies such as increased competition across various product segments, insecurity in northern Nigeria and lower discretionary income. Analysts pointed out that devaluation of Naira and foreign exchange could further negatively impact the company’s profitability. “We do not expect the proposed dividend to impress the market; instead we expect the market’s reaction to the results to be negative given the weak underlying performance,” FBN Capital stated.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-02-15

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

MONEYLINK

Govt’s revenue down 15% to N416b on oil price fall

HE Federal Government’s gross government revenue fell 15 per cent to N416 billion in January due to weaker oil prices, the Accountant General, Jonah Otunla said yesterday. “There was substantial loss of revenue due to a further drop in the prices of crude oil. Also, a 33 percent decrease in export volumes between November and December 2014 translated to a loss of $159.88 million,” he said. Nigeria will distribute a total N500 billion to local, state and federal government for the month of January, including extra cash re-

FCMB promises more loans to agric sector

Stories by Collins Nweze

mitted from state oil company and from Value Added Tax, which is not counted as part of statutory revenue, Otunla said. The Senate Finance Committee had proposed cutting the oil price benchmark in the 2015 budget to $52 a barrel from its current $65. The upper house had debated the change proposed by the committee but had not yet reached a conclusion. The oil-price slump has adversely affected the economy, with the naira recording series of record lows against the dollar in the last three

•Finance Minister Dr.Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala months, breaking through N200 to the greenback.

Access Bank, police partner on fraud control

CCESS Bank Plc and the Po lice Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday reiterated their joint commitment in effective fraud investigation and control. Speaking yesterday at a training organised by the bank for compliance officers and PSFU officers in Lagos, the Chief Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc, Pattison Boleigha reassured the Police of the lender’s continued support for the police during its investigations. He said that criminals have gone ahead of internal control officers and that it is only through effective collaboration with the police that their activities can be checked. He also said that Know Your Customer (KYC) policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the foundation of banking that should be followed. “KYC is the foundation of banking. You need to know who the

customer is, before you will be able to meet his or her needs. Proper customer due diligence should come naturally in financial institutions. In Access Bank, KYC and extended due diligence processes, form a major cornerstone of our antimoney laundering and tracking financial terrorism programme,” he said. Bolegha explained that customer due diligence and knowing the beneficial owners of an account has been placed as a primary objective for every bank internal control system to achieve proper control within the system. He said the bank carries out a customer due diligence risk assessment to know the type of customers it wants to deal with and the right risk management system that would apply. “So, if we know that we don’t have the right risk management system to deal with a customer, we will not carry out transaction with such customer. This helps us to re-

duce the risk of KYC failure,” he said. The Deputy Commissioner of Police at PSFU, Ikoyi, Zubairu Muazu said the training for its officers is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implemented by the lender, aside several support extended to the lender last year. “Today’s training will enhance our job interface of preventing fraud and financial crimes. We believe that we need to come together and understand ourselves better to improve partnership between both parties,” he said. Muazu explained that effort of the police in fraud control is yielding positive results as fraud cases are declining. “Fraud cases are not rising. The cooperation between the police and the financial sector is getting better, and we are doing our best to reduce fraud in the system,” he said.

ROUP Managing Director/ Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited, Mr. Ladi Balogun, has assured that the bank will intensify its support to the agricultural sector and its value chain including lending more to the subsector in the interest of the economy. The bank chief spoke yesterday during the ‘FCMB Agric Business: Diversifying the Nigerian Economy’ conference held in Lagos. He said the lender is focused on being a strategic partner to the government and other stakeholders in the agric sector to ensure food sufficiency, employment and revenue generation. Mr. Balogun assured that the lender will continue to provide credit to the sector and its value chain, including small and medium scale businesses. He said the 30 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) come from the agricultural sector, and was 40 per cent

before the economy was rebased last year. “The agric transformation is real. It is not rhetoric. We built agric business that is at the centre of transforming the economy. If we really want to continue employing the growing population, we need to not only feed Nigeria, but feed the world,” he said. He said the bank realises that there are millions of farmers across the country that need credit at affordable rates, considering the level of attraction the agric sector has garnered. That is why we are increasing our level of support. Also, speaking the Chairman of Tractor Owners & Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), Alhaji Danladi Garba, commended FCMB for its support to the agric sector and farmers. He said that Nigeria can produce its own food and that agric business remains profitable.

Fitch affirms Stanbic IBTC’s‘AAA(nga)’ ratings

ITCH Ratings has re-affirmed the AAA(nga)’ national ratings of Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC and Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, a testament to the finan cial institutions’ strong fundamentals and stability. The two institutions were also assigned ‘F1+(nga)’National Short-term rating, to reflect the their ability to meet their financial commitments as they fall due. The national rating provides a relative measure of credit worthiness for rated institutions in Nigeria and the AAA national rating is assigned to an institution(s) with the lowest relative risk. In the ratings release Fitch also maintained a stable outlook for both Stanbic IBTC Bank and Stanbic IBTC Holdings. In its report, Fitch indicated that they expect increasingly challenging economic conditions and market volatility to persist in Nigeria. However, they also recognise the continued strong underlying growth in Nigeria, particularly in the non-oil sector. In arriving at the rating for Stanbic IBTC Bank and Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Fitch took account of the strong parental support from Standard Bank Group, which has a majority 53.2 per cent stake in Stanbic IBTC Holdings. The Chief Executive Officer of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, said the ratings reflect the financial institution’s strength, strong leadership and the continued support of its parent company, the Standard Bank Group.

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

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

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

ECONOMIC INDICATORS FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 23, 2015

Inflation: December

Monetary Policy Rate

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$33.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91

Tenor Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 25-02-15

SYMBOL JBERGER ETERNA UACN UBN AGLEVENT UBCAP CONTINSURE CHAMPION FBNH FIDELITYBK

O/PRICE 39.98 2.51 37.00 8.92 1.09 1.33 0.82 5.07 7.61 1.22

C/PRICE 44.00 2.69 38.84 9.36 1.14 1.39 0.85 5.20 7.80 1.25

CHANGE 4.02 0.18 1.84 0.44 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.13 0.19 0.03

LOSERS AS AT 25-02-15

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

ACADEMY NASCON OANDO MANSARD FO STANBIC CUSTODYINS UBA AIICO WEMABANK NB

1.11 6.46 13.90 2.85 223.00 25.75 3.90 3.75 0.74 0.96 139.00

C/PRICE 1.06 6.20 13.35 2.76 216.10 25.07 3.80 3.66 0.73 0.95 137.74

CHANGE -0.05 -0.26 -0.55 -0.09 -6.90 -0.68 -0.10 -0.09 -0.01 -0.01 -1.26

N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

19 Feb

20 Feb

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

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

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

15.033

15.977

15.809

17.177

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

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

Save on Mac News 10 Ronke folder Monylink 26-02-2015

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

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

SHOWBIZ

Burna Boy announces new record label

Skales, Wizkid at loggerheads

ORMER label mates, Skales and Wizkid are currently at each other’s throats on Twitter. The ex EME stars were engaged in a social media row which started when Skales claimed that he wrote songs for Wizkid. The Star Boy act, on the other hand, says his success fuelled Skales’ career in EME. In a series of tweets, Skales claimed that though he wrote songs for Wizkid, the Star Boy does not support him. “@wizkidayo no bad blood bro we family but show support to ur own for real it’s not by tweeting or bare words,” he tweeted. “@wizkidayo I don’t nid p.r

By Mobisola Oladapo

IGERIAN reggaedance hall singer and songwriter, Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy has announced his new record label, Spaceship Entertainment. The 23-year-old singer set up the record label eight months after parting ways with his former record label, Aristocrat Records. Confirming this in a tweet, he said: “My official Record Label twitter and Instagram account is up Spaceship ent please follow and share.” Burna Boy signed a twoyear deal with Aristocrat Records in 2012 and left under controversial circumstances in 2014.

By Ovwe Medeme

from u bro das d least ting let’s call a spade a spade..u ’re a fake ass nigga...dat is scared of ppls success,” he further tweeted. It was a back and forth between both stars. Wizkid immediately replied Skales. The Star Boy act said Skales is merely looking for publicity for his new album Man of the Year. “I know u’re going thru a lot but don’t point fingers at me bro. I made the label money to push all of us! Don’t forget,” Wizkid replied. Skales took the beef a notch higher when he accused his former label mate of stealing the beat for his hit song,

Azonto; “…u stole ma beat and made Azonto…ur super star song…I wrote that song. Don’t let me go on.” Not taking any of that, Wizkid promptly responded; “My guy @youngskales. I know u’re looking for publicity for ur new album. So I won’t say anything more!... did @youngskales just say he wrote super star!!! I still dey hear sha. Someone that can’t write himself a hit song. U hate your brother because he’s got it more than u. Wow! Na God dey bless everybody my brother!” Wizkid and Skales were signed to EME in 2010. While Wizkid’s career soared, Skales’ career stalled. Both acts left EME in 2014 under different circumstances.

Charly Boy reveals secret of youthful look

UNK entertainer, Charly Boy, over the weekend, disclosed secret to his youthfulness. The self-styled ‘Area Fada’ who is a father of nine children and grandfather to 14, published a picture of himself on his Facebook page, showing a well-formed torso and bulging biceps. Charly Boy, 63, who was born Charles

By Joe Agbro Jr

Chukwuemeka Oputa on 19 June, 1951, also revealed his regime for maintaining such a physique. In a response to one of the comments that trailed the picture about how he maintains his physique despite his age, Charly Boy blurted. “If I tell you all the things wey I dey do to stay fresh, you no go

fit even last one week keeping to the rules. I no dey drink, smoke,” he wrote. He also added that he does not do extra-marital affairs. He added: “I run 10 miles every day. Nothing dey worry me, I gym etc etc, so why must I look my age.” Apparently inspired by the post, Praise Fowowe of the Center For Sex Education and Family Life said, “Area Fada, your words about what you do to stay healthy is a challenge to us all.” In a later post, Fowowe also wrote; “You inspire a lot of us out here. I am starting to jog from tomorrow sir.” Known for his controversial lifestyle which includes his pierced body and tattoos, his political views and fondness for motorcycles, Charly Boy, a one-time president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), married Diane Oputa in 1979 and they have children together.

• Skales and Wizkid

Winners emerge in Cupid Games

RGANISERS of Cupid Games, an internet show sponsored by Closeup, have revealed winners amidst performances by trending music artistes at the weekend. The concept, which began a month ago, chose the boldest moves in its #dare2love concept, and rewarded the overall winner, Samuel, with MV Agusta Brutale 80cc Power Bike. The show also rewarded the first runnerup, West, with a pair of personalised Macbook Air Notepads, while the third place winner got a pair of

By Mercy Michael

personalised iPads. The grand finale which had David Adeleke, aka Davido and Yemi Alade as headliner artistes, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The duo of Toke Makinwa and Ebuka who anchored the event were simply amazing. The chemistry they brought on stage was infectious on their audience. The event had a theme of love, thus Toke was seen wooing her crush (Ebuka) with a love song.

Soul singer, Bez, who opened the event, rendered the most electrifying rendition of his hit song Stupid song. Yemi Alade on the other hand, stunned in her white jumpsuit, as she made some sexy moves. Her rendition of Johnny, Tangerine and Kissing among other hits brought fans to the dance floor. Davido who closed the show sustained the momentum. He got a standing ovation as everyone was capturing the moment with their recording devices as they danced along.

Undergraduate wins Guinness #madeofblack Selfie challenge

A Group sings for APC, honours Senator Tinubu, others

musical company, Excel Extravaganza, has released an album containing campaign songs for the All Progressives Congress (APC). The event which took place at All Seasons Plaza, Ikeja, Lagos, attracted large number of Nollywood actors and actresses who also pledged their support for the party and asked the electorate to go out and obtain their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). The group honoured the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu with excellence awards for their contributions to the growth and development of the country.

Other awardees include Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola and his Osun State counterpart, Ogbeni Raufu Aregbesola, APC senatorial candidate, Hon Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, aka Yayi and National Union of Road Transport Workers ( NURTW) MC Oluomo among others. The Chief Executive Officer of the company and promoter of the event, Mr Oyedele Morrof, said the album was his token contribution to the political campaigns of the APC. “This is my token support to the party. I am not a politician, but I feel it is necessary that these people are appreciated for their efforts to develop the country.”

winner has emerged in the Selfie videos competition, organised by Guinness #madeofblack. Obi Olivia, a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, was voted the winner of the competition. According to the organizers, Olivia’s engaging video, which demonstrates her love of fashion and #madeofblack attitude, received the highest number of likes by fans on the Guinness Facebook page. The competition, which is a part of the Guinness #madeofblack campaign, ran for five weeks and encouraged fans to post their own Selfie videos, telling Nigerians why they are #madeofblack. Olivia received her grand prize money of N250, 000.00 from Guinness #madeofblack ambassador and ace rapper, Eva Alordiah. During the presentation, Eva congratulated the winner and applauded her style. “Congratulations to Obi Olivia. She is a great representation of someone #madeofblack, made of swag and bold to carve her own

path in life,” Eva said. While accepting her cheque, Obi Olivia thanked Guinness for organising the competition. “I am happy to be here to receive my prize. I am happy Guinness gave me an opportunity to express myself, showing what I am made of. I thank everyone who liked my Selfie video, this goes to all of you. I am made of style. I am #madeofblack and I am proud” Obi said.

Speaking at the prize presentation, Marketing Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Obinna Anyalebechi, said the #madeofblack campaign, launched in August 2014, has shone a light on a movement being created by a new generation of Africans, whose boldness cannot be contained. ”Our #madeofblack campaign encourages consumers to show and express what

they are made of. We received some great #madeofblack Selfie videos from fans doing just that. And all of them are keen to show why they are #madeofblack. In the opinion of visitors to our Guinness Facebook page, Obi Olivia has the swag and she is #madeofblack. She got the highest number of likes and was declared the winner of the video Selfie competition,” Anyalebechi said.

• L-R: Marketing Manager, Guinness, Mr. Obinna Anyalebechi; Eva Alordiah and winner of the competition, Olivia Obi

THE NATION THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS

Fani-Kayode’s witness lied to court, says EFCC HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday accused the second defence witness (DW2) in the trial of Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, of lying to the court. The witness, Aderemi Ajidaun, who said he was Fani-Kayode’s childhood friend and former chief of staff when the defendant was the Minister of Culture and Tourism, testified at the former minister’s trial before Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Lagos. EFCC’s lawyer Mr Festus Keyamo, while cross-examining the witness, accused him of being in court to “help” his friend and was not telling the truth. Fani-Kayode was accused of making a transaction exceeding N500,000 on September 20, 2006, which was not done through a financial institution, by accepting N2.1 million in cash, which was paid into his personal bank account by his aide, Supo Agbaje, while he served as Minister of Culture and Tourism. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence which EFCC said contravenes the Money Laundering Act. The first defence witness, Kola Olapoju, had testified on Monday that he was the administrator of the late Fani Kayode’s estate, and that the defendant directed him to withdraw money from the estate’s accounts, which he intended to use for the reno-

Kayode was charged, the former minister asked him to give him the money for his renovation project, adding that when he brought the money, the chief of staff directed him to deal with Agbaje, even though he did not get back to Fani-Kayode that the money had been paid. Keyamo asked the witness if he was aware that FaniKayode’s account had a balance of N8.5million, far more than the N2.1million purportedly meant to pay the artisans renovating the

By Joseph Jibueze

vation of his personal house. Testifying yesterday, Ajidaun said he was in his office when Olapoju brought the cash on September 21, 2006 and asked to see Fani-Kayode, who was away. “I asked him to go and deposit it in the bank since the accused did not handle cash. When he (Olapoju) said he was in a rush to return to Lagos, I called Agbaje and asked him to follow Olapujo to the bank. Again on September 29, I received a call from Mr Olapoju. He said he had certain monies for the accused who was not in the office, neither was I. I also asked him to contact Agbaje to assist him,” the witness said. According to him, Agbaje, who was one of FaniKayode’s personal assistants, did not have direct access to the former minister. But this contradicted earlier evidence by Agbaje that it was Fani-Kayode who personally gave him the cash to pay into his account. “Agbaje never had direct access to Fani-Kayode and could not have collected cash from him. Every staff had to pass through me to reach the honourable minister,” Ajidaun said. At this point, Keyamo asked the witness: “Will it surprise you that Mr Agbaje came to this court and never mentioned you?” Ajidaun replied: “I’ll be very surprised.”

Interim govt decried •Fani-Kayode (left) and one of his aides...yesterday PHOTO: DAVID ADEJO

Keyamo said: “Agbaje said the accused person (FaniKayode) gave him the money. It means that between the two of you, someone is telling this court a lie.” The witness said: “My account is the truth.” The prosecutor asked Ajidaun: “Do you want to reiterate that a Personal Assistant never had access to the accused person?” The witness replied: “There were 12 personal assistants. They might be PAs to the minister, but they were responsible to me primarily.” Keyamo then accused him of lying, saying: “I suggest to you that you have come to this court to help a friend of 50 years standing and you are not telling the court the truth.” The witness denied the al-

legation, saying: “I’ve never told lies regarding this case even though certain people had asked me to lie. I have not done so on this occasion.” Ajidaun said even though it was not the normal practice for people to bring cash to Fani-Kayode’s office, he did not find the monies brought by Olapoju unusual. He also said he did not remember whether other aides made lodgments to FaniKayode’s account. Earlier, Olapoju, who said he had been the estate’s coadministrator for 14 years, claimed it was not the first time Fani-Kayode would ask him to withdraw money from the estate’s account for him. He said in the case of the transactions for which Fani-

•From left: Sasore of Ilesaland, Osun State Tunde Aluko; President, Rotary Club of Oregun, Lagos State Kingsley Ibhade and Mr Arinze Okamelu after a briefing on the activities to mark the Rotary Club’s 30th anniversary

HE Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups (COSEG) has condemned the idea of an interim government being suggested by some Nigerians. A statement by Ifedayo Ogunlana and Rasaq Olokoba, the organisation’s chairman and secretary, said those promoting the idea “are agents of destruction, who are against the unity, peace and progress of the country.” The statement added: “We wish to sound a note of warning to those promoting the idea of an interim government. Those nursing the idea should forget it, as our people are prepared for the elections as planned by the only constitutionally-recognised body, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “We wish to state that March 28 and April 11 elections are sacrosanct and on no condition must they be changed. We appeal to our people to vote for a man of integrity as president by voting Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. “With the level of preparedness of INEC and the rate of collection of PVCs by Nigerians, there is no reason for postponement. The card readers procured should be used for the elections, to eliminate rigging. Any politician against the use of card readers is an election rigger.”

PDP candidate gets support

YO State former Deputy Governor Alhaji Azeem Gbolarunmi and one of the governorship aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Femi Babalola, have mobilised the electorate for the PDP governorship candidate, Senator Teslim Folarin. They described him as a trustworthy politician, who fulfilled his promises. The duo spoke when Folarin campaigned at the secretariat of the Nigeria Automobile Technical in Olorunsogo, Ibadan.

By Jeremiah Oke

Gbolarunmi said Folarin was a gentleman, will clean record. He said his wealth of experience in governance at the federal level made him a better administrator, adding that governance was about experience. Babalola, an engineer, said Folarin proved to be a good leader with the way he empowered youths in his constituency, adding that he contributed to the development of Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria.

Fidau

Fed Govt to spend N16b on irrigation HE Federal Government will spend about N16 billion to rehabilitate the lower Anambra irrigation project, the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, has said. She said the government was close to re-procuring the project, which had about 3,800 hectares. Mrs. Ochekpe, who spoke during a Tuesday live programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), monitored by our reporter in Abuja, said the government was undertaking a national survey of water facilities to determine the level of coverage nationwide. According to her, the government was introducing reforms in the sector to ensure better service deliv-

house. Olapujo said: “I now know that the balance was more than the cash I brought.” The witness said he did not see Agbaje pay in the money, as he left him at the bank and went to the airport, and that he did not know whether Fani-Kayode spoke to Agbaje on phone after he had left. Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr Wale Akoni (SAN), said the former minister would call one more defence witness. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia adjourned till March 26 for continuation of trial.

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

ery. She said: “One of the major projects we have in the Southeast, for instance, is the lower Anambra irrigation project. It is receiving attention from the government as regards rehabilitation. “The project requires not less than N16billion for rehabilitation. We are in the process of re-procuring the project so that when it is fully developed, it will provide lots of jobs for many farming families.” The minister said the Federal Government was working to strengthen collaboration with state governments to deliver water services to the people. She said the provision of

water services to the citizens was the responsibility of state governments, adding that the Federal Government could only assist through intervention. Mrs. Ochekpe said: “Some state governments are working hard, some are still foot dragging, maybe thinking the Federal Government will take responsibility, but we have in the last three years strengthen our collaboration to make the states understand that it is their responsibility. We are willing to work with them, based of course on the National Water Policy that provides for partnership where the state can invest about 70 per cent and the Federal Government will contribute 30 per cent. “With the support of the

World Bank, Africa Development Bank, European Union and French Development Agency, we have embarked on water sector reforms with the states. “We realise that most of the water utilities are weak and that there are many cases where state governments invest huge sums in developing their water resources, but they don’t have commensurate returns on the investments because people are not willing to pay appropriate rate. “So, through the water sector reforms, we are trying to ensure that the utility agencies are viable financially to support and sustain the provision of water facilities at the state level.”

ORTY-One days fidau for Alhaja Adijat Oluyemisi Sadiq will hold today. She died on January 15 and she has been buried according to Islamic rite. Aged 70. The prayer will be conducting by team of Islamic clerics led by Chief Imam of the Eleta Community, Alhaji Ibrahim Jalaruru slated by 10 am. Alhaja Sadiq was a community leader and business woman during her life time. She survived by her husband Alhaji (Chief) AbdulLa-

•The late Madam Sadiq teef Owolabi Sadiq, many children and grandchildren.

Funeral for Onyekuru

HE family of Pa Onyekuru of Okwu Uratta in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State has announced the death of its father, husband and uncle, Oha Bernard Onyekuru. He passed away on February 6. He was 96. The deceased’s son, Chidi Onyekuru, said he would be buried on Saturday. The body will leave Holy Rotary Hospital mortuary, Emekuku in Owerri North Local Gov-

•The late Onyekuru

ernment for his home town, Okwu Uratta, at 9:30 am. The body will arrive St Patrick Catholic Church, Okwu Uratta for a requiem mass, to be followed by burial.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS PDP can’t win in Rivers, says Peterside

U.S. top diplomat to monitor presidential poll

By Emmanuel Oladesu, Group Political Editor

By Wale Ajetunmobi

IVERS State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Dakuku Peterside, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will lose in next month’s elections because it has been rejected by the people. The APC candidate said the bombing and arson by suspected PDP thugs would not deter the electorate from voting for APC. Peterside, a member of the House of Representatives, regretted that the activities of thugs had aggravated insecurity in the state, adding that the APC government would restore order. The politician told reporters in Lagos that suspected PDP thugs were on the rampage because the party’s failure at the general elections was imminent. He said: “APC is a party to beat in Rivers State. We have a good governor, a dynamic man, a team player. There are two parties in the race - APC and PDP. Nyesom Wike (PDP’s candidate) and I were in the same university at a time. I was the Students’ Union Government (SUG) President then. I have served as the Special Adviser on Students’ Affairs; the Special Adviser on Works and Commissioner for Works. I am now in the House of Representatives. We know we each other.” Peterside described electoral violence as the greatest challenge confronting Rivers, adding that 37 people had been killed in mayhem in the state. He added: “We lost 11 in a day in Abuba. The tragedy also hit Ogugolo and Okrika. Many people were injured. Party offices in Okrika and Andoni were burnt. hands were cut off. People were stabbed. In Agua-Odua, people also died in political violence. For us, that is the greatest threat to the sanctity of the electoral process. It is not abating. It will be an issue in the elections.”

Hospital decries unclaimed bodies From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

HE Management of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Asaba, the Delta State capital, has decried the number of unclaimed bodies in the hospital’s mortuary. It said the trend worried the management and the residents because of the health hazard the situation posed. FMC’s spokesman, Mr. Ogbogu Nnamdi, confirmed that many bodies were in the morgue without identification. He urged those having missing relatives to visit the mortuary. Nnamdi said the limited space in the morgue was filled with bodies whose address or relatives were unknown. The spokesman said the management condemned the manner the relatives and other people depositing bodies in the morgue abandoned them.

• From left: Mrs Silifat Bello, former House of Representatives member; Tunde Salau and Mrs Yinka Bello, at a health programme sponsored by Salau on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Epe...yesterday

Ministry’s audit reports indict Wike

NTERNAL audit reports of the Federal Ministry of Education have indicted Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governoship candidate, Nyesom Wike. The audit reports were for 2013 and 2014, when the Rivers PDP’s standard bearer was in charge at the Federal Ministry of Education. Following the 2011 general elections, Wike was made the Minister of State for Education and was later elevated as the Supervising Minister of Education. But with the 2014 appointment of Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau as the substantive ministe, Wike reverted to his former position. He resigned last year to seek nomination of the PDP to succeed Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Wike, a former Chief of

•PDP candidate: reports false, unfounded From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and a two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, denied the issues raised in the audit reports. The PDP candidate, who spoke through the Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee of his campaign organisation, Emma Okah, said: “The issues raised in the purported audit reports are false, unfounded and a figment of the imagination of the originators.” The auditors expressed shock that after resigning as minister, late last year, Wike refused to hand over five official vehicles of the Federal

Ministry of Education. The audit report noted: “Recently, representatives of the ministry were sent to the former Minister of State for Education (Wike) to recover the five official vehicles with him, as is the normal procedure, but he blatantly refused handing over the vehicles. “It was later discovered that he had already offered one of the vehicles, a Toyota Landcruiser Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the Rivers State Chairman of the PDP (Chief Felix Obuah). The vehicles he is yet to hand over are: two Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep, a Toyota Prado jeep, a Toyota Lexus jeep and a Toyota Pickup (Hilux).” The 2013 revelation by the auditors involved N2.9 bil-

lion, consisting of N2.4 billion for the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDGs’) intervention projects in schools in the six geo-political zones and N500 million for monitoring of the MDGs’ projects. The audit report on the MDGs’ projects in schools stated: “None of these projects was fully executed. This is in direct contradiction of extant financial regulations. Payments were made for the projects, even as none was executed. Payments made were totally devoid of the following procedures, which are mandatory for any government payment to contractors: minute of ministerial tenders’ board committee and completion certificate...”

Army promotes soldiers battling Boko Haram

HE Nigerian Army announced yesterday a special promotion for all soldiers involved in liberating Baga in Borno from Boko Haram insurgents. The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Kenneth Minimah, announced the promotion while addressing the soldiers during an official visit to Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area. Minimah said the promotion was to reward the soldiers for their gallant effort in flushing out the insurgents. He added that soldiers who died in the battle with the insurgents would also be promoted posthumously.

•COAS visits troops in Baga “The entire country is singing praises of Nigerian soldiers for the bravery exhibited in the fight against the insurgents. “I urge you to keep the tempo by striving hard to record more successes’’, Minimah said. He expressed optimism that insurgency would end in the next couple of weeks. “Never again will Nigerians suffer this kind of large scale destruction in the name of insurgency’’, Minimah said. He said his visit was aimed

at boosting the soldiers’ morale and building more confidence in them. “The war is almost ended, we will liberate Dikwa, Bama, Gwoza, Marte and other places in a few days time’’, Minimah said. He advised Nigerians to support the military in its quest to end the insurgency. “Nigerians should maintain confidence with Nigerian armed forces. They should support our military because there is no other. “War is war. War does not often come out in favour of

any one. In fact, it is the end that justifies the means. “The war, as it stands, has turned out for the good of Nigerian Armed Forces, and God willing, in a matter of time, it will be over. “So, I encourage Nigerians to support their military’’, Minimah emphasised. He said that the six weeks offered by the Federal Government for the military to clear the insurgents was achievable, going by the recent developments. “It is achievable; we are still within the time frame. But six weeks should not be taken that everything must be attained because this is war’’, he added.

Abductors demand N100m ransom for Amaechi’s aide

HE kidnappers of Freddy Ndigbara, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, have demanded N100 million ransom. A source to Ndigbara’s family, who spoke in confidence yesterday, told our reporter about the demand in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The source urged the kidnappers to release the journalist unconditionally, unharmed and immediately. It was learnt that the kid-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

nappers called a member of his family, insisting that the ransom should be paid immediately, if he was not to be harmed. Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Felix Obuah cautioned that Ndigbara’s kidnap should not be politicised. Amaechi, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, on

Monday, said his aide’s kidnap was politically motivated. The governor, who spoke through his ally, Chief Tony Okocha, the House of Representatives candidate for Obio/Akpor on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is also the leader of the APC in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Okocha said Ndigbara was kidnapped for championing the defection of over 5,000 PDP members in his area to APC. The deputy CPS, who is

a popular Master of Ceremonies (MC) for major events, was kidnapped last Sunday in his Kaani-Ogoni hometown in Khana Local Government Area. Police spokesman, Muhammad Kidaya Ahmad, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was optimistic that Ndigbara would be rescued soon. The police spokesman said the command was making efforts to rescue the governor’s aide. But he could not confirm information on the ransom.

HE United States (U.S.) yesterday said it had got Federal Government’s assurance that the presidential election would hold on March 28, as rescheduled. This followed the rumour that the Federal Government may make another polls’ shift. Besides, U.S. top government officials are expected in the country to monitor the general elections. Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, addressed African reporters yesterday in Washington D.C. via a live web chat. Thomas-Greenfield, who is the top-most U.S. official on African affairs, said Nigeria remained America’s strategic partner in Africa. The top diplomat noted that the wellbeing of the most populous black nation was essential to achieving lasting peace on the continent. She said the world’s focus had been on Nigeria since the elections were re-scheduled. Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. would strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections and partner the government to avert violence.

Why my husband should be re-elected, by Jonathan’s wife From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

IRST Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, yesterday gave reasons President Goodluck Jonathan should be re-elected for a second term in the March 28 election. Mrs Jonathan, who was in Ikom, Cross River State, in continuation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nationwide women’s rally to solicit votes for her husband, said the President had performed well to deserve a second term in office. Speaking after inaugurating the 6,000-seat ultra-modern Ikom Township Stadium, Mrs Jonathan said: “I came to thank you for keeping to your promise in 2011 to vote for my husband. I want to appeal to you to you to repeat the same thing in the March 28 presidential election.” The First Lady said her husband, during his first tenure, impacted positively on the people, especially women. She recalled that in 2011, her husband promised to give women 35 per cent of Federal appointments, in line with the Affirmative Action. Mrs Jonathan said the President fulfilled his promise through political and elective offices. She said: “Now, we are in 2015, and he will do more for the nation and women in particular.”

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

NEWS Senate confirms Abba as Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal

Gunmen kidnap Chinese engineer in Nasarawa

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

HE Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of Hon. Kadi Ibrahim Abba as the Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senator Umaru Dahiru-led Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the screening of Hon. Abba. Dahiru in his report noted that the nomination of Hon. Abba by President Goodluck Jonathan was made pursuant to Section 261(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which requires that the appointment of a person to the office of the Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Shall be made by the President of the recommendation of the National Judicial Council subject to confirmation of such nomination by the Senate. He noted that Hon. Abba has been a Kadi in the FCT Sharia Court of Appeal since 1995 before his present elevation to the position of Grand Kadi by President Goodluck Jonathan.

U.S. urges Nigerians to fight Boko Haram

HE Information Officer, U.S. Embassy, Mr Sean Mclntosh urged Nigerians to support the government in fighting Boko Haram, just as Fredrick Douglas fought and stood up for the right of African Americans. Mclntosh spoke at the Black History Month Celebration on Wednesday in Abuja in a film review of the life of Fredrick Douglass, an African American Social Reformer in a programme titled: “From slavery to leadership’’. “If you read the heroic act of Douglass you will see the need why Nigerians and Africans at large need to live in unity and fight against Boko Haram. “If one man can come out to fight for the happiness of all, without knowing anyone, then I see no reason why people can’t live and understand each other.’’ Mclntosh noted that people’s ways of life should present dignity, love and passion “to see your brothers grow’’. “Our ways of life should not be different from Douglass’s because he fought with love and passion. “With dignity he stood for what was right and today there is freedom all over,’’ he added. Mclntosh said that Douglass became a remarkable orator that numerous persons doubted if he had ever been a slave. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports said that Douglass was born in slavery as Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey near Easton in Talbot County, Maryland. As a young boy, he was sent to Baltimore to be a house servant, where he learned to read and write, and later fought for the emancipation of slavery.

•Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (right), congratulating a Permanent Secretary, Mr. Renos Kabiny, at the swearingPHOTO: NAN in of six permanent secretaries and six special advisers in Gombe...yesterday.

Court stops deputy governor’s impeachment

MINNA High Court yesterday ordered against setting up impeachment of the deputy governor of Niger state, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto pending the hearing and the determination of motion on notice. The court also restrained the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Adamu Usman from disallowing Hon. Muhammed Nazir Abdullahi , member representing Rijau constituency from functioning as member. The two orders were granted separately by the court presided over by Justice Aliyu Mayaki. The trail judge had granted the six prayers of the deputy governor as contained in the motion paper. The court also granted an order restraining the respondents from tampering, violating, withdrawing the right

•Restrains Assembly from removing member From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

and privileges of the deputy governors’ office pending the hearing and determination of motion brought before it. Niger state House of Assembly and the Clerk were also restrained from conducting any proceeding in the chambers of the assembly aimed at impeaching the plaintiff from his position as the duely elected incumbent Deputy Governor of Niger state. The court also ordered that the Deputy governor should not be obstructed from discharging his function as the deputy governor of Niger state and alternatively ordered that all parties in the suit brought before the court should maintain status quo ante bellum. It will be recalled that last

week there were speculations that the government and the ruling PDP were planning to impeach the deputy governor for defecting to the APC last month. In a similar case Justice Mayaki granted order restraining the Speaker of the Assembly from stopping Hon. Muhammed Nazir Abdullahi , member representing Rijau constituency from functioning as member. Abdullahi and member representing Wushishi constituency, Hon. Bashar Isah Lokogoma had their seats declared vacant last week on the account that they defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC). Ruling in an experte motion filed by Nazir, the court ordered that all actions declar-

ing the seat of the plaintiff vacant should not be embarked upon pending the determination of the motion on notice and originating summon filed before the court. In the interim order the court ruled that the proceeding of the assembly on the 17/2/2015 that led to the declaring of Nazir seat in the Assembly vacant was unlawful. The Court also ordered that the speaker or his agents should not prevent the member from entering the Niger state house of Assembly complex to carry out his lawful and constitutional duty as a member representing Niger state house of assembly. It ordered that all parties involved in the suit should maintain their earlier positions before the action that cause the motion before the court.

23 suspected thugs arrested in Kano

HE Kano state police yesterday paraded 23 suspected political thugs including a female alleged to be sponsor of the killing of one persons, during a clash. The police commissioner Idris Ibrahim told reporters in Kano yesterday that, that a clash between two political rivals in LadiMakole in Warawa Local Government Area in Kano state which resulted in the killing and also a wanton destruction of properties. According to him “as you are aware on the 23rd of Febuary, around 1700hrs we recorded an incident at Ladin Makole village, where we fracas between two political parties, which resulted in the death of one of the party supporters. “When the police spread their dragnet, the area where the incident happened look very obscured and the police could not arrest anybody, and we establish a full patrol in that area, on Tuesday we got information of a build of political thugs around Tudun Wada area, in the process we arrested 23 suspects with dangerous weapons, in the course of the investigation we discovered that a lady was fingered by this political thugs to cause mayhem in that area.

•Woman among suspects From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

The police boss also said that, the suspected political thugs and their alleged female sponsor will be arraigned before the court of law, adding that, these will definitely serve as deterrent to any political party supporter or financiers who had the notion of causing trouble in the state. Idris said In a situation whereby some political actors gather innocent children giving them hard drugs to wreck havoc, I think is not in the best interest of our political evolution. I want to use this opportunity to call on political parties and every well meaning of this state to ensure they talk to their wards on the inherent danger associated with violence, during electioneering campaign, talk to their supporters to desist from being engage in destructive tendencies, in the process of advancing their political objectives. The inter security agency consultative committee yesterday met and took some far reaching decisions, that henceforth we shall not tolerate any politicians while on procession or campaign wielding

dangerous weapons attacking each other and the process harassing, intimidating innocent people in the community. Henceforth we have decided in the joint security committee that anypolitical actor that organizesor encourages thugs wielding their dangerous weapon in the public, we are going to take legal action against them. On the issue of buying PVC from eligible voters by some unpatriotic citizens, the police commissioner said that five persons have been arrested and recovered 350 permanent voters card from them He accused Aisha Majama’a of assembling youths to participate in destructive venture by giving drugs and attacking each other, he however frown at the incidence. Hajiya Maijama’a in her reaction to the allegation said that “ this issue is politically motivated, let me tell you, I am a mother, how can I hire or sponsor people as thugs it is just a frame up and it can happen to anybody. I am a female political pillar, in my area, these boys are our children, they were directed to go and paste posters by our party headquarters.

“I later got informed that they were arrested and brought to the police headquarters, so I came here to bail them, that was what happened, like I said it is politically motivated, so I have faith in God and leave everything to God, in life anything can happen to someone either good or bad, but I am telling you, it is politically motivated against me. Meanwhile, the meeting under the inter agency consultative committee on election security held at the Kano state police command yesterday resolved that the military will participate in the election process, but will not directly involve in the conduct of the election, because their participation is under the law, whereby they will not be allowed within the vicinity of the polling units, but will be strategically positioned in case of any eventuality. The state police commissioner told reporters after the meeting that the security agencies in the state are prepared to provide maximum security during the conduct of the elections. “As we have all shown, committed and endeavor to ensure that, maximum men are deployed to the nook and cranny of the areas, so that we can have a very peaceful election”.

UNMEN, numbering about seven, have kidnapped a Chinese project manager, Mr. Cui Fu Long X, in Toto, headquarters of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It was learnt that the gunmen stormed the project site at Adadu road in Toto, shooting sporadically while the workers fled in different directions. Speaking with our correspondent on Wednesday, the state Focal Person in charge of the Millennium Development Goals, sponsors of the state water project, Dr. Salisu Raj, said the firm handling the water project, CCGC Nigeria Limited, had yet to make an official report to him. According to him, the MDGs in the state received an “unofficial report” that the Chinese expatriate was kidnapped and taken to an undisclosed destination. He denied knowledge of any ransom, adding that the CCGC had not communicated to him on the incident. It was also gathered that the victim was working on the rehabilitation of a water scheme, completed in 1983.

Kidnappers demand N30m for release of American woman From James Azania, Lokoja

HE abductors of American philanthropist, Rev. Phyllis Sortor yesterday reduced to N30 million the ransom for her release. The yet-to-be identified kidnappers of the octogenarian and owner of Hope Alive Nursery/Primary Academy, who snatched her from the school premises at Emiworo in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State on Monday morning had on the following day made contact with a staff of the school, demanding payment of N60 million before she can be released. A source at the school confirmed that the abductors made contact through the victim’s phone, where the demands were made. The source whose name cannot be mentioned for obvious reasons said he passed out after one of the hoodlums hit him on the head with the butt of a gun, adding that he only recovered after about two hours later. Head Teacher of Hopewell Academy, Mrs Remi shaibu said the kidnappers stormed the school premises in the numbers, shooting into the air and causing pandemonium. Sorto according to findings runs the school on a more or less philanthropic basis, aside which she has devoted her time to caring for Fulani children around the area. The state Police Command has mounted a 24hour surveillance around the area. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Samuel Ogunjemulusi it was gathered was on ground to monitor developments.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

FOREIGN ISIS: Egypt explains bombing of Libya • ‘Group must be eliminated’

HE Egyptian government has defended its airstrike aimed at ISIS- jihadists in Libya. It said the group must not be allowed to have root in the region. Head of Egyptian Mission to Nigeria Ambassador Ashraf Salama called for coordinated efforts to ensure that the group and its likes were eliminated. The ambassador insisted that the attack in Libya was precise and on target. He stressed that no civilian was killed in the coordinated airstrike, which was carried out on ISIS stronghold. ISIS beheaded 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians, an action the Egyptian government described as ‘disgusting’. He explained that the first experience was when some Egyptians were killed and dropped in the sea. “We could not pin it on them as the bodies were found in the sea”, he said. The ambassador admitted that there were diverse views on how to tackle the scourge in the region, saying that some countries wanted political negation. He added: “When they killed our own people and showed it that way, we cannot just say ok, no problem.” He explained that the Egyptian authority had been monitoring their activ-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

ities closely, including where they had their ammunition and trainings. The ambassador, who addressed reporters in Abuja, noted that the only way to rid the continent of terrorists was through coordinated efforts, and support of all countries. “We need to stop terrorism and that is why we are calling for coordination, either from the Arab league or from African brothers. What is happening now is Egyptian involvement and the need to secure the region, because it is not only us,” he added. While calling for the support of well-meaning countries in the fight to eradicate terrorism in the world, the ambassador warned that “what happened in Libya could happen to anybody”. He stressed that no country can afford to stay aloof when it comes to the issue of terrorism; adding that terrorism does not have boundaries or religion. He also noted that the era, where a country secures its territory while terrorism prospers in neighbouring countries is over. “You have to have coordination with these countries, he said”.

LENT Theme: Your best may not win the race Text:”......Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither ( 1 Samuel 16:11)

GNORANCE of who God is and how He works facilitate desperation in the world. It is this lack of knowledge that makes people get severely competitive in the race of life, run down peers, peddle damaging rumours, damage campaign platforms of opponents, bomb offices of cocompetitors, abduct opponents ahead of election, harbour death wish for other contestants and even go to the satanic extent of murder, forgetting that God has the final say (Psalm 62:11). Ahead of the 1979 Second Republic election among the five political parties of Greater Nigerian People’s Party, National Party of Nigeria, Nigerian People’s Party, People’s Redemption Party and the Unity Party of Nigeria, the aspirants to political offices under the parties’ platforms traversed the length and breadth of the country to canvass for votes. Their campaigns were devoid of ambiguities, they were issues based, more engaging and focused than what the present political terrain has sliced into. The Unity Party of Nigeria’s Presidential flag bearer, Chief Obafemi Awolowo presented the most coherent plan of action during the electioneering campaign which was predicated on 5 cardinal points and was consequently touted as the person that will very likely win that election. But, ahead of that election, someone in corridors of power, who probably had knowledge of times and seasons, spoke prophetically before the election that, “The best candidate may not win”. That statement was a verbal bombshell that drew the ire of all and sundry but when the election result was announced, the words of that man was proven to be veracious. While it is good to be as swift as an athlete, it is axiomatic that God determines the race of life; oftentimes, the person that breasts the tape is not always the best athlete, and many times, it is the person God wants to use for a purpose that comes top. His ways are unknown and incomprehensible to man (Is. 55:8-9). When He decides to do whatever, none can hinder Him or ask Him why?(Job 9:12). From our text, God asked Samuel to go to the house of Jesse the Bethlemite to anoint a King for Him that will replace the disobedient Saul. Jesse brought out his best candidates that were suitable in physique, warfare, intellect, age and composure but God disapproved of them and told Samuel that “..... Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. ( 1 Samuel 16:7). Rather, God chose David, the seemingly useless and of course the youngest of Jesse’s children as King. When the Israelites cried unto God to deliver them from the hardship under Pharaoh that they had been subjected to for 430years, God chose Moses, who had committed murder in Egypt and had been declared wanted by Pharaoh to be convicted of his murderous act, to return to Egypt and negotiate the Israelites’ release from bondage ( Exodus 2:11-15; 3:7-10). Furthermore, against norm and logic, God chose to send Moses, a stammerer, to be the deliverer and Chief Negotiator ( Exodus 4:10-12). King Solomon, in his wisdom expanded this further that “..... the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (Eccles. 9:11). When God decides to favour a person, He suspends all human calculations and expectations like tribal, family or educational background. In fact, when His favour comes, He overlooks human limitations and life is en-

NEWS Senate slashes 2015 budget over dwindling oil price Continued from page 2

They demanded that the details of SURE-P projects to be executed should be attached to the annual budget estimates for approval by the National Assembly. The Senate said non-oil revenue projection for 2015 budget be increased from N3,539,07 trillion to N4,024.11 trillion; the total Capital Expenditure should be increased from N633.53 billion to N700.78 billion. The Senate also said the government should strengthen and consolidate its fiscal strategy to narrow the gap between projected and actual revenue for 2015-2017, curtailing oil theft and diversifying the economy to increase tax bases. It said that the policy restricting government-owned enterprises expenditure to a maximum of 75 per cent of their gross revenue and automatically converts 25per cent of such revenue to government revenue is commendable and should be pursued with vigour. The Senate directed the committees of the National Assembly to oversee the kerosene subsidy provision to ensure its full implementation, availability and accessibility. The senate warned that if policing kerosene subsidy is difficult, “then we should do away with kerosene subsidy”. Other salient resolutions of the Senate include that crude oil production of 2,278.2mbpd, 2,327.1mbpd and 2,406.7mbpd for 2015, 2016 and 2017 be approved. That the exchange rate of

N190/$1 for 2015 should be approved as proposed. The price of $52 per barrel of crude oil as benchmark for 2015 budget be approved against the $65 per barrel projected. The Senate is of the view that the reduction in the provision of subsidy payment for PMS from N971.14 billion in 2014 to N200 billion in 2015 are not indication of plans to alter the government’s subsisting policy on subsidy on petroleum products but based on the projected lower crude oil price in the international market. It added that the kerosene subsidy provision in the MTEF and FSP, which was as a result of the recent investigation by the Senate Committee on Finance of the alleged unremitted $49.8 billion, is a welcome development. It said that kerosene subsidy in the previous years was not appropriated by the National Assembly but now included in the MTEF/FSP. The increase of non-oil revenue from the proposed N3,539.07 trillion to N4,024.11 trillion is meant to shore up revenue shortfalls resulting from the recommendation of a lower benchmark. The Senate resolved that in order not to crowd out the private sector from domestic credit market, N665 billion of the N882.12 billion, borrowing for 2015 will be sourced externally at a lower interest rate. It said that the 2015 new borrowing should be pegged at N88.12 billion with N217.12 billion coming from domestic

sources and N665 billion from external sources. Senator Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom Northeast) noted that the Senate should be concerned about the monies from non oil sectors. Enang said: “The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is a proponent of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, is not seeing to the implementation of that Act. Solid mineral sector should by today generate revenue for the country, given the appropriation for the sector over the years. “Part of our responsibility is to ensure passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill. “ The PIB is one of the areas that should stabilise the economy for investors to put more money. Now the investors are going to Angola because they said the oil climate in Nigeria is not certain. “By 4th of June, the life of this Assembly will end. If we do not pass the bill, we are responsible for the instability of the non-oil sector. “No country trades on its own currency. We have consciously devalued the exchange rate from 160 to 190 and it is official currency trafficking.” Summarising the debate, Senate President David Mark said: “What this clearly shows is that we all have to tighten our belts across the entire sectors of this government. “We have for many years relied on oil as the main source of our revenue and I know that budget after budget, we say we will diversify the economy.

“Every time this budget comes, we are still repeating the same thing. The impression I get from it is that those who are responsible for producing the draft merely go there and reproduce what they have been bringing up. “I think they need to do a little more; they may not be able to forecast accurately. There are a few things I think we must get right; the first thing is, let there be a cut across board, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature and we are prepared to lead in this. “The areas of leakages we must emphasise on them; the revenue generation and collection; we must make sure that we tighten our belts. “What has impressed me in the entire discussion and the debate is the fact that this has been non-partisan; everybody has been very fair.”

riched with flavour. When God decides to favour you, for instance, He takes over the driver’s seat of your life, He takes you to the real destination of stupendous testimonies and not where you, in your limited human knowledge, want to go. When He takes over, He compels all the elements of life to cooperate with you. His favour makes you a person of valour. Gideon was a nobody, a timid and completely hopeless man but His favour changed his story. He saw himself as someone who was incompetent, a man from a poor family in Manasseh and the least in his father’s house (Judges 6:15) but God’s favour conferred a mighty man of valour on him ( Judges 6:12). His favour makes you the best for a great assignment What does His favour do? When God favours you, He separates you from your peers. He lifts your head up and above other people. When Joseph was in prison, God gave him “......... favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (Gen. 39:21-23). What lifted Joseph up in the prison was not his knowledge about prison or people management, it was God’s favour. When His favour comes, elevation becomes a settled matter. Also, God’s favour will make you preferable for higher positions. Esther was brought to Babylon as a prisoner but when the position of a Queen was vacant, she ‘applied’ and when the King sighted her, she obtained “..... favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti” ( Esther 2:17). She was apparently not the best for the race but God’s favour separated and lifted her up. Among all the virgins in the world, only Mary was found worthy to carry the Saviour’s pregnancy. The angel told her, “.... Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus ( Luke 1:30-31). Beloved in Christ, please be reminded that God has a plan and purpose for us as a country. He chooses people He needs for specific purposes. As stakeholders in our national political dispensation as either aspirants or supporters, please avoid every form of desperation to win the forthcoming elections at all costs so that you don’t run into God’s anger. The country belongs to God and not any person or political party. Allow God’s best man and/or woman to get there. Your best may not be His best! As children of God waiting on Him in the place of prayers during this lent, run away from satanic lure of being desperate for a higher position mindless of what it would cost. It is only His favour that puts flavour in human life. God has the final say and not any man. Avoid backbiting, eye-service, destruction of your peers and evil wishing. Remember that every act of desperation will end in shame, regret, sadness, weeping and untimely death. During this time of lent, ask God to have mercy on you and pray for His favour. You can be assured that at His time, things will work for your elevation and celebration, in Jesus’ name. Prayers: Almighty God, in your favour, give us your best to lead us to your Promised land, in Jesus’ name.

Turmoil in House Continued from page 2

ful that Sections 88 and 80 give the House the power and authority to carry out its functions. Amidst the confusion, Deputy Leader Leo Ogor raised his own point of order immediately, saying there was a case in court and brandished a piece of paper to back his claim. At this point, the Deputy Speaker said since tempers had calmed, his ruling would stand. If there are misgivings about it, the leadership has a way of dealing with it, Ihedioha said. Attempts by the Minority Whip, Samson Osagie, to raise his own point of order was refused by the Deputy Speaker who asked him to approach the Chair. Osagie refused to approach the chair, insisting that he had a point of order

to raise. Another round of confusion followed when Osagie was approached by Majority Whip Ishaka Bawa. Bawa was led away when it became clear that his intervention might degenerate into a brawl. Three Sergeant-at-Arms were standing by to intervene. The Deputy Speaker then took over proceeding, saying: “After a second round of democratic exercise, tempers should be down now. This is not peculiar to our parliament alone, but it is important we move forward. I’ve ruled and if there is any follow up, the leadership knows how to go about it.” He then called the next business of the day. Gbajabiamila, Osagie and some APC members stepped out of the chamber to address the media.

Jonathan, ex-presidents greet Shagari at 90 Continued from page 2

Shagari after the 1979 elections, described the Turakin Sakkwato as “a doyen of all us who have had the opportunity by an act of God to be at the helm of affairs of Nigeria. ‘’ Shagari has seen it all, the good, the bad and the not-so good and I have learnt a lot from him. ‘’ When we are in power we have a lot of people who call themselves friends, but when we are out of power is when we know our true friends,’’ he added. Shagari commended Obasanjo for the gesture, saying it is a very good morale booster for him to continue to work selfless-

ly for the development of Nigeria House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal also visited Shagari. Tambuwal, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship in Sokoto State, said former President Shagari remained a reliable symbol of Nigeria’s democracy. He said: “Turakin Sakkwato is a true democrat and he symbolises democracy in Nigeria. ‘’ He is an epitome of humility, piety, patience, patriotism, honesty, kindness and humaneness,’’ he added. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Sokoto Senator Abdallah

Wali said: ‘’ Shagari served Nigeria with an utmost sense of integrity and he showcased the values of hard work and moral rejuvenation. ‘’ We will cherish these values for Nigeria to move forward as a united, peaceful and prosperous nation. ‘’ Integrity is the cornerstone of good leadership” Former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa said the former president ‘’ is a committed, patient and patriotic leader.’’ One of t Shagari’s sons and a member of the House of Representatives Alhaji Aminu Shagari expressed happiness with the outpouring of encomiums on his dad.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

One dead in NURTW clash •Remains of properties destroyed at Oshodi...yesterday

PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

•Police vehicles stationed at Oshodi...yesterday

•LASTMA: motorists robbed

HE police yesterday confirmed one person dead in a skirmish between factions of a road union in Lagos. The clash stalled traffic on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. But sources said no fewer than six persons died. Twenty-seven vehicles, including commercial buses, and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. The factional National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) members’ clash began on Tuesday night and continued yesterday at Oshodi. They fought with all sorts of weapons. The police cordoned off the link road from Oshodi to Ilupeju, leading to heavy traffic on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. Motorists coming from Lagos Island through Gbagada and Ikorodu via Anthony were caught in the traffic. There were conflicting accounts of the clash. An account said it started after the police attached to the Mosafejo Police Station arrested one person for smoking Indian hemp. Anothor said it was a supremacy battle between two NURTW factions for the control of parks. EVEN suspected stowaways who boarded a merchant vessel at the Apapa seaport with the hope of making it to Holland were yesterday paraded and handed over to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) by the Navy. Among the victims are three Nigerians, two Liberians and two Ghanians, who all said they were tired of suffering and would still do the same if they had opportunity. The suspects were discovered in Togo waters (high sea), onboard MT ELECTRA BARI, after they drew the captain’s attention of their presence, thinking they had gone past the Gulf of Guinea region and the ship would not turn back. Unfortunately for them, the ship reversed and they were arrested by Naval personnel attached to the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Beecroft off Lagos waters. The suspects who

•Passengers waiting for buses at Oshodi...yesterday

•A long queue along Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway...yesterday

Union probes mayhem

AGOS State Council of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede has promised to unravel the cause of the clashes in Oshodi. He spoke while inaugurating a five-man committee to find out the immediate and remote causes of yesterday’s fracas between factional members of the union. Agbede said the union would not fold its arms and allow some disgruntled elements to destroy the state. By Tajudeen Adebanjo and Sulaiman Salawudeen

It was learnt that no fewer than 30 people had been arrested by the Special AntiBy Precious Igbonwelundu

claimed to be under 25 years, said they got access into the vessel through the help of canoe paddlers whom they paid tokens. They claimed most of their friends have made it to Europe (Spain) through the same process and were living comfortably having obtained their permits. The stowaways who showed no sign of remorse or regret, said their lives were already frustrated in Africa despite the fact that they are ‘talented’, adding that they browsed the Internet and discovered the vessel will arrive Spain/Nertherlands in eight or nine days after departure. Briefing reporters before the suspects were handed over to the NIS by the Commander Beecroft, Commodore Daniel Ikoli, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command (WNC), Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango

"We have been witnessing peace in Lagos State council of our union since my administration came in. We have restored peace in all our parks, so we shall try and find out the cause of the present problem in Oshodi with a view to finding lasting solution to it. I enjoin all our members in the state, especially in Oshodi and its environs to give peace a chance," he said. He praised the state government and the police for their efforts in restoring peace to Oshodi

Robbery Squad (SARS). Police spokesman Kenneth Nwosu, a deputy superintendent (DSP), said it was a contest for power between NURTW factions.

He said: “The hoodlums, who are rival members of the NURTW, engaged in a fight of supremacy over control of parks. In the process, about eight vehicles

were burnt, 10 vandalised. One person was gunned down; five cutlasses and four expended cartridges were recovered. “Normalcy has been restored as adequate security has been put in place to avert any further breach of the peace. Nine persons have been arrested and already undergoing interrogation while further operations to put a permanent stop to the activities of the hoodlums are ongoing.” A senior official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) told The Nation that some LASTMA officials were victims of the clash. “Some of our officials could not go through the under bridge near Mosafejo Market; they had to go and turn at Gbagada,” she said.

LASTMA, she said, also positioned some of its men in strategic locations to ensure that traffic did not stand still. “There were reports of theft including snatching of cameras from the people who stood by taking pictures of the fracas; the hoodlums also seized opportunity of the heavy traffic snarl to rob motorists of their bags, cash, jewellery and other valuable properties,” she stated. “As I was about leaving office, I saw a large number of men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) moving towards our office. Information reaching us had it that some of the hoodlums loyal to an opposition party want to set fire to the newly acquired BRT buses by the state government,” she said.

Navy parades seven arrested stowaways

PHOTOS: PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

•The suspects...yesterday

said the suspects boarded the ship while it was discharging petroleum product at the port in order to follow it to Nertherlands. He said: “On completion of its operations, MT ELECTRA BARI with IMO number 941682 left for

Lome, Togo. It was while in Togo she discovered some strange people onboard and established communication with NNS Ikot -Abasi, who effected the arrest of seven stowaways . “The suspects are being handed over to the Nigeria

Immigration Service for investigation and prosecution.” He reiterated the Navy’s commitment to containg all forms of illegality at sea, just as he appealed to young people to desist from travelling abroad illegally.

The suspects gave their names as Joe Mcgee, 22, and Ibrahim Sola (22) both cousins from Liberia; Imo State born Chike Obi, 17; John Okiya and Kwekwu Asamua, Ghanians; Papa Omomobi and Maxwell Madu.

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

NFF: Amuneke won't be fired

IGERIA Football Federation (NFF) have announced the job of coach Emmanuel Amuneke is safe despite the Eaglets crashing out in the semifinal of the CAF U-17 Championship. “The technical crew remains intact and the NFF will give support to them to plug the necessary holes in the team, so that we can have a squad capable of doing the nation proud in Chile,” according to an official press statement. Despite crashing out to South Africa in the semifinals on Wednesday, the NFF com-

mended the Eaglets for qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile in November. “Certainly, every Nigerian yearned for the Eaglets to win the African championship trophy in Niger after the boys reached the semifinals. They lost by a lone goal but we cannot accuse the players of lack of effort,” said NFF president Amaju Pinnick. “The present NFF administration has continued to harp on the fact that it is not only concerned with winning trophies. We want to win trophies but more than that, we want to build a sustainable football culture.”

• Amuneke

Gabros are NNL champions

ABROS are the overall champions of the Nigeria National League (NNL) after they beat 3SC 2-0 in the final of the playoffs on Wednesday at the Ilorin Stadium. To reach the final, Gabros beat Wikki Tourists 4-3

through penalties after it was 1-1 after regulation time, while 3SC beat Kwara United 1-0. Onyekachi Nwaiwu had his shot at goal deflected into 3SC net by defender Izu Joseph in the eighth minute. Michael Ohaimu scored the

second goal to seal the victory. It was his second goal at the NNL Super 4. Gabros were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute, when Thompson Emmanuel was red carded for a second booking. Giwa FC won the NNL championship last year.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Monaco stun Arsenal at the Emirates

• Monaco's Bulgarian forward Dimitar Berbatov (right) celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match against Arsenal last night

S Monaco hold the advantage ahead of the second leg after they recorded a surprise 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates in their Champions League last-16 tie. Goals from Geoffrey Kondogbia, Dimitar Berbatov and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco have put the Ligue 1 side in a commanding position ahead of the second leg in France, despite Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's curled effort. In a fairly timid opening half, Danny Welbeck had an early chance for the Gunners when he was sent scampering through on goal, but the England international was off balance as he scooped an effort over

the bar. Joao Moutinho mustered Monaco's first shot of the game on the 20-minute mark, but the Portugal international's tame effort drifted harmlessly wide as both sides struggled to create anything clear-cut. A promising attack for the Ligue 1 side broke down when Moutinho's slack pass was unable to find Dimitar Berbatov inside the area before Alexis Sanchez clipped a shot over the top after good work from Mesut Ozil. Moutinho was then able to find some room inside the area but his acrobatic effort flew well over the bar after he connected with a fizzed delivery.

Some neat link-up play between Sanchez and Santi Cazorla found Hector Bellerin wide right but the youngster's low cross was whipped over the bar by Olivier Giroud. Kondogbia then gave the visitors the lead when his long-range effort deflected off Per Mertesacker to leave David Ospina rooted. The French side doubled their advantage less than 10 minutes into the second half when a quick counter left them two against one at the back, and it was Berbatov who stayed composed to rifle home. Sanchez's struck an effort from outside the box, but Giroud was unable to convert after Danijel Subasic had palmed the ball invitingly into the Frenchman's path just before the hour mark. Anthony Martial perhaps should have made it 3-0 when he latched onto Moutinho's flick, but Ospina did well to close the angle quickly. Arsenal had a great chance to reduce the deficit when Theo Walcott escape the attention of Elderson, but Welbeck could only fire the ball at his teammate with the goal at his mercy on 64 minutes. Monaco were content to soak up pressure and hit the Gunners on the counter and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco was guilty of wasting a chance when he went through on goal and fired a tame effort with Bernardo Silva in a better position. The French side were made to pay for their profligacy when Oxlade-Chamberlain curled in an effort from outside the box as the clock ticked into stoppage time. However, Ferreira Carrasco made amends three minutes into added on time to give the visitors a major advantage ahead of the second leg.

RESULTS UEFA Champions League Arsenal 1 - 3 Monaco Leverkusen 1 - 0 Atletico England - Championship N’gham F. 2 - 1 B’nemouth

THE NATION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Eagles job not Keshi's birthright — Chukwu F

ORMER Super Eagles’ coach, Christian Chukwu, has stated that the team’s head coach is not a birthright or the preserve of former handler, Stephen Keshi. The out-of-contract Eagles’ coach on Wednesday lost his bid for the Burkina Faso hot job as the 2013 AFCON runners-up preferred the German, Gernot Rohr for the Stallions. The Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) executive board had not been firm on whether or not to offer the former Mali and Togo coach a new con-

Registration for Greensprings camp begins

EGISTRATION for the season four of the annual Greensprings/Kanu Football Camp has commenced across the country. According to the organisers, students who will like to be part of the one-week camping can now register online on www.greenspringskanufootballcamp.org. The Director of Education, Greensprings School, Harry McFaul, said this year’s camp would be unique as over 500 participants and 80 coaches are expected to be part of the oneweek exercise holding at the Lekki Campus of Greensprings. “What makes this year’s event unique is that there will be more time allocated to coaching and training of coaches so that even more people will ultimately benefit from the camp in the longer term. The camp will be larger offering more opportunities to potential football stars from all over Nigeria. We have had enquiries from farther afield than ever before with large numbers of sponsored places offered to boys and girls who have potential - but maybe not the financial means to attend. In furtherance of Greensprings' corporate social responsibility, there will be an outreach programme in Abesan Community, Lagos where Kanu Nwankwo will lead all the foreign coaches and their Nigerian counterparts in a one-day football clinic for residents in the area,” McFaul said. He added that the coaches would be drawn from England and Netherlands including Nigerians coaches.

tract. Chukwu said the NFF should be firm and forthcoming on the Eagles job and stop the hide and seek game with the former Nigerian strongman. “NFF should stop using Keshi as excuse for their indecision on Super Eagles coaching job. “It’s wrong for the NFF to be waiting on Burkina Faso to name a coach before deciding whether or not to hand Keshi a new contract. “Super Eagles job is not an exclusive or permanent work place for Stephen Keshi or any other coach. “I don’t think Keshi is really too heavy a burden for

the football house to deal with rather they’re just trying to make something out of nothing. “If truly they want Keshi they should go ahead and hand him a new contract and if they don’t want him they should forthwith tell Keshi we don’t want you. If they offer Keshi a new contract all good and fine, at least, the side will have focus and the job at hand can get off the ground immediately,” said the former Harambee Stars’ coach to supersport.com. Eagles failed to qualify for the justconcluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

www.thenationonlineng.net

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2015

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

RIPPLES

RIGGING IS NOT ONLY WHEN BALLOT BOXES ARE SNATCHED–EX–Governor

Yes RIGGING starts when SOLDIERS are used to INTIMIDATE OPPONENTS!

VOL. 10, NO. 3137

‘The electorate have the responsibility of electing who they want as president and one million post-National Conference summit of the kind called by Mimiko cannot change this fact’

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

IXTEEN years after the forced withdrawal of the Nigerian military from power and the return to civilian democratic rule in the country, the nation is living in the shadows of the military again. Under his watch, President Jonathan’s weak and blundering PDP federal government is dragging the Nigerian military willy-nilly into partisan politics again. The presidential election which should have been held on February 14, two weeks ago, was postponed at the behest of the Nigerian Military High Command, barely a week before the due dates. The APC had run a strong and convincing electoral campaign and was heading towards victory if the elections were held on February14. President Jonathan resorted to the military to delay the elections to avoid his defeat. But delaying the elections for six weeks will not buy President Jonathan the time he needs to win. It will not alter his appalling record in office. And this Gestapo method is unacceptable. But the effort to delay the elections actually began at his Chatham House lecture in London when the National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dansuki, a scion of the Sokoto caliphate, told his bemused British audience that the date for the elections, set a year ago, might have to be changed because of the delay in the distribution and collection of the voters’ cards (PVC). There was no reference by him then to any security concerns. As at that date, two or three weeks before the elections, over 60 per cent of the voters’ cards had in fact been collected, with the certainty that more cards would be collected in the intervening period. The idea that all potential voters will collect their voters’ cards is not practical, given the existing voters’ apathy over the elections. In fact, less than half of those who are eligible to vote in Nigeria have usually exercised that right. It is highly unlikely that more than 70 per cent of those registered to vote will actually collect their cards. That such a critical proposal regarding a change in dates for the elections should have been made by Col. Dansuki who, in his capacity as National Security Adviser, should have nothing to do with the electoral process, is disturbing and improper. That this suggestion was made abroad, and not in Nigeria, was ominous. It was meant to appease the international community, and not Nigerians to whom the government owed an explanation for the proposal to change the dates of the elections to suit President Jonathan, the PDP presidential candidate. The proposal met with strong opposition both in Nigeria and abroad. The American Secretary of State, John Kerry, had been dispatched to Abuja to advice the federal government against any change in dates. Such a delicate matter involving the suggestion for a change of date could not have been made without the imprimatur and authority of President Jonathan and his ruling PDP. Dasuki merely flew the kite and it was overwhelmingly rejected at home and abroad The proposal for a change of date on alleged grounds of security concerns was turned down by the National Council of States at its Abuja meeting, at which Jega, the chairman of the Electoral Commission (INEC), also announced that he and his

TODAY IN THE NATION

DAPO FAFOWORA

FROM THE SUMMIT dapo.fafowora@thenationonlineng.net

Nigerian military is being dragged into politics again

‘

If he had wanted the elections held on the original dates he, as Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, should simply have issued the necessary orders for the Armed Forces to provide the necessary security logistics for the elections to be held on the original dates proposed.

’

Commission were ready for the elections and did not consider a change in dates necessary, or even desirable, for whatever reason. In fact, he claimed then that his Commission was better prepared to hold the elections on the due dates than in 2011. To get around this procedural difficulty and secure a delay in the date of the elections, President Jonathan got his Army High Command to send a letter to INEC that the Nigerian military could not, on security grounds, guarantee the dates proposed, and that in the intervening period, it was intensifying its attack on Boko Haram. The real reason for the change of dates is that President Jonathan needed more time to intensify his faltering campaign. As former president Obasanjo had warned the nation, winning the elections had become a ‘do or die’ affair for the president and his PDP. But getting the military to veto the dates of the elections is not in the national interest. It has created a bad precedent that the military can easily use in future. Nigeria has an Army of nearly 200,000 men, out of which it has deployed less than a division

against the raging insurgency in the North East. How come it cannot secure the elections with the remaining troops? In any case, the primary responsibility for maintaining law and order at all times internally rests with the Police, and not the Army. Throughout this entire crisis, President Jonathan has kept mute about the source of the military demarche on the electoral commission. President Jonathan is trying to hide behind a finger, but no one is deceived that the voice is Esau’s and the hand Jacob’s. He has put the Military High Commission in an invidious and embarrassing situation by prompting its intervention in the electoral process, a move that is plainly unconstitutional and improper. If he had wanted the elections held on the original dates he, as Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, should simply have issued the necessary orders for the Armed Forces to provide the necessary security logistics for the elections to be held on the original dates proposed. In any case, the security role of the armed forces in the elections is limited both by law and the Constitution. A recent judgment in the Appellate Court has ruled emphatically that the Armed Forces cannot, under whatever guise, be deployed for the purpose of advancing, or promoting, the electoral fortunes of one party or the other. What this means in plain terms is that the armed forces cannot legally be deployed to intimidate, harass, or victimize the supporters of one political party, or the other, and that in discharging its limited role during elections, it should be professional, and politically neutral in the electoral process. We now have incontrovertible evidence in the ‘Sagir case’ of the role played by some agents of the Armed Forces in the Ekiti state elections in which Governor Fayemi of the APC was fraudulently denied victory through the subversive manipulation of the electoral process by military and civilian agents of the PDP in the elections. In the Osun state elections, the use of

HARDBALL

PEYEMI Bamidele’s warning to Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose, which The Nation of February 25 headlined “Bamidele to Fayose: stop disgracing Ekiti people”, hinted at a crushing, though compartmentalised burden: 1. Ekiti schizophrenia ala Fayose: Ekiti, preFayemi Fountain of Knowledge and Fayemiera Land of Honour and Virtue, is unarguably a land of scholarship, legendary land of professors, and proud PhD holders. Scholarship comes with rigour, which commands honest hard work, which confers sound character, which comes, ala carte, with refinement and honour. Indeed, sound learning is never complete without sound character. So, Bamidele’s self-confessed bewilderment in Fayose: how could a land be so blest with honourable people yet endure a daily blast of knavery from Fayose’s supposedly high gubernatorial office? Indeed, where did Fayose come from? 2. Pristine Vs Contemporary Ekiti: The poetry of Prof. Niyi Osundare, “farmer-born, peasant-bred”, offers a proud vista of the pristine Ekiti, hilly, rugged and honest people, unfazed by their humble locale, endowed with Spartan will to push towards modernity. That is the personal story of Osundare, a farmer’s son, now perched on the crest of global literary endeavours. It even rings truer of an Afe Babalola, who never attended formal second-

LAWAL OGIENAGBON

hooded and armed men, as well as direct and indirect intervention by military agents of the PDP, almost led to the defeat of Governor Aregbesola of the APC. There is also some evidence that in his ‘do or die’ presidential elections of 2003, President Obasanjo, who is now shouting himself hoarse from the roof tops against the PDP strategy of winning the elections by hook or crook, made use of the security agencies to subvert the electoral process by offering them massive bribes to ensure the electoral victory of the PDP in the South West states in which the AD held sway. Only Lagos successfully resisted Obasanjo’s massive electoral fraud in those elections. Now, as we should by now have learnt from our post independence electoral experience, encouraging the Armed Forces to intervene in the electoral process is fraught with grave dangers and severe consequences. It is a wanton subversion of democracy and the electoral process. From 1962 to 1965 when the AG government of the former Western region was plunged into a constitutional crisis, the Balewa federal coalition government had used the armed forces to suppress the civil rebellion against the unpopular Akintola/Fani-Kayode NNDP government in the region. Relying on the Army, both Akintola and Fani-Kayode bragged that, whether or not the electorate voted for them, they would be declared the winner of the election. They were so declared, but strong and swift public reaction against the bizarre results declared led to the January, 1966, military coup d’etat in which Akintola lost his life. FaniKayode was brought to Lagos by the coup planners and was to have been eliminated, but was spared by then Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon, who personally secured his release. Gowon led a battalion of troops loyal to the federal government. In fact, as revealed by then Lt. Col. Hilary Njoku in his book ’A Tragedy without heroes’ on the January, 1966, coup, there were two coups being planned; one by the Brigadiers, and the other by the Majors. The Balewa federal government had grown so weak, so badly divided, so chaotic, and so feckless that it could no longer survive without the support of an Army that had, itself, become so badly divided, partisan and professionally rudderless. In the ensuing civil war six million Nigerians, most of them civilians, died. This tragic scenario is being replayed now with the faltering PDP federal government leaning increasingly on the Nigerian Armed Forces to apply its dirty electoral tricks to maintain its hold on power. This is subversive of the electoral process and Nigeria’s fledgling democracy. President Jonathan has said there will be no further shifts in the dates of the elections. He must be held to his public assurances and stop dragging the Armed Forces illegally into the electoral process. • For comments, send SMS to 08054503031

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Bamidele and the Ekiti burden ary school, yet is a legal titan today, toasted at home and abroad. Where, in such a progression, did a Fayose spring from — and, even ecstatically “elected” (never mind the rumbling doubts from the Ekitigate audio rigging tapes), even after a disastrous first term, that produced a vast abattoir of political opponents and a state that reeked of heavy sleaze? 3. Ekiti and progressives hubris: Twice, progressives have blundered out of power in Ekiti and twice, Fayose, Bamidele’s new burden, has proved their nemesis. Governor Niyi Adebayo (1999-2003) was plagued by a crisis of expectation, which heralded Fayose’s first coming. Governor Kayode Fayemi (2010-2014) boasted superlative performance, judging from his predecessors’ records, but ironically bred visceral hatred, within and outside his party, that again paved the way for Fayose’s second coming. A principal and ultra-active actor in this APC shake-down, that shot Ekiti into avoidable disaster, was Bamidele himself. So, which of these three segments of the Ekiti burden crushes Bamidele the most, as he laments the wanton disgrace Fayose heaps on the Ekiti, as wayward boy governor? If Bamidele were to be true to himself, it has

to be the third. Ekiti schizophrenia, he strictly could not help. If Judas, one of the original 12 apostles, betrayed Jesus the Christ, then every civilisation breeds its own Judas. Woe betide them, though, that make such Judases come to the fore! Pristine Vs modern Ekiti is neither here nor there. Modernity comes with some painful trade-off. The wailings against England’s Industrial Revolution birthed the corpus of poetry called the Romantics, with names like Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats sparkling across the literary generations. But for Bamidele, progressives hubris, the third segment of the burden is real — and Hardball dare says, befitting. Bamidele’s complaint over Fayose is noble. But Bamidele himself was an active part of the ignoble process that delivered Fayose’s second coming. Still, if the present Bamidele lamentation is purgatory, then it is welcome. But Kayode Fayemi should join Bamidele in that purgatory, prelude to reclaiming Ekiti from Fayose’s Stone Age savagery. Ekiti, the pristine conscience of the Yoruba nation, must regain its noble soul — whichever party gains ascendancy there. Otherwise, Bamidele and Fayemi risk a harsh verdict of history!

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